Countdown to Round 1

[2 Dogs]

21 days to go.

This thread will countdown a player per day, starting with certain starters for round 1, and ending with the fringe players and who should be in the side. Discussions on where these guys are at, what we should expect from them this year, and what they need to improve on are all welcome on this discussion.

Player 1.
Jared Rivers

Details
Number 27
Height 192cm
Weight 92kg
DOB 18-10-1984
Debut: Rd 19 - 2003
Games Goals
2009: 20 2009: 0
Career: 90 Career: 4
Nickname: JR

Finally back on track after a horrific run over injuries over his career. A solid preseason, his first in a number of years if I remember correctly, should see him hopefully get back to his Rising Star form.

Works best I believe as a floating defender/third man up. Has excellent awareness, knows when to leave his opponent to help out his team mates. Named in the leadership group for 2010, he will act as somewhat of a general in defence for the coming year.

Question marks over his body will be asked of him, and will continue for the rest of his career I assume. But JR is as fearless as they come, and it's hard to find a MFC supporter out there who doesn't love the way this guy goes about his business.

 

[master bate]

I'd like to see him play tighter in some games. I think his best use is across half back where he takes a player and then zones off due to his reading off the play, rather than as a purely floating player. He certainly has the ability to defend tightly on CHF's rather than always taking a weaker third tall.

I'm looking for him to assert himself as a quality senior player and a leader, not just a guy who gets a game every week because he does enough. I hate to compare to Collingwood but the way Nick Maxwell plays at his best is what I expect from Rivers.

Better ball movement forward and more pressure on the opporsition through the middle will definitely help bring out the best in Rivers.

 

[ExTasDeeMan]

Great player for us - when his body is right. Needs to be able to make quick decisions at CHB to push the ball to the runners. As our forward line is bust, he might have to be able to run the ball ala Geelong to middies who can kick goals.

Ideally though - love his defence though, when he floats back into a contest and porks it for the forwards - it's a thing of beauty.

 

[FOOOOTY]

belt nicnat riv!

 

[Andy_Mac]

Have a look at the quads and arms on NicNat. Is there any wonder he has come out swing this year.

If JW had a rig like that I would lay money on him winning the coleman.

BOHEMTH

 

[2 Dogs]

Player 2
Jack Grimes

Number 16
Height 187cm
Weight 81kg
DOB 11-05-1989
Debut Rd 22 - 2008
Games Goals
2009 11 2009 2
Career 12 Career 2

It is hard to find a single demon supporter who isn't excited about ol' Grimey. After playing round 22 in his first season to get an understanding of the pace of top level football, Grimes had somewhat of a miniature break out year in 2009. Playing predominantly across half back, his strong overhead marking and efficiency by foot soon became a trademark of his game.

Captained Vic Metro, a side that consisted of Matthew Kruezer and Trent Cotchin, Grimes was touted as a top 10, perhaps even top 5 draft pick. A back injury meant that he dropped to pick 14, which Melbourne acquired after moving Travis Johnstone on to the highest bidder, Brisbane.

A move into the midfield is a foregone conclusion, and there is no telling exactly how good Grimes can be. A future leader of the club, has the potential to be one of the top players in the league.

 

[TelkoTheGreat]

good write ups 2 dogs

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

I wouldn't say Grimes is a superstar but he has to be if we are going to improve. No excuses for Rivers this year considering he is injury free, I want him back to the Rivers of old and I thought he was disappointing last year.

 

[Spirit of 39]

I know it was only a scratch match last week against the Bombers, but Jack's impact when on the ground last week was massive. When he was on, especially in the 2nd and
3rd quarters, we won the footy and looked some sort of chance. When he was rotated off, we lost all momentum.

You will find that most games we win this year will be because Jack has had a big influence. And I don't think that is overstating how important he is to us.

 

[BETON5]

I know it was only a scratch match last week against the Bombers, but Jack's impact when on the ground last week was massive. When he was on, especially in the 2nd and
3rd quarters, we won the footy and looked some sort of chance. When he was rotated off, we lost all momentum.

You will find that most games we win this year will be because Jack has had a big influence. And I don't think that is overstating how important he is to us.

Very 2 important players for us who i think will have a big say in our challenge for a flag in 3 years.

 

[2 Dogs]

Player 3
Colin Sylvia

Details
Number 12
Height 186cm
Weight 85kg
DOB 08-11-1985
Debut Rd 9 - 2004
Games Goals
2009 17 2009 17
Career 87 Career 64

The player most likely to be the MFC brownlow medalist as voted by demons supporters is....Colin Sylvia!!!!!!

Talk about your all time transitions.Sylvia went from being touted as trade bait, maligned for his inconsistent performances, frustrating fans who all knew that this kid has the potential to be elite, to now being touted as being equal to and above the best mids in the game (*Extreme overexaggeration, stated during a night of solid drinking whilst discussing the future of the MFC)

While he isn't quite amongst the top players yet, 2009 saw Sylvia turn in his most consistent and best season to date. Apparently over the OP problems he encountered earlier in his career, as well as realising that you won't succeed at AFL level by doing the bare minimum, Sylvia has turned a new leaf, which comes as a massive relief to the rest of us.

The true test will be to see if he can continue to build on his 09 form and become a player opposition coaches fear. I feel as the list around him develops and improves, so too will Sylvia thrive. As long as he is focused and wants to get the best out of himself, I feel we are in for an exciting few years of Colin Sylvia.

 

[FOOOOTY]

looking forward to more goals just lazily slotted from 60m out from col this year

 

[Demon 16]

Sylvia is possibly the most important.

We know there is a big margin between his worst and his best, but if he can stick to his best he is every chance of becoming elite.

 

[steve69er]

Is it true that buddy is out round 1?

 

[Gazza_11]

I don't know, but Jamar might actually win in the ruck!

 

[FOOOOTY]

Is it true that buddy is out round 1?

Buddy & Bateman are both carrying suspensions through, and will be unavailable for selection.

On top of that the Hawks have injury concerns with Burgoyne and Rioli, we could be catching them at a good time.

If Col rips out a repeat of last years performance against the Hawks i rekon an upset is on the cards

 

[omit]

Sewell is out as well

 

[maric_19]

Hey guys, here is a post from someone on the Hawthorn board. It is his round 1 team...thought it gives a good insight into what matchups might look like.

After yesterdays game we are in a little more trouble in the early few games. Here is the side i see us putting out there, hopefully it is enough given the Demons have their fair share too. Geelong Rd 2 is when we are in trouble

Team
Guerra------Gilham----- Brown
Birchall-----Gibson------Ladson
Ellis------Mitchell-------Muston
Osbourne----Roughhead-------Rioli
Hooper------Dowler------Moss
Renouf------Hodge--------Shiels

Lisle, Schonmakers, JKT, Morton

Suckling, Stratton, Murphy

Backline pretty much intact, Rucks - Renouf/Roughie/Lisle, struggling through the midfield, need a big one from Dowler up forward

Question Marks due to niggles and poor preseason matches
Osbourne
Dowler
Rioli
Ladson
Ellis

Missing
Burgoyne (Round 2)
Lewis (Unknown)
Sewell (Unknown)
Taylor (Unknown)
Young (Round 3)
Bateman (Round 2)
Franklin (Round 2)

 

[rhaz]

No Taylor or Sewell i guess it is in bad taste to be excited at other teams misfortunes, but ill take anything to potentially get us some wins on the board.

the news reports the next day would be very interesting if we manage to get over the line!

 

[proka123]

No Taylor or Sewell i guess it is in bad taste to be excited at other teams misfortunes, but ill take anything to potentially get us some wins on the board.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[master bate]

My view - we're getting cocky and will lose! They will still move the ball too well for us.

 

[2 Dogs]

Player 4
Aaron Davey

Number 36
Height 177cm
Weight 74kg
DOB 10-06-1983
Debut Rd 1 - 2004
Games Goals
2009 22 2009 9
Career 119 Career 139

2009 Best & Fairest winner, Aaron Davey has become arguably the best player in the team. His sharp disposal by foot was unrivaled in a team which by all accounts, had an overall efficiency that was not u to AFL standards. Put simply the team turned the ball over too often. Davey was an exception. He took an enormous step forward in his career in 2009, playing further up the ground than he ever had before, and the forwards were happy to be on the receiving end of one of his bullets.

He tapered off as the year progressed as other teams ook notice of how damaging he had become. But a few flat games here and there did not take away from the fact that Davey had turned into an accomplished midfielder. Dean Bailey has stated that he would love to have 2 Aaron Daveys in the side when asked if he is better suited to the forward line, and I agree, having 2 Aaron Daveys would be fantastic.

2010 will be interesting to see where he plays. Personally I would love to see him play a high half forward role with stints in the midfield, but he may be needed as a sweeping half back

2009 also saw the emergence of Davey as a leader and strong candidate to take over the captaincy from James McDonald. His mentoring role to the young indigenous players, in particular Liam Jurrah, has been excellent, and I foresee no reason why he cannot become the first indigenous captain of the oldest football club in the world.

 

[2 Dogs]

Player 5
Brad Miller

Number 7
Height 194cm
Weight 94kg
DOB 06-07-1983
Debut Rd 7 - 2002
Games Goals
2009 17 2009 19
Career 127 Career 79

Well where do you start with Brad Miller. He has arguably the hottest missus in the league. Good for him I say. He was once touted as a future captain of the club. Called a Garry Lyon lookalike by James Brayshaw (Personally I don't see it) It's best the Lyon comparisons stop there me thinks.

The topic of much discussion in terms over his worth at the club, haters be damned because the guy is all we have in terms of anything resembling a key forward. He will play most games, he will play a number of games which will result in disillusioned supporters shaking their heads in disbelief as to why this guy continually gets a game. Then one day he will kick 5 goals and win a game of his own back and we will all cheer his name.

There was talk when Bailey first arrived that Sydney were interested in trading for him. Cue the fire sale from supporters willing to take pick 76 and a packet of smiths. But Bailey had other ideas and like it or not he is here to stay. And it is a relief because as dire as our forward structure is now, take out Miller and it gets even worse.

Had a lot of potential when he an aggro centre half forward, belting blokes left right and centre. Got rubbed out, sent to anger management and has never been the same since. People say it was Daniher playing him everywhere that forced his fall from potential grace, but I believe it was the club curbing his aggression that spelt his doom. Sure moving him all over he field didn't help, but there are other factors, including the cold hard truth that he really isn't an elite key forward.

What is though is a work horse. He presents again and again and from the only option we have that is all you could really ask for. The delivery he has had to deal with doesn't help, but he is a senior player at the club, and will be needed to help Watts and co. get settled into our future attack.

 

[Flyswatter]

The aggro days, I remember those, thought we had a real star on our hands then, loved the way he played, just needed to learn not to give away all those free kicks. What happened to that guy anyway? Great build, good at leading into space, strong grab (except when the ball bounces off his chest or head), IF ONLY he could kick reliably. And terrible awareness, got caught holding the ball that many times in the failed experiment to turn him into a defender (to be fair, not his idea I'm sure). Hope he can improve still, if so, wouldn't mind seeing him get to 200 games at the club.

 

[goDees22]

Agreed with the aggression thing, he seemed to lose the plot after getting suspended so often. Having seen the Freo NAB game i have the feeling bailey will use him in the lead up CHF role this year and I think he will surprise quite a few people this year (cue jokes) and be serviceable cos he really is quite good in that role, might be frustrating to some that he always handballs but every time he does its a free inside 50 for us. Hopefully he brings the aggression back and can take 7-8 marks a game.

Also his kicking has always been a mystery, he usually seems to have a great spin on his drop punt, not a lot of distance but i'm not sure why he isn't more accurate. Kicked 19.21 last year but 26.9 the year before so hopefully he can get back to that accuracy with hopefully a few more opportunities