Changes for next week against Richmond

[Demon_Tingles 211]

Ok im so sick of this crap. One McLean and Bate will not be dropped its not bates fault the the forward line planning is pus In fact it is Josh Mahoney's fault. Two Sylvia yes he is a pain in the ass but he will not be dropped as we need to give him game time he is only 23 and yes he has wasted opportunities but when he comes good with some decent service and game plan it will be worth it.

Just because we lost does not mean we need to swing the axe. Blokes like Bate and Sylvia look like they have no clue because the side either does not follow a game plan or there is no game plan for the forwards. McDonald and maybe Maric to come in that is it, Spencer struggled in the VFL yesterday so give him some more time there.

Johnson is a back up ruckman at best but is very very agile and very skilful so he needs to be in the forward line. Not at CHF where Bailey is playing him but at FF where he can use his height and agility and take a grab. Kick the frigging thing straight into the forward line .. not to the pockets and we will all be surprised at how well we go with Johnson providing a contest and jetta and the like crumbing off him.

[Yencks 8]

IN: Maric

OUT: Jetta

[Demon_Tingles 211]

IN: Maric

OUT: Jetta

Jetta won't be dropped it will be Dunn or someone older.

[w00dy 146]

In: Maric, McDonald

Out: Cheney, Jetta

like for like essentially... Sylvia stays in as we need a marking target up across centre half forward... If Robbo is ready then he comes in for Sylvia...

Everyone is calling for PJ's head, but the fact is Spencer isn't going to be much better, so lets give PJ another couple of chances to come good... Don't want to play two completely inexperienced ruckman... When Russian is back then we can look at it again, but till then PJ plays...

Maric's form demands selection, and while Jetta did some good things, he's not up to AFL standard just yet... He weighs less than 70kg! As for Cheney, I think he was lucky to play this week, with only Junior's injury keeping him in the side. Needs to go back to Casey and learn to be accountable.

Dunn didn't have a great game, but needs more than one week. He's been a favourite of mine, but he's going to be a player, along with others like Daniel Bell who will be playing for their career this season... We need to give them a decent chance this season to prove he deserves to stay on our list come season's end.

[1858 285]

Ok im so sick of this crap. One McLean and Bate will not be dropped its not bates fault the the forward line planning is pus In fact it is Josh Mahoney's fault. Two Sylvia yes he is a pain in the ass but he will not be dropped as we need to give him game time he is only 23 and yes he has wasted opportunities but when he comes good with some decent service and game plan it will be worth it.

Just because we lost does not mean we need to swing the axe. Blokes like Bate and Sylvia look like they have no clue because the side either does not follow a game plan or there is no game plan for the forwards. McDonald and maybe Maric to come in that is it, Spencer struggled in the VFL yesterday so give him some more time there.

I'm glad that you have mentioned the relevance of Mahoney as the forward coach. I had a raised eyebrow at the time we got him and I don't think there is any reflection up forward of an organised group of players what so ever. I don't want to trivialise this as there are many factors that aren't helping. The overall gameplan of the team is still a work in progress, our forwards are slow, delivery takes too long etc... We also lack crumbers up forward (Wona/Maric injured, other smalls not pushing forward) and we have moved a few players in and out already which obviously doesn't help the cause either. However if you look at the players we do have they don't seem to be leading correctly most of the time - the commentators mentioned it a few times during the Port game (not that they are gospel). Like the team game plan you have to give it time until we have better players to perform it and the current players improve with it I guess and it is only round 3 as well so it is pointless to make judgement at this stage but I have my concerns about him I must admit.

[MelbournePassion 7]

I know who can be a better forward line coach than mahony. He`s a demon legend. Played 306 game, kicked 631 goals, Longest-serving Captain for the history of the Melbourne football club, 2002 Colemen medallist, 2002 best and fairest winner and had a kicking accuracy of 63.1%.

Who could it be?

D???d N???z

[H_T 3,043]

IN: MARIC, MCDONALD OUT: JETTA, DUNN

[rpfc 28,262]

Ok im so sick of this crap. One McLean and Bate will not be dropped its not bates fault the the forward line planning is pus In fact it is Josh Mahoney's fault. Two Sylvia yes he is a pain in the ass but he will not be dropped as we need to give him game time he is only 23 and yes he has wasted opportunities but when he comes good with some decent service and game plan it will be worth it.

We have evolved from blaming the forwards to the 'forward line planning,' when you get to the fact that we had 39 and then 40 Inside 50s in the first two rounds I'll be waiting.

We had 46 on Sunday, which is better, but our midfielders need to work as hard as Miller and Bate do. They need to gut run, Grant Thomas is an arrogant arse but he is right, players who want to take the next step need to run to exhaustion.

I take issue with our midfield group because I only see the constant running from Morton, Bruce, and Davey.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Jones runs his arse off, as does PJ.

IN: Spencer, McDonald.

OUT: Sylvia (SUS), Petterd.

Play PJ at FF, leaving ruck work to Meesen and Spencer.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

In: Maric, McDonald

Out: Cheney, Jetta

Everyone is calling for PJ's head, but the fact is Spencer isn't going to be much better, so lets give PJ another couple of chances to come good... Don't want to play two completely inexperienced ruckman... When Russian is back then we can look at it again, but till then PJ plays...

Replace Cheney's name with Dunn and you have it.

Spencer is 19, raw and will improve. PJ is 25 and there are big question marks in his seventh season of football where he is at. I have posters saying he provides "experience" and " mobility". He does neither. And what worse he cant ruck to save himself. And he does not oppositions when he is up there

His first three games have been horrible this year. I cant work out why he is a retention this week.

We are up against Simmonds in the centre and I would rather go with a raw ruckman that will actually have a dip in centre and create space for smaller players than a 200cm rover.

[titan_uranus 24,974]

Sylvia yes he is a pain in the ass but he will not be dropped as we need to give him game time he is only 23 and yes he has wasted opportunities but when he comes good with some decent service and game plan it will be worth it.

How long must we wait? You are making the assumption that he will actually play good football at sometime in the future. Most other Demon supporters have long given up on Sylvia.

Johnson is a back up ruckman at best but is very very agile and very skilful so he needs to be in the forward line. Not at CHF where Bailey is playing him but at FF where he can use his height and agility and take a grab. Kick the frigging thing straight into the forward line .. not to the pockets and we will all be surprised at how well we go with Johnson providing a contest and jetta and the like crumbing off him.

Very agile and very skilful? Have you seen any of the first 3 weeks? He moves like an elephant, he isn't getting enough of the ball to show that he's 'skilful', and he doesn't use his height, weight or strength to his advantage often enough. We're sure as hell not going to win the ruck with PJ in the team, so I'd like to see Spencer given a go in his place.

Jones runs his arse off, as does PJ.

IN: Spencer, McDonald.

OUT: Sylvia (SUS), Petterd.

Play PJ at FF, leaving ruck work to Meesen and Spencer.

PJ might run, but he doesn't influence the game at all.

Petterd's being played out of position IMO.

Spencer is 19, raw and will improve. PJ is 25 and there are big question marks in his seventh season of football where he is at. I have posters saying he provides "experience" and " mobility". He does neither. And what worse he cant ruck to save himself. And he does not oppositions when he is up there

His first three games have been horrible this year. I cant work out why he is a retention this week.

We are up against Simmonds in the centre and I would rather go with a raw ruckman that will actually have a dip in centre and create space for smaller players than a 200cm rover.

Totally agree.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I know who can be a better forward line coach than mahony. He`s a demon legend. Played 306 game, kicked 631 goals, Longest-serving Captain for the history of the Melbourne football club, 2002 Colemen medallist, 2002 best and fairest winner and had a kicking accuracy of 63.1%.

Who could it be?

D???d N???z

I agree. He needs to teach some players (especially Miller and Bate) where to go when the ball comes inside 50.

[MelbournePassion 7]

I agree. He needs to teach some players (especially Miller and Bate) where to go when the ball comes inside 50.

Yeah, and it will only show a sense of pride in the club. That all the past players getting a reconnection with the club, such as Stynes,Connolly,A.Mcdonald,Leoncelli, Hopgood and Neitz has been involved with the mates of melbourne a bit anyway.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Rather than having a in bred mates club that has experienced 45 years of no success, how about we seek to recruit and hold the best possible candidates for Footy Dept roles?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

IMO PJ is not fit, whether he like McLean is underdone or if he is still struggling with his hip. He is not moving well at all.

[Guest petjud]

IMO PJ is not fit, whether he like McLean is underdone or if he is still struggling with his hip. He is not moving well at all.

Got it in one, I was at the game, and both McLean and PJ look like they are struggling, especially to get up a head of steam, once Mclean got away but ran about 20 metres and was buggered, same with Johnson, who got caught after he started a couple of metres ahead of a player.

I think perhaps they need a rest, not sure who would replace McLean, unless they promote Valenti

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I think perhaps they need a rest, not sure who would replace McLean, unless they promote Valenti

I think it is time to promote Valenti. Some of his performances from last year are one's we need now.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I reckon that if they are not injured and underdone as I suspect they are, they will continue playing them to run them into fitness. The problem with playing Spencer and Meesen is that I cant see either playing as a legitimate forward, they are athletic wanderers of the ground, not programmed to take the big mark. Alas PJ isnt too dangerous at the moment either, but guessing given more game time DB will be hoping to run him into fitness.

Mclean will keep his place and given a few more weeks will start to get his fitness and touch back, if he can stay on the park.

If we could clone 2 more Daveys ie pacy, skillful, midfielders we would be far more potent. In Bennell we may have disovered a small piece of the puzzle. He has had stopping roles but looks destined to be the designated carrier/kicker from the back half.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I reckon that if they are not injured and underdone as I suspect they are, they will continue playing them to run them into fitness. The problem with playing Spencer and Meesen is that I cant see either playing as a legitimate forward, they are athletic wanderers of the ground, not programmed to take the big mark. Alas PJ isnt too dangerous at the moment either, but guessing given more game time DB will be hoping to run him into fitness.

Mclean will keep his place and given a few more weeks will start to get his fitness and touch back, if he can stay on the park.

If we could clone 2 more Daveys ie pacy, skillful, midfielders we would be far more potent. In Bennell we may have disovered a small piece of the puzzle. He has had stopping roles but looks destined to be the designated carrier/kicker from the back half.

We don't really need Meesen or Spencer to provide as forward targers. As long as they can do the little things such as 1%ers and handballs out of packs.

They have both prooved to win a lot of hitouts.

[TonyMelb 7]

For the first time in your life you are 100% correct. His season so far has been pathetic, his season last year wasn't much better it was just that every other player was worse. Played on Gray early and got a bath missed a goal when we were still in the game like last week against Collingwood he is a junk time specialist.

IN : MARIC, MCDONALD, NEWTON, SPENCER

OUT: SYLVIA (SUS), P.JOHNSON, PETTERD, DUNN

Agree YM is spot on with this. Cam is one of the MFC more expericienced players who has viewed success in terms of number of possessions and not the effectiveness of the possessions he gets. Has become more wasteful and many more wayward kicks than earlier in his career and either more selfish or has lost lateral vision as regularly does not pass to players in the clear. Not on his own but is the worst ATM.

[Demons 32 235]

I want to see Jetta, Bennell and Cheney hold their spots.

Would also like to see Spencer come back in for PJ.

Macca will definately come in and definately bring in Maric

So my ins: Spencer, Macca, Maric

Still thinking about who I should drop, definately PJ.

[Double_D 0]

What are the chances of Cheney holding his spot for the next few rounds ? With a few quilty players coming back, how much longer do you thing he will be able to hold his spot ?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

What are the chances of Cheney holding his spot for the next few rounds ? With a few quilty players coming back, how much longer do you thing he will be able to hold his spot ?

Hopefully the whole season. Cheney already has been a shining light for us and he's averaged over 17 possessions and six marks in his first three games.

[hoopla 418]

Every game this year - we have struggled to find aforward option. If ever Newton is going to get a game surely it must be now. The one youngster who is fit and showing signs at Casey is Maric.

IN: Newton,Maric

OUT: Petterd, Sylvia

Petterd needs a run at Casey- starting at half back - to get his confidence back.I still haven't given up completely on Sylvia - but his form over the last two weeks hasn't been good enough to keep his place.

I can't believe peoiple want to drop PJ. He did have a shocker last week but he gives us several options ... and he's still running into form after an interrupted pre-season. He has played enough good footy in the last couple of years to be forgiven a poor game or two.You couldn't go into a game with Meeson and Spencer interchanging all day.

No reason to drop Jetta and this stage - and just let Bennell keep learning the game as he has been

If Junior's fit ..I'be looking to drop Bartram - who quite frankly hasn't got the skills to be part of the side in the long-term

[The Jack of Grimes 0]

Every game this year - we have struggled to find aforward option. If ever Newton is going to get a game surely it must be now. The one youngster who is fit and showing signs at Casey is Maric.

IN: Newton,Maric

OUT: Petterd, Sylvia

Petterd needs a run at Casey- starting at half back - to get his confidence back.I still haven't given up completely on Sylvia - but his form over the last two weeks hasn't been good enough to keep his place.

I can't believe peoiple want to drop PJ. He did have a shocker last week but he gives us several options ... and he's still running into form after an interrupted pre-season. He has played enough good footy in the last couple of years to be forgiven a poor game or two.You couldn't go into a game with Meeson and Spencer interchanging all day.

No reason to drop Jetta and this stage - and just let Bennell keep learning the game as he has been

If Junior's fit ..I'be looking to drop Bartram - who quite frankly hasn't got the skills to be part of the side in the long-term

Disagree with some of your comments there. Especially about Bartram. He's just about the only tagger in the team we have. The other midfielders like Jones, Mclean and Moloney just aren't accountable at the moment, and can't even take care of themselves let alone an opposition player. Bartram doesn't get stats because he tags.

Also Petterd is a gun. I just don't think he's the right option as a full forward or whatever Bailey is playing him as. He needs to be amongst the action. He's a hard nut and would bleed for this club. He's just not good enough leading out and is not a contested marker. He needs space and chest ball delivery which none of our midfielders bar davey can deliver.

I agree with you on PJ. Showed some real potential last year, but really needs to step it up if he wants to maintain his spot. At the moment I couldn't see a reason why Spenser and Meesen shouldn't be playing together and rotating through ruck and forward line seeing as they are both the 'future' of the club's rucking department. And if this is indeed a 'development' year, then realistically their concern should be to develop young players such as the two ruck boys.

Jetta and Benell also need game time in the seniors. I agree with that. I'm not sure what the point is of dropping any of these young players down to the VFL considering we're trying to develop them. I finally now understand the Watts and Blease situation, however Spencer and the rest of the first year players unless not fit, should be playing on the big stage to teach them a lesson or two. Especially if theyre in the clubs long term plans. It's all well and good to ease them in, but unless they get hammered around and smashed a bit, they will never learn the perils of being an AFL footballer.