Gator

So you rationalise why they're doing it - if they do ? Btw, I don't see a high pressure small forward as "icing". They're crucial in the modern game. Surprised you don't see that. Fwiw, I'd prefer best available at pick 10, not Pickett. But I can understand if they pull the trigger.

After further thought... Melbourne don't consider themselves a 17th ranked team, in fact, they think they can win the flag in 2020 (courtesy of a recent lunch Goodwin attended with some supporters). So clearly, rightly or wrongly, they see the list differently to most footy pundits. With this framework in mind, if they see a player like Pickett as the missing ingredient in the forward half with his flair and pressure skills they have a dilemma. They'd recognise that he's probably not worthy of a pick 10 (or 11-12) selection, but they also know through the jungle drums he won't be available at their next selection (28). Do they take Stephens, Young/Ash or Serong, whose resumes read better ? Or do they take the player who's more important to the overall makeup of the team, i.e. Pickett ? They've got guys like Salem, Hibberd, Hore, and now Harmes earmarked for defence, so while Young and Ash would be great there's not as much of a need, and with the addition of Langdon and Tomlinson (hopefully vandenBerg) they can cope without Stephens. They'd love them all, but there's just one pick. You can't use a pick you don't have, so I get why you'd use the only pick you do have. And to add... I think most clubs would have taken note as to how much positive impact Flyin Ryan and Willie Rioli had on West Coast's last couple of years.

I'm conflicted. Pickett is exactly what we need, but a needs based top 10 pick ? I'll rationalise it as a broader list management decision that helps with the final touches.

I can assure you that Goodwin is aiming for top 4 and very much sees the opportunity for a flag in 2020. He said so at a recent lunch in South Yarra with a group of influential supporters.

But Ruprecht, what professional sporting organisation in the world foregoes having a game plan ? Being super fit with your best 22 gives the greatest opportunity to implement the game-plan to its highest and most skillful degree.

Like Pennant, I hope we retain pick 10 and pick the best player available.

As I said, I'll be surprised and exceedingly disappointed if we took Weightman at 10. He's simply not a top 10 talent.

No disrespect to Weightman, but if we keep pick 10 I'll be shocked (and disappointed) if we read his name out.

Taylor said in a recent interview that we won't slide from one of our top 10 picks unless we know that the player we want will still be available. Even if it's a gamble, it is very calculated. In his mind, pick 28 is virtually for free. Feel better ?

Not now.

It had crossed my mind.

Sounds good to me.

I'm far more interested in anecdotal evidence than testing results. I've seen players who've run very good 20 metre sprint times look slow at AFL level. If his coaches go out of their way to laud his ''in-game'' leap that's of more interest to me than testing. After-all, they didn't have to bring it up of it wasn't a strength. They'd just not mention it and focus on other traits they liked. You do have a habit of overthinking things. Paralysis by analysis.

It has nothing to do with being ''foolish'' if they don't bid on Green, but everything to do with their internal player rankings. Now, one can question those rankings, but that's a very different issue. Surely this makes sense to you.

Nothing will be ''confirmed'' until the draft, but media outlets are speculating that the Giants will pounce on Jackson and not match Melbourne's bid. I can't vouch for the veracity of the intel. I'm more than happy with whomever they choose. I've given up second guessing drafting decisions. The Dogs reached for Bontempelli a few years ago. It was very astute.

Some thoughts... If Melbourne rate Jackson over Green then why would they bid on Green and potentially lose Jackson to the Giants, who it's believed won't match the bid ? You may not agree with Taylor and co's player rankings, but if they want Jackson they can't bid on Green. It's just common sense. Others are worried by Jackson's height. He's 18 years old and two months. He plays virtually all of next year as an 18 year old (Sept. 21). Is it unlikely he grows another 2-3cm before he's finished ? Someone questioned his leaping ability. And he's got a great leap. He can really get over the top of them (opponents)... Peter Sumich From another - With a strong leap, competitive instincts, an ability to mark and also find the ball around the ground... Others are saying he's not worth pick 3. Pick 8 maybe, but not pick 3. My answer to that is that the Giants will take him at pick 4. How can he not be worth pick 3 if shrewd recruiters like the Giants will take him at pick 4 and overlook their academy young gun Green with Jackson as their preference ? If he's worth pick 4 in the view of the Giants why isn't he worth pick 3 ? Once again, let's talk common sense. I'm not fussed if you don't want Jackson and I'm not trying to ''convince'' anyone as to his merits, but some of the stuff being said doesn't make sense.

Jellyfish have survived for over 600 million years without a brain. There's hope for you yet, Junior.

No, I just wanted to delete a comment, but instead had to edit my own piffle. I'd be happy with Green from the limited amount I've seen. You can't have enough quality contested ball winning mids. That said, Jackson's an intriguing prospect.

Blah blah blah

For having an opinion ? I ought to thank you. You sum up why I avoided this place for six months. Adieu.

Don't fret, you're every chance to get me next time.

Clearly it's me stating I'm oblivious of this year's draft, but on the surface, i.e. some video footage, I can see the attraction to this particular player. To extrapolate my comments as some sort of slight on fellow Demonlanders shows a "special" type of person. I liked your initial post for a reason if you're in any doubt.

Idiots will idiot.

I'll let the cobblers cobble, but Jackson looks to me as though he has the attributes to be a star. His movement, footy IQ, and aggression are high resolution. He has a real bounce in his step that's reminiscent of someone always on their toes. You either have it or you don't. He looks like a player that makes things happen when he's around the footy. In his last 5 colts games he averaged a tick over 20 disposals and well over the 30 hitouts per game. Like Grundy, he'll be an extra mid. Grundy is an awkward kick, but it doesn't affect his total package. And if Taylor thinks he can play forward that's significant. As for splitting pick 8... I'm convinced Taylor won't slide 4-6 places in the first round unless he can select the same player he would have selected at pick 8. Personally, Ash looks like he''d be a great pick up late in the top 10.

For me it's a no brainer. He'll be relatively cheap and with lists of approx. 44 what's the downside if he doesn't pan out ? His talent is undeniable. 37 disposals and 4 goals against us at the G was evidence of a very special player. He's a better talent than Geelong's recently departed Tim Kelly. If you can't take a risk when you haven't won a flag in over 50 years when can you ? I'll live very comfortably if he came to the Dees and never played a game. Btw, I can share that Goodwin and co. are very bullish about 2020. They're aiming for top 4 and think they can win it - (courtesy of a lunch between Goodwin and well-heeled Demons supporters). Naturally, the usual rebarbative posters will bloviate their inanities at such a suggestion.