Daz's Dee's

Actually, I was thinking yesterday as I was watching that fantastic game between the Saints and the Pies about the irony of Luke Tapscott being injured. Luke was the player whose name was called out at # 18 in the National Draft slowly and dramatically by Barry Prendergast when some were anticipating that he might call out "Luke...Ball."

The worry at the time was with Ball's fitness (we weren't going to take him anyway) and yet, he played very well last night while our young and apparently fit Luke looks likely to be sitting on the sidelines for a while. Of course, this is all short term stuff and the fitness queries on Ball were about his ability to see out the rigours of a whole season.

Luke Tapscott was hardly going to be a regular in the first half of his first season in the AFL so this surgery will hopefully be nothing more than a minor setback at the start of a long career.

Another thing I noticed last night was that, at one stage, a Simon Buckley pass hit its target. I wish him well at his new club!

I am going to agree to disagree with this barring injury (which obviously destroys my theory) i beleive he would have been a regualar as he had the body type and senior football experience (sanfl) to have an impact providing he maintaned form

It's very easy to sit back now and say that we should have taken him in '08 as a rookie, or that the FD made a mistake. Just remember that no club made a move on this guy at that time. I don't pretend to know the reasons for that, but obviously it was agreed on by everyone.

On a personal note, I repeatedly said I didn't think much of this guy during the lead-up to the draft. Clearly I was wrong on that front. Well done to those who liked the look of him.

I am with you on this one there was some talk that we were looking at him i was hoping we wouldn't take him in our first 4 picks. He looked pretty impressive in his first game though

Great artical and what a fantastic LOYAL young kid, It looks to be the perfect marriage Jordie loves the dee's and will do anything to help the cause and the Dees love Jordie's attitude and application and will be rewarded for effort. The world would be a better place with more level headed Jordie's

We don't have any traditional rivals we are not hated or feared

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/next-big-think-liam-jurrah/story-e6frf9jf-1225830255628

"I would love to stay for 10 years, play and win more games for Melbourne," he said.

here's hoping

Cheers thats the one

I got my masters two years ago but i MAY return to Uni one day. Can I come?

I would have been all over this like Oprah at a buffet in my teens

Good initiative

Great call, i'm hearin you wish it was around when i left school....

FWIW i one day hope too work for the club in some form or another (got know idea what i'll do)

I read somewhere recently (may have been the HUN) that he wants to repay the MFC for all the hard work and faith they have put into him, he went onto too say he wanted to be a 10 year player with the MFC. I don't know the guy at all but he comes across that his word means more than a signiture on a contract. Having said all that i would be very happy to see him sign a three year deal so the new clubs can keep there stinkin money for other players from other clubs.

5-ish years ago we were all sure McLean, Garland, Jones, Sylvia, Rivers, Bate, Davey, Johnstone and Miller would be All-Australian/champion types. At this moment in time none of them have been near it, yet.

I don't know how we have the nerve to make the same predictions of Scully, 'Gove, Watts, Jurrah, Morton, Frawley, Grimes etc

Who's too say that Garland, Jones, Sylvia, Rivers and Bate won't become All Australians. Mclean may too? Johnstone and Miller unlikely! I am sure the Geelong fans had high hopes at the start of the decade that alot of there players would reach potential and become All Australians. We have rebuilt just like they did and who know were we may be in 5 yrs time

FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE

Fremantle

1. Hayden Ballantyne, 2. Anthony Morabito, 3. Byron Schammer, 4. Paul Hasleby, 5. Garrick Ibbotson, 6. Greg Broughton, 9. Adam McPhee, 11. Des Headland, 14. Antoni Grover, 15. Ryan Crowley, 16. David Mundy, 18. Luke McPharlin, 19. Clayton Hinkley, 21. Michael Barlow, 23. Chris Mayne, 24. Dylan Roberton, 26. Kepler Bradley, 28. Ryan Murphy, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 30. Zachary Clarke, 31. Aaron Sandilands, 32. Stephen Hill, 36. Alex Silvagni, 37. Michael Johnson, 40. Matt de Boer, 41. Paul Duffield, 43. Roger Hayden, 46. Clancee Pearce, 47. Jay van Berlo.

Melbourne

1. Matthew Warnock, 2. Nathan Jones, 3. Clint Bartram, 7. Brad Miller, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Cale Morton, 12. Colin Sylvia, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 15. Ricky Petterd, 16. Jack Grimes, 18. Brad Green, 19. Addam Maric, 21. Daniel Bell, 22. Brent Moloney, 23. James McDonald, 24. Liam Jurrah, 25. Kyle Cheney, 27. Jared Rivers, 28. Joel Macdonald, 31. Tom Scully, 34. Stefan Martin, 36. Aaron Davey, 39. Neville Jetta, 42. Jake Spencer, 43. Jamie Bennell, 44. Rohan Bail, 47. James Strauss, 48. Jack Fitzpatrick.

Great too see the young guys getting a run bring it on not a bad looking team

not a bad side im confident we will get close to winning

odds freo $1.35 dees $3.15 very good odds

I wonder if Gawn or Johnson are going to be out long enough to be moved to the LTI, paving the way for a promotion for McKenzie or Spencer?

I would say thats a gimme Johnson has stress fractures we all know how serious they can be and Gawn is a massive 18 yr old comming off an acl can't see him doing much this season

New article on Herald Sun website with new comments from CC re: Watts entitled "Patience urged over Jack Watts' progress for the Melbourne Demons"

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/patience-urged-over-jack-watts-progress-for-the-melbourne-demons/story-e6frf9ix-1225831562994?from=public_rss

Really Really hope he reaches his potential, its gonna be hard watching Nic Nat for the next few years until Jack developes and we get the best out of him (as per article). IMO if Nic Nat was from Victoria i think he would be wearing the RED and BLUE, and that comment has nothing too do with his NAB cup match, this kid would have went number 1 ahead of Matthew Kreuzer in 07 but was too young by a few days. some may not agree and are probably sick of hearing Nic Nat v Jack Watts but i have and alwyas will be a Nic Nat fan and just needed to vent.

Let him develope at his own pace into the player he is, an elite running midfielder... he has not been known as a tagger in his junior career and i see no reason to change someone with such hard working natural ability

This match in Fremantle next Sunday is very important not only to and for the confidence of the players,it is also very important for the drive of maintaining the membership numbers to gain 31,000 being the budgeted amount for 2010.With just on 22,000 now and 18 weeks till the end of June 2010,the club will have to get over 500 week every week to achieve its required number.

Therefore, to put in a weak performance will be very telling for the club overall.With the betting showing Fremantle at long odd on does not go well for a great start. Also our injuries to tall players will be a telling blow for this match.Just hoping we can play well to start our season on a postive momentum.

Your thoughts??

GO DEES!

I see your point but don't think a win is be all and end all, I just want to see the senior players perform, the second string players show something and our future youngsters show they belong at this level if we see q little xfactor and genuine star potential that sells memberships..

We get shafted big time regarding free to air games too. Once the real stuff starts we are on Fox for the first 5 rounds (according to an iPhone app I have). Buggered if I am paying for the rubbish on Foxtel - been there, done that before.

What the Iphone app????

Slight change of topic, but what the hell is going on with Daniel Bell?

Every training report I read, Bell has been sub-par. I'm also under the impression that he was a non-entity in the intra-club game last weekend.

Seeing as Bell comes out of contract at the end of the year, you'd think he'd be a star performer on the track and banging down the door for a game this weekend.

Strange.

His running out of time, his not injured as far as i know i saw him play in the intra club and he went virtually unsighted. He showed some promise around 06 (from memory) but has been a fringe player ever since, with all our young recruits training hard and pushing for selection its really hard too see him playing anything more than VFL.

My order is in the mail great idea.... would have come in handy on saturday @ the intra club match. Cheers Daz

Don't think NicNat is a shoe in, but i do agree if he keeps that form up he will be some player (if only the recruiters had a crystal ball) got the likes of Dustin Martin who can play and should play a fair bit this year, Tom Swift pretty handy who will also get game time and without being one eyed (well as best as i can) Trengove is a stand out talent providing the club and his body allow him game time. BTW i can't wait too see tapscott play in the red and blue, watched a bit of him last year very impressive and was wrapped when he was read oot @ pick 18

Tapscott will probably not be ready. He's been on the rehab list for a couple of weeks.

I have a feeling that Jamar and Davey may also miss. They did 1/2 a game last week and are coming back from foot and soft tissue injuries.

Spencer, Junior and Maric would be the replacements

Trengove looks ready. They may rest Scully this week as he's a bit behind Trengove in preparation, and next week they can play Scully and rest Trengove. If they replace Scully with Dunn, McNamara or Cheney then we'll have 3 new faces in the 26. It certainly won't be our strongest side this year.

I agree with all except i think that Jamar and Davey may play, Tapscott is probably not ready and agree that scully is a bit behind Trengove not expecting too much from us early as we still have a few injuries we have too manage be good too see the likes of maric, dunn, spencer, mckenzie and strauss to get a game too proove there worth

Im not a melbourne supporter (will state soon who i support) but went down on the day for a look at intraclub as one of my best mates was a "top-up" player from Casey (will give details shortly)

I must say i was very impressed with the day. 3 years ago essendon had an intra club game at casey and it was not ran half as good as melbourne did.

Players that i thort stood out wer:

Sylvia, Moloney, Jones, Trevgrove and McKenzie.

Liam Jurrah is just an excitment machine and to see him fly wearing the number 24 would make Robbo smile.

Also spotted two carlton coaches in the crowd in Robert Harvey and Matty Lappin.

As for the Casey fields set up, how good is this ground looking. Concidering its being trained on my Casey and Melbourne the ground is just wonderful.

Incase you didnt know aswel, Cranbourne Football Club actually play there home games there aswel in the under18s Reserves and Seniors (every 2nd saturday)

Ok onto my mate, Tim Smith #33on the red team.

He absolutly loved his time training with Melbourne and thinks they are the best group of blokes going around, made you feel like one of them.

He also said that the club has a great mateship and everyone gets along with everyone! I had a friend play at richmond and said its all little groups of friends and there was no trust, Tim has said that Melbourne is a close nick group.

And just so you are all know Tim was the player who ran into the post at full pace. His shoulder is badly bruised but no other damage.

Good Luck for Season 2010, I hope melbourne can keep making those smaller steps and become a finals contender in years to come.

See not all collingwood supporters are that bad

Thanks for your post Kid its great too get an outside point of view as most on here are pretty one eyed..... most of my mates don't rate melbourne and never have (which i understand) but i now feel confident enough in telling them i belive this group is IMO building towards a flag rather than trying the quick fix.

Thanks Demoniac good report and backs up my opinion of him being one of the most important MFC players, its in his hands....

Garland as a Key Forward could be a great move and something i have been interested in for a while now

I'll admit i like the old "Home page" better it just looked great and as some others have noted not as busy/clutered, totaly up too you i will read it regardless as i just love it the forums and information is fantastic and its great everyone (inc myself) gets to provide there OWN point of view keep it up...

ps got some money coming for you guys just waiting for a few things to happin

In countless threads there are admiring references to Sylvia with posters exhibiting great certainty that he's a star and that he will play a huge role this year and for years to come.

Really?

Must say I really hope you are right but I have my doubts. Sure, he was better last year. For a 60 gamer , picked 4 in the draft, to have obtained not 1 vote in the Brownlow [before 2009] was remarkable. We'd all seen flashes of ability but how often was it produced.

A flaky personality, who's demonstrated a refusal to look after himself away from the club, he did show a bit last year,but about time. How often has he disappointed? He's slow--perhaps a result of the o.p- and he has to make the most of the remaining talents he has. I'm uncertain that he ever will, consistently.And at his age and experience, it's vital that he does.

Those of you who admire his long bombs for goal, usually on the run, ask yourselves the question--how often does he do it? What's his accuracy like for set shots?

And ask yourselves, how likely is he to be rubbed out for a few weeks because other clubs know he can be easily distracted and got in.

Not a team leader's bootlace in my view-- I hope he proves me wrong

I admit i have been disapointed with Col pre 09 but last year he really matured on and OFF the field, "A flakey personality" i can not relate too, last year i took my 5 year old daughter too the junior members kids / Clinic day at junction oval and i can tell you through out the whole day he was a stound out with the kids and parents and really changed my thoughts on him weather it was for show or not my 5 year old daughter walked away with a massive smile and i walked away thinking what i real nice bloke to have around this great club, ask anyone that saw him at the intra club match i am certain you will here the same he spent as much time on the ground taking photo's, signing autographs and chating to fans.

"slow" well he is not the fastest at the club as we all know but he can certainly compete at AFL standard and looks as fit as ever.

IMO i think he is as important as any other player at the club and he owes the club and fans some very good consistant football. But i beleive he has turned the corner and has finally commited too playing football and we will see his best over the next 5+ years.

As for a leader yes i agree he is no leader YET but if he coninues to grow and proove himself he could become part of the leadership group in time.... lets see how he goes this year first and judge him again at the end of the year if he performs great if not than you some of your views may be right.

i was also there with my wife and kids it was my first intra club match and first visit to Casey......

My thoughts:

I was very impressed with the amount of Red and Blue fans that turned out, and some very nice people whome i had a chat too unfortunately i didnt seem to bump into any fellow demonlanders (but my wife said she over heard others talking about demonland).

The Surface IMO is first class would be a pleasure to train and play on.

The Facilities are generally pretty good the new grandstand will look pretty neat once finished. I assume they are going too have a first class Gym and other Training facilities with in these rooms??

The game again in my opinion was pretty good as far as an intra club match go's. There are alot of critical people on here and i understand some of there views however lets not get carried away it is only a match simulation getting the players ready for the real deal. Some of the underperformers (as written about) should get a chance to proove there worth before round 1 and if they can't show something in the next series of practice matches there seems to be a number of players really making there claims.

Just to pick out some of the positives rather than negatives from what i saw.

Jack Trengove is the real deal i am and have been a fan from when i first saw him in the country carnival last year. This young bloke can play and showed yesterday why he was the equal number 1 draft pick, he runs all day maked good position and reads the play like any other than add his near perfect skills left and right. Only very early days but if this kid reaches his full potential we have a genuine star for the first time in.......

Tom Scully runs all day, great awareness and feels the need to dive into a pack to get the ball out to a team mate for a young guy that is pretty lean and not overly tall its a very strong attribute, he did at times look a little lost but he is a kid playing against men but has skill once he developes his body will be a player.

Brad Green starred looks in good shape.

Col Sylvia i thought was great won his own ball moved well look very fit and strong.

Jack Grimmes i love watching probably didn't use the ball as well as he can but finds it, reads the play and is primmed to play were ever nedded

Cale Morton as per Grimmes but looked a little lazy at times he was certaninly notgoing at full pace

Liam Jurrah would have had less than 10 possies but kicked 4 goals and provided a target but lets face it everytime he go's near the ball its F@*%ing exciting

Joel Macdonald looked like he can proove to be a handy pick up and free up some other players to play midfield or forward

James Frawley was great and is ready to take on the Big boys of the comp,if he continues to improve maybe just maybe one day could be an All Australian

Jordy Mckenzie, James Strauss and co showed glimpses was dissapointed Tapscott didn't play he was one i went to watch keep your eyes and ears on him....

Most of the other senior boys were pretty good some better than others.

Great and i trully mean great to see the likes of Gary lyon and Jim Stynes there these two blokes are icons of melbourne, really hope Jimmy can pull through looked frail but what an inspirational effort to attend, i assume every single person on this site is a memeber and for gods sake if your not why??

Just a couple of takes with the injured boys from what i heard or they told me. Blease said he was still a few weeks away, Watts has a slight quad strain and probably a week or two away, Bate i am not too sure whats wrong with heim but thought i heard him say he was a month away??? Aussie was just rested, Garland and Johnson still recovering and Tappscot missed through family reasons?

Well thats my take great day lots of promise still think were a little way off but certainly on the right track

Doesn't mean much in relation to the Hypothetical, but here are the sportsbet odds for Melbourne players to win the NAB rising star.

(Martin fav at $5.50)

Scully $8

Trengove $12

Watts $29

Gysberts $51

Tapscott $67

Blease $81

Spencer $81

Strauss $101

McKenzie $101

McNamara $101

Gawn $151

Fitzpatrick $251

Strauss is value at $101 I would have thought. In terms of value outside the Melbourne players, I would take Swift $26, or even Gary ROhan at $51.

Link

Thanks for that just had a look i like tapscott & strauss e/w if these 2 get enough game time could be great value but for mind trengove @ $12 i might just have a crack.....