Young Blood

Francis seems versatile but might not quite have the tank just yet for midfield. It's the thing that really separates midfield candidates in the draft. I like that he admires Goddard and Burgoyne. Both classy players who can do a bit of everything. Perhaps what Melbourne needs at the moment. A backman who can impact the midfield? If Howe is to go then he could slot right in with his marking/rebounding ability. http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-06-11/u18s-draft-bolter-dominating-at-both-ends On the otherhand I do like Balic. I guess we will have the wait and see if Petracca can be the midfielder/forward that we hope he can be. Regardless Balic offers similar qualities as a tough half forward who can win the contested ball. Interesting. Who does Parish compare to? Would it be fair to say he has the highest ceiling of the mids? Best case scenario with his frame being Bontempelli? He seems to love the contest too much to fall as low as Morton type.

OK so I know this is very very early but Cal Twomey's latest Phantom Draft is out. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-20/update-phantom-form-guide Depending on what happens this weekend with a few games the ladder looks to be somewhat similar at the end of the year to what it is now. So with that in mind a rough prediction might be: 1. Jacob Weitering - Carlton 2. Josh Schache - Brisbane Callum Mills will be at Sydney via the acedemy. Jacob Hopper will be at GWS via their academy. SO On Callum's board you have left Darcy Parish Aaron Francis Harley Balic Out of these three who do you like? Or would we look at Sam Weideman to go along side Jesse in the future? Or do we reach further down keeping in mind players will move up and down draft prediction boards?

Comic Sans for life

His best game for the season I thought. Gets into space, uses the ball so effectively and been holding his marks. Has a lot of poise now. The game seems to be slowing down for him. Even thought his pressure was good. Lay a few tackles and limited the oppositions space. He has a beautiful side step with those quick feet. That run at goal where his missed in the second half shows his willingness to take the game on now. Only small things I did notice is that he needs to have a little better spacial awareness in close. Some of his short handball gives were a little slow or too tight to a man that had Pies around him. I think that just comes down the concentration and better intensity in close though. He will continue to work on his contested game but his strengths are showing a lot this year.

Yeah we should be more like Hawthorn and not know where we're playing next week. Works for them. I'll meet you at bay 13 at Etihad! I'll bring the radio in case its not there.

All very good points and great to see a lot of positive posts here. Harmsy deserves it. His ability to get his arms free in tackles is so important and I think the biggest reason he has been able to impact games so early. He works perfectly in Roos' game plan of attacking the contest and getting the ball out back to the man with vision ahead. His intensity is great with the ball and tackling when he doesn't have it. Even when he can't lay the tackling he closes in on the player and gives less space and opportunity to dispose of the ball. Has a bit of Viney bite to him which I think gives him the edge over ANB at the moment and uses the ball a little better. Very happy with his progress. Want to see him play out the rest of the year in the seniors.

Harmes needs to keep getting AFL match experience. He needs to get used to the pressure and on Sunday there was a lot of that. The best part of his game is his ability to get his hands free when being tackled. I think he is creative and uses the ball well. Needs more opportunities. I think IN: Salem if fit, ANB, Newton (both had great games for Casey) OUT: Stretch, Michie (this was a hard game to come into as a sub, probably does need the full game to get his head into it) Vandeberg (clearly suffering later in the season because of no preseason/AFL match fitness)

well then come on home Dion. Come on home. He is my no.1 for us to target. Would be incredible if we got him. Dion comes out of the underratedly solid 2010 draft. Among the like of Swallow, Gaff, Caddy, Heppell, Smedts, Isaac Smith, Darling etc. Melbourne picked up Lucas Cook......................... If we can get Dion that makes up for a draft we badly missed out on.

If dees could manage even one of the above mentioned players I would be so happy. Not that it matters but does anyone know who Prestia and Treloar barracked for before they were drafted?

Our best all round player. I just wish he was two-three years younger. Maybe his birth date is wrong. That happens sometimes right? right?

Whatever. He had a bad game. It happens. Has played an important role down back this year. Sure he hasn't been a standout but he has done enough. Solidifies the backline.

I thought he was great. Stood up well in the contest for a second gamer. Liked his patience and ball use. Its the small things you look for in these early games for the younger guys. Saw similar things from Brayshaw in the first few games from tackling to battling hard in a contest and eventually breaking out with good ball use and decision making. Harmes is on the right track. I also think Stretch does a lot of the small things really well. Runs well and positions himself well. The defensive side of his game is great. Layed some terrific tackles. Look forward to seeing him develop.

I think players are realizing both their own ability and the ability of those around them. Dunn's a perfect example. Has taken his game to another level especially with his disposal and decision making. My favorite moment was shortly after Billy's goal in the last quarter with Geelong were attacking. Billy cuts off a handball and puts an excellent pressured tackle on. Another geelong player picks up the ball only to be spoiled by a stretched out diving Brayshaw. Wonderful stuff from out teens.

Agreed. Both have a bit of leg speed and did well to keep the pressure on Geelong's damaging young small forwards. I believe Bail is and will be an important fringe player to come in for injuries to different positions. Has the potential to be a versatile role player. Mature body and a good engine with a bit of pace. Just needs to steady his disposal and keep his intensity and concentration.

Only good outcome is it forces a bit of Pressure on Gawn to go forward and make an impact. Might have been a little better to add Jamar instead of Spence? If ones not doing well down forward the other goes down there? Puts more pressure on the midfield to kick goals now. Oh boy

I think they would be reluctant to bring back Dawes this week. They shouldn't play him if he's not at a really good fitness level. It has been the issue with him all year, playing with an injury. I don't know if we will swap for another tall with Howe starting to make a decent contest. I do think Jamar might be the other inclusion but then again we haven't played two rucks much if at all this year. Fatigue was an issue again last week and while I thought the young guys stood up really well when it kicked in I do think ANB or Billy might get a break or a sub purely based on fitness levels and the increased running at seniors level that they need to get used to. I agree with others that Michie deserves a few full games just as Toump and Riley have been getting. Will be interesting who comes in.

Grimes and Terlich are both in to replace Garland who I think has been very solid this year. Will be missed. You would think Grimes has that spot. Hopefully they are trying to build confidence in Terlich again as it would be good to have him and grimes battling for the backline reserve role. I would actually really like to see ANB play the whole game. He is a player that strives on getting his hands on the ball as much as possible. With Vandenberg out its a good opportunity to get some AFL level match time into ANB. Because of his lack of preseason and injury etc. they won't be able to play him as much as Brayshaw. But bringing him in for stints like they might be doing with Stretch is a good idea. Hope Billly Stretch wears the yellow vest.

God I would take either in a heart beat

H has been a valuable leader on and off feild. Been playing OK but would like to see some better decision making. I know he likes to play on but he very often takes on too much, which mostly results in holding the ball or a turnover. He also rushes his kicking. However I don't want his intensity to drop off. He is still providing that bit of punch off the backline. Anyone else noticed that he runs up to just about every dees player who kicks a goal? says something right in their ear. Good to see this level of encouragement. I noticed it a lot in the dogs game. Then he runs all the way to the backline for the bounce.

Here here. Not worth talking about him so much. It's not like we're going to trade him mid season. We've got the rest of the season. After that I think its worth talking about more.

balls

oath

That sucks. Guess he won't be "trending up" this week. Glad he gets a rest. Continuing to play injured isn't ideal for a young player. I think this puts pressure on guys like Viv and Newton to step up. We know when healthy Dom can play solid football. We are yet to see this from Viv and others.

I think Fitzy, Watts and maybe even Gawn are in to combat some of the versatile talls the dogs have. Bontempelli (I think Vince will have first shot at), Talia, Macrae. They've got some great players

good to hear jimcor and good to hear Roosy being vocal. I'm glad Newton is looking fresh, eager to see more of him on the weekend. Want him to add to the shortlist of consistant Dees this season.