Tom Couch to debut against Fremantle

[Die Hard Demon 1,224]

Magner or Moloney. Hope Magner stays in only because of my Super Coach prospects. Bennell?

Going by last weeks performance.. You'd be better off NOT having Magner in your side. He could very well fall into the negative numbers this week.

[dee-luded 2,959]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/perseverance-pays-off-for-melbourne-rookie-tom-couch/story-e6frexx0-1226424394811

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

http://www.dailytele...0-1226424394811

That's one helluva left bicep

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Not sure if memory serves me correctly, but that may have been the game where he found a way to kick the goal that won the game after a really tough day at the office.

Guts.

That's right - late goal.

In for Magner. Good choice.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

maybe i will go to etihad on staurday

[IRW 1,387]

Well done coach Neeld...You took your time and gave him his chance when he'd done enough and the space was available. My best guess would be a rest for Magner

This year has been characterised by the skills ineptitude of the players and the lack of on field cohesion under the new skippers but also the systematic way the new coaching regime has worked through the list;either giving them time on field or training them up until they've earnt the time.

I'm glad they havnt been listening too closely to the 'experts' here or on 'Ology and I cant wait for next year and a new list which I'll wager will contain a few suprises.

Edited July 12, 2012 by IRW

[wmth 69]

Magner getting an unfair whack I reckon. Playing an unfamiliar role. Should be back in the middle doing what he does best - stoppage work and clearances.

A defensive forward for Melbourne is just about the lonieliest position in the AFL. He will continue to have low possession games playing like this. Swap him for Dunn, Petterd, whoever, and put in the middle.

[satyricon 267]

I am very sorry to say but I actually have the feeling it will be Moloney...which with my perception will probably be totally incorrect ..congrats to Tom Couch though

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

Magner getting an unfair whack I reckon. Playing an unfamiliar role. Should be back in the middle doing what he does best - stoppage work and clearances.

A defensive forward for Melbourne is just about the lonieliest position in the AFL. He will continue to have low possession games playing like this. Swap him for Dunn, Petterd, whoever, and put in the middle.

Spot on nulified Chris Newman last week.

and as for Couchy, well done young lad certainly has earnt his spot!

[Ouch! 2,262]

Debuts seem to be different. This isnt the first time a club has said xxx to debut. Gibson was the last one from memory. Maybe we can do it for first gamers?

Given that there doesn't appear to be any direct quotes from the coach or anything, I suspect that we announced that Couch has been elevated from the rookie list again, (which obviously has to be done prior to team selection if we want him in this week) and the rest is a 'well-informed' assumption. But without a coach to actually say it in the Thursday media conferences... it's just 'highly credible' speculation at this point !

[MikeyJ 60]

Given that there doesn't appear to be any direct quotes from the coach or anything, I suspect that we announced that Couch has been elevated from the rookie list again, (which obviously has to be done prior to team selection if we want him in this week) and the rest is a 'well-informed' assumption. But without a coach to actually say it in the Thursday media conferences... it's just 'highly credible' speculation at this point !

Err...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/7415/Default.aspx?newsId=141248

[Lucifers Hero 39,779]

I am very sorry to say but I actually have the feeling it will be Moloney...which with my perception will probably be totally incorrect ..congrats to Tom Couch though

Moloney should be OK. Neeld said on SEN yesterday that he was sub last week, partly because of form but he had been heavily tagged this year and partly to experiment with a key mid-fielder as sub in case the AFL brings in a 2sub/2interchange bench.

Neeld also said he pretty much new the players that would go at the end of the year altho he was open to change if there were some exceptional performances in the next 8 rounds.

Yes, Well done Tom!

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Not since the great Juice Newton have the Melbourne faithful called for a debut like this. Let's hope the long term outcome is a little more positive than what Juice provided.

[Ouch! 2,262]

Err...

http://www.melbourne...x?newsId=141248

yeah... I saw it before posting above. Show me the quotes that confirm it as fact

Yes it's Matt Burgan I know, my point is that the AFL looks like they fine the clubs talking about team selection when the coaches talking about it in their Thursday media conferences.

I still say Matt's piece is still 'speculation' with a healthy dose of nudges and winks from people inside the club, but MFC won't get a please explain for that....

[CHAMP 347]

Not since the great Juice Newton have the Melbourne faithful called for a debut like this. Let's hope the long term outcome is a little more positive than what Juice provided.

Not quite. Juice was in his third season when he got a guernsey (as a ND parting gesture, a revolving door situation).

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

yeah... I saw it before posting above. Show me the quotes that confirm it as fact

Yes it's Matt Burgan I know, my point is that the AFL looks like they fine the clubs talking about team selection when the coaches talking about it in their Thursday media conferences.

I still say Matt's piece is still 'speculation' with a healthy dose of nudges and winks from people inside the club, but MFC won't get a please explain for that....

Melbourne Fc just tweeted he will debut and so did Nathan Jones.

[PeterJames 46]

Moloney has been dropped.

[My TD 156]

Magner or Moloney. Hope Magner stays in only because of my Super Coach prospects. Bennell?

You shoulda traded Magner weeks ago as his scores have flattened out.

Trade him for Couch IMO.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

Not since the great Juice Newton have the Melbourne faithful called for a debut like this. Let's hope the long term outcome is a little more positive than what Juice provided.

You've just put the Mozz on the kid by comparing him to Juice. I have no doubt he will play one game and fade into obscurity!

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

A lot of boys will benefit from another pre-season under Neeld - Magner and Couch being two

Glad to see Couchy get a go - all the best little man!

If true that Moloney is out - could be the end of Beamer at the MFC!!!

[jumbo returns 6,741]

You've just put the Mozz on the kid by comparing him to Juice. I have no doubt he will play one game and fade into obscurity!

Mark of the year?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Magner getting an unfair whack I reckon. Playing an unfamiliar role. Should be back in the middle doing what he does best - stoppage work and clearances.

A defensive forward for Melbourne is just about the lonieliest position in the AFL. He will continue to have low possession games playing like this. Swap him for Dunn, Petterd, whoever, and put in the middle.

IMO they're teaching him roles to use in the future, & just maybe he needed to learn the defensive side to stopping his opponent, when they're on top of him.

[rpfc 28,417]

Yay!

He is in my UF team and I hope he isn't a sub...

I believe in Tom.

lol

[MikeyJ 60]

yeah... I saw it before posting above. Show me the quotes that confirm it as fact

Yes it's Matt Burgan I know, my point is that the AFL looks like they fine the clubs talking about team selection when the coaches talking about it in their Thursday media conferences.

I still say Matt's piece is still 'speculation' with a healthy dose of nudges and winks from people inside the club, but MFC won't get a please explain for that....

Let me get this straight...

A club employee writes on the club's website that a player WILL - not might, WILL - debut and you still think it's speculation?

Right.

BTW, the AFL doesn't fine clubs for revealing players who will debut, or return to the side. They will fine a club that reveals all its team changes before Seven had the opportunity to do so.

Edited July 12, 2012 by MikeyJ

[Hero1 74]

Melbourne is the laughing stock of the afl.