Left Field

Yes, we have a good list with one of the best mid-fields (the first year ruck is a beauty BTW). And yes we seem well coached (nice ball movement patterns when they stick) But the big thing for me that seems lost on everyone (especially the commentators) is how well prepared physically the team is. To a player they look really fit & healthy and they can run all day. Brilliant conditioning. A quick comment on the "standard". It's a second year comp being played in non-optimal weather conditions. The standard is already vastly better than last year and improving on the fly. I'd guess it will evolve into it's own spectacle (which I hope is more attacking and rewarding of flare).

Doing everything he can with what he has. His effort can't be questioned. A long term high quality midfielder forward with good vision and skills. I have him in our best 20 now and on the rise. Good character too.

Enough already! A bloke doesn't post for a couple of years and then cops this sort of objective analysis.

Dammit. Nothing to see here - move on :-)

Sheeesh Pickett. Watts will get us a high second round in a player for pick scenario. So we'd get Lever for a first + (effective) second round but stay in the draft. Adelaide want 2 x first rounders (they are on drugs). Maybe if we worked in some swap of picks somewhere.

Does this work? We trade pick 10 to Adelaide, Watts to Geelong and Daniel Motlop goes to Adelaide? Obviously with Lever coming to the Dees. Or is that big overs?

Have a chat to Sally Trevena mate. They usually have some place to watch. She is around Annandale area in the inner west so not a million miles away from the inner east. sally (at) nswdemons.com.

Imagine if you had J Hunt on one wing and Z Jones on the other providing really fast transition from the back half into the forward line. If its quick enough, it probably doesn't even matter if it goes in at -60% efficiency. As long as we can make a contest and then defend.

Looking at Hoges in the preseason and how cut he is suggests we might not play too many fixed talls deep. I'd love to see a mixture of players running chaotic patterns towards (and angles across) goal against traditional lumbering gorilla-minders. Maybe the Lockett type lead up forward is dead?

Would have to be too far down the depth chart across a few positions at MFC (considering you need to play youngsters to develop them). Better off taking pick 60+ to the draft. Certainly not worthy of any de-listing anyone currently on the main list.

Doesn't appear to relish body contact from that footage WJ. Good athleticism though I don't much like the kicking action. I reckon just being combative is half the battle against the senior ruck men. Guess he might get a bit tougher as he puts on size.

Older brother Ted was average at Essendon until he was traded to Sydney at about this age. He came good as a tall rebounding defender under the Roos regime in Sydney. I know we are reasonably well stocked for tall defenders (fingers crossed OMac keeps improving) but he wouldn't be that far off best 22 at the Dee's and if family history proves anything, will probably get better with age. And he can go forward as he proved in Sydney. I'd take him late in the ND, but not at any inflated contract price.

Meanwhile, the Cronulla Sharks are celebrating their first ever premiership. Colin Little is a dill who believed in his own powers just a tad too much.

Anyone here want H across before Jayden Hunt? Pretty sure I don't. So he has been lapped by youth. I'd be happy to trade out of H.

Garland was OK. But OMac is painful to watch. It's just like watching another young Zac Dawson. Seriously, what does he bring? Dunn in for Omac. Thought Wagner made some bad choices although he had reasonable numbers. Harry O in if fit. I thought Watts was really good - medium numbers at high efficiency. But we need a proper second tall forward/2nd ruck (Watts to be the Gunston role). Dawes or Pedo required back in ASAP. Maybe Newton out for that one. Out OMac, Wagner, Newton. In Dunn Dawes and Harry O.

Most of his errors come from trying to create run from the back half. Unfortunately either his skill level or composure often seem to fail him when attacking. But he is strong and good overhead so he would be a good one dimensional Gorilla- stopper if he stayed at home. At 23 he is currently rated inside the top 100 players in the ratings which is good. Frankly I don't care either way. The recruiters seem to be in a good space lately so I'd back them to trade well.

Who are you mate? Any chance you could change your name given I have been here (and Demonology) since about 2005?

Had it in mind to start a thread (beaten to it). My highlight was when he called Ben Kennedy "Garlett". Honestly, why do we need to hear from him again? Its not like he is adding to the coverage.

Watching TMac today was extremely frustrating. His main assets are that he is aerobic beast and at the same time he is very strong. He would be a horrible match up for most teams if he played high half forward. I'd play him at CHF.

The third of two options. When I first heard it, it was hysterical.

Should have a nearest to the pin on this one.... Jetta Dunn Garland Salem TMac Bugg Watts Tyson Vince Brayshaw Hogan Kent Garlett Pedo Petracca Gawn Jones Viney VdB Stretch Kennedy Harmes EMG Frost, Grimes OMac Pedo plays deep forward and 2nd ruck. * need a better 2nd ruck (pretty sure this isn't Dawes).

Didn't read the whole thread. But George talking about Hunt's possession count playing small forward in an OK VFL team off a limited pre-season are miles off the mark. 12 is heaps for a small forward with pace. And with a first full pre-season, he should play around the middle and have the opportunity to win more ball by exploiting his athleticism up and down the ground. For the first time since he has been on the list, he'll be able to get to multiple consecutive contests and that will drive up his possie count. I have no idea if he can make it. But for the first time, we will be able to make informed decisions based on his output on game day.

Speaking honestly, if there was a WATA body that challenged this AFL ruling, who here believes it would not have turned into "Guilty"?

I'd upgrade White and rookie Cross.

Great to see Bluey is still posting. "1 vote. 0.39% I'm not happy with our results, we are still in trouble". Bet it was.