The Official Melbourne Team Board

[loopy_cam]

Mature Selections Dominate Melbourne's Draft
Sunday 15th December, 2013

Melbourne coach loopy_cam has gone all out to try and add more depth to his squad in the draft period which concluded today. Of the seven selections Melbourne had, all were used on players that were at least 20 years old and have shown form at lower levels or at other AFL TM clubs. These players will all be looking to push for first 18 spots in 2014 as Melbourne attempt to win their first premiership since 2008.

National Draft
Pick 51. Sam Lloyd - Medium Forward
Pick 54. Zachary O'Brien - Midfielder
Pick 56. Sam Gray - Midfielder
Pick 71. Fraser Thurlow - Ruckman/Forward
Pick 79. Lauchlan Dalgleish - Medium Defender/Midfielder
Pre-Season Draft
Pick 10. Jason Porplyzia - Small Forward
Pick 25. Heath Scotland - Medium Defender

 

[loopy_cam]

Another Off-Season Complete
Monday 22nd December, 2014

Another off-season period, loopy_cam's 7th as coach of Melbourne, has passed with the club once again bullish that they can take the final step in improving from a very good side to a premiership one. It seems Melbourne are cursed with several years of making the top three or four spots on the ladder ending in disappointment for the side. Loopy hopes that this year will finally bring that elusive premiership to the side after a strong off-season.

Trade Period
Out: Melksham, S. Lloyd, M. Johnson, Waite, Bird, Graham, Moore, Duffield, Simpkin (Traded), Scotland (Retired), Barry, Kommer, Fitzpatrick, Porplyzia, Mellington (Delisted).
In: Greenwood, Garland, Simpson, Gwilt, Matera, Giles, D. Shiel, Terlich, K. Cornes, J. Merrett, Young

"Our biggest disappointment from the period was losing M. Johnson. He is an elite key defender but we got a deal that was too good to refuse for him. We're hoping Lachie Hansen can step up and fill the void of his leaving with some strong performances next year. Once again we looked to 'top-up' with mature players in order to get the added boost we need to go all the way. K. Cornes, Young and K. Simpson should add immediate impact into the side and the re-signing of Chapman helps this too. We also added some younger, more long term recruits with Dylan Shiel and Levi Greenwood. We were really happy with these guys as they provide for the present as well as the future."

Draft
Picks: Patrick McKenna, Nathan Krakouer, Nick Kommer

"For the first time ever we didn't use and PSD picks. We felt we had a really strong list and couldn't delist any more players to fit someone in. This also led to the delisting and re-drafting of Nick Kommer. We feel he has a lot to give next year and we were glad he was still available with our third pick. Krakouer was our other mature recruit and, although a little speculative, we are hoping he can crack the best 18 in 2015. Patty McKenna was more of a long term pick. He'll take a little time but we feel there's something to work with."