Simon Port

Clarry is a genuine freak. He's the number one contested possession player in the comp, has incredible hands, he's super quick and has strong hands overhead. He is just everywhere and I can't remember him ever covering the ground this well. Gawn made a point a couple of weeks ago that he's also working very hard defensively to get back to help the defenders. He tackles well, is super tough and I would argue is the most consistent player in the comp and never has a bad game. My favourite Melbourne football club player ever.

I think we need to seriously consider dropping Gus. He needs to seriously lift and I don't think he's working hard enough to be able to fulfil his potential. In: Sparrow, Chandler Out: Brayshaw, Melksham

In: Weideman Harmes Sparrow Chandler Out: Tomlinson Baker Jones Melksham I don't think we will be ruthless enough to do this but, you have to reward players and pick off form. Baker's ball use was dreadful, Melksham has no pressure whatsoever and tries to take on the tackler far too much. If he's not kicking goals or delivering the ball inside 50 with precision I don't see a place for him. Jones needs a rest and looks tired. Chandler has been playing up forward and through the midfield for stints which is a bonus. With Brown and Weid, the extra pressure forward will really help. Sparrow simply must play based off his best on ground performance in the VFL.

Weideman for Melksham. Melksham doesn't apply enough defensive pressure and Weideman is a better marking target deep for us, with Tmac and Dogga both playing higher up the ground

Gawn - a phenomenal performance Oliver - inside work incredible McDonald - a wonderful target Salem - classy and reliable Petracca - damaging as always Pickett - always super dangerous Jackson - frees up Max Lever - rock down back Langdon - 3 clutch goals Rivers - reads it well Hibberd - broke lines late Viney - selfless team player Brayshaw - courageous and tough Tomlinson - super improved player Brown - couple goals late Jordon - seems very tired Melksham - junk time goals Neal- Bullen - applied great pressure Hunt - burst from defence Spargo - tried his hardest Petty - was shaky early Jones - 300 then dropped?

great call, either richards or vandermeer would be fantastic for our team. There is a squeeze at the dogs for those types of players. Vandermeer is also one of Clarry's best mates as they grew up together in Mooroopna.

Out: Jetta, Sparrow, Jones In: Viney, Melksham, Hibberd

Hibberd May Lever Salem Tomlinson Rivers Langdon Petracca Baker Melksham Weideman Hunt Pickett Brown Fritsch Gawn Viney Oliver Brayshaw Harmes Jackson Sparrow

I would be going very hard for Higgins. Pickett and Higgins at the feet of Brown and Weideman could be a fantastic combination. Desperately need another pressure player

With the need for a wingman I think it would be worth having a look at Lachie Hunter. He's still only 25 years old and is a best and fairest winner at the Dogs. Runs all day, has good foot skills and would be a perfect complement to our plethora of inside mids. He would cost a fair bit but I think he would completely change our team for the better. He had a couple of indiscretions at the Dogs and they may be willing to let him go for the right price.

Rate him highly, I think he would be a terrific acquisition and fit straight into our backline to provide some drive and lockdown capabilities.

Saints putting him up for trade in order to fit Brad Crouch in. At his best he's a very good lockdown defender with great speed and strength. It feels like we are lacking that defender who is able to really lockdown and negate one of the oppositions smalls after Nev has seemingly fallen out of favour. I think he would be a really good cheap pick up assuming he's past his injuries of 2019/2020.

It's clear that Melbourne still needs another outside midfielder to support Ed Langdon who had a brilliant season and showed what having a player with his skill set does for our team. Recruiting Adam Tomlinson as a wingman was always far fetched and he seems more suited to a defensive role. Merrett would be an ideal target for us but would probably cost too much. A player I think that would be worth looking at is Tom Phillips who could be pushed out of Collingwood due to their cap squeeze. He's an elite runner and a very tidy left foot kick and exactly the type of player we need. He can also go forward and kick a handy goal.

With all of the time off and the players going away and doing their own individual programs, it'll be interesting to see if there are many changes from our round 1 side. Selection will be based purely on training so this will give an opportunity for many players to have a crack at it. We have a few interesting types such as Hannan, Smith and Petty who have shown that when fully fit they are capable. We also have Harley Bennell coming back from that long term injury who could be a classy inclusion if he stays fit. Question marks still surround the selection of Sam Weideman to step up and take a key forward role and at the other end of the ground, Omac always provides a topic for discussion. Are Jones and Hibberd still automatic selections? The Round 2 team I would go with: Jetta May Hore Salem Lever Hibberd Langdon Oliver Tomlinson Melksham Tmac Petracca Pickett Weideman Fritsch Gawn Brayshaw Viney Harmes Bennell Jones Lockhart

The Roar posted a recent article about the Predictions for Melbourne for 2020. It went on to say that we have a surplus of inside mids and too many of the same type of player, specifically targeting Jack. "Jack Viney must have a question mark on his future in the modern game. He's as one-dimensional a player as there is in the AFL, and there are others on the list that perform his main skill of extraction better. He's been demoted from he captaincy. He's also treacle-slow and can't kick. Concerns." Do you think Viney's lack of break away speed since his foot injuries and poor disposal efficiency are major concerns? He is only suited to an inside midfield role and hasn't performed at a high level for a number of years now (I do understand he's had injuries). Thoughts?