ChaserJ

Also worth keeping an eye on Dumont in this game. Could be the inside mid were after. Pretty sure he had 12 tackles to go with 18 touches in this game. Also of interest, ex-Dees jace bode and juice newton lining up for the redlegs and Ferguson for the opposition.

That is quite a list. Now how many of them would leave their clubs to join Melbourne? Why would a club trade away one of their best mids to draft another mid? Because apart from Boyd, scharenberg is the only point of difference who could go top 2, and he projects to be a utility.

I agree with you on all of those points. JT would have to have had a form of OP. It's not like he didn't have any pace when he was drafted (above average), but he's really struggling with his acceleration and not sure about his core strength these days (from memory he ran a 3.01 time for his 20m sprint at the DC). I'm on the Aish train all the way. His feel for the game is a level above most others in the draft, and I also believe that he has a higher ceiling than this years midfield group (which I still rate as pretty good). Billings would be right up there, but just would have loved him to have been fit enough to play more in midfield this season. Freeman's interesting. I've heard a lot about his ability to burst from packs, and he appears to have a good body for inside work already. Perhaps not the best decision maker, but there's a bit of good noise about him. I've been wanting to get to a few TAC Cup games, he might be another reason to get to a Sandringham game(they've got a few prospects this year!) .

The knocks appear to be on Dunstan's pace and a question on how much development is in left in him. It seems that most clubs are looking at more pace in their midfielders this year. It shouldn't be discounted for us either. I immaediately think of Trengove struggling to keep up with the contest and move around the ground with any great pace for the better part of two years.Like Wines he has a man's build, which won't be a competitive advantage at senior level but helps. He doesn't spread from the contest quite as well as Wines did at the same stage in their development. His left foot reminds me a bit of Tappy's (not quite as powerful), just gives it a thump. Dunstan's been doing very well in Woodville WT's reserves team and must be close to a senior call up. He'll move back up the rankings if he plays well for WWT's senior team and can allay some of those concerns. Someone will get a massive discount if he gets to the second round.

In addition to Terlich, who was a premiership teammate of Aish at Norwood last year, and Clisby, who had been playing for North Adelaide. I keep hearing that his dad was still a very good footballer who would have made a bigger name for himself if he didn't choose career over football.

Maybe he physically became a smaller man after looking at big Jim in the eye and lying (OK, I hold onto things too long). Looks like Dan Hannebury has been on the anti growth serum too. It’s perhaps too early to draw anything from the figures relating to the boys drafted by GWS, but interesting to note the differences in weight put on by the boys in Sam Blease’s draft year in comparison with him. I always viewed Blease and Hill as similar types, and was hopeful that Sammy would develop into the player the Hill has become. They were almost identical when drafted, but now Hill (who is no Hercules) has out on 10kgs to Sammy’s 5kg in the 5 years since. Bastinac’s put on 9 in one less year. Probably best to ignore the samples from Essendon for now… Whilst this is a small sample, I suspect that this is reflective of our recent development programs I comparison to other clubs. Hamish Hartlett- 182cm, 74kg Now - 185cm / 83kg Sam Blease - Midfielder - 183cm, 72kg Now - 184cm / 77kg Stephen Hill - Midfielder - 182cm, 72kg Now - 182cm / 82kg Jake Melksham 182cm / 70kg Now - 186cm / 84kg David Zaharakis - Midfielder - 180cm, 73kg Now 185cm / 85kg Ryan Bastinac 183cm / 74kg Now - 184cm / 84kg

I liked the way Aish handled the tag. Whilst his numbers were down (his preparation has to be taken into account, as well as the managing of his load), what I did see was a willingness to increase his defensive involvements. From recollection, Cotchin got frustrated with the attention he received from McGinnity before getting worn down. Aish kept working hard to try and find other ways to contribute to the team even if he wasn’t the primary playmaker. What he did when he had the ball was something else. His efficiency was elite. This stat can often be distorted by players who might hit a lot of safe, short targets, but in Aish’s case his involvements were often medium to long distance passes that directly led to scoring opportunities for SA.

Shiel, no chance. Adams is out of contract and looking to come back to Victoria. GWS may be prepared to take Jamar in return as opposed to losing him to the draft. Either way, I'd like to club to make a big play at Adams.

No doubt that Aish will need to put on some size (as most 1st year players not named Oliver Wines do), but Aish’s got very few holes in his game and is off the charts when it comes to poise and decision making. He gives himself more time than most to pick the right option and has the skill to execute under pressure. He weighs in at about 72kgs at 183cm tall. Just as a point of reference, a quick comparison with previous players of a similar ilk drafted: Marc Murphy 179.1cm, 74.7kg Dale Thomas 182.8cm 75.2kg Bryce Gibbs 187.4cm, 77.6kg Travis Boak 183.3cm, 76.4kg Trent Cotchin 185.6 cm, 79.5 kg Hamish Hartlett 184.1cm, 76.6kgs Stephen Hill 183.7cm, 68.9kgs

Yep, the prevailing view on this year’s draft pool is that it’s shallow. There's plenty of quality (especially midfield) for the first two rounds, but it’s going to be highly speculative after that. I think what we do with our second and third round picks this year will be far more important for our list make up that our first pick. Unless we do something ridiculously left field, whoever we get with our first pick should be productive, if not a star. We’re in the position where we really can’t afford to get the others wrong. Taylor’s got too much quality to slide to the second round. If it wasn’t for his height, I think he’d be a sure thing to go top 5. Smith’s a bottom ager, I look forward to seeing how he develops from now to draft time next year. Not sure if our recruitment team would do it, but if Garlett was around for our second rounder, I’d snaffle him. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team takes a flyer on him in the first round. Talent not in question with that boy. Hartung’s an elite kick too. A very good player who could go anywhere from the fringes of the top 10 through to somewhere in the 2nd round.

Action Jackson strikes again: http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/list-manager-tim-harrington-made-redundant-by-melbourne/story-e6frg1zl-1226669043748

Boyds very much a full forward. Hogans played some good football down back for Claremont colts and could do it at afl level if required.

Vic metro got up by about 3 goals today. 29 touches to Kelly, wa forward Jonathan marsh looks like a bolter with another eye catching performance.

Also don't get why aishs size means he cant be a leader. Already has leadership in spades. Still the standout mid in the pool. A lot of talk about hardball winners being a requirement, id argue we need a player with poise and the ability to execute and hit targets. Kellys been good so far, purely outside runner, immaculate kicking skills. 26 touches last week, getting a few this week. Boyd kicked three early but in a moonboot after hurting his ankle.

McLardy resigns http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-president-don-mclardy-stands-down/story-fni5f91a-1226663852725

As we've seen over the last 2 years, injury can always deplete your stocks in a flash. We're stocked now, but how do we see our current KPP's performing in 3-5 years time when Boyd would be expected to command a regular spot? Will he be better than what we have currently?

Player’s have a relatively short earning capacity to the rest of us working folk as well. If they are lucky enough to have a 10 year career (average AFL career is 5 years) they will earn something like 90% of their lifetime earnings between the ages of 18-30. The average person will earn the bulk of their lifetime earnings between 30 and 55, so it’s hard to decry a player too much for wanting to put themselves in the best possible position to set themselves up. That said, I’m more sympathetic toward Frawley and Sylvia’s situations, as they have spent enough time at Melbourne to either qualify or approach qualification for free agency. They’ve done the time at Melbourne with varying degrees of success, and each have one, maybe two high earning contracts left in them.

It’d have to be a ridiculously good offer. You’d consider anything that came across the table, but tbh our draftees have largely been the best contributors to the team so far this year. We need to invest in youth and get it right this time, especially given the strength at the top end of this draft and the possibility that we may lose some talent on our list at year’s end. We should follow last year’s (drafting)model and draft the best kids with the first 2, maybe three picks, and look at mature agers who can come in straight away and contribute with the lower picks. Ben Duscher is one who needs an opportunity at AFL level, Brendan Lee is another I liked at the Bombers last year who is doing well out West this year. If there were some way to obtain Prestia without losing a first rounder, that would be wonderful, I also think that Matt Thomas from Port might be a handy free agent option who could contribute straight away.

I think we have to draft the best available and assess whether that’s Boyd, Aish or whoever else elevates themselves at the champs. Whilst we currently have Clark and Dawes at the club, and Hogan to come, there’s always the potential for one or multiple of those players to be hit with injury (I’m hoping Clarks luck and/or durability improves, but you never know…). If we get to a situation where all are available, we always have the option of playing Clark in the ruck or even Hogan down back, which he’s done for both WA in the champs and his Colts team. KP players worthy of top 3 selection are rare, so if Boyd turns out to be the best available, then so be it. It’s a strong draft for midfielders and we will find a good one with a second round draft pick if we need to. Boyd looked special last year (liked him more than Hogan at the time), and I’m hearing he’s stepped up from that level. I’d be staggered if GWS didn’t take him if they have pick one, but there’s still a long way to go). Having seen Aish both live and on screen, I would say don’t be fooled by his physique. Yes, he’s predominately outside at the moment, but he can win his own ball and competes hard. Put’s his head over the ball and played a full season for Norwood seniors in the SANFL, including 30 odd touches in the GF (Terlich pipped him for BOG). He has rare composure and decision making ability(we sorely need composed decision makers in our midfield) and he backs himself to take the extra time to create the best option. One of those players that seems to make time slow down while he assesses his options. Good overhead to boot. No question he would make our midfield better immediately. Others I like at the top end are the SA boys Scharenburg and Dunstan. Scharenberg is a tall flanker who can play KP at both ends of the ground. In last years Champs game against Vic Country, Tim Membrey started in dominant fashion before Scharenberg was moved onto him. I’d say they broke even, but he took some very good marks in defence. Reads the play well, strong mark, competitive and decision making seems sound. He has midfield potential, and if he succeeds there this year, I think he’ll elevate into top 3 pick contention. He and Toumpas linked up both well and often for South Australia last year, would be nice to see if they could replicate that at AFL level. Dunstan’s a bigger bodied inside midfielder who’s rated extremely highly (he’s the Jobe Watson type out of this draft). From what I’ve seen, another good decision maker that reads the ball well off the ruckman’s hand. One of those that racks up touches without really being noticed because he’s getting that quick first possession handball out of congestion or quick kick out of the pack. In space he has reasonable pace (not express) good vision and a thumping left foot. Can get forward and kick goals as well. Billings is the other one who can push into the top 5 IF he spends more time in midfield and does it well. Impressed every time I saw him last year with his games sense, overhead marking and finishing ability. Light framed, slightly shorter than Aish, so I really want to see how he goes in midfield before I rate him at the Aish/Dunstan level. I also loved what I saw of Lewis Taylor last year, but unless he either goes extremely well, or everyone gets put off by his height or some other flaw, he won’t be in the frame for our selections. At this stage Boyd and Aish are a level above, but I think any of Dunstan, Billings and Scharenberg can push into that level. Really keen to see what Lennon and Bontempelli do this year as well.

As much as I hated (and still hate) the Scully sideshow, I knew we made out like bandits when the compensation was confirmed. Thank you GWS for your great big wad of cash. Where the potential situation with Watts differs is that I can’t see how Melbourne can mount a case to receive anything close to fair (or favourable) in trade for Watts given his lack of proven performance. I would suggest he is nowhere near his peak value. I expect other clubs to know this and they will offer low. I’d be very surprised if we’d be able to even pry Mitch Robinson from Carlton for Watts. Never mind the humiliation of losing two number one draft picks to add to our failure with Morton in the preceding draft. It will be a damning indictment on our club. It seems that we are failing at selling the future to our players. The club needs to make a decision on Neeld fairly soon. I agree with GNF that if Neeld stays, we will lose players that we should be keeping. I honestly find it hard to believe that he is the man for the long haul, and if the club believe that’s the case, he must go sooner, rather than later. If he is not to be there next year, he must be gone prior to the player exchange period. The club must be clear in the direction it’s moving and clear in its vision, because at the moment the rudder’s all over the place and the crew seems ready to jump ship. The wait and see approach will damage our club and set us back further by years.

I felt that the article Implied that GC & GWS approached the club expressing their interest. No doubt chips manager is across all of the possible outcomes.

He might force us to cover his loss. As much as we can't afford to lose him we have to prepare for the possibility that he might. To do otherwise is irresponsible.

Fair point. This is the sort of thing that should be established in negotiating an extension with Frawley. Hopefully we would have some solid answers re: footy department going into this years player exchange period.

I'm not sure the club has the luxury of giving him 2014 to decide if he wants to stay. Surely the financials won't change, and is Chip going to be swayed one way or another based purely on results? How much improvement would change his mind? Should the club be held to any sort of ransom for the benefit of an individual? As a supporter I'm not sure I want to deal with a whole season of 'will he, won't he' and then have him leave for nothing at the end of it all. We have to have learnt from the Scully, Rivers, Moloney situation. We have to establish what Frawley's intentions are. It's commonplace in other major sporting codes to trade/transfer players one year out from expiry if a player won't commit, because the cost to club of letting them leave for free is too great. If we can't get Chip to commit to a deal this year, then we must look at what the best outcome for the club is.

Mainly because he doesn't have complete control over where he goes until next year.