Simon Port

Best Melbourne player ever when it's all said and done. Absolute superstar who gets better every game. Been consistently outstanding since he first had his debut. An absolute joy to be able to watch Clarry for another 8 years.

In: Jackson, Kozzy, Nibbla, Petty, Sparrow Out: Tmac, Bedford (stiff), Melksham, Smith, Dunstan Bedford is the tough call and would love to keep him in but would find it tough to drop spargs or keep kozzy out

It's quite phenomenal how consistent Clarry has been since 2017. He just never plays a bad game. I don't think I've ever seen a more consistent player in my time watching AFL.

1. Clarry 2. Gawn 3. Trac 4. May 5. Lever 6. Salem 7. Langdon 8. Brayshaw 9. Fritsch 10. Viney 11. Jackson 12. Neal Bullen

I've heard that Petracca is one of them

I've never seen a player put in more effort week in week out than Clarry. His will to win is truly immense.

Very kind of Clarry but, I think after last year he is the best player in the comp. Trac has the looks and media personality for the AFL to try and create a poster boy out of him which is fair enough. In saying that Trac does have amazing explosion, strength, goal kicking ability and he's unreal at evading traffic. I just think Clarry has something truly special about him. He has an ability to win the ball like I've never seen before, it's almost as if he's possessed. I think his awareness of what is around him and ability to not only win the ball but, distribute it to others is remarkable. Max also stated in an interview that Clarry's will to win was like nothing he's ever seen and it's intangibles like these which make it very hard to truly value Clarry's impact. Both greats of the game and aren't we lucky to have them both who I think could become the all time best midfield duo the game has ever seen (huge call I know). Hopefully a couple more flags/brownlows to be put in that conversation.

There are a few players vying for a few spots on the ground. It seems most of our 22 is locked in but, I'll pose a few head to heads just to get some discussion happening on what your ideal 22 looks like: Hunt vs Hibberd Tomlinson vs Petty or both (when fully fit) Mcdonald vs Weideman Sparrow vs Jordon vs Dunstan

I still feel like Clarry is super underrated competition wide. Even being listed at number 4 seems too low. He has added elements to his game which makes him truly unstoppable. His burst out of stoppages, he is untackleable, his tackling and defensive pressure is first class, cleanest hands in the business, runs all day and covers the ground with the best of them. His kicking has always been questioned but, he uses it well and somehow Petracca (who I also love dearly) escapes it all and doesn't cop any of the same criticism when his ball use was even worse last year. A once in a generation player who is already tracking towards being Melbourne's greatest ever player. He is only 24....

There's talk Lachie Weller is unhappy and will seek an opportunity elsewhere. I think he would be a perfect acquisition for us based on his age and style of player. He's an outside mid who plays predominantly on the wing who can also play high half forward and kick a goal. He has the outside run and pace that perfectly complements the plethora of inside bulls we have. He was also drafted to Freo with lingers and they are very close friends from their time there. I think if we could get him fairly cheap and don't have to pay him a ridiculous amount, he would be a very good addition.

Weid, Bedford and a future first round pick for Cerra who says no? Whsipers are Bedford is headed to freo and they have a strong interest in Weid.

Clarry's numbers competition wide: #1 for contested possessions #1 for clearances #1 for ground ball gets #5 for disposals #6 for score involvements #8 for inside 50s A complete superstar player who we are very lucky to have playing for the red and the blue. He's the most consistent player I've ever seen and as mentioned by a lot of his teammates, his will to win is remarkable. Sure he may not always have the prettiest ball use but, he is the nucleus of our side and without him we wouldn't be where we are now. Will go down as one of Melbourne's best ever players, if not the best.

I'd say most top sides play 2 predominant wingman. Other than brisbane there's Geelong - Smith and Menegola Dogs - Hunter and Smith Port - Amon and Duursma It's a clear flaw of ours having no outside class and skills and I think a skilful wingman to pair with langdon would be incredibly beneficial

I think we should look very hard into Dylan Stephens. He's an outside mid with class and a great combination of speed and endurance shown at the combine. Sydney have a serious salary cap squeeze and I think due to him not getting a regular game at Sydney, his value has dropped significantly in a trade. He has been injured a fair bit and hasn't had a proper crack at it. He is originally from Victoria and still sees himself as a Vic boy at heart. His parents live in Victoria too. He is also extremely close with Kozzy and knows Chandler and Sparrow well through playing state football together. Not only is it the class and sublime ball use we need, but it also seems like a great cultural fit. In doing this it will free up Gus to play more of a natural role in the midfield and just do bursts on the wing.

IN: May, Viney, Tmac OUT: Smith, Sparrow, Melksham

I feel like it's time to try playing all of Brown, Mcdonald and Weideman in the same forward line. Jackson looks cooked and would benefit from having at least a couple of weeks rest and the inclusion of Weideman means he can play that second ruck role as well as be a much more potent option up forward where we are clearly lacking. I think with Mcdonald and Weideman being able to push up the ground provides an outlet kick target and also means there won't be too much crowding inside the forward 50. Weideman or Tmac copping the 3rd best defender would also be a nightmare for defenders deep inside our forward 50.

In: Weideman, Melksham, Bowey Out: Jackson, Jordon, Rivers (they all need a rest and are fading big time)

List of viable options that would suit our side. Not a list of players I think we have any connection to as of yet just ones I think we should be looking at. Outside mids/ball use: Oliver Florent, Liam Duggan, Harry Perryman, Xavier Duursma, Justin Mcinerney, Sam Petrevski-Seton Would love a josh kelly/karl amon type but that just won't happen Defenders: Brayden Maynard, Dan Houston, Ed Richards, Darcy Tucker, Sean Lemmens, Jake Kelly, Daniel Rioli (liked his move to half back) Forwards: Ben Ainsworth, Jack Petrucelle, Lachie Schultz, Mitch Wallis, Jeremy Finlayson, Todd Marshall, Sam Reid

I would also seriously consider dropping Viney and building up his confidence in the VFL. He is a serious liability for us out there at the moment. He is laboring around the ground and can't hit a target to save his life. I fear due to the foot injuries he will lack leg speed for the rest of his career.

IN: Weideman, Melksham, Bowey OUT: Sparrow, Pickett, Hunt Kozzy needs a rest he's burnt out and you can't bring Brown in off a 3 disposal, 0 marks, 0 goals performance. I think Melksham has to come in as we clearly need more goal scoring power. Chandler would be a good alternative however, I don't think his latest performaces have warranted selection.

In: Brown Out: Sparrow

In: Viney, Ben Brown Out: Sparrow, Weideman

Just a few ideas for the types of players we need. Take with a grain of salt. Half Backs to replace Hibberd and Jetta: Ed Richards due to the plethora of half backs the dogs have; Johannisen as a short term fill Dan Houston and try get him back to VIC, Coffield as maybe a change of scenery would help him Eggmolesse-smith as a very cheap option for depth who has upside and skill Outside mids to support Langdon: Liam Duggan, Brayden Ham, Justin mcinerney, Oli Florent (long shot), petrevski-seton as a hybrid mid on the cheap to rejuvenate his career Ball use/forward of centre players: Jack Billings as a free agent, Rhylee west who we bid on when he was initially drafted who can't get a regular game, Ben Ainsworth, Kane Farrell, Petrucelle, Lachie Schultz, Luke Breust (2 year contract for the experience to help with kozzy, spargs and nibbla)

If Melksham doesn't get dropped it's a disgrace. He offers nothing at the moment as much as he used to be one of my favourites. Weid has also had a few chances and still drops way too many marks and isn't having a big scoreboard impact. IN: Ben Brown, Langdon OUT: Weideman, Melksham

I'd keep the team as is and get Viney and Dogga primed for the friday night blockbuster against the dogs. Chandler and Weids deserve another chance and I think having the extra small forward with the 3 pronged forward attack is a smart move.