Young Blood

I think the idea is to try to replace some of these players like Fitzpatrick with better quality consistent players.

If Cripps wins then Jesse will be very angry. Could be good for next year. Chip on his shoulder type thing. Not that he really needs it. Hope for Hogan RS.

Being a Melbourne supporter, we have been through something similar (probably worse) with Jurrah. But I get your point. I think the club will be careful.

On Brayshaw 'Not great user of the ball but linked up well going long to Hogan many times during the year' Brayshaw isn't a great user of the ball? Why so many contradictions? Waaaay to much green ol Freak.

The nightclub culture up on Gold Coast is [censored]. I would be happy for Melbourne to have a stab at trading for him. Not saying that it would necessarily be any different here but I would hope he might fall into a more professional group and be influenced by players like Garlett who was able to mature and play good football for Melbourne this year.

I have edited myself. Glad we all agree that Harmes is in that group of younger players that will build this side up!

One or two posters on here seem to right off guys that have played one or two games, a lot of them teenagers or 20 yr olds. Harmes has been one of them. I think James could turn out to be a terrific player. Like ANB, Stretch and Brayshaw, James was drafted and placed into the side because he loves contested football and it shows. I've posted before about Harmes' ability to get his hands free when being tackled. He is slippery and manages to get the ball out in tight situations. His distributing of the ball will improve but his basics around the contest are terrific. His contested marks on the weekend were wonderful, the absolute highlight for me. Plays will confidence and a good hard edge around the contest.

agreed 1 red

yeah his ability to break free on the wing on Sunday was great!

I think Howe's attack on the footy has been much better as the seasons gone on. Couple of terrific tackles on the weekend. I would prefer he stays. We talk about this team not having the talent. Jeremy has a great skill set and is a utility player, we don't have many of them. I agree with the reasons others think he should go. I personally hope he stays.

Hats off. I agree with others. I think this is good timing. He has been a terrific leader and role model to younger players. I watched him play his last game for the dogs down at Docklands and will do the same again this weekend.

He's got terrific tackling stats

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.

Collingwood, Richmond and Carlton are all very keen to sign Trelour. Will be hard to compete with those clubs.

I've always seen Garland as pretty consistent. But I haven't watched him closely like other posters this year. He has OK size and length to go against oppositions secondary tall forwards and works well as a loose backman coming over to help out. Always a great spoiler of the ball and contested mark. OK so if he does need to go. Who do we replace him with? I guess Frost comes in? Is it not worth keeping him for another season or two until we can develop players like Mcdonald Jnr? Or another young backman? I do think he is a part of a group of Melbourne players that need to go. But I think he could have value for a season or two more. Even if it means him playing as a backup backman. Spending most of his time at Casey.

Why would you bother? I agree with with Barra. Grimes is a spare parts player. I doubt you would get much for him. He remains useful for Melbourne's depth. I look forward to the day when we have a better backup backman but for now who would you put in the side if Salem or Jetta were injured? Terlich? ummmm...

I think Trelour looks like a richmond player or Adelaide....

I agree with this. Would much rather see 'poise' and 'class' with some of these potential top picks. The very reason we chose Salem. I think there is too much emphasis on size and 'breaking the lines'. What good are those things if you can't deliver the ball to a team mate.

Parish's greatest quality is that he never stops moving and has excellent forward motion in and around the contest. Sloane and Fyfe have this ability and I believe its a big reason why Essendon would like him in their need for another midfielder. I think his competitiveness early on is miles ahead of Toumpas who from all acounts played a lot of outside runner in SA and is still working on his competitiveness around the contest. But I do agree that he is raw and will take time to become a good midfielder. His disposal does need work. He will not be a Bontempelli straight away, however I think he has a chance to be with his ball winning ability and creativity.

The question now is can the Bombers beat Collingwood? I think they maybe can We can predict that Melbourne would lose to GWS (hopefully putting up a fight) I'm not very good with stats. Would Essendon have a better % than Melbourne? Is there a chance we end up 15th? If so does the question for next week become, Curnow, Parish or Balic? So many questions...

Yeah good point Dom. I think even though we have ANB and Vince (for another year or two) to run through the mid, It might be good to have another tall to move forward like Freo and Hawks do. If we can get one more dream mid in FA like Prestia or Trelour I think the midfield would be in very good stead. For pace you look for outside runners which Melbourne has practically none at the moment. I think it is possible to pick up late picks and FA who have those qualities.

Not that it matters but any idea of who he went for pre AFL career? Prestia was a keen Dees supporter. Again I know this doesn't matter. Its been nice watching Harmes play for the club he loved as kid.

Thats a wonderful day dream right there Ungarie boy. I hope we can at least get Lynch and a mid like Prestia. Would be a huge boost.

Good point. Stay agitated and impatient. Done well so far.

Amen!