Melbourne versus Bulldogs

[Freak 100]

Well before we discuss the team, just thought I'd let everyone know (who doesnt have foxtel) that there will be a delayed telecast of this match!!!

Anyway, I think Stefan Martin will keep his spot, I think Bode will be omitted. I reckon Mclean will be given a week off to rest his ankle too

[LeBron James 41]

Martin should be dropped, only because of the Doggies small forwardline.

Otherwise he should be back in ASAP.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I would have thought McLean would play. He does have 2 weeks to recover after all...

So who comes in? White, Yze, Petterd, Newton....

Well we would ALL like to see Newton played, but Sylvia, Miller and Bate were sensational, and Wonna was damaging... Not sure there'll be a place.

Stef Martin was really good, but he has time. I'm not sure if he'll have a match up.

Bode, you would think, might be the clear one to be dropped, along with maybe Valenti.

In all honesty though, I reckon DB would be loathe to make any changes. The group worked well and we had almost no losers, so why fix what's not broken?

We'll have to wait a week or two more to see the guys we want to see.

[DemonDave 1,099]

McLean will already have a week to rest his ankle! By all reports he'd be fit even if the game was played this weekend.

I'd think that Morton or Yze would come in for Bode. No strictly a like-for-like, but not really that important.

And given that its a Sunday game, and the obligatory 3 extra-ins have to be named, throw in White and Frawley/Bell

into the bench mix for balance of mids/back/fwds.

[Gouga 570]

I'm hoping one of Newton or Petterd or maybe even both would be ready to go.

Think Bode will go before Martin, he'd be a good match up for Minson when he plays forward.

Valenti may be unlucky if McDonald is ready to go again, but I have a feeling Bailey won't rush him.

[drdrake 3,203]

Martin can play on Minson, Garland on Murphy, Warnock on Johnson, Whelan on Aka. Keep playing Martin he will be good for us.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

I am looking forward to some of the match ups...

Dunn/Aka or Cooney

Bruce/Johnson

But one I am really hoping to see is Garland/Murphy

[Vipercrunch 2,863]

You would think Martin will get at least 2 more games as per the pattern we have seen all year with young players, unless of course some clear things for him to work on back at Sandy have been identified. I can't see DB having any of our young guys changing to and fro all that much.

I can't see Bode given another game, especially if Pettard and/or Jnr are ready to go. Perhaps Bode will be given some key areas to improve on back at Sandy now, giving him a chance to return later in the season.

White and Newton probably have to do more than they reportedly did with Sandy to get in. With the improved output of Sylvia and Miller and the feeling you get that Jamar will be given at least 2 weeks as No. 1 ruckman, I think White and Newton need to pull out a big game or two in the coming weeks to force their way back in.

Out: Bode

In Pettard/Jnr

[45HG 1,559]

I don't want to see Bruce on Johnson again.

I know he holds him, but i think Bruce is a midfielder and i'd like to see one of newly moulded younger brigade at least get first crack at a superstar of the game.

[drdrake 3,203]

Funny how our 2 wins have been before a weeks break

[Dannyz 3,026]

Out: Bode.

In: Morton.

Same game plan/style.

[Jaded No More 68,976]

I want Garland on Johnson, and Dunn on Cooney.

[Freak 100]

Bartram/Akermanis

Dunn/Cross

Whelan/Brad Johnson

Warnock/Welsh

Garland/Murphy

Cross gets most of the Doggies clearances so i think Dunn should go to him. Cooney is probably a bit to dashing for Dunn anyway. Restricting Cross' clearances should directly affect the ability of Cooney to get the ball.

Stefan Martin can be played anywhere so I think he will keep his spot

[Geddy Lee 582]

Good week the sledge the **** out of Will Minson.

[Rogue 585]

McDonald and Morton are the most likely ins from where I'm sitting. What's McDonald's injury like?

As for outs, Bode seems to be treading water a little bit.

There's a fair bit of water under the bridge before the WB game though - there's a Sandy game next week, for starters.

Funny how our 2 wins have been before a weeks break

I think we won in the week before the bye last season, too. Could be wrong though - just my recollection.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I cant see too many changes coming off the back of a win.

If anything, I would probably swap Bode for Morton.

I am not sure why you would recall Yze as he does not match up on any Bulldog and they would probably target his lack of defensive skills to launch attacks on us.

Edit: Good point Rogue about Junior. Junior comes in for Valenti with Junior to get a niggling stopper's role.

[DaveyJones'sLocker 647]

I don't want to see Bruce on Johnson again.

I know he holds him, but i think Bruce is a midfielder and i'd like to see one of newly moulded younger brigade at least get first crack at a superstar of the game.

johno has been pushing up in the midfeild abit this year as he had a poor start to the season and couldnt find the goals or much ball...

tho bruce has really shown why he is one of our better players of late... running away from his opponent and providing options all day

[deesrock 0]

Do you think any action will be taken again will Minson? That is just a disgraceful act and no matter what, it can not possibly be in the spirit of the game.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Well before we discuss the team, just thought I'd let everyone know (who doesnt have foxtel) that there will be a delayed telecast of this match!!!

Anyway, I think Stefan Martin will keep his spot, I think Bode will be omitted. I reckon Mclean will be given a week off to rest his ankle too

I think Dunn, Bartram, Bode &/or McDonald will get runwith roles against the Bullies mids.

Either Martin stays in for Minson or Carroll gets a recall.

Forwards stay similar.

[deanox 10,058]

what did minson do?

[Lord Travis 10,804]

From what I gather, Minson made a sledge to Kane Cornes about his team having about as much heart as his 2 year old son....who has a heart defect. Pretty disgusting IMO. Also considering Kane had just had a 2nd son the night before, he did well not to let it set him off. If I was him I wouldn't have been able to hold myself back from smashing him into next week.

[Lord Travis 10,804]

Also, cant wait for a Garland vs Murphy match up. Seems like a perfect match and could be something special to watch!

[dee-luded 2,959]

Also, cant wait for a Garland vs Murphy match up. Seems like a perfect match and could be something special to watch!

Don't think garland will play in the mids, maybe bruce or Bartam in the mids & poss' garland if Murphy plays forward.

[Jaded No More 68,976]

From what I gather, Minson made a sledge to Kane Cornes about his team having about as much heart as his 2 year old son....who has a heart defect. Pretty disgusting IMO. Also considering Kane had just had a 2nd son the night before, he did well not to let it set him off. If I was him I wouldn't have been able to hold myself back from smashing him into next week.

To his credit Minson did apologise, but you have to wonder what sort of a brain fart would lead to someone having a dig at a sick 2 year old.

I really don't buy the whole "heat of the moment" argument. You're playing football for god's sake, your brain cannot possibly be so pre-occupied that it leads to verbal diarrhea of such epic proportions.

I'm just waiting for the first genius player to have a crack at his Richmond opponent about Graham Polak

[CHAMP 347]

Funny how our 2 wins have been before a weeks break

And each also following 6 straight losses. Nice and neat. Is this the consistency we have sought?