DemonJack 14

Where is our list really at ? Maybe it's not the entire problem. Obviously other factors such game plan, structures, fitness and work rate/effort I think are contributing to where we are at the moment. But I think our list really does need some reworking. I know it's a highly rated list on paper, but a lot of players I think have reached their peak and are regressing or have stagnated. Only a handful of players have progressed from last year. Key Forwards Huge issue for me. Almost every other club has better quality and depth of key forwards than us. Tmac and Brown are almost finished and lack speed ,mobility and presence at ground level. I Can see why Goodwin wants Petty up forward to give us some marking power. JVR looks promising and competes hard. He still needs to keep improving and we can't expect him to kick bags of goals every week. Jefferson needs more time in the gym and a few more pre-seasons. Early in the season he looked promising in the VFL but has dropped off significantly lately. Schache should be given a bit more time to see what he has got at senior level I think but hasn't been smashing the door down at Casey. I would like to see Joel Smith given a go considering his recent VFL form and before he inevitably gets injured again. I think it's likely one or both of Tmac or Brown retires at the end of the year. I think we need to target another established key forward from another club. ( Riccardi - GWS, Georgiades - Port , Mitch Lewis - Haw ) Or we draft another with a first round pick (Archer Reid, Daniel Curtin or Nate Caddy) Small/General Forwards Fritsch, Chandler, Spargo, Pickett. ANB is a good group of small to medium forwards. The pressure they apply is usually good. 2nd in the league for tackles inside 50 testament to that. Chandler has really come on this year. I think we could do with some more speed and more skill in this area however. some attacking flair ( Liam Henry - Frem, Kai Lohman -Bris , Jade Gresham - Stk) Maybe draft Nick Watson if he is available Mids I think our midfield really lacks some pace and skill. We have some elite ball winners but we still drop off in quality quickly when one of the big 3 aren't there compared to other sides. Really need Sparrow and Jordan to take the next step. perhaps Rivers becomes that outside/inside midfielder we lack. Our connection with our rucks seem off more often than not and even though clearances aren't every thing we need to still break even if we want to play forward half game. We need to develop some young elite mids in the next few years likely from high draft picks. Our wings look on paper close to the best in the league but Hunter lacks pace and Langdon isn't having the same impact. I think we need some more height and marking power from our wings. Hopefully Howes and Woewodin can be this type. Players to possibly improve our midfield that could be gettable ( Flanders - GC, Ash - GWS , Duursma - Port , Robertson - Bris , Macrae - Coll ) Small/ General Defenders We need to find a Hibberd replacement soon and we could do with some more run out of the backline. McVee has looked good early in the season and Rivers has been good at times. I think we need another medium Intercepting type that can provide some run. As people have mentioned our ground level defending has often looked shaky, which is not great considering we often play a spare defender. Not sure who we could look at to improve this area. Key Defenders Ok at the moment here. I think Lever would be more effective as the 3rd tall. Turner looks good in the VFL. May isn't getting any younger. Adams is showing some signs in the VFL. Tomlinson looks past it at AFL level. may need to draft another young key defender. Be nice if we didn't need Petty up forward, perhaps Himmelberg - GWS as a FA could be an option Rucks Obviously strong at the moment, however Gawn is not the player he was two years ago. We definitely need another young up and coming ruck soonish. Maybe Verrall can be that player, but another area that needs addressing I feel. Very keen on here others thoughts on where the list is at and what/who we need to get better ?

I will join too if there are any spots left ?

That’s true, but in those players you have listed there is not much ruck / key fwd depth there anymore

Yeah I agree Daw , Mitch Brown, Weideman , Rosman and LJ all gone only Grundy coming in. We need some more Rucks and Key Forwards , but only have pick 13 as a significant draft pick this year ? We really do need a Schache type player/s or another tall with some experience that can play a role if injuries occur ! We surely have a plan not just to rely on young draftees to fill the list spots

Great Podcast guys Do you think we need more experienced depth. Obviously we don’t want list cloggers and need to turn over the list. But we have lost Jackson, Hunt , Bedford and Weideman and delisted Rosman, Mitch Brown and Daw with only Grundy coming back as an established player Surely the rest of the list spots can’t be filled by young draftees and rookies ? Your thoughts ? Thanks, Jack

Yeah I agree with you there, but if we are losing some solid role players. We can't just rely on draft picks to fill these positions. But yes have to be selective not to just end up with list cloggers

With the game becoming more attacking and if we lose Bedford and Hunt, which is looking likely. We definitely need more players with some pace. Not sure who we can recruit but this has to be a priority if we lose both Bedford and Hunt

I am bit concerned that if we lose fingers best 22 players like Hunt, Bedford, Weideman and Tomlinson. We lose a lot of our mature depth. I wouldn't want to replace them with just draft picks. If that did occur we would need to find some cheap replacements from trade or delisted free agency and so far we have been linked to no-one outside Grundy. Particularly because the talk draft is meant to be quite shallow and teams would rather push picks to next years draft. could be as few has 50 picks apparently.

Form me I would rather keep Bedford, however we will lose a bit of run and pace out of the backline if Hunt goes. Not sure who replaces that ? Bowey is the one currently on our list I suppose. Also Hunt was playing some good lock down roles earlier in the season so I think he would be missed for sure.

Ah your right maybe the Dogs get Freo's future 1st or something ? but yes 4 team trade would be complicated. Just trying to find a way we can get two reasonably high picks off Freo in a trade for Jackson.

Would something like this work if we have to deal with Fremantle? Melb Get - pick 8 (Dunkley trade), Pick 11 (WB 1st Round) or Frem 1st R 2023 Give - Luke Jacskon Port Get - Dunkley Give - Pick 8 WB Give - pick 29, Pick 11 Get - Rory Lobb , Pick 14 (Frem 1st Rounder) Frem Get - Luke Jackson, 29 Give - Pick 14 , Rory Lobb

Yeah you are right about that for sure

I agree Hayden Young would be have been a great trade option, but yes re-signed for 5 years recently. His kicking skills are fantastic ! This potential Jackson trade talk has got me thinking. As good as Jackson and Pickett have been and no doubt will be, would we have been better off drafting Hayden Young and Caleb Serong in that 2019 draft. two highly rated VIC kids ( no game home factor). Currently they are both looking like young stars of the competition !

I know one NGA prospect for us is Finn Emille- -Brennan , not sure if he is this year or next. He made is debut for Dandenong Stingrays last weekend and had 30 touches. Smaller quick win/ flanker typer of player I believe. I played cricket with with him a few seasons back and he has been part of our NGA since about under 14s. really nice kid with the right attitude. Also I believe Mac Andrew's brother is part of our NGA , again not sure if he draft age this year ? but I have heard he has some talent. Hopefully we have a few good NGA talents available to us in the next few years. Might be hard for all clubs if the AFL enforce the top 40 of the draft been unmatchable for bids on NGA players.

The Sorrento Osteo is flying the flag 🔴🔵

Totally agree, I hope Goodwin and Yze are right on to this aspect of the game !!

What are everyones thoughts on the tactical battle ? Bevo loves to push extra numbers from the half forward line up to the stoppages. Generally we are happy to have and extra in the backline to help our intercept game. Is it too dangerous to let the bulldogs have an extra or two at stoppages ? Or do we back our system in and prefer to have an extra in the back line? I am little worried about this potential tactic considering the bulldogs quick hands to get from inside to outside the stoppages. I am hoping that if our pressure is high then this would be mitigated I need someone to put my mind at ease 😂

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bulldogs-to-devise-plan-to-curb-gawn-s-impact-20210917-p58sml.html I suppose they have to try and counter Gawn, I hope we are ready make sure Max is not limited by their tactics

I don't post on here often but I just have to say that was bloody amazing !! Still feel like I am floating on air So proud of our club !! From where we have to been to now is unbelievable and you can just tell that they are still so focussed on what is to come. My late grandfather was recruited to the Dees back in the 40's or 50s but never got the chance to play as he did his knee and then his father put a stop to his career to work. As a young kid would I go to the footy with my best mate and his family and loved the whole experience of getting to the G and seeing Schwarz , Lyon, Tingay , Neitz , Farmer etc, etc do their thing ! Sadly my best mate tragically passed away at aged 13, we both loved the Dees, and I know he will be smiling from above today ! I have lurked on Demonland since 2007 and I've constantly loved the discussions, humour and debates on all matter of topics, even when the only thing to get truly excited about the impending arrival of a new coach or early draft pick. So Thank you to all the contributors who make it happen. I was at the ground for 186, and 148 against the Bombers at the G, so have seen the darkest of times ! In those times I use to just pray for a competitive performance. But to be a Melbourne Supporter and member today feels incredible. The work the whole club as done to turn things around off field and on field is just fantastic. Sad not be able to attend the GF. But lets hope the boys bring it home 👊🔴🔵

I would like to know if JT is worried about the club not having a 1st round draft pick in next years draft given that it is meant to be a very very strong crop.

My Take on our Trade/Draft Period With North having our 1st rounder this year obviously don't have as many bargaining chips to trade for what we need. But we need to make changes to the list to keep improving (not to mention the coaching but that is another discussion). I think we still need some young talent on the list so would be wanting to use at least a second rounder and 3rd round pick in this draft. Unless it was for an unbelievable deal I would not give our 1st rounder for 2021, as it is meant to be a very very good draft and who knows where we finish next year ! I think for the right deal Brayshaw should be considered as trade bait he still holds a lot of value, We have the upper hand with him being contracted ( apparently Fremantle are keen) If so ask for their 1st Round , Adam Cerra, Darcy Tucker or even Sam Sturt who we were keen on in the draft a couple of years ago other players we should consider trading that hold some value Brayden Preuss ( however we still need to find some back up mature ruck from else where if he goes ) Tom Macdonald - Not worth much at the moment - but if a decent deal came along we would have to look at it Realistic players to Target given our needs. Adel - Rory Atkins Bris - Alex Witherden , Cedric Cox Carl - ? Coll - Tom Phillips, Tom Langdon Ess - Adam Saad Frem - Darcy Tucker, Adam Cerra, Sam Sturt, GWS - Adam Kennedy, Xavier O'Halloran ,Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Perryman, Zac Williams , Zac Langdon Geel - Nakia Cockatoo, Quinton Narkle, GC - Alex Sexton Haw - Jack Gunston, Issac Smith Nth - Jarred Polec Port - Kane Farrel, Karl Amon Rich - Patrick Naish, Oleg Markov Stk - Jack Lonie, Jack Sinclair Syd - Matthew Ling, Oliver Florent, Ben Ronke WCE - Andrew Gaff, Jackson Nelson, Tom Cole WB - Bailey Dale, Toby Mclean, Lewis Young, Top 3 realistic Targets for mine 1. Adam Saad 2. Alex Witherden 3. Toby Mclean