sylvinator

Knights downfall was that he never sold a 'vision' to his members. You don't need a '5- year plan', but you do need some kind of vision that supporters can share and believe in that the club is moving forward to build towards the next premiership. He completely lost support of the membership base. Bailey, whether he's a good coach or not, has successfully sold us supporters a vision that we have ralied behind. We can see what he's trying to do and has been transparent the whole way.

I love the way Waite attacks the footy out of the goal square. Good player. Unfortunately however, he is a very important player for Carlton. Probably in their top 6-7 most important players structurally. So they wouldn't even entertain trading him i would think

Warnock for Kozi i wouldn't be happy with, but the idea is right... ie trading our fringe Key defender for a big bodied forward/ruckman Warnock i would keep as very good depth unless a seriously good trade was possible, and Kozi isn't a seriously good trade. Neither is a guy like David Hale... those kind of trades would be like us trading in Ben Holland, where you get someone servicable, but you don't get a player who can really take the club forward. Warnock + 2nd round ---> Mitch Clarke.... that is a seriously good trade i would consider since it would solve 2 big defficiencies in one, a really good big-bodied forward option + genuinely good 2nd ruckman

This year only 300k of his salary went towards the cap. That's exactly the same as what Q Lynch was offered at WCE, a guy who doesn't even make their team. Bruce will come top 5 in our B&F this season. If that's not value i don't know what is

If you look at his B&F results over the past 6 years, he thoroughly deserves, and has earned his $600k package. These days half his salary doesn't even count towards the cap bc he's a veteran, so none of us should have any qualms that he's ripped off the club. Has consistently performed in the best 5 players at the club over a very long time. His experience and leadership will be important next year.

I think the point is that we need to find a second ruckman, so the FD are giving Newton and PJ every chance to succeed by giving both players chances in the second half of the season. Warnock is really a concern, I hope he's willing to stay on purely as depth (which he now is), but I wouldn't be surprised if he left, especially since there are probably 10 clubs who would guerantee him 22 senior games next season.

You're probably right mate, probably just 1 or 2 years too old for our group. I'm willing to seriously consider any quality player who i believe would add to the group and slot straight into our best 22. Realistically though, i doubt we'll trade. One point to consider though... when going for a premiership tilt yes it is critical to have most of your senior playing group in their prime (25-28 years old), however look at all the top teams (Geelong, StKilda, Bulldogs, though collingwood not so much), they all have a few genuine quality players who are 30-32. When you're going for a premiership that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Would be a bit of a slap in the face to Miller. Similar types, same age

If he was a genuine possibility, we should 100% make a play for him. He is EXACTLY the type of player we need providing elite kicking skills, rebound and penetration off half back. Gives us the class we lack in terms of kicking skills in the back half. He is a quality player, at his best is AllAustralian quality. He's 27 years old, and we can't always be thinking about the future forever, or else it will never arrive. We can make finals next year, and we should be pushing for top 4 within 2-3 years. He's not too old. I am concerned with his injuries, however Nick Malceski is a half back flanker, plays in a similar way, and has been awesome with year. Rodan has made successful return. I see no reason why he can't come back a quality player. There is definitely a risk involved however. We would be silly not to consider him, especially since he's the type of player we seriously lack.

And yet Djerrkura has neither retired or been delisted. He has quit the club in order to find better opportunities and therefore our club could be in the market for him.

There seems to be a new thread on available players, so why not another! Nathan Djekurra anyone? Leaving Geelong for more opportunities. Pick 25 and 21 years old. Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-djerrkura-to-leave-geelong-after-lack-of-opportunity/story-e6frf9jf-1225910125091 imo, Bailey thinks that forward pressure is critical to our game plan. This can be seen by the fact that Bennel and Wona have continued to be played in the seniors despite some poor form and Bailey has spoken many times about having to keep the forward line balanced. A good crumber is definitely part of the plans. Wona and Bennel are our two small forwards, and neither are really natural crumbers. I don't think Jetta is much chop and he's more a midfielder anyways. Could this guy be useful addition?

yep thats exactly what i wrote Moloney wears his passion on his sleeve ad talks about his love and passion for the dees openly (loved his speech at last years best and fairest). I can imagine Moloney and how he talks so openly and often about the demons being pretty inspiring and uplifting to his teammates.

Probably have to agree. He's just not quite good enough

If we're in the market for a tagger, wouldn't be the most stupid suggestion in the world

According to this poll, and i think reality also, is that there are only 2 genuine candidates- Green and Moloney. Green: Pros - He is (arguably) our best player. - He is a consistent performer, on-field leader, who almost never plays a bad game and consistently is in the best 3 players each and every week. If he's not getting much ball up forward, is capable of still being involved in each and every game by shifting himself into the midfield or even half back line. - is a polished media performer - is a professional off the field... no controversy or silly antics - He will retire just as our young leaders are ready. By the time he retires (in 3-4 years lets say), there will be at least 4 genuine candidates who will be ready to seamlessly slip into the role. I am VERY confident that by the age of 23, one of Grimes, Scully, Trengove or even Frawley will be ready to step into the role). Grimes in particular i believe is an obvious future captain, who in 3-4 years will be in his prime and ready to take on the role. The fact he's even considered this year says something. He just needs 3-4 more years and Green could fill the gap in the meantime. Cons - is 29 years old. McDonald was an interim captain in the sense that he was captain because no one else was ready to step up. Appointing McDonald would be a statement that we still don't have any 24-26yr olds capable of stepping up (which might very well be true) - unsure whether he has the complete backing of the playing group and doesn't appear to be a natural leader of men. Remember he was dumped by the leadership group at the start of last season, only to be reappointed toward the end of the season. Does this suggest that while he is a leader at the club, he isn't a natural 'captaincy material' leader that the players gravitate towards and look up to? I think i remember him saying early in his career that he wasn't outspoken and didn't have leadership aspirations. I know he has improved this dramatically, and no doubt has changed a lot from when he was 21 yrs old, but I think a large part of being a great leader you just have to be born with. Moloney Pros - is 25 years old and could be our captain for the next 8 years - Bleeds for the club. Really passionate and it tells - Is clearly a natural leader that the players love and gravitate towards. Just look at his boxing camp, he enjoys being a leader and thrives on it. The players clearly love him and would play for him. - Is a midfielder, meaning he is in a good position to regularly influence the contest and provide on field inspiration. - When he plays well (which is most of the time), he's a very good player and is pretty inspirational Cons - Is probably not in our best 5 players imo. I personally think this is very relevant. I don't think its healthy to have speculation as to whether your captain deserves to be in the team. I can see this potentially happening as Gysberts, Scully, Trengove, Morton, Grimes, Tappy, Blease etc improve. - Can have bad days (probably 10-20% of the time) where he has no influence. Not super consistent like Green is. - if he isn't working out (because of a long bad stretch of form or whatever) there is nothing to do, since it would be awkward to take the captaincy away from him at the age of 28. I think this is a relevant point, since in 3-4 years i believe a guy like Grimes will end up being a better captaincy option than Moloney.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Miller get a gig at GC17. they need big strong bodies to surround the 18 yr olds, and Miller is 195cm and ripped as anything. Also, Miller has outstanding leadership, as evinced by the fact that he's been in Melbourne's leadership group for years, despite not even being in our best 25 players for the past 2-3 years. His off-field leadership added to his ability to work his but off at training, will be useful to a young group. In fact, these exact characteristics are what kept Miller on our list this season, with such a young and impressionable group. However, we are now moving to a new phase, both on and off the field. I like the analogy that 'we're at base camp'. We're ready to move forward to become genuine final contenders. We're ready to be a feared club. We're no longer a group of defenseless youngsters who needed a guy like Miller for guidance of how to train properly. In this new phase, Miller has been rendered redundant. He has been a good servant, but he is a smart guy and he understands whats going on. You can't expect a spot on a list of a finals team based purely on off-field strengths.

We looked very tired last week, i don't think its a problem with the game plan. We will be better at executing the plan next year. Not because we're going to bring in a superstar from another team... but because our team is filled with inexperience, and these young guys now have 22 more games under their belts and 22 more games playing together. Through mere natural progression, we will be in the top 8 next season. It took Geelong a long time to build their list, and now their group have grown together over the last 6-7 years. That's what i believe will happen to this group over the next 6-7 years.

Not that its a total surprise, but there is now confirmation Miller will definitely be delisted at year's end. From TheAge today: Demons development coach Brad Gotch, who is also coach of the Scorpions, said yesterday that Miller was not in Melbourne's plans for next season but was a chance for a farewell match against North Melbourne - after 133 games with the club. "Hopefully, another AFL club might look at him but if not I'm not sure what he's going to do," Gotch said. That now confirms 3 open spots on the list) - JMcDonald (spot opened by Green replacing him on the veterans list) - Brad Miller - Plus we all know Daniel Bell is a certain delisting With McKenzie and possibly Spenser being upgraded to the senior list, the only question is how many picks we want to use. Assuming 3 draft picks will be used (around pick 14, 35, 53ish), we therefore need to delist 1 or 2 more players. Options include McNamara and Maric, or we may even lose a player to GC17 (Bruce? Warnock?)

Yes he did, for pretty much the entire game. Although Schultz is actually a very good mark, I was disappointed by the amount of times Warnock was out-marked, out-positioned and just generally beaten. He had to be moved forward in the last because he was soundly beaten. Schultz is a decent opponent, but i guess i'm starting to get used to our defenders consistently beating their opponents 1 on 1 (Garland, Joel Mac, Frawley, Rivers all win most 50-50 contests)

In: Warnock, Bennel, Newton Out: MacDonald, Sylvia, Bate Those 3 inclusions will improve our team. Bennel needs a rest, he has great attributes but has been down on form. Newton to never play for MFC again. Warnock... is now really just good depth. Macdonald a better player

Pretty harsh, but probably fair assessments. - Newton was brought it to make 100% sure he's not up to it. Will certainly be delisted now, what a spud. - Bennel is very clean and has great pace, he'll be a player but does need to be dropped just down on form. - Warnock first week back so probably gets a bit of latitude, but really terrible game, doesn't look a part of the future and i prefer JoelMac - Morton has soo soo soo much talent. Some of his marking today was outstanding, its just his kicks kept on missing the targets. If he hit his targets by foot he'd be one of the best youngsters in the comp. Still has huge potential

wow huge win to the crows with that one

Agree. We do have quite a few half forward flankers who can play a bit of midfielder (Sylvia, Green, Dunn, Tapscott), so he wouldn't be filling a 'hole' in our list. However as already said, you can never have enough quality footballers with elite kicking skills who able able to kick 40 goals in a year. His kicking ability would be particularly attractive to us, so wouldn't be surprised if we made enquiries. The problem is that to get a player like Knights, who will be chased by all other Victorian clubs, you need to give something quality in return. I wouldn't be happy to break up our young list unless it was to bring in a player who would fill a genuine hole in the team

Agree. Captain cannot play fulldog, imo we need a captain that plays in the guts. Moloney or Green for me, but i'd go for Moloney.

At least in appears Watts has no trouble putting on weight. Should get to 95kg with a year or 2. If only Morton had those genes