whatwhat say what

I can't believe that, and I actually think it's a good thing - whilst both Hird apologists, at least they're passionate and grass roots board members as opposed to billionaire businessmen.

Exactly the way I feel too. Hird was a brilliant footballer, but even then he went off piste regularly - remember when he called out an umpire as biased? Sadly, it seems increasingly likely that Charters and his drugs played a big part in him coming back from a navicular injury.

As someone who has serious doubts regarding whether Toumpas can make it as a above average afl player, these reports are super encouraging. We really need the likes of he and other high picks over the last few years to come on in leaps and bounds over the next 3-5 years. It's the difference btw us being a 'good ordinary' side and a very good side. I still maintain you get your 'stars' with your high picks.

no, they're not, the sites are run by the clubs for and on behalf of the afl, with infrastructure provided by telstra.

great work tdi.

yes they do.

Roh Roh is a Bombers sycophant.

His body shape and the way he runs reminds he so much of Rob Harvey.

I hope we have scored a bargain with SOS.

Wow, his skills look far better than his brother's! Does he have the same level of endurance?

He looks the goods, doesn't he? Of course, Melbourne does tend to do its best work in October and November...here's hoping that the four mids we've picked up this draft are ALL future long term players for our best 22, and part of or much elusive next premiership...or six!

God I hated Moo Kowal. 1991 was a terrible cluster of players.

Fair to say yr not the only one dd!

maybe petracca was the player whose room was too neat. my goodness, i really hope we don't pass on him in favour of lever...

Sounds like it's McCartin at pick 1.

Also, the best half backs across the last twenty years haven't been half backs who've played their careers there. They've been mids who've been slotted into HB to play that role because of their skills. It's part of the reason why you need a surfeit of midfielders - inevitably every year two get injured for the year, others become flankers.

The other factor at play is that Petracca is not even the highest rated mid in the draft - Isaac Heeney is. Whereas McCartin is probably rated the best 'big' in this year's crop.

Hm, we shall see. Would be happy with either McCartin or Petracca.

No guarantee Vince will be fit for round 1 given the off season surgery. You'd expect him to be okay, but you just never know... B: Jetta - Dunn - Frost HB: Grimes - McDonald - Garland C: Lumumba - N Jones - Vince HF: Watts - Hogan - Kent F: Howe - Pedersen - Garlett Foll: Jamar - Tyson - Viney I/C: Salem - Cross - Michie Sub: Brayshaw Emerg: Toumpas - Newton - Gawn

Bound for Glory website said this about him at the start of the 2014 season: Melbourne will be salivating over eligible father-son selection, Jake Lovett, who is the son of former club champion Brett. Although a different type of player to his father, Jake is a high-possession winning on-baller, with damaging disposal and a tendency to be aggressive. The only downside is that he the Dees will have to wait another year, as he is not eligible until 2015.

should've been sam, salvatore, and sebastian. sosos 1, 2 and 3, ready to use their sausages in 10-20 years to produce their own sososos's!

Touted as top 5 this time last year, moved into top three during the year. He or Heeney have long been considered the best 'pure' mids of this draft class

Miller probably gone by 40, you'd expect based upon what all the experts are saying. He looks of a like to Salem and Toumpas, quite a similar body shape and football style, perhaps a bit more inside than Toumpas? He's pretty small and not super quick. Has smarts. Gore looks a goer.

To me it sounds more like this draft will be of Scully / Trengove / Neck Tatts or Watts / Naitanui / Hill variety than Hodge / Judd / Ball. Solid players who should play 150-200 games, barring injury, rather than competition leading champs.

Nice call Ben Russell, where's yr hot tub time machine?? This thread is fascinating reading. Kudos to all!