Hoops

Melton sign NBL Player Chris Patton

Thanks for the clarification Froggy. I think it seems the majority of posters agree Melton could be playing SCM. With that team that you mentioned it shows how strong not only the senior team is but the entire Melton program. Great to see an up and coming program in a major growth area doing so many great things. Credit to them. Looks like you will go back to back, best of luck

Out of curiosity, what were the reasons given by the people you mentioned as to why you are not going up?

Finals system or structure has much to do with why teams sneak through to title games or winning championships.

Win the right game and avoid quality teams on your way through because the draw opens up and then get a home final in week 1 as the lowest ranked team in the title series.

This puts huge amount of pressure on the higher ranked team if they do drop the 1st game on the road as expected.

Think when there is 2 pools the league may need to revamp the finals structure to give more of an advantage to the higher ranked teams as opposed to an equal chance to all teams.

Last seasons title game in D1 was eventually played between 3rd placed teams from each division if I am not mistaken.

Full credit to those 2 clubs but can you imagine the top placed AFL team having the same chance of making the grand final to that of the 8th placed team, doesn't add up !!

Shaun Bruce rumour - Not true (Is restricted anyway)

Chris is contracted to Melbourne United in 2017, will be playing for Melton all season. Is an unrestricted NBL player after averaging less than 10mins per game in previous season.

Local Melton players, Shane Moroney, Blake Allison, Jeff Crowe, Jordan Kirk, Cam McCallum.

Juniors playing in Men's program in 2016, Jake Prior, Jackson Jones, Liam Allison, Matthew Hoyland, Jimmy Mullins.

Jay Todorov is a returning local player after playing at higher level.

Only non Melton player is Matthew Jukes (ex Keilor) lives in Bacchus Marsh returning for Year 2 at club.

Import Ivan Harris.

Name one other senior program that has had the Big V success and promotion of juniors into senior ranks in last 3 years.

This also answers the questions on sustainability & Budget. More promotion/development of juniors result in opportunities to spend money on targeted GAPS within program to help club. Something Melton has done very well.

I think that clears up everything except why we were not promoted. Julie Anderson and Tim Mottin are best to answer those questions.

They'd stay in the same division..

The option of having two go up is also there. you could guarantee the team that finishes on top will go up, along with the team that wins it. In the event that it's the same team, the runners up could go up too. A few options, but I just think having something to play for has to better.

'Spot on' so with your philosophy what would happen if a team went undefeated all year then lost a few starters to injury then drops game 2 and 3 of the championship series and doesn't win the championship??

If teams don't win it, then they're not good enough. There is also the option of two-up two-down if there's concern about not having enough movement, but surely the imbalance is no better when it's all by application only and purely subjective?

Having a goal throughout the season to either win it (or stay up) has to be a positive.

Actually Melton were refused by BigV, along with Casey.

These are all the reasons why promotion/relegation based on any other than where you finish the previous season is ridiculous.

Earn your promotion through performance, and if you fail in a season you know that you'll be relegated. At least then you know what you're playing for, and the debate over where different teams 'should' be playing will die down.

Maybe ask BIGV why Melton didn't go up to SCM after winning last year.
Will be good for Chris to get some minutes and you would think some big numbers.

...Is he...

...Is he...

I he guaranteed an NBL contract for 2016-17?

That could explain the 'seeking cash' idea, otherwise I would expect a guy with his size and potential to be no less than SEABL or SCM level to be honest.

Sorry not up to speed on Div 1 rules...can they have 1 import plus 1 restricted Aussie?

24 year old I think..I don't get it either.

They're adding players late, the draw has already been confirmed, so it's a bit hard to change things now. Great for Melton, but a bit surprising that Chris Patton would see that as a good move for him in his development.

How old is Patton?

I don't get it, D1 from NBL bench isn't what I would call common sense...