Gator

Adding a player like Mathieson is what the Dees of old would have done. List places are too important now to waste spots on scrubbers like Mathieson.

On the contrary Petracca is underrated by plenty of Melbourne supporters and the broader media. Our game is all about contest and defence, but ultimately it's measured by scores. Over the last three years Petracca has been the number one 'score involvement' player by some margin. But he's been able to do it while also being number one for 'inside 50s', 'goal assists' and 'metres gained' during the same period. He's also number 2 over the last 3 years for 'contested possessions' behind only Oliver and second for 'disposals' in general. If you consider him ''overrated'', you must have a measurement you're comparing him to. Considering there's not a player in the league that can match his overall output over the last 3 years I'll be fascinated to know what it is.

Not that I'm trying to top you, but my wife was 7 months pregnant with an 11 month old ...

Petty's family home is in Wudinna, which is 570km from Adelaide and a 6 hour drive. He was a boarder at a school in Adelaide, but family ties are nowhere near Adelaide. He's contracted until 2025 and I have zero concerns about him leaving.

Still, Petracca has had 62 scoring shots to Bontempelli's 33. Over the last 2 years Petracca has had 50 more score involvements than the next best player, i.e. 410 to 360. Let that sink in. Fifty more score involvements than the player coming second over 2 seasons. He gets marked harshly, Petracca.

It was Tom Morris. Btw, I like your style. 😉

Petracca is the reason the game was one. 6 Petracca 5 Viney 4 Fritsch 3 Neale-Bullen 2 May 1 Oliver

Yes, they'd want a future first plus extra.

I've read on another forum that the Suns have plenty of picks to cover bids for their 3 (likely top 10) academy players. The thought being that they're more likely to try and trade pick 4 for another team's future first. Ideally a team they project to finish near the bottom in 2024. But who knows what Taylor has up his sleeve.

I believe Lyon was at the same reunion in Kyabram that Reid's parents attended. I don't believe there's anything other than a happenstance meeting. Lyon confirmed he attended a Kyabram reunion on radio during the week and Reid's parents were also there.

Unfortunately, North are still best placed to trade for pick one.

Given the choice of North or West Coast I'd choose West Coast. But neither play at the MCG, which is every Victorian kids dream. North alternate between being scheduled once or twice a year at the MCG during the H&A season. Although they've also had multiple years in a row with just one game there. It's a massive advantage to be an MCG club.

Petracca is in it up to his eyeballs. The fact that he averages over 28 disposals and kicks goals helps. Petracca has received coaches votes in 16 of 20 games compared to Bontempelli's 12. All this means is that Petracca has been adjudicated to be in the top half dozen players on the ground in 80% of the games he's played. Based on probability he's receiving plenty of Brownlow votes. The main concern is that he may not get enough 3s.

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Wouldn't be hard. It's extraordinary that the MFC has only 2 players that have kicked 500+ goals (Smith & Neitz). Luke Breust has achieved that milestone for Hawthorn, along with 6 others. And they're not a foundation club. That said, we know our history post 1970 which explains why we have such deplorable records. Most record breaking stats have happened after 1970. Not all, most.

A bit too cryptic for me, old friend.

So does 90% of this site.

With regards to McVee, no I didn't. His best game was the GF, which should have excited everyone. I've not said I know more than the recruiting team. I've said I have concerns with Jefferson avoiding body contact and showing a lack of intensity. You can add a lack of urgency too. You remind me of a famous interview Bill Shorten had when he said he agreed with Julia Gillard despite not knowing what she said. I accept you don't believe you're allowed an opinion on our players because of Jason Taylor. I find it a maniachal position to take, but each to their own.

You excel at stating the obvious. A rare ability. The best recruiters can make a mistake. The talent with Jefferson is obvious, but it doesn't mean he'll become a quality AFL player. Hopefully, my ability to be Captain Obvious just matched yours. No mean feat.

I trust me eyes, which has nothing to do with Taylor, or his record.

Mine aren't. I'm realistic about developing young talls. His complete lack of intensity is a concern. In the third quarter there was a 50/50 high bouncing ball that he rightly tried to tap forward to advantage. He failed because he skirted body contact. That's just one instance, but it sums up where he's at. He can take a lovely mark and they'll give him plenty of time, but his physicality, or lack thereof, has me doubting he'll ever be a quality AFL key forward. When the facts change my opinion will too.

Balanced observers of this sorry tale wanted the accusations tested before making judgment. Evidence is always a prerequisite for me.

If only that was the general sentiment on here 9 months ago. It wasn't.

This is quite an enjoyable re-read. Very few didn't jump to conclusions.

Nathan Buckley had an interesting observation re our stoppage structures On the Couch last night. As you'd know, he viewed the game from the opposition coach's box on Saturday. In essence he said that most teams play their wings as defensive sweepers, so there's cover if the opposition wins the footy and tries to forward exit the stoppage. They're set up to provide defensive pressure as needs be. Melbourne's wingers tend to play ''tight'' and don't provide that defensive cover. This means that all our mids are basically off side if the opposition manage to break away from a stoppage. They get cleaner entries while our mids are left chasing tail.