Who do you think should replace Pettard in the forward line this weekend?

[Grand New Flag 3,226]

Our forward line is obviously needing a revamp after the long term injury to Pettard. I hate to say it but with Pettard in GCs sights we may never see him play for the red and blue again! So what do people think? Who should be selected?

Personally I would like to see Garland moved forward and Addam Maric given a gurnsey as a small forward. If this does not work other combinations should be tried. I would love to see Watts get a gig but I see him playing off the wing rather than forward.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Grand New Flag

[pitmaster 3,140]

No contest. Paul Johnson - and can ruck forward.

[Sir Why You Little 35,187]

No contest. Paul Johnson - and can ruck forward.

Yep P J is a big unit to have in the goal square as a resting ruckman.

To me this is P J's chance that he has to take, while Watts is still learning.

[Pates 9,541]

I've gone for Hughes because he's had a consistent showing at VFL level and this could be his chance to crack into the side, my next choice is PJ to come in for Stef Martin with Bail to replace Pettard. Perhaps i'm being a bit harsh on Stef but i don't think he's shown enough in the last couple of weeks to warrant staying in the side, 2 years ago we all saw something in PJ that we liked, hopefully he may be able to show us it again.

[Sideshow Bob 2,165]

I'd like to see young Jack get a call up AND Col Garland in the forward line. Although Jack isn't setting the world on fire, he should be fit enough to run, run, run as the current game plan sets out - play him as a high half forward/wing a la Cale Morton. I seem to recall Garland was drafted as a key forward after kicking loads of goals in Tassie. He couldn't be worse than any other options being floated around (Miller/Newton/Hughes/Pj....)

[titan_uranus 22,920]

Not Miller, Newton or Johnson.

If that means McNamara gets picked to play forward (I'd like to see that at some point, so maybe this week?), or Garland gets shifted forward, or Martin plays FF for 75% of the game, or Green plays out of the goalsquare, or Sylvia plays deeper, so be it. But picking Newton, Johnson or Miller is not a progressive step forward. It is nothing but a step backwards. Those three players are long, long gone, they are not part of our future, they will not be there when we win our next premiership, and they have had enough chances at AFL level to repeatedly show they are not good enough. One good game at Casey does not mean we automatically go crawling back to them.

[Carn dees 108]

WOW a lot of Danny Hughes votes, didnt expect that.

Id like to see jack watts play seems his confidence may be low atm.

Just say to him where giving you a big chance this friday night to go out and hold a spot in the team.

[Demon Rob 2]

huh? we have a forward line? I thought it was just a bunch of midfielders who run down there.

[Carn dees 108]

Just heard on the news he may have played his last game for the dees, due to gold coast.

Now i no thats nothing new though i didnt think it would mentioned on the news as that being a factor.TBH hearing that made me a little worried as he has become one of my favorite players.

[Felix 92]

Just heard on the news he may have played his last game for the dees, due to gold coast.

Now i no thats nothing new though i didnt think it would mentioned on the news as that being a factor.TBH hearing that made me a little worried as he has become one of my favorite players.

love the grammar.

I doubt he is leaving.

[Carn dees 108]

love the grammar.

I doubt he is leaving.

yeah its terrible. I really hope he isnt.

Also look what ive found.

From Ricky's twitter:

Not the results i was lookin 4, still a bit hard to swallow.Already lookin forward to putting on the red n blue in 2011! thanks for the msg!

That makes me feel a lot better.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Carn dees

[Felix 92]

yeah its terrible. I really hope he isnt.

Also look what ive found.

From Ricky's twitter:

Not the results i was lookin 4, still a bit hard to swallow.Already lookin forward to putting on the red n blue in 2011! thanks for the msg!

That makes me feel a lot better.

His manager will try to convince him to leave the club for more $$$$, as Petterds manager was the one telling him to hold off on contract deals.

[Go Dees Attack 0]

We need two key position forwards. Paul Johnson and Garland. There are too many times when there is no option up forward. Then they muck around and we lose possesion. Johnson rotating in ruck with the big russian would be good.

collingwont is a good example with cloak and dawes. Strong CPF who can push the opposition out of the way and take a mark.

Go Dees

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I would like to see Hughes in for Petterd - or even Bail (albeit with some reshuffling ie, not a direct swap). But I think we need PJ to replace Martin, and then have PJ and Jamar rotating through the forward line all night - with some crumbers running off them.

McKenzie must return too.

[Demon Rob 2]

I would like to see Hughes in for Petterd - or even Bail (albeit with some reshuffling ie, not a direct swap). But I think we need PJ to replace Martin, and then have PJ and Jamar rotating through the forward line all night - with some crumbers running off them.

McKenzie must return too.

as shown by the affect of a big north player in their forward line. yes a big player does make a difference, but then again, I think they are more concerned about teaching players how to run and carry at this stage.

[Swampfox 190]

Anyone considered playing Cheney in the back pocket and Garland at Full Forward

It wont really matter if we cant win the midfiled battles

[MadAsHell 4,089]

I went for Maric in for Petterd as a small forward and to provide that X factor that we're missing with Petterd & Jurrah out. I also voted for Rivers to go down there as a key forward and give us something to kick to. I'd love to see Rivers and Green deep with Maric lurking inside the forward 50.

[Nasher 33,187]

His manager will try to convince him to leave the club for more $$$$, as Petterds manager was the one telling him to hold off on contract deals.

I seriously doubt his manager will tell him to do anything of the sort. His manager is more likely to use GC as a bargaining tool with MFC, it would be pretty poor advice to tell his player to chase the dollar and consider nothing else. I also doubt Ricky is stupid enough to think that way - players do not just blindly do what they are told by their managers.

On the topic -- I voted for Hughes. As I said, if we're not going to utilise him in this type of scenario then there was not a lot of point in keeping him on the list.

[Swampfox 190]

I seriously doubt his manager will tell him to do anything of the sort. His manager is more likely to use GC as a bargaining tool with MFC, it would be pretty poor advice to tell his player to chase the dollar and consider nothing else. I also doubt Ricky is stupid enough to think that way - players do not just blindly do what they are told by their managers.

On the topic -- I voted for Hughes. As I said, if we're not going to utilise him in this type of scenario then there was not a lot of point in keeping him on the list.

Good point and that brings me to something thats been bugging me for yonks

why did we keep Meeson and Newton on the list ?

Wouldn't it have been a wiser to move them on and get 2 more draft picks when we had the chance

Dylan Grimes and Alex Silvagni come to mind

[Eth 4]

Good point and that brings me to something thats been bugging me for yonks

why did we keep Meeson and Newton on the list ?

Wouldn't it have been a wiser to move them on and get 2 more draft picks when we had the chance

Dylan Grimes and Alex Silvagni come to mind

We don't need any more mid-sized defenders.

[Kiss of Death 708]

Also put a vote in for Hughes as one of my options. Club's given him a lot of time and patience, but it's now or never.

[dee-luded 2,958]

I think either Garland or Hughes. Happy with either.

If Garland, then we can blood/play another young defender or such.

MELBOURNE

B: Bail, Warnock, Rivers

HB: Grimes, Frawley, Macdonald

C: Trengove, McKenzie, Sylvia

HF: Davey, Bate, Dunn

F: Garland, Green, Bennell

FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, McDonald

I/C: Martin, Jones, Bruce, Scully,

EMG: Bartram, Spencer, Hughes,

Edited May 4, 2010 by dee-luded

[True Believer 1]

Paul Johnson for me...can also share work load with jamar

[e25 5]

Hughes, no question.

[CarnTheDees 52]

Garland forward, Cheney into the side as another small defender. Frawley to take Hall and either Rivers or Warnock dropped (no matchup for both) for McKenzie.

IN: Cheney, McKenzie

OUT: Rivers/Warnock, Petterd (inj)

Edited May 4, 2010 by CarnTheDees