nutbean

Luke Tapscott is not exactly your stick insect type either you can either play or you can't

Yet you are looking at the draft in isolation. We didn't "draft" Tyson or Cross but that also addressed our need for getting our hands on the ball ( with the likes of Vince and Michie). Our need last season was not to get just ball winners - but ball winners who can have an immediate impact - hence we picked up Vince, Tyson, Cross and to a less extent Michie. Our problem was and to an extent remains that we are bereft of middle and upper age talent. Salem and JKH were both midfielders for their respective TAC clubs but to expect them to have an impact in the midfield year one ? Further - we certainly achieved a big coup by getting in Tyson but it sent our 1st pick to number 9 - there were probably two midfielders who had some sort of impact last year from the draft being Dunstan (STKilda) and Merrett from Essendon ( played more forward). I would suggest that we didn't miss any opportunities last draft.

What has me excited is not only the quality coming in but Roos constant theme that "these kids should not be the saviors of the club and we must develop them". The club has backed Roos and put money into the development side. When you learn to develop kids properly and not pressure them too early that is exactly what might happen - they well may indeed become the saviors of the club.

Last year we traded out 2 for Tyson who proved to be a revelation in his first year and Salem who showed signs. JKH also showed signs ( big disclaimer - both Salem and JKH have to continue to improve as we all seen "Signs" before). We used our Sylvia pick on Vince and he was good for us. The only player we saw nothing of was Hunt. I think we need around 4 years to gauge the success or fail of a draft but one year after the 2013 draft you wouldn't be unhappy with what we have achieved so far.

I think most good clubs, who have a good spread of mature players think that way. Our problem has been that we have not had the mature players who pick themselves week in week out that allows the kids to develop at their own pace. The common denominator with all these kids is they are all essentially missing components to being productive footballers on a regular basis from the get go. No preseasons and TAC training means they will usually lack one or more of endurance/size and muscle/defensive efforts. I would suggest that even Port Adelaide did not expect the output they got from Wines in year one. I have expectations that Toumpas must take big strides this season ( year 3) and also see more productivity from Salem and JKH (year 2) What I expect is cameo's from Petracca and Brayshaw like we got from Salem and JKH. What I hope for is for Petracca and/or Brayshaw to overachieve in year one and do an Ollie Wines. I won't slash my wrists if they don't.

I never cast an opinion pre draft on who we should select as all I had to go on was a 3 minute highlight reel. But the reel I enjoyed the most was Laverde's. If he can bring that 3 minute reel every week for 120 minutes then wow ( obviously that doesn't happen)

For all those on the "ready to go " bandwagon. Read the weaknesses Of both boys and it naturally keeps coming up the same - engine and endurance. They may have big bodies but they do not yet have the endurance. I wouldn't put any limits on their first season but realistically they need a couple seasons before they will be regular features in the midfield playing big minutes. I see petracca used mainly up forward to start and even brayshaw will be used sparingly in the guts.

It is amazing that they can both get taken with same pick, however if you look at the rating earlier in the thread, he was rated 20-70. When you have 1500 boys registered for the draft, once you get past the first 20 then it really is lottery as to who falls where and it becomes very needs based.

If you don't want to argue semantics I would suggest we have a new draftee in hogan with 2 years in the club environment.

Watch his highlights - he played both ends of the ground. (Even though they have listed him as a defender ) His kicking looks much better than his bro.

RIP Phillip Hughes. My thoughts are with his family and Sean Abbott as well.

Not sure why you want a non choir boy.. I want a choir boy that plays like Garry Ablett Junior. Glenn Archer was a clean skin who had unbelievable attitude to getting the best out of himself and doing the best for the team. He was choir boy i would have loved in my team.

I said the perceived problems - and the perceived problems I heard are exactly as you pointed out - poor work ethic and attitude to doing putting in the hard yards.

unless he turns out to be headcase. But i am mystified by this - i have heard him speak numerous times and he comes across very well. Is he sure he has ability ? yup but thats not a bad thing. Who knows....

I know this should be in the other sport thread but many don't read outside the football forum. Phillip Hughes has passed away this afternoon. Very sad. RIP

For expediency, I rephrase - Roos said we will take whoever StKilda dont take out of Brayshaw, Petracca and McCartin

AFL.com have a live feed going since 3pm - Garry Lyon and Callum Twomey - they interviewed Roosy

Just saw Roos live and he confirmed that we would take whoever Stkilda didnt plus Brayshaw

I am sure that if the players don't want to chat they won't ?

The question obviously wasn't about Chris Lewis....

Thats because we're are bereft of any talent and commitment on both sides of the political spectrum

Given a choice of Saty and his unwavering support and love of every player on our list as opposed to many other who see "spud" and "never want to see him in a Melbourne jumper again" for every player on our list - I'm going with Saty....

Really ? the last time was Lucas Cook at pick 12..... eww

Nope...Firstly was that option available ? Secondly what experience has Neita had ? As opposed to Brad Miller who did development coaching at the Tigers before joining us. That is my point exactly - I have no idea who would be better and leave it to people smarter than me but being an ex demon is definitely not a pre-requisite.

It will be interesting as nearly all commentators have McCartin going number one and I cannot remember the commentators ever getting the number one pick wrong.