Roger Mellie

Great report, thanks Fence. Who played on the other wing? Rosman or a mix of players?

Forwards

IIRC Spargo came to the club as a midfielder (mostly). Obviously his size didn't allow for that, but it looks like this year (I've read) he'll get a little time in the middle. I'm excited for him as he has the talent and footy smarts be a very good player. Wishing him all the best to become a genuine forward / mid and to be able to silence his very loud critics. If it's in the Robbie Gray mould, then all the better.

Or MFCSS?

Thanks for the excellent report Deesp. Can you please clarify where Rivers played - with the A grade mids and forwards as mentioned above? Or, did he swap around a bit. Also, where did Neita line up? Did Bradtke play at all? Thanks

My post above was before the draft. I agree on Rosmon to the wing but he is a raw footballer who has also missed a year of footy. I'm not expecting too much from him in 2021. I have not said that Fritsch should play exclusively on the wing, but switch between forward and wing (as per the match sim last week). I can rule out Salem on the wing other than brief stints and don't consider Hunt and Baker genuine options (but good luck to them). We might see TMac there a little. I'm not convinced, but he might work for stints too. Nieta is the other possibility in my mind if his knee holds up - I see him as a KK style player, but really, no one's seen him yet. So, we'll have to disagree on that one.

Edited

I like that Fritsch and TMac alternated on the wing. I've said it before, I think Fritsch is a natural winger and ticks more boxes than most of our list for the position - particularly his ability to deliver the pill into the forward line. He has a good tank, can cover the ground, isn't slow, great field kick, excellent mark for size, can spot up a target and has great vision. If he alternates with TMac that gives us the versatility to go taller / smaller in the forward line, not sure where Jackson fits in this space as I don't know where they plan to play him predominantly. I realise Fritsch is needed in the forward line, but there are so few players that can actually play wing, it would be great to switch him up and back. I'm not so excited by TMac in that role, but you never know. The other player I think might surprise in this position is Nieta if his knee stands up to it. Down the track we've also got Bowser and Laurie to come through. None of the others really fit the bill in my mind.

If he was 12 years older, he'd be a certainty for Geelong. He's far too young for them. Welcome to the mighty Dees Lachie!

I chuckled

What a relief....my life has felt so empty... - until now! Thanks a million Luce

Agreed. To me he's a beautiful kick when under no pressure and a classic bomber when there is. Quite a nice intercept mark, but Lever has him covered there.

There was an excellent interview on SENile with Wayne Campbell in the last couple of months, where he was asked to articulate Richmond's success, starting with their first premiership. I happened to listen to it at the time and highly recommend it. It's particularly insightful as he looks at it from an ex-Richmond player perspective and as the opposition (GWS) He emphasised how it was a club wide metamorphoses and went into some detail across all facets of the club. I could see many parallels with the MFC. I wont pretend to understand our or any club's game plan, other than the nutshell analysis that chaos ball strategy worked well for us in 2018, but we've struggled to evolve from that. I'm reasonably confident that chaos ball wins finals (in the current climate), but you need to be able to switch in and out of it, which Richmond can and we can't. Yes, there are endless other variables and considerations.

To be fair, it's hard to expect the players to sign up for serious years after the last year with Covid. Good on Kossie and Rivers for doing 2 years, but I'd be happy to cut any first year player some slack, particularly those from interstate, as they have eff all idea what a year with the Dees in Melbourne is all about.

You forgot the tap down the throat from White to Yze!

I agree with the blood bath potential and I hope the bullies smash them. A pie slide down the ladder, caused by the knock on effects their fine trading efforts, would make me very happy. I also agree that GC could be much improved as should the baggers be v Richmond, but fair dinkum, the preseason games look more inviting than Round 1. If the season kicks off with Richmond drubbing the blues, then just kill me now.

I'm happy we're playing at the G, but that opening round (aside from Pies V Bullies) is an out and out snore fest. Rich v Carl - traditional opening mismatch Pies v Dogs - tick Adelaide v Geelong - 2nd v 18th last year - yawn Ess v Haw - battle of the has beens Bris v Syd - wake me up when it's over North V Port - prolong the agony GWS v Saints - might be a good contest but who cares WCE v Gold Coast - excellent reason to go out Who isn't looking for a big footy fix in Round 1 after months of nothing? Well not with this line-up.

Freo have a heap of small forwards, so I'm not surprised they told him thanks, but no thanks. It tells us he's not a walk up start and I'm happy the club will get a closer look at him. We're not risking anything with a training invitation.

West Coast player recruited as a key forward but couldn't get a gig with Kennedy and Darling there, so was reinvented as a 195cm winger given his endurance. Played a few games this year without setting the world on fire.

Nice to see Patsy again. I wonder if she still keeps a stash of joints in her hair. You never know when you might need one with the Dees

If his knee holds up, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Neita leapfrogs most on your wing list. He's missed a truckload of footy but his hard work and meticulous preparation (by all reports) should stand him in good stead. IIRC his strengths were endurance and kicking, amongst others. I know he was drafted as a half back, but I reckon he'll hammer down any door for a spot in the side with a bit of footy under the belt. I wish him every success after two recos and there aren't too many Dees I'd rather see debut than him ATM

Probably more along the lines of Brander but faster (and better I hope)

Who did Jason like if we still had our first round pick. which ended up being Pick 11 (Adelaide)? Just curious Also, how does he see recruiting next year with so much footy missed in 2020? Thanks

@waynewussell IIRC, Wayne's done a ripping job in the past but I'm not sure if they're letting anyone in ATM

No, I think it's Turkish for troll or wet blanket - cant remember which.