Akum

I think in this draft we have to go with prime movers or core players. This is where we are way behind just about every other side. We've got a lot of fringe mids, but only maybe 2 or 3 prime movers. So that's Brayshaw. And Petracca, but we're unlikely to get a crack (Qwerty, I'm assuming you didn't mention Petracca because we've accepted that it's certain that Saints will grab him). And that's what I like about Lever, wherever he plays. He could be Mundy or Fyfe, though he could be Joel Corey or Corey Enright too. De Goey looks a similar "prime mover" type, and would also be a good choice. And we really need Toump and Salem to step up as the prime movers they were drafted as. And that's where we've lost so much on account of Trengove's injury, circa 2012.

You could "dare" say it ... but I don't understand what it achieves. All those who want to post training reports should be encouraged.

With a name like "longsuffering", what do you expect??

... and that's pretty much what it will be like for him playing for us,unless our midfield improves out of sight.

I thought the groupthunk was flowing in the other direction. Must be the mysterious reverse groupthunk. Just goes to show ...

And the same article mentions him being "courageous and combative" and "his aggression, game sense & competitive streak" as some of his strengths.

I think the problem is that an iron-clad guarantee for promotion at the end of next year loses its force somewhat if it means we've reneged on a similarly iron-clad guarantee this year.

... and if he's got a good midfield, it won't matter much. On the other hand, he'll take them apart around the ground.

Is that Harmes with Salem? And Riley with Viney?

So ... getting Mc.Cartin will improve our midfield?? Will give us 20 more i50s per game??

The problem is that unless our midfield drastically improves its supply & delivery to the forward line, Hogan & Mc.Cartin aren't going to make much of a difference. To kick winning scores, we first have to improve supply from the midfield, and then work out if our forward structures & personnel are right.

Great work Gough! The part I've bolded would suggest that it's not how many you stuff up that's important, it's how many you nail.

In Michie, Riley & now Newton, we've gathered 3 fringe players from clubs with better midfields, in the hope that one of them will step up like Josh Kennedy. I suppose you could put Tyson into this category too. And the 4 of them have all spent a lot of time injured, which has hindered them being able to show their true potential. We don't get them because they'll continue their current standard and just provide us another fringe midfielder; we get them for their potential to become A-grade. And there's at least as much chance of one of these becoming A-grade as there is of Lever or Laverde or Duggan etc. So it's a shrewd & sensible way to build a list.

You bet! Just like anybody who leaves MFC to go to another club gets their DH status automatically confirmed on their way out.

I agree, except that I think they will take "best available". And "best available" after Petracca & Brayshaw, taking into account the whole package and disregarding what position he's played so far, is Lever. Those arguing for Mc.Cartin are arguing on the basis that a promising KPF is our biggest need, bigger than the 3rd-best mid (or potential mid) from this draft. And that either Lever or Laverde, as good as they are, may not make it as a mid. But I reckon we'll go for "best available" and then work out where to play them. Just like most posters were screaming for in the BP years.

Is that with or without upgrading Jetta? My impression is that we'll need 40 to upgrade Jetta. If we use 40 for Duggan (or anyone), we'll have to use 53 to upgrade Jetta. And if we pick up Newton as DFA, we'll need to delist another two. Is that right?

Agree. But in that case, pick 40 could be an AFL player called Neville Jetta.

Fair enough. But if we're going purely for "best available" or "best natural footballer" and ignoring everything else, it has to be either him or Laverde.

I don't think there's any "if" about his ability to play footy. He captained Vic Metro as a bottom-ager, FCS. He's a good strong contested mark, great in traffic, great decision-making & disposal. After Petracca & Brayshaw, he's got to come close to "next-best available"just with sheer ability.

Silly punt!

... so they'll need someone like Robinson to hold them back!

Our biggest problem in the next few years will still be how to find ways to get it i50 another 20 times a game. And a lot more quickly and accurately.

What was the development coach like???

Very true. And if there was an easy way to do it, that's exactly what everybody would be doing!

Kicks low & hard & accurately over distances like Strauss, but wins his own ball and is much better under pressure and one-on-one. So what's the problem with him? Why does he seem so good yet hasn't gone on with it so far?