Melbourne founded on talent first then system; Richmond was the reverse (Age)

[one-eyed]

And the Demons are right to be confident about what lies ahead and to view themselves as team of destiny.

They appear, at this stage, to hold a clear edge over the competition in terms of personnel. They’re starting further ahead than Richmond was before 2019 and 2020; unlike the Tigers, their supremacy is founded on talent first, then system. Richmond was the reverse.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/from-top-to-bottom-why-melbourne-richmond-and-carlton-are-the-clubs-to-watch-in-2022-20220313-p5a49a.html

[lamington]

And gws before demons on talent over system. Systems will always triumph if executed properly. Just ask 2005 west coast

[Rampsation]

System is harder to break down.

[Gracie]

Melbourne has its act together and appears to be a well run club.

They had a great run with injuries last year

Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Lever, Spargo, Pickett, Rivers, Gordon. 10 players played all games including their starting midfield

Add to that Fritsch, Christen, Langdon and Jackson played 24 games each and McDonald and May 23.

Unbelievable run

Watched that show on Stan about the player managers and last year's trade and draft period and one of the stories was on Melbourne and their signing of Luke Dunstan. They had identified the unbelievable good luck with injuries and got Dunstan as back up in case of injuries this year.

[JP Tiger]

Talent first ... hmm ... that would have something to do with No.1 draft picks ...   

[Andyy]

So true Gracie. Wondering if we'll see some complaints about how they were kissed on the pecker by fate like we got after 2017

[Chuck17]

and with so many top draft picks still stuffed up a lot of them

[yandb]

Jake leads with a grand statement but offers no proof to back it up.

We had drafted all the talent bar Prestia, Nankervis and Caddy before the bulk of  our system arrived with Caracalla in late 2016.

[the claw]

Just looking at their premiership 23, it consists of the following picks.

1ST ROUND 7. They have about 3 or 4 others on their list who did not play.

2ND RND 8, basically picks between 20 and 40 and here they have done well imo

3RD RND 2  One was Gawn with pick 34 im still scratching my head how 34 is not a second rounder and Tom McDonald.


Rookie 1.

Trades and F/A 5 Brown, May, Lever, Hibberd, Langdon.  will mention Tomlinson also because he would have played but for an untimely injury.

Outside of Gawn 2009 and McDonald 2010 the rest of their players appear to have come to the club from 2013 onwards around the time of paul Roos. That makes it roughly about an 8 year flag where they got things right.

How sustainable is it well Only 3 30 yr olds, Gawn, Hibberd, May,  played in the premiership, the rest are mostly around 22 or in the prime 24 to 28 bracket.

Dont shoot me im just giving out the details.

[Diocletian]

Yes after years of you telling us so your beloved Dees have finally gone past us....

Bottom line is they tanked and were rewarded by the AFL for it.../thread