Rogue

Or the game plan has changed and we're kicking it long. Listening to MMM on the way in to the 'G today Lyon stated that Melbourne were last for long kicks this season but in the last month or so had kicked longer than their opponents. Agreed. I'm not so sure there's that much scope for the 'broom' considering the state of our list. We've got plenty of older fringe players who will be gone in the next two years regardless and they need to be delisted before we get creative. Interesting - when did he say that? In the past he's said he'd like to finish his career as a 'soldier', handing over the captaincy to another player before he ends his playing days.

Same - as usual

For sure - one via the draft and one via the rookie list please.

Some of our younger guys are certainly exciting prospects and Jones is already in our 22 IMO. Shanked a couple later in the game today but he wasn't alone there. Looking forward to seeing him play plenty of AFL footy for years to come =)

I saw Bartram walking around outside the MCG with a suit and Dees tie on today - and a blonde on his shoulder =)

I think his growing sense of belonging is showing in his play. When you look at what Bell's said about feeling settled, and how he in the past worried for ages about a mistake made during the game - or for weeks about a bad game - you can see how an extended run in the seniors and some faith can help players 'make it'. I imagine CJ can probably empathise.

While I agree with the sentiments regarding our exciting youngsters who are already pressing claims on a senior berth I think you're exaggerating a little. I think you've over-rated Sylvia IMO (looking at your nick I assume you're a big fan). In the best 25 atm but not the 18 for me. I'm not sure where he fits in yet - currently not fit enough to play as a midfielder and hasn't shown he can consistently kick goals at AFL level. Best 25 for me - hasn't nailed down a spot yet but probably not helped in that regard by playing a Bruce-style role. Agree that he's in the 22, but probably more to do with Jamar's lack of...everything. Now that he's got his chance he's going really well though. Only in the best 25 - let alone 22/18 - on potential right now - let's not get carried away! He's played two games and hasn't dominated at all. To make it clear for those looking for an argument, this isn't writing him off. I just believe that right now that if everyone was fit he would not earn a spot in the 22. Another one in the best 18? Who isn't in the starting 18? I'd try and squeeze him into my 22. Out of interest what is your best 22? Regardless we do agree that we have plenty of exciting prospects. Certainly a lack of players in particular positions though; as someone said you haven't listed too many KPPs.

Tall defenders: Rivers Carroll Frawley (green) Warnock (green) Bizzell (30+ in '07) Holland (30+ in '07) Ferguson - doubt he'll be at the club Tall forwards: Neitz (30+ in '07) Robertson Bate (green) - can swing through there Dunn (green) - not up to playing KP atm Newton (green) - hasn't played yet Miller - doesn't kick goals Small forwards: Davey - played up the ground because we lack pace ... Rucks: White (30+ in '07) PJ (green) Jamar - not up to it? //+ Neaves on rookie list I'd be looking at places other than our midfield group for problems with our list

Yze in for Brown. Interesting - didn't think Yze would be fit, but good to see.

While we could do with a quick mid stepping up to the plate I probably see this as the strongest area of our list.

Indeed :<

From what I've seen of CJ I tend to agree. Ironic when we've played Brown forward (eg. last year when Davey was out, not v Adel last week when he was tagging McLeod) because we lack small forwards

Agreed. Wouldn't mind Yze/Buckley coming in for Brown.

While Nicholson always copped flak I felt he was decent for us - always looked like he was playing to his potential and wasn't exactly competing against a plethora of FBs. Ward's quite quick and is a bit of a ball magnet who is prepared to run with the ball. At times he gives us good drive off the HBF, and did so fairly well last year. Ward benefits from the fact we have a relatively one-paced team. PS. Obviously his downsides have been written about many times; I don't see the need to repeat them - just pointing out the attributes that help him get selected by ND.

That's the spirit Hopefully we're singing the song on Monday afternoon.

If Jamar is going to make it I think it'll be as a ruckman, not in the mould of the Holland FP we used a few years back.

Even if we continue to win I'm sure some players will have drops in form or become injured and Dunn will certainly be in the mix for a return.

Our time to shine is when the guys like McLean etc reach their peak - I imagine we'd need to compromise that future to get Cousins, who may only have three good seasons left in him. I guess it depends where you think our list is at, but I'd rather we draft unless the price was pretty low.

Haha, on the same date that old55 picked out one of my posts as an illustration of those who said that "Bell would never make it" I named him in my starting 18 (on the HBF) ahead of a guy like Brown. Also on the same date, and in the same thread that old55 quoted me from, I argued that Bell shouldn't be judged harshly simply because he was drafted at a higher pick than other players who had shown more than him so far. Around the same time (Apr 06) I stated that he should be selected for every game this season. Way back in 2006 I disagreed with those who said Bell had a poor season. In 2006 I also named him in a group of youngsters that were in or around the best 22 already, and named him in my 22 for 2007: EDIT: While I was taking a look at what I had said about Bell in the past I found this gem written at the end of 2006 (around the same time I was disagreeing with assertions that Bell had been disappointing) - PS. Exam time is great for wasting time on the forums.

Beautiful work? Take off the blinkers. How many of those posters said that Bell would "never make it" (which is what old55 attempted to portray them as)? Lets check out my post as an example - I agreed with someone in that Bell gets run down, but said that when he gets run down it is generally when he is trying to figure out which option to take rather than when he's trying to take on a potential tackler. Is that saying he'll "never make it"? No. Is that even saying that he's a poor footballer? No. Is that stating that when he gets run down it's more often because he's trying to figure out what to do with the ball more than when he is trying to take on tacklers? Yes. I've never advocated Bell be traded, and have consistently named him in my best 22 in recent times (pre-dating the post on April 19).

Agreed.

We've played 30+ players this year and only four of the guys on our list haven't played a senior game. Fair enough if they don't know much about those guys IMO. Sure, it's their job - but 30+ x 16 is already a huge amount of information, let alone knowing all about the four guys who can't get a gig in the ~bottom side.

So play Wheatley on the wing so he can play to his strengths..? Bizz and Wheatley are in totally different boats btw. If you don't know why you think Bizz might go before Wheatley I'd suggest that it could be to do with the fact Wheatley is ~5 years younger.

On the other hand Injury Update had Bate out for a couple post-rd 9 and yet he played this week.

Oh dear