ChaserJ

Blues are officially out of the running for priority picks.

Me too. I have a good feeling about how the backline is starting to come together. I remember a post on 'land a while ago talking about Garland shutting Neita down completely in a practice match. Looks like he's starting to bring that form into the premiership. Warnock and Garland could be the huge plus points when we look back at the end of this season.

"Kangaroos – 29,217 (note Gold Coast game, the in-Melbourne Average is about that of the other two)" And we have our ACT appointment in a couple of weeks. I'll just happen to be in Canberra that weekend, so I'll try and keep our attendance numbers up by dragging a few mates in.

Good point. If we're going to stockpile picks, this would be the draft to do it. So much talent available. And we still haven't seen Maric and Grimes in the team yet! Despite our struggles for the last two years, we have a good future. Now if we can just pick up a strong marking forward at some stage...

How are the probabilities looking? In all probability Rich and Hurley will be very good footballers. We know what we get with them. So many intangibles with NickNat. How long till the draft again?

He's definitley got the potential to play like a Goodes like tall midfielder. The 'On the Couch' footage this week was very exciting. The passage where he tapped a throw in straight to a teammate who was crunched. followed up by picking the ball up Kouta style and riding a tackle to handpass to advantage left me grinning ear to ear. He averaged four hardball gets at Colts level last year, so he throws himself in. I'd really like to see him get more of the ball around the ground and show some marking ability (this is where Kreuzer edges him). I've watched last years Vic Metro v WA game, and seen a few highlight packages of him, can't recall seeing an overhead mark in there.

Great post, mate. Can feel the passion through the monitor.

I'll keep an ear out!

I'll be there...

An earlier thread from the Vic Metro game: http://demonland.ugbox.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=10271

This article focuses more on junior McKernan, but Watt's is mentioned. I think our first pick has to come from Naitanui, Hurley or Watts. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...4-19742,00.html

Wasn't one of those blokes from Hawthorn? They chose Roughhead before choosing Franklin, right?

This kid looked alright in the practice matches, and is doing ok for Sandy 2's. Think we should get him on the list next season, could be the tall forward we need.

The great man didn't even hit 50 games for Melbourne. Played 47 for 201 goals, before playing his 50th VFL/AFL match for the Bulldogs.

Yep I was there with my dad. I remember getting shivers running up and down my spine as White lined up, and my body shaking with excitement when I saw the crowd go up behind the goal as the ball went through. A great win on the back of edging out Geelong at KP the week before. Just bought both games from Sports Delivered, sensational stuff.

Congratulations on a great career Neita. Thank you for some of my favourite footy (and life) memories. Will miss you. Good luck for the future big fella.

A couple of midfielders, or (please, please, please) a marking forward. One of these if available maybe (Hurley would be unlikely to slide to our priority pick at 17): Prospectus 08 Michael Hurley Key Defender 192cm Northern 1/06/1990 88kg Hurley is a proven performer at both ends of the ground and produced impressive numbers in the 2007 season. In 17 games for Northern in the TAC Cup he averaged 18 disposals per game playing in key positions at either end of the ground. When up forward he was always a threat, being a multiple goal kicker five times including a haul of 6. He spent most of his time in defence, however having six or more rebound 50s on seven occasions and averaging four spoils and two marks from opposition kicks per game. He is strong overhead highlighted by his tally of 29 contested marks, of which he took at least one in all games. He dominated at full back for Vic Metro in the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, totalling four more rebound 50s than any other player. Aaron Cornelius Key Forward 191cm Tasmania 29/05/1990 81kg Cornelius has proven in his junior career to date to be one of the best marks for his age. Since taking nine contested marks for Tasmania in the opening game of the 2006 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships, Cornelius has continued that form to average more than three per game in 14 games of under-age football for his state in the past two years. At age 17 he made his debut for Tasmania in the VFL late last season and took the equal most marks of anyone in the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Tom Hill Key Forward 196cm Northern 7/04/1991 73kg Hill is predominantly a key forward who scored six goals for Vic Metro at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. He averaged 13 disposals, five marks and three inside 50s per game at the carnival, and also totalled 4 score assists in the three matches. He had elite disposal efficiency of 82% and was strong overhead with a total of five contested marks. Lewis Johnstone Key Forward 192cm North Adelaide 3/03/1991 87kg Johnstone is a power forward who averaged 13 disposals and three marks at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. While his numbers at that carnival were only modest, he spent the 2007 season in the SANFL U-17's where he produced some impressive performances. He kicked 31 goals in 20 games and was named in the best players on seven occasions, proving to be not only strong overhead but also at ground level. I've also been keeping tabs Blake Broadhurst, a Robertson type doing impressive things in the WAFL. Be very happy to get one of these with Naita at the draft.

Thre kid moves beautifully (a bit like Adam Goodes), but will need to work on his positioning around the ground. CHF would be a tough spot to learn that sense, but CHB might be a good starting point for him. Let someone else lead him to the contest. Seems to be the way Stef Martin is developing at Sandringham.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tab...px?newsId=46627 Daniel Rich Recruiter 1: Although he is ineligible for the national draft in 2007, he will no doubt be a player who will attract interest leading into next year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He's a very similar player to Rhys Palmer – they both enjoy contested situations. He's naturally aggressive and brings other players into the game. He led by example today. Recruiter 2: He's got some similarities to Palmer and continually wins the ball in a contested situation. I really like the way that he goes about his football and thought that he had an outstanding game. Nicholas Naitanui Recruiter 1: Nick has outstanding athleticism and although he still has some things to learn about the actual game, he is very much a player to watch in 2008 (he is ineligible for the national draft in 2007). Naitanui covers the ground easily and when he knows how to better play four quarters, he will be a genuine talent.

Just re-watched the WA v Vic Metro game from the last carnival, where both Naitanui and Rich were involved, but not eligible for the subsequent draft. Naitanui's got freak athleticism. Has a lot to learn as a footballer, a given as he hasn't even been playing footy for long. Daniel Rich will be a guaranteed hit. Midfielder with the full package. Great vision and awareness with a penetrating left foot kick (he hardly missed a target in this game, including passes over 45 metres). Reminds me of Nick Dal Santo in build and style, but looks like he gets in an under a bit more than Dal Santo. Best thing is, both kids are big on pressure and tackling. Be happy with either, but Naitanui's got that x-factor. Could be anything. Every draft there are a couple of midfielders who will be exceptional players, but you get the feeling that Naitanui is going to be unique in the game. We've drafted plenty of midfielder types in the past. We need to keep faith in the little blokes we have, and go with Naitanui if we get the chance. I'm sure we'll have another crack at getting a top young mid soon enough given our current level of performance.

Couple of articles on Naitanui FYI: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...4-19742,00.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...5012734,00.html

Of the well performed listed here, I'd love to see Buckley, Bate and Maric drafted into the team. I know the popular vote is for Valenti to be elevated to replace Neitz on the senior list (and he looks deserving it), given our struggles in key position (especially up forward) I'd like to see us take a punt on Zomer. Looked promising in pre-season, started well in Sandy's reserves.

I despise Carlton for selling their soul purely for success. Given a choice, I wouldn't sell the integrity and soul of the club purely for success. I'm a fairweather follower. I follow the club through thick and thin, I hurt with every loss and celebrate every win, (few as they've been...sorry folks, didn't mean for that to come out as a cheesy rhyme). If Melbourne moved to the Gold Coast, they wouldn't be the team I've followed ever since I moved to Australia as a six year old.

1.Neitz 2. Best player (not necessarily best performed) Davey. Rivers is there if fully fit. 3. Morton

So you had the good seats then? Well, I did enjoy the last quarter at least. And thank god for Davey!