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Melbourne’s draft selections (as summed up by "the Burgatron") – Go Dees! Stoked to get Bate at 13, and Dunn looks a good prospect. Some raw talent in Newton. Very happy at this stage.
13 - MELBOURNE - Matthew Bate
(Eastern Ranges), 24 May 1987, 191cm, 90kg
When Bate entered 2004 with the knowledge that he would be nominating for this year's Draft, it was only when the draft age was changed in March that it seemed he would be spending another year in the TAC Cup. But in September, several players that were affected by the change, including Bate, received permission by the AFL to nominate for this year's meeting. It brought the talented forward/defender right back into contention. He also enhanced his reputation by winning the 2004 Morrish Medal for the best player in the TAC Cup and now seems certain to be a first-round selection. A member of the TAC Cup team of the year, Bate is a penetrating left-foot kick, with good pace and agility. His agility skills were on show at the 2004 Draft Camp when he recorded a time of 8.37 seconds and reached level 14.1 in the gruelling beep test. Although he is a genuine possibility for Adelaide at number eight, Bate looks set to be Collingwood's first selection, particularly if Russell is taken by Carlton with the previous pick. But if Russell is overlooked by the Blues, the Magpies are likely to swoop, which will put Bate in the picture for Port Adelaide, Richmond and Melbourne at 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Meyer is also another hot tip to be chosen with the Pies first choice.
15 - MELBOURNE - Lynden Dunn
(Calder Cannons), 14 May 1987, 192cm, 90kg
A tall forward/defender, Dunn lifted his rating even further during the TAC Cup finals when he played an important role in the victorious Calder Cannons campaign. And just days after playing in that premiership, Dunn ran a terrific beep test at the 2004 Draft Camp, when he reached level 14.6. It was the best performance from a player of his size at the camp, while he finished fourth overall with only three midfielders ahead of him. It will be another interesting selection for the Demons, considering it is their second of just three selections this year. The Demons are likely to opt for a tall at pick 13 or 15 and Dunn will be right in their thinking. The dilemma for Melbourne is that he is unlikely to last until selection 43, which is the club's final pick in this year's Draft. The Demons rate him highly and may take him at 15, as Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Geelong are believed to be closely monitoring his whereabouts. It could turn out that one of Egan or Thomson and one of Gibson or Dunn are taken with the Demons picks at 13 and 15.
43 - MELBOURNE - Michael Newton
(Murray Bushrangers), 27 April 1987, 193cm, 88kg
(From Footydraft) Strengths: Newton is a very young (eligible for the draft by 4 days) key position player who has shown enough raw talent to suggest he should be picked up this year. He has a huge leap on him and is capable of the spectacular mark.
Newton can play either end of the ground, and his reading of the play is a real asset in defence. Can take good pack marks and positions himself well. Is a genuine goal kicker up forward as well.
Weaknesses: Has suffered few injuries this year so was unable to play for Vic Country. I have a slight query over his pace and ability below knee level at this stage. Still not proven at the top level.
Footydraft.com comment: Personally I'd like to have even higher, based on some of the performances I've seen, but missing the carnival might see him slip a little. Has plenty of natural talent and is very young.
13 - MELBOURNE - Matthew Bate
(Eastern Ranges), 24 May 1987, 191cm, 90kg
When Bate entered 2004 with the knowledge that he would be nominating for this year's Draft, it was only when the draft age was changed in March that it seemed he would be spending another year in the TAC Cup. But in September, several players that were affected by the change, including Bate, received permission by the AFL to nominate for this year's meeting. It brought the talented forward/defender right back into contention. He also enhanced his reputation by winning the 2004 Morrish Medal for the best player in the TAC Cup and now seems certain to be a first-round selection. A member of the TAC Cup team of the year, Bate is a penetrating left-foot kick, with good pace and agility. His agility skills were on show at the 2004 Draft Camp when he recorded a time of 8.37 seconds and reached level 14.1 in the gruelling beep test. Although he is a genuine possibility for Adelaide at number eight, Bate looks set to be Collingwood's first selection, particularly if Russell is taken by Carlton with the previous pick. But if Russell is overlooked by the Blues, the Magpies are likely to swoop, which will put Bate in the picture for Port Adelaide, Richmond and Melbourne at 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Meyer is also another hot tip to be chosen with the Pies first choice.
15 - MELBOURNE - Lynden Dunn
(Calder Cannons), 14 May 1987, 192cm, 90kg
A tall forward/defender, Dunn lifted his rating even further during the TAC Cup finals when he played an important role in the victorious Calder Cannons campaign. And just days after playing in that premiership, Dunn ran a terrific beep test at the 2004 Draft Camp, when he reached level 14.6. It was the best performance from a player of his size at the camp, while he finished fourth overall with only three midfielders ahead of him. It will be another interesting selection for the Demons, considering it is their second of just three selections this year. The Demons are likely to opt for a tall at pick 13 or 15 and Dunn will be right in their thinking. The dilemma for Melbourne is that he is unlikely to last until selection 43, which is the club's final pick in this year's Draft. The Demons rate him highly and may take him at 15, as Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Geelong are believed to be closely monitoring his whereabouts. It could turn out that one of Egan or Thomson and one of Gibson or Dunn are taken with the Demons picks at 13 and 15.
43 - MELBOURNE - Michael Newton
(Murray Bushrangers), 27 April 1987, 193cm, 88kg
(From Footydraft) Strengths: Newton is a very young (eligible for the draft by 4 days) key position player who has shown enough raw talent to suggest he should be picked up this year. He has a huge leap on him and is capable of the spectacular mark.
Newton can play either end of the ground, and his reading of the play is a real asset in defence. Can take good pack marks and positions himself well. Is a genuine goal kicker up forward as well.
Weaknesses: Has suffered few injuries this year so was unable to play for Vic Country. I have a slight query over his pace and ability below knee level at this stage. Still not proven at the top level.
Footydraft.com comment: Personally I'd like to have even higher, based on some of the performances I've seen, but missing the carnival might see him slip a little. Has plenty of natural talent and is very young.
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