DeeMfc

From a purely 'natural footballer' perspective, meaning not many faults in their game, can play well on both sides and just look like they were born to play football. From the players touted to be picked in the top 10. This is it IMO. Brayshaw, Lever and Duggan. (Duggan is still only 17yo as well) Then followed by Petracca, McCartin, Wright, Laverde, De Goey, Cockatoo, Pickett, Garlett, Steele. All these players are potential A graders but need to iron out some small deficiencies like awareness, playing on both sides etc. Heeney, Moore etc. already gone so not in calculations. Don't be surprised if we take Duggan with pick 3. Complete player already, no prior injury history still with huge upside. Deadly left foot and a right foot that is nearly as good.

Seeya Sam...... Point 1. You say that the clubs instability is the reason for the failure of our early draft picks. Yes, it probably played a part but what about some of the later picks during your lacklustre career at Melbourne? Jetta (pick 51), Bail (pick 64), Howe (pick 33), Mcdonald (pick 53) all say hi/bye..... From the start of this year you had no excuses...... Most other failures are because we were 'Prendergasted'. Point 2 will prove this beyond doubt plus some.... Point 2. Recruiting played a major part in the slow erosion of our club. I dare anybody to go to this link http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/td-melbourne-demons?year=1998 and scroll through from 1998 to 2011 without needing a bucket. Not only were we 'Prendergasted' but we were well and truly 'Cameroned' too. Which leads me to a new word 'Camdergasted'. 'Camdergasted' and for 13 years no less...... No more softc**ks please. Some points of interest after reviewing our recruiting history. 1. Despite some scathing direct and keyboard warrior attacks Jack Watts re-signed and wants to do the hard yards in helping revive this club. Look out for a steady improvement in 2015 and beyond. 2. Neil Daniher deserves credit for what he achieved with the list and facilities he had at his disposal. 3. Things are looking up from a recruiting perspective since the 2012 draft. 4. The culture change is nearing completion with the likes of Jones, Salem, Dawes, Trengove (what an amazing character), Tyson, Dunn, Cross, Vince, JKH, Mcdonald, Grimes, Jetta etc. all developing nicely. I can finally see a decent improvement coming for season 2015 which will provide the springboard for seasons beyond.

Nailed it. But let's not broadcast it to the wider community :-)

My opinion only but I'm with Machsy on this one. I see McCartin as a Dawes 2.0. As a matter of fact I believe Wright to have more upside. Brayshaw and Lever is a massive win IMO. I rate Brayshaw the best of the crop too. Once again, my opinion only.

Anywayyyy..... Back on track. This is why we haven't heard much from the great prince. http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/heritier-lumumba-to-reduce-media-presence-at-melbourne-determined-to-play-best-football/story-fni5f91a-1227091692480 In all seriousness I can't wait to see him running around in the red and blue next year.

Unfortunately this whole draft pool is very even and there are no real standouts like an O'Meara or a Whitfield etc. That go's for talls or mids. Although he's a promising talent, the fact that Petracca is touted as the number 1 pic is testament to that.

Interesting that the article on the afl website states 'The discussions centred around whether the training sessions were voluntary or forced, with some Demons players registering their confusion with the AFLPA . Looks like the list still needs 'refining'....

Heretier has a message!

Ok. I never post anything intel wise unless I think the source is relatively well connected and this one is so here go's - 1. The saints aren't going tall as I will explain in point 2. Petracca is a near lock but they have not ruled out taking Brayshaw. 2. They are looking at Mckernan on the cheap as a no risk high pick option with plenty of upside. The reason they aren't going tall with early picks is that they are targeting talls coming out of contract and free agents over the next 2-3 years(poaching). He specifically mentioned Jeremy Cameron. This person knows Jacob Townsend who is Camerons flat mate. Apparently Cameron is extremely homesick but wants to do the right thing and see out his contract which ends after next season. Apparently loves the club but only a near miracle will stop him from wanting to come home. Saints are going hard for him and will have the war chest ready with Reiwoldt close to retiring.

Interview was done but for some peculiar reason got taken down after about half an hour???? Fear not because I saved it. Enjoy! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdy_Fjdox4w

Now, I would like to make this point very clear. The 'ONLY' person in this neck of the woods allowed to 'have the last laugh' is our very own "Prince Lumumba"!!! Thank you for your time... Carry on. Oh and welcome Macca.

Free Agency had changed the dynamics of a players value. Jones is head and shoulders above Frawley and look at the figures being spoken about with him. Jones will have no doubt already had offers from other clubs already. Probably in the order of around $750k and 4-5 years. FWIW I would match any offer in this vicinity and I also think that if we did he would stay. Obviously if he was offered 'way, way' overs by another club then that would complicate things. Loyal city boy is our Nate :-)

I think Laverde has the class Roos has been talking about. It will all depend who the saints take at 1 I guess. If petracca falls through then I think it will be petracca/brayshaw. If not then maybe laverde will be on the radar if he has good two way running capabilities. Also has ability to play forward too which may make Viney and co. look a bit harder at him.

Nice one!! Although you're clearly being facetious, there is as much chance of this happening as there is of you keeping a promise. I'll tell you what, if this comes to fruition I will personally in addition to the prize throw in a bottle of fine scotch whiskey!

Unfortunately this was not GWS being stupid. It was a cunning plan to raid other clubs talent. Only costing draft picks so that the other clubs had no time to counter with offers for their players. Cunning and potentially divisive if the clubs went back to said players and asked the question. This only cements my dislike of GWS. [censored] St Kilda too for [censored] us over and making us give pick 23 to GWS unnecessarily. The weaker Vic teams should at the very least collaborate to make life harder for these parasites. As proven during this trade period they will only deal if a player plays hardball to get out. P.S thanks for taking Scully, giving us Hogan on a platter and also for the Tyson deal.

Hawthorn can GAGF!!! I hope we smash the living [censored] out of them when we next meet and Hogan kicks a bag on Frawley. Yes we as supporters have been demoralised by the past but we are "Under New Ownership" now. Attitudes like yours are exactly what Roos is weeding out of the list. Go Dees!!! Do it for Robbie!!!

Doubt Harmes is...

Can this please be changed to the general forum or pinned please? I'm actually quite optimistic. My guess is - 7th - 104.3%

Ok so we only have the draft and PSD to go. For something a bit more lighthearted, I think an early tilt at where we will end up on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season and what our percentage will be would be fun. Rules - *Only one chance allowed. (all edited posts do not count) *If there are 2 closest to the pins the first to post will win. *Entries end before the start of the NAB challenge rounds 2015. Grand prize will be 6 brand new pairs of Thai fishermans pants from 'thaipantsman'. I haven't asked him yet but I'm sure he'll oblige... Go!

Wow! Looks good on paper...

Yes please!

Perhaps the end of the curse??? One can only wish.......

You do. Or you wouldn't be on here.

Take a deep breath brother! Aaaaooooooooooooom......

Which begs the question, why bother even negotiating the picks we got back from GWS? Or at the very least pick 53?