The Chazz

So, which way will they go; Clark vs Frawley or Sellar. Can see both sides of the arguement, but I think I'd prefer the Sellar option. With Clark, he knows he will draw the best defender most weeks, and they don't come much better than Chip. In the season proper, Clark will have a job to do regardless of who is on him, and I can't really see him not playing every game. Sellar on the other hand, it will be interesting to see if he has come on in any way since leaving last year. Put him on our biggest forward, as this it going to be a role that if he wants to play senior footy, he will need to do well at. Is he up for it? I'd rather see in a practice game (and NAB Cup for that matter) as opposed to giving him a couple of weeks in the season proper. But, I'm sure at the end of the game that Clark has played on both lads. Wish I could go, would be interesting to have a peek. I'll just have to wait until next Saturday night!

And WYL, I'd have money on him playing another one after that! Brad is a very consistent footballer in terms of return. Take 2011 out of the equation, and he has had a very polished decade or so of excellent football, and is a regular contributor. If he can come out in 2012, retain his spot (which will be challenge 1 under a new regime), give us a 30-40 goal return, there is no reason why he can't go on in 2013. If he struggles like what we saw in 2011, and his goal return is down to the high teens, low 20's, then it's hard to see him get another year. Good luck Brad for season 2012.

Good post Macca. I think Neeld will give Sylvia a lot more responsibility than previous years. It won't hurt Col, or us for that matter, if he were to start in the guts at every bounce. It will also give us the ability to play both Petterd and Howe in the same team. While I think Moloney is currently our best player, Col definitely has the the ability to be a match winner, and beside LJ, is probably our biggest X Factor player.

Good to see you've got the ADHD under control Ben.

My wife is expecting in May - better tie her legs together... Cheers Warren, I did look it up and buggered up! Best part is it was reported this morning he's not going to be captain and Filthy Phil Davis is going to be a joint captain with Ward and Power.

You're my hero I appreciate your views RR, but at this stage, I don't think all those resonses are that difficult to fix, especially with this new, so-called whiz bang, ex-midfield miracle coach we have in charge. * You have totally missed my comment about his pace. An inside mid like Beamer to have acceleration over 20m is more than useful. * The power comment relates to when Jamar puts it in Beamer's space and he can hit the contest in motion. Some players can hit a contest hard and still get stopped, others, like Beamer, hit a ontest hard and keeps going. As you rightly said about Beamer going missing when Jamar is down, this is defintely an area that I expect Neeld to work on (ie learn to rove opposition rucks). * The strength/accountability side should improve with increased fitness and the reported couple of kgs that he has lost. * His awareness is improving, correct, but that's more because we are slowly having more players around the ball, rather than looking around and not having anyone to pass off to. A more structured clearance set-up will see Moloney's disposal effiencency increase I'm sure. He is the clearance king. * His long kick doesn't go to the top of the square because we haven't had anyone there for 4 years. There is a myth about kick to the top of the square - it's too easy for defenders to punch it through for a point. A kick to 20 metres out puts far greater pressure on the opposition, providing you have forward pressure. I also think you will find that a majority of his career goals have come from outside 50. Check it out and get back to me. I do acknowledge that he needs to kick more goals, but the rest of our midfield are in the same boat. * How is his leadership irrelevant? Of course it's bloody relevant given he is in the engine room and can have an impact on a result. It's irrelevant tha the hasn't got a title, but his onfield leadership will be as important this year as ever. I don't think I've said he is a star, but while there are a few things that he needs to work on (which all the Beamer supporters are happy to agree with), I think they are quite achievable in a short space of time, especially if Neeld is as good working with the mids as everyone tells me he is. Neeld talks about elite compliance - I would imagine most of those Beamer issues you have raised would definitely fall under this category. No doubt we'll see a response from you soon - you always love having the last word. But, like everyone, we'll be watching Beamer's 2012 with great interest.

I haven't said he can be elite, but I stick by my comments regarding him becomming a star, providing those around him lift. I think Moloney possesses; * Pace - mostly in the first 20m that star midfielders have. * Power - can break takcles, especially when Jamar is on top in the ruck. * Strength - has very good leg strength, means he keeps his feet, and in return, his tackles stick * Awareness - knows when to kick short or long, rarely puts his teammates under pressure * Kicking - can hit a target 55m+, or kick a goal off one or tw steps from outside 50m. * Leadership - was stiff not to remain in the LG in 2012, but won't sit back and let it happen, will do something about it. He is a confidence player, like so many Melbourne players. Of the above areas, I don't think there are too many "big holes" in his game. Consistency is the obvious one. Still has things to learn, but considering our coach had a lot to do with getting Swan in to the "star" category, and with Beamer's body shape changing slightly and hopefully his endurance increasing, I can see him adding another B&F to his name in 2012, and firmly planting himself in the top 20 of the competition. Lutz - can I ask for a reply in regards to these "big holes"? Perhaps the mods can shift these posts in to the Moloney thread? And Ben-Hur - feast away champ, I'm sure you're going to captivate us with your opinion and extensive knowledge.

Will become the youngest captain in history. [censored] can't let Trengove have the number 1 spot in anything can he?????

Haha, never been, and I hope we don't have to play a practice game there! (Nb. that was just an example, and to all our Exmouth supporters, there hasn't been any announcement to say we will be playing a game tehre if we don't make the NAB Cup GF). I like the new format - the mini comp idea keeps it interesting and ensures that teams that win say 2 of the first 3 games will be having a bit more of a crack in the last round. A lot will come down to percentage (of course the Filth plays the $cum's team), but 3 wins and a loss will go close to qualifying. I would like to think we will defeat GC first up, then with a bit of luck roll the Lions. I'll be there, so watching 2 Demon wins within 80 minutes will be quite enjoyable!

RR - forgive me if I'm wrong, but all teams play 4 games of the NAB Cup over a 3 week period. Then the following weekend is the Grand Final, while teams that don't make the grand final play 1 practice match. Chances are if you lose your first 2, you're probably not going to make the GF (I'm pretty sure the top 2 teams at the end of the 4 games are automatic GF teams). If I were Neeld, I'd rather be playing in the GF at Docklands/MCG (wherever it is played), as opposed to taking on Freo at Exmouth or something.

Morton vs Howe - want to Howe run Morton around, and make Morton accountable as a HBF Clark vs Sellar - give us a look at Sellar on a key forward Petterd vs Strauss (if fit) - would like to think that Petterd can take his I50 pressure up a notch, and will teach Strauss to hit targets under pressure Bail vs Trengove - see what Bail is like shutting down one of the better mids Bate vs Moloney - make Bate accountable against a quality mid that will be on the end of Jamar's taps Jones vs Nicholson - both gut-runners, with Nicho looking for a promotion to senior list Frawley vs Watts - see how much JW has been doing in the gym Bartram vs Davey - Flash to play forward and Barty tag him Points; * Tapscott, Magner and Couch are not to go near Grimes * Jurrah to play after a restricted preseason and kick 4 goals * Morton BOG.

I was heavily on Bailey's side re. list changes. And in terms of relationship, I'm only going on what I was told by an ex-player that was involved at the MFC during Bailey's tenure. I hope Neeld makes similar tough decisions when required, and like with Bailey, I'll most likely support such decisions.

Totally agree BBP. Burgan was very good at talking footy stuff, which I thoroughly enjoy, and hope that Robbo can find that balance of a serious and informative interview, as well as doing what Ellie McKenzie is trying to do and show players lighter side. For interstate supporters, Dee TV is a fairly important source of media, and they will need to cater for both business and pleasure.

In my original post, I said Judd would struggle "at times" even if he played for Melbourne. It would be those games where he needs help breaking those tags, which in his first season at Carlton, he didn't get, just like what happened with Moloney in 2011, and to some degree Flash in 2010. Now, obviosuly he had his injury issues in that first season with Carlton, but you can't blame every poor game that he played on injury. Those games against quality taggers required more assistance from his teammates to block and help shake a tag, but they struggled to do it. Now that they do it, and obviosuly he has his body right, Judd is playing as good as ever, and his teammates are playing better footy as well (mainly because the likes of Murphy and Gibbs are just that bit older, bit bigger). Moloney is no Judd, I'm not stating that he is, but I honestly believe if he can get that support off the ball, especially when he is heavily tagged, that he will still be our number 1 midfielder for the next few years. Over the next 3 years especially, I think he will be more than the support player. I think he will be joined by Grimes and Trengove as our 2 or 3 gun mids, with support from Jones, McKenzie, maybe Gysberts, Bail, possibly Nicholson (who's a rookie let's not forget). You obviously have an issue with my view of Moloney. That's fine, as I have an issue with your "I'm a bigger smart arse than you" posts.

Will be interesting to watch Jack V over the next 12 months. I think the last I heard was that he was a potential top 5 draft pick (but obvously coming to us at whatever F/S pick), but before I go putting high expectations on the kid, I want to hear the likes of Emma Quayle say around September this year that "he should/could be a top 3 pick but Melbourne get to use their pick 12 on him"! Just bring on the season already. It's been far too long since our last good game to get me too excited about 2012 - I've forgotten how good some of our kids are going to be!

Hang on RR, you're going off a bit half-cocked here. I have no idea about the relationship of Stynes and Robbo, I don't have evidence and I don't claim to. One day we may have a beer and we can talk about the other relationship. Perhaps I should've made the humble pie comment last year when Robbo was doing some match day stuff with the Club, especially considering that DB was still coaching at that stage. Your last paragraph is ridiclous. Why would I come up with a conspiracy theory on Neeld? Why would you even say that? Actually, what are you implying? Because the first part of it is 100% correct - that players didn't like getting told. Where's the conspiracy theory in that???

I'm not sure what your Judd comment is about? He won their B&F because at that stage, their young guns hadn't come on, so it's not surprising that a player of his ability won the B&F, even if he was carrying an injury in some games. But now that his body is right, and his fellow midfiled group have gone to that next level, it's just helped Judd dominate even more (scary isn't it??!!). Sounds similar to Moloney in 2011 and hopefully in 2012-2015, and the point that we are disagreeing on. Big call re. struggling to get a game in 2014. We'll see, but I think it'll be more about his body holding up than his ability. But, like when we talk about Trengove, Watts, and (for some) Gysberts, the word potential keeps coming up. We both need each other to be wrong and right about 2 topics - I need to be right about Moloney, and you need to be right about Gysberts! The one thing that I want to see from our entire midfield group this year is consistency. If we have 10 players that we have rotating through, we can't afford to have 6-8 of them down. We need to have 8 performing the roles required. Gone are the days where we say "no Moloney - no Melbourne". We need opposition sides to worry that if they stop Moloney, who are they going to get to stop Trengove, McKenzie, Grimes, Gysberts, etc. The day that happens is the day that we'll be a contender.

Well, it depends on if Stynes had anything to do with list management! I'm doubtful that there was any bad blood between JS/RR, the same can't be said for the DB/RR relationship though.

At the risk of derailing, it's pretty clear, regardless of our views on the subject, what hole $cummy has left. I know we've got those compo picks, still doesn't replace the fact that we lost a number 1 draft pick who (I think) would've been in the Top 10 of the comp in a 2 or 3 seasons time.

We may watch football differently BH, especially if you see Gysberts as a potential star. Gysberts, through my eyes, has played well, and shown some of those qualities you mentioned. The thing that I haven't seen in Gysberts is his ability to be a match winner. I've seen Trengove show the qualities that I have no doubt will see him win a match for us, not so much the Gys. Your reference to Judd playing us doesn't prove much. We don't have anyone to go with him, so he will always look the white pointer-type. It's the games when he plays Geelong (Ling), or St Kilda (Jones), ie. up agaisnt the best taggers in the league. In his early days at Carlton, he didn't have that off-ball support and even for one of the greats, he struggled a bit. Now though, the players around him have stepped up and supported him around the stoppages, and that's why they are a top 4 side. That's the opinion of a number of Carlton supporters I know, and they attend nearly all Carlton games. But, with Judd, he's a superstar, and you're right, he'd still be that way in red and blue. With Moloney, in 2011 there were a number of games where he just demanded the ball and tore the opposition a new one, he was untouchable. I'm not going to say he will be udd-like, but I honestly think he can be Swan-like. You seem to think he has nearly reached his ceiling, I think he has a fair bit to go, but it will require other players around him to step up and play roles. Time will tell, you may be right, I may be right, but even if/when we improve and we are that better side, I can't see Moloney not being in our top 3 midfielders (providing it's within the next 5 years!).

The format of the NAB Cup this year should make it more interesting for supporters. Teams play 4 games where there is a ladder involved, as opposed to the lose-you're-out format. If you lose in round 1 (of the NAB), there's nowhere to hide; you won't be playing a "nothing" NAB Challenge match in the back of Bourke - the ladder will be there for everyone to see. The fact that there is 1 LTI spot already available, as well as the other rookie elevation spot due to having 1 veteran will see a very determined group of players (Nicholson, Magner, Couch, Williams, Sheehan, Lawrence, Evans) putting in 100% (in particular the first 3 named), as well as new rookies Sellar (trying to crack in to one of the better defences in the league) and Tynan/Taggert (who could play round 1). While all these guys are fresh and I don't expect them to win games off their own boot, I do expect them to set the benchmark in regards to Neeld's hard-arse approach, and hopefully that will give some of our other players the wake-up call they need. A NAB Cup premiership would do this group no harm whatsoever. There is a cash bonus for winning it - which won't hurt the Club, and I'm pretty sure they still have the incentive of completing the premiership double. That may not apply to us this year, but any additional coin we can get will help player development. I'm glad we're playing the first 2 games on the round-robin night. Happened to us last year and we won both games - just think that it's easier to play 4 straight halves (can you have 4 halves??!!!!), rather than playing 2, then having an hour rest, then trying to get back up for the last one. Will be stoked if we win both games then beat one of Hawthorn or Collingwood. Will give some momentum going in to the first round of the season proper.

Coincidence that Bailey's first year away from the club sees Robbo return... Good to see the humble pie didn't take too long to digest.

I'm going to challenge you on this BH, and others that have said similar. I have absolutely no doubt that Moloney can become a star midfielder. There were a number of games last season (and throughout his career) where he literally dominated. This is supported by the amount of BOGs he got in the Brownlow. Now, before people talk about him only doing it when we are winning, I accept that, but I will throw this one back at you. In 2011, he was our only decent midfielder. Sure Trengove, McKenzie, Jones etc played some good cameos, but Moloney is our number 1. Again, I agree taht he can't shake a tag, but I'll throw this one out there - this is when he needs the support from his teammates to block the tagger or the simple 1% thing of laying a sheppard. You talk about us "finding" our Swan, well, Moloney has all the tricks to be such player. If he can have a couple of guys around him that can play their role, I think you will find Moloney go to another level. The fact that he has dropped a couple of kgs will also help. I often wonder what Judd would be like playing for us. Even he would struggle at times if he didn't have his teammates helping out off the ball.

Wasn't criticism HT (not that I could find your post saying about the top 3 on this thread), and I'll be the first to congratulate those that made the call if he does turn out as good as some are saying he will. To believe, regardless of how soft/hard/whatever the option is, to think that Gys will be in the same team of midfielders as Trengove, Grimes, McKenzie, Viney, Blease, Tapscott, Moloney, Sylvia, there will be some competition in that top 3. I hope he does make it, and that it's because of football ability, not because the field thins out and half those blokes don't develop.

Bloody hell WYL, are we related? The amount of times we've shared exactly the same view of the past few weeks in bizarre! I said it back in October, and I will continue to say it - jury is out for me with The Gys. He's done some nice things, he's racked up some pretty handy numbers in a handful of games, but there's just something that makes me doubt him. At pick 11, I'm just not sure if he's going to be a star. If we got him at pick 54, I'd be rubbing my hands together! Doesn't make sense? Welcome to what's going on in my head! He's got time on his side, but I just don't know if there is enough of it. I may be totally wrong, but those going the early crow about him being in our top 3 within a matter of seasons are making massive calls that I can't coming off.