Young Blood

This is a good little analysis of the effectiveness big bodied mids using Smillie as primary example and how he could develop. He could be the Patrick Cripps of this draft with so many similarities.

I guess you answered your own question. Sometimes you can improve a players speed over their first 5-10 steps and sometimes you can't. Clayton and Cripps good examples of players who had poor fitness and low speed going into the draft, but with better fitness base were able to really work on that burst speed to go along with their strengths to become two very powerful mids. The second video highlights this and is an example of why Smillie could potentially be the best player in this draft if he could continue to develop. Huge upside

I know we're after quicker mids but Smillie is so intriguing. He is a huge mid who makes great decisions with the ball. At the moment he's relying on his strength to get separation from opponents but I think with a developed fitness base and work on his burst pace he might become a Cripps/Tom Green type player. I know its just highlights but this really shows how imposing he can be. And this is a great little analysis into bigger size mids and their effectiveness. Focusing on Smillie and his similarities to Cripps in his current development.

Offer him Trac's salary

Would love to know the number of times Gleeson was able to use his power to get Collingwood players out of suspensions or shorten the length of suspensions. Its no coincidence that this incident was against his precious Pies. Obviously the Maynard one is the perfect example. I remember him getting Cox out of a one week ban for taking out Grimes 30m off the ball back in 2019. But there must be more...

I'd be very happy with Smillie. He's huge and going to be a gun.

Lets do as yesterday Trac suggested.... We'll obviously never outnumber the filth but I hope we can get some real volume going to stir our lads on!

I was going to start a thread as a call to arms for all Demonland fans to come down tomorrow night (*if you're able) and support the boys to give them a lift for the game but also encouragement for a big off season. COME ALONG....

lol yeah because you'd rather that then get the 5 weeks down to 3 for a chance for your top five player to be available for a possible grand final. Port people are funny people hey.

I think Viney yes. Max has a few business' going and I think will look towards a media role somewhere so I doubt he'll have the time.

Nice. This could get tricky for Port. I still think regardless of latest media that we're still in the race. Could we see Nibbler involved in the trade along with our late or future first pick?

Obviously have zero faith in the AFL but I really don't think they stuff it up this time. As you say 5 down to 4 is all the appeal will achieve. If they lower it any more it will just be so clear they want him for finals (for the ratings etc.) as they did with that p**ck Maynard. He's ignored the ball, elected to bump and caused a concussion. Plain and simple. Look forward to his clean slate lining up for the dees approx. round 2 next season realistically. Although Binmans wish also works.

Yes or he could continue to get better as he's shown the last few seasons. If Travis Boak can still be effective at 36 I don't see why Viney can't compete at this level until he's 34. As you've likely heard in the media of late, players used to be nervous when they reached 30 but these days that's less and less the case with advanced sports science and elite fitness programs players, are playing and performing well into mid thirties far more often. Health wise I would have been concerned about him pre 2022 but over the past three seasons he's played 68 games. I know the shoulder is an issue but the fact he can still compete at a high level while carrying that injury this season is a credit to him. Hopefully he can fix that up over the off season. Worst case scenario with these sorts of signings is if Jack did find in a few years time that he's on the outer for midfield time in the seniors with other younger players taking his place then the club would do what Hawthorn did with Lews and Hodge. Give him that opportunity to play senior footy at another club. THEN you might see a scenario where he plays for a developing side like North.

I really enjoyed the way the club came together on Saturday. The photo of the players at the start of the game and at the end as a memory/symbol of a playing group who had come out to get the win but above all to enjoy the day was a simple but effective gesture for the playing group and the demon community at large to see as a club who despite heavy media coverage is still as a whole united. As Jack Viney explained in his post game MFC media interview, there was a simple message from coaches and the general playing group to simply go out there and enjoy the game. I think the pressure being off now that we out of the finals race obviously helps but I just thought the players looks so much more relaxed and didn't tighten up as much with the ball nearly as much as previous weeks. We've seen it across the season but again seeing the players make an effort to get to individuals like they did with Kozzy after his hard-running goal assist to Melk with encouragement and support was so pleasing to see. The joy they all had when they got around Judd after his first goal was also heart warming. On multiple occasions I saw players after congratulating the player who made the play or laid the tackle then go on to other players for a high five as they went back to their position. Thats playing with genuine joy and positivity. So good. We can get so caught up with media whirlwinds around individual players situations that we forget that there's a majority of our list that have genuine care and enjoyment playing for one another and bringing focus to that is important.

Agree 100%. Jack isn't the best public speaker, you can see the wheels turning as he works his way through answering questions. I don't think he'd have known he was answering the question in a way that made it seem he was considering leaving. On the Sunday footy show, they showed the interview post game with Jack, of which the reaction of the whole panel was essentially "oh wow... he's gone!" which is how most would read into it given that this is usually the answer of a player weighing up their options. I was shocked too but after watching it again and seeing the other interview I think it was Jack just talking about contract talks and not fully realising his words.

Good move DJ. I will stay well out of Trac talk until we know facts beyond sweeping statements and hypotheticals.

Please don't call me cobber. I prefer 'sport' ;) Like Cornes I just felt you were drawing a long bow based on conjecture. You've mentioned an old unrelated event early in Jack's career alongside an unreported hypothetical that Jack is possibly in agreeance with Petracca about internal player matters. I don't think its actually been reported that Trac is unhappy with the playing group, just the club in general at this stage. If you read the OP along with others on the first page the latest news is that Jack has turned down the interest from North and is working on a new deal. I understand Clarko is trying to rekindle the flames in today's interview by mentioning Jack again but it means very little at this stage apart from keeping the media running with a story a little longer. For Cornes I get it but I guess as a Melbourne supporter entertaining the idea makes no sense to me as you seem to be a passionate fan, aware of how Jack bleeds red and blue surely know that Jack would have no interest in joining a club that's won 6 games in the last two seasons.

This sounds like a Kane Cornes SEN segment...

Yes all reports are saying Jack has turned down any offers from North and is working on a new contract with MFC. This is just Clarkson expressing the type of player they are looking for. Of course he's going to say they're still persuing JV to show their supporters they're still in the hunt. There's no way Jacks going to go play for a developing side.

This is a cute idea.

Wasn't he our ruck coach and then transitioned to forward coach? Lovely guy and coached us to a GF but I agree its time for a change. Maybe someone with a harder edge.

I don't know why people are so surprised. Do we not know how negotiating works? Of course Port are going to ask for something as unrealistic as this. Its how you start trade talks. He's a contracted player whose likely to get a second all Australian and finish in Ports top 4 BnF. Of course they're going to ask for overs as a starting bid. If we do end up his preferred destination, which by the way I still think could be the case. Of course he'd have reservations with all our media attention but that will likely pass when things become clearer at the end of the season with our review etc. If he wants to get to Melbourne and genuinely wants to leave Port then we can certainly negotiate to make it a more favourable deal. I think we look to split the pick 6/7 (with GC for example) and use a later first rounder for Houston so we still hold a top 10 selection. I wouldn't be turning our backs on this just because Port are doing what they should by starting with the highest (unrealistic price).

For me it has to be both. We will have to be really active and creative - Split the picks: Our pick 6/7 for Gold Coasts 10+20 and a player back perhaps) - Use first pick - Trade second first rounder for Houston (or other similar caliber player) - ANB for pick 27 (crows) or 32 (Port) - Sign Peatling (the exact player we should be prioritizing... basically another Rivers) Look at other out of favour players like Ben Hobbs, Reef McInnes/Finlay Macrae, Matthew Owies, Jack Lukosius. Any other similar suggestions?

If I was Petracca watching our most recent games (especially Freo, GWS and dogs) I would be so frustrated watching how our midfield has been coached. The way we're setting up at centre bounce and stoppages has been giving us a complete disadvantage. Last week was a little better but still. If this is any indication then who knows how much more there is to it with the midfield group and its dissatisfaction. That in turn would cause all sorts of potential conflict. I know we shouldn't speculate but it just seems rather obvious to me that in Minnies first year that we've had our poorest output from our midfield. I know he's had awful luck with Gus out, Trac going down and Clarry's lack of fitness, but like I said our structure around stoppages to not deny opposition clear outlets has been quite concerning.

Well, you're never going to be able to pursue nor catch happiness with that attitude :)