The season that could have been: By lezyeoh

Melbourne finished 13th this year. Definitely a fail in the opinion of a Melbourne supporter. That said one more win and they would have finished 10th. Woulda Coulda Shoulda….

A season that started with so much promise ended up with Melbourne being the Jekyll and Hyde of the competition. When Melbourne won they won convincingly. When Melbourne lost, they got thumped.

With what I would have called a dream fixture at the start of the year including 2 games against port, GC, Richmond and West Coast turned out not as great as I thought. West Coast turned into a top 4 side and the potential at Melbourne was exactly that….potential. The biggest loss of the year broke all sorts of records against Geelong. 186 points, cost Bailey his job, most likely cost Green the captaincy and wrote off the rest of the season.


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The Good
Stefan Martin - Boy was I wrong about this kid. I predicted him to be struggling to make the 22 and would probably be delisted come end of the year. He proved me wrong. Coming in at basement price he was ideal for those that got him. He improved his kicking, his marking and no doubt his ruck work. Jarmars injury mid season coupled with Spencer, Robbie Campbell both being injured proved the catalyst. Thrusting him into the role of main ruck man he stood up. He ranked 19th of all defenders and had a price rise of 202,000. Whether hes worth it next year is another question. Could be good as Im predicting MPP. Could be good back up for ruck…but is it worth him taking a spot on the team for a premium?

Jeremy Howe - Jumping Jeremy, the boy from Tassie. Mature aged recruit. Came through and clunked come good marks. Slotted some goals and just had energy. Hes quick, can lead up and has agility too. Provided great protection for those towards the end of the year as the General kicked in. Wouldnt pick him next year as his price will be too high for anything worthy. But had a good start year for SC.

Sam Blease - Didnt play enough games, but definitely showed enough. He broke the lines which catches the eyes of those champion data people. He kicks long, rebounds from 50 and gets inside 50s. Goal assists as hes got a penetrating kick and will catch defenders off guard. And he can kick a goal. Could be anything. Watch this space next year. His price might be too high however...

The Bad
Brad Green - Struggled with the captaincy this year and was well down on last years average. Even donned the green vest in one game. Had some good games where he kicked goals, but in general disposal count was down and accuracy just wasnt there. Hes passing/passed that 30 age mark I think so the decline may have already started.

Jack Grimes - Hate to say it, but its the last time Im ever going to see Grimesy in my starting team. My biggest downfall seems to fall into the trap of picking injury prone players. No longer. Has done the navicular bone and they arent easy to come back from. So Id stay clear next year as well.

Who to look out for
Not much here unfortunately.
High Low Sylvia may be a go. Hes reaching that prime age. Even though this is said every year, but Id say this year has been his most consistent. With Roo, JRoo under performing this year, Cyril, Missy being injury prone, Chappy and Stevie J may lose some of their core team through retirement, Sylvia might be an interesting pick up with a team filled with talent and should be pushing for the 8. Hope he keeps his MPP.

Jack Fitzpatrick
Made his debut late this year. Looks athletic and can clunk a mark. Have watched him a couple of times in the VFL and looks good. Needs to adjust to the speed of AFL. But once he does could be a good pick up. Depends if he gets a gig in the best 22. If he does, could be juicy.

Jack Trengove
Might be 1 season too early for him to become a prem. Another preseason under his belt and more experience, hell start putting together a few more 110 point games I would think. But with the large amount of midfielders available, not really worth it IMO.

Jack Watts
Ive pencilled him in. Break out year coming I reckon. Found his appetite for the contest and started actually trying to crash a few packs. Took some really good contested marks and can rack up possessions if he needs to swing into the back line. Reckon hell average 90+ easily next year. Would love if he was listed as fwd/def. Hed be a lock for me if he is.