ignition.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. That house ought to be heritage listed.

Reasons why?

Sorry I cannot conclusively confirm it as just homesickness. Interestingly, I just watched one of his U18 "draft me" videos where he mentioned he was coached by our own Justin Plapp. Surely he should help provide the club some greater insight into his character and current state.

Harley Balic: age 20, height 187 cm, weight 82 kg, outside (predominantly) midfielder originating from Victoria. Out of contract (2017). Some of you may remember him from 2015. He was touted as a top 20 pick who slid to Fremantle's pick 38. He's since taken leave several times, currently on permanent leave, due to homesickness. I was quite impressed watching him play against us this year. I recall him winning some tough contested ball and hitting some rather difficult targets by foot. Overall, he didn't get a great deal of it but he did do enough to stand out. At the moment his market value is as low as it can be, and we (or any other Victorian-based club) should be able to acquire him with a 4th round pick. Considering the probability of those late picks coming to fruition is quite low, whoever acquires him will have themselves a steal. A few years ago I made a thread proposing the selection of Shane Biggs as a rookie (now a W.B premiership player). I hope we don't miss this opportunity. Observations and thoughts? (I think dazzle saw a bit of him in his U18 year?)

Hey mate, First of all well done for speaking up, it takes a lot of courage to tell those around you (friends and anonymous people). My partner is a psychologist. So here are some tips for you (if you haven't already) or others on here that might be considering help. All the best A BIG PROBLEM for many suffering with mental illness is the price it costs to receive continual help. Here are a few pointers for people wanting or needing it. One can go to their local GP and ask for a referral to a psychologist. This will entitle them to 10 free sessions covered by medicare. At the same time contact a local university clinic (Swinburne, RMIT, LaTrobe to my knowledge) and get on their waiting list as 10 sessions are typically not enough. At these clinics one will receive help from a provisional psychologist (in-training). It is very cheap ranging from FREE - $60 (average is $15 - 20) an hour/session depending on one's income. After discussing this with my partner, I feel the quality at these clinics are just as good as private practice. Where the students lack experience, they see fewer clients and thus put more thought and energy into helping them outside the hours of their one-one sessions. Of course, they have well-experienced supervisors they can turn to for advice regarding treatments and interventions. They're often quite enthusiastic as well. Also of note, if anyone has or intends to go to a psychologist keep in mind that a particular psych may not be the right fit for them. Like in life, some people we click with while others we don't. If one ever has a bad experience or feels it's not helping don't give up on the idea completely, just try someone new. As long as you yourself wants to improve and progress, take what they say on board, and they will guide you along the way. LINKS: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/psychology-clinic/contact http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/psychology/pc/ http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-locations-and-facilities/services/health-clinics/health-sciences-clinic/psychology

Clarry's got a brother 2 - 3 years his senior who plays country footy. It would be interesting to see how fares in his local games, as well as determine if he has the right/ or similar attributes to improve and succeed in a professional environment.

I'd say traditionally Collingwood. But for some reason (maybe the 2000 GF), personally for me it's Essendon. I hate those bast**ds!

Again you seem to be jumping to conclusions mate, when did I state that Wines was rated higher overall, or that he was the "obvious" choice? Go back and re-read my last posts. I suggested they were close and worthy of debate, and by no means was Toumpas the outright choice and general consensus as you elude to. ???? Yes stuie I did, so please remind me what T. Viney's role at the club was in 2012?... Head of Recruiting ring a bell? T.Viney (2012 head recruiter) rated Wines as the better draft prospect, whereas Neeld specifically wanted outside run presumably supporting the opinions of the S.A scouts. In ways yes he was the flavour of the month. I recall people getting their knickers in a knot because "Jimmy goes for a run on Christmas day". Please show us all these fancied selections by all these experts? or are they newspaper clippings a couple days before the draft?

I provided evidence on p.18 that our head of recruiting wanted Wines ahead of Toumpas. Instead of the selective reading, my point was that the top order particularly between Wines and Toumpas was hard to differentiate, and that in no way was it a general consensus that Toumpas automatically should have been selected ahead. That "evidence" you seem to support is nothing more than inside intel as to how the draft will fall by questioning clubs on who they intend to select a couple days prior. NOT the general consensus by all clubs as you seem to suggest. Do you really think that journos would be asking Sydney (pick 22) who should go at 4 or for their top 22 listed prospects? - the same applies for every other club. So please provide a shred of evidence that Toumpas was outright ahead of Wines by multiple scouts (amateur or pro) / recruiters. The only hint available that suggests so is Knightmare's but then he says (which supports my point that you seen to miss): "This top region is much more even than advertised and I see very little separating this group. Crouch, Wines and Stringer to have the most immediate impact. " So no it is not blatantly right.

Hindsight is not the case for some. Leading up to the draft I will un-happily admit I wanted Toumpas ahead of Wines, although I liked the risk of Stringer ahead of the two. For those that said Toumpas went or he fell where he should have, unquestionably ahead of Wines, based off newspapers articles are blatantly wrong. Without question Toumpas was in that correct range and the debate between the two was valid at that point in time. The fact is, as S.O.N.S and I have mentioned previously, it was a fierce debate between T.Viney (then head recruiter) and Neeld over the selection of Wines and Toumpas respectively, and Neeld's overruling has proven costly (now hindsight) (see previous links for the appropriate referencing). Overall I would love to know where Harrington stood (then list manager).

Sorry ProDee but you're completely delusional, or you haven't watch the Dees play in the last 4 years. Jones has been bloody good in a very poor side. If you had taken him back then and placed him in the Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydeny, heck even Collingwood line up you and everyone would be calling him a "star". So please spare us the rubbish.

Again Emma's was published 4 days before the draft primarily based off know how, she then published an altered version the morning of the draft (your previous link) where she near nailed the top ten by only have Stringer and Macrae in the wrong order (again by know how). Shifter's who I agree would be one of the most knowledgeable, is not ranked but merely the top 30 prospects in no particular order (the associated link is part 3). The fact of the matter is that T.Viney wanted Wines, whereas Neeld didn't. Why? Because he knew the player that Wines was then, for what we all know today. In 2012 he had the year to match with both a phenomenal championship (runner-up in the Larke) and TAC Cup.

Look at the dates, excluding Knightmare's, they're are all one or two days before the draft. Each and every year they seem to change from what was previously touted as they are given the inside word regarding the way in which it will fall. The journos don't have them independently ranked via their own talent identification, they are simply in the know how a couple days prior. For example Cal Twomey's changes drastically over the final month from his own identification to the inside word. As for spirit of norm smith's original quote and your's and C&B's question, David Schwarz presented on SEN radio that Viney wanted Wines whereas Neeld overruled his decision - and I sure as hell believe the direct nature of his sources. I had also independently heard something similar a year or so prior regarding a dispute between the selection of Wines and Toumpas but wasn't sure who supported who. REFERENCE FOUND! LISTEN TO THE POD CAST, STATED AT 2:50 min/sec http://www.sen.com.au/news-archive/08-15/schwarz-dees-fans-not-copping-blame#SCLOzfo4hld1vaEv.97

Hoping like crazy Mathieson doesn't get to the bombers in the late 20's. Really hope he, Tucker or Balic slide to one of our late picks, but I doubt it.

We'll be seeing the comparison of Oliver and Weideman vs Parish and Francis for the next 10 years. Here's hoping we have the better of the two. Quietly after Oliver I was hoping Parish would slide, but am still very happy with Weideman.

Ok then, better not forget Cotchin, Deledio, Macrae, Bartel, Heppell and Polec. All of which you could name next to Parish. Then on the contradicting side there's Rich, Palmer, Ellis, X. Clarke, and Sylvia. Comparing a U18 prospect in this manner is ridiculous, and the argument is very easy to twist.

Oliver is strong over the ball but can't or doesn't kick on his left. When confronted and forced to use his left he will try and twist and turn out of traffic to get onto his right or get away a handball. It worked fine for him in the TAC cup as he can monster over other teens but I question how well he can keep it up against men, and how at times it may slow down or impair a set play.

After speaking to him my impression was that the deal is already done and I expect that he'll be signed as soon as trade week officially opens. This gives me comfort knowing the club is currently chasing other unknown targets. So please GET AROUND HIM! By all means he must prove himself and earn the respect of the club and its fans, however he shouldn't arrive with any negative connotations derived from the Essenscum supporter base.

While on holiday in Germany guess who my fiancee and I ran into yesterday, yes Jake Melksham along with Michael Hibberd. Initially running into Hibberd I had a very very brief conversion with him. A minute or two later and around the corner waiting for him was Jake. So straight out I asked "Are the rumours true mate, will you be at the Dees next year?" A little coy and thrown off he replied "it's highly likely". I responded "well i'm a Dees supported" and the conversation turned to his and our trip with him relaxing quickly. Overall we spoke to him for about 5 - 10 minutes and he was a very nice bloke. He didn't have to stand there and chat but he wanted to once we found that commom ground on travel. He asked us many questions as we did to him and shared the usual travel stories and experiences. Aside from the start we didn't talk any footy and I didn't want to push it, I got the impression that was the last thing he and Michael wanted to discuss and righfully so as I'm the same with my line of work atm while on holiday. Overall I think he'll enjoy a fresh start, and after that conversation welcome aboard I say and I hope he flourishes. Cheers!

Melksham NO THANK YOU! Never rated him and would much prefer to see Kent or JKH named ahead of him. Wasteful trade for both time and resources.

It' been awhile since I've been on demonland AF (currently in Europe). But all I have to do is read your posts and feel relieved there are still fellow Demon supporters talking sense, pparticularly during this time of year. Thank you!

Fair points mate, particualry with Toumpas. I feel with our relatively young list that he could be of better value on the trade table to get a quality deal over the line. I'm not throwing him on there for the sake of it, or for any dislike, but yes if the price is right. As for Garland, he's an RFA so the concept of trading him comes at a risk. I would rather see him signed early at his market value rather than see it dragged out to the end of the year which could attract other clubs and a higher price to match if we desire the trade. If the trade falls through we'll be stuck having to pay for an overpriced Garland.

Thanks for the info, and I like your discussion on Pederson - I'll happily see him kept as well. Any idea if Michie is out of contract this year or the next?

Out of contract players: 2015 Jamar 31 (UFA), Garland 26 (RFA), McKenzie 24, Howe 24, Gawn 23, Fitzpatrick 23, Toumpas 21, Pedersen 28, Hunt 19, Cross 32, Bail 26, Riley 23, Harmes ® 19, King ® 19, White ® 18 Obtained from rpfc, 2015 contracts thread. ------------------------------------------------------- DELISTINGS: - Jamar : Gawn has become the #1 ruckman. - McKenzie : I've never really been a fan, nice bloke but not AFL standard. - Hunt : He was a wild selection on draft night and unfortunely hindered by few times by injuries, although I feel he's had his chance and the list must continue to turn over. - Bail : Similar to McKenzie, tries his heart out, good bloke, but not AFL standard. TRADE: - Howe : I would prefer to re-sign him, but if the rumours are true based on his asking price of $600k+ I would rather see that put towards poaching a gun midfieder (Dangerfield, Treloar, T.Mitchell, all gettible but hard). - Fitzpatrick : I said it a few years ago when he was re-signed, he should of been traded then while showing AFL form (Carlton were a suiter). Either way he'll be traded if he's of any value, but most likely delisted as I don't see him cracking our already tall line up. - Toumpas : He's improved yes, but unfortunitely for me I can't warm to him. For everything good he does, he's often a liability. I don't want to verbally [type] bash him, but I'll happily see him traded if the price is right. RE-SIGN: - Cross : I think he's proved his worth for another 1 year contract. I can't name anyone currently in the seconds who should play ahead of him and his training standards are brilliant, particularily for setting the benchmark for our young blokes. - Garland : He's in his prime and I want to see him re-signed, I'm of the belief that he'll re-find that 2013 form, particularily if the team lifts as a whole. UNKNOWN (these ones I can't figue out): - Pedersen : We do have a lot of tall talent. I like Pedersen, I actually consider him on par with Dawes without "the name" or "over-rating". But don't know, potental re-signing or delist, probably on the cusp. - Riley : Potentially re-sign, potentially delist, he'll be on that cusp depending on what happens surrounding trade week. - Harmes : He's had his crack at the big time, but didn't crack it for me. One game isn't a good enough indication, I hope he's given a few more opportunies, but again don't know enought about him to really comment. - King : Big men take longer, and I don't know how he's progressing in the secord nor his training standards. - White : Similar to King for me, don't know enough about him. I'm often happy to see a rookie get their second year. Please tell me your thought and let's not turn it into a "you hate Toumpas, I love Toumpas thread".

I don't think so, should take the two best talents available (not possition) and if the club rate McCartin within their top three he should be taken if Petracca goes at one. I like the concept of having Hogan and McCartin develop together, they could become a fantastic combination over the years. Ideally I would prefer Petracca and Brayshaw, however won't be disapointed if we end up with McCartin due to the Saints taking one of the previous two.