stevethemanjordan

Is it really that hard for supporters to take an objective view and put aside this childish 'dislike' for him? Melksham is the same age as Trengove. Would you rather give him a list spot ahead of Matt Jones, Bail, McKenzie, Terlich? All of whom are older, were never rated as highly as him and we've seen how high their ceilings go? Give me a [censored] break. Giving a previous top 10 draft pick the opportunity to prove that he can play at a club who has had without out a doubt the most laughable stock of depth players within the AFL makes complete and absolute sense. Do you think our list managers and coaches sit there saying 'I hate Melksham, he's a dud so I'm not interested'?! Haha. What's the worst that could happen anyway?! We give him a two year deal and he doesn't make the grade?! Big [censored] whoop. He provides more than our depth players as is! And the potential gain is much higher than keeping Matt Jones for another two years! Jesus, it's really not that hard to see why we might be interested in giving him a chance.

As someone who is happy to defend Colin Garland and his place within this team, I can't understand how or why you completely write off the possibility of bringing a player who'd help our depth at the very least and who could possibly be someone who responds really well to a change of clubs. Do you really not think he'd be an upgrade on Matt Jones, McKenzie, Bail who are all likely gone? No [censored] we can 'do better' than Melksham but there are number of ways you improve your list overall and targetting players like him are part of the equation.

I think what posters continually forget is that history suggests certain players respond really well to a change of clubs. As an example, never in my wildest dreams did I think Stefan Martin would become a really consistent and valuable AFL ruckman let alone last this long on an AFL list. It's clear he needed a change. The same can be said for many players. Jay Schulz from Richmond to Port. Kennedy from Hawthorn to Sydney. Conversely, I'm also aware that there a host of names who haven't 'come-on' even after changing clubs. But looking at the Melksham case, we're talking about a former number 10 draft pick. Clearly, he was rated. He actually possesses attributes that our list lacks. I can't understand why the same posters who vehemently defend the development of Jack Watts are happy to completely write off a player who has been similarly frustrating for supporters. Those saying that he's at the same level as Jones, McKenzie and Bail are kidding themselves. We are talking about a former number 10 draft pick who dominated a TAC grand final the year he was drafted and had a breakout AFL season in 2013. These are the kinds of players that the club need to continue to give chances to in the hope that we can steer them on the right path. We have arguably three of the best development people/coaches within the AFL. As I've previously said, of course he is not someone I'd be desperate to bring to the club, but if we could get him cheaply on a two year deal, I think it'd be a good move by the club.

I swear someone suggested John Butcher as a pick up... That someone should not be allowed on this forum.. Ever. Again.

Also, I'm sure Goodwin will have a pretty good idea about how much or little upside Melksham has.

Obviously Melksham is not the 'A-grade' midfield target we'd be hoping to land over the off-season, but as far as topping up the depth of our list goes, there are a number of things that appeal to me about him. Firstly, I rate him higher than a host of plodders we currently have, some of whom are about to be off-loaded. Those names include Bail, McKenzie, Matt Jones, Terlich, Riley. He possesses more attributes than all of those guys. He'd be a much better 'depth' replacement which we'll actually need considering injuries hit every list hard during most years and we all witnessed shallow our depth is. Secondly: As a former top 10 draft pick and with one consistent playing season in 2013 with a top 5 BnF finish, there is clearly something to work with. How many times have we as supporters seen players benefit from a new start at a different club? He fits the age bracket of games experience that we sorely miss. He sits at just above 100 games played. Thirdly: We have to remember that the development of our really young guys in Stretch, Neal-Bullen etc is extremely important and players like Melksham can provide good cover for a year or two while our young kids develop the right way at the lower level. MFC have a history of playing their young guys too early and a in a side that doesn't give them enough support. Id be happy to give a fairly experienced and relatively young AFL player in Melksham a chance at showcasing himself for two years as a means of giving further time and development to our younger guys. He's a hard runner, is tougher than some posts suggest and his skills are actually better than all of those names I mentioned in my first point. Of course I wouldn't want to move heaven and earth to land him and I'm also not sure what the wada/asada deal is with him etc but if he were a third or fourth midfielder we landed this year and didn't have to give up much for him, I'd be pretty stoked.

I agree that adding quality talent with the right attributes is important for us building a strong core which includes that of Viney, Hogan, Brayshaw, Petracca, Tyson etc. However, in highlighting those statements in bold, I must say I disagree. I can only assume you haven't noticed the complete void in quality and professional senior figures and leaders at this club for the best part of 8 years which has undeniably contributed to the under-development of young players, contributed to the poor culture and sense of being 'lost' and absolutely contributed to some of the poorest team performances the AFL has witnessed. If you were to ask anyone at the club, the inclusion of Cross as someone who exemplifies leadership in the way that he plays the game each week, prepares himself and acquits himself at training wouldn't be underestimated. The fact that he's slow and is a poor disposer is something we have to cop because we simply need someone like him to help lead the way. As for Lamumba, as unfortunate as his form has been this year in the way of providing the same flair and dash off half-back as he did at Collingwood, he was also brought to the club as another highly driven and professional footballer to add to our list. If you haven't noticed, it's likely that serial under-performers and general floaters in Garland, Jamar and Howe will all possibly be moved on over the off-season. Two of those players should be part of the senior group driving this club forward but are not for various reasons. As important as nailing the youth is, it's equally important that we nail some more senior figures with leadership qualities who will genuinely inspire change and help develop this young core group of highly talented kids we've got coming through. In fact, I'd argue that it's of more importance. Having to bring in these types of older and experienced players is an unfortunate reality for the MFC. We just need to make sure they're the right ones. You've written Lamumba off fairly early in my view even though he's got money in the bank and Cross has been monumental for both the club on game-day as well as for role-modelling for the younger crew. I'd be enquiring about a Kelly or even Boris (Enright) as another senior figure who could fill a leadership role for the group in the absence of Jamar or Garland.

And yes, I'm aware the midfield group needs addressing also... .......... ...... .... .....and we need a CHF...... .... ............... ...... and second Forward/Ruckman who actually has some ability in playing... (ie not Spencer).... ..

Again, I think it's fair to say we have a major weakness in our backline which is a lack of good decision makers and elite kicks. Not only do we have a 'lack of'. We also probably have the worst group in the league. Garland, Dunn, McDonald, Cross, Grimes. Jetta I'd rate as decent. He hits more than he misses. Salem is a great user and we need another two like him. Honestly I would be doing anything to get Plowman or McKenzie as a pocket. And one of Yarran or Kade Kolodjashnij as a HBF. That's two player who will completely change the dynamic of that group. As a very basic example, it would at least mean that our KPB in Dunn and McDonald would know that there are 'give-to' players around them and it would mean we wouldn't see McDonald going for kicks that he is most of the time incapable of hitting. He is not a good user of the ball and some of his kicks just murdered us yesterday. It's so unbelievably energy-sapping for our other players who run hard to create space only to be continuously killed by these type of turn-overs. McDonald has some fine attributes as a backman. But this [censored] needs to stop. I'd do anything for a selection of two of those names for our back-line. We must do something about it.

I refuse to believe the idea that Yarran has this ingrained laziness/bad attitude thing. Do you know why? Because I've seen him play a lot over the years and this is the only year and time in his career in which he's lost the plot.When on song, in the right environment and is confident, he has shown an ability to turn matches. Go through some tapes of Garlett this year and tell me his pressure around the ball carrier isn't infectious. Have a look at how many of his pressure acts/chase downs etc have contributed to scoring opportunities for us this year. He wasn't doing anywhere near that kind of work off the ball last year. You have a very short memory if you're willing to box Yarran in as that 'lazy' player. But please yourself. The fact is, anybody in the football world would agree that Yarran at his best would be an extremely valuable asset. Especially for a team like us who are very one-paced and have a pretty poor skill-level all over the ground. Roos, Macca and Goodwin all have enormous ability in being able to get the best out of young players. Yarran is coming into his prime. As for rucks, I think Kreuzer has easily shown an ability to hit the scoreboard when forward as long as he can stay on the park. Leuenberger less so. But still. A lot of it is also to do with quality of inside 50 entries. If you can get the ball in there quickly and with advantage to the forwards, the only trouble resting ruckmen will have from that point on is conversion rate. Part of the reason I hope we go for speed and skill across the board next year. As for Stevie J. No he's no Joel Selwood in terms of 'follow me' type of leader. But coming from a successful club, being a champion player and someone who can still play, I'd say he'd be considered a leader for our young group. Especially in his communication skills and understanding of football. Would be mpre influential for our young players than Jamar/garland/Dunn etc etc.

Tyson's year last year blew everyone's expectations away, including GWS' I'm sure and that was off the back of a limited pre-season.I know for a fact that this particular knee injury he's been carrying has made things like covering the ground, ability to two-way run etc really difficult. He's been able to manage it though and it's clear Roos and the coaches think his ability to win the ball in close is too important to play someone who provides less. I think we've seen from Tyson last year that when fit and firing, he can be a really good ball winning mid. The only concern I have with him is his selfishness as a player. He is someone who has a natural habit of wanting to kick it rather than giving off to someone who is in a better position. Time is on our side so as long as a he matures and develops in the right way and uses his hands in close much more, he'll be a really important player for us going forward. Did his form last year not give you any confidence that he has serious ability?

Ideal offseason: Yarran and Plowman for the backline. One of: Bennell, Danger, Motlop Kruezer or Leuenberger as a resting Forward/Ruckman Tomlinson or Lynch for the forwardline. One senior player with leadership qualities: Kelly/Steve Johnson 2016 Round 1 team: (Let me dream) HB Jetta Dunn Plowman B Yarran McDonald Salem C Bennell Brayshaw Vince HF Petracca Tomlinson Kent FF Garlett Hogan Kreuzer Foll Gawn Jones Viney Int Tyson Vandenberg JKH Stevie J/Kelly

He signed a contract last year until the end of 2016. We can still get him. Great replacement for Garland and providing he can have a clear run at it without injuries, he'd provide much of what Garland doesn't plus he'd be a breath of fresh air for the backline as well as the club in general. This is exactly what we need to be doing.

Agree.Supporters thinking there will be minimal list changes are genuinely deluded. Free Agents, Delisted Free Agents, trade period. Do it smartly. Continue to move on the virus-players + the deadwood.

No he's ooc at the end of 2017. Newscorp. Articles like these are for lols.

Do you rate Watts? What have your thoughts been about his lack of effort and intensity at times? It's not a matter of Yarran not doing the basics. When he plays well and is high on confidence he does everything well including the basics. Just like Watts and others at our club, this year he's let a few habits sneak in that don't look good at all. Over his entire career, is that a reflection of who he is as a player or where he is mentally at a club that are going through a rough season? I can't quite understand how you paint him one colour and say that's the way it is yet you're happy to defend others who have gone through similar form slumps, shown similarly bad habits etc. I have a feeling it's because you barrack for Melbourne, and not Carlton...

Yes. Seems to be an opinion shared by a few around here. Aside from his form slump this year, I can't quite workout why. I mean, so many are willing to give the time of day to many Melbourne players if they go through similar form slumps.Yarran finished 4th in Carlton's bnf last year. And again I'd like to remind you of where Garlett was playing his footy this time last year. In the VFL. Yarran's best is simply sublime and over his career he has shown more of his good form than bad. It's really only this year that he's hit rock bottom and given the fact that we have McCartney, Goodwin and Roos as arguably some of the best football development coaches in the league, I'm again not sure why so many choose to believe Yarran will forever be playing in the manner he is now. As for Demham. Lols. I'd rather cut off my member and sit in vinegar than to hear him speak.

I think the Myers rumour is nothing but scuttlebutt. The bloke is injury-riddled and I'm pretty sure he's one of the 34 in question. We may have had a crack in the past but I cannot see the logic in going hard for a player like him now. Not exactly a list 'need' either. Of course an A-grade/class mid would be the number one priority over the trade/FA period (like Danger or Treloar), but if that doesn't work out I'd like for us to bring in a few players who fill our list needs. Yarran - Class and leg-speed A Ruckman-Forward who we could hopefully play to give Gawn a chop out. Trent McKenzie - Elite kick and good line breaker to compliment our backline. Jed Anderson - hard at it and skilled midfielder who won't cost the world. Let's say Garland and Howe leave and Cross retires. 2016 round 1 Team: B Jetta Dunn Frost HB McKenzie McDonald Salem C Yarran Vince Lamumba HF Petracca Dawes Watts F Garlett Hogan Kent Foll Gawn Jones Viney Int Brayshaw Trengove Tyson Ruckman/forward Knocking on the door : Anderson, Vanders, JKH, Newton

Well we do have Frost for one. A 196 cm agile and aggressive giant who from most reports is going to be groomed as a backman. (And played most of his days at GWS as a backman).The fact that he's so quick and agile for his size will also mean he doesn't have to always play on the giants. Leave them for Tommy Mac and Dunn. So there's a straight swap of you're worried about 'replacement'. The other argument is that as a player, we've won and our backline hardly looks out of sorts without him. Sure if and when he plays like he did on the weekend he can be a valuable player, but in my eyes, if hypothetically he left and we picked up someone like Yarran or McKenzie from GC we'd be far better off as a backline unit. We are too one-dimensional. And the only reason I'm bringing Garland up is because he's out of contract and a FA. Not because I have some problem with the guy.

Yeh they were. That was the state of our list. They were considered best 22.

I know posters are sick of hearing me harp on about it, but if you haven't seen some of the reasoning given for supporters being 'pro-Garland leaving' then I'm not sure who's posts you've been reading. All of the reasoning is absolutely valid. I will say this however. Garland's game on the weekend was the best I've seen of his this year. He more often than not defends well in most games, but against Collingwood he also played with flair, was creative with the ball, provided run and played with much more intensity. If he played like that all the time, I think you'd find most would be keen for him to stay. But he doesn't. He is a senior player who's form is up and down like a yo-yo and he plays in a backline that is one-dimensional. We desperately need creativity, run and carry, urgency and foot-skills in our backhalf. No one is 'bashing' Garland. Supporters are looking at ways in which we can improve our list all over the ground and that takes into account many things. Things like who is coming out of contract this year? What are they offering the club presently? Are they or are they not a FA? Could our team and backline gain from losing a player like Garland given that he is a FA? There are many questions. It's not as simple to say, 'he is clearly best 22 atm therefore he's important'. Jordie McKenzie, Bail, Matt Jones and Terlich were best 22 not long ago. If you adopt that kind of a philosophy about a list, it's not going to improve or grow very much.

Please, for the love of God stop! ....

I think you'll find you're on your own or at the very least in the minority with that one. Yarran's kicking skills are elite.

He has shown that he can be lazy.Just as Watts has. They've both also shown that they have an ability to not be lazy. I'd argue that Yarran over his career has shown more of an appetite to chase and tackle than Watts. But that's not the point. Your outlandish comments are absurd. One week you say how putrid we are. The next you say we'll be a team of superstars next year. It's the same when you make ultimatums about players. Yarran is not a lazy footballer. He is simply not playing at the required level at the moment.

Haha. Honestly. Some supporters. I can only imagine what you and others would be saying about Watts if he was at Carlton and Yarran if he were at the dees. The exact opposite to what you just said I'd suggest. Yarran is a proven talent, an elite kick, elite speed and is simply playing in a side who are going through a rough patch and is clearly not responding in a way you'd like as coach. Garlett was playing in a very similar way last year under Mick. He was also playing in the VFL. Look at what he's doing for us atm? You're all blind. Saying that Watts has 'got it' and Yarran doesn't. Lols. Yarran would be an extremely valuable addition for our side. It doesn't matter what way any bias Melbourne supporter paints it. He is supremely talented and has runs on the board. But like many players, is struggling at a club who are shot.