Young Blood

Fair enough Dee-vina. Apologies for that.

OK then don't wait. Or maybe go join Carlton? I hear they're waiting too though. hmmmmmm

I too am glad that Roos is identifying where a lot of negativity around this club is coming from. Those supporters sending unnecessary negative criticism need to be on board with this club. Need to accept it might take a bit longer.

I agree with parts of this but the most important being that the degree of negativity around this club is increased (especially during weeks like this) by the supporters and the media. Can I ask what it does for those negative supporters ridicule your club so severely? I was at the game on Saturday and I understand in the moment the high amount of abuse players like Jones was getting was in the heat of the moment. I don't like it but I understand. It is incredibly frustrating to see a team get beaten like that after all this time. However to continue to put your club down week in and week out on forums like this and emails to our Coach I have to ask purely out of interest. Does it help you blow off steam? Does it make it easier? Do you feel better for it? Also for those who have no faith in the club and constantly put everyone involved down. Have you thought about joining another club? One that doesn't mean you have to abuse people?

err I would be surprised. Griffin had an average relationship with his coach and team. Jones is polar opposite. I bet you would be Slitherin if you had to pick a house in Harry Potter.

OK I think I understand your backwards view. Thanks

Kent looked average last year and has been praised this year after playing only a few games. Small sample. Not sure why Viv isn't given as much time here....

Without being over the top positive about Viv, he did look OK on the weekend in a shocking team performance. He was able to win the ball more consistently and get into space when most of the team was unable to do so. His goal assists over the past few weeks have been his strength. A couple of times he has stuck out because he has broken out of a pack, run forward and kicked quickly into space (e.g. kick into Brayshaw in a previous game). This goes against Roos' handball back out of the pack to a man with forward vision but has worked because the ball has penetrated the forward line a lot quicker giving less time to the opposition to fill the space. I agree his tank isn't great and along with Newton his defensive game still needs work (needs to run back a lot harder). But he has a solid body and decent push off a few steps. No standout qualities I agree but was told by a Freo staff member when we got him that he has a lot of grunt/aggression in and around the contest and just needed to keep his focus. Would like to see more of that in his tackling and attack on the football. When you give a player a string of games he can work his way into a side. I hope he plays next weeks and continues to work on his game.

So much better than the white clash jumper. Hope the Carlton team that killed Port with their pressure doesn't come out on Sunday.

This interview is a great example of why Jade has remained in the coaching department at Melbourne. Terrific breadth of knowledge about the game and impressed with his honesty and positiveness about players. As quoted "highly desirable among the coaching ranks". I hope he sticks around. An asset IMO.

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