Vanilla Gorilla
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Posts posted by Vanilla Gorilla
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I just watched the AIS Academy vs Northern Blues game - and I must admit - very impressed by Weideman.
Presents well, good leading patterns, strong mark, good set shot, very competitive and gets into the contest when the ball hits the ground.
He's got a lot of attributes that are well suited to the modern game.-
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Edited by Vanilla Gorilla
Obviously Melksham is not the 'A-grade' midfield target we'd be hoping to land over the off-season, but as far as topping up the depth of our list goes, there are a number of things that appeal to me about him.
Firstly, I rate him higher than a host of plodders we currently have, some of whom are about to be off-loaded. Those names include Bail, McKenzie, Matt Jones, Terlich, Riley. He possesses more attributes than all of those guys. He'd be a much better 'depth' replacement which we'll actually need considering injuries hit every list hard during most years and we all witnessed shallow our depth is.
Secondly: As a former top 10 draft pick and with one consistent playing season in 2013 with a top 5 BnF finish, there is clearly something to work with. How many times have we as supporters seen players benefit from a new start at a different club? He fits the age bracket of games experience that we sorely miss. He sits at just above 100 games played.
Thirdly: We have to remember that the development of our really young guys in Stretch, Neal-Bullen etc is extremely important and players like Melksham can provide good cover for a year or two while our young kids develop the right way at the lower level. MFC have a history of playing their young guys too early and a in a side that doesn't give them enough support. Id be happy to give a fairly experienced and relatively young AFL player in Melksham a chance at showcasing himself for two years as a means of giving further time and development to our younger guys.
He's a hard runner, is tougher than some posts suggest and his skills are actually better than all of those names I mentioned in my first point.
Of course I wouldn't want to move heaven and earth to land him and I'm also not sure what the wada/asada deal is with him etc but if he were a third or fourth midfielder we landed this year and didn't have to give up much for him, I'd be pretty stoked.
Spot on.
It's amazing how quickly people on here dismiss a guy like Melksham when our midfield group is so poor and shallow.
Before the ASADA saga was exposed, the guy was playing very decent footy and was on-track to becoming an easily above average AFL midfielder. Being Melbourne supporters over the last 8 years, we all know that a draining cultural environment can have a significant impact on players' development. Essendon is no different. Im sure the guy can play at least 30% better than he's been over the last 2 years.
Provided we can get him for the right price, I'm on board.
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I would be extremely surprised if we kept picks 2 & 3.
Roos needs instant improvement, and he can't afford to wait for an 18 year old to develop.
He has also shown a proclivity to trade away high draft picks.
Expect to see at least one, if not both, of these picks traded.-
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Yes the net effect over the last few years may be thereabout even, but that doesn't disprove the fact that Sydney have access to players that others clubs don't.No dramas with Sydney having access to Heeney.
It's like a father-son selection, ultimately, and they've invested big time in their academy (save for reducing Roos' pay packet by three-quarters - which worked out well for us!).
He's probably the best mid in the draft and they'll get him for a late first rounder. We got Viney for a second rounder, Daniher cost a mid 1st round, Moore will likely go to Pies for a late first round.
Swings and roundabouts.
Both Melbourne and Sydney can use the father-son rule, only one club can list players under their academy.
Even if Sydney invest time and resources into these kids, why should't Melbourne be allowed the opportunity to do the same?
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Just as an aside - Is anyone else outraged that Sydney have the rights to Isaac Heeney because he falls under their academy?
They are arguably the best side in the league, and can claim arguably the best midfielder in the draft, because of a structure that is not given to all the other clubs.
Why are they allowed to claim 'academy' players and other clubs aren't? I call shenanigans! -
I believe that
Coniglio, Cameron, Treloar and the others mentioned in the article are contracted till end of 2015, but GWS desperate to extend them prior to their contract year and counteract any leverage other clubs have (the ‘lose them for nothing next year’ factor.
I thought you could only 'get them for nothing' if they were RFA or UFA? Even if they're out of contract, other clubs would still have to trade for them, or the player could nominate for the draft. Can anyone confirm?
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No i don't mean undecided per se. The definition of ambivalent according to the Oxford is: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
That's what i meant and is why i used the word ambivalent. But thanks for your offer of help.
Your comments about him sculpting, chipping away at formless stone and shape is very Murphyesuque in its unnecessarily florid use of words. Indeed all you needed to do was include a look at me aren't i hip musical reference (used to illustrate a point, as an analogy or metaphor) and you could have been parodying him. Actually you've captured in a nutshell why i have mixed feelings about his writing.
wut?
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The Incredible Hulk - Jesse Hogan
in Melbourne Demons
The narrative hasn't changed. There was never a "strong" indication that Jesse would sign an extension. Rather, the narrative was that we've opened up discussions with him about the possibility of an extension. One step at a time my friend.