stevethemanjordan

The thought process behind bringing most of those you've named above was about bringing about a culture change as well as some games experience. It was never about picking up 'stars'. It's definitely debatable whether or not some of those players have contributed positive change at our club. Clark and Dawes are definite keepers but the rest was Mark Neeld's attempt at addressing a few list and club culture issues. As for stars, the club has always struggled to produce them, but in my opinion our club's inability to produce highly rated players since the Daniher years has killed us. All we can hope for as PJ and GB keep telling us is that with great coaches, heavy investment in our recruiting, player development and list management, we should be able to produce some quality players over the next 5 to 10 years. Quality leaders will always fast track the development of young talent, so the nurturing of our young leaders in Grimes, Trengove, Viney and Hogan is imperative.

Here's a guy I made a thread about a year or so ago. Used to play with him and was always considered a player to make AFL level but being around that 180 cm height with no standout attributes and a few injuries he struggled to get on a list. Saying that, he has been a very consistent player for Port Melbourne, especially this year. I rate him higher than Magner. He has more pace, better skills and is more of a natural footballer. 26 year old who is used to playing against men and is classier than many VFL mids and as I said, I rate him higher than Magner and Couch. Really hope we pick him up next year to add to our midfield. Reminds me of Andrew Swallow the way he plays. Hopefully some other posters have seen him and can add a bit more.

Although I'm more trusting of the recruiting team this time around, don't get sucked in too much with someone like Crouch. Every bio I've read on him says he needs work on his kicking and our side has plenty of players who can't kick. I understand he is a contested king, but we need players with strengths in many areas of their game. It's not all about contested ball winners. If it was, Couch and Magner would be getting a game every week for us.

Seems pretty obvious? The guy can win contested ball, but that's it. You need to be able to do more than that to play AFL. As others have already alluded to.

Yes, I understand where you sit JR. However, I would say I'd rather have him than another sellar, rodan or pederson. I'm sure you would too.

With our new list management, head of recruiting and beefed up recruiting team, how is it that you know they will deem Watts more valuable than an ND30? You don't, so why assume that he is worth more than an ND30? The point is we have no idea. Yes list management is an artform, but that doesn't mean they won't trade him out if it means we can get our hands on a player in the draft with the skill set and mindset that will help change this place. If they can't, then as you say, maybe he is worth keeping. I would say there are many players out there who would offer a lot more than Watts atm.

I am going to pick on a point here. Why is it that you continue to live in the past. In the past, our list management/recruiting has been shocking which has led to us drafting and trading in players such as Gysberts and Pederson. Why do you believe the same thing will happen under a newly structured list management department and newly appointed head recruiter? We have no idea how much change is going on internally in those areas of our footy club except when there are announcements of new roles taken by certain people. But in terms of the type of players and personalities we will be bringing in to change this place for good, I don't imagine we'll be picking up any more players like Gysberts. In fact it's as clear as day that it won't happen again.

I've given up. After what he said on the footy show, and his efforts on the weekend. (and by efforts I mean 'run around kick in the park') The sooner we trade him off for a midfielder of worth, the better. He is absolutely without a doubt not contributing to any sort of change at the club and clearly doesn't want to. It doesn't matter who the [censored] coach will be next year. His chasing efforts highlighted already in the game against Freo are nothing short of astonishing. There is no player within the AFL who shows such a lack of desire to chase or tackle. He actually plays as though it's a kick in the park. He is a [censored] disgrace. Move him on.

He's always found it tough to really apply himself mentally and find that drive to be the best, but being at Melbourne for all these years has really amplified that weakness he had when he first came to the club. No hunger. No drive. No heart. His attitude toward footy and the club in general is translated directly on field. The guy plays with Zero intensity. I believed that with the right coaches and environment, he'd be able to change but it doesn't even look like he has the desire to want to change. As a passionate member of the MFC, I feel incredibly embarrassed, disheartened and frustrated after hearing Jack speak like that.

And forget draft number and talent. Cale Morton supposedly had talent and went at number 4. Yarran has more talent in his left toe nail.

The guy is the same age as Watts. He has an amazing skill set and needs some setting straight in other areas of his game. Much like Watts. The bias on here is disgusting. I agree that in the past, our environment may not have helped develop these areas of Yarran's game, but does that mean we should continue to make decisions based on the past? If PJ and the AFL are overseeing every coaching decision and we get the right group of people that can really bring about change, Yarran would have every opportunity of improving some of these weaknesses. The main issue with Yarran at the moment is speculation about his relationship with Malthouse. If that's the case then even more power to our recruiters to get him across. I would have Yarran on our list ahead of many.

All I want to know is why Nasher is being so irrational when it comes to a player like Yarran. He clearly possesses a number of attributes that our club is in desperate need of and I would argue that his weaknesses and the areas of his game he needs to work on are identical to Watts'. Mental application which will result in a greater sense of urgency and intensity on field and a desire to work really hard both ways. What the [censored] is the point of having development coaches and this idea of creating a 'great club culture' if people like Nasher completely rule out a player's ability to change their mental application? Forget personal vendettas. Answer the [censored] question.

Because there are people on here who believe he is incapable of doing such a thing. What's the reasoning?

If it makes you feel high and mighty, by all means continue to provoke.I'm not interested in belittling you. It seems Nasher has his supporters. All I'll say is this. If Yarran was on our list, people would judge him a lot less harshly. Watts doesn't run hard or work for the team either. Y'all are so biased it's ridiculous. It's like Dawkins arguing with a creationist.

You don't have to defend yourself. I know how you roll. Why don't you just answer the second part of my post? I asked whether or not you think Jack Watts is capable of changing his ways in order to reach his true potential? If you do believe he is capable, why would Yarran not be?

Is that really your argument? Because he turns the ball over? Gary Ablett turns the ball over, does that mean he doesn't possess sublime skills? Please stop.

I would argue that 95 % of the football world would say Yarran possesses sublime skills, yep. I don't know what you smoke.

I didn't know sidekicks existed on forums until you bobbed up. Do you follow every post I make if it is directed to one of your forum buddies? Knick-off mate.

That's the response of someone who is guilty but will not admit to it. I've had many disagreements with you over the years about certain players who I have had a shot at (sometimes unfairly, sometimes not) and you have defended them for development reasons. I'm not going digging for quotes. Out of interest, do you think Jack Watts will ever improve the areas of his game that are holding him back as a player? How about others on our list? Why do you believe Yarran is too far gone? Is it because he plays for another club? A club in which you have no bias toward? C'mon pal. The guy has a sublime set of skills, and as rjay has alluded to below, he almost has the same weaknesses as Watts to work on. There would be people out there in the football world who could develop and address the two ingredients that these two are missing. Work ethic and playing with a sense of urgency and intensity. If we are going to poach and employ the 'best' people to take this club forward from here on in, (which is what PJ consistently tells us) I would have no problems in trading for Yarran.

Not at all. Have a look at the 'Viv Mitchie' thread. There's an example of a fringe mid for different reasons. He is an example of a player we should definitely keep an eye on. I'm just not into the Greenwood talk because I don't rate him as a player and he seems to be on the outer because he's not good enough.

If it's only torn cartilage as one poster suggested then I think he'd still get in a decent pre-season. Apparently he had a great pre-season for the 2013 season but as stated, hasn't been given the opportunity to play regular senior footy because of how well Freo's midfield is faring as well as the team in general. These are the players we should be on the lookout for. He looks good and I hope we have a crack at him.

Well you're very short sighted if that's the case. Chris Yarran has more football talent then the majority of our list squeezed in one. He is an A grade skilled footballer, pure bread and as it happens, only this year has his form dropped and there's been speculation about his relationship with Mick and hence his future and what do you know, posters like you bob up and say that he can't change, when in fact there is nothing to change. He is just in need of some inspiration and more development in a couple of areas. The amount of excuses you have made for our very own players lack of development etc over the years is astounding. What a contradiction. Yarran's positive attributes far outweigh his negative ones presently and this is while he is having one bad year. Haha. Wow. Talk about shortsighted.

Some think about it. Clearly I was referring to those that don't. I don't know if you're making a rebuttal with your response or not.. I was simply isolating a player in Greenwood who is a fringe player because of his lack of talent. Obviously there are players who are on the fringe for varying reasons and of course there can be some good finds. Did I say anything different to that? I don't know what your post is about.

If he built his tank he could have a much bigger impact on games. He's just carrying a bit too much condition atm.