Yep, it's a great time to give him a rest.

Going with a smallish team.

Fair point regarding Warnock....smallish side Port. More reason for Spencer to be replaced for Jetta.

Still nearly 20% of the side changed....don't think that is ever a great thing, but Morton and Wonna back is great.

A win would be awesome and Aussie to get through without issue....even better!!

Cmon Dees!

Well i guess the thread i started just a moment after this one can be deleted LOL.

Spencer inclusion is puzzling and interesting to see Strauss and Dunn named as emergencies alongside Jetta.

I wonder if the late change could be Dunn for Spencer which would then make Miller the backup Ruck.

I'd go the other way 'pm24' & play Miller as the Key Forward to split packs & bring the ball down or direct it to our advantage. I guess we'll soon see.

IMO, Miller makes better decisions than Dunn & is a better team player. Just a pity that he hasn't so far got control of his fear of kicking goals. Lets hope he gets OFF his own case & Trusts himself.

Dunn someone said did OK in the ruck recently? I missed it so can't comment. Anywho, Spencer needs a blowout before the game against the CATS.

If any further changes, I'd go a small.

I don't understand why, given that Bailey's on the record as saying the ball will be like a cake of soap, we'd start Spencer and leave Jetta in the emergencies. Yes, I know there's every chance we'll have a late change, but it seems that DB's aware it's not the conditions for big men, why pick Spencer in the first place? Don't get it.

Because it might make Mark Williams go "OMFG they've taken out their ruckman and put in a goal sneak... what will we do, our entire setup has gone down the drain. Call the press, we're withdrawing from the match"

I think Gysberts is hard done by to be missing out. His form has been really good for Casey, and we need ot get some senior games into him this season. I would have thought with Bruce and Bate missing it was the ideal time to blood him.

If the ball is 'like a cake of soap' then surely there will be more stoppages. If there are more stoppages then the role of a ruckman is more important. Especially the choice of a tap ruckman in Spencer over a mobile ruckman like Johnson.

I don't understand why, given that Bailey's on the record as saying the ball will be like a cake of soap, we'd start Spencer and leave Jetta in the emergencies. Yes, I know there's every chance we'll have a late change, but it seems that DB's aware it's not the conditions for big men, why pick Spencer in the first place? Don't get it.

Well, if your thinking is right,,,,, One big man in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,?????????????????

Good thought. I'll cross my fingers.

Bloody better be a late change. Not impressed with Frostys inclusion either. Suppose his playing for his career.

Great to see Wona & Morton in for their first games this year.

I know some reckon Wona is very lucky. But, he has had runs the past four weeks, so surely he should be back to some sort of fitness. And, it is rather nice he gets to strut his stuff up in Darwin on indigenous round. Just hope he is able to give a reasonable showing, and repay the faith the match committee is showing in him.

Think Hughes is a bit stiff. Would have liked to see him get another week or two.

Think Warnock is a good move. Not required this week, so give him a rest before the coming, big games.

Go Dees!

Late Changes:

IN - Jetta

OUT - Spencer

I'm hoping.

Gysberts stiff. However the club wants to stake a claim for supporters in Darwin. Wonaeamirri, underdone or not will be a drawcard at this game, similar to Watts and QB 2009. The club needs to grow so such decisions will be made until we're really ready to rumble. I hope Jetta also plays, love to see all the indigenous guys together with Liam and family in the stands. Looking forward to watching this Saturday.

We are told today that the conditions in Darwin will be warm and dewy. The players have been experimenting with gloves and wrist bands. Why would you bring Miller in when the guy has one of the worst pair of hands in the team (competition) He rarely grabs it below his knees or above the shoulders. When was the last time he significantly contributed toward a win. Spencer is a project player, maybe potential but as a basketball player he should be left to learn the game in the VFL. The game will be played on the ground. Neither he nor Miller will contribute enough to warrant selection. It's these decisions that perpetuate the questions about the competence of the coaching staff. There perceptions are still too coloured by the dream world. I guess I should console myself that this is dreamtime weekend.

Spencer has been knocking the door down for selection, so, by your reckoning, we should just ignore him & he might go away? Gc-17 would Snap him up in a heartbeat.

He's gonna be a good player for us, but needs games & is not as far away as you may think, (18 months - 2 years I'm prepared to bet). IMO he's well more advanced than Jamar was in year 3.

Miller is the obvious replacement to come in to take Bate spot as they play a similar role. Also we need his strength & size, (as long as he brings it) for the team, against the bigger teams {geelong/carlton/collingwood/adelaide/st-kilda}, when Bate comes back they'll adjust the roles.

This we need to do while jack builds his body & before we recruit another young key forward.

Port are the 3rd worst team for opposition hitouts (ie other teams murder them in the ruck). Could explain the selection of Spencer. To get Port worried about height.

The forecast however is for a wet game. Spencer could get a late back spasm I feel.

The other stat of note is that in three of their wins they have come from behind at 3/4 time.

Great to see Wona & Morton in for their first games this year.

I know some reckon Wona is very lucky. But, he has had runs the past four weeks, so surely he should be back to some sort of fitness. And, it is rather nice he gets to strut his stuff up in Darwin on indigenous round. Just hope he is able to give a reasonable showing, and repay the faith the match committee is showing in him.

Think Hughes is a bit stiff. Would have liked to see him get another week or two.

Think Warnock is a good move. Not required this week, so give him a rest before the coming, big games.

Go Dees!

Yeah, I reckon Hughesy needed to show a bit more last week in the wet, with his output, to demand his spot. IMO he'll be back.

In todays way of recruiting mature players in compromised drafts, we could do a lot worse.

Gysberts stiff. However the club wants to stake a claim for supporters in Darwin. Wonaeamirri, underdone or not will be a drawcard at this game, similar to Watts and QB 2009. The club needs to grow so such decisions will be made until we're really ready to rumble. I hope Jetta also plays, love to see all the indigenous guys together with Liam and family in the stands. Looking forward to watching this Saturday.

Gysberts may debut against Carlton round 11, just to show them what they missed out on.

I also agree with your opinion of Jetta being included into the side, may be a possibility seeing the conditions will suit him over Spencer... But you never know what they may do.

IMO bit stiff on Hughes to be dropped after 2 games, but I guess the FD know what they are doing.

Otherwise nice in's, looking forward to watching the game... somehow!

I'd rather see Hughes get a gig ahead of Jetta.

Hughes has finally been given hsi chance, looked OK but shouldn't be dropped after 2 games IMO.

If the ball is 'like a cake of soap' then surely there will be more stoppages. If there are more stoppages then the role of a ruckman is more important. Especially the choice of a tap ruckman in Spencer over a mobile ruckman like Johnson.

Boom tish.

Jamar is going to have to spelled and cant be expected to be rucking for whole 4 quarters if its wet.

Hughes stiff to be dropped???? Unbelievable. Did little in the contests he made and had little impact.

I'd rather see Hughes get a gig ahead of Jetta.

Hughes has finally been given hsi chance, looked OK but shouldn't be dropped after 2 games IMO.

I agree, he finally broke into the side only to be dropped 2 games later, very unlucky there. And it wasnt because he played crap either, last week the ball rarely made it into the forward line for him to even have a go.

Not as good as I was hoping for.

Warnock out is a big, big loss. Mind you, Port doesn't have Tredrea at the moment. I wonder what 'soreness' is.

Spencer in is a bad move. Why replace one dud ruckman with another? Miller could have done it. And it in turn reduces the value of seeing Miller come in for Hughes, as it's clear now he's going to play as a forward, not as a forward/ruck.

Nice to have Morton and Wonaeamirri back, but Jetta would feel unlucky to not get the nod over Wonna.

I feel that Jetta will get the nod over Spenser.

Jamar loves it tough, He relishes being the No1 ruckman.

Jetta is a young ripper. He can taste battle.

Boom tish.

Jamar is going to have to spelled and cant be expected to be rucking for whole 4 quarters if its wet.

Hughes stiff to be dropped???? Unbelievable. Did little in the contests he made and had little impact.

Can't believe Spencer got a game.

Good to see Aussie back although i'd have Jetta in ahead of him. Joel Mac and Morton are good inclusion. Bruce is no huge loss.

Hughes i thought was massively stiff. Was our best forward last week and was just finding his feet. Took 7 marks and presented well. Especially considering they are bringing Miller in, i mean talking about having little effect on a contest. Maybe a farewell game? He has shown maybe a good game followed by 3 shockers!

If it's wet Spencer would be no good. Actually if its dry the same applies.

I hope Aussie is fit and right to go and they aren't just putting him in because of the whole Darwin thing. But it's good to see him back as I feel he is one player we have missed. the crumber around the ball.

/

Aussie was clearly picked because of the Darwin-Tiwi Islands connection. I hope this isn't a case of the marketing department influencing the coaching department. Jetta and Maric are fitter; they have better recent form in Casey and can fill that small forward role for the side. I'm glad Aussie's back but bring him back when he's ready, not because he grew up near Darwin oval.

Spencer? Can't mark can't kick. Maybe he's there because Jamar needs a break. MacDonald played well last week but he's keeping Strauss out of the team.

To the MFC - be prepared to make changes to suit the conditions, unlike the footscray match where we left PJ in the team. Go Dees!

Can't believe Spencer got a game.

Good to see Aussie back although i'd have Jetta in ahead of him. Joel Mac and Morton are good inclusion. Bruce is no huge loss.

Hughes i thought was massively stiff. Was our best forward last week and was just finding his feet. Took 7 marks and presented well. Especially considering they are bringing Miller in, i mean talking about having little effect on a contest. Maybe a farewell game? He has shown maybe a good game followed by 3 shockers!

Hi Guys here is a couple of thoughts

(1) Miller has played well at casey since his exclusion and in case anyone missed it we only kicked 6 goals last week. As well i noticed two WCE players giving Watts a hard time physically, Miller is the only person in our side who is tough and likely to even up any rough stuff from Port.

(2) perhaps the replacement might be Spencer for Jamar! perhaps he is carrying an injury. And please to do not tell me Johnson is a better option than almost anyone on our list.

I have defended him for years however after last week I am off the wagon, he was terrible and unfortunately unlikely to improve. We have to give spencer some game time. I fear he is not good enough either but at least he is young and worth some time and effort.

I don't understand why, given that Bailey's on the record as saying the ball will be like a cake of soap, we'd start Spencer and leave Jetta in the emergencies. Yes, I know there's every chance we'll have a late change, but it seems that DB's aware it's not the conditions for big men, why pick Spencer in the first place? Don't get it.

DB's not that stupid is he? He'd see that they only really have Brogan, with Trengove who's very inexperienced, as backup.

GREAT to see Morton back in, it's been a long, long time.