Young Blood

I realize that for a lot of MFC supporters that 'contest' and 'defense' are a bit triggering with how its talked about from the club, and players and combining that with our boring playing style. Which of course I don't care about if it means winning games and apart from this season those two pillars have had great success for us the last few years. Anyway that's beside the point a bit. I'm just questioning this kids competitiveness and want to win the contest. I've watched a fair few Sandy games and he does tend to panic in contested situations. Maybe this is something he can build on I don't know. I feel he mostly just cruises around. His cute little handbells and floated kicks look great but I don't think it will translate as well at AFL level is just my opinion. Hope I'm proved wrong! So much of AFL is the ability to win one-on-one contests and I think as an MFC player we've drafted so well the last few years finding players who really strive in these situations. (Kolt, Windsor, Rivers, Koz, Jackson). All of these players have skill and great physical attributes with their agility and pace, but they love the physical stuff too.

I will be really disappointed if we draft Reid with either 5 or 9. I'd like to know where this info is coming from about Taylor liking this guy because he doesn't have the one trait both Taylor and Goodwin hold highest which is ability to compete in the contest. Has nice skills and vision. Uses the ball well in space sure. But unlike the other top mids in this draft he doesn't like physicality and often gives quick rushed handbells as soon as someone lays a finger on him. I'm sure he might end up being a decent outside mid/half forward one day but he's got so much work to do on the defensive side of his game and competitiveness in the contest. Below is a particularly average game in Sandy's GF win a few weeks ago. But it highlights just how poorly I think this guy will go with serious AFL pressure in the big leagues. Huge no for me. With out picks. I think he will slide to the 15-20 range.

I just wish he wasn't so slow. I knew he wasn't the fastest and relied more on his strength. But his draft combine was particularly underwhelming.

Why are you so sensitive when it comes to Jefferson? We all want to see him succeed. I'm with you that he's showed some promise at VFL level. I went to quite a few Casey games where he really showed his potential but still struggles staying engaged and doing all the little things like blocking, shepherding etc. Its hard maintaining that intensity. Unlike JVR for Jefferson the competitive intensity doesn't come easily. But much like Fritta I think he can build on this and become AFL standard for sure. He has quite a lot of versatility too which is great.

From all reports there seems to be a pretty clear top 4 now. Richmond are keen to take Lalor at 1. Yes the injuries and tank are questionable but he and FOS have the two highest upsides to be top 5 AFL players Lalor FOS Smith Draper So we're going to be choosing between Langford and Smilie unfortunately. If Smith dropped to us I would take him in a heartbeat. Perfect complimentary piece to our midfield bulls and has similar traits to Daicos.

Every season there always seems to be something that adds to the spice of Dees vs. Filth games. Not that it was needed, but still 2024 - Maynard revenge. Fail on the ground but we supporters held up our end in the stands 2025 - Houston snub. Obviously partly our own doing. But I do hope the players remember this in our first game against them at the G. Would love to beat them with a little bit of Maysie or Gus chatter at Houston afterwards.

Spicy move. I like it!

His 8 games for us this year were very solid. I wish he was staying on but can understand he wants better opportunities. Someones going to pick up a very good key defender.

Tommo gone :( https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1679237/dees-farewell-veteran-defender

Eth-dog is pretty spot on with how I see it going. Except I'd pick Langford over Reid for us with our second pick.

Good point. I'll shut up

Are you wanting to trade for these two players for depth? Because neither would have any interest in playing for Casey. They've gone to a club where they will be guaranteed playing AFL level. Darling is on the decline. Kicked 22 goals from 21 games this season and similar in 2023. Wouldn't want him taking opportunities for our developing forwards anyway. Where are you playing Parker? Whose being dropped? Like I said he won't be interested in being a fringe player.

@Demonland Can we shut this one down as you did with the Clayton thread now? At least until end of next season?

Well said. I completely forgot Turner got the leg fracture mid Feb that set his whole season back 10+ weeks and yes Petty with his feet. God I hope he gets them right for preseason this year.

Trigger warning for MFC drafting WA players with top 10 picks. But might we look at the possibility of snatching Bo Allan with pick 9 ahead of the Perth clubs? (That is only if in draft interviews he was open to a move interstate) This would be double dipping into the high level mid stocks this first round of picks holds. I would still prefer a key position pick with 9 but just spit balling. I think the mids we're going to have the choice of picking at 5/6 are Langford and Smillie. But even though he's a bit raw at the moment I can see Allan being better then both of those players. Just a thought.

I think Lever was 22 when he came across to us, I suppose he was mature beyond his years though. But I agree with you. This draft is looking far better than next years and with the Devils looming the Tiges are loading up now for some struggling/development seasons ahead before they top up with mature players again by the time 2028 comes around.

I wouldn't be judging him solely on a few VFL highlight reels. Of course they're only going to show his marks and goals as a forward in such short videos... Anyway yes at VFL level he has been a consistently hit the scoreboard and competes really well in the air. We have no idea of his running/leading patterns, defensive work rate etc. based on these short clips. If we're judging from our armchairs I would be giving a game to Derksen over Jefferson easily. Physically imposing, contested marking, more consistent at VFL level and unlike Jefferson performed really well when he was moved back down back for the majority of this season.

Getting Matt Kennedy and 25 for Daniel makes it a little easier to swallow for the dogs after the Bailey deal.

Certainly looks the part as a filth player

I wonder with Derksen being out of the picture how this will effect our pick 9 drafting strategy/priority. I get the feeling that Smilie might end up at 9 where I think our recruiters would be so so tempted to get him and double dip into this drafts high level mid stocks. Imagine having both a Langford + Smilie on the list to add to our bulls. BUT of course I am with probably most on here that solidifying our key position stocks by drafting Armstrong or Tauru would make more sense. It would have just been interesting if Derksen was able to get to us whether we might have adjusted our priorities at pick 9 as I really believe Derksen will be a solid key position player at AFL level.

This would be wonderful but I doubt it happens. North don't need a mid yes but they're not going to reach to get someone based on positional need. While its an even draft the top 6 mids are a tier above. You generally always pick best available. Jagga is pretty versatile and might start off playing on a flank for North. But wouldn't it be great if North picked FOS. I am very annoyed Carlton has weaseled their way into pick 3 so now I'm hoping they don't get their man.

100% thats what this is. Building back some standards that have dropped away. We tried for Sloan who knocked it back and this is the backup plan. Would prefer he wasn't a line coach and more in the development side of things. I think this is also about getting our two midfield bulls back engaged and onboard with a younger more recent(ish) retired player who can relate better.

Google it

Hopefully a better Coach then commentator

Looking forward to arguing about draftees closer to the date in specific threads I'm sure. Mainly because either way we're going to get a great player at pick 5/6. I've watched a fair bit of both FOS and Smith live. To say Smith is not skilled nor fast is so dismissive. He's quick around stoppages, low center of gravity, drives the legs. Sure he's not Windsor fast across 50m but he can really move. Similarly to Daicos has ability where he gives off and relocates quickly and always on the move. His kicking skills are just OK. He often chooses to handball to release players and get on the move as an option, but I think his kicking will improve. FOS has it all IMO. I think his contested work probably needs some improvement but he's going to excel to start with as an outside mid/wing where his elite agility, ability to get out of traffic and make good decisions will put him in good stead. He could develop his inside game more as he builds his body.