Melbourne in 2010

[Ben the Gooner]

We know they've made huge progress from 2008 to 2009, and should make huge progress again in 2010, but remember they're coming from a long way back. They were simply horrendous in 2008.

They have a very nice backline. With Frawley, Garland, Rivers, Martin et al. holding the key positions down, they look well set there. Their midfield has some good young talent, including some who are starting to get some experience (Cale Morton, for example) and some good senior players (Bruce and Green) but lacks that quality in between. Their ruck department is pretty average, but with Gawn they've gawn (geddit?) some way to fixing that long term). Their forwardline is their weakness. Whatever Watts will become, he's not ready to be a number 1 forward yet, which means that they have a forward structure built around Brad Miller, who is up there with Setanta and Kepler as hacks of the highest order. Jurrah and Watts should make a good FF/FP partnership down the track, but until they add a CHF and get a bit of experience into the three of them, they won't climb too far up the ladder.

I expect another year of solid improvement, but their forwardline doesn't give me much hope for 2010.

Prediction: 13th-16th

[Skeeta Olly]

Don't think they'll finish last, but they're a few years away from top 8. Jurrah is exciting and their back line looks quite solid. Midfield will be class but their forward line is lacking. Watts should really step it up in the next few years for them.

Lots of youth.

13th-15th.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

I don't think they'll finish last.

15th.

[yaco55]

Ben

You are brave for reviewing Melbourne in 2010 after reading so much 'hot air' from Melbourne supporters in other forums.

FWIW - My brief synopsis

Defence - surprisingly strong in key positions - Garland may become a gun, Warnock ( although older ) is solid and Rivers had an injury free 2009. Flankers are weaker and an area oc concern.

Midfield is solid but with WC in 2012/2013 could be the best midfield in the AFL.

Forward - An area of weakness - Jurrah has untapped potential but Watts is probably another 1 or 2 years from having an impact.

Finish 13th or 14th.

[stay true]

Bottom 4 looms again but they'll win 6-8 games this year I think.

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

they will be battling with richmond,freo,and kangas for the wooden spoon

[Bring-Back-Powell]

they have a forward structure built around Brad Miller, who is up there with Setanta and Kepler as hacks of the highest order.
Couldn't agree more mate. The sooner he's out of our best 22 the better.

I'm one of the few Demon fans who actually isn't over-rating our side this year. I reckon we'll finish 14th-16th (5-8 wins) as we don't have a forward line - I can't see how we'll kick 16 goals week in week out. We will have days when the kids all click and we kick a winning score.

Potential A-Grade Players (brownlow & All Australian chances) to look out for in 2010:

Davey
Sylvia
Morton
Grimes
Jurrah

and who knows how Scully and Trengove will go this year.

[Ben the Gooner]

Potential A-Grade Players (brownlow & All Australian chances) to look out for in 2010:

Davey
Sylvia
Morton
Grimes
Jurrah

and who knows how Scully and Trengove will go this year.

Interesting you put Jurrah in there. Do you think that he will find some consistency this year? If he performs week-in, week-out, he'll kick 60+, but the question is will he?

If I were Dean Bailey, I'd look at trialling either Rivers or Garland as a CHF, because you have 4 quality KPDs, and don't have a CHF.

[Bring-Back-Powell]

?

If I were Dean Bailey, I'd look at trialling either Rivers or Garland as a CHF, because you have 4 quality KPDs, and don't have a CHF.
Good idea.
I'm hoping Garland turns out to be a dangerous swing-man, like Hurley for you guys.

IIRC, he kicked 3 goals in a NAB Cup game in 2008 and dominated juniors as a full forward so can play down there.

Just hope he stays injury free from now on.

[Godzke]

BTG has summed up most of what I would've said. :thumbsu:

Also tipping a solid year of improvement but as mentioned they're coming from a long way back in the field. Young team which means they'll have a few upsets this year but also have a few shockers as inconsistency will be the main issue along with that forward line.

13th-15th for meCouldn't agree more mate. The sooner he's out of our best 22 the better.

I'm one of the few Demon fans who actually isn't over-rating our side this year. I reckon we'll finish 14th-16th (5-8 wins) as we don't have a forward line - I can't see how we'll kick 16 goals week in week out. We will have days when the kids all click and we kick a winning score.

Potential A-Grade Players (brownlow & All Australian chances) to look out for in 2010:

Davey
Sylvia
Morton
Grimes
Jurrah

and who knows how Scully and Trengove will go this year.
Potentials yes, for 2010 no. I'll give you Sylvia and Davey ... the other three might be AA players at some stage but not this year.

[Slattery_20]

I'm not sold on Jurrah just yet. Plenty of guys have 1 good season and I reserve my judgement. If he does it again, gun.
Dunno if Morton has the chops to really be anything. All of the Mortons have similar skills & decent size but none of them are really players.