Changes for QBD

[Guest DeesPower]

OUT: Watts, Jones (inj), Bartrum, Rivers

IN: Dunn, Frawley, McKenzie, Strauss

Miller has to stay, we need some big bodies down there

Dunn similarly, and is clearly in form, but leave him at FF

play Strauss up the ground, but make sure he takes all the kick INS

[FlowerPower 3]

Not that there's any point arguing with you, but if he has no skills AND no application/heart, can you then explain how it is that he has played 130 games and been voted a leader by his peers?

Easy he has been part of inept MFC teams for a decade, any other club he may have played a dozen or so

[Steamin Demon 401]

Not that there's any point arguing with you, but if he has no skills AND no application/heart, can you then explain how it is that he has played 130 games and been voted a leader by his peers?

Lack of options springs to mind, Keep in mind he racked up nearly 70 of those games in some of Melbourne's darkest days. Leadership group ? That same group didn't include Greeny last year, Need I say more ?

[pitmaster 3,589]

OK that's enough about Miller. He will play this week. It's a game for mature bodies.

For the same reason, Watts will probably miss. His form does not warrant another crack and we can save him being targeted.

Also to miss are Jones and Junior. Hammies both of them - one only slight, the other only a niggle but with a week off to follow, why risk them? Junior's leadership will be a big loss but let's get them right with only one week out where normally it might be two or three.

Also clearly out is Sylvia - again he will be missed big time but it's a serious scare and I'd be very surprised a Thursday hospital discharge sees him on the park in a big one by Monday.

Ins are McKenzie for Junior which is obvious: to regain tackling and midfield grunt.

Dunn for Watts - simply, Dunny must be peristed with up forward. Reading BG's player review it sounds like Dunn really worked his body in front and showed how to play a key forward position. Let's hope it translates to the ones.

I want Cheney for Jones - not to play the position though, but to go back to give us strength and run. Maybe Grimes to go to the middle.

And the one to p--- you all off: again, guided by BG's player review and the need against Jolly to have a second ruckman: Paul Johnson. He disappointed last time but it's a big unit and it can ruck a bit and it can kick sweetly if it actually finds the ball. Bottom line, the Russian can't take on the Pies rucks solo.

Frawley. He is a must: for Garland I guess, who has struggled. Others will say

Rivers but I reckon he is starting to read it

SUMMARY:

Out: Sylvia, Jones, Junior Mac, Watts, Garland

In: McKenzie, Cheney, Dunn, Johnson, Frawley(and Hughes unlucky to miss)

[PeterJames 46]

Judging by the player review which i put in the casey review Dunn(obviously) Johnson, Cheney and Hughes all had good games so would all be a chance.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Judging by the player review which i put in the casey review Dunn(obviously) Johnson, Cheney and Hughes all had good games so would all be a chance.

PJ - no chance unless there are injuries. Cant ruck and cant play forward. The other three are better chances. Dunn would be a certainty to play.

[stuie 7,374]

Barring injuries (Jones, Sylvia, Junior), I would like these (probably too many) changes for Monday...

IN: Frawley, Cheney, McKenzie, Dunn, MacDonald

OUT: Miller, Rivers, Bruce, Garland, Bartram

Frawley is automatic, Cheney MORE than deserves a chance, Jordie is needed more than most realise, Dunn is automatic after kicking 8, and Joel is needed to give us some kind purposeful run out of defence

Miller was great a couple of weeks ago but was back to (worse than) old form against Carlton, would like to see Rivers tried up forward but at Casey first, Bruce just needs a rest and refocus, Garland needs confidence and a wake up call, Bartram is borderline

Would love to see Dunn and MacDonald come in and provide someone to stand up for Davey and Watts after last weeks lack of passion.

Thoughts?

[mauriesy 7,410]

Hughes for Sylvia (possibly Maric).

Bell for James McDonald. We need someone as a tough defensive stopper to terrorise the likes of Didak or Medhurst without worrying too much about possessions of our own.

McKenzie for Jones.

Dunn for either Miller or Watts.

Frawley for Rivers.

Cheney a possibility.

[stuie 7,374]

Bell for McDonald cos we need a stopper? Really? Junior is probably our best stopper... (or are you saying if Junior is injured?)

Hughes and Maric definitely need another shot, good call, I don't think they're quite there yet judging by their form at Casey, but VERY close

McKenzie I totally agree with, although I think with Gysberts, Scully, Trengove, Sylvia, Davey playing through the middle we need all the in and under we can get so Jones should stay if healthy

Get the feeling Watts may be back to Casey this week but I'd love to see him play at least another 1 or 2 ordinary games before that happens, needs a shot in a game where we can get the ball to him well... Miller has to go

On another note, I would love to see us using the hip and shoulder more this week, I feel we lack a threatening presence... Jamar, Moloney, Frawley, Warnock, Dunn are all good sized units that could use it well

[Red Sox 2]

OUT - Jones (inj), Sylvia (unlikely, cant see him getting up at this stage), Junior (likely to miss with a hammy), Miller or Watts (has to be one but not both in which case I would give Watts another week or two before Miller - could shake Jack's confidence if he gets dropped and was OK against Port, struggled against Cats which some great players do and had a shocker last week....deserves more time. Miller - someone above said he has no heart - seriously this is just not correct, yes he should be dropped on output alone, but no heart?)

IN - Have we got three Chip Frawleys? That would be handy! Strauss, Dunn, McKenzie

Chip is obvious, McKenzie will need to come in for one or both Jones/Junior, Strauss is an option in the middle and down back...push Grimes to the middle possibly and Dunn kicking 8 of 13 and putting his head down after going back to Casey deserves to come back. IMO he showed some better signs early this year than he has previously and I think for the time being he worked well with Bate, until Jurrah/Petterd are in that side it is another option to be explored....Surely a forward line of Green, Watts, Dunn, Bate, Bennell, Jetta can provide something...Dunn will need to play the role Rick Petterd played in Round 2 and keep the pies backline accountable by making himself and option to play through.

[PeterJames 46]

The one thing about Maric is that i get the feeling he is one that might not dominate a VFL game but is more suited to AFL. While he has played some good games this year i still think the scrappy nature of VFL footy and having better players around him would suit in the big time he would improve. I still think he needs to earn his spot but he might not star in a game like Miller and Dunn who have shown to be good VFL players yet struggle when they go up. Not this with for Maric but i would like to see him have an extended run soon because time may be runnning out with others overtaking him.

[stuie 7,374]

Would love to see Hughes (or even Maric) come in to be the link up player that puts the ball inside our 50, we still fall down around there, and Millers tap last week should show he's not the man for the job. Let's start delivering deeper inside 50 and give Watts the chance of a few cheapies for his confidence.

Warnock needs to lift too, I'm a big fan but he's struggled the last few weeks while McNamara has been steadily improving. (Even though I would love to see Big Tom used up forward)

[titan_uranus 25,174]

No reasons to bring Maric into the team. He's not doing anything of note at Casey.

PJ is terrible. We went over this a month ago, then he played, then he sucked, then he was dropped. Why, 3 weeks later, his name is being brought up again is beyond me.

Bell has had his chance. Move on people.

[pitmaster 3,589]

PJ is terrible. We went over this a month ago, then he played, then he sucked, then he was dropped. Why, 3 weeks later, his name is being brought up again is beyond me.

Because the Pies are strong in the ruck and because Jamar needs support (and Miller forgets when he is supposed to be in there which is why Sylvia took one bounce last week which cost us a goal).

And maybe because I am a slow learner.

Listen, if PJ does not get the nod and Miller is the back up big body then I hope Hughes gets a crack because like Dunn he can provide some movement and stronger hands up forward.

[titan_uranus 25,174]

And maybe because I am a slow learner.

Not to insult, but I'm going to go with this.

Anyone who seriously thinks PJ should be back in the team is either a slow learner or has the memory of a goldfish. Sorry.

[mauriesy 7,410]

(or are you saying if Junior is injured?)

My first three changes were only in case of injury. You wouldn't think I'd drop James McDonald would you?

[stuie 7,374]

Just thinking, we will have a good insight into who Bailey rates as a small forward come 5pm tomorrow when I have a feeling only 1 player out of: Aussie, Hughes, and Maric will be named as an emergency for Col (if any).

Also, just noticed the game is on TV at 2.30, anyone know why only the half hour delay? Due to public holiday?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Last weeks COLLINGWOOD team.

B: Shaw, Reid, Johnson

HB: O'Brien, Prestigiacomo, Maxwell

C: Ball, Swan, Toovey

HF: Medhurst, Cloke, Didak

F: Beams, Macaffer, Davis

FOLL: Jolly, Pendlebury, Thomas

I/C: Wellingham, L.Brown, Sidebottom, Fraser

EMG: Lockyer, Wood, Dawes

IN: Medhurst, Fraser, Davis, L.Brown

OUT: O'Bree, Anthony, Dawes, Wood

[dee-luded 2,959]

Just thinking, we will have a good insight into who Bailey rates as a small forward come 5pm tomorrow when I have a feeling only 1 player out of: Aussie, Hughes, and Maric will be named as an emergency for Col (if any).

Also, just noticed the game is on TV at 2.30, anyone know why only the half hour delay? Due to public holiday?

Weather for Q/B Game.

Forecast for Sunday

Partly cloudy. Isolated showers in the morning. Light winds.

City Partly cloudy. Min - 8/Max - 15...

Forecast for Monday

Becoming mostly sunny. Light winds.

City Mostly sunny. Min - 8/Max - 15...

Forecast for Tuesday

Sunny. Light winds.

City Sunny. Min - 5/Max - 15...

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Would love to see Dunn and MacDonald come in and provide someone to stand up for Davey and Watts after last weeks lack of passion.

Thoughts?

The sight of Dunn and MacDonald snarling will really scare them.

Because the Pies are strong in the ruck and because Jamar needs support (and Miller forgets when he is supposed to be in there which is why Sylvia took one bounce last week which cost us a goal).

Last year in the QBW, PJ made Fraser look aggressive and dominating. Please I's rather play one short...same as playing PJ I suppose.

Agree with Maurie on the changes. I would not count Bell out to play a certain stopper role.

[stuie 7,374]

The sight of Dunn and MacDonald snarling will really scare them.

Ok, tough guy, I understand they're not the most imposing players to look at, but they are without a doubt the most likely to actually fly the flag for another player. I'm sick of seeing the likes of Watts, Petterd, Davey getting ganged up on while our current 'enforcers' like Miller, Moloney, Frawley etc don't arc up.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The sight of Dunn and MacDonald snarling will really scare them.

Ok, tough guy, I understand they're not the most imposing players to look at, but they are without a doubt the most likely to actually fly the flag for another player. I'm sick of seeing the likes of Watts, Petterd, Davey getting ganged up on while our current 'enforcers' like Miller, Moloney, Frawley etc don't arc up.

One of Dunn's issues is at times his lack of zeal for the hard contest and his inability to win alot of the ball. Why do you think the Club had him tagging for so long? Because his tagging target who wins contested ball would actually bring him to a contest and into the play. He may now be built like Tarzan but too often plays like someone else.

You obviously the type who gets a thrill out of scuffles on the ground and chest puffing in meaningless physical jousts. I could not think of anything more irrelevant and potentially dangerous in the modern game. If you really want to intimidate the opposition and I mean really intimidate, you do in the way you tackle chase and pressure in the contest and what you do with the ball. Had a chance to see Geelong play in the past 3 or 4 years???

Tough guys and enforcers is a concept that attracts adherents who see it as part of the game they think they understand and value it beyond its actual worth in todays football.

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,245]

Forecast for Monday

Becoming mostly sunny. Light winds.

City Mostly sunny. Min - 8/Max - 15...

Bad news for the potential result.

Good news for the coffers...better weather = better crowd.

Was kind of hoping for a horrible wet and windy day.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Bad news for the potential result.

Good news for the coffers...better weather = better crowd.

Was kind of hoping for a horrible wet and windy day.

Yeah, It'll be good at altitude training & at sea level.

[Demon_Tingles 211]

The one thing about Maric is that i get the feeling he is one that might not dominate a VFL game but is more suited to AFL. While he has played some good games this year i still think the scrappy nature of VFL footy and having better players around him would suit in the big time he would improve. I still think he needs to earn his spot but he might not star in a game like Miller and Dunn who have shown to be good VFL players yet struggle when they go up. Not this with for Maric but i would like to see him have an extended run soon because time may be runnning out with others overtaking him.

Great Post IMO

I am of the same belief .. The VFL is not necessarily a great competition for AFL .. it is often scrappy and unskilled sometimes which results in players like Maric having to do extroadinary things to make up for some of his younger/less experienced VFL teammates mistakes. AFL suits him better as the ball comes in quicker and he can do what he does best