Jordie_tackles

Didnt want to seem blunt if i did, your point regarding Hawkins ability is correct, much like us with Watts really, in that when we recruited Cook we didnt know what Watts would become in 2011, and hopefully 2012....ect and also that we could recruit Clark ect. Knowing what we know, picking Darling may have been smart, but at the time i firmly believe Cook was the right choice, also Howe is more than capable at playing a darling style role also, if not better at this point imo.

He was refering to Hawkins circa late 2010 not 2011, much differing form

Yeah good point, MFC's involvement out at Casey will become very important. If we do a good job out there with demon heartland then it will be a great platform. Also nothing gets people on board like winning and premierships haha

I dont like the thought of players announcing they have signed months prior to leaving, dont see the benefits to be gained.

Interesting link, regarding twitter and facebook, mediums which our future members will be using. MFC are very poorly followed here, only GWS has less people who like them on "facebook" http://sportsgeek.com.au/rankings/afl-social-media-ladder/ so where will all our future members come from?

Neitz

Also believe that Rush owns his own Personal training business or GYM. Hence him being cut. Also a Melbourne GF. But yeah money ect can do things. Doubt it would be GC or Port. Not worth them targeting a 28/29yo, i would be more worried about another top 8 side tbh.

I reckon he could be great like Suckling at Hawthorn, some rediculous amount of there plays go through that kid, because he has such great skills ect. Strauss sounds like he could do this also, especially that efficiency under pressure stat

Trust me , i struggle to pick up things on here regularly OD, even when it isnt 36 degrees

Yeah sorry, was a sarcastic comment

In what way?

Its funny how Cook all of a sudden hasnt been playing Casey seniors, which he did for the majority of the year, and cant mark after one training session. His hands are like vice grips. Also its not a new 5 year plan, its the one started in 07 and which will start paying dividends in 2012 and beyond.

Total - 53364 Ave - 2223.5

I think alot of people are looking pas the "now"

When was it confirmed he was sacked?

I think it is also because he does a lot well, but you cant just let the kids who have some natural talent keep coaching along like we have in the past, really push them, I think its a bit like Neeld and Watts, put some extra expectations on the ones who have a higher ceiling than others and make them reach for it.

Darling will be a very good player for a number of years, I think the point is that just because he is better now doesnt mean we got our pick 11 (Lucas Cook) wrong last year. Cook like alot of our players, who are young and recruited with a long term outlook, have the skills to be better, and i used the word potential but thats generally what KPP with one years experience are.

I was just showing that he wasnt perfect ect You wrote that he "didnt put a foot wrong"

What do you do when you inherit the worst list in the AFL? You over haul it, you cant make decisions for the short term because you dont have enough quality. The only way that we were ever going to build a list with talent in it was by starting from scratch. So you want them to start on this path and then change for one player? The "5 year plan" was a plan to give Melbourne FC a list capable of winning a premiership yes, but that was never going to happen in the short term. When Cook was drafted yes Bailey was there but we were a minimum 4-5 years away from being a premiership contending team so why take the short term option? Yes everything we have done in the last 3-4 drafts has been "long term" but thats because the position we were in did not present any "easy" or short term solutions, the MFC as a whole in almost every department was in trouble and below par. The fix was not easy, Cook is an example for sticking to the plan, which was for a premiership side between the years of 2015-20 imo not this year or last year so why draft for this year or last year? Thats what i see as happening

He has missed or been late for training sessions etc, so not perfect. And it is that, one season in a 12 year career.

Apparently that is because they thought he would fall, and Roughhead wouldnt, it worked.

Bottom line we are talking about players who are 1 year into careers, i wont be making any sweeping statements about either of the players in focus. I am happy to say that Lucas Cooks skill set is one that i would love MFC to have at AFL level.

Play finge players ect to see who deserves a game.... Neeld hasnt seen anyone play for the MFC, NAB will be important this year, hugey imo

The stoppage drill with umpires ect, running to positions to set up ect sounded epically great. love the real simulation type stuff, game scenario ect Also, with the Assistants, no doubt Neeld coaches them to coach alot of training, then just takes it all in rather than being distracted by being a teacher and observer. He will have made nearly every move the day before imo.

It is a long long way out, but to put it all in perspective as to what picks people have been asking we will need to use on this kid. Knightmare my favourite Phantom draft expert got asked to start his 2012 one already. Viney ranked at 4th, but this is with O'Meara in it, so top 3 at this time of year. Better than Crouch who was drafted 2 in the GWS mini draft!!! http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=901363 All early but he looks like one of the best kids in the upcoming draft if nothing else.