Nascent

Agree on the second quarter, the midfield comment was more speaking of the year as whole compared to last year. Viney and Jones are quality and I'm a big fan of Tyson (although not his day today), Vince is serviceable and gives us a more consistent output than Sylvia. Cross is playing his role well as is Matt Jones. We are still short probably 3-4 quality players running through the guts. Hopefully Salem and Toumpas can make the grade.

It's good to see our fans are not happy with honourable losses. Still, we have to keep in mind how far back we are coming from and take the positives out of the game. A few random thoughts. Our midfield has improved markedly and our make shift forward line is doing the job. Backline was a weak area today with probably the worst game I've seen from McDonald. Our entire team will benefit from Hogan in and Frawley (despite he's fantastic form up forward) shifted back to take a Key forward. I am looking forward to Garland making a quick return as well. Tyson was down today but not sure I would've subbed him. My candidates for that would've been Watts, Jetta or McKenzie. The one major positive for me. I watched the game thinking we could win and thought we were still in it throughout the whole game. Haven't really felt like that since 2011.

Anyone know where I can watch replays of games from 2010-2011? The ironically named "smart replay" on the AFL website used to let you watch games from previous seasons but don't seem to allow that anymore. I was hoping to watch one of our games with a fit Trengove where we'd randomly smash a team by 90 odd points.

I can barely read those names from here, how is this supposed to help spectators 50-200 metres away in the stands? It wouldn't be any easier on television with the action is so dynamic and the camera angles always chopping and changing every couple of seconds. I just struggle to see spectators being assisted in identifying players. Perhaps during a stoppage or a close up during a set shot for goal? The only reason clubs are pushing hard for this to increase their merchandise sales.

"It's something a bit out of my control. Obviously I'd love to play for Melbourne but there's still so much to go yet and I'm just trying to keep the enjoyment up in my footy," Stretch told AFL.com.au in London on the AIS-AFL Academy's European tour. "Whether it happens or not, we'll just have to wait and see. No stretch for billy

Do we deserve a priority pick? Some would argue that we've had our chance already with the draft and our performances are a product of our own mismanagement. Do we need a priority pick? Absolutely we do. Let's forget for the moment that our management, scouting/drafting personnel and coaches (those presumably involved in our mismanagement and poor drafting) have been completely moved on since our last PP was awarded (2009, that's right, 5years ago). Claims that we have mismanaged our players and/or drafted poorly may give an insight into why we are so poor. but in no way should that exclude us from access to a PP. I'd like to see what exactly a deserving team would look like, one that has managed their players well and drafted adequately. Somehow I don't see them churning out 8 years of solid crud. The new special assistance rule has a "formula" (not made public) for eligibility which would be awarded at the commission's discretion in exceptional circumstances. This would take into account the teams recent on field performances and other matters deemed "relevant." It was argued last year that we have sufficient talent on our list to not require a PP. It would be interesting to see what their analysis of our list looked like how that compares to the list changes made at the end of the season as well as B&F performances of our alleged talented players. Now, you would not find a single AFL fan that would say we have been anything better than exceptionally poor in recent times. 34 games won 2 draws and 121 losses since 2007 attests to that. No other team comes close to the record. We have been compared by journalists numerous times to Fitzroy before their demise. The mere mention of our name is usually accompanied with derision or a joke. Here is a comparison of our recent win loss record to the fledgling teams, it makes for depressing reading. Since the Gold Coast entered the competition in 2011 GC 16 won 53 lost Melb 14 won 1 draw 54 lost Since GWS entered the competition in 2012 GWS 5 won 42 Lost Melb 6 won (3vs GWS) 41 lost We aren't competitive, we are an embarrassment to the AFL and a joke of the entire league. We need to avail ourselves of any means to improve our list and on field fortunes (Essendon supplement style regime excluded). We need a PP. To not explore this option would be to exhibit negligence to the interests of the MFC. P.S. I hope we win 8+ games for the year and removed the need to have this dreary debate.

Well I thought he got toweled up by Pavlich and was guilty of some pretty poor defending, particularly in the first half, that resulted in scoring shots for the dockers. Some melbourne-like errors in fact, just disguised by a well drilled hawthorn team. Bit harsh maybe. He is a competitive player though, strong in the air and commits to the contest. Could use a few more of those.

Anyone have any info on how Kent is progressing? Did he play in the VFL practice game on the weekend? I understand he had some knee issues earlier on in the pre-season but hasn't been named on the injury list for a while. Hope to see him in the senior team soon as he was fast becoming one of my favourites last year and will be a real weapon for us on the half forward line.

I'm all for having a more prominent and recognizable demon represented somewhere within our club, whether it be through merchandising or a logo. However I personally wouldn't like to see it on our away jumper. Cartoonish designs such as the hawks, crows, lions and eagles jumpers just look tacky. And who could forgot the hideous/constipated demon face accompanied on a red or white background we had a few years ago. More than happy to see a change in our away jumper design though, however I think that discussion has been done to death elsewhere.

Quote from Demetriou. "It is a distraction to the core issue which is that there was a regime occurring at this football club-systematic-of young men being injected with substances that in many cases were banned for human use, some of which are unknown, some of which could potentially have long-term health effects and it was imperative that the AFL put a stop to it for the integrity of the code." Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/james-hirds-future-under-a-cloud-20140321-hvl0s.html#ixzz2wZAxl1IY"

Bump. State-government-investigation-reveals-afl-can-do-more-to-protect-punters/ While there were no adverse findings against Melbourne, the commission said in a statement: "The VCGLR identified measures where the AFL could enhance its current policies and procedures to strengthen its integrity framework and provide further assurances to betting patrons." I remember this investigation (a by-product of the tanking fiasco) by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation caused quite a stir on here, with some fearing for we could potentially lose our gaming license which would have financially crippled our club. It seemed the investigation largely focused on AFL policy rather than our club itself. As the last post was in February, I don't think 'landers were too concerned (or had forgotten), but for those that were you can now rest easy.

I agree with the sentiment but they might like that. Unless it was in an uncomfortable place... like the back of a Volkswagen.

Anyone think there is an outside chance that Scharenberg could slide to us? Group think and arm chair experts like myself think the top 5 are locked in place with Bontempelli touted as pick 6 (I'm not so convinced). I don't think it's outside the realms of possibility that Scharenberg could slip through to us depending on individual club rankings. I personally think Scharenberg would be a good fit at the dogs and could see Aish slipping out of the top 5. Man I'm going to be so bored after November. 1. Boyd 2. Kelly 3. Billings 4. Aish 5. KK 6. ?? 7. ?? 8. McDonald 9. ????

I'm a bit suspicious about Collingwood's intent with pick 6. Logic would dictate that they want someone at 6 who they didn't think would make it to pick 10. This leaves only us and the Lions with picks in between. Bontempelli has been talked up as a top 6 selection recently but I think that is only due to Collingwood's "reported interest" and personally I think he will still be there at 10. Therefore, through nothing but gut feel, I think they would be targeting either Scharenberg or Freeman with pick 6.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-28/north-delists-four-more In June, Kangaroos assistant coach Darren Crocker revealed on the club's website that the midfielder's physical development was akin to a newly drafted player. "He's got to improve his fitness," Crocker said at the time. "In a physical sense, his strength is like a guy who has come into our club and starting from scratch." The rumours about his poor attitude to training appear to have significant merit. Three years into the system and being compared to 18yo draftees not yet exposed to an AFL environment is a serious indictment on his training habits.

Now that the trade period is over and done with, it would be good to hear what draft rumours are floating about. Which players are clubs looking at and who is likely to be selected where... So far from reading bits and pieces online on these forums and nothing more (i.e. no inside word), I've table what the top 9 might look like with a few extra considerations at that pick. GWS 1. Tom Boyd (locked) GWS 2. James Kelly (Scharenburg) St K 3. Billings (Kelly/Aish) WB 4. Scharenburg (Aish/Billings) GC 5. Kolodjashnij (Billings/Aish) Coll 6. Bontempelli (Freeman) Bris 7. ??? (haven't hear anything for the Lions but surely if Aish is still available he would go here, perhaps Lennon???) North 8. McDonald (Locked f/s) Melb 9. Freeman (Lennon, Salem) Acres, Sheed and Salem appear to be next cab off the ranks.

I've seen this written a few times and can't say that I agree with the sentiment. We may have the 8th "live" pick but by all reports Mcdonald was widely rated as a top 6 recruit in this years draft and that the kangas, while paying a high price, aren't paying overs for his selection. Tom Boyd is a lock for #1 - do we now have pick 7? Common opinion on here, as you have highlighted, seems to suggest that Aish, Scharenberg, Kelly and Billings are a lock or close to for the top 5... by your reasoning, with them eliminated and McDonald committed, does that mean we effectively have pick 3? That probably sounds harsher than I intended it, just my view that McDonald not being accessible to us isn't to our advantage. Now if a club had committed to an Ayce Cordy bean pole type ruckmen with a father/son selection before our pick, I would be ecstatic.

Another element to consider is that compo picks could be removed as of next year.

Cheers for all the work you put in Nasher. I had a bit of trouble trying to log in, took me multiple attempts to finally get on. Changing pages seems to log me out as well, not sure if anyone else is experiencing issues like this. I'm using site2 address at the moment because demonland.com is still down for me so perhaps that's the issue?

Right you are Spirit of Norm Smith. If we end up with a mid first round draft pick from trading, I hope we seriously consider this kid. (Josh Kelly testing extremely well as expected) Josh Kelly and Nathan Freeman impressed in the running events at this week's Draft Combine Nathan Freeman Height: 181cm Weight: 85kg Club: Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/Dingley Position: Midfielder/Forward Player Comparision: Patrick Dangerfield 20m sprint 1. Jonathon Marsh (2.78 seconds) 2. Nathan Freeman (2.82) 3. Daniel Flynn (2.83) 4. James Sicily (2.84) 5. Karl Amon (2.88) 6. Jack Leslie (2.90) 7. Richard Bourne (2.92) 8. Tom Cutler (2.93) 9. Jake Barrett (2.94) 10.Darcy Byrne-Jones (2.94) Repeat sprints 1. Nathan Freeman (23.62 seconds) 2. Darcy Byrne-Jones (24.06) 3. Jonathon Marsh (24.18) 4. Daniel Flynn (24.25) 5. Josh Kelly (24.31) 6. Nick Bourke (24.31) 7. Daniel Cox (24.31) 8. Louis Herbert (24.38) 9. Tom Langdon (24.45) 10. Tom Vandeleur (24.49) 3km time trial 1. Josh Kelly 9m 32s 2. Nick Robertson 9m 46s 3. Jake Kelly 9m 51s 4. James Tsitas 9m 54s 5. Darcy Byrne-Jones 10m 6. Nathan Drummond 10m1s 7. Eli Templeton 10m5s 8. Alex Pearce 10m6s 9. Kade Kolodjashnij 10m10s 10. Nathan Freeman 10m15s Beep test results 1. Billy Hartung (level 16.6) 2. Jake Barrett (15.6) 3. Alex Pearce (15.5) 4. Eli Templeton (15.3) 5. Darcy Byrne-Jones (15.2) 6. Nathan Drummond (15.2) 7. Jake Kelly (15.2) 8. James Tsitas (15.2) 9. Josh Kelly (15.1) 10. Nathan Freeman (14.10) Some articles on Nathan Freeman Draftees in focus: Nathan Freeman Freeman-a-dasher

Cheers mate, safe to say I've been guilty of a bad prediction or two.

Don't trust me old dee...? And a tweet from our own Nathan Jones:

Don't forget the "Jamie Bennell will be our Andrew McLeod"

Count me in. I'm actually half fit for a change so I shouldn't be stuffed until at least the second quarter

We are not an attractive proposition, but if he has the talent and desire then he will be getting regular senior games which may be just enough to entice a promising young midfielder to us.