Young Dee

Yes good point - the lack of spread has been appalling. However I think spread and defensive running come back to gut running and that's where the problem lies. When you are 30-50 points down and you know your going to lose there is no such thing as gut running. Once the team gets hope back and we think we can win a game: gut running - defensive running and spread will come and that will make kicking 10 times easier. When we have gone forward in the past there has never been a clear option and there is a whole lot of second guessing, kicking long and hand balling backward, panicking etc. Having said that I still think our kicking as a team is poor.

Thanks 666! - Wow is Evans a good size now (could be a big improver in 2014 if he stays on the track) - Garland has also put on some size and is no longer that skinny lanky shape - Watts still needs to put on a bit more muscle.... just take your time.........oh wait you already are! I think we can genuinely say that apart from the new draftees we look like a real football team. The players that I will be watching closely over this preseason are: Tyson: expect big things from this kid and quickly too. Trengove: almost gave up on this kid (if he can find his speed/strength this preseason then he will be a totally different player) Evans: love his new body - has never really had an injury free run (not sure where he would fit in though - might need to improve his kicking but could be an inside/outside mid) Watts: If midfield doesn't work out for him then he is in a bit of trouble - needs to dig deep and grow some balls over the preseason if he is any chance but if he does he could be great. Strauss: always had a soft spot for him - think we need a classy rebounding backman and he is the most obvious prospect (think he was a very unlucky last year - finally got a game then got injured) Toumpas: similar to Trengove (could be a totally different player with a full preseason and a new midfield so he can play his outside role) Barry/Kennedy-Harris: interesting to see how these guys develop

Interesting to hear Jason Taylor say that he could strengthen our defence. I would have thought he was too tall for a KPD but he does look coordinated and agile.

You lost me when you said we would beat West Coast, Carlton, Port and Essendon. Take those teams out and you have 6 wins - I would be very happy with that. Provided we are competitive in most of our games (within 40-50 points) then I will be happy. No 100 point losses! I see this as the best case scenario - I have no Idea what the Crows and West Coast are up to. Are they going to drop down soon or are they going to hang around the 8 for a bit? Bulldogs are also a hard one to pick - have they got enough talent/youth to start climbing up the ladder? 12. West Coast? 13. Crows? 14. Melbourne 15. Lions 16. Bulldogs 17. GWS 18. Saints

I think if he has a chance its as a small forward next year. Small backs: Terlich, Grimes, Clisby, Strauss, ....Nicho Small forwards: Byrnes.......... (barry/JKH both not ready)

Happy that we went with a forward, ruck and defender. I like the first two picks - James Harmes - a good sized mid with aggression and speed. Max King - needed a genuine ruckman and he looks like he is very coordinated and agile for his size. I am a bit skeptical of Alexis Georgiou - I think we should have gone with a KPD here and have said it before - not a huge fan of mature aged draftees. The last pick I would have preferred to be used on Alex Spencer (ruck) or a KPD - again would rather a young player then mature but Jetta may be better then Byrnes as a small forward.

Pick 2. Melbourne: James Harmes (Dandenong Stingrays) Position: Midfielder Height: 185cm Weight: 78kg Born: 5/10/95 The inside word Medium midfielder with good game sense and versatility. Attacks the ball aggressively and has a hard edge. Played two games for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with his speed a real feature. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/james-harmes Pick 19: Melbourne: Max King (Murray Bushrangers) Position: Tall forward/ruckman Height: 200cm Weight: 90kg Born: 24/9/95 The inside word Developing tall forward/ruckman with the ability to push forward and have an impact on the scoreboard. Marks strongly overhead and protects the drop zone effectively. Provides his midfielders with first use through good tap work and is an effective field kick for a player of his size. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/max-king Pick 35: Melbourne: Alexis Georgiou Position: Medium defender Height: 187cm Weight: 88kg Born: 1/2/90 The inside word Norwood coach Nathan Bassett thinks Georgiou has been overlooked by AFL clubs in recent drafts because "he looks like Mr Bean, he runs like he's running on broken glass and his kick looks awkward". Gangly he may be, but Georgiou has carved a reputation as one of the SANFL's leading defenders. A key contributor to Norwood's 2012 flag, he can shut down tall and small forwards alike and is clean with the ball. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/alex-georgiou Pick 50. Melbourne: Neville Jetta (Melbourne)

That would be a good result for us wouldn't it? (means we can still have decent rookie draft possibilities) - the preseason and rookie drafts overlap don't they? If the clubs have a spot on their main list and there are decent prospects why wouldn't you pick someone up (salary cap?)

I think he could be a good player but we are talking about round 1 here so - very unlikely Depends if Roos wants to field the best team available or do a Bailey and gift young players games (I think we know what Roos will do). Right now I see Kent/Byrnes/Kennedy-Harris playing ahead of him. Kent would be my pick as a forward pocket/flank - with stints on the wing (at least until he is ready for the midfield).

Wow that's a bit of a curve ball! I think you have to have Viney in the "Certainly Best 22" when you have Grimes, Watts, Cross, Dawes, Howe and Hogan in there. I think with an injury free preseason Viney will be our Ollie Wines 2.0

I like that team a lot but don't think Salem or Kennedy-Harris are ready for round one. So I would replace Salem with Michie (if fit) and replace Kennedy Harris with Kent (or maybe Blease). I don't really think much of Terlich and would like Strauss to take his spot but that would be a stretch at round 1 - maybe Clisby instead of Terlich (Terlich and Grimes play similar - need some class/silk).

Rather they spend the money on the football department. If the fans/players can't be bothered walking a few metres (depending on which oval) then they need to toughen up. Sounds like a couple of the fans could have done with the exercise anyway. Thanks for the report.

Isn't there this one on Olympic Boulevard?

He is obviously not flying around the track then.

Would rather a young prospect. Don't believe in getting 25 year olds (and has been delisted from 2 clubs). You know what your getting with Tippet - a fringe player. But with a youngster the sky is the limit.

I don't think you can really compare that - the kids can only do to much (didn't Viney get an injury from doing to much last season?). The kid probably lifts weights in his sleep. I really think Viney is symbolic of us moving forward - I think all the youngsters will look up to him - see how hard and devoted he is and see that it translates into results. The benchmark has been set - the Morton/Gysberts days are over.

Thanks Tall Defence (your names quite relevant) I quite liked the sound of these four: Fraser Fort (VIC – KPD) Height: 196cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 04/10/1995 Range: 30-rookie Darcy Cameron (WA – Ruck/KPF) Height: 203cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 18/07/1995 Range: 30-rookie Alex Spencer (VIC – KPD) Height: 193cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1995 Range: 30 - undrafted Thomas Shanahan (WA – Mid) Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 28/04/1995 Range: 25-undrafted Not a huge fan of drafting mature aged players as I rather take a punt on speculative players or players with unharnessed potential. Mature aged players too predictable (you know what your getting). I guess players like Gilles, Pedo, Nicho and Byrnes have put me off. For some reason I am very skeptical of mature aged players - last year I thought Terlich and Jones where wasted picks - a temporary solution. You know what you are going to get from them and I know it harsh but I sometimes hope that they wont be part of our future meaning that our youngsters will pass them. Putting my ageist thoughts aside. If Fort appears to be the best KPD then I would go with him first. We also really need a ruckman - I see Gawn as our only true ruckman going forward (Jamar's about to kick the bucket, Fitzy isnt a true ruckman and I don't see Spencer as ever being a good AFL ruckman). Darcey Cameron seems like a good weight and height - a good long term project. I think its a good idea getting 1-2 ruckman through the rookie draft as they can take a while to develop and are usually pretty unpredictable - have to think ahead (If Gawn goes down long term we are stuffed). I think we should go 2 KPD's, 1-2 Ruckmen depending on quality and then see whats left (could then go for a small forward if there is one - or l would like to pick up Taggert if we can). What are our chances of getting 2-3 of those players? I know most clubs don't have 4 rookie picks - does anyone have the draft order? Are the best players going to get taking in the PSD? If yes then I would be all for freeing up a spot in the PSD (even if that means paying out Byrnes/Nicho).

Only time will tell.....

Its easier for a kid to slot into a good team as there is less pressure to perform and more support. It also depends on the player - Toumpas, Watts, Morton and Salem didnt come AFL ready. Viney and Hogan show that a year at VFL cant hurt - it can help them develop in a specified role and build their confidence, fitness and strength. I believe in playing players when they truly deserve to be in the team (can hold down a position) and I think Salem will find it hard to break into the team next year. I think he should be developed in the position that Roos sees him in the future if that is as a pure midfielder then he stays at Casey until he deserves to be in our midfield. If he is in our best 22 but does not deserve a game in the midfield and Roos thinks his game would benefit from playing as a back for a bit - then I would understand.

Like this. But think that one of Clisby, Grimes Terlich (probably Terlich) could be replaced by Dunn or Strauss depending on opposition. I know I always say this but if Strauss can come on then we can have a very quick/good kicking rebounding defender (something we really need). Strauss is actually very quick and has the ability to play on your Betts/Jetta types - I don't think any of our other defenders can do that. I don't know if Toumpas is ready for full games on the wing but could interchange with Watts on the forward flank (and still push up the ground). Would love to see Harris become our new forward pocket with midfield stints but we may have to wait a bit - so Kent/Blease can fight for forward pocket. I agree that none of the first years should play early in the year. I would no at all mind if Salem did not get a game next year. I would to wait until Salem can slot straight into the midfield. I don't like bringing in players like Toumpas and playing them forward because they are not ready for the midfield - just keep them at Casey until thy are ready and develop them as mids. I know a lot don't like McKenzie but if he works on his kicking he could be our designated tagger - plus he may flourish now that he doesn't have to try and win every contest. Otherwise Evans in. I like the idea of Clark doing the rucking in the forward half of the ground - if only we had someone who could do the same in the backline - Gawn would hardly break a sweat.

If they are any good wont they just be snatched up by those with PSD picks whilst we are just left with the unwanted/mature players in the rookie draft. I think the Byrnes idea is a good one.

Yer thats pretty much what I said re-Nicho. It applies for Byrnes and Pedo as well only they are sadly contracted. Can you payout players? Because if Pedo doesn't show anything next year then I think it would be worth considering paying him out (he is signed till the end of 2015 right?)

I would much rather take Taggert then Jetta (if possible). Jetta has been given a shot and is almost 24. Taggert has more potential and was unlucky with injuries.I think there has to come a point in time where you have to look at the list with a harsh but realistic view and say will player X be part of our future? and Is it worth having a punt on speculative PSD player instead?. In my view I cant ever see Nicho (23 yrs old) being a good player and think that we would be better taking our chances with a speculative pick like Hunt. It's time Melbourne turned the corner and stopped carrying dead weight. If Roos has some alternative reason for keeping him (depth) then I would understand him staying on for a year but I just cant stand wasting a spot on the list on a player that will never make it, demands money and wastes time that could be spent on someone else. I know its a little harsh but at the end of the day we need to become a ruthless club and this is what it takes. At first I was disappointed to see Jetta dropped but I now think it was the right decision same scenario as Nicho. I dont want to miss out on a diamond in the rough for the sake of keeping Nicho/Jetta on for another year no matter how small the chance of finding that diamond. Where do people see Nicho with our new midfield? The forward line also has better options Blease, Kent, Harris, Barry etc. The backline has Grimes, Terlich, Clisby, Strauss etc. Hopefully we wont need to cut so many next year but there are a few which already have their hands up Pedersen, Byrnes etc. I believe Roos is able to make the harsh calls like Jetta and without turning the whole playing group against him. Just waiting for the Nicho call.

Ah summer time is here! - time to pull out the rose coloured sunnies. Only this year I am taking a slightly conservative approach.