Dee-licious

One year not going to the draft is alright by me. If you think about it, Oliver would be in the top 3 this year, and Weid would be the number 1 forward this year (if they were in this draft class, all things being equal) and we got them both last year. We have also added Lewis and Hibbard which is a big win for us. Not worried about the draft picks this year, we will get who we get it doesnt matter if they dont go on to be guns. We have a first rounder again next year and a free agency period with a lot of juicy free agents. We're in a good spot.

It is the equivalent of pick 35 (186 points), so while we dont get into this draft until the end of the third round, I think that we can all agree that we would have been happy with this at the start of trade week.

I was thinking about this and if the grass is greener. We were hoping that Frost was going to fall into the PSD for us and St Kilda wasnt going to pick him up. Let's play a game of what you would prefer: Frost (19 for us and 5 VFL games), O Mac (17 games) and Nibbler (15) or Pick 23 (we didnt have any other picks in the draft). So for Pick 23 you can replace these three with Pat McKenna (0 games), Toby McLean (16 games), Daniel Nielson (0), Lucas Webb (16), Touk Millar (41). Clearly individually Touk has played the most games and had the greatest impact. but the combined of Frost + O Mac + Nibbler is much greater than Touk. Goes to show that Taylor really does know what he is doing.

Ok, ok. I know this is a Hibberd thread but I wanted to pick up on this. 2013 included getting Sylvia out for Vince (tick); Bringing across Cross (tick), Dom Tyson (tick), I'll ding him for Riley and Michie but we paid pick 54 for this. In terms of that draft and you are saying Salem is a disappointment. Salem has been injured which is beyond his control and when he has played he has been very valuable. Now - lets crystal ball this and look at who else was taken after him Freeman (no), Sheed (WA boy), Cripps (well would have liked him but no one would have guessed this, everything thought 13 was reaching), McCarthy (WA boy), Jones (Salem's showed more), etc etc. The only one I'd say would be good would have been Matt Crouch at 23 but he is a poor man's Viney. Salem is what we needed and is still very young. Remember JKH started like a house on fire and again injuries have let him down. He's been very good at Casey the past few weeks so lets let the 21 year old have an injury free pre-season. After him was Kolodjashnij, Alir, Byrne-Jones, and Fantasia - all of which have only showed something in the back end of this year. Also nailed Hunt, nailed Harmes, Max King we can say might not work out (Rookie), Georgiou was a bust but played a role in his first year, and the faith in Nev to rookie was paid off. That is more ticks than crosses from 2013 and if Salem and JKH develop he has nailed 2013. 2014 Garlett (tick), Frost (tick), Lumumba (injuries), and then you cannot help but look at this draft and smile. Trac (tick), Brayshaw (tick). Now you can say they picked themselves, but so did Wines. You need to be brave enough to pick the player and not think what could we develop Wright/Lever/Ahern in to. Stretch (tick), McDonald (tick), AVB (tick), White (tick - he has played AFL games as a rookie, that is enough for a tick when you see that most Rookies dont), ANB has played really well in the 2's but hasnt transferred that to the big stage. I believe this is because he is playing out of position in the AFL and in another side where he can play as a midfielder he'll have a greater impact. Time will tell and I'll leave that as open ended. So from this year we'd say that H might have been handled better and ANB could have been Caleb Daniel. Overall that is a great strike rate. 2015 Melksham trade (TBC) but for the record if I had that pick I would have got Kieran Collins or Rhys Mattherson. The next deal which was Howe, Toump, 6, 1st rounder for pick 3, 7, Bugg and Kennedy, is a little harder to gauge. If it is Howe for Bugg - we have lost as Howe is having a better season. Toump for Kennedy - we won that. 3 for 6 means Oliver over Weiderman (I dont see us taking Ah Chee, maybe Curnow if you want another player in here rather than Weid) and Weiderman over this year's pick 8 which according to Knightmare could be Josh Battle which already I think we've won. So you probably say we've come out of top here as the sum of the parts is better. As for the draft Oliver (big tick), Weideman (jury is still out but has all the traits of a very promising footballer), Mitch King (injured), Hulett (too early, but signs are good). In terms of later picks than those too, Wills and Menengola have done well the past month, but they are VFL players. Markov has looked good, and Sam Collins has done well for Freo. Dont think we missed much here though. The upside of our draftees is still there. Rookie draft - Wagner (tick) and Michie has been good in the VFL and played some AFL games. There was nothing else after him that was really worth drafting, maybe Marbior Chol. The big question is that of the 22 that beat Hawthorn, how many are Taylor's: B: Jetta (2013 - R) Frost (2014) Hunt (2013) Bugg (2015) McDonald (2014) M: Petracca (2014), Vince (2013), Tyson (2013), F: Garlett (2014), VDB (2014), Weideman (2015), I: Brayshaw (2014), Oliver (2015), Stretch (2014), Harmes (2013) That is 15/22. For the record, those who werent playing that day it is a 9 - 8 split (senior list) with 8 being Taylor picked. My final point is that we are the youngest most experienced side and until last weekend, the only one's who had a chance to get into finals. Sides that have lists that are badly managed dont get that close to finals that young.

And St Kilda. Nothing from the Dees as yet. Now I get we are in Queensland, but I wonder if we are just making sure that we organise everything before we make our statement. I just cannot believe that we wouldnt have had something ready to go on this though.

I've been thinking this as well. I wonder if they are just finalising their message. Odd they didnt have a statement ready to go.

Perfect score on the goal kicking test at the combine. Agree that his kicks look odd at time, but with space and time looks like he nails them. Also he has had multiple 10 tackle games. Cant wait to see him paired with Viney at training.

Very quick. Agility, Beep, and 20m sprint are there. Really it is the height and the questionable disposal at times that mark him down. Although with a lot of disposals some are bound to be bad (same argument can be used for good). At late 40's in a weak draft if he is there, there is no reason why not. "Earlier in the year he tested for the Tasmanian state team. On the beep test he got a 14.9 which puts him up there with the best inside midfielders of the draft. He has a burst of speed coming out of stoppages and he also broke the AFL agility test record by 0.17 seconds in an unofficial Tasmania testing day on September 2. To add to his absolute elite agility, he has a sub three second 20 metre sprint. Lovell averaged 34 disposals during his TAC Cup games and 35 during the u18 Championships.In all of his under 18 games this year he has only dropped below 30 disposals twice."

Cal Twomey on his podcast rated Parish as the best footskills in this draft. Talked about others with great foot skills from previous drafts and made mention of Salem and Petracca.

SAM LANDSBERGER’S EARLY TOP 10 1. Jacob Weitering (Carlton) 195cm key defender 2. Josh Schache (Brisbane Lions) 199cm key forward 3. Callum Mills (Sydney) 188cm midfielder* 4. Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants) 186cm midfielder* 5. Darcy Parish (Melbourne) 181cm midfielder 6. Matthew Kennedy (GWS Giants) 187cm midfielder* 7. Wayne Milera (Essendon) 185cm half-forward 8. Charlie Curnow (Essendon) 191cm midfield/forward 9. Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions) 202cm swingman* 10. Clayton Oliver (Gold Coast) 187cm midfielder *Academy selection MELBOURNE is set to spoil Essendon’s national draft party by taking the best midfielder for the second year in a row. The Demons and Bombers are both believed to be keen on the most polished onball talent available and have zeroed in on Geelong Falcon Darcy Parish. But Melbourne sacrificed its first selection next year in a complicated trade with Gold Coast to rise from pick No. 6 to No. 3. That has ensured the Demons can scupper Essendon, which holds picks four and five. Tough midfielder Parish has been likened to Adelaide jet Rory Sloane and averaged 129 SuperCoach points per game for the Falcons. The dual All-Australian is the standout midfielder outside of the three NSW academy stars. Other Stories Ultimate Melbourne Cup form guide Ultimate Melbourne Cup form guide How bikini model gave police the slip How bikini model gave police the slip Why Hayne should be relieved by 49ers cut Why Hayne should be relieved by 49ers cut If Parish is gone the Bombers’ pair is expected to come from clever half-forward Wayne Milera, prototype Charlie Curnow, powerful utility Aaron Francis and key forward Sam Weideman. They all shape as gold selections. Milera had minor heart surgery before a brilliant three-goal senior SANFL final in September while some believe Curnow could wind up the draft’s best player. The brother of Carlton’s Ed Curnow is a 191cm marking forward who can play in the midfield and will also be discussed at No.3. The Demons, also armed with pick No. 7, are fans of the injury-plagued Weideman and can see him forming a lethal partnership with Rising Star Jesse Hogan. The imposing goalkicker is the grandson of Collingwood legend Murray Weideman. Demons football boss Josh Mahoney said the club would take the best player available at both early picks. The Bombers could pounce on versatile big man Charlie Curnow with pick Nos. 4 or 5. Picture: Mitch Bear Marking forward Harry McKay is unlikely to get past Carlton (No. 8) and Adelaide (9).

"He tests sub 2.80 [20 metres]. Given his basketball , hes got good speed, agility and vertical leaping. Hes also got a solid endurance base, he said." This made me think, hmm thats fast: 20m sprint 2015 Alex Morgan - 2.88 seconds Kurt Mutimer - 2.88 Liam Jeffs - 2.89 Daniel Rioli - 2.89 Thomas Glen - 2.90 Declan Moutford - 2.90 Callum Moore - 2.91 David Cuningham - 2.91 Hisham Kerbatieh - 2.94 Jordan Snadden - 2.94 2014 20 metre sprint results (sec) Marvin Baynham 2.81 Oleg Markov 2.87 Jarrod Pickett 2.87 Reece McKenzie 2.87 Connor Menadue 2.88 Nakia Cockatoo 2.90 Ed Langdon 2.92 Paddy Brophy 2.93 Conor McKenna 2.93 Nathan Drummond 2.93 Best at the combine of all time: Top Combine performances (seconds) Joel Wilkinson 2.75 2010 Jonathan Marsh 2.78 2013 Danyle Pearce 2.79 2004 Ashley Smith 2.80 2008 Marvin Baynham 2.81 2014 Nathan Freeman 2.82 2013 Jack Watts 2.82 2008 So, yeah he is seriously quick.

Joel Smith | Victoria | 64 | SG Smith was a member of the Australian U19 squad in last years Pacific Championships and was one of the key players coming off the bench, averaging 10.3 ppg & 3.3 rpg on 49% FG. Smith was also a member of the Australian squad that attended the 2014 Nike All-Asia Camp in June. You can watch him score 18 points here - Somehow I don't think we are going to find any footy highlights ...

Been watching a lot of footy and have never seen his highlights look like that. Well played Melbourne's editing team, well played. Welcome young Jake. Looking forward to 8 years of great service.

Weiderman and Curnow are the experts bet. Weiderman a key forward. Curnow a 191 forward / mid with speed

[censored] Ex-Bomber Melksham lands at Melbourne MELBOURNE has secured midfielder/half-back Jake Melksham from Essendon in exchange for selection No.25 in the NAB AFL Draft. General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Melksham, who played 114 matches for the Bombers from 2010-15, had been targeted to play a specific role at the club. “During this trade period we were looking for players who could come in and play straight away and Jake was identified as a potential player that fit into that category,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

OCTOBER 15, 1.55pm: DEAL DONE - MELKSHAM A DEMON Reports coming through the paperwork has been lodged that will send Essendon's Jake Melksham to Melbourne for a second-round pick.

Trade Radio are saying it is done in principle but there is still a possibility we are getting something back in return

AFL releasing a video of Robbo and Parish today. http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-10-15/draft-hopeful-versus-a-champ Is it fate or are they laughing at us?

I agree. If we can finish this week with our second and third rounder for Melksham, Kennedy, and Bugg we are on track for a big off season.

You can talk and agree but tabling of trades need an afl signature. Which you can't get (to my understanding) between 5pm and 9am.

Reported yesterday and still no deal on the table. Trades have closed for the night so we will have to speculate for another day. If Collingwood are the ones who are getting Howe, then 25 for Melksham does look like it will get done. Maybe we need to hold off to make sure we get Kennedy. I cannot remember when we've had such a long drawn out process for what we thought was an open and shut trade. Freaking Essondon - just take a 4th rounder and be done with it

Barrett believes that we are asking for something back for 25. So that is why it is taking a while. Dodorio expected it to be done today and we only have 150 minutes left

Deal hasnt been tabled yet. It needs to be officially lodged at AFL house. Now we could just be dragging our feet or maybe the Dons need to wait on St Kilda before they can finalise Melksham.

Might get traction for a mid to late second round pick. Cannot imagine we'd be interested - but probably an upgrade on our bottom 5. If they want to give us Melksham, Kavanagh and a pick to take them both off their hands, I'll consider it. (In all seriousness, he can play football and if there was a suitable nothing trade e.g. if they were interested in Bail or Jamar(?) I wouldnt set demonland on fire).

I'd be thinking that Frost might be that full back you are looking for. Possibly Weiderman as that full forward but no idea where the rest will come from. It's exciting though.