Gator

Lumumba was one of the softest Melbourne players I've had the misfortune to lay my eyes on.

I'm responding to you, but it's wasted on you, so it's really for others. What couldn't be replicated by simply running was contested work. In a quality preseason contested work, i.e. bumping into bodies, tackling, competing for pack marks, getting up quickly after you've just been brought to ground, sprinting to tackle when you're fatigued, etc. is all part of the necessary preparation to get you ready for the most brutal team sport in the world. None of our midfielders completed even half a proper preseason and most didn't start any contested stuff until February. It also doesn't provide players with any confidence that they're ready. They know what's required and they also know what's less than ideal. Confidence is huge in footy and most players heading into round one would have had serious trepidation as to whether they'd done the work required. Preseason running to get a fitness base simply doesn't cut it in the modern game, chap.

Interesting question. Who would I prefer on the wing, Kolodjashnij or Tomlinson ? How good would it be if Harley Bennell somehow returns to his best ? Neither player in the poll inspires.

Good pick-up - just as Lord had been patting himself vigorously on the back. Not only did we not select Young, Sydney did not bid on Green. ?

Agreed. I wouldn't call a player an A-grader on the back of one great year let alone one game.

It's wishful thinking, but I liked the Cyril draft pick reference.

You do realise that it's 2v2 and not 4 players all spoiling ? ?

I'm sure he's greatly relieved.

That's a little unkind to my friend Picket, Duncan. Fwiw, I do think it's an error to not review your biggest loss of the year. You review your wins and you review your losses. Always. That said, not one of our midfielders completed 50% of last year's preseason, so a horrible year was on the cards and is at least explainable.

Richmond were also ranked 12 in 2017.

Yours and other reports are greatly welcomed by most and I think they've been very balanced. Keep up the good work.

I appreciate the efforts of posters to keep us informed and feel like I can handle the truth about a few errant kicks. If I was in a socialist country they may want to hide me from it.

Jeez you overthink things. He's cheap and handy tall forward depth. Break glass if required.

The boy stood on the burning deck, a pocket full of crackers...

Buckenara on Howe moving to Collingwood in a forward role: It seems that's the role Collingwood want for him and the role he plays best. Time will tell whether or not he's as good as Gunston or Breust but it seems he's got a definite job description at the Pies Any casual observer watching Melbourne knew Howe was much better as a defender than a forward, but not Buckenara. On the 2016 draft - Buckenara thought Taranto was taken too early at pick 2 and he had him rated at 10. Taranto is currently either the best or second best from that draft and vindicated the GWS selection. In June 2016 Buckenara said that Richmond's and Collingwood's lists were bother ''overrated''. ''Similar to Collingwood, they've got too many back-end, depth players and maybe they've overranked themselves as a club as well.'' Richmond have since won two flags and Collingwood were a kick off winning one and have solidified themselves as a top 4 team. It's up to you how much stock you put in this blokes assessments. I put very little in them at all.

You mean a first year player. Some adapt quicker than others. We'll see.

Why would Pickett be "raw" ? He's not new to the code. His skills look exquisite and I'm sure he's had a footy in his hand since he was a toddler. His endurance may not be up to scratch and he may serve an apprenticeship at Casey, but why is he likely to be raw ?

Drafts can't truly be rated for 5-10 years, but if we base it on who we targeted it has to be an A+. We wanted the first two we picked and ensured we got them and Rivers was universally expected to be gone by our third pick. Time will tell if our assessments of all concerned were accurate - in part or fully. There wouldn't have been too many clubs leave the draft that got their exact wishlist. We probably did (unless they were hoping for someone other than Rivers who slid).

If Young is a genuine gun he'd improve our side by a bit, but imo it will be as a defender not as a mid. But we're not a lot worse off by not having him if we have a fit back 6/7 who can string games together. If Jackson is a genuine gun forward/ruck he improves our list a lot and becomes irreplaceable. Not to mention he and Gawn would become the most dominant tall duo in the game. At worst Jackson looks like he'll be very good. An added bonus is that I don't see a long apprenticeship at Casey for this boy.

I'm not a Frost fan, so don't share your view. We all know his strengths, but he wasn't predictable to his teammates and I've heard he wasn't the most coachable player, which didn't help his efforts to be retained.

For me Lever needs to be the intercept third tall. He's much better when he's freed up to use his judgment and athleticism. May and one of Oscar McDonald or Petty need to hold down FB with May at CHB. As Petty is training with the forwards Oscar will be given first crack in the main defensive role. Duel hip surgery ruined his 2019, but he has a chance to make amends. If he's not competitive enough then Petty should move back. Petty's going to be a very good player, whether it's in defence or attack. I suspect Jackson and Pickett will be staples in the side sooner rather than later.

I'm certain Goodwin and his group would admit mistakes were made. It's hard to grow or improve if you don't make mistakes. And they were challenged by injuries like few teams before them, which is tough going considering the young list profile. Btw, this ''plan B'' talk is a load of crap. Everyone knew how Hawthorn played when they won 3 flags, they just couldn't deal with it. Clarkson didn't alter their game style in season, just as Richmond played to their strengths this year. Do you think Leigh Matthews had a plan B ? Ever heard ''From the Lips of Lethal'' ? Malthouse won a flag going around the boundary to minimise the effect of turnovers. He didn't suddenly start using the corridor during games they were losing. All clubs adjust their tempo at times during games, throw a 7th defender into the mix, match up on a dominant player who's got off the leash, move a tall defender forward, etc., but that's not having a ''plan B''. Flag teams don't worry about ''plan B''.

Thank you. For the dopes (and they are numerous) - Goodwin was referencing the operations and the fact that the entire midfield group had delayed/badly interrupted preseasons where they could barely do contesteted work before January (some February).

As you're aware, not all small forwards are the same. Pickett and Weightman look to be very different types. Pickett and Liam Henry are of a similar genre (Henry more advanced) and are a different type of ''small'' to Weightman. Imo, we need a Pickett or Henry type more than a Weightman. I like their flair, speed, agility, aggression, knock ons, etc. I'm not saying Weightman doesn't have similar traits, but from what I've seen not to the same degree. I don't see quite that buzzing excitement machine in Weightman when compared to the other two, who just seem more of what we lack and need.

I wouldn't take much notice of Buckenara. Great player, but a lightweight who now can't get a gig within the industry. In fact, he's recently been sacked by both the North Ballarat Roosters and the Frankston Dolphins. Hardly a glowing endorsement.