Young Blood

In Regards to Taj I think this statement is most valid. There is no clearly defined position or role for him at the moment. I remember ANB (the old #1 whipping boy) coming in as a pure midfielder and playing consistently there at Casey, unable to really break into the side. Then ANB was able to find a niche as the high half forward role and really own it. I hope Taj can find his niche and do the same!

I'd imagine its just a matter of him getting up the strength and size to play AFL midfield. Watched him get pushed off the ball easily and often last season. He's the same height as Viney but a lot lighter obviously (maybe 8kg's). I can see him and Woey coming in for depth and chop out but doubt they will spend a lot of time in the middle. Keen to see who will be battling it out with the mids at training the next few weeks. I understand Rivers has the size and ability but very little experience in the role at AFL level. Interesting Gus was training with the backs but might be a factor of reducing the physically contested stuff as much as possible still easing him back in.

Love seeing Gus without the fluro vest!!! There should be no pressure or expectations on Gus after what happened last year. But if he can manage to get his mind and body right he might just be the most important piece for us as full-time midfielder this year. I know this is a discussion that will be had on this forum in future weeks and months, but I really liked Gus' impact through the period Clayton was out last year. It was a small sample size but I thought the change in dynamic in the midfield was refreshing and gave us a different look with more versatility. In no way am I saying our midfield will be better without Clayton (potentially) but provides different opportunities and dynamics to be really effective IMO.

I promise I'm not setting out to be a contrarian but I feel like this year the forward line is the least of my worries oddly enough. There are so many question marks going into this season. I trust this side to be competitive no matter who is on or off the field but this is the least confident I have been in having a settled team to build continuity heading into next season. Forwards Yes there is perhaps, system, method, positioning et al that needs improving but much of this as has been noted by @binman and others, until the midfield and wings can improve their disposal and decision making, then this will continue to be an issue. Personel wise I expect JVR to improve, Fritta to have a better run at it health wise, McAdam to provide more options and the smalls to find some better consistency and continuity playing with each other to create and hit the scoreboard more. Of course Petty is the biggest IF regarding his health. If he can play the majority of the season I genuinely think he is the most imposing, physical and natural tall forward we've had since Hogan and should be the focal point. If the somewhat of a pipe dream in Brown being fit enough again to impact a full game is true then that's a bonus. Double bonus would be Jefferson working his way into the main side and performing as I think he has the tools. Backs I know a lot of people talk about depth but I think we're a little bit more thin down back then we have been previously. I think our tall stocks with Tomlinson, McDonald, Turner and Hore are 'OK'. But with Hibberd gone, Smiths uncertainties, Rivers potentially spending more time in the middle, I'm a bit worried about our mid-sized players. The biggest IF for me is can Salem finally get some luck and fitness back to play consistently again. Mids It has been our constant and biggest strength these last few years and right now its the biggest concern right now. Elephant in the room I know its only January but in eight weeks we have our first game and one of our two best midfielders isn't training. Gus rightly so is being eased back in and there won't be pressure on him to slot straight back in. I actually think the period without Clayton last year gave us a different look in the middle that I liked a lot. But will Gus be ok? Can Sparrow be a 20+ disp, impactful consistent midfielder? Can Trac go up a notch again (defensive improvements?). Without Jackson or Grundy what happens if Max goes down? Sorry for the long post. As much as there's many concerns I'm also excited to see how the team tackles all of this. Sometimes adversity brings upon more change and dynamic which this team has lacked in recent years. Go dees!!!

You didn't consider that this may have been for privacy reasons? Not everyone wants their identity public, especially in the heavily scrutinized world of AFL football.

Like other family ties. Grandad played two games for the Dees in 1927. Went on to captain the Zebras and had some success there.

I was trying to think how many players in the last few years have nominated Melbourne as club of choice for trade/free agency. Ed Landon, Ben Brown maybe others I'm missing? Either way both these players saw an opportunity for a clearly defined and needed role in the best 22. I'm hoping that McAdam has similar success in this regard. He's shown consistency as a proper lead up target with great forward craft with some genuine speed and marking ability. I don't see why he can't flourish at Melbourne.

Love the tackling

Andy simply siblime photoshop work there. Throw Kolt's head on Windsors body. Genius

I hope he really pushes our wings next year. I felt Hunter in particular was too comfortable in his role and lacked intensity in many games last year. Its interesting not since maybe 2017 have we drafted proper inside mids. The last few years we have looked to improve our outside players with a bit more class. Rivers (2019). Bowey (2020), McVee (2021) Windsor (2023). As its been stated often here, our midfielders lack consistency with their affective disposal by foot so adding these types and building them into the best 22 can only help.

I like the idea of Windsor pushing both Hunter and Langdon in his first year. Both of our wingers I feel have got a little bit too comfortable with little to no challenge coming at them for their position.

Tend to agree the idea of Kozzie playing for long periods of a game in the midfield is a bit silly. I think people get confused between having a good tank and being able to cover the ground with some gut running. I go to every game in Melbourne and watched Koz closely this year. After repeat contests the guy is completely spent at times with hands on knees sucking it in. And this is fine because he's predominantly a forward and is coached and set up to perform in short bursts. Which is why he's good in the midfield to impact.... in short bursts. Myself others like the idea of either Salem or Bowey playing more forward half this year but more in the high HF role that ANB and Spargo play. We're just desperate for better ball use in that area of the ground and I think you need your most accurate damaging kicks in that area. Our backline have enough cover to keep decent disposal efficiency if one of those two were to move further up the ground.

I love the idea of a smaller forward line with Fritta, Petty, JVR, McAdam/Smith, Koz, Chandler, Spargo etc. So much of the AFL game is based off speed and the ability to move the ball quickly off turnover. We need guys who have athletisim and pace to transition quickly. McAdam certainly adds to our hopefully more dynamic forward line in 2024.

Nice to have a Western Australian who wants to come here! He's had an interesting career. I didn't realise he only started playing AFL in 2024. His SANFL form in limited games pushed him into AFL contention via mature aged pre draft by Carlton before Adelaide wanted him in the McGovern deal. He certainly consistently hits the scoreboard. Has some serious athleticism. https://australianfootball.com/players/player/shane%2Bmcadam/20522 I think he will be a great addition with his speed, ability to mark as a medium fwd (186cm) and seems to be clean with the ball.

For those still believing its solely on our forward line the issues. The glaringly obvious stats as evidence it was mostly our disposals inside were that we were no.1 for inside 50's (great!). However we ranked 17th for both disposal and kicking efficiency. That was for the season. As for the last five games of the season guess who was dead last in both categories..... 👿

Haha the old whipping boy eh. I remember those days. We need more Nibbla's!

Agree that we need more goals kicked from our midfielders. I think there is still some room to improve our balance and chemistry between inside/outside mids which will play a part. Unlike the other top teams we don't have any genuine class outside mids like the Daicos or McLuggage who are two of the most effective kicks inside 50 as well as hitting the scoreboard. Both are genuine outside mids. I suppose Gus and Trac would be our closest thing to outside mids but both are very inconsistent with their kicking. Our two wings are also very hit or miss with kicking efficiency as well. So if no trades eventuate I would like to see the club look at different wrinkles or changes internally. We have our best kicks in our backline in the likes of Bowey and Salem. Perhaps its time to try them during preseason in a more dangerous forward half position. Food for thought...

From the sounds of it we were interested in Hawkins if he was to become available. I'm sure we have sniffed around other clubs to enquire about better KPF's as well. I would say the asking price for anyone at the Lynch/King levels would have been far too much for us to risk giving up players/picks. So maybe not a priority but I'm sure its been explored quite a bit. More concerning and to your point Binman, I agree with you that the forwardline its self is not the main issue that ended our season early. It was indeed our kicking inside forward 50 mainly from our mids who are all below average kicks. I was and still are hoping the club look at bringing in better forward half kicks being our biggest weakness at the moment.

Urgh as much as this is most likely media smoke its so irritating. Petts so important to this teams success. He's looking like the best key forward we've had since Hogan. I don't think we lost a game with him at forward this year (still baffled as to why we sent him back). I watched him closely and even in games where he didn't score much he was so so effective in his positioning and using his body to create space for himself and others. His ability to read the ball, lead with pace, mark strongly, use his body and kick straight (12.1) is unmatched on this team AND he's only 23. Skies the limit. MUST KEEP.

Yep and like Grundy last night Tmac can basically only really run in straight lines. They can't turn. As soon either of them go past the ball or player there's pretty much no chance of winning it back or at least creating some sort of pressure. Let Smith, JVR, Melk, Trac, and the smalls create some chaos down there 😈

This. Any of the other options (Grundy, McDonald, Brown, Tomlinson) are too slow and unable to get any sort of seperation from their man. They can wrestle and bring the ball to ground but opposition sides simply play a spare or help defender to nullify this as we saw last night with Grundy and previously with Brown. Smith attacks every contest with genuine speed. His swing up forward resulted us in a more dynamic forward line and crucial mark+goal to keep us in it. He's not a world beater, he doesn't have the greatest footbal IQ and probably won't ever put together a four-quarter performance... But he gives you at least some of what Petty has with his aggression, speed and athletisicm to make a genuine contest in the air, at ground level and defensively pressure wise. He is the best option and they will pull the trigger on it this week. Out: Grundy, JJ In: Tomlinson, Spargo Sub: Tomlinson or Hibberd I like that we're slowly bringing Hibberd back into the main side. He was pulling up too sore too often and they've done well managing him via VFL and as a sub. He's too important to lose to another injury now hence why I think Tomlinson comes to provide suppor there with Smith moving forward. Hopefully if we stay healthy, Fritta comes back and Smith will go back to ultimate Super Sub.

I think Grundy and Brown will be the last resort. There's a reason Smith was given time in the forward line, why Melk has been given a spot and why Petty was by far the best no.1 marking option.... MOBILITY. Goodwin values the above players over Brown and Grundy because they can actually move with pace without the ball. They're simply more dynamic with what they bring. While both of them have some strength, they are probably our two slowest players off the mark. So many times this season they have been unable to make it to a marking contest or lead because they can't get any sort of separation from opponents due to lack of leg speed and burst. I loved seeing Petty get rid his opponent using his strength and quickly out mark the next opponent in front. True forward craft and skill. Alas.... I was pleased to see a lot of posters hoping that it will be Smith to go up forward. Of course he's not the size nor player that Petty is but he can produce part of what he brings. He can break off his man to compete in the air and when the ball hits the ground he can put pressure on the opposition with his pace. He seems to be playing with more confidence this year and I've loved the way he attacks every contest. Smith also provides what Goodwin loves which is versatility. If Trac spends more time forward and/or Fritta returns then Smith can again be swung back where needed.

I wouldn't be believing anything about Oliver returning unless it comes from the club...... oh wait 😜

Come on lads lets leave the infighting to the Collingwoods and Carltons Max might rest or he might play. Both can be good outcomes. Lets just see how it plays out :)

Wanted to give a shoutout to the less mentioned: Nibbler was terrific. He has been consistent all season but some of the critical contests he's winning from and in between the flanks has been key in our success to either win the ball back or get us moving forward. I thought yesterday in the first half especially his efforts to win the contest and find teammates in space really kept us in the game when Richmond had most of the control. His growth in his ball use and especially decision-making has been terrific. Bowey was another one that was not beaten in contest yesterday and his class with ball in hand was evident again