H_T

Agree with the players you listed Redleg. I'll add Buckley and Bartram to that mix. Buckley IMO will flourish with improvement but more importantly with the improvement in players around him. It's a "help me, help you" scenario with Buckley. (ie quote from the Jerry Maguire movie). It's as if he would say to the guys, "look if you want me to break the lines, create and penetrate the ball into the forward line, you guys have got to help me out!" So, "help me, help you". Bartram is an interesting one. He's almost on the fringe in my eyes. He'll need to step up too I think.

Happy with that report melbman. Cheers.

This is along the same views I expressed Rogue. Its why I consider him a KPP, despite the some roles he has played down back - because he is so effective in this manner. Good description here, Dappa.

Definitely. Yes. With Scarlett and Taylor the 'A' team role (ie. the Carroll, Holland, Nicho roles). What Geelong also have is Milburn and Mackie - they seem to do what Harley does too. Gee they have great defensive options...not to forget at times Selwood dropping back occassionally to cut off supply.

Cheers Redleg for those points. That just adds the icing on the cake for me, as to who we'll select. I'm at 99% sure that it will be Watts in the No.4.

Riewoldt is a gun forward who uses his running prowess to his advantage, the likes of Tredrea and Brown are more your crash and bash type power forwards. IMO. As Rogue stated through BP's views, Watts could make it as a midfielder and a very good key forward. More like your James Hird type. Which has been mooted a bit in some threads of recent times. No-one knows what Watts will become, or how good he'll be...but the collective opinions of recruiters is that the kid can definitely play and his records established at Draft Camp are certainly to take note of. No-one knows how exactly any of the other kids will be either. Which is why when recruiters say 'may' or 'yet', its all a wait and see.

Ok. Haydo said he rolled it this week. Now Big Kev says the 14th November. It's now the 28th. How bad is it? Will he get back on deck soon? Is the club holding back some news we don't really want to hear? Is it just a rolled ankle? Or am I just blowing Col's ankle situation all out of proportion?

Effectively we do agree. I recognise Rivers tends to take the less dangerous tall forwards whilst providing assistance to other defenders, its this latter assistance role that he is so good at because he reads the play so well and comes in with well timed spoils or nullify's the oppositions spot kicks to a target. He has at times played the KPP role too. Even though as you say, more often than not, a Carroll, Holland or Nicho at times went to the opp's plan 'A' forward. However, under ND he seemed more effective in the 'assisting defence role'. Just thought I would clarify this, as I think we are more on the same wavelength, than not - even though I still consider Rivers a KPP.

I'd certainly rather take Hauritz's current figures of 2/47 off 11 overs, than Brett Lee's return of 0/49 off 13 overs with 6 no balls, any day. Beginning to feel a little concerned for Brett Lee's future in the top flight. He can turn his form around, he just needs to do it and quickly. He usually has a day out against the Kiwi's. LIVE SCORE UPDATES

Has the Mfc had any association with an EPL side of recent times? Like a swapping of guernsey presentation or something between Presidents?

Did anyone get the feeling last night that the club may announce a major sponsor soon, perhaps to coincide with the announcement of our new draftees tomorrow? Or at least soon after the draft?

Exactly WJ. Again on SEN last night just before 7:30pm, Burgo changed his mind agian in relation to pick #3. He has swayed between Rich and Hill a bit now. I think he settled on Hill after some new information came to him just after 5pm last night. Expect anything come tomorrow.

Yes, thanks M2W. He should of quoted it. Misleading in a way. Anyway I've made the modifications.

There might very well be 3 "H's" in padded cells if that is the case. "HT" in this case

Fagan?? Don't you mean Mark Riley?

Some great informative updates on last night. Thanks to Rogue, WJ, Haydo, Redleg. St.Kilda certainly has lost credibility on the Cousins saga with its members. They were never on a youth policy. St.Kilda members are not that dumb, they'll be letting their board know in no uncertain terms too. Dean Bailey certainly has a steely determination in building the list with youth. He hasn't budged from this position all along.

It was started this year twist. I'm of the same opinion I had then. I would keep Martin down back and utilise Garland up forward - which has been tried before, albeit briefly. As Rogue pointed out against Richmond at TD.

Been waiting for 5 years for a full pre season from Col. Yes, I thought 2008 was a good year from him personally, despite all our losses. A good stepping stone for 2009. Fwiw, I don't believe we've had a single player on our list that opposition fear since...? (Still thinking).......

IMO Rivers has played KPP roles in the past. I consider him a KPP player. But he can play other roles for the team including being our 3rd tall. Fwiw, having spoken to him at The Summit, he is starting to feel confident in his body, he's strengthening his body, he feels its sound, he says he's feeling good. This is all positive news ....so far. Let's all just keep our fingers crossed that he can progress throughout summer and be ready to go early in the season. Dean Bailey has stated that its a 'go slow' process with him, because they want him right. Thats a good move considering where the club is at as far as I'm concerned. I hope, and I believe we will see him return to the form we all desire of Rivers for the Mfc.

You know what Goose, Burgo's draft could be real close to the first 20 IMO, it depends what Freo and Port do - of course. And yes, I do remember, I also believe Hill will go at 3 as I stated earlier on a thread recently: - http://forums.demonland.com/index.php?show...40&start=40 Putting Hartlett at 4 could be on the money. There is big wraps on him in SA. And Burgo's right in that Essendon - you would think - would then be obliged to get the best available next in Rich. Hurley would then slip to Carlton and make them happy. We'll see about Nik Nat and Watts.... but Watts will be it I believe. Like you say, you hope I'm right. Here's my final top 20: - 1. Jack Watts (Melbourne) 2. Nick Naitanui (West Coast) 3. Stephen Hill (Fremantle) 4. Daniel Rich (Port Adelaide) 5. Michael Hurley (Essendon) 6. Chris Yarran (Carlton) 7. Jack Ziebell (Brisbane Lions) 8. Tyrone Vickery (Richmond) 9. Hamish Hartlett (North Melbourne) 10. Jackson Trengove (Adelaide) 11. Dayne Beams (Collingwood) 12. Tom Swift (Sydney Swans) 13. Sam Blease (St Kilda) 14. Ayce Cordy (Western Bulldogs) 15. Steele Sidebottom (Geelong) 16. Phil Davis (Hawthorn) 17. Tom Lynch (Melbourne) 18. Ashley Smith (West Coast) 19. David Zaharkis (Melbourne) 20. Michael Walters (West Coast)

Very happy with the highlighted options Stevo. These are the main ones I have been focussing on: - Zaharkis, Blease, Shoenmakers and Lynch. Not so much Walters, so I must read up a bit more on him - Happy to read about his "unbelievable skills by foot". I don't really see Lisle as part of Melbourne's wish list, but I could be wrong. Thanks for the write up..Cheers. I would be very, very happy if the Dees secured 2 out of the 4 highlighted in RED with picks 17 and 19. If I was to choose it would be very difficult, thinking I wish I could get 3 of them. Hard to split. But I will say Blease and Shoenmakers. If Blease is already gone, I'd have to take Shoenmakers and then Zaharkis. If Schoenmakers and Blease are gone, its definitely Lynch then Zaharkis. Then with pick 35, the best available player, preferably of the midfield variety. The remaining picks to suit as required.

I'll be waiting Goose.

Okay. Next thread.. My sentiments exactly.

Don't know why he'd head back to the "Kennel" (a drought stricken, ferral home base) so soon, having wanted to play on another season, only to be denied the opportunity. He'll go back when he's good & ready, when Eade is no longer there. One of the factors which enticed Ray to leave.

Nice one Roost It, you had a itch that needed to be scratched, right? He'll (NikNat) go at 2. Hill at 3. Rich to Port and so on and so forth...