rpfc

Well, he certainly has what looks to be 'a mans body' - which makes the transition to AFL somewhat easier. I know that a number of people would be disappointed that we didn't get a tall to help Hogan long term but if the recruiting staff think this bloke will be the best player available - I would be very comfortable having two more talented mids brought into the team (assuming the rumours of our interest in Parish are true).

So he won the 'Brownlow' in TAC Cup after missing the Pre-Season with OP. There is a lot to pull from that sentence... Yes, he struggles with OP. Yes, he played a great season on little build up before it.

Well, that is indicative - where'd you hear that?

I read it once. That's enough.

So he needs a haircut? Honestly, that is what your problem boils down to.

I am a jaded MFC supporter - I don't expect much at all... I applaud the decision - Category B rookies have been an underutilised resource at this club - but it is tough enough to make it coming from elite footy programs, he is coming from another sport.

Thought the same.

He is obviously a talent but if we don't think he can build that frame, then we can't pick him. One thing going for him is footy players are going to be required with this new rotations cap of 90 will make it easier for footy players to beat athletes as mids will stay on the ground in forward roles for a rest.

It was with Juice Newton...

He did not play a game - for a top ten pick that is the epitome of a terrible result. I am not here to judge Molan, Cook, Jimmy, Cale or any other player - I am here to judge how we went at drafting 18 year olds and Luke Molan is on the list of the players that we drafted when we consistently drafted poorly. I don't care about injuries, they are irrelevant to the fact that we got nothing out of a Pick 9 14 years ago. If Schwarz is an unfulfilled talent - Molan's career is not in the same hemisphere of critique. It is up there in a long list of poor drafting decisions.

As a club, we shouldn't make decisions based on what a player may or may not do in 2 years time. Let's just fake some confidence in ourselves shall we?

He would have decent peripheral vision, fitness, and adherence to strict instruction to play at a high level of Bball, but that's about all you can read into it as far as how he adapts to footy. Most bball players I have come across that move into footy are all over the talent spectrum but they all really buy into the structures - makes sense to them coming from bball.

Sometimes basketball clubs/academies measure blokes "with shoes on" as they would rarely play without them...

haha. Wow. Who mentioned this in another thread? Good work. Not hoping for much but there is your Howe replacement if he has decent mitts...

Bastinac is rumoured to be going to the Lions for ND17 and Bewick... We are dealing with Essendon here - I was surprised they settled so early with us on ND25 for Melksham. This haggling stuff is a two way street and while I would put any club to the sword and pick up someone in the PSD - maybe the player doesn't like that answer and maybe he says to his new coach 'well, I would like to stay rather than risk it.' In the end - I am sorry to say - the difference between ND25 and ND29 is infinitesimal.

Well, it's a misguided point for the reasons already stated. We couldn't have played this game of trade chicken - we didn't want to keep him! Let's get the pitchforks out for when we lose a Beams calibre player.

We were talking past each other - I think a lot of people would agree with your stance.

The burden is your lack of support. At what point can he gain it? When he has served his suspension, paid his fine, or the charges are dismissed? I am honestly asking the question - of those that have a visceral response to this 'cheating' - when do these people become footy players again?

Guilty until proven innocent... Your stance is outrageous compared to the next-level systematic cheating of the system that is seen in other sports like cycling. And if Zaharakis and Kavanagh did not 'get out' - if they thought it was as bad you say it is I am sure they would have gone straight to Demetriou. Zaharakis is known to have something akin to a phobia of needles - that is hardly the motive of a conscientious objector... They will fall to the actions of their club and their own diffidence on their actions - but whatever WADA throws at them I will accept and nothing more and then they will be absolved in the eyes of reasonable people; this has gone on long enough and these blokes have one final judgement of consequence and that is enough for me. But it isn't enough for you? Would you not allow them back into the sport? Essendon can continue but not the players they duped?

Gawd... Even, I am in the 'they should be punished regardless of how much they knew' but give it a rest with the 'drug cheat' stuff. From what we all have extensively read - this was not a Lance Armstrong-like operation that took place. And he may not be punished, but I will tell you what he will be - he will be running around in the red and blue.

From where I sit, Dom has more talent in close, has better vision with the footy and execution with the footy. I think he is a better footy player than Melksham. That isn't to say that players like Melksham are not required, but understandably, they don't excite. We are about to lose a player (hopefully with more than ND25 coming back) who is not as good a player as Melksham.

So you are saying that this deal will happen or that Tomlinson wants it to happen? Wanna make sure I have got it straight...

There will be both.

Way too much of Dwayne Russell in those highlights. Say what you will about Melksham - the club identified him a long way out for a particular role and here he is and, again, if he can release Salem into the middle more then that is gold weight.

To early to say but it would at least allow the conversation around moving Salem into the middle to gather legs...