discworld demon

Yep - that was him

Under Northey we were always considered a "blue collar" side by the media, even though we had a damn good team including Lyon, Brett Lovett, Stynes, Jakovich, Flower (for 2 years), Brian Wilson to name a few. We were considered battlers punching above our weight. But he seemed to get the very best out of players some may have considered ordinary and in this respect Jamie Duursma comes especially to mind. I think he came to us from the Swans via the Bears with little reputation but under Northey's coaching became a reliable CHB. I remember him seeing off Sticks Kernahan in one final quite convincingly. Dean Sharon (spelling???) the little back pocket was another journeyman who played well for us under Northey. Before joining Melbourne, Northey was coach of Sydney for a time but was sacked because he lacked charisma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In some respects S Martin reminds me of Matty Bishop, a tall defender who was undervalued by some at Melbourne but who went on to play with Port Adelaide in a premiership. Martin is no dummy and should make it as a good utility.

Quite correct! However if Scully or any of the other new kids read this site (or "Ology) they'll sure know their private lives just aren't there own anymore! Part of being an AFL celeb in the 2000's!

Hailebury College like Caulfield Grammar, Scotch College and other Associated Public Schools do provide sporting scholarships to talented girls and boys. I am aware that down the peninsula some headmasters at some government and smaller private schools curse Hailebury for nicking their home grown talent. I have been informed by a football coach from Scotch that the school thinks the scholarships are money well spent for the publicity the school receives! Pity the parents paying $20K plus a year to send their lads to the school!

You make a good point there! However some guys seem to get it all together during year 12, Luke Ball apparently scored in the mid to high 90's while playing football, cricket and aths! And I think he was vice captain at Xavier as well! But maybe the Jesuits are just good teachers

OK back to business! Scully did reasonably well but what about Watts? (And he went to BGS where the poor things have to attend church every day before school).

I suppose it would be difficult to combine football and Talmudic scholarship! Many years ago there was a young rather stocky jewish lad playing for the MFC 2nds. I think he was from Mt Scopus. Anyone remember him? I think he played in the back pocket.

Scully and Watts are APS boys. Mt Scopus is AGS.

Gee - there goes Matthew Warnock's career down the drain.

I believe it's pronounced PettARD, even though spelt PettERD. However happy to be proved wrong!

So!!!! If he's so good, why did Brisbane let him go? Is there something I've missed in all the sackings, draftings and general shenanigans that follow at seasons end?

I think I've mentioned this before in another thread - but certainly worth repeating. Steve Silvagni has stated that key defenders generally need to have about 100 games experience before they become really effective. Now, other than Rivers, I don't think any of the above mentioned have played 50 games. Garland has played all of 20! So, if one goes by Silvagni's statement and the general development shown by Martin, Frawley and Warnock and (prior to last year) Garland, the future looks quite good.

Do you think it's all down to height? Matthew Scarlett's about 192 (I think) and IMHO he's the best tall key defender going around at the moment. I reckon that height is just one factor, bulk being another (as is of course skill). As a forward David Neitz at 192 wasn't that tall but boy oh boy was he bulky. When last we played Carlton, looking at them stand together, James Frawley appeared to be somewhat taller than Brendan Fevola (maybe 20mm or so) but Fevola appeared far bulkier to the order of maybe 10 kg. Give him a couple of years and young Chip could be our gorilla tamer. He has the height, the speed and the skill, all he needs is the extra bulk.

And don't forget Cale Morton! He's now about 194 cm tall and when he puts on about 20 kg he'll be frightening