Young Blood

yup

This is why I never read other forums The Wrecker said: ↑ Hartlett is headed to the Swans or the Demons. Won't be at Port next year.

yeah I think he has shown that he can play when has the ball in his hands. Most obviously later in the season. Has the ability to break free of packs before a penetrating kick into the forward line which I saw quite a few times. His Inside 50's were consistent. Poita talked about 'his time in the system'. He got one game for freo and played 17 games for Melbourne. Might have been in the AFL system since 2011 but has not had much of an opportunity at top level. His last four games this season we great I thought. He also performed very well for Casey all year. I hope he continues to keep knocking on the door. I think he will keep improving his defensive side. When we picked him up I was told by a freo physio that he was a bit of a hot head. I think he is a tougher player and look forward to seeing his hardness next year. Would like to see his tackling incres. Has a good base to work from now.

great mentality mo64.... Who can be bothered talking about Scully, Morton etc. any more. Not me Lets talk about Petracca, Bayshaw, AVB, Stretch, Harmes etc. Lets plan the next 4-5 years for them and bring in others with the same mentality

Yeah thats really interesting. Everyone is talking about recruiting another big bodied, marking forward to take some of the heat off Jesse/an upgrade from Dawes. There doesn't seem to be much out there at the moment in FA or possible trades. I actually think if nothing transpires that Frost might head forward. Big athletic body with terrific strength and decent leg speed. He is also a player that could could give Gawn a break in the ruck. I think if that does happen we might see more of Pederson at CHB where he has played some good football with his marking and running ability. But I do hope we can either draft (Curnow?) or pick up a marking forward type player to build the depth of the forward line behind Jesse, Pederson, Dawes, AVB and Watts.

yeah or the club genuinely see him as a 'required player' as stated by coach and others over and over. Another season to build on this years improved performance. If he does not prevail I think you would still have him as the same value as this year. Only really good for a trade package.

Chris I think its important to have a more mature backline. Cooler heads, more poise etc. and Dunn, Jetta and Garland have those capabilities and will be able to stick together for you would hope another 2-3 years. I think the key is finding the balance. You don't want to throw young guys into the side down back where mistakes are obviously more costly. I think Frost, Omac and White will get their opportunities to line up with our older backs next year. I agree though we need to keep recruiting younger backs to develop behind our current backline. I think we'll look to do so in the draft. It's usually where you can pick up some less flashy, more steady players. But hopefully there are also some 20-24 yr olds available in FA or trade too.

"pretty certain" oath

I guess what I am trying to do with this post is show that we are now seeing a team that is building a good core group of players. We no longer have an obvious group of dead weight type players. We can really build on the improved list we have this year. Promising to see the list we have currently and that we can bring more depth and talent to the club.

Hope he sticks around to help with the development of guys like Stretch, Brayshaw, Harmes and ANB. All show good early signs of tough contested competitive football. Cross could help them further excel in this area.

I'd like to have a chat to Pederson. Seems a really nice guy. Frost might be the backman that goes into the ruck in a pinch if we can't land another taller forward.

BINGO

Yeah like I said the lineup is just who I think is currenlty our strongest team. I was more after suggestions of who the side can bring in with the roster spots we now have. Not sure who in the Premiership window would look at Dawes but I agree might be worth trading in a package. I really don't think we should just be putting Dunn on the trade table straight up. Frost has played three OK games for us. He looks exciting and has potential but to take out our most steady backman? We still want to win games next year. Frost and O-Mac will get there opportunities. Its important not to rush those guys in. O-Mac will take a bit longer to develop then Brayshaw etc. Plus I put V next to Dunn's name because he will be a Veteran for the club next year meaning he along with the Rookies doesn't count in our list of 38 players. Handy for picking up more players.

Might be better as a Half forward. I agree with others that his toughness around the ball is just not up to scratch for midfield. Could be a good player for depth across half forward behind Kent, Watts, Petracca, Pederson if he can build on his intensity especially defensively.

Apologies if this has already be done to death. But I thought I'd set out the team we currently have for next year now that players have been delisted. I guess for most of you this will be a bit obvious but doing this for my own benefit to wrap my head around the players we have and where we need more depth/talent to continue to improve. I understand more players will go and be traded etc. But this is IMO our most competitive side of current players. I would like players like Garland, Lumbumba, Pederson to be pushed out by younger guys throughout the season. Let me know who I have left out B Frost Dunn (V) Garland (22) (28) (27) HB Salem T. McDonald Jetta (20) (23) (25) C Tyson Viney Brayshaw (22) (22) (19) HF Pettracca Pederson AVB ® (19) (28) (23) F Kent Hogan Garlett (21) (20) (26) Fol Gawn Vince N. Jones: (23) (29) (27) Int Watts Harmes ® Howe Stretch (24) (19) (25) (19) Depth: Backline: Lumumba (28) Grimes (25) Terlich (25) O. Mcdonald (19) White (19) ® Midfield/wing: Michie (23) M. Jones (27) Trengove (24) ANB (19) Forward: Dawes (27) JKH (20) Newton (23) Hunt (20) Ruck: Spencer (25) King (20) ® ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So its clear that the team needs some depth at each position - Regardless of whether Howe and Garland are leaving we do need another backman. Need another steady player to go alongside Frost, White and O'mac while they develop. - Obviously we need another ball winning midfielder to add to our depth. I think with the boost of Petracca and development of Brayshaw, ANB and AVB the midfield will be better but we need some more steady players to back them up. Would be good to have another younger player pushing the midfield. I would like to see Jones and Vince take on different roles next year where they carry less burden and are able to move away from their tags. Another player to keep knocking on the door with Michie would be terrific. - As stated by others a marking forward who could go into the Ruck in a pinch. I think Pederson could fill this void until we find someone. But a younger tall would be great. Now who could fill these gaps?

why on earth would Port get rid of a key midfielder for any of the suggested trades? They will be pushing very hard for top four next year. Having Watts and/or Howe or a pick isnt going to take them to that top echelon of teams next year. With that in mind surely Hamish himself wouldn't leave a club like that to come to Melbourne. i'm not trying to be negative. But he is 25 yrs old. If he is not injured next season he will be in his prime playing for a Premiership. Baffles me. I'm not trying to say I wouldn't love him at Melbourne. But not sure about the why...

whats more alarming is that he is only 21! I think preseasons are really important and another one for Dean will hopefully help his body over the course of a season next year. Looking forward to seeing him and Petracca solidify their positions at half forward next year!

Really liking how positive everyone is about this kid. Refreshing for this Forum. Great disposal work, decision making and tackling. Played his role in each game with is what is being preached every second by the coaching staff. Consistent effort was the main thing I liked from him. Along with Harmes, Brayshaw, ANB and hopefully Petracca, Billy will be part of a really compedetive young group for us. He is also one I can see as a definite long term player along with Viney and Brayshaw. In it for the long haul. People have talked about him being lightly build. But he has the perfect footballers frame with those long arms and broad shoulders. Will do some work on the weights over summer and be better for it. Don't doubt that he will improve his endurance running too. Only way is up for Billy and very happy he is demon.

her [censored] here Roosy, We're only in the second week of finals for christ sake. I think its ok for supporters and people on this forum to discuss the player and how they would feel about him at Melbourne. But to say that this is a horrible decision and blow the whole trade thing up? Nothing is signed. I don't know any players that have actually been confirmed going to any club. All speculation and media hype.

Terlich might just be kept as a backup if Grimes is to go. But who knows. I like that the club were tough on him this year. Constantly pushing him to improve the defensive side of his game, not just use his rebounding attributes. Might turn around like Pederson did under similar circumstances. I think the coaching staff see more in Matt Jones then Bail, Fitz, Riley and Mckenzie. He has the leg speed that the club needs. Not saying that he has a place in the side. But he did 'play his role well' in a few games this season. Went unnoticed at times. Kept for depth perhaps.

You mean you sobered up?

Essendon supporter?

People talk about his size. He is exactly the same height as Prestia. If Melbourne can't find an elite midfield player from Goald Coast I think this is where we should look next. He has similar traits to Prestia

thats a shame. His highlights when he was at Richmond are impressive.

I agree. Roos always talks about this team having less 'talent' then their opponent. We all know Watts hasn't had a career defined by his talent. His issues have predominately been around his intensity and contested football. I actually think he improved on a lot of those things this year and can build again on them next year. We don't have too many players who can do what he does on the wing here. Ridicule me all you want but I would like to see one more year of Jack Watts at Melbourne Football Club.