FarNorthernD

I know what you mean Ethan. I appreciate that Hogan is a very different case but I used to feel the same about Jurrah's 36 appearances in the red and blue, the Wiz at the height of his powers, the shooting star that was Allen Jakovich and the head-banded Ox. They were all players that had more talent than any one else on the field and there was an anticipation as to what they would do next. Not in the same class is Jeff Garlett but, for me, there is that anticipation when he is near the ball. i love the Hogan/Garlett combination

Agree Ron. I will also be as interested to see how they structure the half forwards and who puts their hand up to play. The training reports indicate that JKH has put on some size as has Hunt. Ben Kennedy, Harmes and ANB will all be in the running whilst Kent has apparently been one of the standouts of the summer I must admit I fall into the "I give a sh't" category of supporters re the Nab series. I will be hugely interested to see some of the younger players perform, hopeful about a lack of injuries and curious to see a change in game plan. Roll on Feb 27

So given the MFC now want to add a top up player to the rookie list rather than the primary and they have also stated that getting late in the pre-season for a new player to learn the game plan. Putting 1 + 1 together gets you Daniel Cross. He knows the game plan, is still super fit, training with the team and could be brought in if injuries are worse than hoped for. Also I like the completing the circle aspect with Daniel handing over the number 18 to Jake who then hands it back to Daniel who then gives it back at the end of the year..

I imagine "Scully" is a sledge at any club inc GWS

Do you know if Max King is injured DeeSpencer or just having a light day? I'm hoping he will come on this year Cheers I'm assuming if he is with Dawes and Lumumba he isn't 100%

I'm not really expecting it but I'm hoping Max King can step up and provide an alternate target up forward for us. At 200cm, mobile, a decent set of hands and a good kick he could provide a difficult match up for opposition sides. I have no idea what his rucking skills are like but surely they can't be any worse than the Pedometer/Dawes/Frost combos. Does anyone know if his endurance has improved? I appreciate he has has his fair share of injuries but you would imagine Max's motivation levels would be fairly high considering the club drafted a bloke who is the same height, shares the same skill set and even has (almost) the same name. If Max can prove to be an effective forward/2nd ruck it would help balance the side enormously

Absolutely agree. The first year form of that lot plus vandenBerg plus the development of Mitch White would indicate we nailed it at the draft table in 2014. If we get anything like the same success out of the 2015 recruits it could set us up for the next decade.

That's very good Beezlebub

Excuse my ignorance but is Jake getting paid by us this year? I assume the Essendon 12 are as they are getting salary cap relief. Does not seem right

It is a lesson in how much the game has changed since Lockett retired in 1999. The stay at home forward has ceased to exist and the world has got still bigger. Plugger is 191cm (and a whopping 108kgs) the same height as Col Garland and Jack Darling. I'm sure the greatest goal kicker in the history of the game would still get a game today but his role would certainly have changed

Hmmm, as a passionate far North Qld member I am somewhat miffed B.A being lumped into the also-ran category with 3 game and pet memberships (no offence to our family labrador is intended)

The "cadaveric" Paul Little..... Thankyou Mono

Thanks CC. All I know about Hunt is that he is tallish and can run fast. Does anyone know what his marking and kicking skills are like? Does he fit into Roos's competitors mould?

Were Gawn and Spencil rucking against each other? Would love for Jake to keep some pressure on Max. Excellent report thank you Jrono.

Hogan, Petracca, "The Big Weed" and Tommy Mac all sharing a house. Not too hard to picture that list as the best four players in our next premiership side.

For those who would like to venture over to Demonology http://demonology.me/threads/mfc-training-sat-jan-16-maroochydore.2096/ there are two good training reports (Brady and Range Rover) plus pictures if you are a member

Me too

I had not thought of that. You would have to imagine that there would be a fair degree of disillusionment amongst the remaining Essendon players. It would not be unreasonable to want a fresh start and difficult for their Club to stand in the way of players wanting to. In the past I would have had no faith in Melbourne being able to bring in one of the quality players but these days perhaps we can sell the dream.

Yes, I'm with you there DEmon Jack. White is an aggressive, strong 188cm back with a raking left foot. I mean this in the nicest possible way but he reminds me of Simon Godfrey but with skills. I'm look forward with interest to see if he can continue his development this year.

I think Mitch White will make it. He is another one of those competitors that Roos bangs on about. Comments from his last season read for a lesson in football development. Started in the VFL 2nds, promoted to the VFL senior team and got progressively better through the year finally making an AFL debut in the last round. 2015 Season 1 - 2 - 3 VFL Kicked a goal in development league. Went OK. - 4 Didn’t play for Casey. 5 VFL Did some nice things but wasn’t a big factor. - 6 VFL Did some nice things down back but is still learning. - 7 VFL Better than last week in defence. 21 possessions. - 8 VFL Used ball well and looks a likely type down back. - 9 VFL Bye. - 10 VFL Solid enough down back and used ball fairly well. - 11 VFL Good two-way performance in the back half. - 12 VFL Continues to learn craft in defence. Making good strides. - 13 VFL Bye. - 14 VFL Rested. - 15 VFL Rebounded well from defence in win over Port. - 16 VFL Used ball well coming out of defence and is a good size. - 17 VFL OK down back and bobbed up for two goals at other end. - 18 VFL Rebounded well at stages in tricky wind. Going OK. - 19 VFL Five rebounds among 14 touches in defence. Fair. - 20 VFL Casey’s best in defence. Coming along well as rebounder. - 21 VFL Continues to make strides as a rebounding defender. - 22 VFL Tried hard down back but had little support in end. - 23 GWS Impressive debut from the ex-Stingray in back half. One to watch in 2016. 6

I sort of see Frost as Ben Holland's shorter, more athletic younger brother. As such I'm not as sold on him as some here are. He is too short to play 2nd ruck aside from the odd cameo and hands up if you would be confident having him lining up for goal in a final. Really he can only end up as a defender where he can use his pace and gadget arms

I hope I'm in Melbourne the day Jack T runs out onto the G again. From the Age. Trengove's return will be 'special', says Watts

Yes we have heard this all before in various forms and disguises. However at least this time we have; A stable and competent administration An highly professional coaching group who seem to be all on the same page A seconds side with a Melbourne coach providing continuity of coaching (I think not enough has been made of the significance of this) Greater depth and competition for spots. And whatever your opinion of our recruiting over the past trade and draft periods there is no arguing that we have gone out and got blokes who don't take backward steps. Competitors as Roos calls them Perhaps it is the same old song but just maybe this time it is different

Hiccups seem to be contagious. Along with Frost and the hiccup with his foot Chris Dawes; "Dawesy started training really well before he had a little bit of a hiccup with his calf" Angus Brayshaw; "He had a slight hiccup with his hip just before christmas" Someone needs to send their mum to training to show them the cure for hiccups before it goes through the whole team.

I hope you are right Ron. I was dead against getting him before the trade period but that was based on not much more than the team he played for. He is one of us now so a "bloody good season" from Jake would be great.