Rather than study this Labour Day I want to discuss Mike Sheehan's top 22 as part of the Demons feature in today's paper.

For those that have not seen it, here is Mike's team:

Backs: Bartram, Rivers, Garland

Half backs: Macdonald, Frawley, Grimes

Centres: Morton, Sylvia, Green

Half forwards: Watts, Dunn, Davey

Forwards: Trengove, Jurrah, Petterd

Followers: Jamar, Moloney, Scully

Interchange/sub: Jones, Bate, Wonaeamirri, Warnock

Emergencies: Bennell, Martin, Blease

A few things:

Where the hell is McKenzie? Anybody that watched the Demons last year knows exactly how important he is. The fact he is not in the top 22, or even in the emergencies, makes me think that Sheehan just forgot that he was on our list. McKenzie is the best tackler in the team and can find the ball, an absolute certainty when fit for mine.

Bate and Warnock on the bench? This may be splitting hairs, but if these two are not good enough to start on the field, I do not see why they would be picked to play off the bench. Bate, with 80 games to his credit needs to be in our top 6 forwards this year or needs to be moved on. He is not depth. Similarly, if Warnock is to play, surely he'd be lining up in defence. I would not have thought any team would enter a game with a full-back to come off the bench this year? Sheehan has most likely tried to fit in 22 "names" rather than pick a team, which begs the question, why not print a list instead? Players like Bail and Jetta are the types I want to see coming off the bench, players that can add some run and pressure.

Blease as an emergency? I think Sheehan is trying to make a statement about how much potential Blease has, however those of us who actually follow the club know he is far from proven and is nowhere near our senior side at the moment. A second half of the season prospect at best. Do the names Bail, Gysberts, Jetta and Maric (not to mention McKenzie!!!) mean anything to you Mike? These are the players knocking on the door at present, not Blease.

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by Gouga

I think Mike, as usual, doesn't really know and is just trying to make it appear he has an idea.

all in all its not too bad, but i doubt whether we'll see that side picked at any stage throughout the year?

Just because he's journo and supposedly has a soft spot for the Dees doesn't mean that he knows anything about footy. Most people who post on these sites (including me) have an unhealthy interest in everything about the Dees and spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about it (I need another life. Need to get out more). This also means that we are much more aware of the value of various Melbourne players than journos are. I am usually very underwhelmed by Mike Sheahan's insights.

Just because he's journo and supposedly has a soft spot for the Dees doesn't mean that he knows anything about footy. Most people who post on these sites (including me) have an unhealthy interest in everything about the Dees and spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about it (I need another life. Need to get out more). This also means that we are much more aware of the value of various Melbourne players than journos are. I am usually very underwhelmed by Mike Sheahan's insights.

I guess I bought my paper to read what the "experts" think about the Demons. What you are saying is Mike Sheehan and others are not really experts on the Demons (or any other club), they just write for a paper with no real authority or insight? If so, I kinda agree.

I would have Bennell and Martin in there ahead of Bate and Warnock... Bennell could do a lot more than Bate around the forwards and Martin can act as a tallish back as well as back-up ruckman (who else on his list is going to do those duties if Jamar goes down?).

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by hardtack

There is not too much to fault with his starting 18. After that it appears to be filler for the next best rather than a balanced bench.

I'm very puzzled by Mikes line up. I'd put Maric down forward and Trengove to start centre. No Jordie ??? very strange. Unless Bate sets the world on fire soon he's a liability, same for Warnock; depth at best. Bail deserves to be on the pine if not a starter.

Mikes 22 ... about 7/10 , can do better, much better !

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by belzebub59

I guess I bought my paper to read what the "experts" think about the Demons. What you are saying is Mike Sheehan and others are not really experts on the Demons (or any other club), they just write for a paper with no real authority or insight? If so, I kinda agree.

I also agree, and this is worth keeping in mind during the year. We shouldn't take too seriously the views of footy journos who don't know our side aswell as we do.

A couple of points about the team. I agree that Warnock doesn't make it. Love the way he goes about it but he's a one-dimensional old school full-back and their time in the game is over. Bennell must play IMO (pacey line-breakers are gold in today's footy). Dunn and Bate are arguably competing for the same spot. Maric looks to have forced his way into the side for round 1 (though I concede he is probably still behind a fully fit and in-form Wona). Finally, not selecting a second ruck on the bench or as a sub is cheating. Fully fit, Campbell would be on the bench. Right now I say Martin edges out Spencer because can also go back or forward. Bail would be my sub: quick - you would really notice his fresh legs, can play anywhere from back flank to forward flank. Morton would also be a good sub because of his flexibility.

On the HUN website it has an option for you to pick the side yourself to compare. Link

There are certainly some tuff decisions to make. I would agree with most that there are better options than Warnock and Bate. And Jordie not there is a huge oversight for me.

i think if players like Maric and Aussie can become viable midfield options, it would definately be a plus for themselves as well as the team, and make it difficult to leave them out.

I guess I bought my paper to read what the "experts" think about the Demons. What you are saying is Mike Sheehan and others are not really experts on the Demons (or any other club), they just write for a paper with no real authority or insight? If so, I kinda agree.

I think it is more a case of having to cover the lists of all the clubs, on Demonland most posters prefer to concentrate on Melbourne- thank goodness. As a hack sportswriter Mike Sheehan is OK, there are worse.

I'm very puzzled by Mikes line up. I'd put Maric down forward and Trengove to start centre. No Jordie ??? very strange. Unless Bate sets the world on fire soon he's a liability, same for Warnock; depth at best. Bail deserves to be on the pine if not a starter.

Mikes 22 ... about 7/10 , can do better, much better !

It is interesting, Bate was 3rd in our B&F in 2009 and Warnock was top 5 two years in a row (2008 and 2009). I agree others are ahead at this point in time but if both can recapture their best form they are definite starters.

After finishing the year at Casey I expected both to come out firing this pre-season but they have been ordinary. With 80 odd and 50 odd games respectively (that is a lot for our current list), it is not a good sign, especially given our team is so inexperenced.

No Maric? No McKenzie? But Blease as emergency? really?

Once assumed to be senile. Now confirmed.

Sadly, by best 22 he physically means the best 22 players i think. I couldn't agree more that some choices in there are silly. how McKenzie missed out i don't know. I vividly remember Mike writing an article saying how appalling it was he didn't get a rising star nomination...

I think the reason Mike included Blease, is because he gives us something we lack and desperately need, PACE! How many on our list can break the lines and just take off with genuine pace. Imagine the excitement of him running down a wing. Like a Darren Kowal, but with better disposal. Blease, if he comes on, will give us something we don't really have. Davey rarely goes on his super fast breaks anymore, possibly because he is a) exhausted b ) protecting the hammies or c) too lazy.

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by Demon Disciple

I think the reason Mike included Blease, is because he gives us something we lack and desperately need, PACE! How many on our list can break the lines and just take off with genuine pace. Imagine the excitement of him running down a wing. Like a Darren Kowal, but with better disposal. Blease, if he comes on, will give us something we don't really have. Davey rarely goes on his super fast breaks anymore, possibly because he is a) exhausted b ) protecting the hammies or c) too lazy.

I've noticed with davey, normally has a hard tag, and pressure all around him, so he cant get on his bike and go, opposition players guard space in front of him.

No Maric? No McKenzie? But Blease as emergency? really?

Thta says it all,he has no idea.

I think the reason Mike included Blease, is because he gives us something we lack and desperately need, PACE! How many on our list can break the lines and just take off with genuine pace. Imagine the excitement of him running down a wing. Like a Darren Kowal, but with better disposal. Blease, if he comes on, will give us something we don't really have. Davey rarely goes on his super fast breaks anymore, possibly because he is a) exhausted b ) protecting the hammies or c) too lazy.

I agree that we need a fit Blease in the side to continue improving, but how can he possibly get a nod over players who have proven they can perform at the high level? Blease is yet to play...therefore it is a complete unknown how he will actually go in the big league.