Mega Thread Official 2012 Draft discussion thread: All drafts complete.

[00Stinger]

What do you mean he didn't have a great year? I thought he was brilliant, thats why I rate him so high. And then finding out that he led the TAC cup with the best kicking efficiency out of all the midfielders sold it for me. We desperately need players than can kick.

Weren't Strauss and Maric outstanding kicks as juniors?

 

[Bazz_38]

i'm really starting to like Macrae at 13. A good user of the ball with great pace that has a bit of scott pendlebury to him. I think he could compliment Viney very well. Still not really sold on Grundy at 4

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Weren't Strauss and Maric outstanding kicks as juniors?

And no wonder we don't want skinny kids - look at these names over the last 4-5 years:

Morton, Strauss, Maric, Gysberts, Scully, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Watts, Bennell...

We've had enough of those over the journey. Is it any wonder, ThePuppetMaster, that we wouldn't want to give up a high pick for a skinny kid we will get in 2014? I'm sure you've seen far more of these kids than I have as who wouldn't want to spend their Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching young footy players you don't know, but as far as I'm concerned these skinny, outside types can go jump. I'll back Neeld all the way but I'm hoping he steers well clear.

 

[Bazz_38]

And no wonder we don't want skinny kids - look at these names over the last 4-5 years:

Morton, Strauss, Maric, Gysberts, Scully, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Watts, Bennell...

We've had enough of those over the journey. Is it any wonder, ThePuppetMaster, that we wouldn't want to give up a high pick for a skinny kid we will get in 2014? I'm sure you've seen far more of these kids than I have as who wouldn't want to spend their Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching young footy players you don't know, but as far as I'm concerned these skinny, outside types can go jump. I'll back Neeld all the way but I'm hoping he steers well clear.

You can't just use skinny kids as an example of why they've failed to produce. Gaff is a skinny uncontested kid and he's killing it in WC. Alot of it is about actually developing the players. In my opinion the draft is about the talent that each kid shows and its then the team that drafts them has responsibilty of developing them into an AFL player. Alot of its about the development. I have no doubt in my mind if we picked up Nic Nat instead of Watts that Watts would be dominating in WC and Nic Nat would take a few nice speccys for us but wouldn't be doing what he's doing at WC right now... my opinion anyway

 

[CowboyFromHell]

You can't just use skinny kids as an example of why they've failed to produce. Gaff is a skinny uncontested kid and he's killing it in WC. Alot of it is about actually developing the players. In my opinion the draft is about the talent that each kid shows and its then the team that drafts them has responsibilty of developing them into an AFL player. Alot of its about the development. I have no doubt in my mind if we picked up Nic Nat instead of Watts that Watts would be dominating in WC and Nic Nat would take a few nice speccys for us but wouldn't be doing what he's doing at WC right now... my opinion anyway

I stopped reading after the bolded bit. While I'm sure you enjoyed getting on your high horse I was merely making the point that Melbourne fans are put off by the skinny kids as the ones I listed above haven't exactly been a huge success. That could be down to anything, but that wasn't the point I was trying to make. I don't want them, and to an extent many others don't want them either, as we have a bad history when selecting them. THAT is the truth.

 

[Praetorian]

You can't just use skinny kids as an example of why they've failed to produce. Gaff is a skinny uncontested kid and he's killing it in WC. Alot of it is about actually developing the players. In my opinion the draft is about the talent that each kid shows and its then the team that drafts them has responsibilty of developing them into an AFL player. Alot of its about the development. I have no doubt in my mind if we picked up Nic Nat instead of Watts that Watts would be dominating in WC and Nic Nat would take a few nice speccys for us but wouldn't be doing what he's doing at WC right now... my opinion anyway

nic nat probably would have headed back home to WA by now. He's a bit overrated at the eagles now, too flashy, did nothing in finals. Agreed on the development aspect though, having to develop into an afl player in the Melbourne team over the last 5 years would be bloody difficult.

 

[Tulip]

This isn't about a Premiership like the rebuild previous, it's about building a finals standard list and filling in the gaps later like North are doing. Viney, Wines and Stringer all sound far more attractive as ready to go prospects than skinny kids like O'Rourk or 17 year olds like Hogan or Martin. I want players to come in and play immediately, get us off the bottom and build a very good foundation for us to then start trading in outside skinny types. It's a long process, and it starts with playing finals footy. Viney at 26 would be great, but we'll wait and see.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

He's a bit overrated at the eagles now

Masterful use of understatement mate.

Kinda like saying Sheedy's a little bitter in his old age... Abbott's economical with the truth sometimes... Gina Rinehart has a slight weight problem

 

[Eth]

And no wonder we don't want skinny kids - look at these names over the last 4-5 years:

Morton, Strauss, Maric, Gysberts, Scully, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Watts, Bennell...

We've had enough of those over the journey. Is it any wonder, ThePuppetMaster, that we wouldn't want to give up a high pick for a skinny kid we will get in 2014? I'm sure you've seen far more of these kids than I have as who wouldn't want to spend their Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching young footy players you don't know, but as far as I'm concerned these skinny, outside types can go jump. I'll back Neeld all the way but I'm hoping he steers well clear.

Understand your point, but from that list I'd only chuck Morton, Gysberts, Gawn, Fitzpatrick and Watts in and consider them skinny types, and then from that, Gawn and Fitzpatrick are tall rucks who have no right to burst onto the scene and Watts is doing fine.

I think we can blame the rest on development.

Take someone like Macrae, who's 188 cm and 75 kg. I trust Neeld with him, despite the fact that he's the same draft weight as Morton was (he was 192 and 75) because Macrae has a very good attack on and hunger for the footy, and developing a contested ability into him is something that Neeld shouldn't struggle with.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Understand your point, but from that list I'd only chuck Morton, Gysberts, Gawn, Fitzpatrick and Watts in and consider them skinny types, and then from that, Gawn and Fitzpatrick are tall rucks who have no right to burst onto the scene and Watts is doing fine.

I think we can blame the rest on development.

Take someone like Macrae, who's 188 cm and 75 kg. I trust Neeld with him, despite the fact that he's the same draft weight as Morton was (he was 192 and 75) because Macrae has a very good attack on and hunger for the footy, and developing a contested ability into him is something that Neeld shouldn't struggle with.

I'll take it that you over looked him but you couldn't possibly not have Bennell in that skinny group. Gawn and Fitzy have no right to burst on to the scene, true, but they are still skinny types. That was my point.

Development plays a large role, no doubt about it and I wouldn't argue that point. I'm merely pointing out why many fans around here would be sceptical about selecting a young, skinnier type player when our history with those players is not flash. I would feel much more at ease selecting a stronger, more ready made type player than a young kid who needs to put some muscle on. I also agree that I trust Neeld much more with these kids, but it doesn't necessarily make me feel any better.

 

[Eth]

I'll take it that you over looked him but you couldn't possibly not have Bennell in that skinny group. Gawn and Fitzy have no right to burst on to the scene, true, but they are still skinny types. That was my point.

Development plays a large role, no doubt about it and I wouldn't argue that point. I'm merely pointing out why many fans around here would be sceptical about selecting a young, skinnier type player when our history with those players is not flash. I would feel much more at ease selecting a stronger, more ready made type player than a young kid who needs to put some muscle on. I also agree that I trust Neeld much more with these kids, but it doesn't necessarily make me feel any better.

Bennell's weight doesn't bother me too much, he's never going to be a tough small defender/forward - he's roughly the same size as Lewis Jetta. But yeah, definitely see your point.

Development, of course, is key; I don't doubt Neeld in being able to instil a hard, contested attitude into whoever we draft, whatever size they are.

 

[lanky_wes]

Bennell's weight doesn't bother me too much, he's never going to be a tough small defender/forward - he's roughly the same size as Lewis Jetta. But yeah, definitely see your point.

Development, of course, is key; I don't doubt Neeld in being able to instil a hard, contested attitude into whoever we draft, whatever size they are.

Remembering we also have Dave misson now, who will also help to better build and develop our players

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

And no wonder we don't want skinny kids - look at these names over the last 4-5 years:

Morton, Strauss, Maric, Gysberts, Scully, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Watts, Bennell...

We've had enough of those over the journey. Is it any wonder, ThePuppetMaster, that we wouldn't want to give up a high pick for a skinny kid we will get in 2014? I'm sure you've seen far more of these kids than I have as who wouldn't want to spend their Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching young footy players you don't know, but as far as I'm concerned these skinny, outside types can go jump. I'll back Neeld all the way but I'm hoping he steers well clear.

I wouldn't want Martin with our mini draft pick - I've stated that before.

It's not the body size/type that concerns me; it's the attitude of the player.

If they're a soft player, steer clear - if they're skinny but go hard at the ball... I see absolutely no reason not to take them.

 

[PureFooty]

Wouldn't be suprised if our best recruit is from the rookie lol

 

[Blackas87]

Weren't Strauss and Maric outstanding kicks as juniors?

So should we draft player that can't kick then? There is alot more to O'Rouke than just his kicking, he is a freak. And what is wrong with Strauss? I think he is a good solid young player that is going to be in our best 22 for years to come.

And no wonder we don't want skinny kids - look at these names over the last 4-5 years:

Morton, Strauss, Maric, Gysberts, Scully, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Watts, Bennell...

We've had enough of those over the journey. Is it any wonder, ThePuppetMaster, that we wouldn't want to give up a high pick for a skinny kid we will get in 2014? I'm sure you've seen far more of these kids than I have as who wouldn't want to spend their Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching young footy players you don't know, but as far as I'm concerned these skinny, outside types can go jump. I'll back Neeld all the way but I'm hoping he steers well clear.

80% of the draft is made up of skinny kids, although Jack Martin is on the ridiculous end of being skinny.

 

[Demon 16]

I just had a look over on the West coast Board mock draft, we landed all three of them, but we didn't take Viney

I would take that if we had the option.

 

[tasmanlvr]

Brendan Lee from the Bombers, delisted today. Thought he was a bit stiff as he was alright in the games he played for Essendon this year. Midfielder, can get the footy.

Yay or nay to rookie/pre season pick up?

 

[Eth]

Brendan Lee from the Bombers, delisted today. Thought he was a bit stiff as he was alright in the games he played for Essendon this year. Midfielder, can get the footy.

Yay or nay to rookie/pre season pick up?

Yay. Vey harsh delistment.

Have a feeling he may head back to WA, though...

 

[Praetorian]

I would take that if we had the option.

disagree. I hate to put too much pressure on Viney but he's more than a player to the MFC, not drafting him would be one of the biggest drafting blunders of the year IMO. He's a culture changer and he's more valuable to the club than anyone else in the draft

 

[tasmanlvr]

Have a feeling he may head back to WA, though...

I'm struggling to see Freo or West Coast pick him up. I think we should seriously have a look at him.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Brendan Lee from the Bombers, delisted today. Thought he was a bit stiff as he was alright in the games he played for Essendon this year. Midfielder, can get the footy.

Yay or nay to rookie/pre season pick up?

Not with Magner and Couch already on our r/l.

 

[pjfairbairn]

Not with Magner and Couch already on our r/l.

Couch has to go... There is no shame in beign a gun at VFL level ala Valenti

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I'm not sure there's much difference between Lee and Couch is all.

 

[milkVealer]

i was talking to a senior player from echuca yesterday and he informed that not only is ollie wines a melbourne supporter he is also hoping to be drafted by the demons

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

i was talking to a senior player from echuca yesterday and he informed that not only is ollie wines a melbourne supporter he is also hoping to be drafted by the demons

This instantly moves him up our draft rankings in my book - as well as the fact he grew up with Viney.

He's already close to a top 5 prospect as it is.

Nothing like getting players in who genuinely love the club.