Changes For Next Week

[Range Rover 1,935]

If Sellar can be given 4 matches to prove he's next to useless, why shouldn't Fitzy be accorded the same courtesy?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

At least Sellar draws a few defenders now for some reason.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,000]

I think people need to go easy on Sylvia. He's played two games after breaking his back. Give the guy some time to find a bit of touch before you crucify him.

If we want to see what Fitzpatrick has to offer he needs more time at the top level. He's been very good at Casey, but like his 1 game last year seemed to struggle to adjust to the pace and pressure at AFL level. This is in no way unusual and he should be given the chance to get his head around it for a few games to see if he can make the adjustment and impact games. He did show one moment of pure class gathering a contested ball from the ruck contest, accelerating through traffic and nailing a pass to an outside runner. It was only one moment, but it showed a glimpse of what he might become.

Bennell looked like he had gotten the message with his attack on the ball at the start of the game, but he very quickly fell off again and returned to his old habits. He may have blown his chance given that he's had a lot of opportunities to show more hunger and there are guys at Casey knocking on the door. On the other hand, we are short on pacy back flankers, so he may get lucky.

Bate has been very good this year and I think has the credits in the bank to be allowed an off game. He'll be kept.

I'm unsure on Ricky Petterd, I don't think he's got much currency with Neeld. Might find himself replaced by Jurrah.

Bail is the type of player Neeld loves, but he's very error prone and may find it tough to keep his spot. Like Bennell, the big point in his favour is that there isn't a like for like replacement waiting in the wings.

I think the changes this week will tell us a lot about what's going on in MN's mind. There are players he clearly loves who have been under-performing and there are guys waiting in the wings who have been playing very well but would be replacing others who don't really deserve to be dropped. Could go either way.

For mine I think Jurrah, Dunn and Green need to come back in. Watts I am torn on. He's playing well on the wing but still needs better accountability. The problem is that if he doesn't come in he takes a two week vacation and that isn't good for anyone. If we see those three or four come in, who goes out? As I said, the guys who play a similar role are not really playing badly, although Petterd for Jurrah would seem a no-brainer at the moment.

I have no real answers, but I look forward to seeing what happens.

[Range Rover 1,935]

I think people need to go easy on Sylvia.

... stopped reading right there.

[Damo 3,033]

Who would you say is fitter, col or jurrah?

[RalphiusMaximus 6,000]

... stopped reading right there.

You probably did yourself a favour. There was quite a lot of waffling in there, but little of actual substance. What it boils down to is that the guys who should be on notice don't have anyone to replace them and the guys who should come into the team don't have an obvious spot opening up for them and I have no idea what's going to happen.

[old dee 23,256]

Who would you say is fitter, col or jurrah?

Can I have a third option?

[deejammin' 2,096]

I think Davey showed signs of improving form against the Hawks, there were at least two times I counted where he had made space and was streaming through the fifty into an open goal only to be ignored by several midfielders who kicked it to an outnumbered Mitch Clark in the pocket. I also thought he managed some good passes off halfback and showed some improvement in his tackling. Perhaps he really is getting his fitness back up and Neeld will keep him in as he expects his form to continue to improve. Btw, players must stop crucifying him by kicking the ball over his head so he has to back up into a contested situation rather than kicking into the space he is leading into. We have done this so often over the last 3 weeks!

Edit: stupid errors.......

Edited May 14, 2012 by deejammin'

[thaipantsman 180]

TAGGERT!

[thaipantsman 180]

If Sellar can be given 4 matches to prove he's next to useless, why shouldn't Fitzy be accorded the same courtesy?

FITZY was well and truly lost out there. No size or co-ordination. he'll never make it.

[thaipantsman 180]

ins: stet martin, Jurrah, Taggert, Watts.

outs: Fitzy, Garland, Davey (runs on the spot these days), Bennell.

[PaulRB 6,105]

Martin, Watts, Green, and Jurrah should not return to the AFL team until they are dominating at this level.

Taggert was BOG so bring him up. And i don't see the point of dropping players who have only had couple of games at AFL level, i.e. Fitzpatrick.

[Little Richard 5,943]

Martin, Watts, Green, and Jurrah should not return to the AFL team until they are dominating at this level.

Agree with this, but I think Martin's second half showed he was a class above, and he should be brought in for Fitzpatrick, who has to show more solid form in the VFL. Jurrah could be worth bringing in even though he didn't light it up, purely for the fact that he can pull something out of nowhere, and bring a bit of 'x factor' to the side.

[drdrake 3,062]

Martin, Watts, Green, and Jurrah should not return to the AFL team until they are dominating at this level.

Taggert was BOG so bring him up. And i don't see the point of dropping players who have only had couple of games at AFL level, i.e. Fitzpatrick.

Taggert is two games back from injury, did you watch the game Watts, Green and Jurrah are to good for VFL level and everytime they had the footy no one could touch them. Martin was rusty early but came into it later in the game.

The question I have is will Martin, Green, Watts, Jurrah and Blease offer more than

Blease-Davey border line to me Davey is offering little but can Blease offer more he has the speed and talent

Watts-Bate Bate has offered little over the past weeks Watts has Class

Jurrah-Bail No question here Jurrah is a freak Bail is a work horse that is struggling

Martin-Fitzpatrick Once again no contest Martin just is a better footballer at the moment

Green-Petterd Tuff contest Petterd gets one more week

[PaulRB 6,105]

I don't doubt that those players (Martin, Watts, Green, and Jurrah) are a class above VFL, however once at AFL level they don't put in quality four quarter performances. Hence I'd prefer they were held in the 2nds until they do put in a quality four quarter performance.

It's also an attempt to instill some respect for the privilege of playing for Melbourne... rather than get dropped to Casey... play ok in Casey with some good moments... get back into Melb team...

It is hard when players in the Melb team are in need of a stint in the VFL...

Edited May 15, 2012 by PaulRB

[OutsideDemonfan 1]

Blease and Watts will be inclusions for this week and will play off half back, they have the best kicks in the team when they are on and Melbourne desperately need creativity, run and carry out of there back half.

[Bossdog 2,002]

FITZY was well and truly lost out there. No size or co-ordination. he'll never make it.

Same was said about Sandilands....

[Bossdog 2,002]

Also I don't see Martin comming back for some time,......looks disinterested most of the time and un co ordinated......Taggert....too soon played one good game at Casey.....Jurrah maybe as the sub.....Bennell......Come on....has only had about 15 possessions for the whole year, may have pace but does not get the ball enough.....

[Guest strawberry_gumdrops]

Also I don't see Martin comming back for some time,......looks disinterested most of the time and un co ordinated......Taggert....too soon played one good game at Casey.....Jurrah maybe as the sub.....Bennell......Come on....has only had about 15 possessions for the whole year, may have pace but does not get the ball enough.....

Did Taggert run out the game? Bring him in what is this "too soon" theory. If he's up to it chuck him in the deep end.

Or we can keep Bennell in...

I'm IQing the Casey game tomorrow morning. Can't wait to see how everyone ewnt

[Bossdog 2,002]

Did Taggert run out the game? Bring him in what is this "too soon" theory. If he's up to it chuck him in the deep end.

Or we can keep Bennell in...

I'm IQing the Casey game tomorrow morning. Can't wait to see how everyone ewnt

I reckon I could get more possessions than Bennell.......I havn't played for twenty years....So maybe give Taggert a go....

[old dee 23,256]

I reckon I could get more possessions than Bennell.......I havn't played for twenty years....So maybe give Taggert a go....

20 years is a long time Bossdog how about "as many as Bennell"?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,086]

I think because we are already losing so badly why not give players like Bleese some decent game time?

[Binmans PA 26,723]

Same was said about Sandilands....

And Jamar.

[mrtwister 650]

If we are looking for some pace?

Garland Frawley. Bartram

Blease. Rivers. Grimes

Watts. Jones Morton

Petterd. McDonald. Howe

Taggert. Clark. Jurrah

Jamar. Magner. Davey

Mckenzie Trengove. Martin

Could replace Mckenzie with Moloney if we don't need a tagger.

Sub: Bennell

[jumbo returns 6,619]

Stef Martin did nothing to warrant a call up.