Tappy will get the vest, if he makes the cut.

Hes been woeful lately.

Titan, good calls on the vest.

Bit surprised their throwing Tmac in straight away but good luck to him. I can't see us playing all of Jamar, Dawes, Fitzy, and Gawn in the same team so Gawn will be out as will Sellar.

I hope Sylvia is feeling rested and ready to go (no reason why he shouldn't), would really like to see him have a good game v Pies.

Final bench for me: McKenzie, Blease, Kent, Tappy (sub)

They said Mcdonalds been in full training for 2 weeks and was probably good to go last week, but they gave him an extra week.

Tappy will get the vest, if he makes the cut.

Hes been woeful lately.

Shouldn't get the vest.... Should get the rest ...he's been woeful more than just lately... NOT an AFL Senior footballer ... One that must go in MY opinion !! We need to progress... !!

I've been thinking about the matchup for Cloke issue a bit more, and then remembered the Sydney v Collingwood game from the other week. Sydney put Ted Richards on Cloke, who is far from being a man mountain. But despite this Cloke had minimal impact on the game. Why? because Sydney played good team defense. They continually had another defender or flanker running back into the space that Cloke was leading to.

So, it may not matter who we go with on Cloke. The main thing is to put them in a position where they can't bomb it deep to Cloke in a 1 on 1, but try to ensure that the defence works well as a team to help each other out and beat Cloke that way.

I've been thinking about the matchup for Cloke issue a bit more, and then remembered the Sydney v Collingwood game from the other week. Sydney put Ted Richards on Cloke, who is far from being a man mountain. But despite this Cloke had minimal impact on the game. Why? because Sydney played good team defense. They continually had another defender or flanker running back into the space that Cloke was leading to.

So, it may not matter who we go with on Cloke. The main thing is to put them in a position where they can't bomb it deep to Cloke in a 1 on 1, but try to ensure that the defence works well as a team to help each other out and beat Cloke that way.

See my post above re this issue, I think this is what they'll try, and what Collingwood will try. It will be a good test of coaching.

If Collingwood try to leave cloke one out in the 50 how would we defend? A spare man 20 meters in front of cloke? Would he be a spare from out forward line? I think we'll start man on man in defence but encourage all defenders to drop back quickly and assist. I would strongly consider a spare man if we start to see a repeat of last year where rivers was isolated and no one could get back and help him.

I've been thinking about the matchup for Cloke issue a bit more, and then remembered the Sydney v Collingwood game from the other week. Sydney put Ted Richards on Cloke, who is far from being a man mountain. But despite this Cloke had minimal impact on the game. Why? because Sydney played good team defense. They continually had another defender or flanker running back into the space that Cloke was leading to.

So, it may not matter who we go with on Cloke. The main thing is to put them in a position where they can't bomb it deep to Cloke in a 1 on 1, but try to ensure that the defence works well as a team to help each other out and beat Cloke that way.

I have no idea what Sydney did well/not well two weeks ago, but at a guess I'd suggest they limited the run off half-back.

Give O'Brien, Shaw and Swan room, space and unpressured time to get the ball into the forward line, and Cloke will be on the end of passes that McDonald/MacDonald/Garland/Sellar can't stop no matter what. I think that's as important an issue as who plays Cloke and who else in the back six zones off and covers space when required.

I have no idea what Sydney did well/not well two weeks ago, but at a guess I'd suggest they limited the run off half-back.

Give O'Brien, Shaw and Swan room, space and unpressured time to get the ball into the forward line, and Cloke will be on the end of passes that McDonald/MacDonald/Garland/Sellar can't stop no matter what. I think that's as important an issue as who plays Cloke and who else in the back six zones off and covers space when required.

Agree here, Cloke is most damaging on the lead. Whilst he is a good contested mark when required it's his work rate and getting on the lead where the damage is caused, he has a big body to get around. With a bit of luck his kicking will be off target.

Toumpas replaces Joel Macdonald in the squad.

Toumpas replaces Joel Macdonald in the squad.

Hardly like for like

So who's everyones nominations for the 6th defender this week - so far we've got McDonald, Pedersen, Garland, Terlich, Dunn and ???? after Strauss was dropped and Frawley came out for McDonald in.

Sellar is on the extended interchange but surely playing him is going too tall.

Other options include Watts, Howe, Evans, Bail or Tapscott.

It would be unconventional (or conventional for Melbourne) but I'd go with Tapscott. Arguably the best footy he's played was down back in 2011 and he'll find more of the ball. Plus you know if its his turn to go he won't die wondering.

So who's everyones nominations for the 6th defender this week - so far we've got McDonald, Pedersen, Garland, Terlich, Dunn and ???? after Strauss was dropped and Frawley came out for McDonald in.

Sellar is on the extended interchange but surely playing him is going too tall.

Other options include Watts, Howe, Evans, Bail or Tapscott.

It would be unconventional (or conventional for Melbourne) but I'd go with Tapscott. Arguably the best footy he's played was down back in 2011 and he'll find more of the ball. Plus you know if its his turn to go he won't die wondering.

Like it, plus he can give Dunn a chop out kicking in. We need the ball coming out of defence with our better kicks. Collingwoods forward pressure will be similar to what freo hit us with 2 weeks back, and bigger bodies with good skill will be one way we can take that pressure early on.

What I'd like to see is us get our "loose" player around midfield stoppages instead of in the back 50. This is important because we need more run and chances to create inside 50 entries, but also to add more options coming out of defence. Back our defensive 6 to beat their man, but push the pressure into the midfield and try to get the initiative there.

I really dont believe that we will get thrashed in fact we have a chance agianst the pies they are struggling and we need to make a statement

The dees could be the upset Dawes to kick 6 Cloke smashed

Come on Dees have a go we can beat this lot!

Shouldn't get the vest.... Should get the rest ...he's been woeful more than just lately... NOT an AFL Senior footballer ... One that must go in MY opinion !! We need to progress... !!

Tappy is a slow, 180cm, non midfielder, who goes hard, but gets little of the ball and more often than not is injured.

Taken after we took Gysberts and overlooked every Demonlander's choice of Daniel Talia or Kane Lucas.

BP take another bow

hope Toumpas plays., GO JIMMY T

Just been told by J.Rawlings that Toumpas will play down back tomorrow.

Happy to see Toumpas in the team over Bail.

Just been told by J.Rawlings that Toumpas will play down back tomorrow.

Just looked at the final team and thought this is a good move. Allows him to find the ball and work on his physicality but also play to his strengths. We have to stick by him if he makes a few mistakes though.

Garland Pedersen Terlich

Toumpas McDonald Dunn

Evans Jones Howe

Blease Dawes Sylvia

Watts Fitzy Davey

Jamar Trengove McKenzie

Rodan M. Jones Tapscott Kent

I'm hoping guys like Watts, Blease, Toumpas and Fitzy who are pretty much in the team to prove themselves can play with some spirit and how they are up for it. They've all got the talent to be good enough if they believe they can be.

Just been told by J.Rawlings that Toumpas will play down back tomorrow.

I like that. From memory, he was played down back at times for SA Under 18s while slightly hampered by the hip injury that later led to his surgery. He was very good in starting attacking moves with his good football brain and finishing them off with accurate disposal. It won't hurt his education there and it's the perfect place from which to eventually move into the midfield mix.

Happy to see Toumpas in the team over Bail.

This is a great result. Bail is not an AFL grade player in any form.

Shouldn't get the vest.... Should get the rest ...he's been woeful more than just lately... NOT an AFL Senior footballer ... One that must go in MY opinion !! We need to progress... !!

21 years old - in any normal AFL system he would have been given time to develop in the seconds. Just another young player we have failed

Jamie Elliot a late change out . Adam Oxley in

Jamie Elliot a late change out . Adam Oxley in

A small win. Elliott is a dangerous forward and an excellent mark for his size.

Tappy is a slow, 180cm, non midfielder, who goes hard, but gets little of the ball and more often than not is injured.

Taken after we took Gysberts and overlooked every Demonlander's choice of Daniel Talia or Kane Lucas.

BP take another bow

Dont forget Bastinac, he went at pick 16 in that draft, he was a ball magnet for the Stingrays.

Just looked at the final team and thought this is a good move. Allows him to find the ball and work on his physicality but also play to his strengths. We have to stick by him if he makes a few mistakes though.

Garland Pedersen Terlich

Toumpas McDonald Dunn

Evans Jones Howe

Blease Dawes Sylvia

Watts Fitzy Davey

Jamar Trengove McKenzie

Rodan M. Jones Tapscott Kent

I'm hoping guys like Watts, Blease, Toumpas and Fitzy who are pretty much in the team to prove themselves can play with some spirit and how they are up for it. They've all got the talent to be good enough if they believe they can be.

The positions that you have quoted above differ from the MFC website which shows Blease in the halfback line and Dawes as Fullback instead of Fitzy. I hope that you are right or that the final lineup is a medley!