Gator

And that's exactly what we lack. His kicking is fine for what we need.

Lowlights don't tend to get their own videos.

I was disparaging of Robey after watching only one video, where he was super ordinary (round 19 Talent League). I've since watched and learnt more, so I now get the hype. He's a great size and has some impressive dynamic movement around contests. I've also learnt that he's very bottom age (October) and grew 20cm in a pretty short period. So, he's a great size, moves well around the contest and is a good mark. There's things I don't like, such as his kicking and he falls to ground way too often, but I do get the potential upside and power to his game.

I never get tired of posting ESPN's Knightmare's 2019 Report Card: Collingwood Improved their draft hand slightly in the latter half of the draft to increase their involvement without losing a lot. Jay Rantall represents strong value as a basketball convert with elite endurance who does his best work inside winning the contested ball, distributing by hand and moving through traffic. Oakleigh premiership captain Trent Bianco is a second selection who represents strong value as one of the best kicks in the draft and the most advanced outside player in the pool. Trey Ruscoe at 192cm with his versatility to play defence, midfield or forward, is a third solid selection with his skills, mobility, ball winning capabilities and the way he reads the ball in flight and takes marks. Though the question of whether Collingwood should have retained pick 51 to draft key forward Jake Riccardi rather than trade it to GWS who used the pick to draft the VFL's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal is a question that will be asked given Collingwood's lacking key position stocks. Grade: A Most footy followers would never have heard of their selections in 2025. Here's his view on Melbourne's draft haul. Melbourne Traded wisely and secured value in their trade with Fremantle. The move back allowed Melbourne to add pick 28 and a future fourth round pick without a meaningful move back down the order from pick 8 to 10. While Melbourne's trade looks on paper like value was acquired, their first two picks of ruckman Luke Jackson and small forward pressure specialist Kysaiah Pickett are arguably reaches. Jackson, a sub 200cm ruckman is athletic, plays with aggression and follows up well but was arguably not the best available player. Similarly, Pickett while the forward pressure he applies is of a best in draft standard and he has speed and is damaging with ball in hand, his low scoreboard impact and product makes him a difficult sell so early on. Trent Rivers, who Melbourne secured thanks to their trade with Fremantle represents strong value at what after bidding became pick 32. Rivers is a classy ball user off half-back who moves well and can push through the midfield as a ball winner. Grade: C

Of course you won't make it if you're not tough enough. But I doubt you'll get on an AFL list if you're not tough enough. I haven't seen enough of him.

Life is all about degrees. You can't become what you're not, but you can become adequate at what you're not good at. Besides, I haven't seen anywhere enough of him to trust the opinion of others. We all know why Simon Black, who was a gun at under 18 level slid to the 30s. He was considered too slow. What a mistake that was.

I made disparaging remarks about Lamb a week, or two, ago. Not so much about his historical performance during trade week, as I've often thought it's been good, more-so, as a recent assessment of contracts and list management decisions. I think he's (they've) done a great job this period under the circumstances. The point I really wanted to make though is that every person in a job makes mistakes. It's the experience of those mistakes that can be invaluable. Lamb is better positioned to make list assessment strategies now than he's ever been. Experience is invaluable, and he has it in spades. And he's never struck me as being stupid.

As long as he's not squeamish, I wouldn't be too conclusive over a teenager's ability to adapt enough to compete adequately at AFL level with a developed body. I'm not saying you are, by the way. I get you're pointing out potentially well-founded concerns.

What a laugh. It's an anonymous football forum. Have you ever been to the football ? Opposition players have copped it for over 100 years. It's more jest than anything else. Get over yourself.

Dovaston is exactly what we need. I've only seen a couple of videos, but he's quick, has a crack, has footy smarts, etc. I've only seen one video of Lindsay, but he looked great. Sublime kicking and could take a contested mark. Supposedly, he doesn't have midfield craft and may not be overly athletic. Are those knocks on the money ? That's when you need to see a lot more of a player. But at first glance you can't help but be impressed with his class. If he can never translate his skills to the midfield I'd be hesitant, as I do think we need to get a decent mid. I liked the look of Greeves, but haven't seen enough. I wasn't keen on Cumming or Schubert. So, for me, early days, if Lindsay can become a bona fide mid at AFL level I like the look of him and Dovaston. But Greeves looked really good to me. What am I missing with him ?

An ordinary looking tweener.

I've put in zero effort this year looking at tapes of this current crop of draftees. I thought I'd start last night, but it was just a cursory glance. I've heard that Sullivan Robey has shot up the draft boards in a similar fashion to Oliver in 2015, so I started with him. Admittedly, it's a tiny sample size, but my goodness he looked ordinary. He's supposedly top 10 quality ? Maybe I just started with his worst video. Bad kicks, dropped marks, errant handballs, and the slowest decision maker you'd ever see. I'll look at more videos, but the round 19 talent league game I saw I couldn't have been less impressed. If he's a top 10 draft selection no wonder they're complaing about this year's draft.

Thanks. I'm really interested in your opinion.

And he wouldn't know how to use AI.

From PHRASLY.Ai AI Detection Results Latest (V2) mode 100% Your text is likely to be written by AI. Result Breakdown5/5 sentences are likely AI generated.

Like Neale-Bullen, Jackson and now Petracca, I'll celebrate their Melbourne careers once they're fully retired. Before then, no.

I agree @dazzledavey36 . Petracca is a champion of our club and imo a champion of the game. But he also had a chance to be a part of getting this club back up the ladder. Instead, this overly emotional sook took the easy way out. Yeah yeah nearly died blah blah I wouldn't want to be in the trenches with him. How many thumbs down can I get 🤣

I disagree. Players shouldn't sign long-term contracts and then capriciously change their mind.

Who's ''writing him off'' ? We don't all have to gush over club recruitments.

We're all different. I don't get emotional about footballers. During trade time they become a commodity. So, naturally, I want that commodity maximised. Oliver is the best pure mid I've seen at Melbourne and when his playing days are over I'll laud his contributions to that elusive premiership. In the meantime, I'm ok losing an overweight 28 year old man with Mummy issues.

A terrible comparison.

For me it's more his decision making. But hey, if people want to be excited by another club's fringe player, great.

I can't say this overly excites me. While many on Demonland liked Sam Frost I thought he was hopeless. Hopefully, this bloke isn't as bad with his ball use.

Just joking. Ann-Margret is one of my all-time favourites.

No such thing.