ickey_11

no chance now that there will not be a VFL season this year.

Tearing an ACL hurts a lot, but the pain settles down after a while.

The midfield all year has become too one dimensional and predictable. Gawn and 3 similar hard at the ball types. There is lack of spread as all 3 are attacking the ball and getting killed when the ball is turned over by all being too close the contest. You see it when 1 opposition player handballs or pushes the ball out wide and off the it goes Plan B is to put more ball hunters in there like Petracca. Need to include the better users of the ball (Salem, Hibberd & Melksham - when back from injury) in there AND players that will play the role and stay outside and add some pace (perhaps Hunt, Baker or Fritsch).

Bradke will play as much ruck as the King twins

You will be wrong, Preuss came across because Melbourne said that they will play him and Gawn. Typical set-up will be Tom McD at CHF leading way up. Weids at FF leading to the ball carrier and resting ruckman in the forward pocket or on the bench. You will also see Weids and Tom McD play very little ruck; this hurt Melbourne when they did that last year as they started losing most of the centre breaks. They will try and use Gawn's and Preuss' height to stretch defence match-ups, might even force some teams to play their second ruckman in defence.

I think North may have decided that Daw is their backup ruckman; interesting call as he has been great as an interceptor. I think that the Melbourne Rucks next year will be Gawn, and Preuss, with Weids and McDonald as the fwd/ruck change-ups and Bradke as the developing ruckman.

MCG, check Rain, check Crap opposition, check NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is the crap about Oscar in the article? Two of Brown's goals were from frees not related to Oscar. One other goals was from a push in the back to Oscar similar to the one given by Gawn to Brown in the ruck. And Melksham plays a different role to Brayshaw; he tags and plays defensive forward. Two roles I have not seen Brayshaw play with any success. Brayshaw would be back-up for the Oliver, Jones, Viney, Tyson, ANB and Salem role of winning the ball around stoppages.

Frankston Bombers, which is a different club

Didn't Rory tell Bernie "I am not your mate, Bernie"? Why would he want to join him then?

I like this team; I think that Garlett will get in before many here (Fritsch, Hannan, Harmes and ANB). My guess would be Garlett in and Harmes in the Emergencies.

Teamname: RedSoxxers Can I get an invite to a league? Thanks!

I always insist on a "beer review" myself.

you said unscientific, now you want scientific.........

I can contribute to this study. Adem Yze seemed to never miss a shot on goal (during the game) if he missed every shot in the warm-up. But this theory never worked with Neitz, as he needed a set shot from the goal square or a handball over the top to get over his "kicking for goal nerves" for that game. Once he got his first he could nail them from anywhere.

Reading about Bradley Wiggins, and the parallels with Essendon is eerie. Wiggins denied "any drug was used without medical need." But the report from a committee investigating doping since 2015 casts doubt on the integrity of the team and their failure to keep accurate medical records. Article: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cycling/anti-doping-report-calls-wiggins-2012-tour-de-france-prep-into-question-20180305-p4z2vb.html

Did anyone look at Hawthorns results? They won 6 1/2 games out of the last 10. Losing by 3pt to Geelong, 29pts to Richmond and 7pts to Carlton. They beat Adelaide, Collingwood (we couldn't), Sydney, Freo (by 52pts), North (we couldn't). and the Bulldogs and drew with GWS. Hawthorn might have played the kids, but they did not tank.

They 'analyse' 13 teams that can make the 8; with 8 teams could make the top 4. On the other side, they only have 6 teams that can make the bottom six, so lock in Saints, Freo, Brisbane, Carlton, GCS and North. But only Carlton, GCS and North can finish bottom. I distributed their predictions and their ladder looks like: Adelaide 1 2 3 GWS 1 2 3 4 Ricmond 1 2 3 4 5 Geelong 1 2 3 4 5 6 Essendon 2 3 4 5 6 7 Port 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Swans 3 4 5 6 Melbourne 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hawthorn 6 7 8 9 10 W Bulldogs 7 8 9 10 11 12 Collingwood 8 9 10 11 12 WCE 8 9 10 11 12 Saints 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Freo 12 13 14 15 16 Brisbane 12 13 14 15 16 Carlton 15 16 17 18 GCS 15 16 17 18 North 15 16 17 18

Missed 5.5 games with a hammies last year. It was for this reason he was not top 10 or even top 5 (look how close the points spread is from 3+) http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/120340/Jake-LEVER This article explains a lot too about what attracted Melbourne http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-22/why-are-clubs-so-keen-to-lure-jake-lever

We took Bennell earlier and Jetta later.

Melbourne lost Scully for about the same differential amount per year as Adelaide lost Lever and nobody (as in Melbourne players) are begrudging him in taking the money. Tex just needs to get over it and understand that sometimes players want what the market price is for them; it is fine for him to make that sacrifice, but he cannot make it for Lever.

Tommy McD is probably the next option after Pederson, with Mitch King developing. I also expect them to draft another on the primary list or rookie list

Luke Ball only played 81 games for Collingwood, Lever will be a 10+ year player for Melbourne. Pick 30 was probably too high for a midfielder who averaged 20.8 poss/game (for Collingwood) and 20.4 (career).

Jake Level is 1cm taller than TMcD..... i would think that Hibberd would be getting a small to pick up first.

What is Lever actually worth? Scenario I He nominates for the draft; nominating a $ amount he and his 'nominated club' are happy with. That club picks him up with a draft pick. If that club was Melbourne it would likely be pick 10. I am not sure if any club has ever taken a player who has walked out on a club and not nominated them. Melbourne threatened to do this to Luke Ball but didn't. Scenario II Lever is a free agent. I know that this is a stretch, but the rumored contract amount of $800k per season would likely see Adelaide get a 1st round pick after their first round pick of 17 or 18. Scenario III Teams get in a bidding war for Lever. This is likely if he doesn't nominate early. Some teams have a lot more leverage here (pun intended); but they have to convince Lever to come. I can only see Adelaide getting a lower 1 round pick like from Saints, Kangas, or Doggies, and not any more picks. So I can see that Adelaide will probably accept a 1st and 2nd round as the best that they will get; but I will not be surprised if the deal is more convoluted with movement of other players (like Gibbs). And Melbourne may be prepared to give up a Adelaide boy like Stretch or ANB; who would suit Adelaide's needs.