Deeoldfart

Benny has loads of talent and exceptional pace, but as others have said, he needs to build up his engine and improve his consistency. I think he tired a fair bit as the 2010 season progressed, but as he completes more pre-seasons and his body matures, I'm confident that he will run out games (and seasons) much better. If he can do this he will play a valuable part in our future.

James looked a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights in his couple of senior games. I can excuse him that, but he certainly needs to have more strings to his bow than elite kicking skills .......... and not having seen him at Casey, I'm not sure what they are.

I saw a little of Sam as a junior and I was delighted when we drafted him. As others have said, he was lightning quick, made excellent decisions and was a beautiful long kick. If he can return to full fitness and bring those skills to senior football, Sam will complement our midfield to a tee. The jury is still out about what he can achieve at AFL level (especially given his injury), but based on his junior days he is an exciting prospect. He is the sort of player who will bring others into the game.

Yep. I chatted to Schwabby about Fitz around mid season, and he seemed pretty enthusiastic about his prospects, while acknowledging that his kicking needs some work.

That's my query also JCB. He seems a bit injury prone, but if he can stay fit he probably has the where-with-all to be a regular. However, with the amount of talent on our list, I'm not sure where his best position is likely to be. Maybe HBF (with Grimes playing more in the midfield), but he will need to improve his tackling, which can be very clumsy at times.

Rarely (if ever) had it!

By gee, you guys who have hit your keyboards since my last post (above), have used some exciting adjectives, and descriptions of play ........... and I agree with all of them. Well done, it makes most enjoyable reading. We certainly have some exciting talent (both developed and developing) at the Melbourne Football Club, and when things go right, we can play some exhilarating football. We've earned some time at the top after so long in the wilderness, and our journey over the next 5 years or so is going to make the wait well and truely worthwhile.

Totally agree with that. A Mark Williams appointment would really worry me for precisely that reason. I remember at the time that Bails was appointed by Melbourne, the press reported that he had received a very strong endorsement from Choco, but IMO the role reversal could undermine what might previously have been an excellent working relationship.

After disappointing us for far too long, Col has now established himself as one of our most important players. His 5th placing in the Bluey, after missing 7 games through injury, is strong evidence of this. Well done Col, for taking stock, and finally delivering on your potential. Keep it up, and higher rewards will come your way!

Interesting hypothetical, and damn difficult to complete! Mine: 1. Frawley: KPDs are not easy to find in the draft, and are vital to team success. Chip has already proved himself to be a top-liner. 2. Scully: Absolute gun midfielders are worth their weight in gold. 3. Watts: KPFs are also critical to team success and hard to find in the draft. Jack has already shown enough to suggest to me that he will be very good. His versatity is also an asset. 4. Jurrah: Has the X-factor in spades, and applies it consistently. Something you just can't teach. 5. Grimes: Has all the attributes of an excellent leader. 6. Trengove: Hard working, highly skilled and consistent mid. Every team needs a few of them. 7. Petterd: Hard bodied, strong marking, sound kicking medium forward. Very important ingredient in successful teams. Ricky wouldn't have ranked nearly so high on my list 12 months ago. 8. Garland: Smooth, pacy, reliable defender. Can play short or tall which is a huge asset. 9. Gysberts: Ball magnet, in-and-under mid with excellent hands. All top teams need one. 10. Mckenzie: Inside mid who works his backside off and tackles like a Demon. Complements our more classy mids. 11. Morton: Height and endurance could make him special, and very difficult to match up on, but needs to bulk-up to improve his contested work. 12. Fitzpatrick: Tall and agile goalkicking and ruck prospect. Top teams must have one, especially with the new interchange rules. Difficult to jag a good one in the draft. 13. Blease: Outstanding pace and long kicking could complement our array of developing mids to a tee. I really liked him before he was drafted, and havn't changed my mind. 14. Wonaemirri: Another forward with a touch of the x-factor. 15. Gawn: As per Fitz. and probably would have ranked ahead of him if it hadn't been for his pre-draft ACL. 16. Tapscott: Our Paul Chapman equivalent? Very valuable if he turns out half as good. 17 to 23. Bail, Bennell, Spencer, Strauss, Jetta, McNamara, Maric: Foot-soldiers, but every team needs them. (edit: typos. ..... and there's probably more).

Nev is a long way off being the classiest player on our list, but he does some things really well. His chasing and tackling are very strong attributes, but I'd like to see him add a couple more strings to his bow (particularly goalkicking). I'd also like to see more consistency throughout a game, and hopefully this will come as he develops a bigger tank. He's an interesting player ...... down the track I'm not sure where he will fit into our best 22 (small forward, midfield, back pocket perhaps?), or even whether he will make it. Definately not writing him off, but for me the jury is still out.

A high draft pick who never made the grade. The extent to which injuries played a part in this we will probably never know, but for his sake, I hope he finds his niche in coaching.

You're not getting much support around here tatu, and you won't get any from me. Given the $s that are being poured into these Clubs, I hope like hell that they do succeed, and are able to stand on their own feet, without being propped up by the AFL, in a short space of time. Unfortunately, I think this is highly unlikely.

That sums it up perfectly E25. I'd be very happy for him if he could crack a spot at another club.

Addam has only shown snippets so far in his career, and unfortunately his career seems to have plateaued. 2011 is his make or break year at Melbourne.

Outstanding season by Brad capped off by a Bluey. Captain courageous?

Jordie will be the 'hard nut' of our engine room for years to come. Fantastic work ethic, fantastic courage, and complements our classier mids to perfection. I just love the way he plays.

I agree WYL, and he played the vast majority of his career in crap teams, which makes his achievements even more meritorious IMO.

I agree Fan, but all players must take some personal responsibility for their own fitness levels, diet etc., and not return after the Christmas break as fat as butter (or turtle meat?).

Sadly, Danny was plagued by injury throughout his years on our list. He was never able to string a reasonable number of games together, and probably never realsed his full potential. Unfortunately I think the end is now nigh, and Danny will depart Melbourne without leaving the same mark as his more illustrious namesake.

OK 'bub, it's the off-season, so I will concede you that one, and revise my assessment to "could become a household name across all football codes in Australia" .

$26 seems unrealistic odds for us to win the flag next year (more like $50 I would have thought), but I reckon $3.50 is probably a reasonable quote for us play finals. Any views?

Can't help but value Beamer's passion, and the on-field leadership that we see from him week in, week out. Not a highly skilled player, but busts a gut for our team every game. Loved the Beamer / Russian combination that developed during the year. Hope it continues to evolve in 2011.

That just about says it all Battler. Gave every ounce of himself on the field, and earned the total respect of the entire football community. Thanks for a great career Junior!

Brilliant!! Thanks everyone for the score updates.