Wow, the ride never stops this season.

To those taking a stab at the guy, I saw more decent efforts from Newton than I did from many of the other players vs Carlton (despite a few very obvious mistakes).

Your not alone, Dermie said similar, and the club extended his rookie spot for a reason.

Dunn will come back - he's the only one who can play forward and pinch-hit in the ruck.

I don't care (and I don't agree). He was insipid before being suspended. If you don't remember, go and watch the North game again. Woeful. He does not deserve a game. I don't care if that means we sacrifice a potential 'pinch-hitter'. He deserves a long run with Casey as punishment.

Besides which, as I said, I don't agree. Gawn comes in for Newton and plays first ruck. If you are worried about the forward line drop one of Bate or Petterd, who both suck, and try Howe, who is in good for for Casey.

Newton presented probably as often and as well as any other forward. At the moment he is the only player fit -- in a physical and performance sense -- for that position.

He may have presented OK, but his one-on-one work was awful and just not good enough, especially for someone who has been around as long as he has. He also can't kick. Can't mark, can't kick, that's not worthy of persisting with for me.

What puzzles me this year is this strange phenomenon of a player who has played out a game with a little "niggle" that during the next week turns out to be a significant injury. Jamar, Davey, now Newton; Scully (to some extent, I can't remember whether he played out the game) in pre-season.

Yes, I noticed that too.

It's happened the last 3-4 weeks now. It'll be very interesting to see how your thought plays out.

GAWNNNNNNNN!!!!

BLEASSSSSSE!!!!

T. McDONALD!

HOWE!!!

Chance for some debutants!

Don't understand why people think Dunn is an automatic return - play Gawn as first ruck and Martin as a forward target (as we did vs Brisbane cept with Rush ofc)

Newton is not an AFL standard player.

Spot on. I find it hard to believe he is still on our list. Their isn't a player in the comp worse below his knees than Juice.

Did someone ninja edit the first post in this thread? ;o

I'm sure it was originally just about Newton's injury...

McDonald comes in as the big forward for Newton.

Nice theory, but McDonald is a back.

So far ...

Did someone ninja edit the first post in this thread? ;o

I'm sure it was originally just about Newton's injury...

Yes.

Did someone ninja edit the first post in this thread? ;o

I'm sure it was originally just about Newton's injury...

It was. The word Newton was deemed offensive so was removed from the title

Spot on. I find it hard to believe he is still on our list. Their isn't a player in the comp worse below his knees than Juice.

Try Matthew Bate.

Newton is not good and probably wont be around after this year but it surprises me the wrath he cops in comparison the perennial disappointments like Bate,Dunn and to a slightly lesser extent Petterd. People forget that Newton was pick 43 in the 2004 draft and was taken as a young project player. He has proven inconsistent and tease of talent without properly delivering. For the last 2 years he has effectively been on the rookie list to be upgraded for injuries. Yet posters cant believe he has been on the list.

I am more concerned that 1st round picks like Bate and Dunn are at the crossroads as fringe NQR AFL players after six years. And for all his potential talent, Petterd has little defensive or accountability instinct when he does not have the ball. Newton wont be around next year but the other three have been bigger disappointments to me to date given what MFC have invested and what they have delivered.

Dunn has to play, we are running out of troops! Gawn has to get a look.

No he doesn't. After six years on the MFC I know what I get from Dunn its not good enough.

Gawn is a certainty IMO to play. I would play Howe before I play Dunn.

Strauss must be close to call up. From reliable Casey reports, Blease and T McDonald are some way off AFL.

Playing Dunn is a bigger mistake than playing Newton

Playing Dunn is a bigger mistake than playing Newton

I don't think it's "a bigger mistake" to play Dunn. But it is the equivalent of choosing between Coles and Woolworths home brands when you're trying to cook a five star meal.

Sorry, perhaps someone else can think of a better metaphor.

would like to think he was going to be dropped anyway a total waste of space who should have got arse long ago . Howe deserves a crack and lets have a look at the string bean...

Yeah good idea - another skinny kid instead of a mature body.

I'd like to see Howe but not at Dunn's expense given how physically overwhelmed we were last week.

Edited June 1, 201114 yr by pitmaster

Did someone ninja edit the first post in this thread? ;o

I'm sure it was originally just about Newton's injury...

Mea culpa.

The linked article contained the full injury list and I made the change to avoid duplication.

The true nature of individuals is revealed in times of stress. When faced with difficulties we have an opportunity to show what we are really made of. By extension, it's fair to say that the integrity of our club is on the line at this point in time. Let's hope those representing the club on Friday night rise to the occasion and give a strong account of themselves. A win is not likely or even necessary but a solid four quarter performance is. It's time to demonstrate the passion and desire that exists when hearts beat true. It would be great to silence the critics with a performance worthy of the red and blue jumper.