Hannabal

I've given my opinion.

The great Norm Smith had very ordinary results when he no longer had good players. We need talent more than anything. That said, I wouldn't be in a hurry to sign up Bailey. He was an unproven coach when we appointed him and he remains unproven. Collingwood don't bow to media pressure about Malthouse. They determine when they make that decision despite all the speculation regarding Buckley. They're not pandering to anyone elses agenda except their own. I wouldn't be looking at Bailey's contract until at least mid next year.

It's interesting how supporters have differing perspectives and views. I have absolutely no interest in watching any of the players you named.

No. It either got down to Rich or Watts and I haven't changed my mind who I'd prefer. If Watts is as good as I suspect he'll be you can build a premiership forward line around such a creative tall. We did need that class in our forward line and he was a rare opportunity. One too good to pass up. You and I could feed a small nation with the amount of words we regurgitated before last year's draft and the merits of Rich over Watts, big forward lines and small ones, and vice versa, so I'll not bore you again with why I wanted him. But now he's firmly in place and it looks as though we could land the opportunity to identify the (our) two best kids in the land then for me it's an amazing opportunity to bolster one of the worst midfields I've ever seen. Essendon's midfield thrashed us and their best mid only borders A-grade, so how are we travelling ? As for some posters assertions that good mids are easy to find ? I suppose it's how we grade 'good mids'. But I don't want just 'good mids'. With picks 1 and 2 we have the chance to draft to elite mids. And we haven't had an elite mid in the AFL. It would also provide a real chance to snare a flag in the next 6-8 years. I don't have a problem with people thinking Butcher. I can see the merits in him also. It's a tough one, but for the reasons outined I'd go with the mid. Sydney won a flag and drafted their tall - Hall, Geelong won a flag and drafted their tall - Mooney, Brisbane won 3 flags and drafted their tall - Lynch. Let's get the midfield elite.

Excellent post, Sheds. Good mids seem easier to find, but it's been the opposite for the MFC. Having secured Watts, my next preference is to build a star midfield, not just a decent one, but one of the best in the competitions. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Buddy and Roughead combo too, but in order of preference, we need to fix the midfield. Average forwards suddenly look good when they've got a dominant midfield bearing down. In reality, I want it all, but next cab off the rank for me is setting up the midfield for the next 10 years. Games have always been, and still are, won in the midfield. We haven't had a genuine star midfielder since the AFL was formed in 1990. It's not just a coincidence that a premiership has alluded us during this time. Recently, Geelong have won a flag without a star KPF West Coast have won a flag without a star KPF St. Kilda could win a flag with just one star KPF - Kosi is not a 'star' But what do the above teams all have ? They had/have star midfields. Judd, Cousins, Kerr --- Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Selwood --- Hayes, Montagna, Dal Santo, Ball - just to name a few - and all are better than our best mid. Those that think that just a Scully or Blease plus whatever we've already got will get us back into the equation are in the mode of 'wishful thinking'. It's mids we need. And then some. And yes, I have a tonne of faith in Watts as our star future KPF.

I'm very much now in the 'two mids' camp.

Roost is correct. Neither Sylvia or McLean were hyped as a probable no. 1 pick. Judkins rated McLean, but there were many recruiters and watchers such as Wisbey, that didn't have McLean as a first rounder. Cooney was always a lock as no. 1, much like Scully is this year. If he becomes a Dee, by the end of his first year he'll be our best mid. And it could be a lot sooner than that. Right now he'd be a starting 18 player - and we'd be better for it.

Ah, thank you.

Hannabal: Thanks for your time, Leigh. Leigh: You're vewy vewy welcome. Hannabal: Leigh, you seem to have unnecessarily potted Jack Watts and the MFC over the weekend. Is there any particular reason? Leigh: Alan Jawwott. Hannabal: Alan Jarrott ? What did Alan do, Leigh ? Leigh: Jawwott whacked me at the MCG in 1984. Hannabal: Hang on Leigh, I was there that day and Alan was remonstrating with you for your king hit on Steven Smith. In fact, you hit him that hard he lost his toupe. Leigh: Wasn't it Peter Giles ? Hannabal: No, your king hit on Giles was later in the season. Leigh: Oh. Didn't Smith lose all his hair from awa... awa... umm, ...awa Hannabal: Alopecia ? Leigh: That's it. Hannabal: Let's move on, Leigh. What are your thoughts on Melbourne's list ? Leigh: I think they're in a lot of twubble. In fact, I think they'll be anchored to the bottom for years. Hannabal: How many times have you seen them play this year ? Leigh: Once - once live. Hannabal: Once ? It must have been a real eye opener to make such a judgment after so little exposure to the team and list ? Leigh: Yes, they were vewy vewy bad. Hannabal: It's a pity you missed the match against the Bulldogs. But what about Sammy Blease, Strauss, Garland, Maric, Aussie, Spencer and some of the other under 20's ? Leigh: Who ? I'm not familwa with those players. But I liked the look of Juwwah and Gwimes. Hannabal: Lucky we didn't do this interview a week ago or you wouldn't have heard of Jurrah either. As for Grimes, you gave him to Melbourne. Leigh: Weally ? I did ? Hannabal: Yes, you gave Melbourne pick 14 for Twavis, err Travis Johnstone and Melbourne used that pick on young Jack..... Are you ok, Leigh ? Here, have some water. Speaking of young Jacks, do you think you were a bit harsh on Jack Watts the other night ? Leigh: No, he looked like a schoolboy playing against men. Hannabal: Leigh, he was a schoolboy playing against men. By the way, how did an 18 year old Jonathan Brown equip himself in his first few games ? Leigh: I weally can't wemember, but he was a vewy vewy stwong boy Jonathan, so I expect he went pwetty well. Hannabal: Let me refresh your memory. Brown had no possessions in his first game and one possession in his third. In fact, it took him until game 7 to kick his first goal. Leigh: Weally ? Well, young key position players take longer to develop. Hannabal: Hmmm. Leigh, I put it to you that you don't really know much about young Watts, or the Melbourne list at all. Leigh: Well, I can only judge them on what I see and Fwiday night wasn't vewy impwessive. Hannabal: No disputing that. Thanks for your time Leigh. But I must say I'm 99% certain that tomorrow I'll be 100% sure you're a dill.

Of course it does. One of the toughest players I've seen, Michael Voss, put in a short step when Robert Walls was coach. He was very young and quickly told he wouldn't get a game unless he 'went' when it was his turn. Some players are naturally more courageous than others, but improving this aspect of one's game is possible, especially with more confidence. More confidence will come with a stronger frame. Michael Tuck was very strong, but remained skinny his entire career. I don't know what body Morton will end up with, but I'm certain that he'll get stronger and with this more confidence. That said, he needs to. It's usually a players third year that they really start to improve. I expect Cale to take a big step next year. And if he's still avoiding contact I'll be the first to call him up on it. I just hope that Bailey goes hard on him. If he needs to be dropped now to show him what's expected then I'm all for it. And he may just benefit in the long run.

I liked it when Watts put his arm around him at the beginning of the game when they were both sitting on the bench. It was a nice touch and another example of the maturity of Watts.

These are the views of a Hawthorn supporter on another site. I'm posting them because I completely agree with his sentiments. "Are you going to tell me that the picks Carlton have snagged in the last few years will not know a winning culture because the club tanked a few extra games to make sure they dipped into the top end of the draft just one more time? Just look at them now. Their talent and competitiveness will come to the fore and they'll create their own 'winning culture'. Coming thru the hard times and remembering just how hard you had it when you started and how you don't want to go back there. This winning culture talk is crap. AFL footballers are competitive beasts. They don't need to be involved in wins when they are 18-20 to want to do it when they are 23-25. They've wanted to win ever since they were in the under 12's. Every kid does." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some posters don't believe that one player will make one iota of difference to the MFC. I couldn't disagree more. Does anyone understand the impact that Chris Judd is having on Carlton ? And I don't just mean on the field. He has changed the way the players train, the way they eat, the way they conduct themselves (except Fev), etc. His impact on the psyche of the group is enormous. Does anyone think that Hawthorn would have won a flag without Franklin ? Maybe some of you don't crave a flag, or accept that the possibility is extremely remote. A flag is the only thing that keeps me going. This club has to do all in its power to press for a flag. Its soul will wither and die if a flag isn't the sole objective. I'm led to believe that with the talent this year it's Scully then daylight. And that's not to say that there won't be other very good players on offer. So Doggo, I don't want pick 2 because it means we won't get Scully. Scully lives his whole life making decisions that are best for his football. He doesn't drink because of his football. Jason McArtney stated that he'd be playing seniors all ready for half the AFL competition he's that good. When he plays for Vic Metro it looks like an AFL player coming back to junior footy. Does anyone remember how Trent Cotchin couldn't handle a tag in his State carnival year ? Scully copped a "heavy tag" and was best for Vic Metro racking up 30 disposals. Paul Connors told me that if we picked up Scully he'd unquestionably captain Melbourne. His former junior coach said that he has a huge appetite for the ball. He plays inside and out. He has good pace and good kicking skills off both feet. He reckons he'll be elite amongst elites. So I say that a player of Scully's talents will make a difference to the MFC. There's a very good chance that the Saints and Carlton will win flags in the next 2-3 years. Somehow I think the old chestnut of "how many no. 1's have played in premierships" question will quickly disappear. The sytsem is in place for a reason. And Melbourne needs a pp for a reason. The top picks coming through together will make us better. It's not the only thing, nobody says it is, but talented, committed players have success. How many greats of the game don't play in premierships ? There's not many. And the best chance to get stars is with the best picks. Of course it's not the only way, but I'd rather have the odds in our favour and have the best picks possible. A [censored] coach can win a flag with great players, but a great coach won't win a flag with [censored] players.

I think you've done a very good summation. We're developing some potentially very good players. A couple of genuine stars is my greatest wish because they will make others around them better. That said, we're 4 years away from having stars due to our age group.

You really are a And I'm assuming that what you're saying is true. Well done big guy.

Actually why don't we rewind to the year 2000. Jonathan Brown: These are his stats for his first 8 games - 0 , 13, 1 , 12, 1, 6, 8, 7 for a total of 48 possessions and an average of 6 possessions per game. In this period he kicked the grand total of 1 goal. He was 18 and a half on debut. His first 4 games were in sequence, as were his last 3. Just a bit more perspective for Leigh.

I think Melbourne supporters are being too sensitive, myself included. It's not really that big of a deal. There's not a lot for the footy media to talk about this weekend, so naturally the no.1 draft pick gets a fair bit of airtime. On today's footy show Brayshaw said "I've seen enough already to know that Jack Watts is going to be a superstar". Let's not be overly sensitive.

It's difficult to make assertions when I haven't been in an AFL environment, but Crawford today and another former AFL player earlier in the year suggested that he should play interstate due to the bonding of travelling with your teammates. It's a different environment and helps him feel part of the group and get to know his teammates better. I see merit in him playing against Brisbane for these reasons.

He's speaking his mind, which is fair enough, but the bottom line is I'm positive that he knows absolutely nothing about our list.

Even though I seem to have instigated this crap, why don't you take your 'generalisations' to the "General Board". And Fats stuck his head up. How unusual. But here's the deal, Fat, 2010 is Bailey's third year and it certainly won't be too early to judge his performance. No-one I know will be expecting Finals, but there will be tangible determinators that can be measured for improvement. Now, back in that hole with Warren.

He's played 32 yet if he was on Geelong's list he would have played less than 10 games, but you're not happy with what you've seen other than an ability to "rack up possessions" ? Give yourself an uppercut, Mo.

Sorry, I looked at the wrong year. Leuenberger had 8 possessions plus 1 goal in his second game. For interest sake he had 3 possessions in his 1st, 7 in his third, 5 in his fourth and 6 in his fifth. No goals from any of those. Also similar raw talls picked early: Lachy Hansen had a sequence of 6, 5, 7 in his first 3 games - pick 3 2006 Scott Gumbleton had a debut to forget with 5 possessions - pick 2 2006 (games 2 and 3 were good) And the great Wayne Carey also debuted at 18. His sequence 7, 6, 7 - no goals from his first 3 games. And as already mentioned: Brendan Fevola had 1 possession in his first and 1 possession in his second for a grand tally of 2 posssessions from his first two games.. He too debuted at 18. Note: Watts is almost a year younger than a couple of these other 18 year olds *Perspective*

5 disposals - no goals And he was a year older. Out of interest, Nick Riewoldt averaged 9 possessions in his first 6 games and kicked 2 goals.

It is very predictable though having Davey run behind to receive the amount of handball he does as the designated kicker. It's almost becoming a farce because it's slowing down play. Geelong move the ball quicker than any other team. Imagine them relying on a designated kicker as much as we do. How much would it kill their instinct and slow them down ? And yes, I know we're not Geelong, but the "give it to Davey at all costs" plan is at its used by date already, imo. Time for a bit of a plan B.

You clearly never saw Phil Carman take a mark. Watts ran 2.82 at DC for 20 metres, but had previously tested for 2.79. He's fast, but clearly hasn't used his pace yet. Btw Freak, are you Mo's son ?

Oh God. I didn't realise you were this thick. I simply asked you to answer Timmy's question - you know, the one you couldn't comprehend. I was trying to pry some in depth analysis out of you. Perhaps you could have provided some good stuff. Nothing more, nothing less. Fwiw, I wasn't sure if Watts would play a game this year. In fact, I was under the assumption he'd play more for Brighton Grammar than the Scorpions. I'm quite content with his progress. At least you finally understand the question Timmy was asking. Talk about slooow.