RalphiusMaximus

You rate the 17 year olds that highly? They could just as easily turn out to be a Gumbleton or a Scully. taking them at 17 only increases the speculative nature of the picks as they have less development behind them.

I would very much like it if you could point out exactly where I said that Redleg. Perhaps you could actually read my post while you try to do so. I freely acknowledge that getting Viney with a second round pick is a better outcome, but I will in no way be upset to get him with a top 5 pick given that I rate him as a top 5 player. Again, I have stated that it would be a good outcome if we managed to get him in the second round. The point I am making is that if GWS or GC force us to use a first round pick on him, I have no problem with that and will be happy to pick him up at three. You could argue that it is not draft manipulation, but given that the AFL have already warned us not to try it, I don't think you'll get very far. As with the Scully Debacle, it's one rule for the rest of the competition and another for MFC.

I know people would love to get the bonus of Viney as a second round pick, but are you really going to be stressed out about taking him with pick 3? He is in all likelihood a top 5 pick regardless, so what is the big issue? We take him with our pick 3 (assuming we wind up with 3 and 4), take whoever we would otherwise have taken at three with our pick four, and we wind up with two very good players. That sounds like a pretty good scenario to me. I would also like to point out to everyone talking about "handshake agreements" with clubs that the AFL in their infinite wisdom have declared that in this specific case any such deal would be regarded as draft tampering and the club would face sanctions (despite the fact that other clubs have been doing such deals for years). As such, I find it highly doubtful that we would attempt something like that, especially not with GWS, given that they would love to run to the AFL and complain about it just to cause trouble. Personally, while I can see the appeal of picking Jack up with a second round pick, I will be thrilled to have him in the side regardless and I don't think pick three is too much to pay for him. It's not like there are three outstanding players who are head and shoulders above the rest.

Nev's back! Best news I've had in weeks. I really want to see him get a few games together and break into the senior side.

I think he overthinks things. He has too much brain and too little instinct. When he forgets to think about it and just plays it all seems to work for him. Unfortunately, it makes his set shots a real liability, because that is when he has a good 30 seconds to overthink and get himself in a tangle.

Well, we did see Moloney suspended on two occasions for failing to make contact with an opponent's head, so anything is possible.

I have been really impressed with the aggressive contested work Nicho has been displaying. We all knew he could run, but now we can see that he will fight like an animal to win the contested ball as well. The big question for me now is whether Evans is ever going to get another look in now that Dan is showing so much.

I think Martin needs to be given an extended run in the side to see if he can cut it once and for all. He has all of the athletic attributes to succeed, and he's been around the club long enough to figure out how to play. Put him in as the forward/second ruck for half a dozen games or more and see if he can make a statement. If not, he may have to be moved on at the end of the season.

The only change I think we need to look at is Clark if he's injured. I would make a straight swap for Martin in that case. I honestly think everyone on the field earned their spot yesterday. If I had to single out one person to be dropped on that game it would be Davey, but even there he is starting to show some form and it would be poor reward to drop him at this point.

"Giants Tom Bugg, Taylor Adams, Toby Greene and Dylan Shiel can accept the same penalty if they plead guilty to being involved."

He was very impressive when he moved into the ruck and started to provide a running link-up option through the middle of the ground. It's something I hadn't seen from him before, and the role suited him.

We get plenty of holding the ball calls - against us.

I just can't get excited by what I saw today from Davey. He had that short period where he made a great tackle and got a couple of goals, but I saw a whole lot of shirking going on for most of the game. He repeatedly sold teammates into trouble rather than taking responsibility himself. He also repeatedly failed to chase when GWS were trying to run the ball out of defence. It was painful to watch them work a handball drill in our goalsquare with Davey standing to one side watching and not even looking like chasing them down. He needs to find the hunger he had when we first drafted him and he chased every ball as if his career depended on it.

Ugly: Four of their five first quarter goals came directly from our poor skills. If we hadn't made those crappy turnovers for no apparent reason it would have been a truly spectacular mauling.

It was a hell of an enjoyable game to go to. The crowd may not have been huge, but it was loud. Phil Davis gained a lot of points from me for how he acted when Clark and Magner went down in a heap. Ignored the play and stopped to see if they were ok, then called for the trainers. First time I have thought he really could be a worthwhile captain. A few highlights for mine: Watts takes on his man, leaves him for dead on the wing, has a bounce and then pinpoints a pass to Trengove who slots the goal. All the more sweet because Scully was the man who was left scrambling ineffectively to try to spoil. Trengove again takes a ripping hanger at half forward and pumps the ball into the 50. Davey's tackle for a holding the ball decision right in front of goal. It's been years since we saw that from him. Interestingly, for a few minutes after that he regained a bit of the old strut and attacked the game more. Sadly, it faded out again and he returned to the disinterested norm. Dunn's awesome chase down. Effort personified. Mitch Clark's juggling pack mark. As I said, a hell of a game to be at. I know it was against a team of has-beens, kids and sellouts, but it was still a great spectacle for Melbourne fans who have been starved of reasons to cheer lately.

I abstain this week. I liked what I saw from a lot of our players today, and I don't think I can pick a top 6. Suffice to say that I can see little to change for next week.

I dunno. I think a mattress filled with $100 bills does a lot to make you sleep well at night.

I am reserving judgement on NicNat. At the moment he is a freak athlete with poor skills and little understanding of the game. He is able to impact games in bursts simply because of his physical presence. Obviously the hope is that he will develop the skills and the instinct for the game that so many of the greats have, and if he manages to do this he will in time be a legend of the game. However, we have seen a number of freak athletes taken on the assumption that they will grow into freak footballers, and they often fail to fire. Look at O'Hailpin or our own Stef Martin. Setanta was eventually moved on and is now with GWS where he will struggle to get back into the side. Martin is very much like NicNat in that he is able to impose a physical presence on a game but nobody knows what he is going to do with the ball, including him. I really do hope that Nick manages to get his head around the game and the skills, because if he does he will be a once in a generation player, but as it stands he has a long way to go.

When are we going to know the outcome of the Jurrah situation? That will have a bearing on things at year's end.

Actually, I think he owes his brother a belt in the head or two. How many times did his brother sell him into trouble and get him flattened? One thing about big Jake Spencer today. His tapwork was at times superb. He was getting the ball right to his clearance players. I was actually surprised at how good he was.

Honestly, looking at that game there weren't many who would warrant a call-up. Martin was really good, especially in the wet, and Gys did some good work in the tight spaces. Aside from that I can't see anyone knocking on the door.

I notice Morton didn't play today either. Does this indicate that they are going to be late inclusions tomorrow?

Agree 100%, but for some reason they won't give him a game. If he hits the two year mark without a game to his name, to me that says the coaches don't want him. As for Dunn and McKenzie, you generalize to avoid addressing the substance of my comments. Dunn's defensive work in the forward 50 is his biggest strength, and if Neeld is serious about winning a few games he will be a part of it. McKenzie is all guts, but his lack of pace and skill could see him fall by the wayside. I don't see how either of those points can be denied.

Let's have a look at the list. Bail has shown some glimpses, and also some glaring deficiencies. One thing he does though is try all day, which Neeld loves. Bartram may be a surprise loss if his knee is as bad as they are making out. This could be the salvation of one of our mid-tier players. Bate at this stage hasn't done enough, so would have to be on the block. Bennell I think has had his chance and failed to take it. For all his pace and the occasional glimpse of silky skill he simply doesn't touch the ball often enough. Blease is just beginning to show what he can do. Still needs to work on his defence, but will be kept. Clark obviously will stay. Sets the standard in so many areas it's not funny. Cook is starting to show signs that he will be able to play once he fills out a bit. Davey might do better to retire, but I don't think he will. May be pushed, although his off-field role with the younger indigenous boys could save him. Davis is a harsh one. He's nearing the end of his first two year contract and hasn't played a game. Could be that the coach isn't a big fan. Dunn is our best defensive forward, but he is finding it hard to get games in that role for some reason. Again, it could be a case of not being on the coaches radar enough to be kept. Fitzpatrick should be safe. Given the general rule that talls take longer and his impressive array of disorders, he should be given more time to find his way. Frawley is a no-brainer. AA defender. Safe. Garland is also safe. Even with his bad kicking, he is a regular starter and now has the extra string of playing forward. Gawn will be back next year. Neeld won't throw away a 207cm ruck who he's never seen play. I think Green is going to pull the plug and retire. Probably angle for a final home game later this year. Grimes is safe. Named Captain and is playing better each week. Gysberts needs to work on his endurance, but has the size and agility to be our Pendleberry. Should be fine even with his injury worries. Howe is in no danger. Coach loves him. Jamar just signed for three more years. Jetta is another one who could be hard done by. I think he suits Neeld down to the ground, but if he can't get on the park and prove it he could be in trouble. Jones is thriving under Neeld and will carry the banner for the new way of doing things for years to come. Jurrah kind of depends on the outcome of his court case. If he winds up in Jail, could be the end. MacDonald should be moved on at the end of the year. While he was a good player for us at the time, he is now being exposed with poor pace, decision making and skills. Still a good 1-1 competitor, but has been leapfrogged by younger, better players. McDonald has had a great year and is certain to be kept on. McKenzie I'm not 100% sure of. While he is loved by the fans, we have to admit that he is very limited. He fights and tackles, but his disposal and speed are issues. Might be a shock. Martin has value in the second ruck/forward role, but has struggled with form and injury and his skills still aren't great. Might be floated as trade bait. Moloney should be safe. Even though he has had a poor year, we need to keep some senior players around the place, and he could be it. Slim chance for trading, but my money is on his staying. Morton is 50/50 to my mind. He has improved under Neeld, but he needs more discipline to go with the better output. Petterd is iffy. He has had some injuries, but even so is clearly no tin Neelds best 22. Struggling to get game time. Trade Bait for mine. Rivers has really stepped up this year. He's found his mojo again and is leading the way in the backline. Safe. Sellar isn't the greatest player, but Neeld clearly likes what he brings to the table. In many ways he is a bigger, more athletic version of Warnock, and may well stay in that role. Spencer needs to start showing something. He's about to hit 23, so even as a ruck he's just about to run out of time. Has to break into the seniors or he's gone. Strauss was just starting to look like a player when his leg went. Should be ok, but I think we need to se him string some games together Sylvia continues to frustrate us all. I think he will be on the trade table. Taggert is fine. Write off this year, get his body right and we'll see what he's got next season. Tapscott has consistently failed to show the level of talent he is supposed to have. We need to see some better efforts from him. Probably safe, but you never know. Trengove is fine. While his disposals are down he is doing a lot of uncredited work on the field, and the coaches and teammates are well aware of it. Tynan - see Taggert Watts seems to have found his feet to some extent in the backline. It's good to see him gaining confidence. He'll be fine. Looking at this, we could be seeing Bartram, Bate, Bennell, Davey, Davis, Dunn, Green, Jetta, Jurrah, MacDonald, Petterd Spencer and Sylvia in the firing line. That's 13 guys who either are on shakey ground or could be retiring due to age or injury (or prison time). Obviously some are more likely to go than others, but it gives us some idea of who needs to step up and show something. It's probably worth looking into their contract status as well.

I don't think any of his older brothers got that far, but there are a few of them, so I could be wrong.