Gator

From Snoop Dog, who's a solid observer... He hasn't yet done his phantom Draft, but this is his view on Parish in another type of communal draft: # 3 Melbourne - Darcy Parish (Geelong Falcons / 181cm / 74kg) Terrific player who have seen plenty of. Probably not as big as you want your midfielders these days but he ticks nearly every box. Very clever player around the stoppages who can win it and create space through the congestion to get away and clear the ball. Actually has real bounce about him and would think he would be a hard player to track and stay on top of as he is always on the move. As a bottom ager I thought he was a bit outside but he was a terrific ball winner this year and has really rounded him out. His ball skills are very good (averages circa 70% DE) and he is particularly good at using lateral kicks to create the play and set team mates up. His vision is elite and his spacial awareness very good to. Just doesn't really get flustered. From a defensive aspect notwithstanding the frame he loves to tackle and whilst an average 2-3 at champs / TAC he isn't averse to it but it is an area he could do some more work on to try and get that up around 5+ per game. Always love to watch how these kids go vs men and really rated his performance for the Academy side vs Blues and Werribee. He was hard at it and really competitive and I think the game vs the Blues was particularly good. Only knock is he didn't test that well at the combine which i was surprised by because when you watch him that is not the sense you get. Not sure where he will start at AFL level. He has shown he is very good off a HB flank, demonstrated this year he is a very good all round midfielder and has pushed forward as well to kick goals. He has a very light frame though and he won't be pushed to the middle to quickly I would have thought and with mids like Jones, Petracca, Brayshaw, Tyson and Viney they can afford to protect him a bit. With Salem & Bugg off HB wouldn't mind betting he starts as a HF flanker. Building a very talented group of juniors these Demons ...

I doubt this, so please post his comments or link.

I did.

It's funny. I haven't read one poster who articulated any degree of insight into the negotiations from this draft period, yet apparently, after the event, it's passe. I accept it's not all ground breaking, but I found the interaction of the characters interesting and found it a good read. Clearly, I'm not as clever as some.

His top 10 doesn't include Melbourne's 2nd selection, which is a pretty poor oversight.

AFL Draft 2015: Melbourne set to pick midfielder Darcy Parish ahead of Essendon http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-2015-melbourne-to-pick-midfielder-darcy-parish-at-no-3-before-essendon/news-story/596e6c2b20b18ca5b7a2d1e654ae6578

So it's not a lottery.

Thanks. Yes, it was interesting and one can't help but align with this comment as a Melbourne supporter: Noble says that his Harvard lessons encouraged him to take "a more holistic" approach to trades, focusing less on one trade than on the aggregate outcome in the exchange period; the Crows might not have gained Troy Menzel from the Blues for pick 28, for instance, had they not finished the Dangerfield deal early. We perhaps didn't know it, but one can't help feeling we were in very good hands during this trade period. They had an overall strategic plan that netted telling results.

As I said, it's impossible to be categoric with any argument, but common sense tells me it's a far less valid argument. Parish was no chance of being overlooked by Essendon, such is their dire need for quality in their midfield, whereas Curnow is a genuine chance to be available at pick 7. If Essendon only had one pick it's feasible they'd overlook Parish, but not when they have two. Twelve months ago Weideman was being bracketed with Schache and Weitering as the quality tall of the draft. There's also Francis who can play at both ends and the middle, albeit he's better in defence. So if we assume Parish takes up one of those picks Essendon still have a choice between Francis, Curnow, Weideman or even Collins as a potential tall forward. It wouldn't surprise me if Essendon take another mid in Mathieson or Oliver their midfield is that putrid. In summary, there's no way Essendon overlook Parish considering they have picks 4 and 5, but it's entirely feasible they overlook Curnow.

Melbourne needed pick 3 because they thought the player they'd earmarked wouldn't be there at pick 6. One club had picks between 3 and 6 - Essendon. If we think Melbourne have recently been light on for mids take a look at Essendon. Watson and Stanton are geriatrics with their best footy well behind them. Zaharakis hasn't taken the next step. If anything he's regressed. Myers is a disappointment. Hocking is a good player, but little more than a no frills tagger. That leaves Heppell as their only class mid with years left. If you're Essendon you're taking Parish. No questions asked. Any surmising 3-4 weeks before the draft is prone to error, however, it just makes sense that Melbourne want the class mid in this draft. Especially when he's exactly what we need.

Just part of due diligence. He'd be one of a few in the mix at 7.

Steve, you are not allowed to discuss a player's frame pre-draft.

And there's your glaring issue. Hogan is the only quality forward. We desperately need a Gunston, Stringer or Darling type. Someone who isn't the main focus, but can kick 50+ goals. I don't disagree that we need outside class, but 50 goal talls are much harder to find, which is why I like the idea of Curnow. The best talls are usually taken early. Vince, Jones, Viney, Tyson, vandenBerg, Brayshaw, Petracca, Trengove, Salem, Stretch, ANB, and now Kennedy, Melksham and Bugg provide a solid group who can rotate through the middle. It really depends on who our recruiters think are best available. They may think Curnow has huge upside to partner Hogan and is too good to ignore. Obviously many of our mids are a work in progress, but if they reach the heights expected we'll be pretty well covered except for a real line breaker. I'd rather that be the last piece in the puzzle than overlook a potential Stringer type. Although, I also reckon Petracca could be our Stringer and better

He's a harmless supporter that is passionate about the Dees. And that's all that matters.

Did you just hear his dulcet tones ?

In what way ?

This is the crux. We obviously have a clearly defined role for Melksham and it also releases Salem to the wing.

Brilliantly evaluated.

From hearing him for over 10 years I'd be amazed if he posts here. I can't really articulate why, but I don't think he walks among us. He says too many things that are at odds with what is discussed here. Even our greatest nongs are a step up from Chris.

I hadn't even noticed this until I saw your highlight. What am I meant to be saying and about whom ?

They said we'd agreed on our second round pick, which is currently pick 25.

Chris Pelchen, who's been doing this for a long time at 3 clubs, said a week ago he thought Melksham was worth in the vicinity of pick 20-25.

He used to like Juice Newton...

Pick 25 is a steal for 2013 Jake Melksham and it's overs for 2015 Jake Melksham. I suppose I have to back Goodwin's assessment of how he thinks Melksham can be developed.

Chris from Camberwell has been ringing in for over a decade - SEN/3AW. His whiny voice is arguably the worst ever heard on the airwaves and he is always, and I mean always, asking incredibly inane questions.