On Melbourne's Depth

[Dory_77]

I think it's hard to say our depth has improved when we haven't seen any of them perform at AFL level. I, like all of you I assume, am hopeful that the players we've picked up will be able to slot in and perform, but I'm not sold just yet that our depth is that good. It needs to be tested first, and while I hope it doesn't come to that, unless it does there isn't really much that can be said about how strong it is.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Gave the thread a tweet Striker475 for your hard work, good threads should be & will be rewarded for effort.

 

[LeverPuller]

Gave the thread a tweet Striker475 for your hard work, good threads should be & will be rewarded for effort.

Lege CA.

On Jetta, I just find it hard to value a Fitz or a Bail or a Terlich and bag him at the same time; can't really have it both ways. Last year was the year for Jetta but he got hurt; as such, this year is his chance. If he doesn't take it by the claws he's gone, pure and simple. If he gets badly hurt again I just don't know - does he survive based on Lewis, or does he go cos of Leroy?

 

[Meds]

Lege CA.

On Jetta, I just find it hard to value a Fitz or a Bail or a Terlich and bag him at the same time; can't really have it both ways. Last year was the year for Jetta but he got hurt; as such, this year is his chance. If he doesn't take it by the claws he's gone, pure and simple. If he gets badly hurt again I just don't know - does he survive based on Lewis, or does he go cos of Leroy?

Simple solution, don't value a Fitz or a Bail or a Terlich until they prove themselves at senior level.

There must be a clear delineation between valuable prospects and valuable players. Fitz, Gawn, Toumpas, Viney et al are all valuable prospects but until they've played 40 games with some degree of consistency I won't be including them in my "20xx MFC premiership side".

I love the optimism and faith we have in a lot of our young players, but a solid dose of reality would never go astray.

 

[LeverPuller]

Simple solution, don't value a Fitz or a Bail or a Terlich until they prove themselves at senior level.

It's a really good point. It's just hard; Terlich is being talked about as a starter as of Round 1, Bail has had a couple of good games and Fitz had a great VFL year. But Jetta has played 30 games, more than the other three that I list combined, and yet he's trashed on here. That's why I find it problematic.

 

[Tulip]

It's a really good point. It's just hard; Terlich is being talked about as a starter as of Round 1, Bail has had a couple of good games and Fitz had a great VFL year. But Jetta has played 30 games, more than the other three that I list combined, and yet he's trashed on here. That's why I find it problematic.

You sound like Cam Schwab on WW when he spoke about injecting games into players. Jetta has played 40 games, very few of which have been quality. Bail is another whose played a fair bit and has a spot but needs to lift. Terlich has had a good PS but it's too early to comment, and Fitzpatrick has supporters like myself because he's an unknown quantity with serious ability. I want him in the team as 21st man, not as an important player.

 

[BiggerPotential]

Agree with CJ about our small defenders, despite his pace Nicholson can't kick the ball.

I really like Nicholson in our side. I think he is almost an 'X-Factor' type player, which is rare for a back-line player. He takes the game on, breaks lines and has the ability to take on those quick and sneaky small forwards who have a habit of getting the better of Melbourne (Brad Dick in Queen's Birthday games).

I agree that his kicking is poor, but hopefully he can work on that and use that pace and endurance to good use.

Maybe even trial him as a sub with that pace and put him on the wing, booting it long into the forward. Doesn't have to be precise with his kicking; just giving the big guys up forward a crack.

 

[Dee Believer]

Really interesting thread, thanks for posting this Striker.

One of the biggest things which strikes me about our side is our reliance on several "potential" players when talking about making the finals and being a premiership contender. Sylvia, Watts, Strauss are three names which immediately spring to mind.

Col has bucketloads of talent but has never really a dominant year which we have all hoped he would have. I've lost count of the amount of times I've watched Col play and do something brilliant and ask myself "why can't he do that every week?" Then he goes missing for a quarter or half of footy...

Jack Watts is a still young but again still seems as though he will be a "link in the chain" rather than a guy who really dominates a game through a huge amount of possessions or his marking / goal kicking / key defensive abilities. Strauss is also young and coming off an injury interrupted start to his career. I also agree with the comments made here that if he has been picked on form then it says an amazing amount about our lack of depth in the small defenders area.

I don't want to turn this thread into a "where are we in comparison to every club?" thread but I think the difference between our side and Richmond (only as an example) is that guys like Cotchin, Deledio and Riewoldt have taken that next step from blokes with talent to being seriously good, consistent footballers.

I see Syliva, Watts (and to a lesser degree) Strauss as the barometer for the development of our footy club in coming years. If they take the next step, our club will move from strugglers to final 8 contenders and beyond.