ignition.

Are the footy gods on our side for once?

Came across this, some may enjoy.

I watched the live version and they stated before the start of the draft that the list of all evaluated rookies was released publicity (website) and that they were essentially skipping the formalities. He has still been upgraded to the senior list.

What a draft! We acquired the two highest rated mids, one arguably the drafts best talent. We then stole Neil-Bullen, arguably SA's best midfielder in a team that won the National Carnival. Knightmare also ranked him at #24. Then again another steal with a tall in McDonald who Knightmare also ranked highly at #26. This is the exact kind of thing I love and ask for. The recruiting team selected the best available and then played the odds to our favour by selecting players with excellent preexisting outputs. Well done to the recruiting team my hat goes off to you! and congratulations to our new draftees - let the hard work begin. GO DEES!

SA won the national carnival and he was one of their key midfielders (along with Stretch). The only other SA midfielder to go before him was Hamilton one pick prior, who Knightmare didn't rate as highly (no where near actually). Did we just get a steal??? I bloody hope so! Well done Dees!

Hahahahaaaa no. Glucose the monosaccharide is predominantly derived from higher order saccharides / sugars like carbohydrates, if it's not consumed directly.

*FACE PALM Where does glucose and glycogen originate from?

What are "rubbish" carbohydrates? and they're also not simple sugars, they actually incredibly important and can be quite complex. So please look up the extensive field of "glycomics" and you'll soon realize. As for you're "simple sugars" you're thinking of monosaccharides like glucose (high in raw sugar, but also the prominent sugar in our blood stream), fructose (high source in fruit), and galactose (high source in dairy). Now because scientists coined them as "simple sugars" based on their simple chemical structures does this mean they're "rubbish" or bad? The Paleo diet is a well marketed fad that tries to use complex scientific terms and theories to support their shallow and radical claims. The only merit it has is that it's drawn more attention to modern societies over-indulgence of sugars (predominantly raw sugar) in our foods and drinks, however it goes over the top as individuals try to "cut out" or drastically cut down on certain nutrients or "rubbish" "simple sugars" so it generates a statement and makes itself known. My favorite example is their suggestion that the prehistoric evolving man went without and so we must revert back to those ways. What they fail to mention is that their lifestyle was far more active and their brains were far less developed, figuratively the size of a pea. So as our brains developed and became larger and more complex they've required more energy and what is the predominant energy that fuels our brains... that "simple sugar" glucose.

Hard one to judge, is it a shame or a blessing? Shame as we'll be paying him out for his final contracted year whilst having to also cover a wage of another rookie and thus taking a small additional chunk out of our salary cap. Or is his premature retirement an indication that he was never going to eventuate or make it regardless and that new place allows an opportunity for someone who might? Either way good luck to him and whatever he decides to do in life outside of football.

Fantastic footage! The kick at 3:55 and the handball after it are certainly interesting. Also love all the nodding of the hats. I would love to see the club dig up some of our old stuff (not to emphasize on it) but have an archive on youtube and through the website for any of those interested in looking.

For all you dreamers, wannabe recruiters, and draftee "experts", this is your chance to state your drafting order ahead of the 2014 AFL National Draft. We will do it as the club would (and all other clubs) come draft night. We'll write down our exact orders to select the draftees and if any are selected prior they are crossed off the list and the next in order will be taken. Now this is quite easy this year considering we are dealing with pick 2 and 3, although hopefully in years to come this exercise will get harder as we climb the ladder. It doesn't matter if you know next to nothing about the draft, or if you've watched every highlights package, read every stats sheet, or have been to numerous games, this is just for fun. So now the question is who has the Midas touch or Marty McFly's sports almanac? We'll find out in a few years -------------------------------- Here's mine: 1. Christian Petracca 2. Angus Brayshaw 3. Nakia Cockatoo Why (only if you want to): I consider Petracca and Brayshaw currently the best two talents and both blue chip selections meaning they are most likely to progress well and succeed at the AFL level. As for Cockatoo, he had produced similar games in his past but we just didn't see enough of him this year, I think if we had he would certainly be in everyone's top 3 or 5 equations. He practically has it all, strength, evasiveness, vision & poise, speed, the skills (accurate kicking and clean hands/ both sides), and an excellent attitude. He can play on the outside or get his hands dirty on the inside, he also has a nice leap and can certainly take a mark. As for those mouth watering highlight packages that potential draftees take the entire season to generate, Cockatoo produced his from one game. By obtaining at least one blue chip above I believe Cockatoo is certainly worth "the risk" (foot and lack of 2014 exposure) and finally I feel he's miles ahead of the next few midfielders (for those going by "needs") and likely ready to go come 2015. Who just misses your cut? 4. Patrick McCartin: As much as I would love to see he and Hogan develop and line up next to each other for the next decade, Cockatoo has won me over. -------------------------------- Additional information regarding bios, stats, and highlights can be found here: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine

No no no, I think Dogs, Saints and Carlton are our bottom line but saying if the team can produce those highly competitive performances we saw for four quarters on a consistent basis and improve on them further we could go as high as that. Go an watch Jeremy Howe's post season interview, he eludes to it perfectly.

How exactly does this player sponsorship work? Do they just get a little extra coin in their pockets? Or can you (collectively) sponsor one, say a Viney, Kent, or Spencer that seems to get into a few tussles and doesn't mind shirt fronting a bloke - get in his ear and say "keep it up, we need to see more fight" and pay their fines?

It was also announced today on the MFC website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-11-11/byrnes-gains-new-role-with-melbourne I was certainly happy to hear it. He seems like a ripping bloke, the playing group obviously respect and like him and I think he'll certainly aid the new draftees and young players make that transition into the AFL.

Hahaha I tried but I couldn't get past the first few minutes.

I'm surprised by some of the predictions having us ranked so low. From an outsiders perspective I can certainly see why although I believe we will see the cogs finally turn a lot more. As for where we finish I'm not sure, I don't think we'll make the eight but I won't be surprised if we end up just outside of it. As for the season just past we saw a few patches of really nice contested and intense footy, we also saw some absolute rubbish where the players failed to turn up. Furthermore there were certainly a few games there that we could have won, being the the two against both the Dogs and Port and the first match against the Saints (I'm sure I'm forgetting plenty too). I believe at least the Bulldogs, Saints, and Carlton will be below us next year. If we have a good year we could also certainly be above GC, GWS, Essendon and potentially Brisbane, maybe even the Crows, WC and the Pies depending on how good and consistent we're talking. I think the key to our success (injuries aside) is first and foremost improving our team orientated footy (mainly offensive) along with maintaining consistency in and between games, this will go hand in hand with individual improvements. We need those currently in good form to maintain it whilst further improving - N.Jones (AA selection), Dunn, Jetta, Vince and Tyson. Garland needs to recapture his 2013 form, McDonald to improve his disposal, and Grimes to recapture those short glimpses of brilliance we once saw across the half backline before injury continually struck him down. Hopefully Hogan is named for round 1 after a strong pre-season. We certainly need Gawn or Spencer to step up and take it to another level as the Russian's days are numbered, and Viney and/or another midfielder (Michie, Riley, Newton competing for this spot) to take their game to a hole new level, that's just to name a few, we also have the likes of Howe and Watts from our 2014 list (I'm sure I'm forgetting some). Finally Garlett and Lumumba showing their previous bests after a fresh start.

The skillful, exciting, and salivating highlight packages that potential draftees acquired over the course of the season took Cockatoo one game. Need I say more?

Was a good read, thank you. I've always been a fan of her work.

1. Premiership / Port Adelaide def. Sydney Swans 2. Brownlow medal / Tom Rockliff 3. Coleman medal / Lance Franklin 4. Keith Bluey / Nathan Jones 5. Rising star / Nakia Cockatoo closely followed by Jesse Hogan

Absolutely! The nicest thing of that 2 min is that it's only from one game. In comparison the vast majority of the other draftees were from snippets of their entire 2014 seasons. It doesn't matter where he ends up (for me hopefully the Dees) - I look forward to watching his career as long as it's not at the Pies or Dons (unlikely).

Yeah well said, and I think it's predominantly the media that drive those selected four or so. I know my scouting/ recruiting mate (another club) that has given me next to nothing this year doesn't read or get carried away in the media hype. Besides we can argue til' hearts are content when one day the consensus age of the draft is lifted

Anyway cheers for the debate mate And thank you Baghdad Bob for seeing my point. I agree with you too.

I'll disagree with your first line as I don't consider my answer ridiculous, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it for the reasons stated above (we can agree to disagree on that). For everything else I agree with you as we are often on the same page regarding the draft as a lottery, the over obsessions with the likes of height and speed, separately the age as the American systems support the argument, the unknown and inability to completely foresee the futures best, and how important it is for the club to get both picks right. As a one liner I see it as a "lottery with a descending probability of selecting a future A-grader as we progress through the order" homework and other factors influence this (stated above). We or the clubs can only place well calculated guesses/ selections based on this homework (output and interviews), and clearly those at the club have the best information so yes their opinion is far greater than the likes of yours, mine or most outside the AFL environment. With regards to the "lottery" or "roulette" or whatever we want to call it, I think I state it every year, I just hope the club "stacks the odds in their/ our favour" and so back onto Lever this is where he scares the hell out of me! Could his previous injury have been a one off? or has his genetic code rendered him similar to the Menzel brothers, Rodan, or Morabito? who knows. As a tall defender will he make the transition in the the AFL environment as easily as most midfielder? who knows. What of his lack of 2014 exposure? or does the club consider his excellent 2013 form capable of overriding this? Anyway that's my opinion and it is those risks that go against the stacking of the odds, maybe I'm looking at it far too much like an insurance company or bank. But if the club take that punt on him believing the Pros out weigh the cons ahead of a McCartin or other risky prospect in Cockatoo I will take a deep breath and then support him like any other MFC player.

Ok... so you're looking for yet another debate?... what a joy it is rpfc (sarcasm). Firstly I love your skipping of the lines and twisting of words - you've been in Canberra alongside the politicians for far too long mate. Strangely I was actually looking forward to your response as I know your a Laverde fan, but now unfortunately ignoring the fact because you "don't know these juniors". You're happier to sit on the fence and shoot others down. Now how is it possible that the second a club does say a name it can not have possibly screwed up that pick? That is ludicrous. Why not use pick 2 & 3 to draft someone in the hypothetical range of the 50's or 60's or even rookies, will that screw up a pick or merely significantly hinder our chances of obtaining that potential future star or A-grader? Clearly time tells these things, clearly it's a combination between good drafting that includes club observation and homework (that yes can be screwed up), club development, club player culture, and player personality / personal desire and drive that contributes to their eventual success or failure over time. As we are unable to foresee all of these + a combination of other factors like living conditions, it is this reason why "stars" can come from anywhere like Pick 1 in the ND (Hodge) to the PSD (Rockliff) or RD (Cox). But look at the past in any draft of any sport and time and time again you'll see an increased probability of selecting a "star" or "A grade player" earlier in the draft order. As for this Lever kid and this "empathic dismissal" I apologise if I hurt his feelings. I just don't want to see the club select another tall skinny kid that didn't play all year and yet another backman with such an early pick. As I recall you wanted mids, mids, mids due to our needs over talent, must I bring up the quotes?

I'm just hoping we end up with a photo like this using our picks 2 and 3 + Stretch: Or this: At least one premiership isn't too much to ask out of our next lot.... is it?