IvanBartul13

Maric would be the best kick at the club. Jeff White is probably under-estimated in this area technically.

Simon Buckley - 6 - flashes of excitement and quality and is a definite point of difference with his line-breaking. Still lacks polish and I'm not convinced totally that he is an AFL-quality player yet, but it was a positive first step to the season. Nathan Jones - 6 - a lot of the footy, obviously worked hard, but lacks the class to be an elite player at this stage Ben Holland - 0 - a totally loathesome performance Matthew Bate - 4.5 - came on and provided a spark, but there were some inexcusable moments, such as giving up on the mark near the boundary, that were disappointing. Paul Johnson - 2 - his opponent had very little influence but neither did he. Played out of his comfort zone. Colin Sylvia - 4 - looks obviously sore but did some good things up forward. Gets caught too much. Will he ever shake this core injury? Adem Yze - 4.5 - was consistently cool in defence with his decision making and disposal, bar one kick-in howler, without having a signifacnt impact Brad Green - 3.5 - largely anonymous early before lifting his workrate and dispsal count later in he game Addam Maric - 2.5 - didn't do a hell of a lot, but showed in his few touches that he is a sublime user of the ball by foot Colin Garland - 5 - three goals is good output. He displayed excellent athleticism, but needs to improve his disposal execution and attack on the ball. Daniel Bell - 2 - very disappointing that he didnt lift and be a contibutor in such a decimated line-up, and his decision making hasn't improved. Vastly overrated James McDonald - 3 - very quiet, like an 8yo group horse just getting some miles in the legs Russell Robertson - 1 - a chance to be a real leader and example-setter, but disappointed in both this capacity and as a key forward option Kyle Cheney - 0 - unfortunately was a completely invisible debut John Meesen - 3 - didn't do alot of ruckwork, which was disappointing, but moves well and his hands in close, barring a defensive goalsquare howler, were quite neat Isaac Weetra - 2 - started well with a teasing goal, but then all but disappeared. Too light at this stage, but has a touch of the exctiement machine about him Michael Newton - 2.5 - a couple of decent contests and grabs but no real influence Tom McNamara - 3.5 - a good start, showed poise, a willingness to throw himself around and decent ball usage. One for the future! Stefan Martin - 4 - probably the biggest highlight of the game for Dee fans was this bloke who has the makings of a good key defender, quick and athletice, just needs some excellent coaching to be a good one. Jeff White - 3.5 - very disappointing as a ruckman, but helped the defence well by dropping back as the extra man Trent Zomer - 2.5 - another youngster who showed a little bit and looked a natural forward - missed goal from the square blotted a decent first appearance Matthew Warnock - 2.5 - had a dip and did some OK things, but is a notch below AFL level. Austinn Wonaeamirri - 3 - chased and harrassed very well, but didnt display the finishing ability of the quality indigenous players Mark Jamar - 3 - rucked decently and made a difference there, but was mediocre in all other facets Jace Bode - 1 - very poor performance, decision making and usage were below par Shane Valenti - 5 - tried his guts out and won plenty of footy, but it was a performance in which his strengths and weaknesses were on display in equal measure. That said, he has probably enhanced his stock somewhat in the eyes of those, like myself, who are of the belief that he is too small and slow to be an AFL player.

Led to believe that the leadership group is largely formed on the basis of player vote

check this link http://footystats.freeservers.com/Footystats/Mel-goals.html

will get to work on some copies in first week of Jan. It is a DVD dub from recorded video of the ABC replay from that night, so it is not the whole game, but it is a fairly large chunk of it and a fairly large chunk of the Sydney final as well - the quality isnt wonderful as it is from an old videotape, but it is fine to watch. Hold off on request for the moment, I will put a post up once Ive burnt copies.

I have it on DVD and can burn you a copy - it also contains extended highlights of the Swans final that year PM me your address and I will send it, but I cant get it to you until the first week of Jan...

Jake Spencer is a ruckman who tested well at Qld state screening...never seen him play

Zomer is a KPP tall, probably around 196 mark - can play ruck. Wonaemirri is a Tiwi Islander, which is terrific, very quick and agile, capable of the freakish, an exciting player.

He is a tall forward/Ruckman from Old Haileybury who did a preseason with us last year, after being touted as a possible draft pick straight out of the ammos, and then played for Sandringham this year. Can take a pack mark, but has yet to translate that ability into big goal hauls.

Our PSD pick was Stefan Martin from Sandringam ex Old Haileybury - 6'4 marking forward/ruckman

1. Richmond - David Gourdis (Subiaco) 2. Carlton - Ryley Dunn (Fremantle) 3. Melbourne - Ashley Sampi (West Coast) 4. Bulldogs - Scott Welsh (Adelaide) 5. Essendon - Clayton Collard (Fremantle) 6. Fremantle - Trent Dennis-Lane (Subiaco) 7. West Coast - Brad Smith (Subiaco) 8. Essendon - Matthew Quinton (Northern Knights)

The cats head quote is a ripper. Phil Partington is a former Melbourne player, I wonder if that had anything to do with our attraction to Cheney.

Scott Simpson

Tony Notte

I rang up - the people at the office are always helpful, so if you are going to go make sure you ring. Watching preseason is always hit and miss though, they could have spent the day in the gym and pool today and I wouldnt have seen anything.

Sampi didn't train with the main group, was in the rehab squab with Davey, Moloney, Newton and one other, who I thought was Bartram but not 100% sure on that Majority of what I saw was a heavy focus towards kicking drills with either side - Jeff White remains the most technically correct and efficient user of the ball. Meesen moves very well for a big man, looked fit and used the ball reasonably well. Weetra is a really likely athletic type, his skills were OK too. Frawley's kicking is substandard for AFL football, his left foot is abysmal, so the hope is definitely that he can be a human blanket on opposition forwards, Garland also has technical kicking problems, but moves well. Valenti and Summers both trained well and used the ball neatly, you would think given that he has trained with us before that Summers must be close to a rookie spot as an over 23 year old selection. Not really much else to mention, they moved to the other side of the ground and did agility reflex work with some tennis ball games.

He's not far off it a more rounded player than Davey

Chad Jones looked promising in his brief WCE appearances

Rioli shouldnt last pick 8

Ben McKinley is a far better player than CJ, period. Was as a junior and still is - just stuck behind another gifted player at the WCE in LeCras

I think the news people are referring to is that Chris Mainwaring has passed away

You are referring to Craig Bird, I think, who is a good player in the style of Brock McLean, he is tied to Sydney under the AIS Scholarship scheme and will be on their list this year under this program. Has been playing very well for the Swans' reserves in the Local Sydney competition.

McDougall is not a ruckman and Minson, Street and Skipper exceed Jamar in terms of ability

It is exceedingly rare for caretaker coaches who have then been passed over to stay with their original club - there are lame duck issues, as well as the obvious disappointment factors. You have to also remember that he is Daniher's man and a new message needs to be taught. I think it is good that he is leaving. Obviously, he has done a good job, but Bailey needs to assemble HIS team. It is worth noting that despite the outflow of our FD staff, the inflow of impressive additions Connolly and Bailey counters that and there are more, no doubt impressive additions, to follow. There is no real benefit having original people asround anyway, Bailey's player knowledge will be very strong anyway.

Josh Mahoney wants to coach