Ungarie boy

It could work both ways - for if Tyler doesn't perform next year or the following, then he will need to be cut at a time when Roo's may be close to ending his tenancy. If pursuing the Roo's connection as an idealolgy then a better course would be to encourage Tyler to be an overage TAC player and then rookie him next year.

Pretty sure Todd Viney spent some time there as well, but we know where his heart is. Neita will likely be the same. Note: Brereton has been a specialist coach at other clubs (GWS comes to mind) but he is still a passionate Hawthorn man.

Interesting response in the Herald Sun comments to the story, don't know if it correct but suspect it is (could not believe labellling of drugs would not be covered by governance): ................................................................................................................................ "The vial has an address label stuck to it that can be purchased from office works. All TGA/ FDA registered pharmaceuticals that are 'approved for human use' must have a label that show TGA/ FDA registration number, Expiry Date and Manufacturers details including country of manufacture. The manufacturing site also needs to regularly inspected to maintain GMP approval. There is no way this vial has been produced in a regulatory approved manufacturing site. God knows what is in this dodgy looking vial, lets just hope for the players sake it is what they thought it was, not something more dangerous!" and the reaction to this (bomber supporters focusing on "office works" rather than the logice (required governance) you have broken the case wide open Colombo. Hate to break it to you Detective but most labels are purchased from Office Works. Most labels found on medicine are purchased at office works are they Paul? Mathew has a very good point Even the ones with the Amcal chemist printed on them?

Delisting a contracted player such as Evans with one year remaining on the contract, will give us the opportunity to select another player in this years draft, but ................................. it also ties the club to that player for another 2 years!!! Now if that selection is a speculative pick 53, with as much chance of failure than of success, then wouldn't the club be better served keeping Evans/pursuing a rookie – which would us to can revisit either next year. Also with an emphasis on developing a strong culture, breaking contracts is not the right way about it. Note: if we have identified someone who we believe is worth the risk (better than a speculative pick) then with 51 picks preceding it there is every chance that player will no longer be available and we are then left with plan B (speculative pick). Maybe Evans could be this year’s Jetta (they don’t have to end up on the Rookie list, to get a wake up call) or Pederson!

Those who are concerned about the impact of the proposed Tiger Deal need only recall that O'Keefee was desperate to get to the Hawks, but the trade didn't eventuate then went on to win a Norm Smith.

Support can come in many different forms, i.e. a rookie position, off field role, therapy and rehab

The suns don't even have a coach!!! Often it takes time for a team to implement a new coach's game plan. We are playing a home game on a Saturday Afternoon against a fellow bottom 8 side from last year who have to travel interstate. Ablett is a year older, and therefore more susceptible to arthritis. Unless we want to individually pick who we play against (patients of the the blind pygmy retirement village, or a St Kilda side who can only play rookies, supplemented by players carrying a injury); what's not to like about this. It also gives us a good measure of where we are at after a pre-season of "training the house down"

Yes it's to tall for my liking as well, but Roo's has shown he likes 3 talls in the forwards and realistically if it was only 2, then that would be expecting too much from Hogan. Ideally Watts would be replaced by a non tall, but I can't really find someone that fits the role of a forward flanker without weakening other positions - perhaps Kent if he can increase his midfield output (actually I'm warming to the idea a lot now - adds speed to the forwards, which will compliment Garlett and JKH). At the start of the year Cross would be in our starting 22, so he would replace Pederson and provide the extra support to our ‘hard ball get’ midfield players or play tagger; Pederson was considered for bench as coverage, but I agree there is enough talls on the field to provide this should we loose a Key Position player through the versatility of players likes of Dunn, Garland and Dawes (he could pinch hit in the ruck if needed). Editing the original post would leave it something like this In an ideal world I think a starting 22 would look something similar to: Back: Jetta Frost Garland Half Back: Lamumba McDonald Dunn Centre: Vince N.Jones Howe Half Forward: Kent Dawes Garlett Forward: Hogan Fitzpatrick JKH Rucks: Gawn Vince Tyson Int: Mitchie Cross Grimes Sub: Salem Emerg: Watts Bail Harmes Forwards – Kent would now provide the run and carry, and defensive pressure that was raised as reservations on Watts, while in the last game his disposal (awareness) going forward indicated this may develop into a weapon.

In an ideal world I think a starting 22 would look something similar to: Back: Jetta Frost Garland Half Back: Lamumba McDonald Dunn Centre: Vince N.Jones Howe Half Forward: Watts Dawes Garlett Forward: Hogan Fitzpatrick JKH Rucks: Gawn Vince Tyson Int: Mitchie Pederson Grimes Sub: Salem Emerg: Cross Bail Harmes Backs – Jetta to lock down the small forward (and capable of rebound) Frost to play Gorilla Keeper McDonald to lock down the other tall (has the endurance to run with CHF) Garland to take the remaining tall/small (has shown he can do this over the years) Dunn and Lamumba are our attacking options from the back flank – Dunn by foot (long bullet passes can get the ball quickly into the forward line) Lamumba by run and carry. Midfield – Jones two way running is a necessity for the centre, he has also shown he can lock down on an opponent whilst getting possessions. A true captains position On the wings Vince’s disposal will set up forwards while Howe will be impossible to match up, his disposal is also not to shabby, while he could float forward/back to create/fix headaches Viney and Tyson are there to win the ball, their disposal is more than acceptable (remember they are disposing it under pressure, which like Jone,s will improve significantly with experience and greater team support) Gawn is quickly overtaking Jamar and provides a better option up front and around the ground Forwards - Garltett needs to play on the Forward Flank where he can be more dangerous, have greater impact (the ball may not make it deep as regularly) and he can be moving towards the goals when crumbing the Big forwards. He also provides a better marking option than JKH. Dawes gets as many goals crumbing and high pressure acts than from taking a mark, which is a perfect fit for CHF; being a long straight shot also better fits this position Fitzpatrick’s speed is going to cause headaches to any opposition “Gorilla Keepers” assigned as fullback and therefore he needs to be told to just continually lead, lead, lead. He also chases better than many of our other tall options Hogan needs to be eased in as the third tall which should make a difficult match up and allow him to break packs, instead of being monstered by the oppositions 200game KPB. JKH has the footy nous and ability to turn on a coin, in an instant; allowing him the time and space to work at the feet of the talls’ around the goal square Don’t know about the other HFF, Watts would be ideal with his delivery and marking ability; I just fear that other teams will use his lack of defensive pressure as an “out” of defence. Could easily envisage Salem grabbing this spot, had hoped Trengove would. Pederson would provide coverage for all the talls, Grimes could cover backs and potentially midfield, while Mitchie provides Viney, Jones and Tyson more assistance. Salem is the dash of spark (and forward coverage). Note Garland and Dunn could both play forward as required whilst Watts and Howe could both play back. With M Jones, Jamar, Bail, Cross, Georgiou there is a little bit of depth, particularly if Toumpas develops (would hope he becomes the a forward option) Cannot expect first year players to have a significant impact, but can see stretch’s outside game as something that would help team dynamics (allow Vince, Howe, Garlett to be moved around). If not delisted would love to see a fit Tapscott develop into the HFF with his aggression, strong marking ability and 50+ metre bombs; but maybe that’s a little unrealistic – still every year there will be a player jump up from the lower ranks and surprise us all. Think Jetta last year.

McCartin. Every year there are a few midfielders in the top 10 "who are going to be champions", but competive 1 grab talls are harder to find. There also does not seem to be as many genuine midfielders int the first round this year, with Lever and Laverde being considered amongst the best even though they have spent little time in the midfield. This probably allows Brayshaw and Petracca to peform even better. Whilst in a draft considered good for talls, unlike previous years where a tall's performance may be enhanced due to the lack of quality against them (and the delivery of larger pool of quaity midfielders), this year they had to achieve more to earn the recognition. Still St Kilda will take him, and we will end up with Petracca and Brayshaw. For a smoky I would look hard at Ellis.

agree, but who is the next best mid?

If Mitch Clark to Geelong is problematic, and he is determined for a start at a new club (for health reasons); then surely we should be looking at dealing with St Kilda or Western. Just think of the potential deals that could be generated with these clubs. Then of course there are also the Roo's, Crows, Dockers, etc who should be interested, even the Pies. and I'm pretty sure his medical advice didn't say he had to play for the Cats!!! Of course Clark doesn't have to accept the club the Dee's organise for him, but neither do the demons have to accommodate a trade, leaving the draft or pre-season draft as his remaining option to continue an AFL career - which of course will likely see him wearing 'three colours"!!!

Wow, just wow. I feel numb, even a little scared of the incompetence that seems to be emanating at the top levels, in administrating the AFL. To punish a team that has done nothing wrong (sound familiar) is unfathomable in any sense of good corporate governance (oh the irony). What also seems to be missed is that although Sydney has benefited from an outdated and perhaps ill-conceived policy, so have other clubs i.e. GWS in gaining Mumford to accommodate Franklin (perhaps Ed is upset that they didn’t benefit by getting White). Worse is the fact that the AFL is also punishing other AFL teams who wish to trade with Sydney in an attempt to get one of their players who may be seeking more opportunity or are squeezed out by salary cap pressures; as now they are only restricted to offering draft picks. E.g. Melbourne, Gold Coast, Fremantle could have easily offered player(s) and/or picks for Tom Mitchell, particularly to accommodate a situation where Sydney needs options such as ruck/key position backs and these clubs could accommodate them while improving their own list (in the midfield); and not significantly weakening their draft position.

An observation: If he is a restricted free agent, then all Adelaide has to do is match the offer next year, which they will more than likely have the capacity to do against the big successful clubs. They could use this as leverage to a) force the clubs to trade b) steer Paddy towards a less successful club or c) stay. Unless Adelaide are nice about it, then it’s going to be very difficult for Paddy to get to Hawthorn, Geelong, etc But if he was determined to come back to Melbourne and join a club who can offer greater dollars than Adelaide, i.e. the MFC; then Adelaide would need to give strong consideration to MFC’s offer this year so as to make the best of a bad situation.

Not saying we are getting any of them, which is why I put them in italics (should have made that clearer); just demonstrating how they (or other quality players) could improve the team alongside the natural progression that will inevitably come. It’s not all doom and gloom, particularly if we can land a couple of players. Drafting though will not add to team improvement next year, it will hopefully help further down the track, but by then I would start decreasing points for Jones, Dunn, Garland, Dawes, Vince, etc What is scary though, is what would happen if Jones did his knee in the first round!

If we improved our output by just a couple of goals a game, then based on this years performance we will likely to be fighting for a final 8 position. The key question is where can we find this improvement. Backs No losses – Frawley and Nicholoson as they didn’t play a role last year, their absence won’t have a negative impact Status Quo – Dunn, Garland, McDonald Improvement – 1 point Jetta continued improvement 1 point Trengove stronger in the air, greater discipline, better kick than current options i.e Terlich, etc 1 point O’Brien Better player more run 3 points Malceski Better player, Better defender, greater kicking efficiency (which relieves pressure on turnarounds) Midfield No losses Status Quo – N Jones, Vince Improvement – 1 point Tyson natural progression with maturity 1 point Viney natural progression with maturity 1 point Gawn natural progression with maturity 1 point Howe structural improvement that benefits the team -1 point Cross age will catch up 6 points Dangerfield a champion player who is that much better than the midfielder he would replace 4 points Shiel an upcoming champion player that will allow for the spread of our quality players into the forwards i.e Vince Forwards Lossess – -1 point for Byrnes, Clark, Blease, Frawley as Frawley played a role Status Quo – Dawes, Bail, Improvement - 1 point JKH natural progression with maturity, and full preseason 1 point Hogan will provide the same option Frawley, and more talented (as a forward) 1 point Salem natural progression with maturity -1 point Pederson trailing off at the end of the year may could be an indication (maybe Fitzpatrick will overtake him) 6 points Cameron an upcoming champion player who a much better option than all our talls Bench No losses - probably Toumpass but he didn’t influence enough games to be considered a lost Status Quo – McKenzie, Grimes, M Jones, Georgiou. If Stretch makes it here it is unlikely to be at a level where it is a significant improvement on who he is replacing Improvement – 1 point Kent natural progression with maturity 1 point Michie natural progression with maturity 1 point Rielly natural progression with maturity and a full preseason 1 point Watts for not being in the team; or improving to justify a place As can be seen, natural improvement of the younger players and another year with Roo’s game plan should equate to about 10 point improvement, adding a star such as Dangerfield or a couple very good players could easily equate to 3 plus goal improvement; which would win us another 7 games. Depth Status Quo – the rest can’t see much improvement, though they are unlikely to deteriorate. We should be able to cover backs with Georgiou, Pederson, Grimes and Terlich. While Spencer/Jamar/Fitzpatrick will cover the ruck. An injury to our midfield will require shuffling that 1. weakens it, and 2. severly exposes another area of the ground. Am really frightened of the lack of options up forward perhaps Tapscott and Watts. We need to land some big fish!!! I now also can see we need forward/midfielder, maybe someone like Neade from Port Adeliade; or what's Morabito injury status at? Edit: Players in italics are just a demonstration of what a potential trade may be worth to the club next season. It could be expected that we land two players that improve the team by about 4 - 8 points

Keep hearing that 2 & 3 may be future champions tearing it up later, but so could 7 & 9, 10 & 12, or any other round 1 draft picks. How many of these top 5 draft picks would you consider champions tearing it up, a sample: 2006 - Gibbs, Gumbleton, Hansen, Leunberger, Boak - asside from Boaks breakout year there is only really Selwood at 7 2007 - Kreuzer, Cotchin, Masten, Morton, Grant - Dangerfield (10) Taylor (17) & Ward (19) standout 2008 - Watts, Naitanui, Hill, Hartlett, Hurley - many good playes but no champions in the first round 2009 - Scully, Trengove, Martin, Morabito, Cunnington - Talia probably the closest at pick 13 2010 - Swallow, Bennell, Day, Gaff, Polec - all good players with maybe one potential champion, Heppel at 8 is the standout 2011 - Patton, Coniglio, Tyson, Hoskin-elliot, Buntine - Wingard (6) and Greene(11) maybe 2012 - Whitfield, O'Rourke, Plowman, Toumpas, Stringer - Wines is the champion but he came in at 7 In reality a top 5 pick is only likely to deliver, at best a good player. The champion players are just as likely to come from anywhere in the first half of the draft and reflects that there is still so much undiscovered talent and unknown development to take place in an 18 year old who hasen't yet come close to maturing physically and mentally. The risk is not losing picks 2 & 3, it's not having some picks in the first round to have a shot at a potential champion. Anothe big factor is where this draft sits in relation to other draft years, is it a year like 2003 where hardly anyone came on or 2001 that was just laden with gold.

If you take a note of Roo's trading/drafting history, he will trade for talls. He will not pay a big price KPB's, and he will pursue midfielders on the cusp with their current side. Of course times have changed, and Melbourne is not Sydney so I expect him to tweak this a little where tall midfielders and run are probably now a higher priority. Understanding this I would expect: The recruitment of a tall to play KPB that costs next to nothing Pursuing players who can deliver of half back - Suckling, Malceski, Lumumba This could free Howe up to play on the wing providing us with one of our tall midfielders (a very difficult matchup) pursing Midfielders such as Shiel, T Mitchell, Horlin-Smith would all provide strength over the ball/in the contest looking at Flankers like as Breust, Morabito, Neade would provide the pace and finishing skills History has also shown that Roo's model only spends big on proven forwards. I wonder if Fitzpatrick with his speed and ground skills can be turned into a winger! We should aslo through everything at Heppel, given the bombers circumstances - other clubs are now circling the potential carcas (oppportunity) that is EFC

Everyone's tradeable, but in some cases it's about as likely as an asteroid hitting us. yes it could happen yes we would entertain a proposal that see's us trade Jones for Fyfe, Dangerfield and a top 10 pick - but I wouldn't plan for it!!!

Really!!!!! He suffers from clinical derpession, which probaly includes anxiety; he has been rumoured to have recived advice not to go to the MFC for mental health reasons, but then Hird is going to introduce him to the the Saga that is Essendon. How in any way could this be seen as considering the players interest/welfare. It really only reinforces that the EFC do not and have not given the appropriate consideration to players welfare. Note: I have the uptmost respect for the mental capacity of the bomber players, for dealing with all this crap, but for all intensive purposes MC has demonstrated that he doesn't. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire! From a Mental Health perspective I kind of hope he ends up at collingwood, and finds happiness in life; from a football perspective I hope we do good out of the trade, and Collingwood continue to fall (one player should'nt turn them around)

Talking to a Hawthorn supporter on the weekend, and I made the observation that Suckling would look good running of Melbournes backline, and he mentioned that he's definitely gettable; as he is viewed as a one trick pony (a very good trick, mind you) who is quickly getting overtaken by others. The knock apparent is that he's not viewed as strong overhead, or in the contest. Would Suckling and Malceski, with Dunn and Jetta provide the run and carry we need, with Garland and McDonald our stoppers (of course Jetta, Dunn, Malceski are stoppers as well.

Not sure if there is a bit of a myth about the weak clubs being feeder clubs, for when you do the analysis of the data below of the first 2 years of free agency it could be argued that Hawthorn has been most affected (champion of the game, a premiership player and 2 unrestricted free agents) as opposed to us losing a player who has since retired, a player who can't make firsts and leving 1 untrestricted free agent. As for destinations it could be argued we have done well there as well with 4 players ariving, though a quick scan of Sydney shows who has done best Note: other accepted strong clubs Hawthorn and Geelong hardly feature, while I wouldn't stating that Collingwood is ahead. St Kilda is probably the biggest loser. Player Free Agent type Former club New club Riley, AidanAidan Riley Delisted Adelaide Melbourne Knights, ChrisChris Knights Unrestricted Adelaide Richmond Betts, EddieEddie Betts Restricted Carlton Adelaide Laidler, JeremyJeremy Laidler Delisted Carlton Sydney Thomas, DaleDale Thomas Restricted Collingwood Carlton Roberton, DylanDylan Roberton Delisted Fremantle St Kilda Lower, NickNick Lower Delisted Fremantle Western Bulldogs Simpkin, JonathanJonathan Simpkin Delisted Geelong Hawthorn Byrnes, ShannonShannon Byrnes Unrestricted Geelong Melbourne Gillies, TomTom Gillies Delisted Geelong Melbourne Young, ClintonClinton Young Unrestricted Hawthorn Collingwood Murphy, TomTom Murphy Unrestricted Hawthorn Gold Coast Franklin, LanceLance Franklin Restricted Hawthorn Sydney Ellis, XavierXavier Ellis Unrestricted Hawthorn West Coast Moloney, BrentBrent Moloney Restricted Melbourne Brisbane Lions Sylvia, ColinColin Sylvia Unrestricted Melbourne Fremantle Rivers, JaredJared Rivers Unrestricted Melbourne Geelong Danyle Pearce Restricted Port Adelaide Fremantle Chaplin, TroyTroy Chaplin Restricted Port Adelaide Richmond McGuane, LukeLuke McGuane Delisted Richmond Brisbane Lions Nahas, RobinRobin Nahas Delisted Richmond North Melbourne White, MatthewMatthew White Unrestricted Richmond Port Adelaide Derickx, TomTom Derickx Delisted Richmond Sydney Goddard, BrendonBrendon Goddard Restricted St Kilda Essendon Dal Santo, NickNick Dal Santo Restricted St Kilda North Melbourne Armstrong, TonyTony Armstrong Delisted Sydney Collingwood Lynch, QuintenQuinten Lynch Unrestricted West Coast Collingwood Addison, DylanDylan Addison Delisted Western Bulldogs Greater Western Sydney Cross, DanielDaniel Cross Delisted Western Bulldogs Melbourne It's to early to call but free agency could work the other way where stronger clubs loose players who want to finish on big bucks (Franklin, Thomas) or players who are fringe but want greater opportunity (Ellis, Betts). Note we shouldn't take to much notice of delisted free agents, as the club was ofloading them anyway. Edit: trying to format table data

Not boycott the AFL, just games involving Essendon (both live and on TV). The AFL will quickly take notice of that. Spread the word, this message will only be effective if supporters of all other clubs come on board. but as stated "Enough's, Enough"!

Viney is a good kick (not say great or elite), but again it comes down to time and options. Judd at his best would struggle to find a target coming out of the Melbourne midfield at present; as he would have 3 players bearing down on him (from different directions) while looking up and seeing Melbourne players leading (running with thier opponents) to the boundary requiring a kick across the body that has to clear the loose man and the third up tall who has left his player because he reads the play better. Note: two of the best passess from Sunday's game came from Nathan Jones. His kicking has improved because, with maturity (and the addition of Tyson, Cross and Viney to the midfield) he now has the capability to create space. The improvement in his kicking also reflect his confidence to play at this level (AFL top 50, All Australian, etc)

Stat's are a only a guide, and often a very poor guide. Disposal efficiency - could be a skill related issue think Nicholson, Blease, etc or it could be an environmental thing!!! Consider for a moment that you are playing in a team winning the contested ball and look up for an option, and don't see anything presenting as reasonable and more often, not even a red or blue jumper. So you delay your disposal a moment, trying to find a recipient. Consequently the opposition can apply a lot more pressure, resulting in a tackle, smother or at worst a hasty disposal (often still to what would be considered a barely credible option). Also if you dispose of the ball to where a teammate is meant to be (leading, positioning, etc) but they don't make the effort (a couple of paces short) and the ball hits the ground - whose fault is it. Jogging to/for the ball is not attacking/leading to it. This perceived dip in form could as much be a reflection on the team "putting the cue in the rack" as inside midfielders like Viney, rely on the outside run (which has dropped of considerably the last few weeks) to dispose of the ball. The also rely on the hard work and 1percenters of players like McKenzie who through blocking, shepherding, etc create time and space to find the best option and dispose of it efficiently. Viney will come good - but like Nathan Jones before him, will seem to struggle while the majority of the team fails to do their role. Note: I believe the Vineys transition will come quicker as he will benefit from Jones and Tyson in the middle, though the outside run is still a concern.