2-1 and on the top half of the ladder is something unusual for Melbourne but its where we lie after half the NAB Cup.

This week against the hottest team the following gems we welcome back in: Tapscott, Strauss, Jetta, McKenzie and Trengrove. In my opinion that's close to 4 players in our best 22.

Are the we a chance and what's your team for this round?

2-1 and on the top half of the ladder is something unusual for Melbourne but its where we lie after half the NAB Cup.

This week against the hottest team the following gems we welcome back in: Tapscott, Strauss, Jetta, McKenzie and Trengrove. In my opinion that's close to 4 players in our best 22.

Are the we a chance and what's your team for this round?

If we follow the plan and do the basics right we are a chance against anyone .

Not too worried about winning although it would be nice. More wanting to see us break even or better in the contested possession and clearance counts, and to see the press hold solid again.

2-1 and on the top half of the ladder is something unusual for Melbourne but its where we lie after half the NAB Cup.

This week against the hottest team the following gems we welcome back in: Tapscott, Strauss, Jetta, McKenzie and Trengrove. In my opinion that's close to 4 players in our best 22.

Are the we a chance and what's your team for this round?

I doubt any of your 5 will get a run this weekend.

Perhaps Trengove.

The others have done very little in recent weeks might be Casey for them.

Not too worried about winning although it would be nice. More wanting to see us break even or better in the contested possession and clearance counts, and to see the press hold solid again.

Would not be suprised to see some of the senior players who have played both games get a rest this week. Jamar, Jones and Frawley probably come to mind. Of the group coming back from injury that you mention I would think only Trengove and maybe Strauss would be a chance for round 1. Tapscott has missed serious amounts of the preseason as has Jordie and Jetta. With potentially Moloney, Clark, Bartram and Rivers also returning I would expect they will play at Casey this week.

I dobt any of your 5 will get a run this weekend.

PerhapsTrengove.

The others have done very little in recent weeks might be Casey for them.

I wonder if Tapscott with his power may get a go with 3 weeks to come. Trenners will surely.

#edit: maybe chuck in Rivers for someone? Clarke for Fitzpatrick? Moloney:

Maybe JMcdonald out for TMac? with someone else taking the bench spot.

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by dee-luded

What a shame we lost to Gold Coast. Otherwise we'd be playing off for a GF,

What a shame we lost to Gold Coast. Otherwise we'd be playing off for a GF,

Fear not ! If all the teams above us on the nab "ladder" lose and we knock off the Hawks by 15 goals we're in !

Cheers

I wouldn't be surprised this week if we have a number of players rested that have been going ok....

Magner,

Couch,

Jamar,

Jones,

Frawley,

Garland.

It is all about minutes and load management and i think that it will be the same again this week. Allowing the following to come in....

Clarke

Moloney

Trengove

Bartram

And then possibly blokes like Tappy, Jordie and maybe Straussy to play off the bench/subs to be eased back in.

I then believe that NAB 4 will be the team that will be fairly close to the round 1 team.

I wouldn't be expecting a win any more than i was last week but here's hoping and believing we are capable of a strongish performance sticking to the new team plan / ethos.

I wont be there this week!

Have a mates bucks day/night/early morning/when ever i get home!

i hope to see a four quarter effort at the end of the game!

When is it? Thinking about going. If it's Sat arvo I'm out though.

When is it? Thinking about going. If it's Sat arvo I'm out though.

5.40pm @ Etihad Stadium

Fear not ! If all the teams above us on the nab "ladder" lose and we knock off the Hawks by 15 goals we're in !

Cheers

So ....Ok, I havent been following exactly how it works this year. Is it a last team standing sort of thing?? What if we beat the Dawks? Then does it depend on by how much and other results??

So ....Ok, I havent been following exactly how it works this year. Is it a last team standing sort of thing?? What if we beat the Dawks? Then does it depend on by how much and other results??

We're very long odds . About 6 or 7 things have to happen in our favour including us beating the Hawks comfortably .

1st plays 2nd in the final (according to the nab cup ladder)

Cheers

Edited March 5, 201213 yr by Macca

We're very long odds . About 6 or 7 things have to happen in our favour including us beating the Hawks comfortably .

Cheers

81/1 to be exact.I was wondering why we were so long....cheers.

I'd like to see Strauss have a run, if fit. I want to see where he's at after such a horrendous injury.

I'd ease Trenners and Tapscott into it, since they are both very important players and we need to carefully manage their loads.

Frawley should be rested, as should Jones and Jamar.

I'd also like to have another look at Tynan. Based on what I've seen so far, I think he will be playing a bit of senior footy this year. I'm a fan already.

I'm not too concerned with winning this game. I just want to see a similar effort to what was put in on Saturday night, perhaps with cleaner disposal.

Yeah losing to the Gold Coast was a silly one to lose, still GF or not (likely not), I just want us to come out having been competitive and with no injuries.

Trenners will get a run, the others they may be a bit more cautious.

2-1 and on the top half of the ladder is something unusual for Melbourne but its where we lie after half the NAB Cup.

This week against the hottest team the following gems we welcome back in: Tapscott, Strauss, Jetta, McKenzie and Trengrove. In my opinion that's close to 4 players in our best 22.

Are the we a chance and what's your team for this round?

Really? Which ones? I realise it's an opinion and you're entitled to it, but I'm struggling to get three. I'd have Trengove and McKenzie, but I remain to be convinced that the other three are in the best 22. Tapscott is the next closest in my view and I hope by the end of the year he is, but right now...?

Really? Which ones? I realise it's an opinion and you're entitled to it, but I'm struggling to get three. I'd have Trengove and McKenzie, but I remain to be convinced that the other three are in the best 22. Tapscott is the next closest in my view and I hope by the end of the year he is, but right now...?

I agree All three will need to do a lot more than their 2011 form before they are best 22 in my book.

So would it be more beneficial for some of these players that have been in rehab the last two months to play one and a half quarters in the nab cup saturday night, or three quarters at a lesser intensity at a casey practice game this weekend? I'd go with the casey option

So would it be more beneficial for some of these players that have been in rehab the last two months to play one and a half quarters in the nab cup saturday night, or three quarters at a lesser intensity at a casey practice game this weekend? I'd go with the casey option

Thats 2 votes DD

Not too worried about winning although it would be nice. More wanting to see us break even or better in the contested possession and clearance counts, and to see the press hold solid again.

This.

Plus see the structure hold against to a far more talented side (let's be honest), no injuries, and allow some of the rookies to get that last chance to press for elevation even though Magner, Couch and Nicholson look like locks at this stage (for the record, still not sold on Nicholson).

Good to have Strauss back.

If he can work his way into becoming a regular in the 22, we'll be going places.

Conversely, if he is gifted a place in the 22, we'll be going nowhere.

Really? Which ones? I realise it's an opinion and you're entitled to it, but I'm struggling to get three. I'd have Trengove and McKenzie, but I remain to be convinced that the other three are in the best 22. Tapscott is the next closest in my view and I hope by the end of the year he is, but right now...?

I'm basing my best 22 on who I think should be our best players come Round 11.

Trengove is a walk-up. I expect Sylvia to play more on the wing/middle this year to bulk us up which will leave the HFF requiring a marking strong body. Therefore a see a definite requirement for a Tapscott type player. McKenzie is interesting- always been a walk up for his game style for mine but this year could be difficult. We have drafted a magnitude of players similar to his style in Magner & Couch and both so far seem to have better kicking skills (concern) but Neeld would love him therefore should find a spot.

Finally, in the debate of Strauss vs. Bennell I am so over the top on the Strauss will end up a convincingly better player bangwagon that I could be the driver. Strauss' defending was far better last year and developed beautiful before injury, and IMO has a much larger upside in kicking ability and potential drive than Bennell who although has flair and speed is undisciplined and poor at inconvenient times.

Like you said it is completely personal opinion so I'd love to hear your thoughts/ differences to mine!