No new draftees against Hawks.

[LeBron James 41]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsart...px?newsid=72265

Pretty spewing about this. I was looking forward to seeing Jetta, Bennell, Bail and Strauss.

Bad news about Riv, but i'm hoping Petterd has a good match... only 3 days away now!

[e25 5]

It'd be fairly negligent of our club to play young draftees that aren't quite ready, when we could do with the exposure of playing further into the NAB Cup (and desperately need the money that would come with winning said Cup, as unlikely as it is.)

[Bay Riffin 1,480]

Hey we will be playing heaps of young players this year for you to look at.

Class of 2006 and 2007 can be put on show now. looking forward to seeing Grimes Petterd and Spencer play. Lets not forget most of our back line is very young, so there are a lot of positions up for grabs.

Anyone know when Maric will be back? People want to see Struss and Blease play, but remember he was around the same pick (2nd round) last year. With VCE over this is his turn to show us what he can do and attempt to play regular senior footy.

[joeboy 3,166]

Hey we will be playing heaps of young players this year for you to look at.

Class of 2006 and 2007 can be put on show now. looking forward to seeing Grimes Petterd and Spencer play. Lets not forget most of our back line is very young, so there are a lot of positions up for grabs.

Anyone know when Maric will be back? People want to see Struss and Blease play, but remember he was around the same pick (2nd round) last year. With VCE over this is his turn to show us what he can do and attempt to play regular senior footy.

Maric trained at full speed today .

[Banter 0]

I was hoping Jetta and Bail might make the cut.

Its probably not a bad idea to play the older guys though to increase the chances of getting through to the next round and hopefully a bit of TV exposure for a change.

[H_T 3,049]

Fantastic to read that Rivers will likely be training next week. Walked laps today. No limp.

[Maric Legend 0]

Maric trained at full speed today .

Woooo.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Yeah, those old guys are a much better chance of getting us further into the NAB cup, they've just been brilliant the last 2 years.

I'm already bored.

[Hannabal 4]

I suppose I can understand the first year players having to wait another week, or two, but it's a bit ho hum for me. I think that we've got a good chance of winning, but I'm not sure I'll bother watching. No Maric, Jetta, Bail, Bennell, Watts, Blease, Strauss...

Just a boring group of battlers that might eke out a win. Big deal.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

I suppose I can understand the first year players having to wait another week, or two, but it's a bit ho hum for me. I think that we've got a good chance of winning, but I'm not sure I'll bother watching. No Maric, Jetta, Bail, Bennell, Watts, Blease, Strauss...

Just a boring group of battlers that might eek out a win. Big deal.

Zactly.

[Gouga 570]

Thought Bail might play given his mature age.

Interested in how Cheney, McNamara, Meesen and Zomer (if they play) go.

[Demon4Life 603]

Thought Bail might play given his mature age.

Interested in how Cheney, McNamara, Meesen and Zomer (if they play) go.

I think McNamara is recovering from some sort of injury. Anyone care to confirm or deny? Info would be appreciated. Just about every time the Zebs were on ABC I watched it and was continually impressed with this kid.

[Late Draft Pick 48]

Thought Bail might play given his mature age.

Interested in how Cheney, McNamara, Meesen and Zomer (if they play) go.

Yes, I was hoping to see Bail. (Bailey probably forgot about him)

But I'm still interested in this game - Davey, Mclean, Moloney coming back

and Grimes and Petterd only playing one game last year.

Spencer and Zomer, Cheney and Newton.

See the progress of Buckley, Sylvia, and Morton, and how our young backline

are coming along with an improving Frawley who is no longer a teenager and has had two years to grow and develop.

And I just want to see Wonnaeamirri again (yes we are all going to have to get to know how to spell it now).

Hoping to see a better coordination amongst the players and after 12 months perhaps to see a new game plan

emerging. Lots to look forward to; now to find a place to watch it.

I can't wait for the Melbourne- Carlton match the week after, it will be packed.

[Guest JACKtheRIPPER]

Fantastic to read that Rivers will likely be training next week. Walked laps today. No limp.

jared rivers has been walking laps for 3 seasons, sorry guys but everyone leaving themselves open tonight,he could walk to chicago and back in the last 3years, what a joke.

[BAMF 4,385]

I suppose I can understand the first year players having to wait another week, or two, but it's a bit ho hum for me. I think that we've got a good chance of winning, but I'm not sure I'll bother watching. No Maric, Jetta, Bail, Bennell, Watts, Blease, Strauss...

Just a boring group of battlers that might eek out a win. Big deal.

Are you being serious? or joking? I cant work it out.

We have the youngest team in the leauge! Not everyone can fit in!

I'm still in london, so it will be tough for me to actually see it, but im really excited to see the boys play again.

Grimes is the one I will be watching.

[montasaurus 0]

Are you being serious? or joking? I cant work it out.

We have the youngest team in the leauge! Not everyone can fit in!

I'm still in london, so it will be tough for me to actually see it, but im really excited to see the boys play again.

Grimes is the one I will be watching.

Don't forget the near full list of fit snr players as well. Its been a while! Maybe thats why we are used to seeing 1st year players at this stage. I for one think its a good thing, make them earn it, work hard etc rather then gift it on a plate. Also ensuring conditioning is correct

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

What concerns me is that we have 32 to 33 fit players. Yes it is more fit players than last year but that still equates to a lot of unfit players! Please dont let injury ruin our year before it begins for a 3rd year. Is it too much to ask to have just a lazy half a dozen injuries please? :angry:

[LeBron James 41]

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle...px?newsid=72289

Wheatley ruled out too.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I suppose I can understand the first year players having to wait another week, or two, but it's a bit ho hum for me. I think that we've got a good chance of winning, but I'm not sure I'll bother watching. No Maric, Jetta, Bail, Bennell, Watts, Blease, Strauss...

Just a boring group of battlers that might eek out a win. Big deal.

Yeah players shouldn have to earn a spot, they should just be played just to satisfy the curiosity of supporters.

Do you want to create a team who have to earn every opportunity, prove to the teammates and coach that they are worthy of wearing the jumper and cherish every minute of game time they get?

Thats what I want.

[Hannabal 4]

Yeah players shouldn have to earn a spot, they should just be played just to satisfy the curiosity of supporters.

Do you want to create a team who have to earn every opportunity, prove to the teammates and coach that they are worthy of wearing the jumper and cherish every minute of game time they get?

Thats what I want.

The NAB Cup has never excited me. And Dunn, Bate, Cheney, Bartram, Buckley, ... don't do a lot for me.

And yes, I want players to earn a spot, but not by dint of longevity on a list. I want an emphasis on talent. And save draftees of the last 2 years it's virtually non existent. So I'll manage to curb my excitement on Saturday.

[rusty_kingswood 0]

I suppose I can understand the first year players having to wait another week, or two, but it's a bit ho hum for me. I think that we've got a good chance of winning, but I'm not sure I'll bother watching. No Maric, Jetta, Bail, Bennell, Watts, Blease, Strauss...

Just a boring group of battlers that might eek out a win. Big deal.

Big deal? Big deal progressing further into the competition. Big deal about gaining more exposure for potential sponsors. Big Deal people actually talking about Melbourne winning matchings instead of loosing them...yeah I would say its a pretty big deal!!

Perhaps Bails thinks we are genuine chance here, and wants to get a bit of real game time under their belts if we progress..??

[Hannabal 4]

Big deal? Big deal progressing further into the competition. Big deal about gaining more exposure for potential sponsors. Big Deal people actually talking about Melbourne winning matchings instead of loosing them...yeah I would say its a pretty big deal!!

Perhaps Bails thinks we are genuine chance here, and wants to get a bit of real game time under their belts if we progress..??

"Big deal progressing further into the competition." No it's not. It's the meaningless NAB Cup.

"Big deal about gaining more exposure for potential sponsors." No it's not. It won't have any bearing on our sponsorship.

"Big Deal people actually talking about Melbourne winning matchings instead of loosing them" No it doesn't matter. Most supporters that have any clue about our game recognise that it's the meaningless NAB Cup (albeit with $220K prizemoney) and place little credence on the results. It's premiership points that matter. Give me a win in round 1 over winning the NAB up. Many will disagree. So be it.

But you're excited and that's all that matters. Knock yourself out.

[H_T 3,049]

"Big deal progressing further into the competition." No it's not. It's the meaningless NAB Cup.

"Big deal about gaining more exposure for potential sponsors." No it's not. It won't have any bearing on our sponsorship.

"Big Deal people actually talking about Melbourne winning matchings instead of loosing them" No it doesn't matter. Most supporters that have any clue about our game recognise that it's the meaningless NAB Cup (albeit with $220K prizemoney) and place little credence on the results. It's premiership points that matter. Give me a win in round 1 over winning the NAB up. Many will disagree. So be it.

But you're excited and that's all that matters. Knock yourself out.

[rusty_kingswood 0]

"Big deal progressing further into the competition." No it's not. It's the meaningless NAB Cup.

"Big deal about gaining more exposure for potential sponsors." No it's not. It won't have any bearing on our sponsorship.

"Big Deal people actually talking about Melbourne winning matchings instead of loosing them" No it doesn't matter. Most supporters that have any clue about our game recognise that it's the meaningless NAB Cup (albeit with $220K prizemoney) and place little credence on the results. It's premiership points that matter. Give me a win in round 1 over winning the NAB up. Many will disagree. So be it.

But you're excited and that's all that matters. Knock yourself out.

I understand that the NAB cup doesnt hold much significance, however, surely something must be gained from playing in front of large crowds, under lights with a Friday or Saturday TV slot......as apposed to bombing out in R1, and playing the NAB challenge(??) is rural Victoria.

No?

[45HG 1,559]

Certainly better than nothing given our current situation IMO