AFL 2009

[Matty Norwood]

ummmm go tige's

[muzzington]

DEVELOPMENT YEAR.

[David]

I think your difference in view of Richmond and Melbourne is skewed gundog.

Whilst I have always had a soft spot for both teams, they are similar in position. Melbourne has had the luxury of better talent in their more experience players although as you said, they had to clean these out.

Draft? Well, you haven't been that different really. Richmond had two top 4 picks in 2004, 1 and 4. Brett Deledio was a clear number one pick no
matter who you ask, except the Bulldogs who would have taken Griffin even with the first pick. Huge question marks over Franklin back then, with attitude and injury. The Hawks weren't 100% sold on him at the time either but took the chance. Paying off now. I don't blame Richmond for not taking him.

Richard Tambling was very very highly regarded but seems to be a poor mans Daniel Wells - huge potential but isn't actually playing any better than when they were drafted.

Melbourne had two top 6 picks in... 2003? 3 and 6 I think. Cooney was always going to go number 1 and Andrew Walker 2.. after that there was a group of 8 bundled together. Brock McLean and Colin Sylvia looked great at the time but probably haven't fulfilled potential. Both have hot-heads which is ok to a point but if he had his head screwed on straight, McClean could be captain now. 2003 was one of the weaker drafts which was unfortunate.

Richmond and Melbourne have had similar draft picks in the last half a dozen years so I wouldn't put that as a reason for performing or lack there of.

Besides Richo, Richmond have had very few forwards in that time as well. They traded a high pick, 6 I think, for Nathan Brown but injury hasn't let him dominate as they would have liked. Riewoldt and Shultz have potential but arne't there yet.

Melbourne were luckier with Schwarz and Neitz being there for 15 years. Other mid sized players like Brice and Green have filled that forward role which is the reason Melbourne have been more successful than Richmond in the time you have mentioned.

Unfortunately, it's not a good time to be a bottom club, with the tainted drafts coming up, you'll be getting picks equivalent of finishing 10th - 13th.

BUT, both clubs have a good mix of young players who, in 3 - 5 years time should take both clubs up the ladder.


Fremantle? They believed their own hype 2 years ago when they made the finals and then were touted as a top 3 team only to finish near the bottom. Guilty of trying to buy experience they have let themselves down by undervaluing what they already had.

Trade Farmer and Bell for nothing, then pay a premium to get them back. Trade for Trent Croad, giving away a top 3 draft pick and then sell him back for a pick in double figures.

Josh Carr, a WESTERN AUSTRALIAN goes "home" only to return to South Australia. surely the culture of the club isn't one that many people want to be around. And I'm being extremely fair with that.

Even though Stephen Hill looks good - I think Freo shot themselves in the foot by not taking Rich.

It's unfortunate. They got lucky with Pavlich not being taken as a 16 year old, letting them take him with pick 3 the year after, but they have failed to build anything at all around him.

Ah I've written too much.

[David]

I forgot to mention the last two drafts...

Melbourne have a top prospect in Watts. Can't wait to see this kid grow and play.

Richmond have Cotchin. Excellent kid with a great attitude who was a certain number one pick over Kruezer had Kruezer not been so tall.

[Scotty]

Fremantle? Guilty of trying to buy experience they have let themselves down by undervaluing what they already had.

Andrew McLeod for Chris Groom. Thank-you again, Fremantle.

[BigPete33]

ummmm go tige's

I think I know why you're such a fan of the NFL now......

[gundog]

Des,

You missed the mark a bit, looking over the last 10 years of the Dee's 98 to 03 was the rollercaoster years in the 8 one year out the next, 04, 05, 06, all top 8 finishes it was also during this period they rookie listed a certain player who played in SANFL was overlooked by both the Power and Crows after a pre season was elevated to the senior list, his blistering speed suprised everyone and is now set to become a future leader of the club.

Richmond has (Not totally sure) 1 maybe twice in the last 10 years their best was 3rd with Danny Frawley as coach I think Ploughs best is 9th.

Freo what can you say basket cases maybe, they get a coach and then white ant him, Dennis Commeti commented yesterday that it maybe they aligned themselves with the wrong Fremantle.

[Bacon]

there was no surprise with Davey's pace. Nor was there will Wonamirror's! Every club has good rookie picks. cox and sandilands. Porplyzia, foley, maxwell. Can't really hang your hopes on that.

[Bacon]

and if the dees were so sure about davey, why didn't they just pick him in the real draft, at 52, instead of passing?

Truth is, there were question marks over him, and they were only willing to risk a rookie spot for him.

[David]

Des,

You missed the mark a bit, looking over the last 10 years of the Dee's 98 to 03 was the rollercaoster years in the 8 one year out the next, 04, 05, 06, all top 8 finishes it was also during this period they rookie listed a certain player who played in SANFL was overlooked by both the Power and Crows after a pre season was elevated to the senior list, his blistering speed suprised everyone and is now set to become a future leader of the club.

Richmond has (Not totally sure) 1 maybe twice in the last 10 years their best was 3rd with Danny Frawley as coach I think Ploughs best is 9th.

Freo what can you say basket cases maybe, they get a coach and then white ant him, Dennis Commeti commented yesterday that it maybe they aligned themselves with the wrong Fremantle.

Firstly, I think you missed my name, more than I missed the mark.

EVERY club has bargains from the PSD and rookie drafts. That's the nature of the business when you're trading in 17 year old raw talent, or lack there of.

Replying with a post about how good Aaron Davey is, is pretty much irrelevant to anything we are talking about.

I don't care what Melbourne did 10 years ago, nor 8 years ago. We/I am comparing clubs and where they are at now. The true measure of success is premierships and I don't think you've won one in almost 50 years.

Who has been the more successful club in the last 10 years? Melbourne. Easy question.

Who is now? Who cares - they are both extremely average.

Hang your hat on 1964, not the years of mediocrity since.