beelzebub

Back in my day.... as I grew up playing footy there were three distinct "followers" .. Ruck.. Rover....and Ruck/Rover... a hybrid of sorts. One of tge best and most readily recognised proponent of the latter... our own wonderful Ronald Dale. In fact he kinda became ( imo ) the prototype of the modern midfielder. Then the game shifted a tad and we simply had Rucks and mids. These then divided between inside mids and outside runners/dispersers.

Ive got a sneaking suspicion the way forward is going back to a more "utilitarian" followers. Not so much either in or out... just receive/get ball... give-off/use ball.. Exactly as ol'Barass would play.... I.e whatever the occasion demanded.... he did ( and did bloody well )

Fast forward 50 odd years.... we build the modern prototype utility. Bigger, stronger, faster... but still more a jack of all mids rather than this or that.

The Ruck nomination rule has changed... I think this will have some subtle and some not so subtle knock on.

Players like Culley and Onley will be worth their weight in gold.

I have absolutely nothing to base this on other than suspicion.

King is going to radically change our game.

Ironically so did Goody with the running press off half back....and then stymied by 6-6-6 . I think King is going to run ( literally ) with a set of utilitarian roving marauders...

Athletic types ...good footy i.q.. 194/195 types.... who are neither inside or out... but both and neither.

I am VERY interested in this development.

You dont pick a giant mid for no reason.

Just my thoughts ....

8 minutes ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

That's a huge project if there is not government funding. Both State and Federal governments have partially funded all other AFL ground developments in Victoria. That's why we have to wait....

The government may or may not contribute.

It's NOT their build, not their property, not their asset.

In reality the MFC and what it does is nothing of the State Govs concern.

This ISNT a big build. It's not.

Shopping centres cost more.. I rail crossing removal... costs more...

Im personally very doubtful there's any timing controlled by the government.

Im given to understand the bulk of the money needed is already vouched for...and not government.

We've never been a fav destination for Gov money.... no votes 😉

6 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I was hoping "learnings" would have left the MFC vernacular when Goodwin left.

As an 'excuse' for failing... I think it has.

As a tool for progression... about to be employed.

Imho Onley will be among a group coming in that all have a footy i.q. But they're raw and at the start of their AFL careers. I find it no mere coincidence that we've a chap on board with extensive Gippsland knowledge and experience and we've a crop over recent times of some good Power talent.

I think we're building a better capacity and capability to develop such ilk.

Riley will benefit from entering into a system with elite mentoring. King is going to have an inherent knowledge of how to utilise tall mobile utilities. It's now up to the club to take these raw talented recruits and develop them into weapons. This refinement will take a little time. There will be good days and not so good days . Invariably it takes a varying time frame for players to settle, lose the awe of being there and get to tge work at hand.

A lot of "learnings" are going to be crammed into the coming months.

We ( well more than a handful here ) have lamented the dearth of 'intelligent" footy in Melbourne games over recent years.

I think Ron will come on well with suitable guidance.

DEES going to look very different in 26.

So will Casey... and some of these lads will play there initially. Riley like everyone else in Red and Blue has an opportunity to put his hand up..... granted when he does...its higher than most 😉 🤣

Good luck to all

9 minutes ago, Redleg said:

It is the only stand alone option of the three that have been mooted.

The first to me always seemed impractical.

The buildings can be totally fenced off from the rest of the area, excluding the ovals of course, with it's own separate access to the adjoining streets being Neerim Road and Queens Parade.

Absolutely agree. Create own little precinct.

6 minutes ago, Redleg said:

That's what I thought, but I have been corrected.

Its back at the 2nd option, which is FAR better than the original one, in size, access, shape and transport options.

While the 3rd option is close to Caulfield station, maybe it was too close to the MRC facilities for their liking.

The 2nd option, the South east Corner, is about the furthest from the grandstands and MRC facilities and maybe that is all for the better.

It is also far from the school, not that they were concerned at all, as they are totally with us and supporting us and are excited by the MFC as a neighbour and that is from the horses mouth, pardon the pun.

Thanks Red... I agree.. SE location is the better of all options .

28 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

This would have to be a match made in heaven for Demonlanders.

Reading this article written ahead of the draft with its references to Demonland you would think that the author had some premonition about which club was going to draft him. Then you realise that his local club is the Shepparton United Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Demons, and the penny drops. Still, he won’t be unfamiliar with his new colours.

Another fun fact is that he trained in the preseason with Collingwood. I already had a good feeling about pinching Brody Mihocek away from them and now an impressive young gun as well 😀

Destined to be a Demon.

Suffice to say... most at Demonland are quite happy 😉

30 minutes ago, Redleg said:

South East Corner, closest to where the ovals will be built.

That area is close to Glenhuntly station and if you walked from Caulfield station, through the Eastern/closest tunnel to the ovals, would be less than 5 minutes.

So its moved AGAIN ??

I thought they'd settled on the carpark off Normanby Rd ??

7 hours ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Actually it is not up to the Club to pick a time about an announcement on Caulfield. They will not be able to say anything meaningful until the State Government says they can. This has been the position for as long as the project has been worked on. Yes, it is getting closer, and yes it is entirely appropriate to update members at the AGM, but any defintive announcement will only emerge when the State Government says it can.

Sorry.. unless the state is paying for this ... which i doubt. Then I'm at a loss as to their control. ?

11 minutes ago, Oxdee said:

Does he have the polish or agility to play mid? Or do you think he will play more like Cripps?

Im sorry.. I'm a bit dim. I took Cripps to be a Mid.

Im inclined to think the polish comes with time and more experience. He doesn't strike me as an inside player. Nor do I see him being an outside runner type of utility. He seems quite happy to get his hands dirty and dig in.

He strikes me as a form of hybrid utility. He does remind me of Jackson in a fashion.

He's raw. I'm sure King has something in mind.

2 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

to be training there in 2028 - as in the ovals will be ready by then?

seems awfully quick to get the buildings built

If they can turn the first sods early next year, then running on an oval for preseason 28 is quite feasible. I can only imagine the "building" will be composite tilt slab and steel skeleton.

We're not building a shopping mall here.

Where's a will there's a way. A servo can be up and running in 6 months.

It's all about project management

6 minutes ago, whelan45 said:

How do you go on long car trips? Hurry up driver are we there yet?

Thanks for quoting me 4 times...

Makes me feel spesh 😉 👍

This isn't so much a long trip... as circuitous laps around the block looking for a car park.

Well I thought we'd found that car park.

Still crickets ...

Quite frankly anyone who would seriously attempt to rank clubs on the draft, can't be taken seriously.

The results of the raffle in its entirety won't be known for years. Yes...might be a few lucky early draw winners but really the crop has hardly been sown for 5 mins.

22 minutes ago, Ted Lasso said:

the new Nibbler.

Might be Nibbler²

9 hours ago, Demonsone said:

What is the status on Waverley?

Caulfield going around in circles ?

The fanfare around Artic Park seems to have gone 🤫 🤷‍♂️

I suspect only those that know actually know why all the secret squirrel silence re the Racetrack. I really wouldn't have thought it needed the cone of silence treatment. Any one would be forgiven for thinking were looking to install an SMR on the quiet.

It was originally rumoured we would move training to Waverley in December.. not looking likely at present.

You'd reckon we were trying to crack the Enigma with all the cloak and dagger.

It's a couple of ovals and a fancifully fitted out warehouse f f s

Get on with it Melbourne

12 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

I’m putting it out there but there are some comparisons with Adam Goodes…. This one feels like a Daniel turner level gem

🤔🤔🤔 ( mods please return this emoji 😆)

I use the "thinker" here with particular intent.

Ted, your post is quite provocative ( in a good , npi , manner )

This kid will, imho, be one of those who in history's mirror will cause the 'collective commentary circus' to ponder... how did everyone miss him ??

Hiding in plain sight will often do that. He's deliberately chosen the less well-signed trail.

He simply wants to play footy.

A couple seasons in the gym, a preseason or two and with good stewardship... we might have a pearler on our hands.

A very interesting ( and cluey ) pick by the club.

He needs work. But the elements are there.

Will be fascinating to watch .

Btw... I forgot just how big Kingy is lol.

2 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Smarter than your avERAge bear 🐻

So it's official... NO .. Pic Nic baskets at training !!

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

I watched the men’s and the women’s training which was great but the highlight of the day was meeting a lovely 95yo gentleman. He told me some of his favourite memories of his many years as a passionate Dees supporter, including Fred Fanning’s 18-goal bag which he saw live. I listened to him for quite a while and it was heartwarming to see his face light up with each memory. It was really special.

Turns out his name is Geoff Ponsford and he’s the son of Bill Ponsford. It was such an honour to meet him.

Well there's a name. You were truly graced... and he just a lucky to have met an interested listener.

These are life's best little moments imho.

The unexpected gifts.

4 minutes ago, Demon_JB said:

Been following Riley for a few years now through APS and Vic Country, and this is a ripping rookie pickup by Melbourne. He’s one of those rare 195cm mids who actually plays like a midfielder, not a key position guy shoved on ball. Always had clean hands, but this season he finally added that burst speed and confidence in his kicking that pushed him into genuine draftable territory.

He’s been on a steady upward curve for a while. People who only saw him late probably don’t realise how much he’s improved year-on-year. Coaches around him always talk about how coachable he is and how well he prepares for big games, and it shows. He’s had plenty of reps at APS, National Academy and senior level, and he tends to rise to the moment rather than go missing.

Give him a couple of preseasons in Melbourne’s system and he could easily turn into that big-bodied, unique-profile mid they’ve been trying to find. Massive upside if his development keeps trending the same way.

It is unusual for a tall to actually play as a running mid.

Highlights are just that but I did notice he doesn't hesitate to kick.on his non-preferred when it needs .

I seemed to remember we had another on our books as a prototype of a tall mid.... he went ok.

As some suggest possibly a very inspired pick up

Time as always will tell. Good luck Riley..

10 minutes ago, layzie said:

Think we have more holes to fill than just a key forward spot these days.

No longer the missing jigsaw piece that many thought it was.

It's not the piece we've been missing.... lt was the picture

Also... just being a capable forward isn't sufficient in guaranteeing hurt upon the scoreboard. It requires a well drilled, intelligent feed ( supply ) coming towards the sticks.

A gifted player can sometimes truly make a silk purse out of a sows ear but thats really hard yakka and far from reliable.

You need a system. Actually ...you need paths... that's plural !! You need options

Forward footy is about disassembling the ability of the opposition's defence to crowd and deny you your SPACE

Forward footy ( in a good team ) is never about ONE person. It's about choreography...about team-think.

There's a whole "book" on playing up front. Im not sure we've had it in our library for years tbh. I think Kingy has brought along his own copy.

Im looking forward (npi) to a much more dynamic and fluid forward arc.

You either get this or you don't.

Forward craft is about SPACE .... height is quite secondary.

It's space and position.

Quite simply the 'opposite' of how we've gone about it for (too many) years !!

It will be addressed.... I sense this now.

34 minutes ago, dice said:

Melksham (186cm) and Fritsch (188cm) are not tall forwards

They're not 171cm either.........🙄🙄😒

34 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

To be honest, I was misled by a dodgy stat about LSP published in the lead-up to the draft. Some reports had him at 170 cm tall, but he's apparently 182 cm, which is a huge difference! It makes you wonder how many others were misinformed like me.

The above is from a Shifter Sheehan article on the afl.com.au website (the figure was also published elsewhere).

Thanks Shifter.... " the...ummm.. package will be delivered shortly 👍😉 "

What always amuses me is how many seem so certain about this lad's abilities or anothers potential as to be already underscoring selections as mistakes etc.

It's a raffle. Even with the best Intel.....its a raffle. What one team sees as a possible fit another sees as not.

Just look at past drafts... its a raffle. Some picks mature into the game... some hit tge ground running.... some fall over their feet and disappear into obscurity.

Very seldom do you get a ready to go player.

This is just this year's additions... a handful next year... the team morphs.

All recruitment can do is cast their runes based upon experience.

I'll lay London to a brick half the first 20 picks don't.... DO NOT have long illustrious careers. Like every year some will gradually evolve... some will take a season... some a couple...

I think too many have come to rely on the 'footy machine" that is Private Schools and needed comps all pumping out cardboard cut outs. How's that worked out for everyone ??? It's a mixed bag.

You possibly had a better chance picking a certainty 20 years ago.... ( imho )

Now, you are going to have to go left field occasionally and go with instinct/gut/intuition.

This Pickett could be anything or nothing. Reality is thats most 17-19 yo 'kids'

Nothing about a teenager is fully formed. Some have wiser heads... some have bigger shoulders... some are just on 'their' path.

I have no doubt there's the Kozzie factor in this selection. But JT .. ne the MFC aren't going to waste a pick on a whim, a flight of fantastical indulgence. They can see something. Will we ever ??

Thats the fun of the Circus...

I don't know... but I'm curious to see how this plays out.

It's a raffle