Gator

Thanks. Demonland is a fantastic site and we're lucky to have it, but the amount of nuffies on here is incredible.

Why don't you explain it to me, Chuckles ?

You think I'm going to waste more time discussing someone I have on ignore ? Good one.

Well there you go. We couldn't disagree more.

Your post appears contradictory. That said, no-one is telling you what to "think".

I blocked this unsavoury clown eons ago. It's a waste of time.

I'll have to tell premiership captain Shannon Hurn he's too heavy at 187cm and 95kg. Just have some faith in the footy dept. A player's ideal weight is pretty simple for conditioning coaches.

Have you seen his frame ? 90kg for Petracca would not only be counterproductive it would be ridiculous. You think he should weigh 3kg more than Viney ? 96kg is fine for Petracca's physique.

I sort of agree, because I really value when he touches the footy and I don't agree. As I stated earlier, 48% of his possessions are contested possessions, which more mirrors an inside mid than an occasional midfielder and flanker. I'd like to see his disposal rate go from an average of 20 to 25, which will happen if he's able to increase his uncontested possessions. Paradoxically, I think he's becoming underrated due to the criticism he receives, while at the same time I think he can become a much better player. I expect a significantly better 2019. And he's the sort of player that if he takes that next step he takes us a step closer to a flag.

I fully agree except I believe Jones was a very good junior triathlete before he came to the club, so I think he was always pretty strong in his running. Petracca's weight is his strength. It's his size that can potentially make him a competition powerhouse. He does need to improve his running and if he's a couple of kilos overweight then sure he needs to lose it, but I doubt his weight is an issue. I reckon Petracca is 25-30% below his optimum and much of that will come with finding easier ball. He averages 20 disposals per game and 48% of his possessions are contested, which is very high and more in tune with an inside mid. He needs to find easier footy on the outside through smarts and work ethic and lift those uncontested possessions. If he can do that he'll make great advances.

A-grade summation.

It looks like he's moving on...

Seemingly, unlike others I'd rather Preuss in the VFL until he's (hopefully not) needed. I suspect they'll experiment with the two rucks early in the season and I also expect it will be a short one. But it's great having a backup.

More on ACLs, which I found interesting. It's from Demonland's own star resident expert in these types of things @Webber - posted some time ago: "There is no greater incidence of hamstring injuries post ACL reconstruction where the hamstring is used as the graft. The hamstring 'group' (3 muscles) compensate as a collective to take over the progressive loads imposed during rehab. The surgery is a very elegant and efficient process. The graft length is computer calibrated to be anatomically correct, and anchored to the bones top and bottom of the knee (femur and tibia). That graft is initially dead tissue, but over the period of 5 to 6 months, the blood supply re-establishes through the bony attachments, such that it becomes fully vascular, and therefore a self-regenerating tissue. It is 'living' and able to absorb the stresses applied. Fully competitive, full speed multidirectional sport is allowed at 9 months. At the elite level, there are seldom variations to this timeline, and the outcome is as if the ACL had never been damaged."

That goes without saying.

He was injured round 11 June 2. I don't know when he was operated on, but I assume about a week later, so let's say June 9. The standard recovery from ACLs is 9 months. It won't be a one size fits all, some come back sooner and some probably come back later. Also, I don't know if it being his second ACL on the same knee warrants a more cautious approach, or whether it has no effect. I'd just be guessing. Nine months takes him to approx. two weeks before our first game on Saturday 23 March. Theoretically, if it's a standard recovery he may well be ready to play round one. Lynden Dunn, who did his ACL one month later in round 15 on July 2, has targeted his return date as round one. I won't be advising medical staff one way or another, I'm not that stupid, but I won't be surprised if he's ready for round one based on historical timelines - assuming he doesn't have any hiccoughs along the way. I also won't be surprised if it's round 4 or 5 when he returns. His minor set back a few weeks ago won't impact things, I wouldn't have thought.

70s

Flower is the greatest goal-kicking wingman of all time. Flower is the most brilliant Melbourne player I've ever seen. I have a feeling Oliver will be the most effective Melbourne player I'll see.

Complacency - hunger, it's the same thing and it's what every club is wary of. I agree with @Ethan Tremblay. It's most definitely an issue, but it's so obvious it doesn't need mentioning.

And like many Melbourne players, he never lived up to his perceived potential.

It's the exposed form that has me excited. For players who played at least 10 games in 2018 Weideman averaged the 11th most contested marks in the competition. In his last 5 games he took 13 contested marks at 2.6 per game. That average over the course of a season would have placed him equal second with Jack Darling and bear in mind three of those games were finals. When a guy is a 196cm 21 year old and has 24 disposals, 7 marks, and kicks 3 goals in his club's first final in 12 years there's a bit to be excited about. To show you can perform on the big stage in front of 90,000+ is significant. I spoke with Brendan McCartney back at the end of 2016 and he said Weideman would be as good as Hogan. I didn't believe it at the time and he still may not reach Hogan's level, however, I no longer think it's a pipe-dream. Weideman is very athletic, takes some marks Hogan can't (and vice versa), and like Hogan he's a very smart decision maker. He doesn't turn 22 until the end of June. My prediction: 38 goals in 2019. More in subsequent years.

He was a rubbish player who was soft in the contest, had horrible disposal, and made poor decisions. Don't confuse mouthy as being hard.

Hunt is a conundrum. He does have genuine AFL attributes. He's like a cricketer who needs to hone his game and remove the errors. It's a coaching and development challenge, but I like what Hunt offers and can see him still being an important part of the team. There's no reason he still can't improve.

Extra points for not using the [censored] term "Happy Holidays". Well done. And Merry Christmas.

Best looking guernsey in the AFL. Carlton's a close second.