Dee-licious

Just from the fantasy drafts if it all goes terribly Viney will be joined by 2 of #1 GWS- Lachie Whitfield (VIC - Mid) Height: 185cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 18/07/1994 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Ben Cousins Player comparison: Range: 1-3 Profile: The thing that makes Whitfield stand out is his work rate, he just never stops running and absolutely works his man into the ground consistently. Whitfield has absolutely crazy endurance and as a 17 year old makes mince meat of the beep test, can score 16 which for an AFL prospect is in the very top percentile. The other thing is his skill level by foot. Perfect left footer. Just that class above and always looks composed with ball in hand and is that class above. Has a real natural evasiveness and can pretty easily avoid tackles. Strong mark overhead on the lead and around the field. Speed good but not elite. Could add some more kicking penetration, probably only has a 40-45m kick on him at this stage but if he can add 10-15m onto that kick it will only increase his hurt factor. Also will need to eventually develop that inside game to go with his outside game which at this stage means he will likely jump into an outside role or perhaps off a back flank. Hopefully we’ll see some signs of a developing inside game season. Physically Whitfield has developed well over the past few years which suggest he still has allot of physical development ahead. Why: #2 Port Adelaide- Nick Vlastuin (VIC - Mid) Height: 186cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1994 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Nathan Buckley (less athletic) Player comparison: Range: 2-15 Profile: Midfielder who consistently wins the contested footy and just consistently goes harder than the next player. Skill level is exceptional, uses it well by both hand and foot and rarely makes mistakes. Particularly stands out by foot. Has also been noted for leadership and really leads by example out on the field so there is allot to like. Consistently plays to a high level. Athletically not as good as other likely high end midfield choices but is still a hard runner who will work all day and demonstrates great endurance and work rate. Looks like a very low risk, solid pro who is worthy of a high draft position. Why: #3 Gold Coast- Jimmy Toumpas (SA – Mid) Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 02/01/1994 Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Style: Player comparison: Chad Wingard Range: 2-15 Profile: Really damaging player with some versatility. Reminds me allot of Chad Wingard. Skill level excellent by both hand and foot, has that combination of hurt factor and clean ball use that will make him a big time weapon. Consistently good decision maker. Good athlete and has that combination of speed and agility. Also has shown very early on that he can lift for the big games which is I strongly believe is something that he will take with him to AFL level. Can play as a midfielder or a forward at that stage but I like Toumpas most as an outside mid/forward at this stage because he still physically needs to develop and continue to work on that inside game. Why:

Terrible early but better once Grimes was off and he played Grimes' role. 17 touches let him play one more before we delist him.

Can't make it today. Looking forward to hearing the updates. Anyone who is there can you please let us know how the mids go? Thank you

Ben Hur - well done mate, great post. Big Red - I'm agreeing with you (and sadly the fox footy commentators). Anyone on our list capable of running through the midfield should play next week and only use our KPP. As much as I like Sellar I think that he has to go back to the 2's as Frawley, Garland and Riv can lock up the backline. So Tappy, Blease, Tynan, Morton, Malony need to come in. Howe running though the mid/back was a good move and Pettard needs to be doing this as well. Can't wait for the draft and we pick up 3 first round mids. Shall be beautiful!

Realistically Watts and Howe wont be dropped. Out: Green, Benell, Bail, MacDonald In: Martin, Couch, Tapscott, Blease/Morton/best mid from Casey.

Can't wait to the press conference. Need to hear something from Neeld. Also looking forward to the ins and outs thread..

Russian will stay. He said so at the start of the year and I'll take him At his word. As for why they lead with Jamar - Melbourne is the story of the week and you have to make hay while the sun shine.

dees best and fairest? James Frawley dees best 1st year player? goals clark will kick? 58 games jurrah will play? 11 dees surprise of the year? Garland becoming an elite defender. premiers? Hawthorn first coach to get sacked? Sheedy to "stand down" biggest off field controversy? as above games won by gws? 0

Just made a post and got me thinking who is eligible for the rising star this year from the dees. Criteria - must be under 21 as of Jan 1st this year and played less than 10 games which gives us Sam Blease - 20 (turned 21 in Feb) and 5 games Jack Fitzpatrick - 20 (turns 21 in June) and 1 game Max Gawn - 20 (21 in Dec) and 4 games Tom McDonald - 19 (20 in Sep) and 2 games Michael Evans - 10 (20 in July) and 4 games Yet to Debut Lucas Cook Troy Davis Rory Taggert Josh Tynan Kelvin Lawrence Jai Sheanan

So far people have said a lot of correct things about JW on this thread. Those who went last night were able to get the full picture of what we are talking about (those who didn't I hope our comments have been clear enough to give you a good picture). Jack did not play as a key forward "crashing packs" "taking big marks" "physically imposing himself on the game". He waited outside of packs for the ball to be handed to him then 2 players would try to tackle him - he kinda didn't care - summed up his options and more often then not made the best one. The first half of the game he played what I would call a Goddard game, swept across half back to half forward marshalling everyone and utilising his skills and the fact he was taller and bigger than all of the midfielders. The second half he played a very high centre half forward role. Think Trav Cloke sending it inside 50; not Trav Cloke inside 50 taking marks. Which would have been great if we had a strong FF in the square (Tommy Mac you will get there). To be honest that is probably a perfect role for him. He has great kicking skills, can lower the eyes, hit someone on a lead and if that someone is Mitch Clark/Brad Green/Aaron Davey/Jeremy Howe it doesn't matter we will get goals from it. We have all watched a lot of footy and know the Melbourne players strengths and weaknesses pretty well (even if at times we don't admit it). However, I think we are all kidding ourselves if we claim to have any idea of what Neeld's best 22 is, or how each player will be used before we see them run out on the park for real. I think Watts is in the best 22 and I think his best role is as a Utility until our 3rd year brigade have their break out season(s). The media will hammer him but if he is having 20+ possessions per week and kicks 30 for the season I'll be happy - especially because he is still young enough to win the rising star (the 40 games counts him out but sheesh he is still young).

Hope we are speaking to a few of their managers! Liking the look of Bugg/Kennedy. Wish we picked up Mohr!

They were but only 7 players from the GF are playing.

I wouldn't count out Tappy for a Rd 1 berth. From what I saw tonight I'm thinking Gysberts and Bail will make their way into the 22. I really like the look of Josh Tynan though should play a bit of senior footy this year.

Every chance. Playing real well.

Looks like Neeld has given him specific goals for today and it seems he's meeting them (Neeld smiling when he has it). Tappy back in next week. Grimes showing great leadership. Morton is out there but playing off half back. Couch looking hard, Fitzpatrick is a work in progress but Jai Sheean will have an AFL career.

Watts hands to Fitzpatrick to take it to 7.6.48 to 6.5.41.

Tappy goals 4 4 all

Watts Grimes straight back in. Happy with Tap and Couch

There are a lot of positions available for anyone who puts their hand up at Casey. I think Magnar is a started round one (put him in your dt/sc). Watts is very important to our structure even if people want to bag him out (Clark getting too much attention). Davey looked better....

Tonight. Goals: Clark 3; Blease, Jones 2; Davey, Petterd 1. Best: Jones (22d 2g 4t); Jamar (11d 44ho); Frawley (22d); Clark (13d 3g). DT: Jones 99; Jamar 85; Frawley 83; Maloney 77.

Started well but in and out of play. Sub in second half just came on for Sylvia. 8d 5t

FIGHT! Butcher has downed Sylvia (not Davis) They're thinking Butcher is in trouble. Sylvia being stretchered off. Should be fine (they say). The boys went in and let Butcher have it and Boak hit a couple. The commentators want the game to end now so there is no more fights....

I heart Mitch Clark

No official call but haven't heard anything from Tynan, Martin, Bartram - this quarter and apparently Couch and maybe McDonald are on. I'll keep you posted as I pick things up. From twitter those three are confirmed and Bate is the sub this quarter and Bennell is also on.

Dunn will spend round 1 in the 2's. Martin, Green, Barty and McKenzie haven't done much. Missing Watts - Clark being double teamed and Dunn being killed