2007 Shopping List

[Brock Machine]

What do we need to take another step forward in 2007?

For me, the club has to pull out the cheque book and buy the best conditioning coach we can find. Damm the expense, throw whatever it takes to get list as fit, strong and durable, Adeleaide must be the bench mark.

How many last 1/2 fade outs have we had? Twice we couldn't run over Carlton. We challanged early in the last 1/4 Adelaide at AAMI, Freo twice and West Coast at Subi but were unable to run over the top of any of them. We were also almost 6 goals up against Geelong before being run over. The only team we could run over the top of when it matters were the Saints with 17 fit men. For the past 3 seasons we have faded badly, what ever is happening is not working.

Also, how many soft tissue injuries did we have at the business end of the season? How long have players like Bell, Sylvia, McLean and Miller had OP? Forget match day tactics, no plan B or any other of that sack Daniher simplistic rubbish. This is the single issue that will make or break our 2007.

Also, does anyone else also think or lack of facilities compared to the interstate clubs is also a factor?

 

[melbournemartin]

Danners told the players to expect a pre season from hell right after the freo loss.

 

[AllStar7]

One Christopher Judd.

The end.

 

[goal sneak]

Yeah Judd will do.

 

[coasting]

Adeleaide must be the bench mark.

Why are they the bench mark? You would think with all there injuries that they haven't been doing a very good job. Over-training perhaps? Sydney have had the fewest injuries, they are the bench mark.

 

[stickman11]

Danners told the players to expect a pre season from hell right after the freo loss.

I doubt Danners could be that imaginative.

 

[Sylvia Saint]

Danners told the players to expect a pre season from hell right after the freo loss.

If so, expect us to be top of the ladder after 16 rounds only to again limp into September.

 

[Brock Machine]

Danners told the players to expect a pre season from hell right after the freo loss.

But you can't just flog the players for 3 months without some type of plan. We need the best we can get to oversee that program.

Also on the Adelaide benchmark, they are going into a home prelim after all their injuries. Their squad is super fit, enabling them to cover for injuries, someting we just can't do at the moment.

 

[puddingfactor]

With Davey playing a little more up the field this season, I think we have lacked a crumbing forward at times.

I think we also need another small accountable defender. Whelan is one of the best in the business, and Bell did an okay job the other night, but most of the others tend to be running type defenders.

But for me most of it is mental - I think we have an okay side, it is just that 1) our so called established 'stars' go missing when it counts far too often 2) end of season fade outs 3) losing games we shouldn't lose (i.e. Carlton - twice!).

Maybe it isn't a mental issue. Maybe it is a coaching issue, a fitness issue, or just players such as Yze not willing to pull their finger out when it counts, but something has to be done about it.

 

[demonfire]

get a new club psychologist. 90% of our problems are mental imo. we have the talent... a crumbing forward would be nice with davey moving up the field... maybe his brother?? and after seeing the freo game i think we just need to find a guy that has coordination and is 220cm, with the dodgy centre circle we could acustom him to the game with a single pre-season...
i reckon sandilands was never that talented... he just had coordination and he trained a lot. for a long time he would get the ball but nothing else, but he has come along very nicely. i wouldnt mind one of those.

 

[danehill123]

For mine 2007 is the make or break year for many players - and nothing short of a top four spot CAN be accepted. Melbourne has performed OK for the Daniher era - but if we do not attain top four in 2007 it must be the end of his reign. We have the list to win a premiership and have a look at the plyers coming through:

BATE - Superstar in the making, has a lovely kick and tremendous ground sense.
DUNN - Has leading ability, needs to bulk up a little, but should be amongst the 22 next year.
BARTRAM - What a first year, how often can a first year player tag a highly regarded opponent week in and week out??
McLEAN - No more needs to be said - for mine would have won the Brownlow this year if played all 22 games - will be the next Captain. Superstar.
SYLVIA - Touted as a much better player than McLEAN in juniors, this guy has seemed to improve alot in the two finals and with an injury free season would be expecting good things from Sylv's.
JONES - Great debut and played handy towrds the end of the seaosn. Another who got a taste for the action and will be alot better for it.
WARNOCK - Has played a serviceable year and looks like he will be part of a premiership winning side - tall defender who will be used next year.
C JOHNSON - Coming along great guns, turning into a serviceable defender.


Now if we throw on top of those youngsters:
BRUCE and GREEN - Right at the peak of their careers.
NEITZ - Has one or two left
JOHNSTONE - Maturing and seems to get better each year
DAVEY - Still on the improve
PICKETT - One more good season left in him.
WHITE - Awesome season, should be good for anothe rmassive effort.
JAMAR - Good season and seems to be learning how to kick goals.
ROBBO - Will be much better for having his operation.
WHELAN, RIVERS and CARROLL - Tremendous years
BELL - Really improving and should probably be in the younge brigade above.
JOHNSON AND MOLONEY - Both sorely missed this season for different reasons. Moloney is still young and should be an inegral part of our midfeied, Johnson is a goal kicking ruckman who will be integral next year.
MACCA - Nothing more needs to be said.
YZE - Showed no heart in the finals - expect him to lift for what will be his last season.

This is an absolutely awesome lineup and should net nothing less that top four next year. Throw into that one or two recruits - maybe an older player too - and we should accept nothing less than top four. For mine, anything less that top four means the end of the reverand at Demonland - and I love the reverand.

 

[Canna7]

West Coast finished 8th, 8th and 8th before taking the next step and making the 2005 Grand Final. Sydney finished 3rd and 5th before winning the Premiership in 2005. Adelaide finished 8th, 4th, 5th and 12th before finishing on top of last years ladder.

I think we are on the right track. We have made three consecutive finals and with a bit of luck, we should finish top four next year, giving us a home final and a good run towards late September.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Polak if he came cheap would work great with Rivers and Carroll.

 

[master bate]

Polak if he came cheap would work great with Rivers and Carroll.

I agree - Carroll = quick aggresive tall defender for Mathew Lloyd types, Polak = strong sturdy defender for Barry Hall types, rivers = smart defender for crappy 3rd tall who he can zone off, perfect combination

 

[AllStar7]

Polak if he came cheap would work great with Rivers and Carroll.

Isn't Polak one of those.... you know... the sort with bad pee?

If true, I'd say no thanks.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Isn't Polak one of those.... you know... the sort with bad pee?

If true, I'd say no thanks.

Yeah but I said I wanted to get him cheap. He has a ton of talent and size.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

I'd take Polak - plus don't rule out Akermanis. He said he prefers to go to the Dogs, but if they don't do a good enough deal, he is still up for grabs. Polak is one of those players who would benefit from a change of scenery. But then we have Fergie, Warnock, Bizzell, Nicho all in the 2s, although I think 1 or even 2 of those would go.

I also think Danners needs to be tougher on players - in the last few years he has been "close" to dropping Yze, but he hasn't actually done it. He should do it to send a jolt through a few players, to get them to fire up.

Who else is up for grabs in terms of a trade? No duds though, someone who can make an impact from the word go!

 

[danehill123]

I would love to see Melbourne pick up either Tarrant or Akermanis. I know the whole club has been very keen on getting Aker and have been actively pursuing him for 10-12 weeks now, and at the end of the day what Aker wants will count for zero - it is who will give Brisbane the best deal for him, and Melbourne has a few potential trades there plus we can probably afford to give up our second round draft pick this year with so many youngsters having performed this year (Bute, Dunn, Jones, Warnock, Johnson, Sylvia, McLean, Bartram and Co.)

 

[davey_magik]

I would love to see Melbourne pick up either Tarrant or Akermanis. I know the whole club has been very keen on getting Aker and have been actively pursuing him for 10-12 weeks now, and at the end of the day what Aker wants will count for zero - it is who will give Brisbane the best deal for him, and Melbourne has a few potential trades there plus we can probably afford to give up our second round draft pick this year with so many youngsters having performed this year (Bute, Dunn, Jones, Warnock, Johnson, Sylvia, McLean, Bartram and Co.)

Sorry but no way to Tarrant. Don't want players who don't have a heart and crumble under pressure.
Petrie > Polak. We should go after him as a tall defender.

 

[danehill123]

To figure in the top four - a goal we MUST achieve next year - the recruiting department needs to take risks. Tarrant is an incredibly talented footballer who has outstayed his welcome at Collingwood. How often do players given a second chance turn their behaviour around?? Fair damn bit I'd say - and unlike that feral run wild mentality that shines thorugh at COllingwood, the Demons run a tight and disciplined ship and have incredibly strong leaders (Danhier and Neitz) who would not allow Tarrant to stuff up again.

 

[CaptainDavey]

Nah Tarrant will hinder the development of Patty Newton. I've got a feeling this kid will implode next year and be our Ryan Murphy - A complete unknown that the opposition underrates and therefore, tearing it up on the field. He better have an awesome preseason, get him on a diet of steak and roast beef 24/7.

Someone please tell me he's a left footer...Please

 

[danehill123]

Lets hope he EXPLODES rather that IMPLODES which could be a little painful for the kid!! Ox was talking him up on the Run Home last night - and it all sounded quite exciting. Six foot four and apparently has been taking huge grabs this year - I have only see him play once but was impressive. Dont know which fot he prefers to kick with though.

 

[CaptainDavey]

Implode, explode, same difference, there's gonna be a big mess anyways! I think I'm really excited for next year now...Pfft, sif we need anything else. Maybe a small defender like Wheels and maybe one more speed demon in the middle but we're in great hands guys

 

[Deestroy]

With Davey playing a little more up the field this season, I think we have lacked a crumbing forward at times.

I think we also need another small accountable defender. Whelan is one of the best in the business, and Bell did an okay job the other night, but most of the others tend to be running type defenders.

Agree totally on these 2 points. Through draft or trade, probably draft, we need to find another defensive minded small defender and a crumbing forward (Alwyn Davey?).

Other than that we could still use another clearance midfielder, perhaps a classy outside runner, and of course a tall or 3 for the future.

 

[KTLK]

In order to improve for 2007, I think:

1. The club should recruit Alwyn Davey. Having him and his brother rotate between midfield and FF is a strength. The club is also lacking some speed and having Alwyn Davey will help. Imagine having him and Moloney in the team with other midfielders, looks preety good "mixture of speed & strength & hardness".

2. The club should also look at atleast 2 experience KPP's. Polak is one to consider. Others for suggestions include Dean Solomon or Daniel Bradshaw and Nick Riewoldt (if Nick is still upset and decided to leave)

3. Maybe use 1st pick to recruit Jack Riewoldt?

4. Forget about Aker. Aker is now 30 and I don't think the club will get much service from him. Instead, save the money, put the club in a healthy finance/budget position for 2007 and then have a good crack at getting Chris Judd.