Melbourne v Sydney at Vizy Park

Rohan Bail (emergency), Daniel Bell, Jamie Bennell, Cameron Bruce, Kyle Cheney, Aaron Davey, Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Colin Garland, Brad Green, Jack Grimes, Neville Jetta, Paul Johnson, Nathan Jones, Stefan Martin, James McDonald, Brock McLean, John Meesen, Brad Miller, Brent Moloney, Cale Morton, Michael Newton, Ricky Petterd, Jake Spencer, James Strauss, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Warnock, Shane Valenti (emergency) and Trent Zomer (emergency)

Ins from last week highlighted in bold.

Source: MOLONEY SET TO MAKE HIS RETURN

Does anyone know why no Bate?

Does anyone know why no Bate?

With all the ins someone has to go out. I would guess that they were happy with him last week and had a few others they wanted to look at ( Newton, I'm talking about YOU ), or he's picked up a niggle; either way it's no big deal.

Good to see Bennell, Strauss and Jetta.

Dandeeman must be right: either an injury they don't want to be aggravated, or they've seen what he can do and they're more interested in giving others a turn. I'd say a fitness issue.

Good to see Bennell, Strauss and Jetta.

Dandeeman must be right: either an injury they don't want to be aggravated, or they've seen what he can do and they're more interested in giving others a turn. I'd say a fitness issue.

So in essence OUT: Whelan, Bate, Bartram, Wonamerri, Bail.

Still no Buckley. Interesting.

Benell, Jetta, Strauss.

With all the ins someone has to go out. I would guess that they were happy with him last week and had a few others they wanted to look at ( Newton, I'm talking about YOU ), or he's picked up a niggle; either way it's no big deal.

Where we are at as a team, we need demonstrate some consistency of performance as a team. If Bate is fit, he needs to play.

Where we are at as a team, we need demonstrate some consistency of performance as a team. If Bate is fit, he needs to play.

the guy kicked 4goals, there not going to back him up 6 days later, to risky.

the guy kicked 4goals, there not going to back him up 6 days later, to risky.

You're not suggesting that the more goals you kick, the more worn out you become?

You're not suggesting that the more goals you kick, the more worn out you become?

no not at all, but at the moment he seems to be our only forward option, he played well last week, so why risk him 6days later,hes had a few problems so maybe they decided to be cautious with what seems to be our only decent forward.

Still no Buckley. Interesting.

Yeah that's interesting. From what I read he did full training the other day and is not injured. A disciplinary thing perhaps? I cant see how he wouldn't make the team if he wasn't fit. They'd be wanting to get gametime into him in either midfield or a HBF, as he is one of the few we have with pace and strength to take them on, and will become more important for us this year.

Good to see Moloney is back. And good to see Strauss getting a game B)

Yeah that's interesting. From what I read he did full training the other day and is not injured. A disciplinary thing perhaps? I cant see how he wouldn't make the team if he wasn't fit. They'd be wanting to get gametime into him in either midfield or a HBF, as he is one of the few we have with pace and strength to take them on, and will become more important for us this year.

Good to see Moloney is back. And good to see Strauss getting a game B)

Maybe just simply giving the kids a go before we ramp up for the start of the season?

will they have stats for this game? in the past, i think they usually just have a match report with the mention of the top disposal getters thats about it. Anyway, im going on saturday so i'll record the possessions of strauss, frawley and morton. Maybe other demonlanders can say who they will count stats for...unless of course there actually is stats for this game

I have been to both the Intraclub and the game in Launceston, of all the players, Bate has looked the fittest and sharpest ready for the season, to bring in the young guys as somebody said at the beginning of this thread someone has to go out, apart from the injured players of course, he would be a good choice to have a rest and freshen up.

My main concern is where is Buckley, seems to be training well, would be nice if the MFC website gave a reason for the ins and outs even for the preseason.

Can understand Valenti and Zomer as the emergencies gets them used to being in squad, but because, barring a major injury crisis, they won't be available for Rd1 seems a bit of a waste giving them a run, assume they may get one with Casey as with the other rookes, and agree if there is a rooke to be promoted it should be Spencer, with maybe Valenit pushing him a bit.

As with everybody else was totally dismayed to see Newton picked again, one can only hope this is his test to see if he really wants to spend the whole season at Casey.

Because of the White and Yze situation last season surely he can see this may become a reality

My lovely partner who has only been watching the footy for 18 months, and the reason we are now Melbourne supporters can even pick his lack of effort in games.

Looking forward to seeing Bennell and Jetta, spoke to them after the Intraclub, told them I was looking forward to seeing them play AFL footy, Jettta smiled and said "bring a bit of excitement'

I have been to both the Intraclub and the game in Launceston, of all the players, Bate has looked the fittest and sharpest ready for the season, to bring in the young guys as somebody said at the beginning of this thread someone has to go out, apart from the injured players of course, he would be a good choice to have a rest and freshen up.

My main concern is where is Buckley, seems to be training well, would be nice if the MFC website gave a reason for the ins and outs even for the preseason.

Can understand Valenti and Zomer as the emergencies gets them used to being in squad, but because, barring a major injury crisis, they won't be available for Rd1 seems a bit of a waste giving them a run, assume they may get one with Casey as with the other rookes, and agree if there is a rooke to be promoted it should be Spencer, with maybe Valenit pushing him a bit.

As with everybody else was totally dismayed to see Newton picked again, one can only hope this is his test to see if he really wants to spend the whole season at Casey.

Because of the White and Yze situation last season surely he can see this may become a reality

My lovely partner who has only been watching the footy for 18 months, and the reason we are now Melbourne supporters can even pick his lack of effort in games.

Looking forward to seeing Bennell and Jetta, spoke to them after the Intraclub, told them I was looking forward to seeing them play AFL footy, Jettta smiled and said "bring a bit of excitement'

Interesting post Petjud.

I see the Sydney game as a perfect opportunity to playing all the fit and available AFL young recruits we have that have a chance of playing for MFC this year. This is what practice matches are for. I would use the last two prac games especially the last one for getting the side ready R1 against NM

I am no fan of Newtons but given he has two years on the list I am prepared to see what he can actually give to MFC when his mind is on the job. Our scarcity of forward options dictates. If he repeats his custard like performances of recent then he is off to Gulag Casey quick smart.

Possibly with Buckley, the footy departmen know what they will get with him and playing him might have meant omitting one of the players they want to trial.

No Rivers out there??? Hmmm. That man needs all the AFL footy conditioning he can get.

Definitely looking forward to seeing the young guns out there.

Buckley has been having tiny groin niggles and is just taking it easy right now. Should be raring to go very soon. Could have easily played last week

With all the ins someone has to go out. I would guess that they were happy with him last week and had a few others they wanted to look at ( Newton, I'm talking about YOU ), or he's picked up a niggle; either way it's no big deal.

sounds about right & also with Spencer, Meeson, & PJ, one surely must play forward if they all play.

RR, whilst I understand there are only a few players to stand in Newton's way in playing in the forwardline, what would your ideal forwardline look like?

Interested in seeing how Moloney has come up, how Jetta plays and if Meeson is as bad as some people seem to think.

My forward setup would be

F Wonna/Maric/Jetta Bate PJ

HF Green MIller Davey/Wonna

then hopefully next season

F Wonna/Maric/Jetta Jurrah PJ

HF Bate Watts Miller

My forward setup for this year would be:

Sylvia Bate Davey

Robertson Miller Wonaeamirri

And next year:

Bate Miller Davey

Sylvia Watts Wonaeamirri

With Robbo either retired or off the bench. But he could still have a few years left in him, in which case he may be able to contribute to quite a healthy forward line in three years time. Add to that a killer backline and a great ruck duo (Spencer and PJ), all we need is for somebody to help Chook out onball.

RR, whilst I understand there are only a few players to stand in Newton's way in playing in the forwardline, what would your ideal forwardline look like?

My ideal forward line in 12-24 months time is still in the making but would have:

Watts, Wona, Bate, another small, Morton/Sylvia, Jetta type

Now

Miller, Bate, Wona, Davey, Sylvia, Maric

Its very much WIP and there are Fwd positions to be nailed over the coming season.

Would you consider PJ a forward prospect?

Would you consider PJ a forward prospect?

no

Would you consider PJ a forward prospect?

I think so, he has very good hands and also is surprisingly one of our more dangerous kicks of a football.

I think so, he has very good hands and also is surprisingly one of our more dangerous kicks of a football.

He actually doesn't have great hands but he is getting better. He was let go by the Eagles for that very reason.

As for being a dangerous kick, do you recall his miss from 25 metres straight in front last last week?