PaulR

We need experienced leaders on every line if we are to progress in 2026. Melky is smart, damaging and, as mentioned, has a precise long raking kick that would have Fritter or Myocheq salivate running back into the forward line. Smart killer kicks are gold. And so is Melky!

Is training at Casey or in town this morning?

I imagine Mathew’s’ eyes light up when he sees Xavier Taylor on the burst exiting the backline with dash. Reckon we’ve got a great haul of new players to the club. Latrelle and Kozzie…

Predictions for the 2026 season are in part based on how you view the past, and how this can be used to point to a possible 2026. Since 2021, when we won the flag 😃 we finished top 4 in 2022 and 23. Then we tumbled and finished well outside the 8 in 24 and 25. As a result of these poor finishes we changed coach and exited several players who didn't want to be at Melb, or Melb no longer wanted. Without further revisiting all the details and issues of this period, it must be assumed that the MFC powers deemed 2024-25 as underperformance, identified and remedied the issues, hence the changes, and that with these changes made, we should improve. Reality may not support this, but the club's logic and strategy are clear. If the clubs assumptions, strategies and changes are correct, we should rise and the top 8 be clearly possible. I'm open to believing that 2024 and 25 were the aberration, not the norm. So with the changes made, we're gonna rise like the phoenix... Go Demons.

Xavier Taylor’s ability to attack from defence is reminiscent of Matthew Scarlett in his prime. King must be salivating.

Xavier Lindsay - was coming on very nicely last year, prior to his injury. He will help fill Bowsers spot and role share with Chandler in Nibblers role. will be solid with some "special" moments. Andy Moniz Wakefield - An injury free preseason and season is all this young man needs. has the hallmarks of a tight small backman who can quickly shift into offence as per the new model. Looking forward to him working with Disco, XT, XL and Petty. Latrelle Picket - This young man (20 years old) will electrify with his skill, speed poise and nouse. Really excited to see Latrelle play.

When I saw AJ and training earlier this month, he looked very fit, focused and physical. He’s also part of a trend where players a couple of year post-draft age demonstrate their desire, discipline and attributes in the lower levels, and impress enough to get drafted. AJ reminds me of Aaron Vandenburg, not silky, but aggressive (Elite tackling) in a way that energizes his teammates. He now looks like a player with the fitness, height and game nous to do damage at AFL level, while leaving the opposition wary of his tackling and physicality. 2026 will tell a lot and, assuming he stays fit, he’s every chance to get games, especially with the 5 person bench. All the best to him.

I think most clubs will be battening down the hatches with long contracts until the Tassie storm passes. This deal meant he's off-market for the Tasmanian pillaging. Club playing it smart in my book.

I agree he's an introvert, but also see him as a proud leader who would respond well to that role in the team on match days. For me the off field aspects of the captain are superflous (relative to the onfield role) and when Goody said "we could build a team aroiund Kozzie" I agreed and if indeed he's our Number 1 player we should make him our captain, he may grow into it... And BTW I don't see this happening for a couple of years (with Koz doing his apprenticeship as VC)...

Max is the ongoing obvious choice, and a great player, leader, etc... not a fan of Lever taking it on next as I believe that beyond Max's time it would need to be a midfielder, and a player capable of turning games and lifting the team off their own prowess. This limits the options at the moment to Koz, with several young players (i.e. Langford, Turner, ...?) potential depending on their continued development...

I'm happy with Maximus staying captain for the time being, Premiership captains are rare and precious, and should be revered, as Max is. I'd have Kozzie as Vice Captain and in the pole position to replace Max should he (Max) decide to step back post 2026.

Odd perspective. Disagree with your premise that he's "3 year minimum from a senior game", and given he's been on our list all of 2 months you've gone super early. Watching training on Wednesday, I was impressed by the amount of support and direction the new additions to the squad get from specialist coaches, physios and others to help them maximise their development into AFL ready players. That combined with being immersed in a highly professional squad with leaders like Max, Jack, King, Jones, Rivers (Jared) and the sheer high quality workload these players are exposed to. Maybe we should have sent a young Max Gawn back to the Sandy Dragons for 2010 and let them develop him given it would take him till halfway through 2011 to debut..?

Was watching Matthews in rehab today and the trainer was having him focus on short easy sprints but with high knees and a "snap" to the motion. Hard to explain and quite specific, I imagine, as to the area they were working on. Aside for that, some limited running, then later some gentle shots for goal. My guess would be he's still a fair way off full running, let alone rejoining the main group. Perhaps one of the Demonland physio experts can explain what he's working through..?

Agree on Jai Culley, his size and presence in the middle, plus his forward skills bode well for a big impact in 2026. He plays like Bont or Fyfe in his movement through traffic and physicality.