MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION

[Demonland 72,176]

HELP by The Oracle

I don't think it's co-incidence that Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney this week joined Michael Voss in opposing AFL draft assistance for the Melbourne Football Club which has been struggling to be competitive on the field for years. Clubs like the Demons, the Bulldogs and the Lions, have had to battle in recent seasons to rebuild through drafts compromised by the introduction of Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

McCartney and Voss are also aware that a priority selection given to Melbourne in this year's draft would cause their clubs to each drop one place further down the picking order so there's an altruistic aspect to their opposition.

The Bulldogs finished in the top four as recently as 2010 while the Lions were finallists in 2009. Since then both clubs have headed south on the ladder but they haven't hit rock bottom like Melbourne. They ignore the fact that Melbourne's troubles have persisted longer and are far deeper in effect than those of their clubs. They ignore the fact that a weaker Melbourne can only damage the financial position of the AFL and the welfare of all clubs going into the future. The truth is that it makes sense to look after the weak.

In McCartney's case, with a list that has many players who are aging with limited time left in the game, it's not particularly forward-looking for him to shun the possibility of AFL assistance. His club already gets significant financial assistance and without the salary cap and the draft his club would be dead in the water. He might well require some additional draft assistance if he can't adequately fill the void that will occur at the Western Oval over the next year or two when the likes of Robert Murphy and co call it a day.

McCartney's little dig at this week's opponent might be strategic in the short term, but I see more hope for Melbourne in the future than for the Western Bulldogs.

Almost exactly two years ago, these clubs fought out a life and death game at Etihad Stadium. Back then, the window was closing for the under-performing Dogs at the end of the Rodney Eade era while the Demons were an outside chance of making the finals under Dean Bailey. It was a must win game for the up and down pretenders whose hopes were dashed by the pressure exerted by the Western Bulldogs' experience. The false dawn expired that day with an 11 goal defeat and was destroyed utterly four weeks later by a far bigger margin at Skilled Stadium. The team that had been wracked by "bruise-free" was about to be finished off by internal dissension and politics. It also wasn't good enough, fit enough or strong enough and while this was all recognised by Mark Neeld, the core issues were never fully addressed and the situation of the team worsened.

There's now yet another rebuild afoot at Melbourne where there does exist a well of as yet untapped talent which needs to be supplemented in the short term to maintain competitiveness while they develop. A mini draft along the lines of the GWS model would help without necessarily changing another club's draft position.

The first signs of an easing of the pressure were evident against St. Kilda under the stewardship of Neil Craig last week.However, given that the team is still bedeviled by injuries to so many important and key players, I can't see them beating the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, but irrespective of whether or not the Demons receive AFL draft assistance this year, I expect them to leap past this week's opposition in the near future, beyond which I wonder what Brendan McCartney will do if his club finds itself in need of help.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at MCG Saturday 29 June 2013 at 7.40pm (AEST)

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 83 wins Western Bulldogs 71 wins 1 draw

At MCG: Melbourne 43 wins Western Bulldogs 26wins

Since 2000: Melbourne 10 wins Western Bulldogs 11 wins

The Coaches: Craig 0 wins McCartney 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports 3

Radio SEN ABC

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $4.60 Western Bulldogs $1.20

LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 13.10.88 defeated Melbourne 9.13.67 at MCG in Round 4, 2012

The Dees were in it from go to whoa and might have been closer late in the game but for the demise of an in form Mitch Clark who went for a hanger and landed on his head. The Doggies managed to hold tight and run out winners by 21 points.

TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Dean Terlich

Half backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Mitch Clisby

Centreline Jimmy Toumpas Jack Trengove Matt Jones

Half forwards Aaron Davey Chris Dawes Sam Blease

Forwards Jack Fitzpatrick Jack Watts David Rodan

Followers Max Gawn Colin Sylvia Nathan Jones

Interchange Shannon Byrnes Jeremy Howe Dean Kent Daniel Nicholson

Emergencies James Magner Cam Pedersen James Sellar

In Max Gawn James Frawley

Out Cam Pedersen Jake Spencer (suspended)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Backs Jason Johannisen Jordan Roughead Nick Lower

Half backs Clay Smith Michael Talia Dale Morris

Centreline Jackson Macrae Adam Cooney Ryan Griffen

Half forwards Robert Murphy Jake Stringer Hunter

Forwards Tory Dickson Liam Jones Luke Dahlhaus

Followers Will Minson Matthew Boyd Tom Liberatore

Interchange Ayce Cordy Daniel Giansiracusa Nathan Hrovat Mitchell Wallis

Emergencies Dylan Addison Daniel Cross Tom Young

In Ayce Cordy Tory Dickson Mitchell Wallis

Out Goodes (wrist) Lukas Markovic Liam Picken

SISTER ACT by The Oracle

It’s great that the AFL has got behind the women and for these ladies to be given the opportunity and even more special, for my sister to play in the red and blue is something that’ll always sit pretty high in our memories of the Davey family.

– Aaron Davey

By late Saturday night, it will have been a big weekend for the Davey family.

Alwyn Davey has already notched up a win with the Bombers over in Perth. Sister Bronwyn, will play in Melbourne’s inaugural women’s team against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night and a win in that game should be a given with her family talent, the partipation of Demonland’s own Jasmine Garner and the first ever AFL women’s number 1 draft pick Daisy Pearce.

With that sort of quality, I expect the Demons to have little trouble in overcoming the dishlickers from out west.

Inaugural Women’s Clash

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs

Saturday 29 June 2013, 5:10pm

Venue: MCG

By the time darkness sets in, big brother Aaron is expected to have made a major contribution to the new Demon cause under Neil Craig.

We saw some improvement last week and there's more to come with the return of James Frawley and Max Gawn.

I'm tipping a close, hard-fought struggle with the Bulldogs scraping home purely thanks to the superiority and experience of the likes of Boyd, Cooney, Griffin, Murphy and 2013 super sub Giansiracusa. Together, I expect these players to give the Dogs midfield dominance over Melbourne. That fleeting dominance will be gone soon and once that happens, their club will be desperate and in need of the help it now seeks to deny others.

Western Bulldogs by 21 points (but enjoy it while you can).

[jazza 1,323]

lets be positive and stop talking about drugs

I feel 4 points coming this weekend

the team is slowly picking up

the backline is looking tighter

the jw is starting to find the footy in the forward line

and the ruck division is getting its act together

so lets get 4 points and enjoy the weekend

see you there

[jnrmac 20,060]

Love your optimism..

[Little Richard 6,262]

I really hope we win because the chances of picking up another are growing slimmer each week... it would be beyond atrocious to finish with one win for the season.

[old dee 23,788]

lets be positive and stop talking about drugs

I feel 4 points coming this weekend

the team is slowly picking up

the backline is looking tighter

the jw is starting to find the footy in the forward line

and the ruck division is getting its act together

so lets get 4 points and enjoy the weekend

see you there

I will be there.

This game is one of three that we have a chance of winning for the rest of season 2013

IMO it will be decided by the "ins" tonight.

A bit better team than last week and we have a chance if only slim

[Red and Bluebeard 2,084]

I will be there.

This game is one of three that we have a chance of winning for the rest of season 2013

IMO it will be decided by the "ins" tonight.

A bit better team than last week and we have a chance if only slim

Going to watch the women's game, OD? We are chance to have a double on Saturday ...

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I like the changes. Good work Craigy.

[stuie 7,374]

Ok, seriously guys, what is going on with Magner? He has limited time while Grimes is out, continually smashes it at Casey, surely he's shown enough form to get a decent crack in our very poor performing midfield? Ridiculous.

[Little Richard 6,262]

Gawn and Fitzy will be interesting to watch, I reckon they could work quite well together. Possibly a duo for the future.

Great to see Chip back in, this team looks like it could definitely overrun the doggies.

[Generation dee 1,336]

Ok, seriously guys, what is going on with Magner? He has limited time while Grimes is out, continually smashes it at Casey, surely he's shown enough form to get a decent crack in our very poor performing midfield? Ridiculous.

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?

There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

Edited June 27, 2013 by Generation dee

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?

There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

Yep, fairly obvious they are both gone at the end of the year I would have thought. Thought Magner was worth a run in the guts at some stage this year, but not to be.

[CHAMP 347]

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?

There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

And playing the old codgers Rodan, Byrnes and Davey doesn't?

[stuie 7,374]

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?

There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

He's not selected. Again.

Surely Rodan isn't the future? Nicholson has given us bugger all. Would drop both of those guys and give Magner a run while he still has the chance. Why bother elevating him if they think he's not up to it? I would have thought a guy getting over 30 touches a game at VFL level deserves a shot. No other player has to do as much as that to get a chance.

Edited June 27, 2013 by stuie

[jazza 1,323]

Going to watch the women's game, OD? We are chance to have a double on Saturday ...

ok 8 points then

it might be known as double win saturday

Edited June 27, 2013 by jazza

[bananas 428]

Big week for Big Max, with only Fitzy as relief. Has Max played a match yet where he's been the only clear #1 ruck option? From memory all of his matches have been with Jamar or Stef or Spencer in the team as well.

[Little Richard 6,262]

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?

There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

I reckon you are probably spot on. Couch I could agree with but I thought Magner is definitely good enough to slip into our midfield.

[Little Richard 6,262]

He's not selected. Again.

Surely Rodan isn't the future? Nicholson has given us bugger all. Would drop both of those guys and give Magner a run while he still has the chance. Why bother elevating him if they think he's not up to it? I would have thought a guy getting over 30 touches a game at VFL level deserves a shot. No other player has to do as much as that to get a chance.

Nicholson should be delisted as soon as his contract is up. Magner has definitely earnt his spot in terms of matchday performance, Nicholson hasn't.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

I'm gonna break stuff.

[old dee 23,788]

Pedersen replaced by Frawley is an improvement but Spencer by Gawn is about even.

Doubt that is enough to swing the game but at least we have a chance in this game.

[dees189227 12,391]

Ok so the char with Matt Burgan has revealed why magner isnt picked. He was asked 3 times about magner. Im still confused.

Answer 1

G'day Matt, Magner's form has been excellent in the VFL. He's obviously right on the cusp of selection, given he's an emergency again this round. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets another guernsey by the end of the season. Last week, the team was based on greater leg speed and this week, the ins and outs have been like for likes with Frawley/Gawn in for Pedersen/Spencer. Matt.

Answer 2

G'day Stuie, similar to answer above ... no doubt Magner has been pushing for selection and has been unlucky. Still 10 weeks left in the season, so I'm sure a handful of guys will gain opportunities. Matt

Answer 3

G'day Stuie, Grimes comes off the long term injury list in the lead-up to the round 15 clash against Sydney Swans at the MCG. Again, the coaches will have their reasons for Magner being on the cusp of selection. No doubt he's been in great form though in the VFL. Matt.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

One thing I like about this is stability. How long since we've only had two changes? Having said that, there are a couple of blokes playing with serious question marks stamped on their foreheads.

[Yossarian 1,820]

He's not selected. Again.

Surely Rodan isn't the future? Nicholson has given us bugger all. Would drop both of those guys and give Magner a run while he still has the chance. Why bother elevating him if they think he's not up to it? I would have thought a guy getting over 30 touches a game at VFL level deserves a shot. No other player has to do as much as that to get a chance.

Different roles man. Magner goes in hard and falls over, constantly. Whereas Nicholson and Rodan have the ability to run faster than Jeff Kennett swimming through peanut butter.

[mjt 640]

Easy kill this week, when we get a sniff of blood the boys will destroy, Demons by 11 goals.

[Cards13 9,117]

Different roles man. Magner goes in hard and falls over, constantly. Whereas Nicholson and Rodan have the ability to run faster than Jeff Kennett swimming through peanut butter.

Magner has a defensive side, Rodan..... not that I have seen.

[stuie 7,374]

Different roles man. Magner goes in hard and falls over, constantly. Whereas Nicholson and Rodan have the ability to run faster than Jeff Kennett swimming through peanut butter.

Yeah but their speed hasn't helped us that much the last few weeks has it?