A TOUGH time of the year has started; it happens for all clubs with players moving on.
List management is a crucial part of our game, and rules dictate changes must be made every year. It’s the nature of the industry.
On Monday, Melbourne informed two fine clubmen - Brad Miller and Daniel Bell - that they would not be offered contracts in 2011.
Both have had their share of critics. Both have achieved plenty, too.
What mustn’t be lost is that the duo has been with the club for almost a decade - that’s a fine achievement in anyone’s language.
Miller arrived via the 2001 AFL Draft and Bell was chosen in the corresponding meeting the following year.
Granted, they did not reach the heights of James McDonald, who is also set to depart the club at season’s end, but few can lay claims to being the seventh most capped player at an AFL club. McDonald can.
For Miller and Bell to remain on an AFL list for nine and eight seasons respectively is above average in the game.
And when you consider that Miller - a member of the 2010 leadership group - was chosen at No.55 and has since played 133 matches, he has given the club value for money. If Melbourne - or any club - was told it would gain that return on such an investment, it would take it every day.
In fact, only Richmond skipper Chris Newman (174 matches) and 2008 All-Australian Sam Fisher (139) have made more appearances than Miller, directly from pick No.55. (Note: Darren Jarman was selected by Melbourne at No.55 in the first AFL Draft in 1986, but never played for the Demons).
It only reinforces Miller’s efforts.
It’s also worth noting that, although Miller captained Queensland in the 2001 AFL under-18 championships, he was a speculative pick.
Only former Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron and football manager Danny Corcoran visited Miller in the lead-up to the 2001 AFL Draft. Geelong and West Coast Eagles highlighted their interest via letters to Miller.
Bell, who was selected at No.14 after Melbourne traded Shane Woewodin to Collingwood, didn’t achieve the matches or status as Miller. But, just as sure, he endured a tough run with injury.
Courage was not lacking in Bell’s game. When he put his head over the ball during a contest with Collingwood’s Ben Johnson in round 20, 2007, he came out second best. He looked seriously injured as he was taken from the field via a motorised stretcher. Fortunately he wasn’t hurt long-term, but the incident, although not malicious, resulted in a six-week suspension to Johnson for head-high contact.
Interestingly, Bell arrived at the club as a more fancied prospect than Miller, having been a top 15 pick, an under-18 All-Australian and member of the 2001-02 AIS-AFL Academy.
List management is a crucial part of our game, and rules dictate changes must be made every year. It’s the nature of the industry.
On Monday, Melbourne informed two fine clubmen - Brad Miller and Daniel Bell - that they would not be offered contracts in 2011.
Both have had their share of critics. Both have achieved plenty, too.
What mustn’t be lost is that the duo has been with the club for almost a decade - that’s a fine achievement in anyone’s language.
Miller arrived via the 2001 AFL Draft and Bell was chosen in the corresponding meeting the following year.
Granted, they did not reach the heights of James McDonald, who is also set to depart the club at season’s end, but few can lay claims to being the seventh most capped player at an AFL club. McDonald can.
For Miller and Bell to remain on an AFL list for nine and eight seasons respectively is above average in the game.
And when you consider that Miller - a member of the 2010 leadership group - was chosen at No.55 and has since played 133 matches, he has given the club value for money. If Melbourne - or any club - was told it would gain that return on such an investment, it would take it every day.
In fact, only Richmond skipper Chris Newman (174 matches) and 2008 All-Australian Sam Fisher (139) have made more appearances than Miller, directly from pick No.55. (Note: Darren Jarman was selected by Melbourne at No.55 in the first AFL Draft in 1986, but never played for the Demons).
It only reinforces Miller’s efforts.
It’s also worth noting that, although Miller captained Queensland in the 2001 AFL under-18 championships, he was a speculative pick.
Only former Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron and football manager Danny Corcoran visited Miller in the lead-up to the 2001 AFL Draft. Geelong and West Coast Eagles highlighted their interest via letters to Miller.
Bell, who was selected at No.14 after Melbourne traded Shane Woewodin to Collingwood, didn’t achieve the matches or status as Miller. But, just as sure, he endured a tough run with injury.
Courage was not lacking in Bell’s game. When he put his head over the ball during a contest with Collingwood’s Ben Johnson in round 20, 2007, he came out second best. He looked seriously injured as he was taken from the field via a motorised stretcher. Fortunately he wasn’t hurt long-term, but the incident, although not malicious, resulted in a six-week suspension to Johnson for head-high contact.
Interestingly, Bell arrived at the club as a more fancied prospect than Miller, having been a top 15 pick, an under-18 All-Australian and member of the 2001-02 AIS-AFL Academy.
Injuries cut him down regularly. Even in the lead-up to his 2010 season, he suffered a shoulder injury. It was enough to derail the start of his campaign, although he has since produced a strong year with Casey in the VFL.
For Miller and Bell, the duo could continue elsewhere in the AFL next year.
And in some respects, if an AFL player is going to be delisted, then 2010-11 is perhaps as good as any, particularly as list sizes are set to increase with the introduction of Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney. Rookie lists from next season won't be restricted by age either.
Miller is weighing up his future options. He could still play at the highest level - remembering he kicked five goals against Port Adelaide in round nine.
Bell has stated he would like to continue his AFL career. The fact that he has played a full year in the VFL will give him hope.
They may not be superstars of the game, but between them they have achieved just one game shy of the double-ton.
And that deserves praise and recognition.
