Hannabal

You had Trengove at 5 a couple of weeks back. Why the change ?

Hmmm I seem to remember having an argument on another forum 6 weeks ago when I stated that these 3 were the standout players of the draft. 1. Melbourne - Tom Scully (Dandenong Stingrays) 2. Melbourne - Jack Trengove (Sturt SA) 3. Fremantle - Anthony Morabito (Peel Thunder WA) You know who you are. :D

I can't agree with others who've lauded your post. You've such a simplistic way of looking at things. You're talking about skills as a footballer and using this as a guide to whether someone may or may not be able to coach. You're doing the very thing that you're accusing others of doing. You even say "by all reports Malthouse, Sheedy and Matthews were never blessed with anything resembling the skills of a Buckley or even a Lyon". You have to be kidding. Matthews was probably the best player I've ever seen and it wasn't just because he was tough, his skills were superb. I know that you never saw him play, so it's best to not comment when you don't know. You also say "his (Lyon) advocates seem to think he'll be a good coach simply because he was a talented player". I say that that's patent rubbish. They say he'll be a good coach because he was an exceptional captain, a fantastic leader of men that will be instantly respected by any playing group, and just about the best public and private speaker that you'll ever hear. Anyone that has had anything to do with him sees him as an intuitive, intelligent person and a great communicator that was born to be a coach. Things have a way of taking care of themselves, so I'll not join a worthless debate on here as to whether it will, or should, happen because nothing I say will have the slightest bearing, but I had to protest over a couple of your assertions.

I started posting on the old Demonland in November 2002. I've mellowed so as not to upset softies like you.

I have sympathy with your view, because it's one of the reasons that I was initially slightly keener on Morabito, but we still need Trengove's type of class in the midfield - think Bartel. I've only seen Trengove live once, but some players that's all you need to spot talent. He'll be classier than McLean, Moloney, and Jones and there's still room in our midfield for class.

You've previously declared that we won't be getting the priority pick, but now you're not so sure. I preferred it when you firmly held the former view. I too really like Morabito and I've waxed and waned between he and Trengove. I reckon Morabito will be a star. However, I don't think it's clear cut. They're very different types. I'd be deliriously happy with either.

I agree. It's about helping the clubs that need it most.

He hasn't yet got the physique of Rich, but he's a better clearance player, is much faster, and has a far better engine. More importantly, we have just about the worst midfield I've ever seen. Scully won't be far off our best mid by round 1, despite the fact that his best years are a number of seasons away. And I've no doubt he'll be better than Rich.

Yes, the skill of kicking has never been more important.

So Hawthorn could come 9th this year due to abberations having just won a flag and get lucky in the lottery and end up with pick 1 ? Yeah, nah.

There are tonnes of views on this, so I won't bang on here. If you need help with the various threads let me know. Your views and others are covered in depth.

I was having this exact discussion earlier in the week. It just shows that there's not a huge difference between the crapness of many of our players. Nothing to boast about really. It once again shows how important it is to get some stars into the club.

I'll have to skim better.

Mate, Scully will be one of the first picked. Trengove wouldn't far behind.

It's an interesting discussion. As Fat suggests, right now you'd take Cooney over the Sylvia/McLean package. I'd also take Riewoldt over Kosi/Didak. But yeah, as a rule you'd have to take the two picks over the one.

It's not been out in the open, but Thompson left because of Daniher. As for Rohan ? He played FB for Cobden, but he's not an AFL KPP. He's 186cm with pace and X factor. He's nothing like the typical FB's your envisaging. I'd be amazed if we don't go for Trengove or Morabito. We're desperate for elite mids. And yes, we could do with Butcher also, but there's too many question marks with him to be a top 3 pick imo.

Most Melbourne supporters I know said that it was one of the most unusual matches they'd seen, yet you're taking umbrage at the term "unusual". Astounding.

I admire Bailey more than ever. I'm comforted in the fact that we have a coach that "get's it" and will do his utmost for the long-term benefit of the MFC. If he fails, at least I'll know the club tried. I don't have to guess what he's trying to achieve, it's plain for all to see. And he still handles a difficult situation with poise and ease. Thumbs up, Dean. Great sentiments, Old.

I must say I did find it amusing when Deebest started comparing other top 10 draft picks from last year when referring to Watts. Either he was genuinely surprised at how well some have done, which he shouldn't be, or he expected much more from Watts already, which he shouldn't have. I just think he doesn't like Melbourne's recruiting and it plays out in his posts.

Then pick out another 30 of your own. Some supporters spend their life being "concerned". I think I'll start a list about things Melbourne supporters say their concerned about when there's little need to be concerned.

And a ridiculous one at that. We exist to win premierships. Exist not fold, not cease to exist. Whilst we're enrolled to compete in the Premiership season of the AFL there should be no other reason for existing. It's our sole reason for being - win the premiership. It's not a primary reason, it's not a fundamental reason, it's the sole reason. The only thing that matters is winning the flag. By all means as supporters we enjoy the journey, we enjoy the wonderful isolated moments, but there can be no other reason for existing in the competition. It has to be totally about winning it, or placing ourselves in a position to be able to win it. And when we win it, we'll back up and win it again. And again. Some of you may be happy with your blanky on your knees and a lovely thermos flask close at hand, but try to understand the only thing that matters to football clubs. Winning the prize.

It's not too late to delete your post You really have to see players live before making judgment calls. There's a reason recruiters fly around the country watching players. Sure, they'll also review tapes, but it's a supplementary source, not the primary. Scully doesn't just handball, he's a beautiful left foot kick and is also a very good right foot kick. He's very fast. He has a superb engine - just runs all day creating play. He's a very good mark for his size. He's tough. And he's very comptetitive. Most of all, he'll be an elite midfielder of the like we haven't seen for decades. He has better hands in close than any Melbourne midfielder I've ever seen. No-one on the list comes close to his package of skills. And if you watched the highlights from last years champs then you watched the wrong one. And it's also over a year old.

Don't worry about the "rumours". Simon Black cried when he was picked up by Brisbane. Michael O'Loughlin was gutted to leave SA and go to Sydney - now he plans to stay their after his retirement. Dangerfield is a Geelong boy, but I'm sure he'll stay. There are hundreds of examples. I'm not saying that there's not a "go home" factor, because there is, but if there's one place that worries me less it's Adeliade - despite Scott Thompson. If we deem Trengove the best available and we're lucky enough to have a pick that will secure him then we should and will take him. Trengove is Captain of the SA u18 team which shows that he has brains and is mature. Gibbs is SA. Cooney is SA. Trengove is SA. I'm not concerned in the slightest.

As Enforcer has just said in the last post, if you were Prendergast and really liked the look of Trengove how would you play it out when on public record ? Trengove will be a star. And Prendergast isn't stupid. I'll be OK with a Butcher nomination, but for me there are just too many doubts. He could be really good, but he could be a real disappointment. I'd rather not.