DeeMfc

This kid is uncannily like a young Dustin Fletcher. Except .......a much better kick. He along with Lever will create a wall and carve the opposition up on the rebound. Inspired drafting and a steal at this pick in my opinion.

http://m.afc.com.au/news/2014-11-26/recruiting-files-walker Take a look at the ‘circumstances’ in which Walker got to his beloved Crows.... Hypocrite of the highest order. No other team had the chance to draft him and if they did he’d be the first to request a trade to Adelaide if he had the chance. Plus the fact that there’d be no go home factor to Broken Hill anyway....

Let's get this thread pumping. Paging Grand New Flag - any intel?

Melksham is seriously underrated. Great skills on both sides of the body. Certainly doesn't lack pace (check the chase down tackle in this clip) He will thrive under Goody and is EXACTLY what we need off half back. We will be a 2-3 goal better team with him in it. Hibberd on the other flank and we have 2 goal kicking half backs.

Whichever way one looks at it there is no escape for young Rhys. He has openly stated numerous times that he 'models his game on Joel Selwoods'.....

This^ I agree that although Oliver has impressed a tiny bit better so far we have to take into consideration the team he has around him compared to the team Trengove did which we have the benefit of hindsight with. I really hope Trengove can pick up from where he was pre injury.

The full package. Hard as nails and oozes class. Will age like Grange Hermitage. A very rare commodity.

So does that make Jordie a 'Clayton's Clayton'?

Convinced yet Mo?

Having said that I believe the people more responsible got off very lightly......

It's all very black and white. The problem is the 'massive' grey area in between. For example (in my opinion only) the weight should bare down on the senior players mostly. They are generally responsible for the culture provided to the young up and coming players who look to them for inspiration and direction/directives. Any players who were under say 23yo(?) at the time are the the ones I feel should've received a slightly lesser penalty.

In mo64's defence he may not have seen the footage that was released closer to and after draft day. I remember watching one clip earlier in the piece that was ok but nothing really stood out as elite. Some of the later footage though had me in no doubt that Oliver was raw but unquestionably the best 'non academy' mid.

I backed Toumpas while he was a Dee but I did choose Wines in the D'land poll. I wanted Wines because he was a bull and built for Rnd 1 duties. One thing he wasn't though was elite. He just did everything with unquestionable gusto and wasn't below average at anything. Just what we needed at the time. A low risk pick with potential for high rewards.

Ok here is my 'assessment'. Leaving Olivers strength out of it, he has the best inside awareness of any kid I have seen. He doesn't need time like most to assess the situation. He has assessed the state of play 'before' he gets the ball. This cannot be taught. (See Jimmy Toumpas). He also has lightning hands so the balls is gone 'before' opponents can dispossess him. This too cannot be taught. Parish' natural football nous is unquestionable. But there are 2 things that stood out to me that had me a little concerned. 1. He was pushed off the ball 'waaay' too easily. Even by opponents who were smaller and lighter than him. 2. His ball drop was way too high. So from an AFL pressure perspective could lead to most kicks either misfiring or missing completely. The 2nd point 'may' be fixable but the 1st, very rarely. Both should have above average AFL careers but I think Oliver doesn't have any glaring deficiencies. Only upside IMHO.

Someone with good photoshop skills should put the current Demons guernsey on them both then put it up on Ollies Twitter feed. Imagine the PA fans response.....