btdemon

Let him earn his spot via VFL. Like everyone else.

Nobody replied to this post when I wrote it in another thread so I'm bumping my own post to here (probably not cool, I know), but I've poured a little cold water on my expectations for this season......... mind you, I'm still EXCITED! "I've just been looking over the draw. It's very tough. 10 wins would be more than a pass mark. We play Essendon, Brisbane and Carlton only once. On the current predictions they are the only wins I would 'pencil in', and I would be ready with the eraser in regards to St Kilda. The "10 wins" target requires us to rack up some unexpected wins, and no doubt, I'm sure there might be a couple. I'm talking about wins against teams that are expected to finish in the top eight, such as GWS, Suns, Richmond, Collingwood, Nth Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Doggies or Port. However, it is going to take a few of these to reach 10 wins and I'm much less hopeful after looking over the draw. We have to play Hawthorn twice and thankfully Geelong, Freo and WC only once. To start with the momentum of 3-0 in the preseason is great but I'm less bullish about it than some on this site. I think PJ's target of finals in 2016 might be a season too early. I hope I'm very, very wrong". Realistically, I'm thinking we can sneak a couple of unexpected wins and get to 7 or 8. Anything more would be great. I wish the ladder predictor was up and running on the AFL website. it'd be good to map some scenarios.

Great news! I see Pederson as the only real 'swingman' we've got atm. We need him to give Max a spell. He is a genuinely good mark and a good kick. He could go back and forward. I hope Frost will surpass him but at the moment Pedo is better.

I've just been looking over the draw. It's very tough. 10 wins would be more than a pass mark. We play Essendon, Brisbane and Carlton only once. On the current predictions they are the only wins I would 'pencil in', and I would be ready with the eraser in regards to St Kilda. The "10 wins" target requires us to rack up some unexpected win, and no doubt, I'm sure there might be a couple. I'm talking about wins against teams that are expected to finish in the top eight, such as GWS, Suns, Richmond, Collingwood, Nth Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Doggies or Port. However, it is going to take a few of these to reach 10 wins and I'm much less hopeful after looking over the draw. We have to play Hawthorn twice and thankfully Geelong only once. To start with the momentum of 3-0 in the preseason is great but I'm less bullish about it than some on this site. I think PJ's target of finals in 2016 might be a season too early. I hope I'm very, very wrong.

This is true. The commentators yesterday obviously didn't follow closely enough last year to notice that Jesse was very accurate from anywhere inside 40m. But I also saw yesterday that he was more hesitant than normal and appeared to have the yips. Apparently some work was done last year to straighten out his approach. It seemed to work for a couple of weeks. I think it is time for the specialist coaches to do some more work. We don't want him developing the yips as a part of his regular mentality. It seemed that everything was off yesterday. His normally sure hands and his body positioning as well. It might just have been one of those days.

I have said the same thing, a couple of times. But I agree totally. Its the bullocking way he gets the ball and then stands up in the tackle and handballs to advantage. Michael Voss all over again and its got nothing to do with red hair. Its the strong frame, the belligerent attitude and the ball smarts.

He has actually improved his kicking in the past couple of years. He had a really off day on Sunday and his kicking was pretty bad but last year here was ok. He has a very flawed kicking action and he rarely kicks off a couple steps but rather, he runs away from opponents and gives himself time to balance. This luxury is not always possible. He is one of those who has to kick within his limitations. Neville Jetta can't kick more than about 40 metres but he usually hits a target because he is aware that he can't kick long and accurately. Tom McDonald's problem is the weight and accuracy of the kicks.

In his TAC highlights package he most reminded of Michael Voss. Knew how to get the ball an then was able to stand up in the tackle and give it off to advantage. He seems to have quite a burst of initial speed away from the pack as well. Love the look of him. The midfield is getting some size and grunt about it now. Oliver, VB, Brayshaw, Tyson, Jones, Vince, Viney and if Trenners comes back it will be very solid. It still needs a bit of real pace. Petracca may provide this but I expect he will play as a high half-forward rather than a true mid. Kennedy is a handy quick and a have been pretty impressed so far but i'm not sure that he'll spend that much time in the middle. Stretch has impressed me so far. He is not blisteringly quick but he rarely seems to do anything wrong.

I must say that i thought Hogan was carrying more weight than he needs to to impose himself. He didn't appear to be quite as mobile. Maybe they want him to start the season like that as he will lose some over the season.

I found this on Bigfooty "Ron Tudor (Fable Records) had the bright idea in the early 70s that his company should get a brassy-jazzy musical backing group into a studio together with a group of male voices, headed by Barry Crocker, to record all and each of the 12 club songs. I think you could buy a 45rpm single in a suitably-coloured sleeve for about a buck and as well the lot were released on LP. Fitzroy's and Sth Melbourne's originals have had to be modified and this list has been augmented and modified; the initial recordings are musically-evident. Fable Records folded in 1984 so I guess the rights were bought by someone with some foresight". These are brilliant versions and shouldn't be messed with. Great singing and arrangements. Ours has banjo.... Awesome! Maybe it was Smacka Fitzgibbon? (I don't know). And Barry Crocker! (I didn't know this) Some info on "The Fable Label", which, in the early seventies, had some iconic Australian artists and hits. http://www.milesago.com/industry/fable.htm

I, for one, am not going to spend the rest of the season speculating about something that I have absolutely no control of. I heard a Dees supporter on the radio last night expressing his concern hat Hogan and McDonald might go. Until the Dees are a strong club then every player we have that is any good will prompt that speculation. In the minds of many, they can't see why would a decent player want to stay at a club that has little chance of playing finals. The club is getting stronger and hopefully we might even play finals either this year or next. Maybe it won't be long before good players from other clubs are seeking a transfer to the Dees? Until then, I'm going to try my best to enjoy the work of Hogan and McDonald (and Petracca and Salem and Brayshaw and Oliver and Viney and Kent) and all of the players who look like being really good. Try and enjoy.

I want to enjoy the next two years with Jesse. If he goes I'll deal with the disappointment then.

With his contract in place until the end of the 2017 season he would be absolutely insane to sign something at this stage unless it was the largest contract ever offered. He has to wait. The club are obviously wanted to sign him up but he is wise to put off the talks until at least the end of this season. If he has a great season and kicks over fifty the club will have to offer him something more substantial than what they are offering now. I don't like the speculation and would be devastated if we lost him, but the future strength of this club must be built on more than just one star.

The thing about Jack is, we know he can play footy. The only real risk is that he is taking a spot on the list. Given the other players we also carry in the hope they will succeed, I don't see this as much of a problem. We will find out this season whether his comeback is viable. Like most here, I am very keen to see him playing great footy again.

While people condemn the Essendon players they should also remember that MFC flirted with these drug Cowboys or so called "sports scientists". We're just lucky that we didn't go too far with it. The Essendon club officials are to blame, not the players. They were naive but most of us, if we were a young player, would trust the club and do as we were told. Football's recent history would suggest Essendon were not alone. There are serious doubts over WC, Geelong as well.

It's true that our previous recruiting teams have had some shockers and we are now beginning to see how good recruiters do it. People forget that before injury Trengove was definitely a plus. Gawn is a 209 cm ruck man who's is now beginning to be very effective . You can't predict injury. I agree that we would probably not pick a 'Gysberts' type under the new regime, but Tapscott appeared to all of us to tick all of the boxes - tough, big body, good kick etc. Unfortunately he just wasn't that good. He couldn't find the footy enough. Geelong and hawthorn have obviously led the way in recruiting techniques and they have been models for the other teams. Our mob seem to be doing alright atm. Scully had the same appeal as Parish. He ran all day and got the footy a lot. This is another reason I'm kind of happy we went with Oliver instead. Scully wasn't big enough to impose himself in the middle and I'm not sure if Parish will be. I think he is a cut above Sully though.

I can't imagine Oliver following quite the same trajectory as Brayshaw did last year. He doesn't have the tank yet.

It would appear that in selecting the powerful Clayton Oliver over Darcy Parish, that the Dees are building a midfield for the future based on the Freo/Swans model. This makes sense when you consider the Roos/Lyon influence. Parish is without a doubt, a pure ball winner and a natural footballer and I'm confident he will be class act in the future. There is a part of me that wanted to take him at pick 3. On the other hand, I was wary that he was too small, given of the other mids on our list. Two of our main ball winners are Jones and Viney (180 & 179 cm respectively). The prospect of another 180cm prime engine room player concerned me. Oliver reminds me a little of Michael Voss (from the highlights package admittedly). He barges through packs, stands up in tackles and delivers the ball well under pressure, by hand and foot. He also appears to have a great footy brain and good evasion and lateral movement. This may help compensate for his self-confessed lack of pace. He also has good hands and likes a goal. He's fierce at the ball and the man. The decision to take Oliver over Parish appears to be very considered. Bernie Vince is a great ball winner and smart user but won't be around when this list is at its peak. Jones will probably be in the twilight of his career and not the force he has been up until now. This midfield will be based on the big bodies of the guys following: Tyson (186 cm), Brayshaw (187 cm), vandenberg (188 cm), *Trengove (185 cm), Oliver (187 cm), Petracca (186 cm), Harmes (185 cm). All of these guys are powerful through the core and legs as well and stand up pretty well when tackled. Then there are a smaller bunch: Viney (179 cm but plays like he's much bigger), Neal-Bullen (182 cm), Stretch (180 cm), Salem (183), Newton (183 cm) - all of whom have shown a genuine toughness around the ball. There are other smaller players who may end up in the middle at times like Kent, JKH, Kennedy. With development Brayshaw and Oliver will end up with bigger and harder bodies than they have at this stage. We still could do with a bit more outside speed but Brayshaw, Vandenberg, Harmes and Petracca are all quick. This all points to a physically powerful midfield with players who can also kick goals. With the right development and a ounce of good luck this may be a feared midfield group in the not too distant future. This is why I'm glad we picked Oliver over Parish. * Providing that Trenners gets back successfully.

PS. why would you change a song that is clearly identifies with us and is great fun to sing, albeit not often enough.

I didn't like the last logo at all. It was a complete dog's breakfast. While the new one is marginally better, I don't like it much either. The use of the monogram is good but the surrounding shape is seemingly unrelated. I don't like the way the word 'Melbourne' is bent across the top either. Graphically it is confused and has little impact as far as I'm concerned. I'll try to ignore it. I much prefer that little square car sticker, which is graphically simple but instantly recognisable. There is one version with the monogram in it as well.

I know its a highlights package but have a look at this kid. Huge legs and hips, good hands, good pace great kick and appears to be a natural attacking footballer. Strong over the ball and hard to bring down. Does that ring a bell? Whether he ends up a forward or defender, who can tell, but he seems to have an attacking instinct. I love the look of him. Each of the picks we are looking at has a flaw. Parish is smallish and his kicking doesn't look brilliant, but he is touted as a good user. Curnow is an unknown quantity. Weideman looks good but may be a bit one dimensional (there don't seem to be any highlights package to view). Matheison's kicking is really sus. He is a definite goer but lacks polish and I think we have enough of that type. I will be rapt if we pick up Francis but I also acknowledge that he is not the tall forward foil for Hogan or a genuine mid (I could be wrong). Whether he is exactly the player we need at the moment, I don't know but I just think he looks like a super footballer and it is hard to go past that.

I suspect GC are interested in his marketing potential as a high flyer. If he was given free reign to take mark of the week every week they may think that he would generate interest.

Jeremy Howe is stuffing up our chance to get Aaron Francis. We probably need pick 3 and with Howe not wanting to go to Gold Coast we probably won't get it. I don't think Darcy Parish is the best pick for us.

Those suggesting that he is not a midfielder should have a look at the successful midfields at the moment. They all boast some large mids who didn't necessarily begin their careers in the middle. Francis appears to have great strength and power in the legs and hips and wins many one on ones with his balance and power. We are in real need of this. It's like the opposite of Watts, who has the skills with hands and feet but doesn't have the core strength to win those one on one duels. he has genuine footy smarts as well.

If you look at the history of father/son selections, it is by no means a guarantee of success. There have bee some great success stories and many flops. It would seem that the more recent sections have had a better success rate, i.e.- Watson, Liberatore, Wallis, Daniher, Waite, Viney etc. If you look back at the history there are also some monumental duds. I don't see F/S as any more clear and indicator of ability than all of the other scrutiny employed by recruiters. It is not time in our development to get sentimental over a player with a marginal skill set. I say we should leave him alone unless he truly warrants selection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_drafted_to_the_Australian_Football_League_under_the_father–son_rule