Whispering_Jack

December 19, 2007

A recruiting officer can only pick players on the basis of the selections he's landed with over the years. CAC's work was affected by two huge salary cap penalties in the early part of this decade which had a severe effect on the club not only in the years when the penalties applied but also in so far as trading was concerned over the ensuing years. Further, with the team finishing in the top half more often than not, he didn't have the benefit of too many early draft selections of the kind that St. Kilda, Fremantle, Richmond and more lately Carlton have been blessed with or the abundance of father/sons that Geelong managed to snaffle up in time.

Then there's the fact that once a player gets to the club, the recruiting officer has no influence on his development, injuries and other factors that might affect a player's life and the way his career unfolds.

Further, given that so many of our players are in the developing phase (Under 23) we should be ignoring the predictions of the pundits at this stage of the season and looking at the realities of what actually happens with our list over the next four to five years. I still have a lot of faith in our younger group of players - even more so with the added emphasis this year on player development.

In short, I think you've asked the wrong question, Robbo24.

December 15, 2007

Well, it is Sunday today and I thought I'd just remind you about this blog from an interesting Demon fan - The melbournefc blog or Every Day is Like Sunday. He's currently making a very good argument as to why AFL jerseys need names on them and I agree but how do you fit "WONAEAMIRRI" on the back of your jumper?

December 15, 2007

That's about as good an assessment as you'll find. His size (176cm, 80kgs) means he is extemely limited in the roles he can play.
About his pace - he's actually quite good off the mark, and has a good burst over the first 10 metres. This allows him to break clear of packs and give him time to line up teammates by foot (a notable differentiation from Mitchell whose preferred option of disposal in close is a handpass that will break open the play). After that, he falls right off and struggles to beat opponents to loose balls.

His placement to leading forwards is excellent - he has a great ball drop and delivers some beautiful low passes. But he'll have less time to execute those passes if he makes into the AFL. The VFL is full of good footballers whose bodies and talents don't or wouldn't translate well to the AFL (eg David Robbins, Fort Caruso, Kyle Matthews). It will be tough for Valenti to break that mould.

He's never going to be a speedster but I think you've summed up his attributes well. At VFL level and on smaller, more weather affected grounds, he's always hard to beat but the step up to AFL level might well find him out.

It will be interesting to see whether a few months under the eye of Bohdan Babicjzuk will help him keep up with the AFL speedsters. The funny thing is that Greg Williams' lack of pace never seemed to prevent him from accumulating his 30 to 40 possessions week in week out but then Diesel would also probably struggle to get rookie drafted these days.

Finally, I calculate that 125 players were drafted this year ahead of Valenti. Anyone who expects a Chris Judd to emerge after that number of selections would also have strong beliefs about the existence of the tooth fairy.

December 14, 2007

Congratulations to MELBOURNEfc historian Lynda Carroll who has successfully completed her doctorate - "For The Red And The Blue: A Social History of the Melbourne Football Club".

Very impressive!

December 11, 2007

Bailey to groom young Demons

"New Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says the decision to bypass former West Coast Eagles' goalsneak Ashley Sampi in favour of youth at Tuesday's pre-season draft was done purely on a 'needs basis'."

December 11, 2007

I don't want to brag here but I spotted young Austin playing for the Tiwi Islands Bombers a little over 12 months ago when ABC2 started showing their games on Saturday afternoons. Here's a story from the Sydney Morning Herald on the Tiwi Bombers - A team in big league kick-starts hope on troubled Tiwi islands.

For some strange reason the ABC does the first seven weeks of the season and then they revert ot their usual highbrow stuff like opera and the ballet after that. By me, I prefer seeing a game of footy ahead of hearing the fat lady singing or dancing but that's the ABC for you!

Austin looked sensational playing in that debut season for the Bombers but it was difficult to get a handle on whether many of these guys would be able to make the conversion from playing NTFL standard in 30 degree heat and 90% humidity to the professional game they play in the AFL. So he went off and played for Norwood and I caught him on ABC2 again when they showed SANFL games on Tuesday nights (?). Norwood are the Redlegs of SA, they wear the red and blue and Austin showed he was a real speedster with a fair dollop of skills. I'm a real devotee of NT footy - especially the Tiwi Islanders and I think he'll be something of a sensation down at TBO as he does his apprenticeship with the Zebras. Every year at this time, I tell myself to keep the lid on things so that's all from me for now.

December 3, 2007

WJ, I'm looking forward to your spiel on the colourful life of Robert Walters.

I can only give you a "spiel" on his football exploits and I'll leave it to someone else to describe his "colourful life". Perhaps our own Redleg who was team manager to Big Carl that year might care to comment?

Notwithstanding that, there are very few people in the business who can say they kicked 9 goals in one game.

December 2, 2007

Thanks for that. It explains a few things.

I hope that at least the message that comes across is that whilst his career wasn't very spectacular, Andy Moir was not the type of player whose name should be associated with a medal for the "worst performed" player (if anyone who pulls on a jumper and plays in the AFL/VFL should). He did play in a very ordinary team in a very ordinary era for the club but he was by no means the worst performed.

December 2, 2007

I remember when we traded Woey to collingwood that yze was the other player that could have gone instead. I wish he had and that we kept woey. I like yze but to be honest i think he is just too lazy to deserve a go

I think we should give the guy a break. He's been one of our better players over the past decade and let's not forget that we made the finals in six of the last ten years. My view is that he will be of inestimable value to the club in the coming year with his experience assisting some of our younger forwards. Given the descriptions I've read of Adamm Maric, I'm sure he can teach this kid (and some of the others) a few tricks so that the magic will live on even after he's left the club.

And I wouldn't write him off just yet as far as his own individual skill and ability is concerned as long as he returns with a fit body and the motivation to continue on to be the second Demon to post 300 games.

December 2, 2007

A decent player who had a bit of flair but probably wasn't quite big enough for the tasks he was given in an undermanned side.
I heard recently that he had a son who was showing a bit of promise as a young footballer but the youngster seem to be off the radar at the moment. Perhaps someone from the Queensland Demons might know what's happened to him.

I think it's time for me to bring out my little blue book and do the Andy Moir Story.

ANDREW MOIR

Andrew Moir from Mentone Grammar was a clever wingman/half forward and a strong mark for his size at 183cm. He made his debut on the wing for Melbourne as an 18 year old under the coaching of legendary South Melbourne rover Bobby Skilton in the opening round of 1977 in a game where the Demons were belted by the coach's old side to the tune of 69 points. The team had a poor start to the season losing their first seven games and Moir was out of the side after round five with a couple of goals to his credit and little more. They finished the season in second last place.

Moir's second season was his breakthrough year and he played 18 of a possible 22 matches under coach Denis Jones in yet another disastrous season for the Demons who collected the wooden spoon. Moir warmed the bench in the first two games and tasted victory for the first time in senior ranks in the second – a high scoring affair against Fitzroy which Melbourne won 24.23.167 to 23.19.157. Moir kicked a goal in that game. Later in the season Moir became settled on a half forward flank and he triumphed in another rare victory for the Demons when he and champion wingman Robbie Flower kicked four goals each in another high scoring encounter – 21.10.136 to 19.16.130.

The arrival of big Carl Ditterich as coach (Moir's third in as many years) in 1979 gave the side a minor boost but it continued to struggle for victories. The team lacked big man forward strength although Phil Carman and Robbie Walters would occasionally chime in with a few bags of goals. Moir had a big day out against North Melbourne in Round 9 when he booted five goals but even that was not enough to prevent the team from scoring the four points; the Kangaroos won by 45. Ditterich briefly experimented with Moir at full forward but like most things that he tried with the team, it didn't quite work out and Moir was soon back on a forward flank. Injury kept him out of the club's record thumping – 190 points at the hands of the Lions in Round 17. Flower was also out that day. Remarkably, the team turned the tables on the Bombers the following week after the selectors recast the side. Robert Walters booted nine at full forward, Steven Smith and Greg Wells got four, Flower and Moir kicked one each and the Demons were home by 45 points – a sensational turnaround of 235 points in a week! Moir finished the season with 17 games and 26 goals – by far his best at the club. The team finished 11th of 12.

The Demons climbed to 9th in 1980 – their highest place finish during Moir's five year career although they did win three of the first four games in his absence. By the time Moir was back in the side, the Dees were already on a downward spiral and they lost their last nine games. Big Carl's coaching career was in tatters while Moir who played 15 games for 17 goals had passed the fifty game mark. The Ron Barassi era beckoned.

Barassi's first season as coach of the Demons wasn't all that flash but Moir managed to hold a regular place in the team. He was there at Footscray in round three when Robbie Flower kicked the winning goal on the siren in Melbourne's only win for the year. Jacko booted eight that day. Moir played on a half forward flank but didn't kick a goal and didn't feature in the best players. Barassi tried him at centre half forward in Round 16 against Geelong when the Demons went down by 88 points. Moir kicked a goal but was back on a flank the following week. Opposing him for a forward flank position were such names as current Board Member Stephen Bickford, Graham Gaunt, Vin Catoggio, Michael Young, Cameron Clayton and Billy Nettlefold. Moir must have seen the writing on the wall because he was out of the place at the end of a season after a career spanning 73 games and 68 goals.

He did a few nice things in his career and will be affectionately remembered by Demon fans even though he played in a very forgettable era for the club.

November 28, 2007

I suppose it goes without saying that the man we look to replace CAC with be the best available? :rolleyes:

November 25, 2007

I found this list of participants in the 2006/07 AIS-AFL Academy

NSW/ACT – Scott Reed (Pennant Hills/NSW-ACT Rams)

South Australia – Bradley Ebert (Henely/Port Adelaide Magpies), Hamish Hartlett (Edwardstown/West Adelaide), Tom McNamara (Happy Valley/South Adelaide), James Wundke (Walkerville/North Adelaide)

Queensland – Joseph Daye (Kedron), Brendan Whitecross (Kedron), Sam Reid (Suncoast Lions)

Tasmania – Aaron Cornelius (Glenorchy)

Vic Country – Patrick Dangerfield (Anglesea/Geelong Falcons), Lachlan Henderson (Geelong College/Geelong Falcons)

Vic Metro – Trent Cotchin (West Preston/Northern), Steven Gaertner (Edith-Aspendale/Dandenong), Addam Maric (Greenvale/Calder), Ashley Smith (Berwick/Dandenong), Luke Stanton (Etham/Northern), Tyrone Vickery (East Brighton/Sandringham), Dale Walker (Chirnside Park/Eastern), Patrick Veszpremi (St Mary’s /Northern), Jack Grimes (Hurstbridge/ Northern)

Western Australia – Clayton Garlett (Kwinana/South Fremantle), Cale Morton (Hale/Claremont), Nicholas Naitanui (Midvale/Swan Districts), Tony Notte (Upper Swan /Swan Districts), Daniel Rich (Sorrento/Duncraig /Subiaco), Dylan Ross (Marist College/Claremont), Tom Swift (Swanbourne/Claremont), Chris Yarran (Midvale/Swan Districts)

Northern Territory – Michael Gugliotta (Nightcliff), Marlon Motlop (Wanderers)

November 25, 2007

Demonland gets a gig in today's Age - ONLINE FORUMS SPARK UP AS FANS SEEK PLAYER PROFILES
And the comments were similarly euphoric on Melbourne fansite demonland.com with No. 21 pick Addam Maric.

"Just heard him speak on the radio. His maturity level is brilliant! Said he trained with the dees for a week for his AIS program, said we have a nice young list."

Great publicity but I have a feeling that the interview in question wasn't with Maric. Of course, if it's wrong it wouldn't be the first time a newspaper got its facts wrong. :wacko:

PS: Of course, if I'm wrong, it won't be a first either :wub:

November 25, 2007

What about the Rookie Phantom Draft......

Not a bad idea. I've been working on the first Phantom Draft for the 2008 AFL National Draft and here it is up to position # 5

1. Priority Selection Carlton - Nick Naitanui (Western Australia)

2. Carlton - Michael Hurley (Vic Metro)

3. Collingwood - Daniel Rich (Western Australia)

4. West Coast - Steven Gaertner (Vic Metro)

5. Richmond - Nick Suban (Vic Country)

I hope this is revisited in 12 month's time to test my accuracy :lol: .

November 24, 2007

HARDER THAN A CAT'S HEAD by Whispering Jack

The odd man out in Melbourne's quintet of draftees from today's 2007 AFL National Draft has been described as being "harder than a cat's head" by the regional manager of his TAC Cup team. I've never had a great affinity with felines so I wouldn't know how hard that might be but Kyle Cheney sounds like a no holds barred tough, straight ahead no nonsense defender. The Demons apparently had him earmarked for their selection at number 53. They got their man and they're happy about it. They should be happy about the other four selections they made as well!

I used the term "odd man out" in reference to Cheney not because the others selected are considered soft in any way but because the rest are all graduates of the AIS-AFL Academy where the cream of the country's talent can be found in the important formative age group for young footballers of around 16/17.

Cale Morton, Jack Grimes, Addam Maric and Tom McNamara have all cut their teeth at the Academy, all four of them were picked in last weekend's Age newspaper predictions of the top 25 draftees (although the South Australian fell to pick 66) and the first three are All Australians from this year's National Under 18 Championships.

When considering the wash up from a draft, you usually hear club officials boast that the players they got came to them later than expected. I already heard Fremantle coach Mark Harvey tell a reporter that he had Rhys Palmer as his number one draft pick. I don't want to say that about any of Melbourne's early selections – rather I think the club got it right and the players in question were picked at just about the right place.

What the club did get today was young men with talent and character and a good mix of positions, particularly in the mid size ranges. They are all very young (three are bottom age players born in 1990) with plenty of development ahead of them. Who knows where a prodigious talent like Cale Morton, a potential leader like Jack Grimes or a specially gifted Addam Maric might end up in the football pantheon one day? Having seen all but Cheney at the Under 18 Championships, I will say with some confidence that the prospects for most of them achieving ten-year AFL careers are good.

When I saw Morton play for Western Australia in July I said this of the Larke Medallist –

"The 17 year old is a tall midfielder at 192cm and is all class. I couldn't detect any weaknesses in his play, which was reminiscent of James Hird. The Bomber champion was a bargain when selected at pick # 79 in the 1990 National Draft but Morton won't come so cheap. He is certain to push his way into the top three and could even go at number one - he's that good!" THE WILD COLONIAL BOY

I don't know where this James Hird thing comes from but I'm told there are people who compare Grimes with Hird as well because he is the same type of leader at the junior level. And Grimes is a dyed in the wool true blue Demon to boot!

I first saw Addam Maric (can't parents of Melbourne players spell the word "Adam" properly?) as a 16-year-old when he kicked five goals in a TAC Cup Grand Final in 2006. He's a deadly shot at goal with an 85% conversion rate according to Champion Data and they say that he will on at least one occasion during his career kick a winning goal after the siren from an impossible position. I can't wait. And by the way, Morton can kick goals on the run from 55 metres out too!

Tom McNamara is also a player whose name has featured prominently in despatches. He's got plenty of ability, will start as a third defender type but because he's the youngest player in the draft (a distinction held by Matty Bate a few years ago), he has plenty of up side and could become a key defender one day.

A common thread among all of the players mentioned is their determination to win contests. Contrast these qualities with those we witnessed when the team was so badly plagued with injury and bereft of confidence and aggression in 2007

You might say I'm getting carried away with these kids and that the club hasn't covered all of its needs, like more tall key position players and what about a young ruckman (leaving aside that John Meesen from Adelaide is only 21 years old and that’s when most big mens' careers are starting to bloom)?

There is a clear view at the club that ruckmen are generally kept for later picks or in the rookie draft and further that you have to be somewhat wary with selection of taller key position types. The margin for error in both categories is far greater because you're investing so much in the future. In Melbourne's case, the club has recruited some good types for key positions in recent years and they are slowly coming along. The players recruited today are less of a risk and give the club the perfect basis for redevelopment under new coach Dean Bailey.

There are still five players to be added to the list in December, albeit that four of them will be rookies. There will be room there for the club to pick up one of the many promising young ruckmen within the system and to take one or two key position players.

In the meantime, one good way to assess the quality of the players Melbourne has recruited today is to take heed of what their coaches and managers have to say. Here is a pen picture of each of Melbourne's draftees from the 2007 National Draft with bios and stats from melbournefc.com and the quotes that follow are taken from the November issue of Inside Football. With players like these at the club it's going to be a lot harder to beat the Demons in the years to come. Harder than a cat's head.

Selection 4 - Cale Morton 18 January 1990 191.5 cm 78.7 kg

BIO: Midfielder/forward who is a long penetrating kick and a good winner of the ball both in the air and at ground level. Had outstanding NAB AFL U18 Championships winning Larke Medal (Div 1 B & F) and All-Australian honours. Highlighted his aerobic capabilities at the NAB AFL Draft Camp recording a 15.2 Beep Test Result (ranked No.1), along with a 10.32sec for 3km - putting him in the top 4 per cent of 2007 participants.

STATS: Kicks: 16, Handballs: 9, Disposals: 25, Marks: 9, Goals: 2 (Averages from NAB U18 Championships)

"Cale didn't play a lot of colts footy this year because he played with his school but when he did he showed his great skill for a player of his size. He managed to play one senior game later in the year and was named the best player at the national championships. Down the track I think his speed, endurance and athleticism he might find himself being a tall wingman who can be swung to either end of the ground with equal effectiveness." - Claremont talent manager Dean Horsington. WA rep 2007. Larke Medal. All-Australian 2007.

Selection 14 – Jack Grimes 11 May 1989 186.3 cm 81.6 kg

BIO: Hard-working and versatile player with great endurance and decision-making skills. Fine leader who won All-Australian honours this year. AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Hurstbridge F.C.

STATS Kicks: 13, Handballs: 3, Disposals: 16, Marks: 2, Goals: 3 (Averages from NAB U18 Championships)

"Jack had an outstanding season until he sustained stress fractures in his back later in the year, which disrupted his season. He has great endurance, continually wins the footy and uses it well playing onball up forward and down back. Kicked four goals in one game but could just as easily play a role in defence. He's a very focussed kid who knows how to get the best out of himself. Won the award at the AIS for the most exemplary player by his peers. He is well and truly over the back injury now and is a quality kid." - Northern Knights' coach Paul Satterley: Vic Metro rep 2007. All Australian 2007 AIS-AFL graduate. From Hurstbridge FC.

Selection 21 – Addam Maric 18 April 1990 177.9 cm 76.8 kg

BIO: Smart forward who is exceptional around goals and a long, accurate kick. Strong over the ball, he won All-Australian honours this year. Graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy. From Greenvale F.C.

STATS: Kicks: 11, Handballs: 4, Disposals: 15, Marks: 3, Goals: 3 (Averages from NAB U18 Championships)

"We didn't have him that often but when we did he showed he was a pretty exceptionally talented young player with really good hands. He's a great crumber, has great goal sense, good footy nous and kicks the ball beautifully both left and right foot." - Calder Cannons coach David Flood.

Vic Metro Rep 2007. All-Australian 2007. AIS-AFL graduate. From Greenvale FC.

Selection 53 – Kyle Cheney 25 August 1989 184.6 cm 86.2 kg

BIO: Skilful medium defender who had an injury-interrupted start to the 2007 season before finishing off the year in great fashion.

"He's harder than a cat's head. Tough and straight at it but also has a very good leap and good pace. I can honestly say over the last two years Kyle has not been beaten in a one-on-one contest. He is also very professional with his preparation, rehab and focus from week to week." - North Ballarat regional manager Phil Partington.

Selection 66 – Tom McNamara 29 April 1990 190.1 cm 84 kg

BIO: Good reader of the play who marks well in contested situations. Has good vision and makes sound decisions. SA U18 representative this year and an AIS/AFL Academy graduate.

STATS: Kicks: 8, Handballs: 6, Disposals: 14, Marks: 2, Goals: 0 (Averages from NAB U18 Championships)

"Tom's an exceptionally talented player, I reckon. He was bound to school footy for a lot of the year but also missed a lot of the pre-season with a calf injury that put him behind the eight-ball. He played reserves for us and I didn't see him lose a contest. He plays half back but will develop into a centre half back. He reads the play well, is cool under pressure, he wins contested footy and is very disciplined in everything he does." - SA development manager Ben Porter. SA rep 2007, AIS-AFL graduate, Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship recipient for 2007.

November 24, 2007

by Whispering Jack