DeeSpencer

Short is back in vogue to a degree. The way AFL has changed is if you have top line speed, agility and ability to be powerful then playing as a small forward or midfielder makes height not so relevant. I'd expect it to cost him top 10 but not much difference after that. AFL clearance midfielders are becoming like high repetition NFL running backs with a power element to their game. You can either take the Josh Kennedy/Jobe Watson method of using your frame and size to bustle or you can use the Sam Mitchell technique of brilliant in close movement to get in and out before anyone touches you, of course you still have to be incredible strong and brave.

For mine Gillies doesn't have the class with his ball use to be a 3rd tall. I think we will prefer Garland, Watts, Dunn and Joel Macdonald is those roles. Where Gillies and Sellar come in are back ups for Frawley and McDonald. Now ideally I'd only want to play Frawley and McDonald and have someone like Garland or Watts occupy the 3rd tall role but when we come up against teams with 3 big fellas up forward we might need either Sellar or Gillies in the team as well. Consider North with Petrie (Frawley), Hansen (McDonald) and Tarrant. Who do you want on Tarrant do you want to expose him to a smaller Dunn, Watts or Garland or do you want another big body back there. Considering Garland usually plays tall and McDonald and Frawley offer versatility to play smaller I think unless Watts can actually play as a big defender (more so than a flanker) that we will see Gillies and Sellar having big opportunities.

Please show me any regular season AFL game where he started as a key forward? Or even spent more than 5 minutes up forward. I think he's done both preseasons before this one as a forward but come the games be it at Casey or for Melbourne he's been down back. I'm happy for him to be down back but I agree we should always keep our options open. Let's see if he can start to judge the ball and use his body to get more marks. If your CHB is taking marks its often a sign that they could make it more as a forward.

No he isn't. Cox, Naitanui, Sam Jacobs all better tap ruckman. They have much better ability at hitting the ball in different directions and with disguises. Jamar has been very one dimensional down to Moloney. Good teams figured that out after 2010. As for our year in 2010 I agree we played an exciting brand of footy and hey we could have even stuck with Bailey and stuck with that game plan but 2011 was so far removed from a decent year which threw all that out the window didn't it!

We beat a lot of bad teams in 2010 and hung our hat on our performances against the pies. I also think a lot of the guys who played well in 2010 did so playing on their own terms. Whilst you have to have individual style I think Neeld's vision of team first football needed to happen. I hope 2013 can be a better year for the russian. The back up from Pedersen or even Clark at times (once he's back to full fitness) should help protect the Russian. However he lost his marking to a degree last year. Now he'll never be a huge contributor around the ground but if he can take a few grabs and get involved that way it makes him more than just a hit out man. I'm still not sold on Spencer but he should be at the stage where due to his size and AFL experience he'll be almost too good for the VFL so I hope he can push Jamar along. Same for Gawn in the second half of the year.

Vince did nothing for the Packers leaky defense today and now my bears aren't in the play offs so you can stuff it! Oh and don't think NFL professionalism is that great by the way. I read an article the other day that said most players go out and get hammered on a Friday night because they have all of Saturday off before playing on Sunday. That only works if you are Dane Swan in the AFL.

I'd rate our defence as about 10-14th for the 2013 season but with a lot of potential. It's not unreasonable to say Frawley and McDonald become a really good tall pairing with Sellar, Davis and Gillies fighting for spots, then Garland, Watts and Dunn all could be very handy players on potential and our small defenders with the likes of Strauss and Nicholson could really show something. I certainly think if you put Grimes on a HBF as a rock of the defence its almost instantly a much improved quality defence. Our midfield is still going to battle but should be much improved as a unit. I think we've got a group now that could almost be elite if things go to plan but is still so inexperienced. Whether we've got the 12th best midfield or 17th best depends a lot on Jones, McKenzie and Sylvia. If those 3 play consistently at their best it really means Trengove, Viney, Toumpas and others can contribute. If Rodan plays top line footy then we'll really become a good unit quicker than expected. The forward line certainly has the talent and structure to be good enough already. We just needs games together for Clark, Dawes, Pedersen and a mixture of smalls like Blease, Bail, Byrnes, Tapscott and even Davey.

Why? When was Watts a top 5 trainer and runner at the club? When did Watts really put his body on the line like Trenners? When did Watts last get suspended for tackling too hard? When did Watts be a vocal leader on and off the field? Dawes for sure, but please tell me how on earth Watts deserves to be in the leadership group just cause Trengove is captain. I'm not Watts bashing here, but people near to observe games, training sessions and coaches speaking and think about Watts. If your local footy club was Melbourne would you vote Watts into your footy club?

So why is Nick Maxwell a premiership captain and Dayne Swan not in the leadership group. Will you see Alex Fasolo in the Collingwood leadership group anytime soon, he's one of Collingwoods brightest young talent,what about future star talent Dayle Garlett? Clear as day Watts was dropped last year and then after an injury played poorly both in form and spirit in the last rounds of the year. He's part of the future of the club but he isn't "the future". If he was pick 80 and played a few average years as a forward with some class then moved behind the ball and barely set the world on fire you wouldn't dare suggest him for the leadership group. Why does the number have to be 7? Is that law? We are still short on genuine leadership and the best leaders are respected players. I agree Macdonald is only depth but even if he is playing most of the year at Casey why can't he be in the leadership group? He plays hard footy, trains hard and is respected. Isn't that setting an example for the other players. Neeld went for a young leadership group but he picked guys who were ready. Watts is a long way from ready to lead other players.

Watts? Come on guys last year he was still shirking contests every now and then. He's still miles away. Grimes and Trengove obviously Jones and Clark based on form Frawley Jamar Possibly one of Dawes, Garland or a surprise inclusion like Joel Macdonald who lacks some talent but is properly a respected older type these days or Jordie McKenzie

Blease - Body and mind at AFL level Grimes - (touch wood) his fitness should be at record level Clark - just getting him back playing is enough for me Toumpas - when did we last get a real class player Pedersen - I think he'll be a real bargain and fan favourite the way he plays tough footy One of Terlich, Jones or Crisp - 3 mature ages, I hope one can make impact like Magner Lastly I really hoping Gillies can be something. I like Tom McDonald but I think we've put a lot of pressure on him and by default Frawley to be the main men down back. They won't have the wise head of Rivers to help out. I wonder if Gillies could be something. His kicking might always be a bit off but physically I expect him to be very ready. I want to see Watts nail the 3rd tall spot, but I wonder if either a Sellar or Gillies could push for best 22 as well.

I would be none too impressed if we took another VFL inside midfielder. We've already got Magner, Couch and M Jones, if we go for another one they'll be 4th in line for only one spot in the team unless they are versatile. I'm still keen on outside types and particularly a small forward.

There are so many different options. Say we want to really beef up our backline we might move Grimes back to a half back flank and maybe Toumpas there as well to settle him into AFL. That then creates spots for the midfield and guys like Magner and Jones become important. Or we might go the other way and leave Grimes in the midfield and see if we can get Viney and Toumpas playing midfield minutes from the start. Then all of a sudden there will be good opportunities for Terlich to play back. Personally I'm not sure why Terlich couldn't play on a wing if he has the fitness. It might be easier than having to defend a dangerous forward. If he can accumulate and use the footy I don't see why he can't play on a wing. I'm expecting both of these mature age guys to take half a season to learn our game plan and also adapt to being AFL footballers. They may be ready to go but they still haven't been there before. I'm not sure there has ever been a club as unsettled in regard to best 22 as Melbourne. Sure we've got the big men sorted to a degree but there is probably a core of about 12 positions filled and 10 left up to grabs for whoever can step up and take them. This includes a chunk of midfield along with small defender small forwards.

Here's a potential cause for all these dramas. The club got rid of all their veterans in the last 5 years plus those who were left for a while got their playing roles and time diminished. It ended with this situation that players didn't have faith that they could play good footy after 30. With a poor medical and fitness record I don't blame them. That with the poor playing culture leads players who have had good seasons like Davey holding out for long deals and big cash. I see Cloke doing the same thing at Collingwood. Mick is gone and he's looking around saying well Swanny might be on the way down and we've lost a few other players and maybe we wont always be at the top so I'll cash in now. The problem is now that Davey's body is shot he's still earning his big cheque and potentially hurting the club. Now I don't blame him at all. But if we had a proper culture in place then Davey signs of for 3, gets good medical attention and fitness work and when his body is shot he pulls the pin. Now it just so happens he was out of contract but I see in Bartram's decision a degree of realism and also an understanding of what is best for the club. At the same time the club tried all options to get him better. With the recruitment of Rodan and Byrnes and even the retention of Joel Macdonald I hope we can show players they can play good footy and be fit after the age of 28 or 30. The benefit then comes when players can back themselves in and sign appropriate contracts. In the same way if we have a good team and players and getting paid appropriately then when you have a guy who wins your B+F by largely dipping round to the HBF and distrubiting the ball all the while not breaking tags, winning inside ball or playing a complete game then you don't over value him. I don't mean to lash out at Davey and he certainly had a great season playing a very suitable role that year but that should be the standard. Neeld trains players to play roles within a team and I hope Davey can get back to fitness so he can play a forward pocket role, but I doubt it. Oh by the way Leigh Williams scorched him in the preseason running last year and that's when I knew he was cooked. But a few geniuses on here tried to tell me he didn't need endurance to play as a speed athlete.

FB: Garland Frawley Strauss HB: Watts McDonald Nicholson C: Toumpas Jones Trengove HF: Sylvia Dawes Howe FF: Byrnes Clark Blease Foll: Jamar McKenzie Grimes INT: Pedersen, Viney, Rodan S: Tapscott Unlucky: Defenders: Sellar and Gillies both could pressure McDonald and Garland. Dunn and Tynan could put heat on Strauss, Watts and Nicholson. Also Grimes could revert back to the midfield. Midfielders: Evans, Magner and Taggert could all play round 1 but I'm going for the 18 year olds with class. Forwards: Jetta and Bail could replace Byrnes and Blease but I prefer the class factor of Blease and think they'll give Byrnes a good run at it. Rucks: I still think Jamar has a big lead over Spencer and Gawn. Same goes for Pedersen but I'd be keen to see how Fitzpatrick can improve. All in all due to not a lot of numbers most of the midfield picks themselves. I see a distinct advantage from last year in having the second tall forward and also a raft of improved smaller options due to the recruits we've brought in and the added number of mids. The backline is very interesting. Frawley is the only cemented player but there are a bunch of young guys with some skill and then we've brought in GIllies and Sellar in the last 2 years who will compete for spots as well. I'm tempted to move Grimes to a HBF and add another mid/forward just to provide some leadership down back. The other option is Toumpas plays HBF whilst learning AFL and can use his skills.

Given Toumpas is Greek wouldn't it have made sense for him to follow in the footsteps of our greatest hairy player in recent time and wear the 3!

If he doesn't have speed or fitness he's in trouble though. I hope he can get his pace up and then play deep forward and if we can actually compete in games he'd be a chance to contribute. If we are losing and he can't run then he's not worth playing.

You'd think he'd compete with Strauss, Dunn, Nicholson, Watts, Joel Macdonald and maybe even Toumpas in his first year or two for a spot on a half back flank/back pocket. Should be an interesting positional battle. There's room for at least 3 of those guys along with 2 talls (like Frawley and McDonald) plus a 3rd tall type which could be Garland or Watts/Dunn/Macdonald/Gillies/Sellar. It will be an interesting battle that defensive mix. There's very few established AFL players but a lot of talent in different combinations.

Maybe the thing I'm most excited about is - solidified best 22 Melbourne players who can really kick a footy - 0! Toumpas has a chance to hold down a spot and show us what he can do on the outside using that run and carry and kicking skills. Half back flank certainly sounds like a good starting point to me for at least some of his football.

To me the thing is it's not so much that he's a bad boy but the fact he's so far from a good boy and he doesn't get it. Even at his worst Ben Cousins would still train the house down and go out there and give it his all (before doing drugs for a week or whatever). Garlett is obviously unfit which means even if he's a gun he wont get a kick in the AFL for most of 2013 season. Plus from that interview it doesn't look like he had any insight into what he was doing wrong. Oh yeah I need to stop drinking and going out and I'll do that now. Sure buddy!

Zeroing in is definitely how you become premiers

Seriously what has journalism come to. Sure as hell Sylvia has prior misdemeanors and a percentage of bikie gangs involve themselves in criminal activities but from one photo they have: - Sylvia's record - Didak's record - Hudson shooting - Dodgy boxing promotion - Bikie gangs And just to be smart that throw in a line about Melbourne tanking. It really wouldn't be worth the effort or the additional media scrutiny and the papers know it but surely you could even consider a law suit if you were one of these players for the paper suggesting you have criminal links.

I think speed is important in terms of spread away from the contest and in general play. You have to have at least 1 but hopefully more forwards who can use pace to trap the ball in. Blease should be there and hopefully we have guys like Byrnes, Nev Jetta (agilitiy not speed), a resting Viney who can help trap the ball around the big men. In the midfield again we need that ability to cover off opponents both from stoppages and in general play. That was a big problem last year. Knowing the game plan might help. Down back I hope we can get guys like Stauss, Watts, Nicholson even Dunn the ball as outlets from contests because they can run and carry and deliver the ball. None of them are even regulars in that position yet so I hope a few of them can come on quickly to help Frawley, McDonald and co. Of course Frawley and McDonald are very quick for big men and like to run the ball but they should be doing that when its suits not by requirement.

Strauss, Tapscott and McKenzie. With a good preseason and some faith from the coaches I can see Strauss solidifying a best 22 spot. Tapscott played a few good games in fits and spurts but if his fitness comes up to the mark then he'll start to show us how dangerous he can be with his aggression and kicking. Lastly McKenzie with a preseason (touch wood) could take his game from decent tagger to top level shut down player who can also win the ball. Jordie might never be the best kick or a 30 touches guy but he's as tough as anyone in close so I see no reason why he can't add contested ball winning to his game. Don't get carried away about Nicholson he's always been a great runner but if he can't improve his kicking or his decision making then he won't make it as a player. And Fitzpatrick is so far off AFL standard as big forward, sorry guys. His really mobile so in a way he can play a tall forward pocket role and try and get a mismatch and then provide back up in the ruck but he doesn't have the experience or natural body work to be a key forward target. What I hope for Fitzpatrick is that he keeps working on his ruck work so that he has that area up to scratch and that he can play a lot of VFL as a tall forward target and improve his strong marking ability. At the moment any good defender can work him off the ball. He kicks a lot of goals in the VFL because of his mobility rather than his physical presence. With the clean out the Casey VFL forward line at this stage really is Fitzpatrick and Hogan with big Spencer and Gawn sharing ruck so I hope he can prove me wrong and come on a lot quicker.

Likely posting suicide here but what about Kyle Reimers. Sure he's got a rubbish attitude on the field and probably not the best one off it yet but he's good speed which is a commodity we are very short in. Getting the chop from Essendon might be a good wake up call. I'd consider him over Toy, Sherman and Jacobs if he could show you he's a hard worker. No recycled player ever looks like a promising option but you have to deeply evaluate their skills and see what they can bring. I don't think anyone thought Brent Guerra could go from forward pocket who went around tackling and not particularly contributing much on field to a skilled leader of Hawthorns defense.