Young Dee

I am hardly saying only one needs to or is going to improve... I strongly agree that if we are going to have a good year several-all of these players will need to improve immensely. As for the most improved, I choose Jetta because he is starting from the 'lowest base' when compared to players like Watts (therefore greater potential to improve - from fringe player to starting 22 or 18).

Strauss, Tapscott and Davey - you need to be in the team to get touches. Strauss - yet to recover from broken leg, I think he will improve a lot this year - the amount of disposals he gets depends on what role the coaches want him to play. Tapscott - another who has had injury problems, struggles to get the footy I think because he is too big and that slows him down (yet to find a role - back, mid, forward? which would affect disposal) Davey - being moulded into a small forward which doesn't need to get a lot of the ball - just needs to make use of chances (goals) and apply presure! Trengove - needs to get more of it and use it better (last years disposal was poor) Blease - needs more of it (I don't think he is a great kick - but usually kicks on the end of a 100m run so hard to tell) Sylvia - nothing needs to be said

Yes, I think he will improve but by how much? he did play some good games back there last year (Bombers round 10). I think a player like Jetta has more to show this year though (never really been able to hold down a spot).

Well there is a whole list to choose from ... most improved meaning have to have been on the list last year. I have tried to create a poll but have never done it before so apologies if it does not work. My money would be on Jetta as he has always had niggling injuries that have prevented him from consolidating a spot/role. He has had a full preseason and has the skills, I see him as an aggressive Bennel which would have been something! he has the foot skills, speed, courage, endurance and versatility. I would love to see him beat Nicho for the small rebounding defender/wingman - I remember in the NAB cup he delivered a beautiful low pass to a leading forward after a run through the midfield .... sadly a rare occurrence at our club. Blease and Watts are also ones that I think are destined to improve this year - safe dream team choices.

Thanks so much for the pics your deevotion can't be questioned! Few points from the photos: - Interesting how skinny Clarks legs are, as much as I want him to play round 1 I would be happy to see him play another full game at Casey. - Excited about Dawes looks to have changed body shapes for the better since leaving the filth. - Geez byrnes looks like a real leprechaun in pic 13 (compared to Spencer) - hopefully he can find a pot of gold for us - I love pic 23 with Trengove and Viney, I hope they build a strong bond over the next 10 years - Pick 31 is a funny one - Spencer will always be a lank - If pick 32 had a player instead of a trainer in the background I would probably frame that and put it on my wall (Toumpas is all class) . - A tribute to your photog skills 66. - Barry is already adding muscle, I think the Morton/Gysberts days are over - no more 5 year development players - I can't help but wonder why the coaches have not told Rodan to slim down, his thighs are the size of tree trunks surely that would slow him down. - Pick 62 and 69, in 69 I thought tappy was growing a dunn moustache but don't worry its just his pointy tongue - If their was another player other than Jones and Clark that should/could have be in the leadership group it is Sylvia, he just has a presence about him (oh what could have been...) Thanks again 66

Yes, can't stand those Sunday twilight games which only make loses all the more depressing knowing your weekend has come to an abrupt end...................... .........Unless it is easter holidays

And according to the club website April 6th? The season just can't come quickly enough

I don't think this has been posted. From the AFL website: Season preview: Melbourne By Peter Ryan7:00am AEDT Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Will 2013 be the year that Jack Watts fulfills his potential? Best 22 B: Daniel Nicholson, James Frawley, Colin Garland HB: Jack Watts, Tom McDonald, Lynden Dunn C: Jack Trengove, Jack Viney, David Rodan HF: Sam Blease, Chris Dawes, Colin Sylvia F: Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe Foll: Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Nathan Jones I/C: Jimmy Toumpas, Jordie McKenzie, James Sellar Sub: Luke Tapscott Injury list Mitch Clark's return is anticipated but he’s unlike to hit his straps until rounds four or five. Jack Trengove and Sam Blease will be underdone in round one but could be available, and the same applied to Chris Dawes. The club is taking a prudent path with the concussion recovery program for Rohan Bail. The big questions - Is the team improving as quickly as can reasonably be expected? The Demons have been down and out for a long time, but there's a quiet optimism the team is finally on the upward curve. More and more will be demanded, though, as Mark Neeld enters a more critical stage in his coaching tenure. - Will the forward combination with Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes work? Melbourne was enthusiastic in its pursuit of Dawes, and got their man in last year's trade period. Clark showed bits and pieces in 2012, but injury took hold later in the year. How well the pair gel will determine much of Melbourne's success this season. - When will the J-squad of Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Viney, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes, Jack Watts, Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss, Josh Tynan, Jeremy Howe, James Frawley and Jesse Hogan peak? The Demons have built a steady core of players in recent drafts, and have had a large turnover of their list. They're still in a rebuilding phase, but things are looking up. It's a little quirky, but Melbourne will be hoping the players with a first name starting with 'J' can usher in a successful era at the club. Summer standout Jack Watts has been the standout in the practice match series. He returned much fitter and with Neil Craig emphasising what he needs to do in order to take the next step, the competitive aspects of his game are improving. He is just 22 and remains a relaxed character but appears to be relishing the chance to settle in defence. Fantasy cash cow Matt Jones is valued at $102,700 but has been in good enough form pre-season to vie for a spot in the midfield. As a mature-aged recruit he can be expected to bear some of the brunt for the talented youngsters and, if he is good enough, he will play plenty of games. At worst, his value will increase in the early rounds. Sudden impact Jack Viney is the man most likely although the Demons will ensure his development is done with an eye on the future. He has a strong body already, has been in the system for one season and is no shrinking violet. He has the attributes to make a strong early impression. It's crunch time for… Colin Sylvia. An obvious talent, he is out of contract this season as a restricted free agent and needs a consistent year to prove to outsiders that his future is with Melbourne. At his best, he is a match-winner but at his worst he can appear an unfulfilled talent. He needs to play his role consistently. Pivotal match Round one is only worth four points but it looms as more significant than most for the Demons. At the MCG against the Port Adelaide, most would have pencilled the opening game as a win for the Demons when the fixture arrived. If they win they can settle into a season of improvement but a loss will allow the doubters to find voice. Melbourne will have a good year if… It can play four quarters more often. They need to win more of the football and find more goalkickers. An injury free Clark will make a difference, particularly if Dawes can start holding some marks and Jeremy Howe plays on the opposition's third best defender. Signs that Viney and Toumpas are as talented as their junior rankings indicate will give everyone heart, while Watts should provide the team with plenty of rebound. AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 15th

Don't know about McKenzie he actually has an attribute that counters for his poor disposal (tough nut/clearance king)

And that explains why we are where we are!

Well I would be very surprised if they developed into players which could play in a finals team. I see Bail as ahead of Nico but than that's just me. I just think a team needs to have structure/role players - you can't have a team of Magners, you need some outside players but not to many or you have no one to win the ball. I can't see where those two fit in, they don't have the skills to be outside players and yet are not inside players.

I think he and Nico are fighting for a similar spot - the run and carry player with poor disposal. We can only have one

Thanks for the mental image

May I ask how Strauss and Jetta are training, do they look like starting 22? Thanks for the reports.

It is supprising to see how many have Terlich in their 22! Heres my dream 22 for round 1: FB: Watts, Frawley, Stauss CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta C: Blease, Jones, Toumpas CHF: Howe, Clark, Sylvia FF: Davey, Dawes, Byrnes FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Magner INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott or Rodan, SUB: Kent (Trengove if Neeld thinks fit) EMER: Sellar, Spencer, Terlich, M. Jones

I like that you haven't mentioned Strauss - really hoping he can create a spot for himself in the 22 this year. We don't really have anyother med-small defenders, I think he can play on med-smalls and has the speed/skills to be a geniune rebounder. I wonder why he did not play today, maybe Neeld already has him in his 22. As for Magner I think he is in our 22, unfortunatly.

Got to love the devotion - putting us demonlanders before your daughter Nah seriously thanks for the updates WR, shame they could not put together a win for you

Yes, I think he is in the same boat as Strauss - has potential but yet to harness it

Sun of a Gun!

Thanks for the updates WR! I think Fitz needs to prove that he can ruck because he is no genuine forward.

Damn I was really looking forward to Strauss showing what his got, I am really hoping we have a rebounding medium size defender (he is actualy quick).

Well thats the point its TEMPORARY so we can win games and develop our youth.

I can not yet rate Jones as I have not really seen much onf him. As for Kent it was him vs (sylvia and Howe) but yes I agree with you thats why I said "(stints on wing)", although the ideal place would be a high forward/stints on wing

We all know that our midfield is by far our biggest downfall, what do you think can be done this year by Neeld to restrict the damage. We have one decent midfielder at present being of course Nathan Jones probably followed at present by Grimes. This is an issue as currently I do not rate Grimes very highly, he is committed but predictable and lacks any amazing qualities (not particularly strong, good kick or fast). So this year our main midfield group looks to be: Jones, Grimes, Trengove (little preseason - and showed nothing last year), Sylvia (forward/midfield - lacks consistency), Mckenzie (yet to know where this kid fits in - lack of foot skills) Rodan (can't expect much), Nicholson (Ordinary player), Howe (forward/midfield - not sure where he should play), Blease (forward/wing - not sure what impact he will have this year. Now I must have forgotten someone but still not a formidable midfield. I just wonder what Neeld plans are for the midfield this year, I did not include Viney and Toumpas as it is their first year and as Neeld says they don't expect much from them this year. It appears that we have quite a few players who play multiple roles ie Sylvia and I wonder if this is Neelds plan to have lots of flexible players that play midfield, forward and back. Using these players such as Sylvia (forward), Nicholson (back), Howe (forward), Blease (forward), Jetta (back/forward) may actually be our only chance of beating opposition midfields - DEPTH. Could we look at developing players into midfield roles this year to steam the bleeding? - players such as Jetta, Strauss, Taggert, Kent, Tapscott etc. I think using playing multiple midfielders in the team is the only way we could match other teams midfields - the only key position midfielders we have are Jones, Grimes and Trengove (off the top of my head). The depth I guess makes up for the lack of midfield talent and although the midfielders will not always be the best they will be relatively fresh). If tapscott can slim down therefore quicker/fitter possible Neeld could mould him, Jetta and Strauss into playing stints in midfield whilst playing forward or back? (They would provide much needed execution going forward! - as opposed to bombing it into the forward 50) Is this what will make or break us this year? - the midfield. Heres a possible line up for round one. FB: Watts (possible stints on wing), Frawley, Stauss (possible stint midfielder?) CHB: Dunn, McDonald, Jetta (stint midfielder/wing) C: Blease (wing/rest forward), Jones, Toumpas (wing/forward - can't expect much) CHF: Howe (forward/wing-rotate Blease), Clark, Sylvia (forward/onballer) FF: Davey/Kent (stints on wing), Dawes, Byrnes (stints as outside midfielder) FOLL: Jamar, Grimes, Trengove INT: Viney, McKenzie, Tapscott (high forward/ wing?) EMER: Sellar, Rodan, Gawn, Taggert Is this idea of depth/versatility going too far? or could it stem the bleeding this year and give us time to develop our young guns (Trengove/Viney/Toumpas).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-20/dees-were-unfit-last-year-garland Thought it was an interesting read from the AFL website. Rarely does an AFL player come out and admit something like that. I think it is kind of a positive as in we know where we are and what we need to improve at. Although this is kind of surprising considering our style of footy pre-Neeld - fast and free flowing. Anyway maybe a sign that we are on the right track .... now we just need to fix disposal! .... and the whole club culture.