Goodvibes

Or Brayshaw.

Speed of ball movement was a massive issue last year. I like the sound of this type of drill, putting pressure on players to move the ball immediately and make good decisions quickly.

And who knows what type of impact the captaincy may have had on Jones three years ago. I remember at the time thinking how horrible all the options were. I thought Trengove in particular and Grimes were natural leaders but was worried about their inexperience. So glad this horrible chapter is in the past. Jones could quite easily be our captain for the next few seasons. Viney would be nicely placed to take over assuming his game develops to anticipated levels.

And there is a little pre-season training grab of Howe from a couple of weeks ago talking about the team's progress and he makes reference to himself as a defender.

You probably were right about the two captains but like everyone else you struggled to find a viable alternative at the time. If you had your time over, who would you make skipper?

Knightmare gives his thoughts on Melbourne's Rookie Draft priorities and options: Some class and pace is needed now that the midfield has been bulked up. Fordham, Glenn and N.Newman could be some list fits and some guys who can make the grade. Fordham as a taller outside mid with some class and pace. Glenn as a classy multi-positional player. Then Newman is a ready to go back flanker who can provide some rebound. All have chances to make it.

The alternatives were simply unpalatable at the time. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbournes-leadership-conundrum-20120121-1qbhv.html?rand=1327152211992 This Jake Niall article sums up our quandary. The thread below reinforces the view that whilst most (including yourself WYL at the time) were wary of appointing Grimes, Trengove or both, they couldn't point to an alternative. Jones receives scant consideration. Others thrown up were Moloney, Jamar or Frawley. The retention of Green was rejected by the vast majority. http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29227-narrowing-in-on-either-grimes-or-trengove-for-captain/ We were simply in a lose/lose situation. If I had my time over, I still don't know which option I'd prefer. PS WYL - Don't read that thread all the way to the end. You may not like what you wrote about Neeld.

I always thought it was more a case of Trengove and Grimes being the most appropriate candidates. Jones didn't appear ready at that stage and no one else was suitable. Trengove was clearly too young but the alternatives were virtually non-existent. Not sure there's any support for the notion that it was a marketing gimmick. Our leadership stocks at the time were deplorable. Our senior players were average on the field and worse off it. The Trengove/Grimes combination didn't work but that doesn't mean there was a better alternative.

"Talk is cheap" . . . . . on a footy forum????

You're right and that's why if Kent, Viney and Toumpas can take significant strides next year we'll be looking good. If one of Brayshaw/Petracca could do a Joel Selwood next year then we might be able to fast track things a little. Let's hope we don't have to wait as long with our next generation as we did with Dunn!

It seems like a great many of us were blue sky junkies for quite a few years there and the defection of Scully and the injury to Trengove and the disappointment surrounding Watts, Blease, Strauss, Tapscott and Cook meant that when we came down, we came down hard. We re-surfaced from rehab with a cynical new approach and a pragmatism that highlighted the need to be competitive with re-cycled players. Our premiership plans were shelved and our desire to simply survive kicked in. Now, there's a new sense of optimism in the air. I hope the new drugs are better than the old [censored].

Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen Pedersen

Just watched his interview. Loved the awestruck/excited glint in his eye when Burgs closed the interview with a reference to him running out on the G.

Please tell me they were taking the [censored] with their top buttons up?

I spent my day at a funeral and heard the news of Phil Hughes' passing at the wake. The wake had an almost celebratory feel with the focus a 90 year old who had lived a full and interesting life and was much loved by a very very large family. Passing away at just 26 just isn't right. I just hope some good comes from this. Amateur cricketers like me who took far too many risks playing without a helmet might get the wake up call we need. RIP Phil.

KOTD

Melbourne should introduce a draft day breakfast.

Awesome, looks like we're picking up Dangerfield and Sam Mitchell. Handy draft.

24 hours ago if you'd asked Melbourne supporters who they would choose between Petracca and Brayshaw most would say Brayshaw. 24 hours ago if you'd asked St Kilda supporters who they would choose between Petracca and Brayshaw most would say Petracca. 24 hours on with some quality twitter-driven rumours and Petracca is now viewed by Saints fans as the anti-Christ. It's a coping mechanism. October/November is a weird time. We wed ourselves to players, convincing ourselves that we're getting the right player regardless of where others rate them. We know so very very little.

And the burger place across the road is bloody good!

My favourite was the Lever comment. "Jake had an ACL tear in January and spent a lot of time bored out of his mind as he recovered. This is the perfect preparation for a career in Adelaide."

I went last year and enjoyed the experience but sadly this year I'll be at a wake. It's such an awesome nerdy football lovers thing to do.

Stuff round 1. I'm interested in dream scenarios. By the end of 2015 I hope our young guns have shown us that they will deliver on their promise. Round 23 Team FB: Frost Dunn Jetta CHB: Salem McDonald Brayshaw C: Vince Jones Lumumba CHF: Kent Hogan Petracca FF: Garlett Dawes Watts Foll: Gawn Tyson Viney Int: Howe Toumpas Kennedy-Harris Sub: Stretch Obviously I expect Grimes, Cross and Garland to be figuring in this team and it needs a second ruck but it was designed as a look into the future. Lot of blue chip dreaming but it gives me hope.

Pretty handy combination to have up your sleeve on a footy forum too.

You just killed Christmas.