Young Blood

Don't know where he says he unequivocally does NOT want to play VFL, but I am sure that is the case and fair enough. Will probably still play VFL i reckon

His positioning still needs work but when he is in the right position he contests really well. He works really hard with his running for his size and the skills will get better over time. People forget that Rance while being great over head in his first few years, he was really fumbly and turned the ball over often.

So is this roughly your team when fully fit and healthy? Who comes in that you think he better to play a role then Tyson and ANB? Jetta Omac Hibberd Hunt Lever Salem Lewis Brayshaw Harmes Trac Tmac Hannan Fritsch Hogan Melksham Oliver Jones Gawn Int: Vince, Viney, ???, ???

I think the only way he gets squeezed out from playing predominantly mid is if Angus takes the next step in being a consistent inside mid. I think Gus certainly took some steps toward on the weekend especially in the second half. I still think Tyson is best 22 when all fit, he wins his own ball and generally makes the right decisions under pressure, unlike some of out mids he has a bit more time and patience in the tackle to wait for the right handball, kicking still needs some work. But it is an interesting question. What hurts him is he doesn't play other positions either end of the ground. Gus, Trac, Jones, Salem, Harmes, ANB and Lewis are all more versitile (not better necessarily at this point) but it does put pressure on Dom to play at a high level as a mid moving forward. A good thing I guess.

Rance is something like 7 years older. I think Lever has a natural build but will take more time to build the strength to be able to be a better one on one defender. His level of concentration and timing is pretty outstanding. If he can be as good as Josh Gibson or Rance he could anchor our backline for many years.

Yeah I agree with this. I definitely think another key back would boost the team but with the recruitment of Hibberd, the significant development of Frost and slower development of Oscar I think we're in pretty good shape. We still need another tall back to add to our depth beyond Frost/Oscar/TMac. But it doesn't have to be Steven May.

He even laid his first and only tackle as a dee today! What a guy.

He had a partial dislocation of his patella tendon pre Christmas. Could still be feeling that knee. He didn't play any JLT and missed round one so kinda rushed in a bit. I wouldn't be surprised

It's round 6. Keen to revisit this thread when we're past the halfway mark. I do think he's had an interrupted pre-season and looks a tad off. That alone is a good reason for him to either rest or get some form back at Casey. Thought he was pretty decent against Freo and one of few that played well against Carlton. But jeez we're talking about a guy who is 23! I personally think he's got some more time to develop and improve his fitness and decision making.

I agree Soidee but I think there are a few others like McDonald and Jetta who could show better maturity and leadership as well. I wouldn't heap all the blame on Jones. He just looked stuffed in that last qtr last night. I hope the club isn't in strife if we don't have Lewis playing. Also he's only played two games. He was great in one and ok in the other. Not sure if he alone is the answer to our leadership problems.

He is definitely playing better but I think Tyson, Lewis and Viney are OK too. In terms of clearances yes at the moment a class above but we have good contributors around him like ANB, Strech and Salem.

The handball to Watts off the ground before Watts turned and kicked it into Salem for the mark and goal was incredible. Had Richmond supporters around me noting they had not seen quicker handballing before.

I've watched a lot of match replays and all the highlights of Parish (yes they're just highlights I know I know) I believe the experts that he can read the play well, uses the ball well and is a good outside midfielder in the way he can burst away from packs and spread well. But I haven't seen any really solid contested football from him. He bounces around in congestion occasionally and gets the handball away quickly before or just as he's being tackled. But I'm really not sure about his contested football. When you look at Hopper's highlights (Brayshaw and Petracca's from last year too) they can do a lot of different things. The main thing you see from these three is real hardness and commitment to the contest including tackling. Hopper, Trak and Brayshaw can win one on one contests all over the ground. I don't see this much at all from Darcy. It is what Roos has pushed most is commitment and hardness which you also see from Harmes, Stretch and ANB. If we are looking for an outside mid who can spread and use the ball well then I think he's great. If he can work on his defensive side and build up his strength he could be terrific.

I agree with you. Also agree with others that the 400k and the 4 years is odd for a player of this caliber. Has shown potential one season, steadied the next, then fell away a bit last year. Not exactly a booming recruit. But he has worked closely with Goodwin and I'm sure Simon believes he can get the best of of Jake. This isn't the recruit Melbourne fans want. But putting the details of the deal / trade aside, this isn't a bad recruit. For me he is like a Dom Tyson, perhaps less of a ball magnet but is able to play contested football through he middle. I don't mind adding more Dom Tysons to our list to create depth. Melksham is actually a bit quicker and a better mark then Tyson plus has had good experience as a run with player being of good size, length and height. I would hope that he can just work on his consistency. Again not what we want first up this trade period, but something we need to keep adding depth to this club.

Although there is a good picture of Garlett bringing down Talia.

a whole page of trade updates and not one mention of Melbourne Demons http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-25/trade-whispers-cashedup-clubs-come-for-hartlett

Putting aside what we give for him and how much we pay him. I actually think he will add to this team. To me another Dom Tyson type player, no outstanding qualities, just good contested football players. If anything he is a better mark and quicker then Dom. Just doesn't find as much of the footy. I've watched him the past few years and he has the ability to slip through opposition tackles. Has good agility with ball in hand. Something we currently lack.

I guess it depends on what you consider young?

Pretty tough asking Jesse in this interview about fears of losing him out West. I think a lot of players would say things like "I would like to be a one club player" or "I want to be a part of the team when we're finals bound". But Jesse was honest. He loves his home back out West. He's going to keep his options open and take it "year by year" at this stage. Of course its a bit worrying for Dees supporter but I would rather he be honest.

Yeah I agree Wretched. I think he could work well playing a variety of roles for this team under Roos, whether is be tagging, half forward or runs through the midfield. Is a good all round footballer who can add to depth on our list. He is quite quick and athletic, something we really need. A strong platform to build on and become a better player at Melbourne. This isn't the big fish everyone wants of course, I understand that but I hope people realise that if we pick him up, he will be one of a group of new players to add to depth. Will not be the only mid we pick up.

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.

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.

Essendon supporter?

lol when he plays his face does look rather funny. Slightly constipated look.

It's a pity Pederson's not a bit younger. I agree at 28 yrs he should play one more as we need forwards who can mark until we can bring in another.