Maric and Bartram are not playing the same roles and I am dumbfounded why posters think Maric replaces Bartram.

I think your assumption about Bailey wanting to teach Maric a defensive game is correct. Its no good having the "skills" to be an AFL footballer if the application of defensive pressure is not one of them.

Maric is not a decent exchange for Junior. In a team that crying out for leadership, Junior is critical out there, particularly with Green out.

Was not saying they are similar players at all, except they seem to only go one way. Maric fwd, Barts defensive with no other strings to there bow. So why does the defensive ones keep getting a run if the fwd ones are not. I know the answer but I would have thought at least one bloke who from reports is developing the defensive side of things would get a run. Anyway all in good time i hope to see Maric lobbing shots from the boundry after running down is opposite number!!

would assume that both Jetta and Bennell have a different feeling going into the game this week.......they got their chance at the very beginning of the season because there was no one else available and they have grabbed it

They obviously showed something as they have stayed in BUT DB has a habit of playing guys for a number of weeks then setting them things to work on in the magoos. They might get another couple of weeks before some changes are made.

Where's Jurrah?

Someone (KC from Casey) is trying to find out, it was raised in a Casey thread earlier.

Agree. Making a career out of being a small crumbing forward is fraught with difficulty. You need many tricks to your bow to survive in that role.

I would hope that at least Wona and Maric would have enough skill and eventually enough fitness to play in the midfield consistently rather than be keyholed in a pocket.

So maybe Maric will be able to push up the ground, and Jetta and/or Wonaeamirri will stay closer to goal? I always thought Maric had the talent and was being groomed to play in the midfield more.

Final sides now added.

MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE

Melbourne

B: Neville Jetta, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram

HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey

C: Jared Rivers, Ricky Petterd, Brock McLean

HF: Cale Morton, Michael Newton, Nathan Jones

F: Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate

Foll: John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, James McDonald

I/C: Paul Johnson, Brent Moloney, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn

Emg: Russell Robertson, Kyle Cheney, Addam Maric

In: McDonald

Out: Brad Green (jaw)

Adelaide

B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andrew Otten

HB: Michael Doughty, Nathan Bock, Nathan van Berlo

C: Patrick Dangerfield, Simon Goodwin, David Mackay

HF: Richard Douglas, Taylor Walker, Andrew McLeod

F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince

Foll: Jon Griffin, Tyson Edwards, Scott Thompson

I/C: Brent Reilly, Myke Cook, Scott Stevens, Jared Petrenko

Emg: Jarrhan Jacky, Robert Shirley, Brad Moran

In: Cook, Griffin, Stevens

Out: Ivan Maric, Brad Symes, Robert Shirley

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

Maric left out again ROFL

Would have him ahead of Dunn, Bartram, Bruce and Bate any day of the week.

Petterd won't be starting in the centre. Just the one change after the win.

Where did Robertson come from? And where did Spencer go? Who cares really...

Not wholly unexpected changes. But Bartram and Dunn must play well this week to keep Maric out again.

The interesting bit is Robertson appearing in the Emergencies and Bailey being quoted as saying they will have a look at the conditions at lunchtime on Sunday before deciding whether to bring 'a smaller guy' in....from the emergencies........could be just giving Craig something to think about........Maric and Cheney both unlucky again.........will be interesting to see who actually plays at Casey from the three.......coz we are the late game........

Don't rule out a late change on Sunday if the weather gets really bad.

Newton or Dunn may miss in favour of Maric.

While I really want to see Maric play, and believe he deserves a game, it would be highly unfair to drop anyone from a team that won its first match in many many months. Everyone played their role (including Bartram!), and the one forced changed was always going to be Green out and our CAPTAIN in.

Do I want to see Maric more than Junior? Sure I do, but I doubt Maric expects to be selected ahead of his captain.

Bottom line is, you don't punish a young team for winning by making changes, and it is absolutely brilliant that there is finally some competition for spots. It will only get harder when Grimes, Robbo, Buckley and Watts are pushing for selection (assuming we don't get struck down by injuries again).

Final sides now added.

MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE

Melbourne

B: Neville Jetta, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram

HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey

C: Jared Rivers, Ricky Petterd, Brock McLean

HF: Cale Morton, Michael Newton, Nathan Jones

F: Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate

Foll: John Meesen, Cameron Bruce, James McDonald

I/C: Paul Johnson, Brent Moloney, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn

Emg: Russell Robertson, Kyle Cheney, Addam Maric

In: McDonald

Out: Brad Green (jaw)

That is not a bad side-Meeson & Johnson must play big games. We need First Ball use at stoppages.

Why would they bother putting Robbo in unless he is a serious chance of playing....

God I hope so!!!!!!!

Why would they bother putting Robbo in unless he is a serious chance of playing....

God I hope so!!!!!!!

only if he is 100%. you would not want him to break down again.

only if he is 100%. you would not want him to break down again.

The Demons will be training at Junction Oval on Saturday 25 April, at 10:30 am.

Backs: N.Jetta M.Warnock C.Bartram

Half backs: J. Frawley S. Martin A.Davey

Centreline: J.Rivers R.Petterd B.McLean

Half forwards: C. Morton M.Newton N.Jones

Forwards: B.Miller C.Sylvia M.Bate

Followers: J.Meesen C.Bruce J.McDonald

I/C from: P.Johnson B.Moloney J.Bennell L.Dunn

Emg: K.Cheney A.Maric R.Robertson

Can we make a late change and get someone out of the starting 18 without receiving a penalty (given of course that the change is due to the weather, not injury)?

If Robbo or Maric are late inclusions, I would say that Newton would be the one dropped, simply because we'll be swapping a tall for a small up forward.

Alternatively we could drop PJ and go with one ruckman.

I'm certain that if its wet on the day, Maric will come in for Bate.

The Demons will be training at Junction Oval on Saturday 25 April, at 10:30 am.

Backs: N.Jetta M.Warnock C.Bartram

Half backs: J. Frawley S. Martin A.Davey

Centreline: J.Rivers R.Petterd B.McLean

Half forwards: C. Morton M.Newton N.Jones

Forwards: B.Miller C.Sylvia M.Bate

Followers: J.Meesen C.Bruce J.McDonald

I/C from: P.Johnson B.Moloney J.Bennell L.Dunn

Emg: K.Cheney A.Maric R.Robertson

think Bartram is on last chance, needs to improve disposal or out he goes

I'm certain that if its wet on the day, Maric will come in for Bate.

That seems like a fair call, I hope it happens. While I can see that we won last week, Maric would thrive in these conditions.

Why would they bother putting Robbo in unless he is a serious chance of playing....

God I hope so!!!!!!!

Just so our supporters can see his pushing for selection probly.

think Bartram is on last chance, needs to improve disposal or out he goes

Oh I wish, but Bailey just keeps on playing him and keeps on rating him.

I think Bartram can get back into form, but if he has another couple of average games, the obvious replacement for him in the team is Cheney.

I think Bartram can get back into form, but if he has another couple of average games, the obvious replacement for him in the team is Cheney.

yeah true

im starting to wonder if steveheals and melbourne passion are the same individual.

Give Jetta A Rest.

I agree with that even though I don't think he is doing too badly, I think he is starting to get weary. AFL football takes its toll on the younger players who aren't used to 1 the speed of it and 2 the physical pressure involved. We don't want to risk an injury to a kid because he is labouring and tiring because he is not used to it. Rest him for a week or so and get him refreshed.

I know the answer but I would have thought at least one bloke who from reports is developing the defensive side of things would get a run.

The fact is he is still learning the defensive side of football. He has not got it yet.

The fact is he is still learning the defensive side of football. He has not got it yet.

No he hasn't.

But Batram has.

Can't believe the nonsense, and its relentlessness, over Batram. Has a few clangers a game but beats better opponents on a regular basis.

Godfrey mach II.

He plays a role and does it well.

Cheney unlucky again

I wouldn't have thought so.