The Chazz

We can, but it means not using PSD1. Wont happen, but it isn't impossible.

Would we not consider him at 34? Should still be around by then. Former number 6 draft pick, has spent 3 years developing at Hawthorn and played only 2 games. Didn't step enough to a level that could see him overtake Franklin or Roughy which could be a worry, but, put in a team where he is the main man and who knows, he might just blossom. I'm just really, really nervous about putting all our faith in to one of these KPF kids that could potentially go 1st round. At this stage, Butcher is the standout, but I'm just not sure how outstanding that is. Far, far bigger risk than Watts was last year. In 3 years, he (Butcher, etc) may be a star, but he may not, Thorp could be a star in 2010, but then again, he may not be either. Getting the obvious at 1 & 2, Vardy at 11, Thorp at 34, and Liam Patrick at 50. At 18, see who is left out of the 3rd tier players (1st tier obviously the top 2, 2nd tier would be Moriarto, Martin). PSD looks like it may be McDonald. Can't hurt having a guy his age/maturity level on our list. As the Herald Sun reported about this years draft for Melbourne, we are severely lacking players around that age group.

Don't panic, it was just a passing comment (stalkers are likely to go trough the rubbish of the person they are stalking). I wasn't saying they are the same type of player, was just indicating that LJ's ground skills are of a high standard.

That's perhaps where Warnock may get a spot on the bench, as Big Al started at Melbourne in the ruck. Apologies for my call on Warnock, from a majority of the posts it appears I wasted my time bringing his name up! So much for an opinion!

Yes. Why not? Just thought that he is one standout from a slim few years. Plays a big role in Frawley's development too.

Just answered my own question...there was only 1 Taylor playing that day (according to the team sheets), it wasn't Troy, it was Scott (who I think is also nominated for the ND).

Love it! Any chance this is a way of trying to get other clubs to pick Taylor earlier than pick 30 to make it more likely Ball will "slide" to their first pick? I do know that BP was watching a match that Taylor participated in toward the end of this year. This game was being played at Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast) on a Saturday afternoon, the same weekend Melbourne played Carlton. Only thing is that I think there was 3 Taylor's playing that day, so not sure which one BP was looking at, if in fact it was a Taylor. For the record, he left just after half time, had obviously seen enough (or too much).

Warnock would have to go close to slotting in there somewhere, I think he is a top defender, and wouldn't look out of place as our FB of the decade.

Sorry jnrmac, you beat me to it! Think you are right though, Jim Stynes made reference to Tom Scully on Twitter the other day after the big article on him in the Herald Sun, saying how he is going to be a fantastic player (or something along those lines).

Either Scully or Trengove will be the biggest slider. Both should be number 1, one will slide to number 2. Whichever boy slides will be an absolute steal at number 2!!!

If he is getting the oppositions 3rd or 4th best defender, we need him to do that, we need anyone to do that in that KPF spot. Jamar did it toward the end of the year, that's what we need from whoever is in that situation. I don't think it's that massive of a call considering he has played 2 games for 1 goal. He was pick 6 in the 2006 draft. The expectation of regularly kicking goals (and at times bags against poorer defenders) is no different to the expectation some people will have on a Butcher-type in 3-4 years time. Difference is we don't have to wait for Thorp to develop. The point I was making about Jurrah having quality ground skills is to show that he isn't just a "tall forward", therefore, we can afford to have a taller forward line than standard as Jurrah has the ability to crumb packs as good as a small forward. It means that we have the flexibility through a game to play him anywhere in the forward line and he will play that position well. I don't think (at this stage) he has the ability/experience/body to play a KPF role for an entire game.

I was probably more a Farmer fan than most, almost got to the stage that I was going to go through his rubbish, that's how bad I was!!! I stick by my comments that LJ's ground work is as good as Farmer's, if not better (at the same stage of their careers).

Preaching to the converted here RPFC. I personally don't think we need to use either 11 or 18 on a tall forward, assuming we pick Thorp up in the PSD. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he is the answer to our prayers, but he will do the job we need him I think. I think Thorp would attract the Scarlett/Lake type, otherwise he may be the one kicking that bag of 4 or 5 that we need.

A true full forward in my view rarely leaves the 50m, and is the main target when the mids/HFF are kicking forward. As I said, Fev is a true FF. When people say they want LJ to be one of our KPF's, that to me means either Full Forward or Centre Half Forward. Some of the top teams are in the luxury position now where they have 2 KPF's that can rotate from FF to CHF when need be (eg. Franklin/Roughead, Riewoldt/Kosi, and even Hawkins/Mooney). What's the common denominator in that group? At least one is a bigger body. I can't see Jurrah physically developing to be one of those, I can see Watts will (in a few years), therefore, if we play our "twin towers" as Watts/Jurrah, the kids, IMO, will get smashed at the moment. Hence my desire to draft Thorp if his head is screwed on right. That would leave a potential Jurrah/Thorp or Watts/Thorp, starting to look better as far as match ups go. I don't think at this stage that Jurrah would play CHF well at all. HFF, yes, not CHF. Therefore, that would mean playing Thorp at CHF and Jurrah at FF, but I think Jurrah would be wasted playing that FF role (eg, staying inside 50) for a majority of the game. Maybe a better option would be rotate LJ and Watts from HFF/FF for spurts, but I'm not sure if Thorp will be a dominant CHF that he would need to be in this situation. I personally would have loved Melbourne to chase Bradshaw, put him on a 3 year deal as a true full forward (never leaves the 50m). He would kick his 50 goals a season for us, and that would give the likes of Jurrah and Watts time to grow, develop and learn from a true KPF. I also think that over the past decade, Melbourne's biggest problem down forward was the fact that they played Robbo as a KPF - he was far from it. Neitz/Robbo as our "twin towers" possibly cost us more success. Sorry to get off the track of the original thread. I clicked "no" to the question, just looking at ways to make sure that in a couple of years time I will tick "yes" when Jurrah is a true super star!

The Geelong GF team had the backline of HB Mackie Taylor Harley B Milburn Scarlett Enright That's a bit of height to contend with, especially considering the Saints had Milne, Schnieder, Montagna that floated around goals.

Fev? Franklin/Roughead? - when one is outside 50, the other is in the goal square. Bradshaw/Brown? - see above. I think there is still old-fashioned full forwards in our game, and always will be. Why my forward line contains that many talls is because I want to see more goals kicked this year from our midfielders. I'd be happy to play Watts on a wing, Bate at HFF and put a true small in the FP if need be. I don't class Jurrah as a true tall, as his ground work is as good, if not better than Farmer's was at that stage.

It's bloody hard - there are a few numbers running around with blokes wearing them that probably don't do it as proud as they could. Jimmy's number 11 for example, currently worn by PJ, even to some point, the number 2? I love Jonesy, but if we are talking about giving (potential) stars the same number as stars before their time, I think that needs to be brought up. I think David Cockatoo-Collins wore 31 didn't he? I'm of the opinion that we make them earn it first, then let the past player decide (eg get Neitz, Barassi, etc to do an official handover when the time is right).

LOL. We do have a tradition of celebrating the "ranga"! In 2009, we had 6 "brothers" listed as well. Any truth in the rumor that BP gets a financial bonus if we draft a red-haired brother??!!!!

That's a great attitude for him to have, and he will achieve that by playing that sneaky role in the coming years. I just don't want to see him play FF/CHF yet, while he is 21, he's only played 9 games. I think FF will restrict him and his development (not many true FF's venture outside of the 50), and I think he's far from CHF yet. Slot him in at forward pocket with the instruction to go as far up the ground as he feels he needs to, based on this years performance, he will kick his 40 goals a season, maybe more, plus set many, many more up for Petterd (who he seems to have some freakish connection with!). Not the appropriate thread, but assuming all are fit, this is how I would line them up come roound 1, 2010; HF Green Miller Watts F Jurrah Thorp Bate Rotations would include Petterd, Stef Martin and Jetta. Feel the need for Miller and the recruitment of Thorp due to a lot of opposition defenders (eg. Scarlett, Lake, Presti(?)) having a field day on our kids if we exposed them too much.

Should the new players be given it, or made to earn it? Just thinking when Geelong gave Varcoe the famous number 5. As an opposition supporter, and knowing a lot of Geelong supporters, it made him standout a lot more than probably deserved. I know many times in his career I made the comment about him not deserving to wear number 5.

I would like to see him play that sneaky role because it's what he did so well. Who knows, in 2 or 3 years time when he has had a couple of full preseasons, as well as a couple of extra years in the whole system, he might be one f the greatest KPP to play for us. Until then, give him a licence to be as sneaky as he wants, without the added pressure of needing to be our main goal kicker. I'd hate to see him have a downer in 2010, if it were to happen, playing him at FF/CHF would make it more noticeable, which will result in people jumping off the band wagon.

He will be in about 3 years time. Can't see him playing as a KPF anytime in the next 2 seasons at least. I love the boy, but would prefer him on a wing/hff for the time being, with some time (small bursts?) at FF to get a feel.

This thread was actually a half-full attitude! We are all screaming out for a KPF in this draft to fill the hole. The reality is that we may not take one, as the quality of what's available isn't great. What I was trying to get at is that if we don't pick one up, it's not the end of the world as we will have a pick somewhere in the middle of the first round next year. If we don't get one at pick 11 or 18 this year, it's only because we have snagged another midfielder/and or ruck.

Just re-read... BIG SORRY KEYSER!

Sh!t, I must have missed what Keyser was saying, and sincerely apologise for doing so! The way I read it was that he was making the point that finally Bailey is doing something like this, just a shame it was at the start of his third season and not when he was first hired. I got that vibe from reading it once, not even reading too much in to it! Again, I apologise for that.