Mad_Melbourne

The funniest thing I noticed was the clear difference between the country bumpkin who has not been through the AIS and therefore has no media training and the prim and proper private school boy with media training in Wiedeman. Loved both aspects but the difference between the two was quite humorous

This is the argument im most keen on exploring... Positionally, inside mids do have a much easier transition to AFL football and the bigger bodies are suiting the direction of the modern game more. That said, Parish is an inside mid, so its hard to say that his game would not translate to AFL level with multiple mids being around his height too. Secondly, Oliver can be seen as more of a risk due to already having OP issues, not having played the carnival either years when compared to an injury free player who was all Australian both years. What are the relative odds of success from a player who did not actually play the carnival or reach all australian status relative to the other? Its interesting to think about, either way il be happy!

Brett Anderson tweeted we would not select Parish with 3. Grain of salt

Massive EDFL player, really stiff to not be drafted based on his height more so than anything. On Oliver, he just seems to fit the bill of competitive and that is what we have looked to address over the trade period and also the last couple of years. His disposal is average, but kicking it out of clearances makes disposals look a lot poorer. I really like Oliver and I really like Parish so I would be happy to take both. I'm growing on the idea that we will take both with Essendon passing on him with one of their earlier picks. But who knows. Parish/Oliver/McKay. They are the three players I want.

Parish being compared to players like Toumpas and even Aish, which hasn't been said on here is completely ridiculous due to his contested ball numbers. Parish is probably the 3rd best mid in the draft and Oliver the 5th dependent on people's ratings, but that's how I have it. That said, I think Oliver has chance to make a more immediate impact but Parish is a 2-3 year prospect before consistent AFL!! Il take either of them though and even both ...

Toumpas and Parish are very poor comparisons. I'd almost say Sam Mitchell v Jordan Lewis In terms of style of play and possible ceiling?

Biggest clutch at straws i have seen in a player comparrison for a while, players can kick off both feet and he sure can kick from distance with both, but his passing around the ground leaves much to be desired and his kicking would be in the below average - average category as opposed to Bernie who is elite

Hardly would be, at current Essendon can ill afford to get rid of players with potential even if they have been sub performing. The list has suffered from the draft sanctions, poor list management and lack of actual quality footballers. Whilst Melksham is no superstar he is still a top 10 talent who has shown some potential to be a decent footballer. No games what soever they would much rather him on their list than traded.

I was purely arguing with his statement that he thinks Watts and Howe have underperformed and are not as good footballers relative to Melksham due to them not winning us games and being 100 game players. I do have my concerns in terms of bringing him over impacting the game time we can get into our younger brigade, earlier I stated my main reasoning for not understanding bringing him in is that he is not immediately top 22 and thus will prevent players like ANB and Harmes getting games. ANB is not a small forward but rather a midfielder and will eventually push into this role and I would prefer to see him push into this role. That being said, I understand the need to continually improve the list and have no qualms if we are bringing players in to do so. Of course Goodwin and Taylor will have more idea on what they want to bring in and his strengths and weaknesses and as they have continually been doing good work i have no problems with any player they bring in. The biggest concern i have is his percieved value by Essendon in terms of trade, they will argue he is a top 10 draft pick with potential, obviously a required player due to the 2 year contract offer and he has a top 5 in their BNF. That seems like late first round to early second round pick and personally i would rather go to the draft. A straight player swap and I think we would have more value on our list from Watts or Trengove or Howe than Melksham. So to me, it just seems like its a bit of a tough one because i see the trade being a third round pick, or a player like Toumpas + picks or something in that ilk, but its allabout risk v reward. If we get him for the right price, great, we have improved our list.

Id argue both are doing more when compared to Jake Mellsham. Who has also played 100 games and clearly not winning Essendon games. Your method/reasoning is awful and purely wrong. Given the chance to resign Howe and hold onto Watts or give a spot on the list to Mellsham it is a no brainer

its too easy to stick the boot in on an anonymous forum so i will not bother continuing down that track. I am sure he is good to his family and friends as most people are. None the less, it does not make my statements of what he can offer to the team incorrect as he played his best season through the midfield as a tagger. He has limited flexibility and I would still prefer to get games into our younger players ahead of signing a midfielder who would be competing with them rather than a cut above.

Average footballer, sub-average bloke, does not really offer anything that we are in desperate need for, has no flexibility (just an out and out midfield plodder) but is probably an improvement on our other NQR who will most likely be delisted anyway. Personally, I would prefer the club playing guys like ANB and Harmes ahead of him, but that would be the spot he is competing for.

Whilst I understand your comments, just under 250 games, premiership player, captain of his club, All-Australian, best and fairest winner, voted best captain one year by the AFLPA and most courageous too and a couple international rules series. Bit stiff saying Viney is already a better player, but i get your train of thought none the less

i think the main difference is that we took Kennedy-Harris, if he wasnt available i think we would find templeton on our list. our biggest issue was midfielders and that is why Harmes was chosen, the combination of ready made player (jetta), defender (georgiou), developing key forward (king) and midfielder (harmes) is a good way to go about a rookie list in my opinion. Hunt was the very questionable pick up, heard he was overshadowed by josh kelly and christian salem in school footy, but he always showed great pace, may well develop into a damaging player if he is able to break the lines and use his disposal effectively.

Hendricks with a big knockout! Gsp was just a little bit too good for condit. Surely gsp vs Hendricks next?

Yeh quite possibly, Carwin is injury prone though! I like the tuf set up, I think it builds a fight really well, so it's annoying that the build up is ruined! That's cool, I'm going to hunt that interview down now, I'm excited for condit v gsp now it's closer That is awesome, just ask for a round of sparring haha

Carwin pulled out of tuf 16 coaches fight due to a knee injury, who will Dana put up against old country?

That's sick so you actually get to meet him? Ask him why he got that tattoo on the back of his noggin haha I've never been to a live event that would be really cool! I'm going to try get a few mates keen to go now! Smashes tonight was poor as usual, although best fight of the season haha!

I am really hyped, I can't wait for it, I hope it's 5 rounds of standing and trading, would be fun, but I think it will be a quick fight, I think condit will get a good early shot in on gsp, I don't know though, but I'm on the condit bandwagon. Oh he is definitely one of the stupidest people I have seen, but he is a very very smart fighter! I very much like his logic of winning the fight rather than going out and putting on a show but not winning! Although it has made it quite boring, and the judging during the fights has been horrendous! Who's your tip for their final, Nelson or carwin? Manny absolute warrior, felt really bad for the bloke, considering the effort he put in! George is not a bad coach, but I don't fancy him against Ross Pearson. I often wonder why in lots of fights they do stop the leg kicks, when they could almost push for a stoppage on it!

"I just want to bannnnng" cue tears, absolutely hilarious. What are your thoughts on Roy Nelson as coach, I think he has made some really solid fighters but not outstanding into winners, but he seems disinterested, so I'm in two minds on him. And very underwhelmed by the fighters on the smashes, not much talent compared to other seasons of the show! Yes good ko, but really bit sad for franklin to go down like that, basically looks like his career will be done! Thiago silva is an intimidating dude, has a bit of Nathan Carroll about him haha. Yes, hopefully Tom lawlor can provide some entertainment as well! It's just hard to see how condit would lose, but then again it's GSP so anything can happen.

Julian lane on this weeks episode of tuf loses his marbles, it's hilarious. And Chaney bit Manley while he was being choked out. Anyone have much interest in gsp and condit? I can't see condit losing, just gone from strength to strength, a real tacticians fight!

Sorry I was still talking about josh toy! Having said that I wouldn't be parting with a pick inside 20 for josh caddy.

I agree, but there will be other clubs still looking at Morton! And caddy said he was happy to stay at the club, the fact of the matter is, he is still a 20 year old, and has plenty of footy left in him, he is a good kick, and could be an outside player that we are looking for, the fact you said he is a weak person due to being homesick and that is a reflection on his footy was the biggest point that made you look like a tool. Each to their own, but I could see him slotting into our backline, and I think pick 30-50 would be a steal and I think misson and neeld could definitely help his development as a player.

You do realise that you are using his 2012 average where he played 5 games, 4 of them as a sub, and averaged less than 50 % game time for the year after he played 93% game time in one game against st kilda. Secondly he was rated around top 10 in his year, so offering up pick 30-50 would be a steal for it in a draft where the depth is pretty average. Thirdly he didn't get as good run this season as he told goldcoast earlier in the year that he was looking at moving back to Melbourne and he did not sign the contract offer from the goldcoast. I don't see how wanting to come home is the sign of a poor football player? And I don't get how you don't see value in a pick 30-50 instead of a player ranked 30th - 50th. How is it a waste of a pick?

I made no comment about his ability, but rather how stupid your post was about homesickness being similar to playing an away match. Secondly his dad passed away late in 2008. Thirdly I never said anything about giving up players or draft picks If we give up a draft pick it would be pick 30-50, 3rd round pick similar to Cheney! And personally I think it would be a steal, he just needs a proper go, and he could well add the disposal and outside possession we need off our half back line.