The speculation from media "experts", including past players and coaches who should know better, is driving me nuts. I know they have to do tipping but some of the reasons or insights being given are pathetic.

As for Maclure - I put him in the Ashley Hansen category. He was a below average player in an outstanding team, and now has the bragging rights as if actually contributed to any of Carlton's success!! I place him only 1cm below Greg Denham when commenting on the Dees. I agree with dazzledavey36 - Maclure is the biggest [censored] ever. I love the ABC commentary and game discussion but Maclure almost makes me switch off.

He is definitely opinionated but was a great player.

No idea why it's Pedo and Gillies over Sellar and Terlich but have to trust their judgement. Pre-season performances told a different story.7 debutants. Gonna be a big challenge to get the win.

I would imagine Sellar is in. Gillies for McDonald and Pedersen for Dawes. Also no Trengove

I went to training this morning and Watts didn't train and Dawes left the track early.

I'd say thats more significant that Dawes will miss. Watts may have a cold or something rather than injury and still be right for Sunday.

I tipped Port coz I think we haven't trained or played enough together as a unit and we are still suffering those gut wrenching dissappearing acts for quarters, but I love the pre-season, theres something healing about watching a bottom team training without opponents. Anyway after watching Mitch Clark dominate the half forward area of the full ground drill and marking every Shannon Byrne short pass that came his way I once again left full of optimism, till Sunday at least.

For mine I reckon we might lose our first two games then pump West Coast at the G to get our season up and going. Anyway good luck to us all, we could do with a bit.

Bit dissapointed that a multi-million dollar recruit is not available for the first game he could play after having 5 months to prepare for it.

Trengove and Dawes not playing according to Neeld and he probably has a fair idea.

Bit dissapointed that a multi-million dollar recruit is not available for the first game he could play after having 5 months to prepare for it.

Yes, how dare he go out and deliberately get hamstring tightness!

Of course it's disappointing (assuming he isn't playing... none of us know for sure until the team is announced Edit: well, unless the above post is fact), but I would rather him miss this week and be available for some of the harder games coming up, than play and do a hammy, putting him out for much longer.

I went to training this morning and Watts didn't train and Dawes left the track early.

I'd say thats more significant that Dawes will miss. Watts may have a cold or something rather than injury and still be right for Sunday.

I tipped Port coz I think we haven't trained or played enough together as a unit and we are still suffering those gut wrenching dissappearing acts for quarters, but I love the pre-season, theres something healing about watching a bottom team training without opponents. Anyway after watching Mitch Clark dominate the half forward area of the full ground drill and marking every Shannon Byrne short pass that came his way I once again left full of optimism, till Sunday at least.

For mine I reckon we might lose our first two games then pump West Coast at the G to get our season up and going. Anyway good luck to us all, we could do with a bit.

Wow. I'm not sure whether you have too little confidence or too much.

With Dawes out i expect pederson and Sellar to play.

Trengove wont play, but not sure about Terlich, maybe they have chosen Jetta or Nicholson instead.

Geez I'm not confident about winning this week, not sure why probably the memory of round 1 last year when I was certain we would win but with so many new players its really unknown what may happen, hurry up Sunday so I can be put out of my misery either way

With clark in having Byrnes,Rodan and hopefully blease feeding off the crumbs it's a good forward structure in my eyes.

Hang on a sec.

That extra 4 are only in the squad. Rodan, Byrnes yes Pederson maybe

I wouldn't expect Gillies to be any more than an emergency.

Hang on a sec.

That extra 4 are only in the squad. Rodan, Byrnes yes Pederson maybe

I wouldn't expect Gillies to be any more than an emergency.

Yep.

Hang on a sec.

That extra 4 are only in the squad. Rodan, Byrnes yes Pederson maybe

I wouldn't expect Gillies to be any more than an emergency.

Yeah but I don't expect Tommy Mc to play after missing last week, similar to Dawes and Trengove with match fitness so it's likely that Gillies will be in.

Dees will get up by 30+ and Viney will be round 1 rising star nominee, lock it in.

The game is being played on Sunday so I would imagine the squad will contain 25 players, three of who will be left out as emergencies.

Therefore the 7 new players "record" may not eventuate.

Y'know what? I get that we all want to have the best 22 that we can on the park each week, but the reality is that if we want to push for top 4 and beyond, we need to have depth and flexibility in our squad. If Dawes is out, Sellar or Pedersen need to step up. If Jetta becomes our first choice back pocket, Tapscott or Garland need to do the job if he is unavailable. Don't like the specific names I've used? Fine, choose your own, that's not my point. The coaching department will pick teams each week where particular players will be tested and asked to prove themselves. That is part of our journey, from rounds 1-23.

This is not a sprint, but a marathon. If you want to see a rebuild, look at Hawthorn, circa 2005. That's where we're at, and I for one have the confidence and patience that we will get there.

Y'know what? I get that we all want to have the best 22 that we can on the park each week, but the reality is that if we want to push for top 4 and beyond, we need to have depth and flexibility in our squad. If Dawes is out, Sellar or Pedersen need to step up. If Jetta becomes our first choice back pocket, Tapscott or Garland need to do the job if he is unavailable. Don't like the specific names I've used? Fine, choose your own, that's not my point. The coaching department will pick teams each week where particular players will be tested and asked to prove themselves. That is part of our journey, from rounds 1-23.

This is not a sprint, but a marathon. If you want to see a rebuild, look at Hawthorn, circa 2005. That's where we're at, and I for one have the confidence and patience that we will get there.

Great attitude. We need the Geelong mantra of "everyone who comes in knows their role, and just does it".

There is only one result we want and need more desperately. And that is a win even if its realy ugly. Any loss will stoke fires that continue to smoulder and if not an honourable loss then the proverbial will move uncomfortably closer to the fan. Port I believe have won 8 games in the past two seasons compared to out 12.5. So no excuses accepted. I bet CS, CC and DMc will be sweating already.

Edited March 28, 201312 yr by Muvver Jones

Gee wiz, do yourself all a favour and do not watch Leigh Mathews last word!, has absolutely written us off for the year!, lets just hope we prove him absolutely wrong this year!

Terlich is named on I/C as well

Melbourne v Port Adelaide

MCG, Sunday March 31, 1.10pm

MELBOURNE

B: Lynden Dunn, Tom Gillies, Daniel Nicholson

HB: Jack Watts, James Frawley, Colin Garland

C: Jack Viney, Jack Grimes, Jimmy Toumpas

HF: Jeremy Howe, James Sellar, Colin Sylvia

F: Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Clark, David Rodan

Foll: Mark Jamar, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones

I/C (from): Sam Blease, Cameron Pederson, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey, Dean Terlich, Jake Spencer, Matt Jones

PORT ADELAIDE

B: Tom Jonas, Jackson Trengove, Campbell Heath

HB: Jasper Pittard, Cameron O'Shea, Lewis Stevenson

C: Matthew Broadbent, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes

HF: Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart, Angus Monfries

F: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Jake Neade

F: Jarrad Redden, Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak

I/C (from): Matthew Lobbe, Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Kane Mitchell, Aaron Young, Daniel Stewart, Jack Hombsch

Of that bench I'd have Blease, Pederson, Terlich and Jones.

Couple of starting selections I don't like including Gillies, Nicholson and McKenzie. But let's see how it goes!

Of that bench I'd have Blease, Pederson, Terlich and Jones.

Agree Nasher, I reckon Davey will play instead of Terlich tho.

Surprised and a bit disappointed that Nev Jetta didn't make the 25 (assuming he is fit). My guess is that Blease, Pederson, Davey, and Matt Jones will be in the final 22, with Blease the sub.

I am confident we can get the win here!!