Word just out!!!- Unconfirmed source

[burn in hell 0]

The quicker that players like Miller are off the list the better so that we dont have to continue to waste time rewarding his good VFL form with call ups to the seniors, only for him to fail misersably at senior level time and time again. I think its clear to most people he will not be resolving his deficiencies at this point in his career. Never been a better example of a list clogger.

ok, lets throw out all our fairness and decency. Lets just write a bloke off who is in our leadership group, who got BOG in a final against Freo, who trains really hard and keeps putting in good perfaormances at Casey. Yeah, lets just write him off becuase we have a bone to pick. [censored].

Good on ya Miller, hope you kick some arse. Stick up for Watts and let the bro's tear it up. We need you back in the team.

[H_T 3,049]

I recall that happening and commented at the time how stupid it was. Sam Newman once vented his frustration with players coming third man up and claimed it only gave their own side a 50/50 chance of winning the ball because they would whack it indiscriminately to no one in particular.

Yes. Jamar quite rightly had a go at him. It resulted in a forward 50 entry for the eagles. All the way from their backline.

[Angry_Bird 0]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/94654/default.aspx

[Inner Demon 1]

Bate & Bruce are confirmed outs.

[drdrake 3,185]

As a young Victoria player would you rather debut at the MCG v Carlton or Collingwood with all your family and freinds there + 50,000+ people or in Darwin?

Gysberts may not be in the team due to where we are playing.

[Jaded No More 68,972]

Another forward bites the dust

[dee-luded 2,959]

I don't disagree that the loss of Bate and Hughes hurt (particularly bate), but we're replacing them with Miler (a taller and stronger marking option) while we still have Green as a solid marking option as well. That still provides us with 3 marking options up front with another 3 guys with pace to provide tackling pressure and creativity around the goals. Bennell is a good mark as well.

If it's like normal up there I don't believe many marks will be taken. Many will be dropped & the ball slipping across the ground.

The small players, especially those that can play tall should be good.

[the fork 357]

Bate & Bruce are confirmed outs.

At Alice Springs airport, on my way up north. Melbourne plane just arrived. Big Official Melbourne entourage on board. James Strauss the only player on board. Liam also, not sure if he was already here though. CC, Schwaby, Don Mc Lardy the notable others. Strauss' presence would suggest he's not playing. No big Jim. Raining and quite cold here so possibly not good conditions. All about to head to Yuendumu, great for the community out there.

Also those making the trip should attempt to watch the pre game matches. See how footy is played in the top end.

Cheers. Good to see a bit of red and blue in Alice today. God I hope we win.

Go you Demons!

[pm24 451]

Please tell me you're not being serious drdrake. If our FD started picking people just so they could play in a home game in front of a big crowd, rather than picking guys who are best for the team form wise and structurally we'd have a big problem.

I don't really understand why everyone EXPECTS Gysberts to be in the side. Where would he fit in the lineup and which midfielder would everyone expect to be dropped for him to take his place?

McKenzie? McDonald? Scully? Trengove? Jones? Moloney? Davey? Green? Sylvia?

The only player i can see potentially be dropped is Bartram but yet again I don't think he'd be dropped for Gysberts as Bartram is a small defender not a midfielder.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Please tell me you're not being serious drdrake. If our FD started picking people just so they could play in a home game in front of a big crowd, rather than picking guys who are best for the team form wise and structurally we'd have a big problem.

I don't really understand why everyone EXPECTS Gysberts to be in the side. Where would he fit in the lineup and which midfielder would everyone expect to be dropped for him to take his place?

McKenzie? McDonald? Scully? Trengove? Jones? Moloney? Davey? Green? Sylvia?

The only player i can see potentially be dropped is Bartram but yet again I don't think he'd be dropped for Gysberts as Bartram is a small defender not a midfielder.

Davey was concussed??? Sylvia its suggested is playing injured? Junior could go back to defense?

[pm24 451]

Davey was concussed but came back in and finished off the game. Yes he could be replaced but i would think that Jetta would be the more likely inclusion for Davey.

As for Sylvia, Gysberts could come in for him but then you have one less goal kicker in the team. Davey and Sylvia are more than just midfielders for us. They are goal-kickers. If all are healthy (and neither Davey or Sylvia are listed on the Injury List) i can't see any room for Gysberts.

I'm not trying to say that he doesn't deserve a call up. Just saying there isn't any room for him in the team because of our midfield depth.

As for Junior, i think taking his tackling pressure out of the middle would really hurt the team.

Edited May 20, 2010 by pm24

[H_T 3,049]

At Alice Springs airport, on my way up north. Melbourne plane just arrived. Big Official Melbourne entourage on board. James Strauss the only player on board. Liam also, not sure if he was already here though. CC, Schwaby, Don Mc Lardy the notable others. Strauss' presence would suggest he's not playing. No big Jim. Raining and quite cold here so possibly not good conditions. All about to head to Yuendumu, great for the community out there.

Also those making the trip should attempt to watch the pre game matches. See how footy is played in the top end.

Cheers. Good to see a bit of red and blue in Alice today. God I hope we win.

Go you Demons!

Thanks fork. Appreciate the update. Raining and cold ? Wow. Good luck in Yuendumu. Will be a real eye opener for James I'd imagine, to see the Yuendumu community and see Liam's relatives & friends. Go Dees !

[Demons 32 235]

I'm not trying to say that he doesn't deserve a call up. Just saying there isn't any room for him in the team because of our midfield depth.

Which isn't really a bad thing.....

I mean who cares if he has to wait a little bit longer? It's his first year, as a high draft pick he will definately get 4-5 years. So why rush?

[the_russian 17]

As a young Victoria player would you rather debut at the MCG v Carlton or Collingwood with all your family and freinds there + 50,000+ people or in Darwin?

Gysberts may not be in the team due to where we are playing.

if I was a young player I wouldn't care where I got to debut, be it in on the MCG, TIO, Manuka...I doubt this would come into calculations - what if his form drops off at Casey in the next two weeks? Play him while he is in form and condfidence is high

[pm24 451]

Which isn't really a bad thing.....

I mean who cares if he has to wait a little bit longer? It's his first year, as a high draft pick he will definately get 4-5 years. So why rush?

I completely agree. I view a lot of our recruiting as almost succession planning so we don't need to rush our young guys. Just let them develop until they become the type of players we expect them to be.

I can see Gysberts getting a chance to play a decent stretch of games next season, but only maybe a game or so this year. I think Gysberts will be a good replacement in the middle for Junior.

I mean a Gysberts, McKenzie, Scully, Trengove core looks very good going forward, particularly if Gysberts is as clean with his hands as reported.

Morton is the perfect replacement for bruce once bruce gets a bit older. Morton is possibly already better than bruce, but I can see Morton being that jack of all trades guy we use like we've used bruce over the years.

I could go on, but i think that we'll have a seamless transition into our new era despite losing guys like Junior, Bruce, and Green to retirement in the next 3-4 years.

[Disco Demons 92]

does melb forwards hav a curse?

[Red Sox 2]

Davey was concussed but came back in and finished off the game. Yes he could be replaced but i would think that Jetta would be the more likely inclusion for Davey.

As for Sylvia, Gysberts could come in for him but then you have one less goal kicker in the team. Davey and Sylvia are more than just midfielders for us. They are goal-kickers. If all are healthy (and neither Davey or Sylvia are listed on the Injury List) i can't see any room for Gysberts.

I'm not trying to say that he doesn't deserve a call up. Just saying there isn't any room for him in the team because of our midfield depth.

As for Junior, i think taking his tackling pressure out of the middle would really hurt the team.

I wouldn't be hanging our hat on Syliva or Davey being 'goalkickers' as such. Davey 9 in 22 games last year, 3 in 8 this year and career total of 104 in 127...Sylvia 17 in 17 games last year, 8 in 5 this year (not forgetting 2 or 3 bags of 4 included in that lot....so 12 in 3, 13 in 20) and 72 in 92 career games.

Davey is fair enough as his role has changed but Syliva's total just highlights his inconsistency. He cannot be called a midfielder, simply a half forward....dont get me wrong I love the bloke but he needs to deliver more, more often. Whether that is kicking goals or getting 20-25 good touches up and around half forward he needs to do better.

Of course my argument is pointed towards wanting Gysberts in the side@!!

[Strawbsodwyer 0]

This is a crunch game, we have a very hard next few weeks, we can't afford to lose this game, that is why I am not happy with giving wona what appears to be a charity game, he does not deserve selection and I am totally against giving someone a game because it is in Darwin and is indegineous round. As Gotch said, Wona's second half was quiet which attests to someone who is not match fit at the moment, Wona needs to earn his selection.

[Red Sox 2]

This is a crunch game, we have a very hard next few weeks, we can't afford to lose this game, that is why I am not happy with giving wona what appears to be a charity game, he does not deserve selection and I am totally against giving someone a game because it is in Darwin and is indegineous round. As Gotch said, Wona's second half was quiet which attests to someone who is not match fit at the moment, Wona needs to earn his selection.

Yep agree Strawbs.....that 88 suspension still hurts me too

Cant wait to have fit wonna back in the side, for a guy that has been out for the best part of 2 years cant see how a trip up north and back can be good for recovery, he may be just on the plane to be amongst the group - that is what I feel as Casey dont play. He and Jetta have been fairly similar as far as form goes but Jetta has played more and will be more 'match ready'.

I am fairly confident the changes will be:

OUT - Bruce, Bate, PJ

IN - Morton, Miller, Jetta.

Unless Sylvia or Davey are carrying something to keep them out...Wonna wont play.

[Dr. Mubutu 866]

What about Dunn?

Sure his horse in an olympic dressage competition kicking style and fingerless crocodile glove incident are reasons enough to keep him out but

I thought he presented well and worked really hard this year , gives us versatility, i would have thought he would be a good replacement for Bate

Looks like the 'glove' incident was just preparing for this week....Demons thinking about gloves for Darwin

[Red Sox 2]

Yep agree Strawbs.....that 88 suspension still hurts me too

Cant wait to have fit wonna back in the side, for a guy that has been out for the best part of 2 years cant see how a trip up north and back can be good for recovery, he may be just on the plane to be amongst the group - that is what I feel as Casey dont play. He and Jetta have been fairly similar as far as form goes but Jetta has played more and will be more 'match ready'.

I am fairly confident the changes will be:

OUT - Bruce, Bate, PJ

IN - Morton, Miller, Jetta.

Unless Sylvia or Davey are carrying something to keep them out...Wonna wont play.

Yes I will reply to myself here as it looks from the link below and reading between the lines that Bails is looking at bringing Wonna in: Note the great spelling of Wonna's name below: Sure that Nifty Nev would provide the same pressure bails is looking for, maybe it is a backhanded slap to Sylvia?

Indigenous forward Austin Wanaeamirri was a possible inclusion for what would be his first AFL match since making his debut in 2008.

The exciting 21-year-old has since had his career stalled by knee and hamstring problems, but Bailey said he had been in solid form since returning from injury through the VFL and could add a needed spark to the Demons attack.

"We probably need some more pressure in our forward line and that's probably been evident the last couple of weeks," Bailey said.

[e25 5]

It's likely to be one week - I'd hardly call that the strike of a curse.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

As a young Victoria player would you rather debut at the MCG v Carlton or Collingwood with all your family and freinds there + 50,000+ people or in Darwin?

Gysberts may not be in the team due to where we are playing.

Does a first gamer also choose which position he play in as well?

Thanks fork. Appreciate the update. Raining and cold ? Wow. Good luck in Yuendumu. Will be a real eye opener for James I'd imagine, to see the Yuendumu community and see Liam's relatives & friends. Go Dees !

Thanks also Fork. If its raining and cold I am not sure why posters were bemoaning loss of marking strength. If the OP is true then the conditions could be a repeat of the WB game and it will be a slog.

[armstrong35 262]

on cam schwab's twitter it says heading up to yuendemu and james strauss is joining us to learn about the world of liam.

does that mean he is playing?

[Red Sox 2]

on cam schwab's twitter it says heading up to yuendemu and james strauss is joining us to learn about the world of liam.

does that mean he is playing?

Doubt it.....unless they drop Bartram for Strauss. More likely to be just on the trip as Casey dont play this weekend.