Lord Travis

Thanks for your insights. So if we get the priority pick etc we could potentially pick up Scully and Trengove, and play one inside (Scully) and one outside (Trengove)? Could be the most important draft for us yet, and wind up being what Mclean and Sylvia were suppose to be to an extent (2 tough elite mids). You say Trengove is more outside, is he an elite kick? The whole reason I'm turned off Morabito is because I think his kicking is iffy. I want a skilled player. It's the most important thing in the game of FOOTball. If you have skilled mids, you win games. If you have players kicking into 50 like in the below clip, you could have a player as poor as Juice Newton sitting there and he'd still dominate. Edit: for some reason it wont let me embed it

This is the main problem at the MFC. Midfield is where games are won and lost, and we havent had a star midfielder in decades. We are probably the only team not to have had one! It highlights that we NEED to get Scully. My top 3: 1. Tingay - Could've been a star, but injuries robbed us of that. I was young, but I still remember the long blond hair and my dad raving about him and how hard he worked. 2. Travis Johnstone - I'm a TJ fan. I know this site mostly just criticize him, but in my adult life watching footy, he has probably been the most talented Melb player I've seen. If his head was right, he'd have won a Brownlow and been considered one of the players of the decade. Unfortunately he was inconsistent, and it is telling that a player who amounted to what is widely regarded as a disappointing career at Melbourne can still comfortably be seen as one of our best. 3. Viney - tough as [censored]. He gave his all and was a great leader. I remember people just bouncing off him and those chunky arms firing off handballs out of packs. Hope his son is just as good in a few years Honourable mentions to: Yze - great outside mid for us for a long period of time. Most just knock him due to his later years, but he was an AA wingman and deservedly so. His rebounding and kicking skills were fantastic, and he was also a goal kicking mid. Woewodin - Our only Brownlow winning midfielder of the last 20 years cant be left off the list. He played a few really good years for us, and then just faded away really quickly. He probably holds the record on here for most threads also

BETTER version of Grimes you say?! Draft him! lol Thanks for the input. I certainly want to see more of him. Would you classify him as an inside player?

Anywhere between pick 5-15 I'd guess. I've seen a few of his WAFL matches this year for Peel, and while he has been good at that level, I just dont think he will step up and star at AFL level. It's my opinion, as many seem to think he looks the goods, but to me he just doesnt have great decision making or great skills. He has speed, he plays loose, he attacks, but he turns it over alot. Think Simon Buckley. He often gets to fire off his disposal under no pressure (usually because he has burnt them off), but it's a 50/50 if he'll hit a team mate even under little pressure. To me, when he is under immense pressure against smarter and better players at AFL level, he will struggle. He will have some blistering runs up the ground, but he will also turn it over and have the ball sail back over his head. I'm rambling now anyway, it's just my opinion of the guy based on the 3-4 matches I've seen him play this year. It would be a shocking turn of events if he went #1. Scully is a far more skilled, smarter, and more rounded player. Both inside and outside, he is superior. His work rate is superior, his leadership capabilities are superior. He is going to be a great player, and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to get him in red n blue. The problem this year is there seems to be way less depth. It's still early days and I'm sure more players will emerge, but when you look at last year guys like Strauss, Shuey, Beams, Smith, Zaharakis, Robinson etc were all looking to be pick 20-40 mids and be really solid options. This year the top bunch are decent, but it drops away sharply after that. We need a few high picks to make sure we have the best chances for the future. I really want to get a good look at Trengove also. If anyone has any links to some footage of him, it'd be much appreciated.

Moribito would be the worst #1 pick of all time. He doesnt have the talent to deserve such an investment, and he certainly isnt well rounded enough as a footballer. He'll be nothing more than an average-good AFL player if he makes it, and you want alot more than that from a #1 pick. I hope we dont waste a top pick on him. He is Kane Tenace Mach 2 (taller though). I'd really like to see Trengove play. All I've seen is some youtube highlight clips, and you cant make a proper judgement from them. He looks to be an all round midfielder? Doesnt look very quick. How are his skills? Is he rated highly due more to skills or work ethic?

I'll be pretty [censored] off if Scully isnt running around in Red n Blue next year. We havent had a gun mid as far as I can remember. The closest we've had are Travis and Woe, and they were both flash in the pan. I want Scully! If we miss the PP, and therefore also have a later pick such as pick 4 or 5, then I'd be taking best available, hopefully a mid. Havent seen much of Trengrove so cant comment on him. Butcher I've never liked, and said so months ago when he was all the rage. Moribito I dont like either. He has pace, but his skills are pretty poor IMO. If we're giving up a top 5 pick, I want a skilled player, not Kane Tenace Mach 2. Kane Lucas was another one touted highly, but he has been fairly average this year, and has struggled when receiving attention whether in midfield or on the HBF. None of these players are all that much chop, and I'd be disappointed to waste a top pick on them when we could have had Scully (Trengrove excluded as I cant comment on him). We must not make the same mistake we did in 2007. Do we all remember beating Carlton in Rnd 22 as a great win? No. It was a sh*t match, and all we say about it now is how we should have lost and received a PP last year. Same thing will happen this year. We will likely beat Freo, but if we scrape out a win against Richmond or North I'll be very angry at the club for not looking long term. And the "winning culture" argument is a crock. One meaningless game makes no difference. Do what must be done, reap the rewards, and move on. We wont remember it in years when we are celebrating our first flag in decades lead by the young talent we're accumulating.

Congrats to Cam on his 200th this weekend. He's been a good player for us, probably one of our best players for the decade. He cops alot of sh*t on here, most of it unjustified. His disposal has declined over the past 2 seasons, but he is still an important part of the team and has played many roles very successfully. He was magnificent 04-05. Not only before he got crunched by Guerra, but some of his tagging jobs on Hird and Brad Johnson, while booting bags of goals himself, were great footy. Best of luck to him going forward.

He's been rock solid this year. Usually gets the number 1 forward every week and has rarely been beaten one-on-one all year. He'd be top 5 in the B&F at the moment. Moloney Davey Sylvia Warnock Bruce That's how the top 5 would be looking IMO

Did you guys watch him today? He didnt star, but he was rock bloody solid. He was in the packs abit more today too. His hands in close were fantastic actually, and he was prominent in the 3rd quarter when Casey put the foot down and won the game. His running to space and setting up team mates was definitely a highlight of the quarter, and should have Melbourne supporters excited at those footy smarts. He was running to the right spots, and finished with 22 touches 1 goal from 3 quarters of footy. He turned it over twice in the first half from poor kicks into the wind, but other than that his disposal efficiency was one of the best on the ground. He missed the last quarter due to the minor ankle injury, but seriously, he couldnt have done much more today other than bombing a 60 metre goal or something miraculous. His body is already looking like it's getting bigger and harder. He is an 18 year old school boy in his first season, and he is starting exactly the same way Nick Reiwolt did; playing up the ground on the wing and flanks. He is at 196cms and 86kgs atm apparently, over the next 2 preseasons I'd wager he'll bulk up another 10kgs to 96kgs, and be an athletic hard working marking forward exactly like Nick Reiwolt. I'm predicting this year and next will be learning years as he continues to gain more experience and put on more size, but 2011 he will stamp himself on the competition. Watts is an athletic, agile big man, and will wind up a mobile CHF, but what we also need is a big FF to compliment him. Anyhoo, he's going along beautifully, and anyone who thinks otherwise obviously knows nothing about football. He was taken as a long term prospect, so give him time

Thanks :D ....and no i did not. Cmon you know im lazy Also, half the time the bigpond site doesnt work properly. It is truly awful! Lol Go Beamer! Fire up son!

Agree with this. He's struggling atm, and is playing against his natural game which is to run and run and run and rack up lots of touches. I think his future is as an attacking wingman. He'd be very hard to match up on, and can chime in with a few goals a match too from there as we've seen already. As for the Morton vs Rioli debate, Rioli is better at the moment. His two faults at time of drafting were his attitude/work ethic, and his tank. He was so uninterested during draft camp that he actually fell asleep in an interview with one of the clubs! It seems Hawthorn have been able to whip him into shape though. THe question is whether he will be able to build up his tank enough to make the transition to midfield, or whether he will always be confined to a HFF. Morton has more upside IMO. He could become insanely damaging as an attacking wingman/midfielder. I'm thinking Cam Bruce before he got his shoulder crunched and declined in form and skills. 30 touches, 3-4 goals a game damaging. He could be that player, and be hard to match up on due to his height and aerobic capacity. It's too early to tell who will be better now anyway. Let's discuss it in 4-5 years time

Couldnt find it on there? Is it on the end of the second half there, or a seperate clip? They cut most of it out on the foxtel replay Not surprising in the least to see Beamer belting out the song. He loves the club, and has blossomed into a true leader. I posted over summer that he'd be top 3 in our B&F if he didnt get injured. He is just so consistent out there, and always puts in. I reckon his work ethic has rubbed off on his good mate Sylvia, which has been fantastic for us all to see him finally producing as well. Beamer is a champ anyhoo, and is a real possibility to captain us in the future.

It's a shame to hear this, as both are an important part of our future IMO. I would've liked to have seen Strauss in action, as he has a great kick and abit of pace. Exactly what we need. And "[censored]" Maric is going to be a star IMO. Hopefully they get a good uninterrupted preseason and can tear it up next year!

Scully is pick 1. The kid is a freak. Not only does he have immense talent, he is a hardworking smart young man. My view is our biggest needs are another key forward and a gun mid. BUT, if we only have one pick at the top, we take Scully. He's simply the best. If we have two picks then Scully and Butcher is fine and dandy :D But Scully is pick 1 regardless. He is too good to pass up.

Watt the [censored]? The beginning of a dynasty.

Cant believe the day has finally come to unveil our prized pick! I didnt think it would happen for another month or two yet, but holy sh*t I'm excited! Let's not have ridiculous expectations though. He's a kid who turned 18 this year and is still doing his VCE. Let's just hope he gets through the match fine and gets a few touches. He's got 10+ years to build upon it and be a star.

We must get this guy to our club. If we only wind up with pick 1 and miss the priority pick, then we take Scully. He is clearly the best player looking to be drafted at the moment, and he is too good to pass up. He is really really dedicated to his sport. By all reports, he doesn't drink or go out much, and just trains and trains and could've played state level cricket too. But he decided footy was the game for him, and has been working his ass off to get to where he is. He is exactly what we need. An all-round class midfielder. His skills in close are phenomenal. His pace is great, and his balance and strength to break/avoid tackles is top quality. He has the best handball I've ever seen in a kid. Watch the youtube videos of him and you'll see some examples of his quick handball clearances from packs. His kick is also very penetrating and accurate, especially for his size. Depending on the teams needs, he could be an elite inside or outside mid. He's seriously shorter version of Judd. We need to get him. Even though I think we need a key forward more, Scully is too good to pass up. Butcher is a big bodied guy playing against kids. He isnt being tested and is lazily throwing his weight around. IMO I'm not 100% convinced he will be able to do the same when he hits AFL level. I just don't think he has the talent. Scully on the other hand is pure talent, and is a small guy getting tagged week in week out and still dominating. Getting him in the Red n Blue should be our number 1 priority come end of season.

He didnt apply for the National Draft. He wasnt convinced until right before it to apply, and then didnt get the paper work in on time. Then applied to Preseason Draft and wolah! From what I was told, he wouldve gone in the 40s had he been available in the ND. I've got no expectations of him personally. It'd be nice if he made it, but I'm not holding my breath as there are many factors working against him. On Petterd, I was worried about this earlier in the year and brought it up. I seem to remember he signed on for another year, thus making him ineligible to be poached? Spencer would be a big loss, due to our poor ruck situation. We should be elevating and signing him up properly.

This kid could be something special. Great evasive skills and run. Hos little bursts along the boundary line, where he handballs out infront of himself and runs onto it... they're amazing and they'll only get better :D I dont think he needs to put on a stack more weight. I'd say another 6-7 kgs and he'd be perfect. I think 10 would be overkill. He apparently has great core strength, especially for his size.

Mclean or Moloney for me. I think Mcdonald will retire at seasons end. If he doesnt, then he should be politely asked to leave. I love Junior and he's been a fantastic player for us, but he is really struggling this year and has become abit of a liability IMO. I'd like a captain who is mid 20s, not an old timer who wont have long in the job. I think Beamer is perfect for the role. He is passionate for the club, always tries his heart out, and really tries to help the youngsters out. If he is properly over his nagging injuries, Id pick him. Brock is the other choice, but needs to find form at the moment before worrying about his leadership (which he is a natural with anyway).

Bring on "[censored]'!

Really looking forward to seeing this kid in action. From what I saw last yr, he's got great kicking skills and good pace. Exactly what we need. How is he struggling with the physical side of the game Mclean4Brownlow? As in he is panicking when about to be tackled and therefore rushing his disposals? Or he isn't going in hard enough himself to get ball?

I can't believe this thread. Of the insane amount of problems we have as a club.... you're complaining about Cale Morton. A guy who had possibly the best debut season I can remember of anyone in Red n Blue! Do you think maybe his disposal efficiency of 57% on the weekend is because our pathetic forwards didn't mark his kicks? Duhhhhh maybe! When they do the stats, if Cale drills a perfect pass 60 metres, but then Butterfingers Bate drops the mark, it counts as an ineffective disposal to Cale. To put that in perspective to you, Stevie Johnson from Geelong is running at 57% efficiency for the year. Noooooooow, I don't know about you, but in my opinion Steve Johnson uses the ball brilliantly and is in AA form this year. I'd take Cale Morton over anyone from the 2007 draft bar Cotchin, who is going to be elite if injuries don't hold him back. I don't know if you guys are whinging about him because you've had enough whinging about Juice and Sylvia and losing etc., but this thread is possibly the most retarded thing I've seen in a long time.

Bring on Addam Maric! aka '[censored]' His name is spelt with 2 d's. Double D's. ....hence [censored]. That should be his nickname lol Hopefully Robbo returns also.

Juice was shocking yesterday. Those two goals he missed..... I could've kicked them with my penis. .... Erect ofcourse