Demon_JB

Reminds me a lot of Lewis Jetta early in his career. Flashes of brilliance, always an almost opportunity to get an amazing goal, takes the game on. When he finds consistency and more of it, he's going to be amazing.

I am quietly [censored] myself for this game.

I guess it would be interesting to see how much he is worth on the open market. There are a lot of other key forwards in the mix who may be looking at trades in Ben King and Walter. Those two would command more, so Amartey would be 3rd in line in terms of cost for us. Again, UFA. The fact we would have to invest no draft capital is essential for bringing in more players and holding firm in taking two 1st rounders to the draft and building on our future success. Small price to pay to inject immediate quality into the side for a few extra 100k to his contract per year.

Feel like Amartey is one we should seriously consider. He’s 26, entering his prime, and already shown he can produce: Career: 64 games, 95 goals (~1.5 per game) 2024: 43 goals (~1.7 per game), Sydney’s leading goalkicker Has that upside too – kicked 9 in a game At 197cm, he’s a proper key forward who can compete in the air and even chop out in the ruck. Big plus is he’s an unrestricted free agent. No trade needed. Not perfect, tad inconsistent and had some injury interruptions, but he fits a need and still has upside. Feels like a smart, low-risk pickup rather than overpaying elsewhere. Additionally Miocheck and Melksham have a few years left in him, I think going after someone like Amartey would be a decent option to help out alongside JVR, Kentfield and Jefferson. Thoughts?

Danger game

Who was the poster that said Howes was VFL level? Absolutely no idea. Even before this game you could tell how good Howes is. He even has an an amazing slight hand and does the little things so smooth and doesn't panic. Absolute rock down back.

Unreal game! I was worried Kozzie was going to have a down game but absolutely lit it up. We are playing so much fast fun footy, absolutely loving it.

Kolt redeemed himself. On ya son.

Tholstrup is either a really great handballer, or absolutely horriible. There's no in-between.

This feels like the Saints game for us last year that was the writing on the wall for Goody. There is no way they can continue on this path. This is the fire starter that should spark change. Bye bye Voss, time to go.

I really would love to see Kozzie back it up against Gold Coast. Not sure if anyone has noticed, but when he has an OUT OF THIS WORLD game, he usually goes missing the week after. I'm hoping he can back it up with another great game (doesn't have to be of the same caliber against Carlton) but still a decent one. Go Dees

Everytime I see Buckley talking and listening on 'On The Couch' he looks like he's about to swing at anyone that challenges his point of view. I find it very uncomfortable.

IN: AMW, Melksham Out: CJ, Cross

You ok loser?

I saw this coming. We have been talked up in the media all week. This is the game that brings us back to reality and puts us in the negative spotlight. Was always going to happen.

Is it wet out there?

Absolutely love him. He's already my new favourite player for the Dees. I'm wondering if he has the confidence to kick straight running into goal? All his highlights at SANFL, preseason and over the weekend shows that he prefers to run around in a circle and snap. This will see him run into a lot of trouble later, hoping he has the confidence to just back himself in and kick straight. He hesitated a few times when he had that opportunity and either wanted to pass it off or nearly got chased down. Regardless, love what he brings.

A shadow of his former self. When he was recently playing for us, he looked so off from when he first started it's not funny. Maybe opposition teams have worked him out? Just cut his run off and force him to dispose of it quicker. Lost confidence, unsure if he will get back to how he used to be.

I might be ostracised here for saying this, but I honestly think the age of a midfield group of superstars is over. The best teams are the ones that can Bat deep in the midfield Constantly rotate players through Keep oppositions guessing with a mix of different players in different positions at set ups Mix of speed, agression, grunt at different times It worked for us in our flag year, then got exposed when teams with a much weaker midfield dominating us because they kept us guessing, and we always did the same thing and never tried different players. Just relying on our 'stars' which wasn't the way anymore. It does not require bonafide midfield stars to win the midfield game. It requires hard running, cohesion and ability to adapt.

Been following Riley for a few years now through APS and Vic Country, and this is a ripping rookie pickup by Melbourne. He’s one of those rare 195cm mids who actually plays like a midfielder, not a key position guy shoved on ball. Always had clean hands, but this season he finally added that burst speed and confidence in his kicking that pushed him into genuine draftable territory. He’s been on a steady upward curve for a while. People who only saw him late probably don’t realise how much he’s improved year-on-year. Coaches around him always talk about how coachable he is and how well he prepares for big games, and it shows. He’s had plenty of reps at APS, National Academy and senior level, and he tends to rise to the moment rather than go missing. Give him a couple of preseasons in Melbourne’s system and he could easily turn into that big-bodied, unique-profile mid they’ve been trying to find. Massive upside if his development keeps trending the same way.

He's a livewire. Zippy, tough, strong footy IQ and will be an absolute menace up forward. Gippsland captain, drifted out due to PCL injury. If he had played all year, he would have been top 15 pick potentially. Keep an eye on this one, think Papley. Watch this space. Good outcome Dees fans.

Adelaide offered two first rounders to Essendon for Sharp. Wonder if they offered that to us. Would be interesting to see had we have taken that deal, would Pickett have been available at Adelaide’s first pick at 22?

Taylor has an unbelievable set of hands and strong IQ and body positioning. I wonder if he’s ever been trialled up forward. Looks like a serious player.

Sam Grlj is going to be one of the best players from this draft. Bookmark it. If he slides to us, we have absolutely won.

Regardless if he has an outstanding year or not, we made the right call. The controversy surrounding him year after year is just too draining for the club. For years we have just allowed Goodwin to play favourites and no one driving a harder stance for professionalism and improvement. A new change of scenery is what was neeeded for both Clarry, and a fresh start and new path way for the Melbourne Football Club. Supporters are forgetting, we had both Trac and Clarry playing for us and we have been bottoming out every year. Regardless of his output next year, he needed to go so we can reset and play a different faster, more outside game style that is suited for the modern game.