NOTHING TO LOSE - THE PEOPLE SPEAK by The People (introduced and edited by JVM)

Three weeks ago Melbourne gave an emphatic response to its critics who were scathing in their attitude to the team's inept performance against West Coast in Perth.

The 96 point victory over Adelaide and the manner in which it was achieved had supporters enthralled and looking forward to the remainder of the season with great positivity.

Then things changed dramatically as injuries and suspension cut a swathe through its list.

The rucks have been demolished, the midfield disturbed and the defence partly shattered by the scourge. The leadership group is looking decidedly shaky and the latest news is that Aaron Davey, already suffering from some poor form, is the latest injury victim with a kneee cartelige problem.

In the wake of all this, the club has lost two eminently winnable matches and has fallen out of the top eight. It now finds itself in a position where it has nothing to lose.

Striker475 takes up the story:-

It's hard to remember a genuinely nothing-to-lose situation for the club recently. There have been situations where the club has been judged to be winning by losing. Last season, every win was a treat, a delight.

Now, the situation is different. The pressure is on...or is it?

The Melbourne Football Club faces three sides in the next three weeks all challenging for the top four.

While the media seek to put the pressure on the coach, I would suggest there is anything but. This is the time where the pressure is off. There is nothing for the club to lose.

Every neutral, every head-before-heart tipper will consider Carlton favourites for Friday night.

But, at the hallowed turf of the MCG, the kids will get a chance to shine. The names are not household outside of those uttered by the Melbourne faithful. Names such as Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie, Martin.

These are not the shining lights that other supporters know as the Melbourne guns. They are not Trengove, Scully or Jamar. Yet they are just as important and even more so heading forward. And they have a chance.

Their task is not an easy one. Names such as Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and Waite sit on the opposing team sheet. Yet it would be foolish to discount their chance. Because ultimately, any given Friday anything can happen.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Carlton at the MCG - Friday 27 May 2011 at 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 88 wins Carlton 112 wins 2 draws

At MCG Melbourne 49 wins Carlton 44 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 8 wins Carlton 7 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Ratten 3 wins

MEDIA

TV - Channel 7 at 8:30 pm (delayed telecast)

Radio - 3AW Triple M SEN K-Rock ABC774

THE BETTING

Carlton to win $1.20 Melbourne to win $4.60

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Carlton 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 9.6.60 at the MCG, Round 11, 2010

The bigger bodied Blues got the jump on the young Demons who were unable to reel them in as the rain teemed down on the MCG.

Brent Moloney was the star and second gamer Jordan Gysberts was very good for the Demons while veteran skipper James McDonald kept Chris Judd in check until his hamstring gave way in the last quarter.

TEAMS - to be loaded when available.

MELBOURNE

Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Joel Macdonald

Half backs Cale Morton Jared Rivers Neville Jetta

Centreline Jack Watts Brent Moloney Matthew Bate

Half forwards Addam Maric Michael Newton Liam Jurrah

Forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Jamie Bennell

Followers Stef Martin Nathan Jones Jordie McKenzie

Interchange Michael Evans Jordan Gysberts Daniel Nicholson Ricky Petterd

Emergencies Max Gawn Jeremy Howe Austin Wonaeamirri

In Jamie Bennell Cale Morton Daniel Nicholson

Out Clint Bartram (hip) Aaron Davey (knee) Luke Tapscott (hamstring)

CARLTON

Backs Jordan Russell Bret Thornton Chris Yarran

Half backs Nick Duigan Michael Jamison Jeremy Laidler

Centreline Heath Scotland Brock McLean Kade Simpson

Half forwards Chris Judd Jarrad Waite Eddie Betts

Forwards Jeff Garlett Setanta O’hAilpin Andrew Walker

Followers Shaun Hampson Bryce Gibbs Marc Murphy

Interchange Dennis Armfield Andrew Carrazzo David Ellard Mitch Robinson

Emergencies Lachlan Henderson Ryan Houlihan Aaron Joseph

In Shaun Hampson

Out Robert Warnock (concussion)

Demon Head has his say:-

Coach Dean Bailey urged his players last week to be "bolder and braver" against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. He said the Demons had worked on more flair and intensity with their ball movement at training to try to eradicate the damning inconsistency so far this season.

Well, I don't know if the players were listening to what he had to say or, if so, whether they understood because the team's performance in terms of better ball movement left a hell of a lot to be desired from my point of view.

This week I call on Bailey as a supporter to bolder and braver himself. Bolder with team selection so as to give the message to those players who failed to contribute over the past two weeks that their peformances were not good enough and that if young players show something at Casey then the opportunity is there as it was to Michael Evans last week.

The Demons are on the big stage this week. Friday night when the club gets exposure and hopefully, good crowds to help with the club's coffers. We need to dig deep and get things done this week.

Daveytrain1 implores the Dees to show the world what they're made of:-

The three biggest rounds of the year are here for Melbourne Football Club. The clouds were once clearing on the oldest football club in this land, however unforeseen storms have smashed this club on the bow early this year. The poor year started with the doubt surrounding the commitment of Melbourne's best potential, and hasn't cleared with injuries battering the group from pillar to post. The rain continued to poor when a young star was brought down for three weeks for an act that every other player in the greatest game on earth respected.

However, as the young group turn the corner they face the big stage. The best thing about this situation is they can silent their critics, they can rise above the negativity haunting the club and stamp their authority as the 'next best thing'. Mr Watts is starting to show his potential, the new wizard has plenty of tricks and the battle hardened bodies of Moloney, Jones and Sylvia wont go down with a fight. Some say that this group now does not have the skills, the hardness or the leaders to win these games but as they say..

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog"

Show the world what your made of Melbourne. Its your turn.

And the last word goes to DemonWA:-

The hamstring injury to Bull Tapscott is another blow to a team struggling for consistency in performance, and continuity on the team sheet.

Although the injury list is starting to resemble something similar to a who's who of the playing group, this should allow more of the club's much hyped younger brigade to have a crack at senior level.

The debut of young "Pickles" Evans last week left me with a strange feeling. On one hand, we have uncovered another promising young midfielder with a rookie selection, but on the other hand what type of a blight is it on the more senior players when an elevated rookie shows them up?

Dean Bailey is in a difficult situation. The debut of Evans would have left him wondering whether there are others at Casey who may shine if given an opportunity on Friday night. He will however understand that blooding more youngsters and putting in admirable performances for defeats will not satisfy those still calling for his head. With a very difficult draw for the next month, Bailey will be wanting to show the footy viewing public that he can coach by creating an upset or two, and he will be no doubt struggling with the decision on whether injecting more of the enthusiasm of youth into an already young team is the right way to go about trying to achieving consistency from the playing group .

Restless Demon supporters have been patient for the last few years whilst the club rebuilt our list, but since the NAB Cup its been clear that the rebuild is still a work in progress. There are many fans like myself who would be happy to continue to blood our youngsters so that we have a better idea of what they can or can't do, but you get the feeling that Bailey may persevere with the older group for a while yet, if only in an attempt to save his own career.

Carlton also rebuilt their list with top draft picks, but topped it off with the addition of a then Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, one C. Judd. Even with this depth of talent the Blues have been regarded as underachievers in recent years. It is only now, 3 years since the drafting of Kreuzer, and 5 years since drafting Murphy that the Blues are proving to be a real contender.

Impatient Demons fans should perhaps consider this when making assessments on when the Melbourne Football Club should reasonably expect to be in a similar position. That said, not yet being a legitimate contender does not make the Demons exempt showing a bit of heart and coming out to play.

With the prematch entertainment being a fundraising effort for cancer you cannot discount the influence that a pre match address given by Jimmy could have on the players, however i'm expecting an admirable loss, not dissimilar to the performance against last years runners-up last round.

Blues by 23 points

MELBOURNE

Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Joel Macdonald

Half backs Cale Morton Jared Rivers Neville Jetta

Centreline Jack Watts Brent Moloney Matthew Bate

Half forwards Addam Maric Michael Newton Liam Jurrah

Forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Jamie Bennell

Followers Stef Martin Nathan Jones Jordie McKenzie

Interchange Michael Evans Jordan Gysberts Daniel Nicholson Ricky Petterd

Emergencies Max Gawn Jeremy Howe Austin Wonaeamirri

In Jamie Bennell Cale Morton Daniel Nicholson

Out Clint Bartram (hip) Aaron Davey (knee) Luke Tapscott (hamstring)

The Burgatron's team chat is live here.

Bartarm, Trengove, Grimes, Garland, Scully, Wonaeamirri, Tapscott, Davey, Jamar, Bail all missing from our best 22.

Bartarm, Trengove, Grimes, Garland, Scully, Wonaeamirri, Tapscott, Davey, Jamar, Bail all missing from our best 22.

our hand was forced a bit, i would have liked to have seen Morton and Bennell in the VFL for more than 1 game

Losing Barts for this game is a killer with Carlton's small forward line.

I'm sensing a smashing!

Rubbish side btw. Worse team we have fielded in a really long time. And just in time to take on my most loathed team. So much fail

whats wrong with bartram been pretty solid this year

Wonaeamirri Davey

Arguable, and not on current form.

I didn't think Morton had been playing that well at Casey... would've preferred Howe.

Barring some sort of miracle, will definitely be a smashing.

Morton very very lucky.

Oh Boy are we are is strife.

Dees will smash the Blues tomorrow night and Liam will kick 6 goals.

It would be nice for Brad Green to have some impact in this game.

Dees will smash the Blues tomorrow night and Liam will kick 6 goals.

The mid 2000s are over...

The cards have fallen Cale Morton's way. Time to show us you have learned something.

Why isn't Bailey one of the Outs yet? Oh wait...

The cards have fallen Cale Morton's way. Time to show us you have learned something.

Not forgetting Bater and Juice too

Three current rookie listed players. Four ex rookie listed players. Two traded from other clubs. Oh yeah, this could get ugly..

For some reason I think we'll do well, with high intensity being the name of the game. Also, the increasing ability of this team to be role re-structured gives heart. Barts a loss.

Without Bartram and Garland, we look a tad slow up back especially with both Rivers and Warnock. Especially if the Blues have Garlett and Betts up forward.

Not forgetting Bater and Juice too

Agree.

Petterd would also want to show more defensively.

Three current rookie listed players. Four ex rookie listed players.

And some thought it wasnt a development year???

I believe we are $4.90 head to head in a two horse race. Funny things can happen when you don't have much to lose and what sort of a win would it be.

Petterd the sub.

It will be interesting to see the match-ups, but yeah, we're in the sh!t.

the last 2 weeks we've played to smallish crowds at Etihad in the day. This is going to be a decent turnout for Friday night at the G, I'm hoping it sets off some kind of spark in them. However, we are really pushing it uphill with 11 blokes unavailable for selection what hope can you give us

Looking at the named players we should line up

Bennell Warnock Frawley

MacDonald Rivers Morton

Evans Sylvia Jones

Petterd Watts Jurrah

Green Newton Maric

Martin Moloney Gysberts

Nicholson Jetta McKenzie

Sub Bate

I know Nicholson mentioned he might be sub, I think we start him just in case one of the Carlton small/mid forwards run a muck early. Give Morton the Job on Waite, Rivers gets Walker, Bennell to Garlett, Frawley to Betts, the resting ruck for Warnock. Green goes to Gibbs if he starts down back. You might even consider giving Jones the job on Murphy. Put our clearance guns in the middle to start. Play Jurrah on Yarran.

Losing Barts for this game is a killer with Carlton's small forward line.

Yeah, really unlucky timing.

Hopefully there is some sort of abnormal whether event that makes scoring almost impossible for both teams.

Seriously though, this is far from the best 22 we'd like to send in on any given week. So many players are only in the team because of a lengthy injury list. Hopefully they make the most of it. As long as they put in 100% for four quarters, I will be happy. Can't see us getting with in 4 or 5 goals though.

Surely they couldn't possibly put forward Bate as the sub. The sub needs to be able to bring some enthusiasm and run into the last quarter. Bate needs to work his way into a game and if he were to come in cold in the last quarter, he would be as good as useless. Unless Morton plays a shocker, I would be putting money on Bate being subbed out as he can't run a game out (plus the red vest matches his head).

I think of the team selected, Jetta is the only option.