The Chazz

We've go to remember that he has only played a handful of games. In those games he has shown to have something that the best players have. Most of them have pace, most of them have goal sense (Blease playing forward this year shows he must have this), they have that ability to get out of trouble by taking the game on. He obviously has a long way to go, and that's just to cement a spot in our best 18, but I think with the right coaching, he of all players on our list has the potential to reach great heights. I actually think he's a very good bet in the Rising Star this year and should be another Melbourne player to receive his 2nd nomination (does he fit the age criteria?).

Judd = not a number 1 draft pick Ablett = not a number 1 draft pick (and even though he was a F/S pick, he still wouldn't have been #1) Pendlebury = not a number 1 draft pick Swan = not a number 1 draft pick We may already have the next Judd/Pendlebury/Ablett, or we may get him in this draft (maybe it is Viney or one of the other compo's). But they will take time, just as Ablett, Swan and Pendlebury did. If those that are happy that $cully has gone can't see the massive hole that this [censored] has left, I've got concerns for you! But, we move on. As RP said, "We may want a 'star' but we cannot get one, we have to go and lure a young talent who 1) has the chance to become a star, 2) agrees to come to the MFC, and 3) can be affordable in trade week". With that in mind, and the fact that stars don't have to be top draft picks, I'm going to put it to Blease, Gysberts and Viney to be our star within 3 years (Viney can get an extra year). Put 80 games and a handful of full preseasons in to Blease, and he could be our man.

McDonald was 50 though wasn't he? Or is it just that he had a body like a 50 year old?

That's a very good post Biff. I remember last year, especially in the middle part of the year where he was playing some pretty good footy, I would watch the games on TV and as soon as we got it to the wing going forward, I'd just yell "kick it to Watts". Sometimes he wasn't even up forward, and I was disappointed that we didn't kick it to him. He went through a run of about 6-8 games where his presence was electric (in a positive way). He demanded the ball, work his arse off, and was getting rewarded. It hit the fan when he run out of puff toward the end of the season, and our general play was just terrible.

I'm also amazed that we have one of the best back 6 in the league, and people are wanting to get all fancy by tinkering with it ie. Frawley to midfield, Garland to the wing, Watts to play half back. FFS, we have seen what happens to a group of players that are left alone and develop in to a unit, why change it? Imagine what our forward line would be like if they got to play 20-40 games with each other as a unit rather than individuals. I don't recall seeing Scarlett, Taylor and Harley played forward or in the midfield. Someone, can't remember who, said that Bailey's biggest problem was that he was so focused on developing individuals that he forgot to develop a team. I don't think I've seen a truer word spoken on Demonland. If Neeld is fair dinkum about him developing players for roles, I thin kyou will find a very setteled forward line, midfield and backline, as those players will need to understand their role in their selected department. Playing Watts anywhere other than forward is developing the individual and not his role in the forward line. I understand that individual development is vital, put he will develop as quick up forward, and it will also mean the forward unit will develop quicker over the next 20-40 games as opposed to Jack playing in the backline for that period.

If you want to aide his development, I'd rather see him play on a HFF or wing. Actually, I don't want to see him moved from CHF, only to go to FF for a rest. Last year he often had the number 1 defender or the biggest defender. This year, there will be games where he has the number 3 or 4 defender, due to Clark taking the best one, and possibly Martin taking the next biggest (but that doesn't mean the next best). Watts' development as a KPF will increase dramatically with Clark playing along side him in the forward line, not with Watts playing down the other end of the ground. We have to foundations of a great forward line (Clark, Watts, Martin), there aren't too many teams that would host 3 defenders that could match up better than those 3. Martin is obviously the weakest link at this stage, so to take Watts out of that equation, and replace him with Sellar or McDonald (for the reasons I said earlier), then all of a sudden we have a very predictable forward line again (as Clark will be by far our best option).

Are you guys serious? How on earth are you prepared to play Watts on the half back line, just becuase Clark is our "go to forward' now? We got Clark in to support the likes of Watts, so that our forward line isn't one dimensional. The only way you have suggested to ensure this doesn't happen is to play Martin forward (who will rotate with Jamar), then add in Sellar and McDonald. Sellar was delisted last year and we picked him up at 50 something. Tom McDonald has played 2 senior games, was picked up at number 53, yet people are expecting both these guys to take over from Watts - a number 1 draft pick, full forward for the AAT in 2008, a boy that is fast becomming a man, and has probably one of the best football brains on our list (which isn't far from being on display on a more regular basis). HT - I'll match your North game where Watts played well on the half back line, with the game against Richmond at the MCG when some believed was his best game so far when he kicked 3, inculding that goal just before half time (from memoru) when he beat off 3 or 4 defenders and snapped. Sorry guys, I'm just of the opinion that if we start playing Jack Watts in our backline, we would actually be taking a backward step. As for the midfield, he would be a liability for the next couple of seasons, due to the fact that he is still growing/developing, and opposition sides, especially the top sides, would be licking thier lips if JW lined up against them in the centre. Clark is good, he can be very good, and he may end up great, but we will not win a premiership if he's our only go to man. Watts has class, and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be a far better player, actually, forward, than Clark.

Sorry RP, I forgot to finish that first sentence of the post you quoted - was meant to say that Trengove, Moloney, Grimes and McKenzie should become our A-listers, then we need a few of the other players I mentioned to join them.

Sorry DemonWA, I'm going to pull you up on this (or it may be your mates I'm pulling up). When you are comparing teams, DO NOT use "and company" or "etc". Name those players that fit in to this category. For me, that could mean Robin Nahas is being considered as part of a better midfield than ours. Does that make sense? Richmond have very little depth outside Martin, Cotchin and Delidio. I wouldn't have Trengove behind Martin (he's not in front either), and Cotchin may be ahead of Grimes (if only we could see a full season from JG), Delidio I don't rate as high as some do, and believe that Moloney is a better player.

I just think we match up very well against both Sydney and Essendon. I'm not sold on Sydney's recruiting - their older players are getting old (Goodes, O'Keefe, Bolton), and I think our young players are at least on the same level, if not a bit better than theirs. In Essendon, I don't think they have recruited well at all. I watch them fairly closely, and I think we are actually a better side than them. Our forward line will be hard for them to match up on, and our backline is our obvious strength (especially against their forwards).

Thought he played as good as any demon in both games. The out-of-bounds rule made it tough for the red prawn - pretty clear to see that kicking 30-40m along the boundary for a throw in is going to be a big part of the game plan (not great for NAB Cup rules). Like some have already said, it will be interesting to see him in dry conditions this weekend. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that there will be a little bit more in this game than just a rookie trial? Collingwood going for a potential place in the NAB Cup final, Bucks vs Neeld for the first time (albeit NAB Cup), while it's only the fake stuff, I have a feeling some egos might get in the way of a few players/coaches.

* Nicholson, Blease and Bail are basically untapped. I think it's a bit early to write them off, or suggest that they can't make that grade that we need them to. * McKenzie must bloody near be in our top 5 mids already doesn't he? I'm the first to admit that I wasn't a believer of Jordie, but I think he is a very good footballer that sneaks under the radar of many clubs. * We will know more about Sylvia and Morton by about Round 12, and we have probably discussed both players enough in other threads. In 2006 there were a few players on that Geelong list that had some question marks next to them.

We have Trengove, Grimes, Moloney, McKenzie, all of who I think . Out of Blease, Tapscott, Bail, Jones, Gysberts, Viney, Morton (I haven't lost all hope on this one!), we really need 2 or 3 of these guys to join our A-listers. Can any of those 7? I believe so. I have high hopes for Blease, I think he showed some class that will hopefully see him developed to the required level, and I believe if Tapscott can manage his injuries he has the potential to be one of our best players. The general feeling among D'landers is that Gysberts can make it, and perhaps Viney can too.

Is that a shot at me RR? If so, perhaps you should move on? If not, I apologise. Anyway, I believe we are capable of 4 wins - Brisbane, Richmond, Sydney and Essendon. The Richmond game doesn't sit well with me - I don't think it's a game that we can pen in at this stage. On the other hand, I picked a loss against the Bulldogs and Saints, I think these 2 games are winnable, I just didn't pick us! What I want to see in 2012 are victories against sides that we are, or should be, better than. We ARE better than Brisbane, Port Adelaide, GWS and Gold Coast, we SHOULD be better than Richmond, North and the Western Bulldogs (Hall always seemed to be the difference between us and them), and we should bloody near be better than Sydeny, St Kilda, Essendon and Freo/Adelaide at the G. Based on that theory, and given our entire draw, we play those teams/scnearios 16 times. If we can win 12 of those 16, as well as knocking off a "big scalp" like West Coast at the G, or maybe even Carlton in one game, 12-14 wins should be the expectation of 2012.

The last 2 premiers didn't have Ablett or Judd.

I would imagine Tim Harrington would be looking at the list of out-of-contracted players, and will already be trying to put certain extensions in place (see Mark Jamar). There would be others players in the same boat (ie OOC), that TH will not see as high priority, and I think Dunn would defintely fall in to this category. If they announce mid year that Dunn has sigend an extension, he's obviously a required player. At this stage, and this is based on 2011's form, he would need to make significant improvement. He's not on his own, Green could easily be in that same category, but the difference between the two is that I believe Green will improve to his high standards in 2012, not as much confidence in Dunn, but as always, I'm happy to be proved wrong. Good luck LD, this season is one of the biggest you've had to face whilst being in the AFL system. If you want a long career as an AFL footballer, it's up to you to make it happen in 2012.

Reality is Boss, that we need to have at least 3 player movements at the end of the year. At this stage of the year we'd all like to think that a player won't request a trade, but it does happen. What we do prefer is to look at who's contracted, who may retire (which Green is the only possible retirement, but I'm confident he'll earn another year), and lastly, who is most likely to struggle for form. While it is like trying to predict the lotto numbers, my assumption on the state of our list is that Dunn will need to step up in 2012, but I think it has to be a level that he is not capable of. I hope I'm wrong. That doesn't make him the whipping boy, it's just my observation.

Totally agree about Jurrah, but I don't agree re Jetta. He has pace, he has size, has great awareness, with all these things rolled in to one package, his forward pressure would be one of the best at the club. He may well play midfield too, which will make him more valuable (I think Stokes plays through the midfield at times?). In terms of our list, I think Jetta has the potential to be our best "small" forward. But, I can't see why Flash can't play that role, after all, he invented the role that is the current day small forward.

Jurrah, Davey and Jetta surely have this stitched up don't they? I'm not sure about Blease doing it - reckon he could make a great HBF. After a long preseason, and with the proper footy just around the corner, the bloke I'm looking forward to seeing the most this year (in terms of where the coach plays him, etc), is Tapscott. I hope he's knocking on the door for selection either this weekend or next - would love to think he's 100% as of Round 1.

Agree to some degree. He got in Chapman's head "that" day, and Chapman gave away stupid free kicks, and totally lost the plot to the point the coach had to drag him. It can just as easily bite you on the arse though if a player comes out and kicks 6 on you! Don't think we will be seeing Dunn running around in the red and blue next year unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your opinion).

Needs to add another string to his bow if he is going to be a regular. A qualtiy "on occasion" is not acceptable for me. Clark is goooooooooood. In 12 months when each of Clark, Watts, Martin and LJ know each others game better...wowwweee!

Might have been looking out only one of my eyes, but I'm buggered if that tackle actually stuck on Stef. Couldn't have said this any better. Stef will continue to learn that forward role, and he is a required player. Those talking about Tom Mc competing for his spot, well, Tommy has played what - 3 games? I believe Stef is a fair way in front of Tom (no disrespect to TMc), and it will take an amazing run for this to change in 2012-2013. I had forgotten how different things look when you're actually at the game. Sitting behind the goals, at a centre bounce, to see a forward line with Clark, Martin and Watts, knowing that Jurrah has got to come in, we've got the potential to be one of the hardest forward line to match up on.

Out; Gysberts In; Anyone willing to chase. If you were there, you would've seen how lazy he is off the ball ***Nb. You wouldn't have seen the incident on TV. Out; Sellar In; Any defender who knows that when you are 3m from the goal line, and a big kick comes in, you don't punch the ball to the top of the square, you punch it through for a point. I was there, sat through Cyclone Magner, and was going through the standard emotions of being a Melbourne supporter. The conditions obviously didn't help, but the 2 points I listed above were inexcusable in any weather conditions.

I'm not happy with it at all Thomo. It was my concern way back when, in regards to our asking price, or at least the asking price of some posters, and what what we are potentially losing by having too higher price tag. I'm not saying we should look all desperado and accept $500k a year, but I had major concerns that if we think that $1.9m+ a season is what it's worth and we SHOULD NOT sell for anything less, we could get to this stage where we don't have anyone. As a number of people have said, there are still 5 weeks to go, but I'm getting edgy. Have we knocked back a $1m a season deal because we wont more? I don't know, but it's not far away where that sort of deal would be more than sufficient. While we don't have millions of supporters, the fact that you can't buy a kid a footy jumper is very disappointing. We might not be losing out on heaps of revenue from those sort of sales, it is still a bit frustrating. But, I have said since day 1, in Cam I trust.

Postpone it until Sunday. The in-laws will understand.