Dante

The scars from the operations on Harley's legs

Really? That's important to know. I was very concerned about the side, before the first game this year and I believed we had too many VFL players on the squad, we've eliminated quite a few of them and replaced them with AFL players. I think we've had a good draft/trade person and I'm now quite bullish about the upcoming season. We made the finals in 2006 and at the start of 2007 we were expected to play finals again, I looked at the side and just couldn't see it and by quarter time in the first game our season was over. That was the same feeling I had at the start of this years season. This time I think we've done a very good job of replacing those VFL players and we have a year in to the recruits we picked up last year, they will be the better for it. Weideman cops heaps on here but I have faith in him, he's only 22 and most big forwards take a while to hit their straps, I know he can play and it's now a matter of him putting it together consistently. He had problems with injuries and confidence, his contract and the [censored] he copped on social media, that plays a big part in young players of today. I'm rapt in the recruits we have and we've finally added some excitement to the team, Jackson be a revelation as will Kossie, Rivers will do a good job of replacing Young and will surprise a few. The view we have of some of the players is not shared by the club, players like Spargo are highly regarded by the club but some posters on here want them sold off to the lowest bidder. Hopefully after we win a few some of the negative posters on here, we know who they are, will change their mind, although there are some who would still complain about someone playing a bad game in a winning grand final.

So you reckon we are a good chance for top 4 this year.

It's my understanding that we are no longer interested in Murray, unless things have changed, and I don't know that they have.

More like Lay down Miserable, Picket I mentioned earlier in this thread that I'd seen the extended highlights of Jackson, Pickett too and if you have a look at them you must at least be a little more convinced than before. Also if you listen to the interview with Jackson, you will see he is keen to be here and loves Melbourne, the town.

Maybe the recruiters pick the correct players but the club fail to develop them? Of course nothing is guaranteed, but if the club the right system in place, there is a lot more chance the players will develop.

Except Robertson who may turn out to be the best of them all. I doubt Serong will be in our sights.

Only in WA

I think Freo will take him before we can, but it will be a very good draft for us if we get him, he is a gun.

I’m not sure if we’ll take Jackson at 3 but it appears if we don’t, he’ll go soon after, this tells me that we aren’t out on our own and other clubs are circling him. There are probably 4 other clubs in the top ten who would jump at the chance at grabbing him. I’ve seen additional footage of him and he really looks the goods to me, he is a really exciting player and could be anything. We can go the safe route and pick another midfielder, or go for a player who could bring some excitement and star quality to the team. If we could get Robertson as well it would be my dream draft, but i’m happy if the club picks Kickett, he will be long gone by our next pick at 28, if we don’t take him he will go to the doggies. Flanders may be a chance to be selected

Maybe the player we are after is Flanders and not Pickett, if that’s the case.

I don't know why posters are referring to Lucas Cook when discussing Jackson. It's my understanding that we were looking at a big forward in that draft and were after Lynch, who went the pick before Cook. That was a dreadful pick and shows that it sometimes is better to pick the player you like as opposed to the player who may fill a need. This is about a player not a need and Jackson is seen by the club as a good long term proposition, perhaps in a couple of positions and not a forward or ruck. He finished second in the Larke medal so obviously others saw something in him as well and if you have a look at the extended footage the club and other clubs have you might change your view.

I think the club will take Kickett before Weightman and it then depends on who's left for the next pick and what that pick is. Doubt Robertson or Stephens will be there, but they will be in contention, if they are.

Melbourne get picks 12 and 16 from Port for pick 8. We pick Jackson at 3 Kickett at 12 Kemp/Flanders/Ash/ at 16

It's a close decision and they will take all the time required to finalise it. There's more than just pick three involved, there are other contingencies to consider.

I think this kid is still right in the mix for us and I believe he will be taken a lot earlier than most think.

If Grundy was in this draft, do you think he'd be worth pick 3 or 4? At the moment it's all speculation Red, we may pick Young or even Kemp, who knows. We are trying to maximise our draft position and if that includes putting the wind up Freo, then why not. We may force them to swap what they don't want to, to get all three of their choices, on the other hand we may really want Jackson, I think we do but what would I know. All we know at the moment is who some journalists think we should pick and in what order.

It's my understanding that pick 97 will come in to about pick 70 after all the academy picks and passes.

Do you think the club has looked at more than the highlights reel you've seen? There are other highlights reels that show a lot more than what's available on you tube. Don't you think the club have watched him play multiple times, like they have with all the prospective draftees? I've seen more footage of him play and he is very good. As are Young and Robertson and Kickett and Kemp, the club has to pick the best of them and I think they will.

Have you seen much of him playing at all? If you haven't, then perhaps if you do, you may change your opinion.

Who's to say Jackson won't play 200 games plus? He is a very good player.

Might be a few double ups but still worth watching.

I had a look at some of his highlight videos yesterday, he was such a good player. It's a shame that he had issues and injuries, but here's hoping he can recover some of his past brilliance, it would make him one of our three best players if he can

Wow, way to derail a thread. Give it a rest, or go to the General board

That depends on how badly we want first pick after GCS. If we have a player in mind for our first pick and we really want him and know he won't be there after pick 3, then no way would you trade. If the club aren't sure that there is a clear third choice, then they may consider it. Free probably have 3 Players in their sights and having two picks almost guarantee at least 2 and maybe all three of their choices.