The team for next week

[Whispering_Jack 31,131]

I made the comment a couple of weeks ago that a lot of thought had to be put into team selection for the Bulldogs game because it was the third consecutive game played after a six day break.

I was thinking along the lines of having to make three or four changes to bring in what might hopefully be fresher legs for that game but that didn't happen. We made one change, the "in" started as the sub, and ultimately the Melbourne team looked a tired lot when they played at Etihad. Losing the game meant that their finals prospects were severely dented.

Now, I'm still not sure about the advantages of falling into eighth place but I'm a competitive beast when all's said and done (and ever the optimist) and I'd like to see us make a genuine play for the finals anyway.

The next four weeks are daunting but the only one I might be prepared to concede is Geelong at Skilled Stadium. Actually, I'll settle for a draw in that one. If we get any of Hawthorn, Carlton or West Coast on a bad day, we could win if we're at our best. Win one of those three and it might keep us in the race depending on the results of other games. We just need to lift a couple of notches and you never know!

I understand that the plan this week was for all three emergencies to stay with the team in Darwin rather than fly back to Melbourne at the earliest possible time to join the Scorpions for their game on Sunday. This means there will automatically be three fresh bodies for consideration against the Hawks; and you can add Joel Macdonald coming back from injury as well as those in line for promotion from the VFL.

I know that players need to be left out to fill the spaces but there were a few tired bodies in Darwin and some changes are not only warranted IMO but should be be made.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,288]

I know that players need to be left out to fill the spaces but there were a few tired bodies in Darwin and some changes are not only warranted IMO but should be be made.

I agree Jack. I am sure players this week will be closely monitored to see how they recover, particularly those that lost considerable weight tonight. However I would expect 4 changes purely based on those who recover worst rather than form.

[dee-tox 4,835]

On form I'd replace Nicholson, Strauss and possibly Morton.

To come in? No idea!

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Not sure about the ins but Morton is in prime position to be an out.

Strauss not far behind. Neither of them impacted on the game much at all tonight.

Maybe Davey for Morton? Not sure where Bail's at.

[east gippsland demon 7]

Cant drop Nicho... Hes gunna be a real player! Strauss im not sure of and would be an ideal swap for Flash

[Whispering_Jack 31,131]

Incidentally, the three emergencies for tonight were Clint Bartram, Matthew Bate and  Max Gawn and, on form at Casey you could mount a good argument for the inclusion of all three next week. 

I mentioned Joel Mac in the OP and there's also Aaron Davey and Neville Jetta playing their comeback games after injury at Casey so there are plenty of candidates for places.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,103]

You did notice Strauss repeatedly running back with the flight and getting a fist to the ball right? His defence was really good tonight.

I think Scully may be rested. He's listed as an injury and there's a reason he was subbed off. Wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Scully gets a week off and Flash comes in.

[sylvinator 96]

Incidentally, the three emergencies for tonight were Clint Bartram, Matthew Bate and  Max Gawn and, on form at Casey you could mount a good argument for the inclusion of all three next week. 

I mentioned Joel Mac in the OP and there's also Aaron Davey and Neville Jetta playing their comeback games after injury at Casey so there are plenty of candidates for places.

Strauss and Nicholson both played as shut-down defenders, but probably didn't give quite enough drive out of defence, although some of Nicholson's pace was important.

Morton is a tough one, I think he's going in hard and taking his turn since he got dropped, but still is very low in confidence. Not sure what to do here.

INS: Davey (absolute certainty, our vice captain, super talent, one week in vfl is enough), MacDonald (really strong medium defender and ahead of Strauss and Nicholson)

OUT: bottom 3 players tonight were probably Strauss, Nicholson and Morton.

I see no reason to bring in Gawn with Jamar/Martin combo doing so amazingly well. Bartram and Bate are now depth and without injuries should not be brought in under any circumstances

[dee-luded 2,959]

I agree Jack. I am sure players this week will be closely monitored to see how they recover, particularly those that lost considerable weight tonight. However I would expect 4 changes purely based on those who recover worst rather than form.

Mortons lost weight tonight & has been offered a ride in the 5th tomorrow @ Randwick. LoL.

[dee-luded 2,959]

On form I'd replace Nicholson, Strauss and possibly Morton.

To come in? No idea!

Nicholson to Sub: remember he's a first year engine.

Strauss to stay in.

Morton, hmmn????

Maric???

Maybe Morton & Gysberts out for Bartram & Davey.

There maybe someone who gets rested?

[DeeSpencer 26,273]

Any of Davey, Macdonald, Bartram, Bennell, Dunn, Bate, Blease all pushing for selection should give us a couple of options for fresh legs.

We didn't seem to kill Jamar too much tonight so hopefully he is fresh. It's the young midfielders who I see as the greatest worry - Trengove, Scully, McKenzie and Gysberts. Scully hopefully comes up alright and let's hope the others do as well.

[daisycutter 29,892]

Maric???

Bit unfair there dee-luded

I've not been too keen on Maric but he was very good last night

His best game for MFC and very clean with the ball in difficult conditions

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Jamar looked out on his feet in the last, as did gys. I would expect both to stay in though.

Morton did go better at the contests last night. But he really looks out of form. I would think he would come out.

[old dee 24,001]

Bit unfair there dee-luded

I've not been too keen on Maric but he was very good last night

His best game for MFC and very clean with the ball in difficult conditions

Spot on DC

What does he have to do?

He had 12 kicks, 5 handpasses, eff at 82%, kicked 3 goals 1 and had no clangers.

Not bad for a small forward.

I had him in my top 6 - 8 players.

Had a good game.

Scully should kick as well.

[east gippsland demon 7]

Mortons lost weight tonight & has been offered a ride in the 5th tomorrow @ Randwick. LoL.

HAHAHA!! i liked that.... Iwont be backin anything hes riding though!!

[sydneydee 697]

I made the comment a couple of weeks ago that a lot of thought had to be put into team selection for the Bulldogs game because it was the third consecutive game played after a six day break. 

I was thinking along the lines of having to make three or four changes to bring in what might hopefully be fresher legs for that game but that didn't happen. We made one change, the "in" started as the sub, and ultimately the Melbourne team looked a tired lot when they played at Etihad. Losing the game meant that their finals prospects were severely dented.

Completely agree with the above. For a chance to win against the Hawks we need more hard seasoned bodies so we should make 3/4 changes.

In: Bartram, MacDonald, Bate and Davey

Out: Nicholson, Strauss, Morton and Gysberts/Scully (if not fit)

Bartram replaces Nicho who I really rate however I think we need Bartram's hardness against the Hawkes.

MacDonald replaces Strauss is really like for like. Some will argue MacDonald needs to return via Casey.

Bate replaces Morton. Morton to alternate with Watts between HFF and Wing. Bate will provide more that Morton and MFC need to assess whether to keep Bate on the list next year

Davey comes into the side as sub. Pre injury I was calling for Davey to be dropped however he is our VC and we need someone with fresh legs after our trip to Darwin

Howe never to be sub again.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

You did notice Strauss repeatedly running back with the flight and getting a fist to the ball right? His defence was really good tonight.

Good call. Ignore his supecoach score, he was solid tonight and I believe is playing to instruction. I think he will be a player that takes time to really develop his game, but he has the physical attributes and skill to make it worthwhile.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,288]

I think it is more important that Strauss limits his opponent and the rebound will come. His defensive work last night was very good.

[Guest Guy Rigoni]

Could see us going unchanged next week unless Scully needs some time off for his knee. Maybe Cale to go out for Joel Mac or Davey if they are fit, however i think the coaches will keep Cale in the team for the rest of the season, on the hope that he will ride out his current confidence issues, which i don't really have that big of a problem with.

[Jaded No More 68,975]

I think it is more important that Strauss limits his opponent and the rebound will come. His defensive work last night was very good.

Agreed.

It is a lot harder to defend than attack.

He has been doing a great job shutting down small forwards this season, which is a credit to him.

[Scoop Junior 3,566]

I agree that we should make a few changes and freshen the team up after what was a pretty taxing game in Darwin.

I thought pre-game we went in with not enough small runners and the way Port finished over the top of us and looked fresher at the end probably meant we were a little top heavy, especially with Scully being subbed off as well.

I really didn't understand Howe as the sub. I thought this would be a game where you'd want to bring on a fresh running player as a sub who could really explode in the last quarter. Perhaps someone like Bennell would've been handy to release in the last term.

On the other hand though Maric was a very good selection. Most probably didn't think he'd get a game this week but he was a good choice in the conditions and played an excellent game.

[daisycutter 29,892]

Fev in, Morts out

[DeezMan 4]

IN: MacDonald, Davey (if fit)

OUT: Morton, Scully (??)

- If MacDonald isn't yet ready, Morton gets another crack.

- Maric impressed in Darwin and helped get us off to a fantastic start... very instrumental.

- Few question marks over Davey and Scully, need to wait for later on in the week...

[Maldonboy38 6,406]

We play Hawthorn and we need to pick a side to match them. They slaughterd us at the MCG earlier this year, and it was mainly due to the big bodies of their midfield - Sewell, Mitchell, Burgoyne etc... I don't remember the exact stats but our stoppage numbers were way down. Gysberts was really inefficient last night with lazy and poor disposal, and will get monstered by the Hawks midfield. I would consider giving him a rest, or maybe as the sub. He is a genuine talent and I love much of his work but he won't stand up to the physicality of the Hawks. I also reckon Strauss may struggle even though I think he has a place in our current 22. I can see Rioli running around him, Osborne out-muscling him, or someone like Guerra running through him.

Morton is going to be a real worry against the Hawks. He will play because he seems to be a favourite, but his lack of confidence, fumbling and lack of physical presence may give the Hawks an easy avenue to work through.

OUT : Gysberts, Nicholson,

IN : Davey, Joel MacDonald

POSSIBLY : If Scully needs a rest, I wonder if we should also consider bringing in Bartram for Rioli?

.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Bit unfair there dee-luded

I've not been too keen on Maric but he was very good last night

His best game for MFC and very clean with the ball in difficult conditions

No, what I meant was, I'm not sure if he'll be kept in, & also I didn't see all the game. So I'd like to watch the replay, to study it. No I like Maric, but he does need to work harder. And get his engine Up.

Also on reflection, after seeing much of the Casey game, that helps to form a stronger point of view. eg: Jetta played beauty.

And, I've studied the ladder predictor,,,, and this weeks game Is The most crucial of our season to making the 8! If we lose, were pretty much shot.

So I think JMcDonald and other hardnosed players are needed for the next month.

Jetta/ McDonald/ Evans/ Bartram/ Bate/ davey/ these players all should come into consideration.