The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Melbourne
3 - Colin Sylvia
5 - Brock McLean
36 - Christopher Johnson
52 - pass
From The Age: Who your team picked
Melbourne have had internal problems for two decades, they were probably hoping that this draft would be a new beginning but as the headlines in the newspaper have said too often, all the Demons got was more of the same, or even a bit worse.
2008 might be the last year at Melbourne for Sylvia or McLean, probably the former. So not the best result from two picks in the top five of the AFL draft. At least McLean has shown he can play at a high level, so Melbourne will persist with him but won't mention him as "the next captain" like they used to. Sylvia doesn't have a real position as he hasn't made an impact in the middle or up forward, he hasn't really achieved anything on the field, and addition by subtraction could be the best that Melbourne can get if they move him after the season. If Coach Bailey is going to turn Melbourne around, he will need to take a broom to the list and sweep out a lot of the mistakes that the former coach and administration persisted with.
Chris Johnson has shown some promise, and it was a good move to bring him in as a father/son pick. He provides depth and is still improving. He was at least worth a third round pick, so Melbourne kept some tradition going and also added a solid prospect.
Melbourne are suffering now because of this draft, and plenty other drafts from the Daniher era. One mistake in 2003 was going small with both of the high picks. While this AFL draft wasn't loaded with height, Melbourne could have traded away one of their early picks to bring in a taller prospect. Maybe Sylvia and McLean will turn things around, and it seems that McLean is making an effort, but right now this is a draft that Melbourne fans should not be happy with.
The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - North Melbourne
5 - Brock McLean
36 - Christopher Johnson
52 - pass
From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "We’re very happy with (Colin Sylvia and Brock McLean). They can come into our team and strengthen our midfield. They’re both tough, inside midfielders, two talented midfielders who can be strong leaders at our club in the near future."
Neale Daniher, senior coach
Neale Daniher, senior coach
Melbourne have had internal problems for two decades, they were probably hoping that this draft would be a new beginning but as the headlines in the newspaper have said too often, all the Demons got was more of the same, or even a bit worse.
2008 might be the last year at Melbourne for Sylvia or McLean, probably the former. So not the best result from two picks in the top five of the AFL draft. At least McLean has shown he can play at a high level, so Melbourne will persist with him but won't mention him as "the next captain" like they used to. Sylvia doesn't have a real position as he hasn't made an impact in the middle or up forward, he hasn't really achieved anything on the field, and addition by subtraction could be the best that Melbourne can get if they move him after the season. If Coach Bailey is going to turn Melbourne around, he will need to take a broom to the list and sweep out a lot of the mistakes that the former coach and administration persisted with.
Chris Johnson has shown some promise, and it was a good move to bring him in as a father/son pick. He provides depth and is still improving. He was at least worth a third round pick, so Melbourne kept some tradition going and also added a solid prospect.
Melbourne are suffering now because of this draft, and plenty other drafts from the Daniher era. One mistake in 2003 was going small with both of the high picks. While this AFL draft wasn't loaded with height, Melbourne could have traded away one of their early picks to bring in a taller prospect. Maybe Sylvia and McLean will turn things around, and it seems that McLean is making an effort, but right now this is a draft that Melbourne fans should not be happy with.
The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - North Melbourne
