stevethemanjordan

Jeebus. How do I put the pest on ignore? Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure it's a matter of people being afraid of 'upsetting' the guy. I think most people just genuinely believe that Grimes is actually a very capable leader. I can certainly see it.He may not have gotten high numbers whilst playing midfield last year, but when you look at the reasons why, then it makes sense. He was playing in the worst midfield within the AFL, he's played most of his AFL career so far as a fantastic intercept back flanker and he's had barely even one full AFL pre-season. Jones is an exception for obvious reasons. He's been a full-time AFL midfielder for several years now, has benefitted hugely from having next to no injuries to date and is obviously reaping the rewards with his consistent form. With the injection of Cross, Vince, Michie, Tyson and from what Roos has already alluded to, Grimes will go back to that backline general role where I reckon his leadership will really shine through. Whether he's Captain or vice, it won't matter. He's played his best footy back there and it's where he seems most at home. Garland and Grimes are fantastic leaders for our back six. The more I think about it, the more I'm liking the idea of having a number of 'leaders' or 'captains' as Sydney did back an 05. Roos has already spoken about that. Something like Grimes, Jones, Clark and perhaps one other to really drive the group forward. Once we're an actual cohesive footy team/unit playing some good football, then I can see one of our younger guys being given the Captaincy. That makes most sense to me, but we'll soon see.

Im envisaging something similar.

Pick 40, pick 40, pick 40.

Unfortunately we live in a world where language is very limited and is absolutely subject to interpretation and therefore can be misunderstood.Aggression and courage can be interchangeable. It's definitely not so black and white, but I do understand what you're trying to say. I'm with you on Green, especially toward the latter part of his career he seemed to worry less about being 'hit'. That comes with age, experience, building your body etc. Whether you want to use the word courageous or not is up to the individual. Yes he showed courage at times. Jack Watts WILL improve in this area. It's not a question of whether he will or won't. It's more about the speed in which he changes and whether or not he can add some stink and mongrel to his game. That's what interests me. I can see some level of arrogance within him. He definitely knows he is very skillful and has the ball on a string when in possession. But if he can take that 'swagger' and 'confidence' and apply it to a contested situation. Really break it down and tell himself, 'I'm going to win this ball if it's the last thing I do'... then we'll see some serious improvement.

Kg's obviously help but it's one's mentality that will dictate whether or not you're someone like Jack Viney or Jack Watts. It runs deep, it's an environmental conditioning. You can imagine, (as an example) how rough Todd would have been with Jack as a kid. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree... In Watts' case, I suspect he wasn't exposed to that sort of environment at a young age, which ultimately has an influence on the psychological aspects of playing such a physical sport. That's not to say he can't overcome this psychological conditioning. We've already seen some, (slow) improvement. In fact, there's one game that sticks in my memory from last year. The queens bday game against the filth. Watts' first handful of touches and contests were unlike any I'd seen in his past games. Maybe he got himself up for that particular quarter of that game. Maybe because he remembers how overawed he was when we blooded him the same game all those years back.. Who knows. But I definitely saw a momentary 'switch'. A five-ten minute period where it was as though let go of some of those insecurities and some of that conditioning. It was great. It's definitely there, we just need to speed up the process. Enter Roos and Stone. Agree. A few of those attributes that you see basketballers have are a huge bonus to a midfielder. The only reason Pendles is the player he is, is because he has the physicality and mental toughness to match.

If only there were a switch he could flick. The guy could be absolutely anything if he were to add that physical aspect to his game. Can't wait to see what Roos and Stone can get out of him.

Just listened to/read Paul Roos presser and my ears pricked up when he spoke about our young Jack. Whilst I'm obviously over the moon in landing Roos, Stone and the batch of mids we've snagged over the trade period, this particular scenario is going to be fascinating to watch unfold over the next 5-6 months. Watts' move to the midfield. It'll be his third positional change at the club, and we all know how many knocks the kid has taken along the way for the way he's developed. What I find really intriguing is Roos' comparison of Watts to Freo's big boys in the middle. Whenever I've seen Watts in a contested situation where the ball is in dispute, he's looked incredibly gangly, apprehensive to really go in and win the ball, and use his frame. We're all aware that Watts' biggest issue is his confidence. He's not naturally aggressive, nor does he look comfortable when other bodies are flying in for the pill. I'm sure Roos is aware of this and this is what is going to be so interesting to watch over the next period of time. If Roos and co can bring some mongrel and stink to Watts' game, it may well catapult his own confidence and mental toughness through the roof and we may well have a serious player on our hands. It would turn into a snowball effect and I can imagine him never looking back. Out of all of the exciting prospects and scenarios to unfold during the offseason, it's this particular challenge I'm looking forward to the most. Go dees

I reckon it goes like this. Within this crop of midfielders, most seem to have at least one or two standout attributes to their name. Sheed on the other hand doesn't, and it seems that many here see that as a negative thing. Ie, 'he's a good honest footballer' etc Dom Sheed does most things of an above average standard, which screams consistency to me. As seen by his numbers in the champs, he wins plenty of the ball with a good mix of contested and uncontested possessions and he hits the scoreboard regularly. Matt Priddis, Lenny Hayes, Ryan Okeefe are examples of players who don't really have standout attributes, but they consistently find and win the footy for their team and their contributions are immense. Sheed will be a ripper, no matter where he goes.

It's impossible to argue with someone who who places such importance on 'possession count'. Why do you think Magner didn't get an AFL game after that performance?

Again, I'm just wanting to point out that Magner had a 50 odd possession game this year, and Greenwood for North accumulated 38 possies in one of the few AFL games he played this year. Whilst having an average of 36 possies a game is a positive. It doesn't MEAN he'll be a gun. Do you know what other abilities he has? What other attributes? I'm not saying he won't be a good player. For all I know he could end up being the mid of the draft. But stop with 'he must be a gun because he averages high numbers' talk.

Different players. Different circumstance. There are still gems out there that are yet to be unearthed. Cain was an unbelievable player when I played with him through 16's. Some players suit faster-paced football. Cain's decision making, hands and kicking are impeccable. Magner is a junkyard bulldog who will dive in and come out with the ball but that's all he's got going for him. I strongly believe Cain will more than hold his own at AFL level and I'm desperate for us to draft him.

It's very rare that you come across kids pre-draft who really know how hard to work defensively and it's something that is mostly developed within an AFL club. Sure Garlett's defensive efforts weren't fantastic during his under 18's year. But hey, I don't remember a guy named Jack Watts ever being fantastic defensively either. I understand he went at number 1 in the draft. And his defensive efforts are still questionable to this day.The concerns for the player at hand have now spiralled out of control.

This is what I'm talking about. What is this 'off-the rails' talk WJ? The fact that he was overlooked last year due to his lack of commitment and 'party boy' antics was fair enough. Clubs wanted to see if he could commit and prove himself this year. He has. And he'll be picked up. There is no club within the AFL that he could destabilise. He is a young boy who has a bunch of mates in WA in which he parties with and gets up to some mischief, but unfortunately he has made that more public than most other players who do the same. Fact. He hasn't killed anyone. He's not connected to any terrorist organisation from what I know... He is simply a boy that needs to mature a bit more and probably benefit from being within an organisation with a support network, some great leaders and some quality development people/coaches.

Wouldn't quite go that far. He's improved it a hell of a lot this season in the WAFL. Anyway, I'm over arguing my point. The guy has shown improvement in those areas of his game as well as his off-field behaviour. From that, I see a guy who has the desire to play at the highest level, and that's all that was needed this year. For him to show that he can commit. Too many worry warts on here. Within an AFL club, he'll have an abundance of caring coaches players and people to set him on the right path. Especially interstate.

The point is, the only risk in taking him is from a non-football side of things. Nothing to do with ability. He can play, everyone has seen it and everyone knows it. Hypotheticals aside. He's going to be an absolute steal for whoever gets him. I'm making ultimatums. And I'll be held accountable. The guy will be a steal.

When we have a capable midfield, he will become one.

Those two and Lennon. Let's hope they're 200 + game champions so we don't have the chance to get it wrong, again..

C'mon guys, cut him some slack... He's clearly vision impaired.

I think the chances of snaring a Barlow these days are few and far between however Chris Cain is one I've had my eye on for a while and whilst obviously there are a whole batch of other mature age recruits I have no idea about, I would really love to get Cain across to the MFC. I'm much more confident in our recruiting department as I'm sure everyone else is. The appointment of Taylor was vital, as we're all well aware of the success rate we've had from drafting in previous years. Last year was a big success and I can only hope we'll snag some decent players at pick 40 and 57 or whatever it is. Garlett is a kid who would only leave a club if he wasn't able to apply himself. He has skills and attributes that 3/4's of our list would die for. Maybe it's some sort of romantic thing, but I can imagine Roos really being a fantastic mentor for a troubled kid like that. He's the best on the business. If we were to land Cain and Garlett on top of the trade period we've had, I'll be doing cartwheels.

I'll be honest, I feel for the guy. But I also feel for the MFC at large, and I sincerely hope we've learnt from some of those unbelievably bad decisions that have no doubt contributed to where we are now. All the best with your future Cale.

I see Kelly being a slider and I don't reckon GWS will take him. Just a feeling.

In your own condescending way, you've been giving it to posters for expressing their view on the player at hand. I'm just bringing you down from that perch you seem so comfortable on. You've grossly exaggerated the view poster's have on Taggert by quoting 'he would have been a star'.

I haven't read one 'he could be a gun' statement.It's a football forum you goose. That's why people come here. To debate/discuss/analyse anything and everything to do with the MFC. It's just as waffling that the MFC have recruited plenty of spuds as high draft picks who have gone on to do sfa. Morton and Gysberts namely. Two players who's lack of progress was nothing to do with the way we developed them.. Get off your high-horse you nonce. Taggert is an incredibly unlucky footballer, and you offer nothing other than drivel, banging on about how you thinkits laughable that supporters question the club's decisions. It's what forums are about. Get over yourself.

A bit of 'tongue in cheek' RPFC. Fair points, except that I see Garlett as effectively a top 10-20 talent who down the track can build his tank to run trough the midfield. I believe 'talent' is more important than just 'stocking up' on mids. You can only have so many McKenzies', Bails' and Matt Jones' running around before you're flogging a midfield of dead horsies. Clearly we're on the same page when it comes to adding to our midfield, (as most are), but there's a difference between just 'stocking up' on mature aged recruits and the like, and taking a highly skilled youngster with some discipline issues. The positive thing is that we have two of the best player development coaches in the business in Roos and Stone. I hope they take the risk.