stevethemanjordan

But he is already rated higher than all of those mentioned? Rich is a good player right now and will only get better.

It's also nonsensical when someone doesn't read posts properly and then proceed to argue something that was never said.... Unless it was another poster, I certainly didn't compare Watts and Rich in terms of how much scope they have for improvement. I merely made a point about them being of similar age and that people seem to forget that because of his body size and the fact that he cut the grade as soon as he was drafted. Just because his body has filled out before other draftees of his year does by no means mean he has peeked!!! That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. Dandeeman or deeman has summed it up well. Scope for improvement is non-existent... Christ. Enforcer, I thought you had a little more footy knowledge but that comment makes me think otherwise. Physical limitations.... Why do we persist with Bate can I ask? If you watched any of Brisbane this year you would have seen that Rich was under close attention from opposition... Why? Because he one the rising star last year. He can play, no matter how "physically" developed he may be. Again, I don't remember reading any comparisons to Watts apart from them being the same age. (approximately) For all the people that share this opinion of Rich scream out "biased Melbourne supporter". Clearly very little knowledge or care of other teams and their players.

Not your greatest moment sir.

Thank the lord that there be similar minds out there.

Why don't you rate him E25?

Apologies for the language.. Have edited it out !! But seriously, Brisbane have a had a terrible, terrible year and the same people who talk up so many young Melbourne players based on a season or two talk about Rich hitting his peak after a two seasons! It's a joke really. He is a kid. I think people forget that he is the same age as Watts. What makes people think that he has peeked? Please do tell.

Won't gain any more pace? Love it when people make the most ridiculous statements backed by no knowledge of the subject they speak about. Any player can improve their speed... I hope you understand that. Do you think sprinters end their careers after they receive a personal best? People are ridiculous on this forum. The kid was taken in the same year as Watts and some are saying that he has peeked... Brainless.

But... He does play AFL football...... ..... .... ?

All good.

Does it ever occur to some that a change of scenery may be beneficial for a players development and improvement? I'm not sure the one's who are all for Alwyn coming to MFC are saying that we should get him because his surname is Davey.... Maybe a 10 year old would be of that camp, but I am not sure how many 10 year olds have accounts on this forum. I'm not sure Joel Mac is an amazing backman, but we picked him up and he has done pretty well. If we could pick up Alwyn for basically nothing than I would be pretty happy. Alwyn seems a confidence player. Is highly skilled regardless of what some say and would help Wonna rather than hamper him as long as they are both selected. Would be a handy pickup if he stays injury free and if it wouldn't cost us much.

2010 was one of the best years of his career? And you say I worry you sometimes? Dappa. You must try and take a step away from your romantic attachment to players that play for our great club. I realise that it's difficult to do as a passionate supporter, however there is a line which I feel you never cross for some reason. I have been watching the same player as you Dappa. I don't hate Bruce. You seem to make it out as if I have some personal issues with a few of our players. I definitely don't think he is a quality player any more Dappa. You can call me what you like. I understand the MFC has needed to keep some older players to balance the team and to inject some experience and knowledge to our young brigade, however he still struggles getting the basics right and for someone who has played football for as long as him, well, it's a concern for myself and many other supporters of our team. Dappa, I challenge you to watch a couple of games this year and take note of Bruce's disposal, decision making, handballs, unwillingness to take a tackle etc. Not dinky little 15 meter kicks to a team mate who is unmarked. (Although sometimes he still makes those easy kicks look seemingly difficult). As I have said, Bruce has been a good player for us and at one stage of his career, he almost looked like he was going to blossom into a gun midfielder of the AFL. Injuries are a sad part of our game and since then it has seemed he has just kept losing confidence in his ability to perform the basics of our game. One only need compare him to Green and see how far apart these two are in terms of being a "quality" player as you say. As a player in our starting 22, Bruce doesn't have a lot to give I'm afraid to say. Off the field, at training, mentoring young guys etc... I'm sure that's where the club have benefitted. We will see what happens anyway.

1 year is all we should give him. Wouldn't mind if he didn't take it. Has been a pretty good servant over the years but the game has really caught him out. Or his skills have just gone backwards. Brucey doesn't cut it for me and is a liability when he has the ball most of the time.

No. I was being sarcastic but was clearly missed and not very funny! I do like that version though.

Agree. Watt's belief will definitely play a huge part in how quickly he comes on. I was excited to see him develop that side of his game as much as any other side. He has a strong desire to get the best out of himself. Yes.. That's exactly it. Throwing glass bricks at the house you live in. People should never throw glass bricks at the house they live in. You got it ! Gumbleton would be okay if he could kick.

Wouldn't be sad to see the big fella go if the trade was fair as others have mentioned. Both Garland and Frawley obviously took steps forward this year with Frawley being the big improver. Riv has some continuity now which will hopefully take him into 2011 with a strong mindset. Can't really see Warnock as part of our best back 6 unless of course there are injuries.

In politics... Gunning for PM for the coalition.

Well believe that all you like Steamin but your belief is wasted. Stab in the dark guess at it's best. "Broken leg" is such an annoying term because there are so many varying degrees of breaks. In Sam's case, (as we have been told) it wasn't a terrible break and as somebody previously mentioned it doesn't look like he is any slower. Two years ago a team mate had a similar break to Blease's. He was a little bit tentative and proppy when he first came back but he has since played his best footy for our club and was also playing with Collingwood ressies for a while. He played and has been playing his best footy post break. So steamin' for every bad luck story you hear, there is a good one waiting to be told. No point in wasting your 'belief' on something negative.

Too right Webber. It's an ability that good forwards have. Not so easily taugtht. Bate is pretty much Melbourne's version of Ian Perry. No. But you can question most of his other attributes.... ? Not much point of being able to run all day if you go missing far too often...

I have a quick question for anyone who can help... How tall is Jack atm and how tall do we expect him to be? Just generally interested. I read somewhere a while ago that he was around 178 cm which is pretty small but he is obviously still growing. Thanks in advance.

In no way are they similar. Bail is a hard running, hard at it type player much more similar to Bartram and it seems he is being moulded into a small back flanker/back pocket. Chris knights is a silky smooth player and someone we could definitely use with on our list. He has an elite left foot, can play forward and midfield and is a mature body. We don't have many elite kicks in our team remember and Knights although injury prone it seems, could play a valuable role in our side. I would love to have him.

Wouldn't mind him going to the GC, or any other club for that matter. I believe he has nothing left to give on field. His poor games are becoming even more poor and his good games are becoming more of a rarity. I love how people use pathetic stats to justify his supposed 'good games' and I equally love how people in the media do the same and put him in the best so many weeks. * Can't take a tackle * Can rarely execute a handball that spins properly and goes directly to a team mate. Same can be said for his kicking. (In pressure situations) * Doesn't do much off the ball. * There is no urgency or intensity to his game. What are Cameron Bruce's strengths in a game of football? Would love an answer to that question.

Disagree. North have a great list of younger players. Their forward line is the concern for them I feel. No issues with mids or backline. They will be on par with us in the coming years.

Ridiculous, ridiculous thread.

Past players and individuals that have a strong passion and love for their club are invaluable Rhino and as the article suggests, he has developed a rare ability to communicate exceptionally well with younger players. A past player of his age would be fantastic as a communicator and mentor for our young group and if a spot opened up it would be fantastic to have him back. No one thought Jim Stynes had the credentials or experience to handle the top job at our club but look what the guy has done through passion and love for our club. The more Melbourne people on board the better.

How can hitting a short 15 - 20 meter pass be more risky than bombing long to a contest? That makes no sense. A kick to advantage when going long could help but usually Garland just puts it straight up in the air and from there it's complete chance if we actually get a role on from it. I would like to see some other avenue out of the backline !!! Garland never elects to go short. What baffles me even more is when Frawley or one of our other backmen pick the ball up after an opposition point, they just wait to give it to Garland, allowing time for the opposition to create their zone. Everyone knows we no longer need to wait for the umpires flag to be waved so why don't we take advantage of that and whoever has the ball at the time can at least turn around and have a look what's on offer !!! Look at the what the roos did. Quick movement out as soon as we scored a point. We really need to work on it over pre-season.