Deeoldfart

IIRC both Scarlett and Fletcher have won their respecive clubs B&F, and have been runner up more than once.

It's very hard to go past Jack Watts Jordie, but just to be different I'll stick with Chip Frawley to still be our best in 3 years time (no real surprises there either, I guess). I also very much like the look of Tom McD., but I'll put out the bait to Old Dee and suggest Jamie Bennell as my smokey. I know it's a very long bow to draw, but he could be our Andrew McLeod, and two Norm Smiths would have to put him right up there!

I strongly agree with all that nutbean, but last year we also constantly moaned that LJ didn't have the engine to do the repeat chases and run-downs etc. that are expected of modern-day AFL footballers. His aerobic capacity should be improved with all the running he has done this pre-season, so hopefully this will be a case of an ill wind ...........

Excellent little article which provides some insights into Garlo which I certainly wasn't aware of.

Agree. Lazy space-filler purporting to be a news-breaker.

It's all part of the 'learning curve' old55. Our Jacks will have plenty of support around them (both on and off the field), and I have very little doubt that they'll come out the other end better leaders and better players for the experience.

Cameleons!

Great memories indeed! ........... and for some reason I can't help thinking there will be similarities between Northey's Demons and Neeld's Demons. Ludicrous I know, given that Neeld is yet to fire a shot, but wouldn't it be sensational?

I totally agree warren. I note that your favourite players are all from that era, and 1987 was the first year of your namesake, Warren Dean, in Melbourne colours. What a good player he was, and what a pity his career was cut so short by injury.

From the training reports so far, Jamie seems to have made significant strides this pre season, but IIRC, he was doing similar things at this time last year. There is no denying his talent, so lets hope that 2012 will see him cement a regular spot in our best 22. He has the class to be an excellent player imo, and I'm hopeful that our new coaching panel will bring out his best.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Jack in 2012, with several quality forwards around him. I'm expecting continued steady progression, and a stellar game here and there.

On that basis OD, I should be the second last person to be wishing my life away, but I'm with you 100% old fella! I think I even detect a hint of anticipation / excitement in your post about the coming season, which is great to see.

This old proverb rings very true about the leadership changes at our footy club: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got" Well done Mark Neeld!

A small forward role beckons if he is up to it. The ball is squarely in Flash's court to earn it .......... which is exactly how it should be!

I agree Benno, and more importantly, I am very confident that our coach will see it the same way.

I love Neeld's 'new broom' approach, and like many others, I'm both happy and excited by the new leadership arrangements (even if I'm slightly surprised by a couple of the changes). Somehow I'm reminded of the following quote attributed to many Melbourne players who played under the late / great Norm Smith: "as a coach, Smithy was always fair and just ..... a fair bastard and just a [censored]". Coaches need to make tough, uncompromising and (dare I say it) unpopular decisions from time to time. If a few current players think of Neeld as 'fair and just' in a similar vein, then they will get over it soon enough. It heralds a refreshing change at Melbourne, and this approach certainly didn't do Smithy's coaching record any harm.

The Melbourne Football Club family will forever be indebted to Jimmy Stynes. Now is your time Jimma ..... whatever ot takes.

Crazy idea imo. Why risk anything to gain nothing? JV's time will come soon enough, when his body is better prepared.

Agree GTG. We all know about his goal kicking, but who could ever forget this pin point pass to Brad Miller against StKilda in 2010: http://youtu.be/80vT8N3pDCs

It warms my heart to read that the competitive juices are already on show and its only January. Great stuff, and a positive sign for the future! I can't remember when it last happened at Melbourne.

I totally agree with your last two sentences rpfc, but my point is that I think you can take democracy too far in choosing leaders (especially with a very young list like ours). I much prefer the 'top down' approach that it seems to me that Neeld will be taking, to the more 'bottom up' approach which is my understanding of the LT model.

The captaincy will be one of the toughest and most important decisions that Mark Neeld will have to make in his (so far) short time at the MFC. I'm not keen on shared captaincy as a concept, but it might be judged the best option in the unusual leadership circumstances that we currently face. I'll be comfortable with the final decision, whoever it might be, or whatever the configuration, because Neeld (aided by his panel), is better placed than anyone else to make the final call. I would not have this confidence if we were still running with the Leading Teams model for choosing our captain.

............ and Liam Jurrah!

A thoughtful summary Axis. That's how I see the roles also.

All of the above (which is exactly Howe [sic] it should be at this time of year!). But for me, what I'm looking forward to most, is seeing how we structure up in 2012, and how consistently effective it proves to be. We seem to have the best array of talent in our forward half that I can remember for many years. Who will be the mainstays in 2012, and will they be good enough to consistently kick competitive scores, even against the better teams? Our midfield lacks class compared to many teams, but will the addition of a couple of new faces, and some different set-ups, enable us to win our share of stoppages, and consistently deliver the ball to the advantage of the team? Our defence has been our strongest unit for several years, usually under pressure from far too many opposition entries. Who (if anyone) will force their way into this solid group, and at whose expense? This list could obviously go on and on, but that's my drift. Suffice to say that how we progress in 2012, should provide us with a good indicator as to how far we might progress in the years beyond. Will we become a force (?), or will our long awaited 'window' be effectively closed before it is opened? So much intrigue, so much anticipation, so much potential excitement. Bring it on!