Males

Is there a dominant and permanent forward in the game at the moment? Hawkins is probably the closest to a permanent forward but most push up high in defence, or rotate position, and then push back in attack. I'll be very surprised if he does get moved on at the end of the year, I think the kid has shown us enough glimpses of what he can do. I'm looking at the 2020 season to be his breakout year. ?

I'll also point out that on draft night the commentators on Foxtel all agreed that Weideman would be the steal of the draft at No.9 if he could stay injury free. I don't see this as a mistake by our recruiting team. Hindsight picks are a load of BS and an easy shot at recruiting, how did Fyfe go at 20odd etc? ?

Fritsch may be a first year player but don't forget he is older then Weid, medium sized fwd instead of key position too. Weid was drafted injured, and has had an interrupted few years with little injuries too. I'm happy to give Weid another year or two before I'll expect to see him pushing for the 1's.

Just listened to our "new" team song on the Triple M Facebook page, not a fan at all, no, no and no. ?

Yes, on that clip, it's the only footage I've seen. I also said "I believe" and also stated that I thought it was a joke to get fined. I'm not arguing what happened last year, it's irrelevant to this years penalties. My point being, if Michael Christian is stating that it was a closed fist, no matter how soft, and the MFC obviously aren't contesting that fact, then we have to wear the fine. Christian has set a low benchmark for punches to be fined, now he has to show that he is consistent throughout the year. If he is consistent, we have nothing to argue about, let's give it a few more games, should see another punch/jab by then, and see what happens? ?

I think it's a joke to get fined for that, but in saying that, I believe it was a closed fist he used. The issue of Jacobs pushing him in the back first doesn't obviously matter to the AFL. Now the AFL has to show itself to be consistent for this sort of "incident". Considering the amount of little jabs in the side and back that taggers use, I'm expecting the AFL to register their biggest profit at the end of the season. ???

The one little snippet I found, MELBOURNE star Christian Petracca has pledged his future to the Demons, adamant he wants to be a one-club player for the duration of his career.

Link just takes me to log in page

We only kicked 1 point into the wind too.

1. The Umpiring was below average. (Not what cost us the game though) 2. Melbourne cannot kick straight, plenty of goal kicking training needed. (Cost us the game) 3. A few Melbourne players are extremely soft, do not like halving any contest. 4. Congested game will beat us.

I didn't see tonight's game, but I believe Carlton are going to be a very defensive team for the season, hopefully the other games will be higher scoring. The problem last year was that the girls dropped easy marks, or missed a kick pass, causing congestion and low scores. Hopefully we see improvements in those areas, possibly opening up the game and scoring a little more. ?? I can live with low scores as long as the Dees win though. ?

An injury free Brayshaw is going to show us how good he is. ??

I haven't renewed my membership yet but will do so shortly, I always get distracted and forget in the off season. ?

Spargo in the No.4, then all the little kids won't have to look up to a new player in the number, they can look him straight in the eyes. ? (Edit: And I think he'll get plenty of game time)

Selections before academy and father/son bidding: 29, 31, 36, 47 Selections after bidding: 29, 31, 37, 48 Who they picked: Charlie Spargo, Bayley Fritsch, Harrison Petty, Oskar Baker Verdict: Spargo is a terrific play-making midfielder-forward, with the capacity to take the play on and create for his team. He is the son of former North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions player Paul. Only a shoulder injury kept him from producing another consistent season. Fritsch is well known to Melbourne after kicking 42 goals in 19 VFL games for the Casey Demons. Petty will add to a developing tall back mix after an outstanding under-18 championships. Melbourne has long been into Baker who comes from Aspley in the NEAFL. Has been dubbed the 'ginger ninja' and it's clear by watching his highlight tapes that Baker has some serious breakaway pace through the midfield. The Demons believed they needed to add to their small forward setup and did so with Spargo and Fritsch. Look for Petty to push to be in senior contention early days too - he can play. - Ben Guthrie

Selections before academy and father/son bidding: 29, 31, 36, 47 Selections after bidding: 29, 31, 37, 48 Who they picked: Charlie Spargo, Bayley Fritsch, Harrison Petty, Oskar Baker Verdict: Spargo is a terrific play-making midfielder-forward, with the capacity to take the play on and create for his team. He is the son of former North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions player Paul. Only a shoulder injury kept him from producing another consistent season. Fritsch is well known to Melbourne after kicking 42 goals in 19 VFL games for the Casey Demons. Petty will add to a developing tall back mix after an outstanding under-18 championships. Melbourne has long been into Baker who comes from Aspley in the NEAFL. Has been dubbed the 'ginger ninja' and it's clear by watching his highlight tapes that Baker has some serious breakaway pace through the midfield. The Demons believed they needed to add to their small forward setup and did so with Spargo and Fritsch. Look for Petty to push to be in senior contention early days too – he can play. – Ben Guthrie

I may have gotten some dust in my eyes after reading that Gus is training and looking good. Injury free season please. ? Nibbler led the pack in most running drills last year too if I recall correctly?

From everything I've read on Petruccelle he seems to need to improve his kicking a bit more, but in saying that, he didn't start focusing on footy until midway through 2016 I believe. Huge upside for improvement and was the quickest in the 20m sprint at the combine. I haven't seen any of these kids play, I'm only going off draft reports etc, but I'd probably look at Ling with our 1st pick and Petruccelle with our 2nd, if both still there. ?

One of the interstate clubs to pick Andrew Brayshaw, in two years he wants to return to Melbourne and nominates the Dees. ?

Haven't heard his name mentioned as a good pick by any of the footy shows, I might have missed it though? I wouldn't think we'd use our first pick on him, maybe 2nd or 3rd depending who else is still available.

Hogan, Lewis, Vince and Bugg appear to like their boxing too. ?

Nate Jones is out running, was this on the MFC website or has he been spotted? More interested to know if Brayshaw is running with Jones again? I haven't heard anything about Brayshaw after he went off in the VFL GF. ?

Thanks WJ, I mixed up which Oscar it was. ?

Watching one of the Draft shows on Foxtel last night, they mentioned this kid for our first pick 21. OSCAR ALLEN Key forward, 191cm, 83kg, West Perth/Western Australia Buckenara says: Allen was one of the most consistent players of the championships, which saw him win the Larke Medal as the best player after booting 11 goals in four games. He’s a nice kick for goal, has a good pair of hands and makes the most of his chances. He’s a good size and appears suited to the modern half forward role because he has a big engine and can run all day. I expect he’ll be a standout at the draft combine. They mentioned him as playing more backline though, team him up with Lever in pre season. Be interesting to see how close they are.

If Watts loves the club so much and wants to stay, then refuse a trade and stay. There's one way to prove the coaches are wrong, bust your arse on the training track, force your way into the firsts and play to your full potential, simple. Personally I hope he has the heart, and balls, to stay and prove the footy department wrong.