Young Blood

afl.com's predictions Note: They've gone with Jackson over Weideman and Brown. I honestly can't really split them. We haven't seen enough from them in pre season games in terms of an obvious stand out so it will be whoever has trained/worked their way in or based on matchups of course. Biggest concern would be playing the third and ninth shortest players in the league in Kozzy and Spargo. I really doubt we go with that but who knows.

Yeah I agree we don't currently have a superstar but we're developing them hopefully as you said. So yeah maybe I take it back we need one but maybe not from another club. It's interesting I feel that its around 24-25 yrs you really get an idea of what a players ceiling looks like. Guys like Petracca, Brayshaw and Viney are in that category so I think this is a defining season for them. Maybe Viney we know but the other two I think will be the difference to how far we go into finals the next few years. At just 22 yrs old Clayton is the obvious next superstar of this club. His game style is different to many of the ones you mentioned from other clubs but he's so effective and impacts games already. I think he'll go up another notch this year. His kicking has increased each year and hopefully he finds that balance, some more composure, marking and starts to hit the score board. He's well on the way.

I don't think we're missing a superstar. I think we just need to see what happens when this team finds health and consistency. If we build a consistent game style and effort each week with continuity of our best 22 playing each week I think we could be anything. In short... We're missing that moment when things click (ala Richmond a few years back)

yeah I'm also one of the few on here that just finds this a funny light burn. Also kind of true.... I can see why others are taking offense and agree with all the sentiments directed to Jeremy. But he's also kind of right I've been to every Melbourne MCG game for the past 15 years and there's definitely been some empty stands during those years we shall not speak of.

Christ. This is like when gus had that last head knock and everyone jumped in with comments like 'he's cooked' 'thats it for Gus' etc. without giving him a diagnosis or time to actually hear how he was! Things we know: - AVB has had a lingering foot issue due to initially getting a stress fracture - He has built his way up but is currently only training with the main group once a week and off legs the other days to manage the foot. It's something he has admitted he will have to manage most likely for the rest of his career - Played a good second half of football against Adelaide and was average against Hawks (maybe due to sore foot) - Post game the only reports we've heard is that he's got a bruised foot

Haha exactly Ruxin. Why is everyone so offended by this?

True but I'd imagine they would be capable of testing all players and staff who are/will be entering the ground.

As we've seen with these sorts of injuries it takes a lot of time and there are ALWAYS setbacks. Good examples being Viney who only just now seems like he's got his foot right (touch wood) and AVB who just had another set back on Friday night. The guy is 27. Its a set back not a tear. Give the lad time (even if the media wont)

In terms of preseason we've put ourselves in as good of a position to really challenge them as possible. I'm glad we've got this game round 1 in some respects. It's probably the most unpredictable round with teams still sorting game plans and personel. Plus the fatigue factor late in the game which we look to be in decent stead for. It will be hot and both teams will fatigue late so I think if one team has a 3-4 goal lead in the fourth qtr. it will be theirs to win you would think. I'm predicting a close one! (because why not?)

Boy that was uncomfortable watching the captain announcements. The disappointment and discomfort of Jack really put a dampner on Max's news (and as @chook fowler stated the video in general to a degree). Interesting that the club really bared all with that one. I hope at some point for peace of mind (not that he owes us that) but that Jack makes a statement solidifying Goodwins comments of being 'all in' etc. Obviously he is, exemplified by his preseason performance on Friday. I'm sure much like Jones it will take some time for the bitterness to drop off and the good thing is he's three years younger then Max so I believe he'll captain again as you can see how much he enjoyed it and relished the role. At 24 he's still got some growing to do as a leader. I'm fairly certain he will.

@58er to @Skuit

I watched a fair bit of Brown at Essendon. As much as their forward line was pretty depleted much of last year he played some great football. As WB noted he is an opportunist forward. He's usually the third option. He's got great aerobic capacity, runs hard and finds space. If he can kick some 'ugly dribblers' that go through the sticks as well this season I'll be happy. As others have noted he was recruited for forward depth. When you consider him a backup he's one of the more consistent backups in the league. If we can stay healthy our marking options are looking better this year: Tmac, Fritsch, Weid, Brown, Melk, Trac, Jackson, Tomlinson, Gawn and AVB.

I'm also keen to hear others thoughts on Kayo. I use foxtel and chromecast it but its pretty average quality a lot of the time. Wondering if Kayo might be better? I remember borring a mates and it worked a lot smoother potentially.

Its Hibberd. Not wearing his usual #14

Also thanks again so much for all the photos @Six6Six I'm unable to get down to training due to work so the training reports along with these incredible prolific shots are really great to scroll through. Amazing work

what? ? are you going by that one still photo? I think you'll find that he does the same as everybody else. Lifting the non drop hand to provide balance.

@Six6Six These are terrific. Hope you can get along to shoot some more!

I must be one of the ones who is 'truly stupid'. Last I checked Weid is a 22 yr old developing key forward who has had a fairly injury interrupted career so far. Talls always take longer to develop as we all know. Assuming the club has little to know faith in young Weid does seem a little rash don't you think? We lost Hogan who left a fairly sizable hole in our key forward stocks. We struggled for depth at the position last year (predominately due to injury) hence why Petty was swung forward. I think its more about adding to forward depth. We no longer have guys like Tim Smith and Keilty so adding the likes of Mitch Brown, Jackson and the potential of others makes sense for insurance sake doesn't it? I apologise if in fact you have inside knowledge that the club does indeed have little to no faith that Weid will work out.

Loved seeing Viney and Bernie just lay into him. Dog act. But yes agree with others here. While I never loved his smugness and arrogance in the media he was a prolific backman. Hope he finds fulfillment with the god squad.

I'm going with a conservative 22 to start with B: Jetta May Hibberd HB: Salem Lever Jones C Viney Harmes Langdon HF AVB Tmac Petracca F: Pickett Weid Fritsch Foll: Gawn Oliver Brayshaw I/C: Petty ANB Tomlinson Emerg: Brown, Rivers, Jackson After a full preseason, community cup experiments and reserve games at Casey this is my what if wish list for those I havent included in best 22: - Rivers potentially taking over Jones' probable HB position - Joel Smith gaining fitness and continuity to keep developing and maybe look at Petty's swingman position as a marking option both ends - Jackson continuing to develop and get a few games in the seniors to show off the raw talent he has. I'd love for him to really push Weid into form but also interested to see him play the second tall forward to give Gawn more rest in the ruck, - The battle for the small forward spot Lockhart, Chandler, Hannan, Hunt etc. - Obviously Bennel finding form and fitness would be the ultimate bonus for this team. Could be anything.

It might just be the photo's but Gus seems to have put on some significant bulk in the upper body. Shoulders arms and chest looking strong for those midfield battles.

I'm sorry no one is answering your question properly. I think you're right though I feel like Great Expectations would have the answer!

Yeah mindless babble is much more entertaining. But is Pickett worth 10??? Is he?? But is he though?

I don't really understand why its such a big deal taking Pickett so early. If the club absolutely has their sights set on him and the options to pick him up later (with or without pick swaps) are just not feasible then you grab him before anyone else does. Everyone using the word risk are absolutely right its totally a risk which can be said for most players beyond the first 5 picks in drafts, especially this year as its been well documented that this draft drops away or is at least even pickings (more unknown) after the first couple of picks. I think the mentality around drafts has changed. Players like picket who are true X factor players with natural skill, awareness, intensity and physicality only pop up every now and then. They're game winners. There's so many examples the most obvious one being the current small forwards for Richmond. I'm not saying its going to work out that way with Pickett. But he's worth the risk. His ceiling is higher then most at this points of the draft IMO. Every year there's a draft bolter and this one happens to be exactly what this club needs. He even has the physical traits to give himself every chance of playing AFL next year if he finds the form.

Not a bad idea. He's never settled well into a position. Always played his junior footy and at Casey through the midfield as he's actually quite strong at contested ball. He would be one of the better tackling players as well, could really do a number on opposition midfielders his size.