P-man

I don't think anyone would dispute Dawes' work rate or the fact he attracted more attention from the opposition due to a lack of forward depth. But there was a stretch of games where frankly he couldn't catch a cold. He was clumsy and largely ineffective in many matches, and that surely can't constitute a par season. He's better than what he produced en masse in 2014. As he showed against Adelaide, he is in fact capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck. I think we're all looking forward to what he can do with another genuine KPF alongside him.

I think casting Dawesy as a "role player" or "second/third forward" can sometimes veer towards excuse making for under par performances. His absolute best is actually very good. Hopefully he can produce something closer to that level on a more consistent basis next season.

Pass mark for me is getting out of the bottom four to finish 14th or higher. Anything less will be a major disappointment as I think the team is quite capable of achieving it with Frawley being the only loss of any significance from the 2014 side and plenty of talent (tested and untested) introduced for 2015. Finals is not out of the question and should be a goal internally, but it would be extremely unlikely, verging on miraculous.

Sorry mate, I don't know who you are talking to, but any fan worth a pinch of salt knows who Hogan is. Much like they would know who Paddy McCartin is. Key forwards who are top 10 picks gain an immediate profile. The fact Hogan has been in the system for a couple of years but is yet to play a senior game has added to his mystique, but he isn't any less well known to the football following public.

This is plainly wrong. He's one of the few Melbourne players people know because of the hype surrounding him. Hogan is on the same profile level as Boyd and Daniher (whom he will be compared against for the rest of his career). Any supporter who doesn't know who Hogan is would have to be living in a cave. He's THE biggest reason to be excited about what's to come. I think Toumpas will be the surprise packet of 2015, because of how widely he has been written off as another high pick failure.

You are getting way off track tbh. I agree that Grimes' spot comes under question this season but that's not the topic. Do you think Grimes WILL be dropped for Round 1? Not should. Will. Because that's the topic. Predicting who WILL be selected for Round 1.

I think that bird has flown.

Keep in mind we're predicting who Roos will pick for Round 1, not who we think should be in Round 1. If the public line is that he dropped the captaincy to focus on his game, then I think he'll be given a chance to do so in the first team. Really can't see him being dropped from the outset.

I'll be staggered if Grimes isn't playing in Round 1. That would be quite a statement to drop the captain from the previous season in Round 1. I think Roos will back him in. If he doesn't perform then his spot may be in jeopardy.

Strewth dc! You'll be deadset drinking with the flies with that sort of attitude! We need to get some fancy amber fluid into ya! Quit ya whingin and give it a burl! (How was that?)

Book me in next Saturday,

The Boags Brewery does a beer and cheese tasting at the end of their tour. Beer and cheese. Together at last. Will have to check out Moo Brewery next time. Not a bad drop, although they ripped off the name from me and my mates. Our three home made products in college were Brew 62, Moo Brew and Leaf Brew. The first two have been ripped off by Coopers and Moo Brew respectively. We didn't fancy going through lengthy court proceedings so we let it slide, but the resentment lives on...

My favourite beer is Duvel followed by Pilsner Urquell, both of which I've had in their country of origin, but one of the best beers I've ever had was a Cascade Pale Ale in the Cascade Gardens in Hobart. Unbelievably fresh. Combined with the picturesque surrounds, it sticks out in the memory. Little Creatures Brewery in Freo is another great option.

Swap Jurrah with Petracca and that's what we do have. Plenty to be excited about as is.

He might like the idea but I doubt he'd do it regardless of personnel. There are no other clear and obvious candidates and if they are playing second fiddle anyway just make them vice. Jones has earned the right to be sole captain.

THREE co-captains? Ffs, Jones is the captain. The entire league recognises him as such. He is the prominent leader and embodiment of the club. Let him take the role on himself. Enough co-captains.

Locks: Jetta, Dunn, McDonald, Lumumba, Vince, Jones, Watts, Hogan, Howe, Garlett, Jamar, Tyson, Viney, Cross, Dawes (omit) Likely: Grimes, Garland, Kent, Pedersen The next 4 spots will be where your tipping will be win and lost imo. Decent chance: Gawn, Frost, Salem, Toumpas, Bail, M Jones, Petracca, Newton, Michie, JKH Slim chance: McKenzie, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Fitzpatrick B: Jetta, Dunn, Garland HB: Lumumba, McDonald, Grimes C: Vince, Jones, Toumpas HF: Watts, Hogan, Howe F: Garlett, Pedersen, Kent R: Jamar, Tyson, Viney Int: Cross, Michie, Salem Sub: Petracca Michie finished the year off well and I think that may tip in his favour, although it wouldn't surprise me to see Newton push his way into Round 1 the way Roos was speaking of him in the most recent update. My money would be on one of those two, along with Salem and Toumpas who are reportedly training well and bring that much needed class.

Thanks again six, and to all who reported from training this year.

Fair enough then. Definitely Trenners' scooter. I want one and I have two functioning legs.

Geeze you're pushing muck uphill when "1 year under Roos before an untried coach" and "No guarantees about winning games" are posed as "benefits". What about an exciting young list to develop alongside or more opportunity to play early in the career? If the ban on Sydney isn't repealed for 2016 then that could muddy the waters. But there's little doubt that being able to play with his brother in Melbourne will be massive drawcard that I would suggest could overrule other concerns from Zak's perspective.

The CP line is arguably the most interesting. For a 17th place side to almost break even in contested ball says a lot about the Roos brand.

Of course it isn't required. But when you make reference to your experience in supporting your argument, I'm just not sure that everything you've experienced in local footy would correlate to the AFL. Dunn did swing forward at times also but he's never really starred, and after being moved around his entire career I'm sure he appreciated being able to settle himself into the backline for the majority, where he will now stay. Besides which, are you suggesting that Dunn has become a better defender than Chip Frawley in the space of two seasons? I mean he's done very well but I would disagree if that's your contention. Dunn wouldn't command 600k a season at a reigning premiership side. I'm not going to rewrite history to make Frawley a dud now that he's gone. Sorry.

Sign him up.

With all due respect rpfc, does your experience extend to the AFL? I can't accept a theory that Frawley was moved forward cause he was more expendable. Theories I'm more willing to accept are that he was the best of an ordinary bunch, or that the writing was on the wall in terms of his departure so may as well get used to not having him down back and simultaneously plug a hole in the forward line.

A couple of sentences on each new recruit and a list of players is apparently "breaking down" the list. Rounded off with a paragraph from Robert Shaw about poor development. Insightful stuff.