In my opinion, changes will depend on what Melbourne want from this season. If this season is still all about getting games into youngster with a focus on the future, no change with Maloney coming back through Casey.

If they want to win games and do something in finals this year, and if I was a selector (obviously I'm not, never will be), I would make a couple of changes that I don't think anyone else will agree with.

In: Miller, Moloney

Out: Watts, Scully

Bailey has been single minded in developing the team . His interveiw at 3/4 time with Richo basically was, "..foregt next week and finals, Iv'e got a team with far fewer inside 50's that the opposition and we should be way behind. I need to fix that, everyhting else will take care of itself..."

It was fixed and he will plan for next week with the long term view driving all his decisions. Scully had 7 possessions in the first 11 minutes of the last 1/4, dragging us back into the contest. He stays. Watts had at least seven. He stays too. Both 200 gamers - let's start now accumulating the game time.

No amount of finals chances will make our match committee drop these two guys. Scully had probably his second best game ever today, and Watts is a VITAL part of our future and he has to get as much experience as possible.

It would be incredibly short sighted of us to go down this path, even if finals are still a possibility. Because what good will playing finals be, if we don't make finals with the team that we think will ultimately win us a premiership? I guarantee you that Miller won't be part of that team, even though I've been a fan for years and appreciate him for forging a 100-game career on nothing but heart.

I agree, I think it is more important to pick for the future, we will not win the flag this year, so no change.

Just putting out another way of looking at selection if the club wanted to go down the Voss path of looking at just this season to pass time on a quiet Sunday night.

However I do think that Scully could benefit from a run at the slower pace to work on disposal, might help him in the long run

IN: Moloney

OUT: Bennell (the unfortunate one - it has to be someone)

I'm unsure if we should go 1 ruckman or 2... but am happy to see if we can develop PJ into a solid 2nd ruckman in the remaining games. It's a tough one though.

Anyway, my thoughts on the matter at hand are that Moloney is surely on the cusp of being out for too long to come straight back in now. If that's the case then no change.

Now, that's a balanced view Nasher!

was it just me or did aussie get caught with the ball alot. didnt get pinned for holding as he got disposal off. but just lacked acceleration

IMO his touch n go is off, maybe from to long out. Fitness etc, knowing himself again. I don't think we'll see the real New him, 'till next year.

What about Jurrahs speed across the ground out on the members wing.

Only injuries will cause any changes for the Hawks.

I think we dont get much from Wonameeri. I have looked for the value others refer to, but would play maric.

You are either Maric's brother, or you didn't see yesterdays Casey game. Bad call!

I think you will find Moloney will miss again because he reinjured his quad at training on Saturday.

My tip for the changes:

In: Warnock, Miller

Out: Bennell, Watts

Personally I think James McDonald has been one of Melbourne's worst over the last couple of weeks but he won't be dropped. If Moloney is fit, then Jones will be out.

I think you will find Moloney will miss again because he reinjured his quad at training on Saturday.

Well that sucks balls!

I know Grimes has been out for too long now, to not get a run with Casey, but... BRING BACK GRIMES!!!

I can see only Moloney or Morton being the only two, who are a possible selection for next week. Therefore it has to be a similar type going out. That either has to be Jones or Bail.

Bennell does get mentioned alot and he doesnt have big stats, but when he touches it, the game can change, so i would keep him in.

I nearly fell of the chair when read someone suggested Scully, He was on fire in the last quarter when the game was in the balance.

As for Watts this fella, continues to impress with his touches and is gaining confidence week by week.

I feel Miller's career has been stamped and will only play if someone gets injured and even then, they would choose Bate first.

Miller has had his chances. If hes smart he should go to the Gold Coast.

I'm giggling at all those posts calling for Jones to be omitted. Gee whizzo.

In: Moloney

Out: Jones

Harsh on Jonesy, but it's the same story from last week. Moloney is better, and the pressure for spots is intense at the moment.

I think Aussie does invaluable ground level work, and his pressure is good, and Bennell finally got his hands on the footy when he was sent to half back. I want to see him down there again next weekend. Back to where it started.

Also would love to have Warnock back in the side to take on Roughead, but you can't drop any defender at the moment.

Chip's biggest test of the season coming up next week.

Nathan Jones: 13 kicks, 12 Handpasses, 6 contested at 84%.

One of the best and most influential midfielders on the ground.

Edited August 8, 201014 yr by dandeeman

Great job interview for Miller yesterday too.

Performed infront of just the right audience.

Weeks ago I'd have said no chance, but that performance would suggest he has much better odds now.

Nathan Jones: 13 kicks, 12 Handpasses, 6 contested at 84%.

One of the best and most influential midfielders on the ground.

Yep. Still giggling.

Nathan Jones: 13 kicks, 12 Handpasses, 6 contested at 84%.

One of the best and most influential midfielders on the ground.

I too am sick of reading ignorant opinion that he doesn't use the ball. I was there today and can remember one disposal, left foot pass, that was intercepted by the opposition. I'll watch the replay to double check. No changes for next week. The only players who were down ie Jam, Syl, Bartram have been our better players of late. Leave the team as is.

Anyway, my thoughts on the matter at hand are that Moloney is surely on the cusp of being out for too long to come straight back in now. If that's the case then no change.

As usual Nasher, on the money.

I've heard Beama may have reinjured himself also (?)

Either way, I'd be very happy with no change.

If we do have one, I think I'd have to drop Wonaeamirri.

Dunn and Joel Mac both came off injured at stages, then returned but I wouldn't be surprised of either pulled up a bit sore, paving the way for both Warnock and Miller (Bate for mine).

Edited August 8, 201014 yr by E25

Nathan Jones: 13 kicks, 12 Handpasses, 6 contested at 84%.

One of the best and most influential midfielders on the ground.

Just like when Junior came back in the side, someone has to make way and will be the same for Moloney if fit.

Jones work ethic and attack on the ball is excellent, but kicking can let him down.

How are we going to be next year with a full fit list in round one.

Cause Grimes and Pettard are in our Best 22, and you would expect Morton also.

So 3 players will have to make way.

Then you still have up and comers Gysberts, and Tapscott.

Bennell stays

Jones stays especially if Bennell stays. Bail might need to give way.

As usual Nasher, on the money.

I've heard Beama may have reinjured himself also (?)

Either way, I'd be very happy with no change.

If we do have one, I think I'd have to drop Wonaeamirri.

Dunn and Joel Mac both came off injured at stages, then returned but I wouldn't be surprised of either pulled up a bit sore, paving the way for both Warnock and Miller (Bate for mine).

Bate cannot get a kick at Casey- a very long way of resuming.

I think we dont get much from Wonameeri. I have looked for the value others refer to, but would play maric.

You're obviously being sarcastic!!

The greyhound (Bail) is going nowhere.

Bate over Miller for mine, as a general rule, but I agree that Bate does not warrant a promotion back into the side.

More than anything, players must be made to earn their spot... so I change my mind.

If it's ever a line-ball decision I choose Bate.

Bail can't be dropped. The guy was running HARD right up until the final siren and can take a great overhead mark too.

Did anyone else notice how exhausted the Russian looked today? Is Rasputin teetering after a hard season of almost-solo rucking? If he's struggling, give him the week off. In form, he'll demolish the Hawks. Injured, he'll never lead us to a premiership cup.

Anybody who thinks Miller comes in for Watts........ have a look at Watt's last quarter. The kick across the ground to end up in a Brad Green goal, and the kick to Dunn who was left unmarked in the goal square after a great faked kick.

There is no way Miller makes either play. The kid has vision. and our vision is the future.

NO CHANGE

(Scully out, ummmmmm no.)

agree completely

Jamie Bennell's last few weeks haven't been great, and Wona's form looks to be on the up and up.

Perhaps Bennell for Moloney, although if Beamer's now missed what 3 or 4 weeks? with this corky, it wouldn't surprise if he came back thru the VFL.

I thought JB did well on Hicks today. Hicks who is a hack, somehow did well against us early. JB did little up forward in the first quarter, so they threw him back on Hicks and he shut him down and provided some great run.

As for Moloney, I don't think I'd give him a game, until someone falters. That said, I think it'd always be like for like. It'd have to be Jones for Moloney. Moloney's clearance work is better, but Jones is quicker and is a better kick. They're both hard nuts, but Jones is far more flexible than Moloney.

In my opinion, changes will depend on what Melbourne want from this season. If this season is still all about getting games into youngster with a focus on the future, no change with Maloney coming back through Casey.

If they want to win games and do something in finals this year, and if I was a selector (obviously I'm not, never will be), I would make a couple of changes that I don't think anyone else will agree with.

In: Miller, Moloney

Out: Watts, Scully

Right now Miller gives more to the team than Watts, even without the ten goals yesterday, taking out age, potential development and planning for the future, his average game is better than Jacks. I think Watts will be a superstar, and he is progressing ok, but he is not in the team at the moment based on performance. Miller is in form at the lower level, and deserves to be promoted based on 10 goals, and hard work. It also sends a message that players will be picked on form. It's hard to justify dropping Jones when Watts still gets a game. He was not bad today, but out of the players that Miller would be competing with, Watts, Jurah, Dunn and maybe Green, the other three were better today.

I also believe, that on current form Scully should make way for Moloney, who is clearly best 22 and plays a similar role. Again, not popular, but Scully's disposal is not up to AFL standard at the moment. He gets a lot of touches, and works his heart out, but often he handballs to teammates feet, and bombs it long to contests, or his passes are not accurate enough so it ends up being a contest. I think he will be very good, and I love his work rate, but his disposal needs serious work if he is going to be the champion that I hope he will be. At this stage he has gone straight from junior football to the highest league, so he might be trying to do too much. Maybe a couple of weeks at Casey with the slower pace will give him a chance to work on his weaknesses.

Wow. Im not quite sure where to start. I rarely post but this one just made me cringe.

Watts adds alot more than Miller, Watts is playing the link from Hb to HF EXTREMELY well. Miller had his chance, then another, then another. Good thiing the 10 came against his only chance at remaining an AFL player, GC. Drop Jack for one of the biggest games in years? where the EXP alone will mean streets of development mentally.. For a player who has proven to be incredibly inconsistent, having days where he simply has NIl effect on a game, given mixed in with a couple of decent stints in between, I mean Lord I dont know what else to say. If he does come in, it certainly will not be for Jack, It'll be for PJ.

As for Dropping the Scull, well, I have no words for you worth typing.

Seriously.

Moving on, I think there will OBV be minimal changes, perhaps Beamer if healthy for Bennell/Bartram/Bail.

Other thing, Tapscott is ALOT closer than most seem to think, he may be a surprise in this or the next week.