MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION

[Demonland 73,140]

A BAD BET by William from West Perth

In days of yore it would have been an inviting prospect for a Melbourne team visiting these parts to come across a Fremantle side bereft of players of the quality of (in alphabetical order) Kepler Bradley, Hayden Crozier, Max Duffy, Jonathon Griffin, Stephen Hill, Sam Menegola, Craig Moller, Anthony Morabito, Lachie Neale, Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Michael Walters.

However, in this new modern age, the Dockers have sufficient depth to overcome the shell-shocked Demons even without the aforementioned players and with competition strong for one of those coveted top four spots at the end of the year, they are hardly likely to let slip a game in which they are considered such certainties that Sportsbet is offering their backers a mere 1 cent per dollar invested. The punters over here might well be bemoaning the end of the minerals boom but those odds won't generate much interest.

Melbourne has its own injury woes and whilst not as significant in numbers, they are in terms of player depth but they still don't match those of Fremantle who have managed to cover their losses well. Their players are keen and willing to give their all for the cause and do so week in, week out. They are particularly strong at home where they have beaten all comers in recent times with the exception of Essendon who fell into a win over there when they were going great guns earlier in the season before their own magic formula started to wear off.

The area where Melbourne might be expected to hold the ascendency is in the ruck duels where Mark Jamar goes into the game knowing that he doesn't have to face a barrage from the usual brigade of giants headed by Aaron Sandilands. His likely opponent is Jack Hannath, who the Demons had earmarked as his understudy only to be plucked away by the Dockers through last years pre-season draft.

Some say that Freo took Hannath purely in revenge for the Mitch Clark heist a year earlier but that isn't stopping them from eyeing Jack Watts who should come back for this game after a month out with injury. In that case, the former number one draft pick will need to produce something out of the box to impress his suitors. I don't think Jack has been quite right this season (even before his injury). Sunday afternoon is his opportunity to show his wares.

There are plenty of others who also need to produce some effort for their success starved supporters out west. We haven't seen a win here since Brock McLean was a loyal young and enthusiastic Demon in his first season and we know those days are long gone. And we don't just want the team to be competitive, we want them striving for a win and giving their opponents more than the slight heart flutter they handed the Tigers last week.

The problem as I see it is that the ground on which this game will be played requires run and effort because of its extra length. Melbourne, with its weak midfield is unlikely to sustain a long, hard day under the pressure that Fremantle can and will exert. If pressed for a tip, my bet is therefore:

Fremantle by 42 points

THE GAME Fremantle v Melbourne at Patersons Stadium, Sunday 26 May, 2013 at 4.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Fremantle 16 wins Melbourne 13 wins

Patersons Stadium Fremantle 9 wins Melbourne 3 wins

Since 2000 Fremantle 12 wins Melbourne 9 wins

The Coaches Lyon 2 wins Neeld 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Fox Footy Channel (live at 4.30pm AEST)

RADIO SEN, ABC

THE BETTING

Fremantle $1.01 Melbourne $17.00

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Fremantle 14.17.101 defeated Melbourne 5.10.40 Round 23, 2012 at Paterson Stadium

Melbourne has not beaten Fremantle in Perth since 2004 and on this evening, it never looked like breaking the curse of Subiaco. The Demons were horrible as the Dockers cantered into the finals.

THE TEAMS

FREMANTLE

Backs Lee Spurr Zac Dawson Michael Johnson

Half back Garrick Ibbotson Luke McPharlin Alex Silvagni

Centreline Cameron Sutcliffe Ryan Crowley Chris Duffield

Half forwards Michael Barlow Chris Mayne Nathan Fyfe

Forwards Matt de Boer Zachary Clarke Hayden Ballantyne

Followers Jack Hannath David Mundy Danyle Pearce

Interchange Hayden Crozier Tendai Mzungu Clancee Pearce Nick Suban

Emergencies Viv Michie Josh Simpson Matt Taberner

In Hayden Crozier

Out Michael Walters (ankle)

MELBOURNE

Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich

Half backs Jack Watts James Sellar Colin Garland

Centreline Jack Trengove Michael Evans Matt Jones

Half forwards Luke Tapscott Jeremy Howe Neville Jetta

Forwards Max Gawn Chris Dawes Aaron Davey

Followers Mark Jamar Nathan Jones James Magner

Interchange Rohan Bail Shannon Byrnes Jordie McKenzie Daniel Nicholson

Emergencies Tom Gillies Jake Spencer James Strauss

In Shannon Byrnes Jack Watts

Out Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) James Strauss

THE YEAR SO FAR by Sam the Stats Man

I had hoped that by the time I came back from Melbourne's season in hell, things might be better but they're not. Injuries, poor form and controversy continue to haunt the club.

Here, is my look at the players statistically over the first eight rounds of 2013:-

BAIL, Rohan MFC 6 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals - has been struggling to find form after issues with concussion both last year and during the pre-season.

BARRY, Dominic CFC Seniors 3 games, 2 goals, CFC DL 2 games, 2 goals - skilful but lightly built youngster in development phase at Casey.

BLEASE, Sam MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 4 games, 1 goal - seems to struggle when he gets his chance at AFL level.

BYRNES, Shannon MFC 7 games, 5 goals - a handy small forward has had a couple of good days.

CLARK, Mitch MFC 4 games, 7 goals - tragedy hit when another foot injury put him out of action for at least two months.

CLISBY, Mitch * CFC Seniors 4 games 0 goals - running defender showing some promise at Casey.

COUCH, Tom * CFC Seniors 5 games, 4 goals - once again a ball magnet at Casey but possibly a little short on pace to make it to the big time.

DAVEY, Aaron MFC 6 games, 9 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal - patchy, but starting to show the form of old.

DAVIS, Troy CFC Seniors 4 games, 0 goals - pushing for his first game at AFL level.

DAWES, Chris MFC 2 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 5 goals - hit by injury in the pre-season and has only just broken into the team.

DUNN, Lynden MFC 4 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals - missed a few games with injury but has been handy since his return.

EVANS, Michael MFC 6 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal - a most improved player since return after a long stint out with a back injury.

FRAWLEY, James MFC 8 games, 0 goals - has had a few good games interspersed with some poor ones.

GARLAND, Colin MFC 8 games, 1 goal - one of the shining lights in defence in recent weeks.

GAWN, Max MFC 5 games, 6 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 2 goals - the tall ruckman is learning his craft and showing lots of promise after a second knee reconstruction kept him out for all of 2012.

GILLIES, Tom MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 3 games, 0 goals - struggling for form.

GRIMES, Jack MFC 6 games, 1 goal - was starting to come good as a team leader when he broke his collarbone against Carlton. On long term injury list.

HOGAN, Jesse ** CFC Seniors 5 games, 12 goals - good signs in his development year at the Scorpions.

HOWE, Jeremy MFC 8 games, 13 goals - doing more than just taking mark of the week every second week. Will benefit when Clark and Dawes are the regular key forwards.

JAMAR, Mark MFC 6 games, 2 goals - really missed in the ruck duels when out injured. Still needs to do a lot more around the ground.

JETTA, Neville MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal - was starting to show some form when an indiscretion led to suspension.

JONES, Matthew MFC 8 games, 1 goal one of the revelations of the season, Jones has regularly been in the best players.

JONES, Nathan MFC 8 game, 3 games deserved to gain the captaincy even though the circumstances were rather unusual. Heading for back to back best and fairests.

KENT, Dean MFC 2 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 4 games, 3 goals young, raw and probably introduced to the senior team a little early.

MACDONALD, Joel CFC Seniors 2 games, 0 goals - injured at the start of the season and unable to break into the side until now.

McDONALD, Tom MFC 5 games, 0 goals not at his best early in the season then missed a few weeks to injury.

MCKENZIE, Jordie MFC 5 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 0 goals another whose season has been interrupted by injury and who has struggled to perform consistently.

MAGNER, James * MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 5 games, 2 goals came off the rookie list last week after a string of high possession games and was immediately in the thick of things.

NICHOLSON, Daniel MFC 5 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 2 games, 0 goals - still struggles with poor execution.

PEDERSEN, Cameron MFC 4 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 0 goals - picking up the pieces at Casey after a poor start at the club.

RODAN, David MFC 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 3 games, 5 goals - hasn't had the impact some expected from him.

SELLAR, James MFC 5 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 1 game, 0 goals - adequately fills a role whether placed up forward or down back.

SPENCER, Jake MFC 2 games, 0 games, CFC Seniors 4 games, 0 goals - struggled to impress in his two games with the Demons.

STARK, Nathan * CFC DL 1 game, 0 goals - restricted by injury to just one development league game.

STRAUSS, James MFC 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 4 games, 2 goals - working on developing his defensive side.

SYLVIA, Colin MFC 7 games, 6 goals - was showing some settled form before being outed for three weeks.

TAGGERT, Rory CFC Seniors 5 games, 5 goals. CFC DL 1 game, 1 goal - returning from a back injury and isn't likely to push up for AFL.

TAPSCOTT, Luke MFC 7 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game, 6 goals - despite playing 7 on the trot, still yet to prove that he can establish a permanent place in the line up.

TERLICH, Dean MFC 7 games, 0 goals - like Matt Jones, this mature aged player has made a promising start to his career.

TOUMPAS, Jimmy MFC 4 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 1 goal - another youngster struggling to adapt to the higher standard of the game and injuries aren't helping him.

TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 6 games, 3 goals - no pre-season to speak of and is doing it hard.

TYNAN, Josh CFC Seniors 4 games, 1 goal. CFC DL 2 games, 0 goals - struggling to hold a place at Casey in their seniors, so is still a long way back.

VINEY, Jack MFC 6 games, 1 goal - lively and goes in hard. On the sidelines with a toe injury that should keep him out for several weeks.

WATTS, Jack MFC 4 games, 2 goals - momentarily moved forward for 2 quick goals in the week before his injury. Although much maligned, he remains one of the team's best users of the football and is waiting for a break through game.

WESTRUPP, Maia ** CFC DL 1 game, 0 goals played his first game with the Casey development league team last weekend.

[Chook 15,022]

CHOOK'S CHANGES VS FREMANTLE

INS: Watts, Kent, Pederson, Fitzpatrick

OUTS: Toumpas, Bail, Sellar, Nicholson

Jack Watts: Contract talks or not, he is one of our best ball users. He is criminally underrated and his year has been far better than some suggest. He should come in for the injured Jimmy Toumpas, who I know we all hope recovers quickly from his rolled ankle.

Dean Kent: This is probably a bit of a surprise selection, but his first two games were both quite good. The Dockers are a fast side, and I think we need his speed on the wide open spaces of Paterson's Stadium. He should come in for Rohan Bail, who admittedly did play reasonably well as a sub last week. Unfortunately that was on the back of an atrocious three weeks that I believe should have seen him left out of our game against Richmond. I would be very surprised if this change were made, but I would certainly like to see it.

Cameron Pederson: I think his VFL form warrants another call-up, and I would like to see him take a defensive role this week. He should come in for James Sellar, who despite performing decently in the backline this year is simply too tall and slow for the small Fremantle forward line. I do think Sellar is a fine defender, but I just don't know if there's a match-up for him this week.

Jack Fitzpatrick: So often do we fall down at half-forward that I think we need another target up there. I'd play Fitzpatrick out of the goalsquare, rotating with the super impressive Chris Dawes. He should come in for Daniel Nicholson, who has been in our worst-performed handful of players pretty much all season. Nicholson does have a lot of good qualities, and his pace is perhaps something we could look at using against Fremantle; but he is simply not very good one on one. I think his disposal is better than people suggest, but I believe his small frame makes it too easy for his opponents to brush him off. This will be especially true if he lines up on Fremantle's ginormously tall and strong midfield contingent.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Chook

[binman 43,762]

Like it Chook. Can't see Nicho getting dropped though. Neeld likes him and he is a runner. Fitzy should be rewarded for his performances in the magoos.

[McQueen 17,867]

• Give Kent a run in his home town. The kid will grow a third leg with the extra support he'll receive over here. He'll replace Toumpas.
• Expecting Pedersen will be in the team on the back of his game at Casey and Fitzy will miss the cut once again. Sellar's 11 touches and 3 marks against the Tigers is enough to see him relegated.
• Watts for Strauss.

In: Watts, Kent, Pedersen

Out: Strauss, Toumpas, Sellar

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

Kent doesn't have nearly the fitness to play in Perth against Freo. If he plays I'd only have him as the sub and this week I'd be keen for him to get some more full match time after some time as an emergency and sub for the dees.

I don't see the point in swapping Sellar for Pedersen. Surely both are set to play on the reserve Freo ruckman in Hannath or Clarke. Pedersen played well down back for Casey in the second half but before that had been moved around a bit. From my point of view I'd rather stick to Sellar whilst he is going ok. I'm not convinced Pedersen is any quicker than Sellar. He's got better hands but Sellar is a nice kick I think.

Fitzpatrick for Nicholson is interesting. I'd love to drop Nicholson but I don't see it happening yet. You'd have to cover his role on a wing/half back which I suppose you are doing with Watts so really it would be more Watts for Nicholson and Fitzpatrick for Bail. Obviously you'd move Howe up the ground as well who has been playing deep. And then go with a Fitzpatrick/Gawn/Dawes forward line with Gawn going into the ruck. I'm not convinced that will work.

For me I'd keep it simple and go with:
In: Watts Out: Toumpas

In: Byrnes Out: Bail. Keep Bail if Byrnes is not fit

FB: Terlich Frawley Garland
HB: Strauss Sellar Dunn
C: Evans Jones Jones
HF: Byrnes Dawes Davey
FF: Howe Gawn Tapscott

Foll: Jamar McKenzie Magner

Int: Nicholson Trengove Watts
S: Jetta

[Goodvibes 3,596]

In: Clark, Pedersen, Sellar, Trengove, Dawes, Byrnes, T McDonald

Out: Clarke, Pederson, Seller, Trengrove, Daws, Burns, T MacDonald

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

• Give Kent a run in his home town. The kid will grow a third leg with the extra support he'll receive over here. He'll replace Toumpas.
• Expecting Pedersen will be in the team on the back of his game at Casey and Fitzy will miss the cut once again. Sellar's 11 touches and 3 marks against the Tigers is enough to see him relegated.
• Watts for Strauss.

In: Watts, Kent, Pedersen

Out: Strauss, Toumpas, Sellar

Pedersen played one good half on a bunch of no name Box Hill forwards with their midfielders practically kicking it to him. Why are you judging Sellar on touches when he played deep in defence on Vickery.

Same for Strauss. Is doing a nice job defensively. Sure he isn't racking up touches but when he's got it he's been very good and hasn't made the simple mistakes that haunt our backline. Again I'm not sure of the logic behind dropping him.

As for Kent I'm sure he'd love to play at home but an extra leg won't be enough to get him a kick against a Ross Lyon defense both individual players and as a team defense. He won't get the space to operate. I think the best thing for him is getting extra fitness through a solid game at Casey and becoming a two way runner. Putting games into him now and we risk him becoming a bit Blease like.

Edited May 23, 2013 by the master

[McQueen 17,867]

Kent doesn't have nearly the fitness to play in Perth against Freo. If he plays I'd only have him as the sub and this week I'd be keen for him to get some more full match time after some time as an emergency and sub for the dees.

How do you reach this conclusion?

[McQueen 17,867]

Pedersen played one good half on a bunch of no name Box Hill forwards with their midfielders practically kicking it to him. Why are you judging Sellar on touches when he played deep in defence on Vickery.

Same for Strauss. Is doing a nice job defensively. Sure he isn't racking up touches but when he's got it he's been very good and hasn't made the simple mistakes that haunt our backline. Again I'm not sure of the logic behind dropping him.

As for Kent I'm sure he'd love to play at home but an extra leg won't be enough to get him a kick against a Ross Lyon defense both individual players and as a team defense. He won't get the space to operate. I think the best thing for him is getting extra fitness through a solid game at Casey and becoming a two way runner. Putting games into him now and we risk him becoming a bit Blease like.

I guess Vickery getting it 18 times and taking 9 marks might indicate the sort of game Sellar played on him. Pedersen has got form coming out of the VFL even if it was against an inferior oppostiton which by the way kicked 60 pts extra than Casey.

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

How do you reach this conclusion?

Have you seen the lad. Fair to say he's still carrying a few kg's. Plus have you seen the games he's played, even for a guy in Melbourne's forward line he hasn't racked up the touches. Not to mention at Casey they were openly working on his ability to run both ways.

I really really like Kent but he's just not ready to get rushed into our team too often. He's had a taste lets get him back to Casey to work on things. Then he can come back better.

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

I guess Vickery getting it 18 times and taking 9 marks might indicate the sort of game Sellar played on him. Pedersen has got form coming out of the VFL even if it was against an inferior oppostiton which by the way kicked 60 pts extra than Casey.

Yeah the 60 extra points shows me he did a nice job but if he was running around like Scarlett mixed with Enright mixed with Fletcher it might have been less. One good half doesn't = form. As melbourne supporters we are so quick to pick the guy who was best on for Casey and say lets put in back in the team. Magner had VFL form. Couch has VFL form.

Yes Vickery got a few marks and kicks but that's expected when a side has good delivery. He also got a fair few of those touches against Gawn/Jamar in the ruck. But Sellar also spoiled him making good spoils on a few occasions. It's not that I think Sellar is a star but we know Pedersen is no superstar either and if one is in the team going ok why swap him just for the sake of it. It would be just like swapping Magner for Couch (if he was available) now because 20 touches isnt enough.

[Chook 15,022]

Yeah the 60 extra points shows me he did a nice job but if he was running around like Scarlett mixed with Enright mixed with Fletcher it might have been less. One good half doesn't = form. As melbourne supporters we are so quick to pick the guy who was best on for Casey and say lets put in back in the team. Magner had VFL form. Couch has VFL form.

Yes Vickery got a few marks and kicks but that's expected when a side has good delivery. He also got a fair few of those touches against Gawn/Jamar in the ruck. But Sellar also spoiled him making good spoils on a few occasions. It's not that I think Sellar is a star but we know Pedersen is no superstar either and if one is in the team going ok why swap him just for the sake of it. It would be just like swapping Magner for Couch (if he was available) now because 20 touches isnt enough.

I think you underestimate the extent to which a defender's ability to spoil is affected by the amount of pressure put on in the midfield. Players like McKenzie, Magner, Jetta, Bail and Terlich all prevented the Richmond midfield from laying the unstoppable low passes every forward dreams of.

Most of Sellar's spoils were stock-standard, and considering the smaller size of the Fremantle forward-line I think it would be wise to trade in for someone who can outmark his opponent and rebound us out of defence.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Chook

[Roger Mellie 4,103]

Gillies aaahhhh

[deeko 952]

Gillies aaahhhh

Oh no....

[DemonWA 3,936]

Gysberts named for the roos! Watch Demonland go into meltdown if he does ok!

[dees189227 12,398]

B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Watts, James Sellar, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Michael Evans, Matt Jones
HF: Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta
F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, James Magner
I/C (from): Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Tom Gillies, Rohan Bail, Jake Spencer
IN: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, Jake Spencer, Jack Watts
OUT: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle)

Gillies is on the bench id doubt he will play. Spencer I cant see playing either since Freo are down so many ruckmen. I would like to see Byrnes play even if he crumbs under Dawes feet.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich

HB: Jack Watts, James Sellar, Colin Garland

C: Jack Trengove, Michael Evans, Matt Jones

HF: Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta

F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, James Magner

I/C (from): Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Tom Gillies, Rohan Bail, Jake Spencer

IN: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, Jake Spencer, Jack Watts

OUT: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle)

Gillies is on the bench id doubt he will play. Spencer I cant see playing either since Freo are down so many ruckmen. I would like to see Byrnes play even if he crumbs under Dawes feet.

YUP.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich

HB: Jack Watts, James Sellar, Colin Garland

C: Jack Trengove, Michael Evans, Matt Jones

HF: Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta

F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, James Magner

I/C (from): Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Tom Gillies, Rohan Bail, Jake Spencer

IN: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, Jake Spencer, Jack Watts

OUT: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle)

Gillies is on the bench id doubt he will play. Spencer I cant see playing either since Freo are down so many ruckmen. I would like to see Byrnes play even if he crumbs under Dawes feet.

This is the VFL report on Gillies game last week.

Tom Gillies - Tom had a reasonable game - he was involved in some of the team’s more positive ball movement. Defensively, he had his hands full with the amount of inside 50s Box Hill had. This was Tom's first full game for some time given that he played limited game time two weeks ago against Port Melbourne. We will be looking for a sharp improvement from Tom to return to the form that saw him play two AFL games early in the season.

Now that to, me doesn't seem like the kind of game that would warrant a call up. What's going on at Melbourne?

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

This is the VFL report on Gillies game last week.

Tom Gillies - Tom had a reasonable game - he was involved in some of the team’s more positive ball movement. Defensively, he had his hands full with the amount of inside 50s Box Hill had. This was Tom's first full game for some time given that he played limited game time two weeks ago against Port Melbourne. We will be looking for a sharp improvement from Tom to return to the form that saw him play two AFL games early in the season.

Now that to, me doesn't seem like the kind of game that would warrant a call up. What's going on at Melbourne?

Live chat happening now with A. Greaves. This was said:

Comment From Luke

Is Gillies in good form? If he were to get a game who would he push out?

6:39

Hi Luke, Gillies has a role to play - whether that in AFL or VFL this week - we'll have to wait with our final side. If we think there is a role for him to play in the AFL this week, then we'll play him, but otherwise he'll play in the VFL. And he'll continue to knock on the door of selection. Aaron.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Live chat happening now with A. Greaves. This was said:

Comment From Luke

Is Gillies in good form? If he were to get a game who would he push out?

6:39

Hi Luke, Gillies has a role to play - whether that in AFL or VFL this week - we'll have to wait with our final side. If we think there is a role for him to play in the AFL this week, then we'll play him, but otherwise he'll play in the VFL. And he'll continue to knock on the door of selection. Aaron.

What a magnificent way of saying nothing

[Chook 15,022]

It might be interesting to see Spencer as a backup ruck and Gawn as a full-time forward.

[Gippsland Dee 367]

how can gillies get a game? seriously, he was shocking in the first couple of games! but then the whole team was

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

What a magnificent way of saying nothing

Then you'll love the following to responses he offered tonight too:

Comment From stacy

Tom gillies looks average at vfl level, why the inclusion to squad ahead of davis?

6:50

Hi Stacy, with Davis being an emergency the past couple of weeks and the VFL having had a bye last week, we felt he needed to have another run around. And Gillies has been showing some form in the VFL. Aaron.

Comment From Stuie

Watching the Casey game last week I would have though Pedersen was way ahead of Gillies as far as a tall backline player goes... What's the thinking behind Gillies' call up?

6:54

Hi Stuie, We liked Pedersen's game last week as well and sometimes it's horses for courses. We hope Cam plays well this week, so he can put his hand up for next week. Aaron.

[DemonWA 3,936]

how can gillies get a game? seriously, he was shocking in the first couple of games! but then the whole team was

perhaps he's the nominated a candidate, given the job of decapitating Balyentyne, Fyfe and Mundy in the 1st 5 mins and then sit out a 20 week suspension?

[DemonOX 8,800]

Then you'll love the following to responses he offered tonight too:

Comment From stacy

Tom gillies looks average at vfl level, why the inclusion to squad ahead of davis?

6:50

Hi Stacy, with Davis being an emergency the past couple of weeks and the VFL having had a bye last week, we felt he needed to have another run around. And Gillies has been showing some form in the VFL. Aaron.

Comment From Stuie

Watching the Casey game last week I would have though Pedersen was way ahead of Gillies as far as a tall backline player goes... What's the thinking behind Gillies' call up?

6:54

Hi Stuie, We liked Pedersen's game last week as well and sometimes it's horses for courses. We hope Cam plays well this week, so he can put his hand up for next week. Aaron.

Selecting the Melb side is like playing chook lotto.

What a joke.

We will get smaaaaaaashed on Sunday avo