stevethemanjordan

I'm so tempted to make long-winded post but I just cbf'd.

And for the record, I agree he showed great improvement in certain areas in the first half of the Hawthorn game. He was genuinely making a positive impact in contests and turning them into wins rather than floating about in an insignificant way. His kicking is usually very good. His defending needs improving along with his general intensity, body positioning, reflexes and awareness. Hopefully he can go on with it on Tuesday night.

And for the record, I agree he showed great improvement in certain areas in the first half of the Hawthorn game. He was genuinely making a positive impact in contests and turning them into wins rather than floating about in an insignificant way. His kicking is usually very good. His defending needs improving along with his general intensity, body positioning, reflexes and awareness. Hopefully he can go on with it on Tuesday night.

Given we're all Melbourne supporters, explain to me the incentive we get in pointing out obvious weaknesses in an individual's game aside from wanting to see the best from our club? The only reason that a player becomes a 'whipping boy' is because of an obvious flaw/flaws in an individual's game that a majority can see. That includes supporters, expert opinion, media etc. You can argue that a player may be unfairly criticised, but you can't argue that the issue isn't there.

I just find it funny when posters are confused by criticism around a player. If a bunch of supporters and footballing followers share a common view for a player, there’s got to be some sort of truth to it. A whipping boy doesn’t magically appear without reason.

Obvious to say, but Guss’s concussions from last year have set his development back significantly. Not only has he had limited continuity in playing games at AFL level, but we haven’t even seen him play those games in his most natural and best position, which is starting in the square. He was drafted to this club as a hard nosed, big bodied inside mid with a few other strong attributes including contested marking and an ability to kick both sides which gives him some positional flexibility. The club were rightly cautious last year when bringing him back into the side with a different role, but it’s definitely not where I want him going forward. As others have already noted, I think a contributing factor to our break down during games through the middle is due to the fact that we have so many personnel rotating through that midfield mix. It’s a double edged sword if I’ve ever seen one. Whilst it’s great to have some flexibility and options for different setups, it also takes away any sort of continuity and chemistry we could be building with a smaller and more concentrated group of mids. I have no concerns over Gus as long as he remains uninjured going forward. But really, once Lewis and Jonesy move on, we should be playing a consistent group of inside mids that play 80% + midfield time that include Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem and Petracca. Trac obviously playing more of a Dusty balance of mid/forward time due to his one-on-one dominance. I hate Tyson on a wing and I hate the fact that’s Goody continues to play far too many numbers through that part of the ground who don’t contribute enough. Our next step is to find some speed and power runners for the wings so we don’t have to continually play inside, one-sided and one-paced mids like Tyson on the outside. Clearly I’m on a rant and have entirely lost track of this thread but [censored] me can we please start playing blokes on positions they’re suited to.

Possibly doesn't need its own thread so to the overwatchers of this forum, feel free to merge. To anyone who has info, what is going on? I heard him interviewed during the week and he gave away nothing to suggest his omission was due to his wisdom teeth being pulled/lack of preparation. I had just assumed it was to do with that. He is a number 3 pick, highly talented and I can't understand why he's been overlooked again when any number of players could have been omitted for this week's game.

Non-story imo. I heard Tom McDonald say the same thing last contract. Perhaps the club has made a lowball offer, if anything.

JimmyGadson thanks DeeVoted

You are. But that’s cool.

Looks like a very natural footballer, which I love. And clearly, the FD believe our key defensive stocks are weak regardless of what @Satyriconhome believes. I'd go so far as to say that this bloke looks more impressive than Oscar did at the same age. We now have O-Mac, Frost, Keilty and Petty as developing keys with Lever the only definite best 22 key defender.

Would be a dream if he slipped, I love him.

I posted a bit on him on page 3 of this thread: Haven't seen Baker in the flesh, only a glimpse from his highlights vids but from what I can gather, speed would be about the only thing that they share in common. Petruccelle is very raw.

Either Port will look unbelievably stupid in the way they’ve gone about this trade period or they’ll make many other clubs look stupid for not taking a similar approach by winning a flag. It’s a risky strategy. But they’re going to have to make top 4 minimum to justify the way they’ve gone about things. Probably not the place to post that ^ but I’m amazed at how aggressive they’ve been. They clearly think they’re right in contention for a flag next year. In any case, as others have already expressed, I’m happy for Trengove and hope he lasts longer than a year on their list. As far as AFL footballer stories go, his has been pretty rough and he deserves some individual success.

No.

A gun footballer doesn't get dropped in a team that possesses the weakest and least experienced key defensive unit within the AFL sorry. Gun is another word that is thrown around far too loosely. Frost is a developing player with some glaringly obvious weaknesses to his game, he is most definitely not a "gun".

It has. Except that one time you called Frost a "gun".

Because IMO he is exactly the type we're screaming out for and I'm hopeful he'll be there at our first pick. Again, didn't set the world alight at state level but I saw him in Geelong's first final against Gippsland and he was super impressive. I think it's a good thing if he slides. Played most of the year at HB for the Falcons, is lightning quick with a precise left-foot and great spatial awareness. But what impressed me most in that final were his defensive efforts and his desire to scrap really hard when the ball was in dispute. I was expecting to see a player of his profile to be predominantly outside but he recorded 6 tackles in that first final, spoiled with intent and you could clearly see he had the hunger to defend hard as well as attack. Really good sign. I think he could be groomed to play wing at AFL level. I love him. Should have his own thread and sorry to derail this one.

Landing Ling at 29 would be a dream. I love him.

Have seen Jack at TAC cup level a few times this year in the flesh and he certainly provided some amazing moments. Some of the best from any individual I saw this year at Tac cup level. His high quality attributes that would stand-up at AFL level are his speed, jump, agility and hands. I agree with others in that he doesn't really address our kicking issues, although I don't believe his kicking is as bad as some suggest. I would say it's similar to Hunt's. Both need to learn to use their eyes and decision making but I think for Jack, that will come when he is on a list given his lack of exposure to these elite teams. In fact, I see a few similarities between he and Jayden in that sense. He played one Vic metro game I'm pretty sure and it's the one that's been posted on this thread. Hardly a highlights package given he was fairly quiet that day. At 29 I wouldn't entertain it, but for one of our picks in the 30's I would. I really liked what I saw this year. Would be an excellent small pressure forward who would possess great goal sense, contested pack marking and isn't afraid to throw his body around for someone weighing so little.

As would I. I think those four will go fairly early in the second round. Domic impressed me in all the games I saw of him. (Think it was three). He was heavily involved in all of them and there was one game in particular against Murray at Ikon park where he kicked a handful playing mid. He doesn't look particularly flashy but consistently finds the ball and does everything 'well'. Hard to see any glaringly obvious weaknesses. Farrell I saw twice and whilst he didn't have a huge impact, there were definitely glimpses of quality and high level attributes. He was quick, possessed great agility and a nice left-foot. Probably wasn't involved enough in the games I saw, but was also moved around a lot positionally which I could see made it difficult. Had some nice moments, just wasn't dominant. Of the two, I imagine Domic will be snapped up before Farrell. Just my guess. Hard to say. As I've said, some of those names are more highly rated than others. I just gave that list because I was asked under instruction to report on a few of those names which indicates the club was/is interested. It depends on what we're after player-wise. For our pick 29 - If we land any of Ling, Floyd, Miers, Garner, Mclean or Domic I'd be happy. Ling and Garner are highly rated half-backs. Personally I'd love Ling as I think he has the capacity to play wing and possesses what our side needs. Speed and foot-skills. For a player of his size and slight build, he showed great competitiveness and aggression at the ball and man which was a big + given he looks typically outside. If we landed Ling at 29 I'd be stoked but I reckon he'll be gone by then. Miers is a small forward from Geelong who kicked a bag in the granny and was always dangerous in the games I saw of him. Floyd is a wingman who was prolific for Geelong this year but I'd prefer Ling for his versatility. Mclean a big forward/ruckman for Sandy who would be a decent second-round choice for a back-up forward/ruck. Had one big game that I saw of him but drifted out of some games also. Domic a reliable midfielder that we may target for depth. Does everything well without having a super standout quality. Just a smart player though. Impacted in most games I watched of him, great tank and had an amazing game against Murray when GWV came back from a 40+ point deficit at three-quarter time to win the game. Domic kicked the first three of the last quarter and played midfield all day. Carried his side. Pick 31 and and 36 - I'd have a crack at Jack Petrucelle if he was still there at either pick. Jack Petrucelle was definitely the most eye-catching of that group and has infinite potential but also poses a risk given how raw he is at this level. X-factor player who played both deep forward and through the midfield for the Knights. I saw him feature against SA in one of the state games where he was fairly quiet, I don't think he played any others although I may be wrong. But on a few occasions at TAC cup level I saw some amazing moments from him. Some incredible pack parks and some amazing blistering runs that resulted in goals. He frequently drifted in and out of games however, but there's a lot to like and I'll keep a keen eye on him wherever he ends up. Farrell, Stoddart, Federico or Murphy are the others I'd be happy with. I think we need to keep targeting players with foot-skills and running ability but who also possess the right competitive mind. Farrell, Stoddart and Federico are similar players. Half-back/midfielders who can run and kick really well. Stoddart probably less physical than the other two. Murphy is the cricketer/natural sportsman who's a versatile tall that we may opt for. 47 - For two smokies who didn't feature much/at all at state level would be Mynott and Porter. Both impressed me at Tac cup level and I reckon both have great potential and were unfortunate not to feature heavily at state level. And just on that, I can see now how difficult it is for recruiters. Oliver similarly was overlooked for Vic country but look at what he's been able to do at AFL level. I'm not comparing Mynott and Porter to Oliver, but it's clear that some boys are incredibly unlucky if they don't play well either at the state trials or in their first games at state level. Mynott is a class player and I reckon he'll do well in an AFL environment. My two bob.

Only saw him twice so can't give a super in-depth report but he definitely looks like he can play. Was a defender in both games I watched, didn't dominate but you can see he's a smart, natural footballer. Glides across the ground, nice penetrating kick and I thought his defensive work was strong in his willingness to kill contests. Especially for his build. Heard he played mainly forward for Brighton Grammar this year and kicked bags on a few occasions so it sounds as if he's fairly versatile. Around the 188cm mark but still pretty skinny and raw. Definitely liked the look of him though.

I had the opportunity to do a bit of scouting this year and there are a host of names who impressed me at TAC cup level but either didn't play regular state carnival or didn't dominate. If we manage to get a second-rounder for Watts and hit the draft with picks 27, (Watts pick), 35 and 45, look out for the following names: Northern - Jack Petrucelle, Marcus Lentini, Alexander Federico Sandringham - Will Walker, Hayden Mclean, Nathan Murphy Eastern - Trent Mynott, Joel Garner, Ryley Stoddart, Thomas North and Tyler Brown Oakleigh - Ed Richards, Matthew Day Gippsland - Callum Porter, Will Stephenson, Jack Hudson Murray - Doulton Langlands, Daniel Johnston Bendigo - Kane Farrell, Darby Henderson GWV Rebels - Aiden Domic, Jordan Johnston Geelong - Matthew Ling, Gryan Mies, James Worpel, Ethan Floyd Unfortunately I didn't see Dandenong, Calder or Western play so can't comment on those players. But I saw the above players on a few occasions, many of whom I took notes for under instruction. Happy to answer questions on any. I reckon most of those names mentioned will be between second and fourth round picks.

A reminder that we now have picks 27, 35 and 45 heading into this draft. Given certain club's needs to obtain multiple draft picks for points for father/son or academy zone players, it's not out of the question that we won't once again make a play to get back into the first round. So again, [censored] relax.

It's absolutely relevant given they were one win away from winning a GF. Is it not? I'll repeat that: They made a Grand Final with a list that was devoid of top-end talent. We have plenty already. I don't understand the annoyance. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.