old55

I agree with you to the extent that I think Howe is better down back than up forward and that's why I started the thread - 90% of posters have Howe in the forward line for R1 2015 and there seems to be no real pointers to that at all. He played better in the backline last year and apparently he's training with the backs and Tom Mac named him in that group. I also agree that Howe is over-rated by many. He has many areas for improvement but I think he has the capacity to improve. That's not the essence of the thread - it's which area is he going to play in.

Coaching staff clearly don't share your view - Howe finished 6th in B&F playing in the backline after a very ordinary start in the forward line. I'll be very surprised if he's not playing in our backline this year.

EFA

Great stuff - I know others couldn't give a continental, but the Rain Man in me loves this stuff. So that leaves 32, 33 ,34, 35 vacant? Link: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-12-04/brayshaw-to-wear-no10-petracca-no26

http://guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wayne-Knight-Seinfelds-Newman-Victim-of-Internet-Death-Hoax.png

In almost every proposed 2015 22 posted Jeremy Howe is selected in the forward line. He played some good footy in the backline in 2014 after appearing completely lost in the forward line. When did he make the switch back - did I miss something? Which group is he training with? I think he's well-suited to playing in the backline and that's where I'd have him.

Not interested in more generic mids with experience, I think we've got enough that are fringe 22: McKenzie, Newton, Michie, Riley, Bail, M.Jones - that's gotta be enough soldiers. When was the last successful KPF rookied? It just doesn't happen, they come early in the draft or F/S. We don't need any more KPBs. First ruck depth is OK with Jamar, Gawn, Spencer - if there is a fwd/ruck prospect like King I'd have some interest. But I'd be looking for small defender and small attacking forward.

We'll be with the Saints, Dogs, Blues and probably Bombers (subject to suspension) in the bottom 5. Best case 14th, worst case 17th - the trend line is positive though.

a. OK b. uninspiring c. bloody d. all of the above

Jamar, Gawn, Spencer is OK for #1 ruck. We've got a hole in fwd/ruck - Pedersen, Fitzy, King - it's uninspiring. Mitch bloody Clark ...

Wow wee oh boy!

From TJ in 97 through to Jimmy Toumpas - I've learned to cool my jets over the years

It's not that long ago that Hawthorn were a bit of a joke - the 2004 "line in the sand game" vs Essendon seemed to me to be that at the time. Brereton geeing up Richie Vandenburg and despite the fighting they still got smashed. Fast forward to 2008 and the joke was on me. Clarkson, Vandenburg and some great recruiting later ...

1254 page thread on Big Footy Saints forum - answer may be in there? http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forums/st-kilda.22/

Too old fashioned to read to the bottom of the article? I'm tipping typical gen-Y short concentration span ... The remaining numbers will be allotted after Melbourne selects six more players via the NAB AFL Draft (four players) and NAB AFL Rookie Draft (two players). No.10, No.26, No.28, No.30, No.32, No.33, No.34, No.35, No.37 and No.41 are vacant at this stage with Jesse Hogan wearing No.1 and Jack Fitzpatrick wearing No.48 again.

I may well have missed it - but why does almost everyone have Howe forward this year? Was there some announcement of this as a plan? I thought he found his role in the back half last year.

If we take McCartin I think Dawes will have to get used to relief rucking.

Art Vandelay

You can see my answer here http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/37564-welcome-to-the-melbourne-football-club-ben-newton/?p=1027760

No co-captain Grimes and again who gives Jamar ruck relief?

No Cross and who gives Jamar ruck relief?

Right now I've got 18 starters: Back: Jetta, Dunn, Garland Half-back: Grimes, TMac, Howe Mid: Vince, Tyson, Lumumba Half-Forward: Viney, Dawes, Watts Forward: Kent, Hogan, Garlett Followers: Jamar, Cross, N.Jones There has to be a 2nd ruck/fwd = Gawn, Pedersen or Fitzpatrick That leaves 3 spots for mids (including the sub) and Newton has plenty of competition: Salem, Toumpas, McKenzie, Michie, JKH, Riley, Bail, M.Jones, Pick 2/3 and I could be missing someone ... Frost doesn't squeeze in, yet.

Just wonder if the Saints will take Petracca since they took Billings last year?

10 new players added last year on the list. 11 new players this year (subject to re-rookie) That's half the list.

Picks 2 & 3 thread disappeared.