a good quote form Bailey :

"That's a good start. He deserves his chance. One thing I'll get from 'Nico' is 100 per cent effort."

maybe a bit of a dig, but doubt it

Definitely a dig, whether consciously made or not. And he'd be right.

Yes, all the best to Dan for his debut. 3rd debutant this year for the club. Good news.

I wouldn't be surprised if we add another one or two debutants fairly soon, with Blease and Howe both a decent shot.

I wouldn't be surprised if we add another one or two debutants fairly soon, with Blease and Howe both a decent shot.

let's get Jack Viney out there

Bailey made the ultimate call on youth when he delisted Junior, Miller and let Bruce wander off to Hawthorn for a little super. If that wasn't a marker that he is putting player development first, then I'm Hayden Lamaro.

Bit of a worry for Blease and Strauss that Evans and Nicholson appear to have gone past them in the pecking order.

Not progressing as we would've hoped those two.

Strauss played his first game back for Casey after three weeks out with injury in Casey's last game. Blease picked up a knock in the same game and probably would not have played last week, had Casey had a game. IMO Blease is in front of Nicholson and may still get a gig; wait until we see the side.

There are other implications here too.

Evans in just one game has put himself in the box seat for an upgrade at the end of the year. If Nicho goes the same way, it puts a ton(ne) of pressure on players in the current list who are floundering a bit.

There are other implications here too.

Evans in just one game has put himself in the box seat for an upgrade at the end of the year. If Nicho goes the same way, it puts a ton(ne) of pressure on players in the current list who are floundering a bit.

In normal years it would, since we'd be keen to upgrade plus use a bunch of draft picks, but in a weaker/compromised draft I wouldn't be surprised if we brought in less draftees and had more upgrades instead.

davey out for at least 2 weeks. seeing knee specialist tomorrow.

Should be seeing a Cardiologist as well as an Orthopod.

Furthermore, the AFLPA push to abolish the rookie list and have more senior spots, would make that moot.

anyone got the low down on the kid?

height, skills, positives? weaknesses?

anyone got the low down on the kid?

height, skills, positives? weaknesses?

Elite speed and endurance combination.

Not perfect kicking skills, wouldn't be surprised if he plays tagger early in his career.

Midfield depth is critical in modern footy, add Evans, Nicholson and Blease to the midfield + get Trengove, Grimes, Morton, Scully and Davey back up and running and our midfield will be much improved

Elite speed and endurance combination.

Not perfect kicking skills, wouldn't be surprised if he plays tagger early in his career.

Midfield depth is critical in modern footy, add Evans, Nicholson and Blease to the midfield + get Trengove, Grimes, Morton, Scully and Davey back up and running and our midfield will be much improved

Midfield Class is critical in modern footy. While I wish Nicho all the best on debut and to give it his best shot, if he has questionable kicking skills at AFL then he will struggle. Nevertheless I hope he exceeds expectations and debuts as well as Evans and Gysberts.

I've a strong feeling Howes in for Petterd...

Juice. Petterd at least applies a bit of pressure. He's been inconsistent but his two good games (Adelaide, Sydney) would be right up there in terms of best performances by a Melbourne forward this season.

Guess we'll find out in 15 minutes though.

Strauss played his first game back for Casey after three weeks out with injury in Casey's last game. Blease picked up a knock in the same game and probably would not have played last week, had Casey had a game. IMO Blease is in front of Nicholson and may still get a gig; wait until we see the side.

Blease will hopefully get a gig soon enough and Strauss will need to show something at Casey for selection. Would love them to come on like Shuey has of late, hopefully this year.

2008 draft - 17-Sam Blease, 18-Luke Shuey, 19-James Strauss.

Absolutely he is. He is a MAN of Principles! He is putting the kids, the rebuild and the game of footy, ahead of his own ambitions. He is the right Man to have @ the controls.

Couldn't agree more mate.

FWIW, according to the live streaming chat on afl.com, Nicholson has been bought onto the senior list to take Grimes' spot, as he has (already) been placed on the LTI list.

Hrm....

Heard [that he said he was playing sub]it on AW, not sure if it's confirmed elsewhere or not.

Could be either a gnarly tactical ploy by DB (in which case if it works my respect for him rises) or simply a young player being honest about his role.

Thoughts?

Beamer's Bumps & bruises with Evans (post his debut last week) for those who might not have seen it yet......

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/tabid/8667/contentid/357373/default.aspx

Hrm....

Heard it on AW, not sure if it's confirmed elsewhere or not.

Could be either a gnarly tactical ploy by DB (in which case if it works my respect for him rises) or simply a young player being honest about his role.

Thoughts?

Nah, the kid told the reporters today that he would be sub, without realising the mistake he made....

DB, in his interview later, said something to the effect that he'll have a chat to him about what to say to the media in future....

Matt Burgan said that Nicho thought he might be sub, but it hasn't been decided upon yet at this stage.

Thought? Nil.

bet ya someone else is the sub, Bailey likes this type of thing. We had a huge amount of late inclusions last year, I think it was a deliberate ploy

Drop him.

I think it is a very smart ploy from the kid to get more game time haha, has a brain

I think it is a very smart ploy from the kid to get more game time haha, has a brain

Haha had exactly the same thought.

DN - Oh yeah, sorry coach, I said the wrong thing.

DB - Ill fix them, Evans to sub and you'll play all game muhahahhahaha

That was evil genius Bailey that I'm hoping exists somewhere in there....

From Sheahan's article on Bailey, I'd say he has it in spades.

Seems to be very hard on himself and dissect the game in minute detail.

Every little facet.

Love it.