Back-to-back picks in the top three of the national draft would appear to be striking it rich for any AFL club, a sure fire sign that a club was going to be able to build a future blue chip squad.
However looks can be deceiving. The history of consecutive top three picks has not been kind – as Melbourne know all too well.
If being drafted to Melbourne wasn’t considered tough enough for Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw, they now have history to contend against.
Think back to these infamous consecutive top three picks. 2013 saw GWS draft Tom Boyd and Josh Kelly at one and two only to see Boyd depart after one season.
2012 again saw GWS with consecutive picks and again fall foul of losing a player with Jono O’Rourke now departed the club.
2011 and GWS had the top three picks from the draft, number one pick Jon Patton has been injury plagued and number three pick Dom Tyson now runs around for these same Demons.
2010 saw Gold Coast with top three selections and while they have kept their top three in tact both second and third picks Harley Bennell and Sam Day have battled injury over four seasons in the league.
2009 and Melbourne fans know the curse of consecutive top three picks given that Tom Scully left the club for GWS and Jack Trengove is at a career crossroads due to injury.
Even going further back to the last time that there were consecutive top three selections was the year 2000, when St Kilda grabbed twin forwards Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.
Injuries to Koschitzke meant that duo was not able to deliver the Saints and elusive premiership.
Yes, the football gods have not been kind to clubs who slump to the point that they have two top-three selections. For that reason as much as the Petracca and Brayshaw duo looks list defining, history tells us a different story.
It is almost like you have to expect the football gods to step in given the controversial nature in which Melbourne got these two top-three picks via a consolation pick.
Alas though, Melbourne had no choice but to draft with these picks and took two of the most ready-made players in the draft.
Draft experts believed that these two were clearly the best midfielders in the draft. Hence, on the surface Melbourne appeared to do the right thing.
These picks may not be your typical top-three picks, but Petracca and Brayshaw can bide their time over the next two seasons while learning from veterans like Daniel Cross and Bernie Vince.
If Melbourne can quickly turn its development trend around then a 2017 midfield boasting Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Brayshaw and Petracca will cover most midfield bases.
Also helping this top three duo is father son selection Billy Stretch who Melbourne were able to acquire with pick 42.
This seems excellent value for a player who has shown elite traits at underage level. While Stretch knew his draft position going into draft day, one of his good mates Alex Neal-Bullen did not.
The two found out draft day that they would remain close for the immediate future with Neal-Bullen drafted a Demon at pick 40.
The problem for Melbourne now looking at both the short and long term though is in key position talent.
A number of their best tall players such as Jeremy Howe, Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Jack Watts and Cameron Pederson are undersized and more suited to playing a third role in a team.
Melbourne will continue to have high hopes for Jesse Hogan but it is hard to imagine that Oscar McDonald is going to be the answer in the back half.
The McDonald story is a nice one in that he joins big brother Tom and the two country lads will get the chance to grow and develop together and have the chance to use the strong bond they share on the footy field.
Still though for as good a story as it is the long term solution down back is still yet to be addressed by Melbourne.
The days are now ticking down to when Paul Roos involvement in the club ends. This draft helped set the future up, but still the anxious faces at Melbourne can only grow as that final Roos day approaches.
Casper
Guest
People have short memories about poor judgement calls, I seem to recall some scribes saying the Lions would be unbeatable with Brown & Fevola up front after the Lions got sucked in by Carlton. Did they play more than half a dozen games together? The draft is a lottery which clubs buy a ticket in & hope to come out ahead. The AFL should change the draft rule so that newly drafted players must stay at their first club for 2 seasons, even if two clubs want to do a deal after the draftee's first season. That would cut out the initial home sickness issue the clubs like the Lions have to contend with and it gives them a chance to integrate a draftee into the club and family environment.
Don Freo
Guest
Some good ins for 2 years now and a coach who's not too bad at sorting it all out.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Big call Don
Don Freo
Guest
Cameron, I would have thought it is a bit soon to suggest the clock is ticking on Paul Roos' tenure. Much can be achieved in that time. I reckon they will be top 12 in 2015.
Don Freo
Guest
He's making more sense than you Andy. You don't need those 'points' addressed. They are just a spurious irrelevancy. Just your thing.
Don Freo
Guest
Andyl12...you have morality about rudeness? Are you the same Andyl12 that is constantly rude to anyone who disagrees with you about James Hird? A bit rich, kiddo!
slane
Guest
I'm surprised that somebody with the name 'Gooch' is happy to try and score points by pickin on somebody's name. You know Gooch is a synonym for the perineum yeah?
Bob Gooch
Guest
Good one Andy
andyl12
Guest
When will you bring out a pearler Bob? All we ever get is "you don't go for Melbourne so you know nothing." The sort of talk I'd expect from someone whose club is so far from reality it's beyond belief.
Bob Gooch
Guest
Well said Andy - I knew another riveting comment was in you, look forward to your next pearler
andyl12
Guest
"Obviously you can speak with great authority about the MFC." All I have to do is listen to James Frawley. Club culture is the main reason he left Melbourne for Hawthorn. He won't be the last.
Bob Gooch
Guest
You really are obsessed with the MFC image. Hawthorns training has been conducted at Waverly and if your memory serves you, you will recall that that their supporter base was largely in the eastern suburbs - but the hawks never left their spiritual home at glenferrie. Us MFC members would love to have your super intelligence but most of us are lawyers are mates with Ron Walker or drive range rovers ! Obviously you can speak with great authority about the MFC - I reckon you are a real hero - well done - keep it up obviously you have plenty more of your pearls of wisdom
Bob Gooch
Guest
What a riveting comment Andy - wow I am in awe
andyl12
Guest
Yes I am a member, Bob, unlike the MFC's Range Rover crew. We train at Waverley because Waverley has better facilities and is in a place where more of our members can come down and watch us train. Melbourne's Casey idea was based on similar logic, too bad that most of the members were like you and too dumb to understand the benefits of such a move.
Bob Gooch
Guest
Any Ah so your a hawthorn supporter (member ?) If so can't believe your view on VFL teams retaining their heartland - hawks spiritual home is still glenferrie oval - pity you can't see the wood for the trees
Christopher Pepper
Roar Pro
I agree yet I feel there is a tremendous upside to the way the Demons are doing it this time around than the horror period of 2008-2012. The Demons have a structured development team and are willing to let the kids work on their game rather than throwing them to the wolves like Jack Watts and Jimmy Toumpas did. There is a post on my website www.thepeptalk.com.au which goes into it further (written by a guest poster and that is why I haven't place it on The Roar) and I think the future is bright for the good ol' MFC.
andyl12
Guest
"Look forward to smashing whatever the team is you support." Good luck, you haven't beaten us since 2006. You voted to merge with us 18 years ago and luckily we saw through it. The thought of having to support the same team as you makes me cringe.
andyl12
Guest
There are two types of people in football- those who support the MFC and those who are glad they don't.
Bob Gooch
Guest
Who cares what you think Snake - bottom line is your not an MFC supporter - thank Christ for that
Bob Gooch
Guest
Well well well Andy Pandy Who gives a rats what you think ! Now we know where you are coming from ! Look forward to smashing whatever the team is you support - are you a member of any club or do you just snipe from your bunker - what a hero you are !