Dee Dee

Spargo was 17years Old when drafted I believe. He may well grow a few cm at least. Also in his favour is his football heritage- it must count for something. He apparently has genuine football smarts. He’ll make it!

I’d add Andrew McGrath to that list, a very mature young man who arrived ready made for the big time. Back to the Dee’s and Maynard. Those who have seen him play speak very highly of him but my fear is his age, at 26 and a rookie is he too mature to learn new tricks?

I certainly hope you’re correct. With Jack Viney suffering re occurring foot problems Jones’ leadership is more important than ever IMHO. His resilience has been outstanding but suffered a little last season. I hope he can make another 3 or 4 years and a few finals appearances ( inc. the big one).

...turned 30 in a few days time. How many more seasons in the red and blue? He’s played 239 games and all being well will reach the milestone 250 and more this year. So, can he go on to the magic 300? That’s a further 2/3 years! I’d love it if he could, your thoughts folks.

A forensic examination of James Harmes’ (got it this time) tats may be required for signs of godly powers!

Very good, damn autocorrect lead me into Ancient Greece mythology by mistake

I say this every year: thank you so much to everyone who reports and who downloads photos. For those of us living away from Melbourne it is wonderful to see. And the excitement builds. i must say Hogan looks very scary indeed and Frosts ears look like they were taken from Charlie Windsor!

I’ve been looking back at a few of last seasons games and a player who often stood out was James Hermès. But he was inconsistent. When he was good he was very good but when he was bad he went missing. If Hermès can retain that good form for longer he will have a real breakout - best 22 - year. Otherwise and for all of us who are in football terms “midgets” (178cm/5’10”) or under, I hope Charlie Spargo does well and bites the rest of you on the collective bum!

You beat me to it!

“Feint” is what I hope they are learning. All the best players do it!

What is Mr Goodwin going to say - “player x is a lazy bastard and needs a kick up the bum”! Of course not, but I do hope there is a bit of damning with faint praise when needed as well!

It’s always interesting to read the comments at the end of any article on The Conversation, and the final comment on this article is worth reading, especially the last paragraph. It’s about club culture and the writer singles out Melbourne, Carlton and Brisbane as having the weakest culture over recent years. A bad, lazy culture may take years to overcome: I believe the Melbourne Football Club has a way to go to eradicate this pernicious culture that has grown over decades of mediocrity. However, I applaud the club for its efforts over the last 4 years, but it takes time and strong dedicated players and staff. Is Goodwin good enough? Not sure! But Viney, Gawn, Old McDonald, Jones et al seem to have the passion and intelligence to steer that change. (At least I hope so,)!!!

Great memories, such talent. And you tend to forget what a stick figure he was, but his evasiveness was extraordinary,

Tripping over a tree root while searching for your ball?!

You can say that again, very exciting indeed. Although I could put together a very, very selective highlights package of my golf game over t he last 40 or so years (if I happened to have the vision) that would make you think I was as good as any golfer in the world. ps: I’m a bloody lousy golfer.

I’ve seen his height listed at anywhere between 172 and 175cm. And I’ve also learnt to make little of “official” measurements. I stated in a previous post that at 17 the kid’s probably still growing and may well end up around Jack Viney’s height. And that’s more than acceptable, especially if the kid can play!

Kid’s 17 years old, will probably grow a few cm in next couple of years. And anyway 172 cm is a very nice height indeed (especially for an opening bat)?.

A question for those of you with a little more insight/knowledge of such things please: How far can a 26 year old rookie progress? I read on this forum from time to time that Players reach their potential by the age of 25/26. So how far can a one game 26 year old ptogress?

Gad Sir, The chap in the centre of the photo wouldn't be allowed in to the members reserve let alone the long room dressed that way - sockless. Let's hope the trend doesn't extend to match day wear!

Sitting up in the stands a little away from the ground on match days, I do find it difficult to tell players by their photographs. So, help me out please: who's the Shakespearean actor in photo number three?

Thanks for that, my memory's a bit vague on the detail, however I remember thinking "wow this is it" only to have the lad fade away. Something that happened far too often in the past! But no more eh (says he typing and touching wood all at the same time)!!! Which is why I think young Harmes can still improve.

I recall Cuthbertson kicking a bag against Collingwood one day, but that was it. However Eddie loved him and said he should have been playing for the Pies! Grigic's another matter. He played a good game for Melbourne at centre half forward against- not sure, but then played a very good game against Melbourne for a victorious Geelong side, so, at least a couple of good games before his lack of ability became truly apparent. Harmes has more up side I believe, and has not reached his full potential as yet. He's not going to be an A grader but decent B grade is not beyond his capabilities.

Harmed is an interesting one. I've just re-visited our last season round 21 match against StKilda where he kicked 3 first quarter goals and made himself very useful throughout the rest of the match. Still young, still has great upside.

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned David SchwARZ as yet, he was very very exciting!

Geeeee, by the time I got to the end of this thread I'd forgotten what it was about. Ah yes, Hibberd and Lever our new improved backbone: add Jetta and Hunt and we start to build something of quality.