NAB Challenge 1 - Richmond v Melbourne

[old dee 23,255]

Dawes & Hogan both available for NAB2. People need to chill out a bit.

Of Course they will.

[Demon Jack 6,397]

No Hogan, Dawes or Clark this Friday night but Hogan and Dawes will be available for our second NAB challenge match.

Not fussed that they're not playing. Better they miss the game than play and risk injury.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

* Seeing how our side has adopted Roos' game style..

* Observing a completely new midfield unit with Tyson, Michie, Cross and Tyson, a former number 2 draft pick.

* A second year Viney (although may not play) and Toumpas who we've heard has been tearing up the track.

* A glimpse of the future with Salem and JKH who are both reportedly training well.

Whilst it would have been fantastic to see Hogan and Dawes play, there's still plenty to look forward to. Dknow how people aren't excited...

Footy is back already, and we've got much to look forward to.

[DeeSpencer 23,635]

Headline should be:

"Hogan and Dawes rested from mid February practice game in order to be fully fit for round 1"

That would make everyone happy.

Pedersen can be a big body and a target, he's really just a less classy version of Dawes. Fitzpatrick or a second ruck can play deep and Howe can get the 3rd tall and work on his one on one game that is needed anyway.

The lack of talent in the key forwards shouldn't impact the importance of defensive play, stoppage work and 2 way running which is what we really need to establish in the preseason.

[Six6Six 1,507]

I'd just like to add a bit of perspective to this. Clarke, Dawes and Hogan had absolutely no input into last year and we had an underperforming or non-existent midfield (NJ excepted). This first NAB challenge will be all about our new midfield setup and what better way to measure its output than to have it performs with the same forward setup as last year. For those who can, get along and support the Dees. It’s only February.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Dawes & Hogan both available for NAB2. People need to chill out a bit.

The Ides of February is too early & too hot to risk you big guns. I'd be happy to see Dawes, Hogan & Clark at the start of March. about 3 week ahead of kickoff.

lets see the depth players, & what they offer us in the early games, then early March, consolidate the side for true form.

[sue 8,592]

I'd just like to add a bit of perspective to this. Clarke, Dawes and Hogan had absolutely no input into last year and we had an underperforming or non-existent midfield (NJ excepted). This first NAB challenge will be all about our new midfield setup and what better way to measure its output than to have it performs with the same forward setup as last year. For those who can, get along and support the Dees. It’s only February.

That's a very good point. Almost smacks of scientific method to change one variable (the midfield) and see what happens compared to the past. I doubt if that is a deliberate plan of course, but it will be interesting to see.

[Samael 560]

* Seeing how our side has adopted Roos' game style..

* Observing a completely new midfield unit with Tyson, Michie, Cross and Tyson, a former number 2 draft pick.

* A second year Viney (although may not play) and Toumpas who we've heard has been tearing up the track.

* A glimpse of the future with Salem and JKH who are both reportedly training well.

Whilst it would have been fantastic to see Hogan and Dawes play, there's still plenty to look forward to. Dknow how people aren't excited...

Footy is back already, and we've got much to look forward to.

Agree This Challenge is like an entree. So many new guys to watch, new game plan. What's not to be excited about. The results are secondary.

[Moonshadow 16,572]

I'd just like to add a bit of perspective to this. Clarke, Dawes and Hogan had absolutely no input into last year and we had an underperforming or non-existent midfield (NJ excepted). This first NAB challenge will be all about our new midfield setup and what better way to measure its output than to have it performs with the same forward setup as last year. For those who can, get along and support the Dees. It’s only February.

666 you are way too sensible to be on this forum!

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I'd just like to add a bit of perspective to this. Clarke, Dawes and Hogan had absolutely no input into last year and we had an underperforming or non-existent midfield (NJ excepted). This first NAB challenge will be all about our new midfield setup and what better way to measure its output than to have it performs with the same forward setup as last year. For those who can, get along and support the Dees. It’s only February.

love that perspective

[DeeSpencer 23,635]

Max King could be the answer for Melbourne against Richmond in the NAB Challenge

Sounds like no Fitzy, Gawn or Jamar either.

Could be just Spencer and King in the ruck and Pedersen, Howe and presumably a bit of time for King forward.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,021]

Geelong won three flags without a trio of power forwards. Mooney while being serviceable for mine wasn't a star. Hawkins had a blinder against the pies but can also go missing. Freo had massive injury problems last year yet still made the GF. Good sides get on with the job, they worry about what they have got not what they havnt and play to those strengths. If they run out with a mindset of worrying about who's not playing they're already beaten.

[Deecisive 1,669]

its a practice game, while winning would be nice tuning our structure, being competitive and showing improvement is what counts from whatever 22 players take the field. the loss of some of our best big men gives a few others who would not have been playing a chance to show what they can do and convert that opportunity to a more permanent place in the side.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Geelong won three flags without a trio of power forwards. Mooney while being serviceable for mine wasn't a star. Hawkins had a blinder against the pies but can also go missing. Freo had massive injury problems last year yet still made the GF. Good sides get on with the job, they worry about what they have got not what they havnt and play to those strengths. If they run out with a mindset of worrying about who's not playing they're already beaten.

why don't you just take a step further and say we should be able to beat anyone with our best 20 players out injured

it's the same logic

[Rolling Stone 107]

Max King could be the answer for Melbourne against Richmond in the NAB Challenge

Sounds like no Fitzy, Gawn or Jamar either.

Could be just Spencer and King in the ruck and Pedersen, Howe and presumably a bit of time for King forward.

Does anyone know if Max King is related to former Geelong ruckman Steven King who also came from the Murray Bushrangers?

[Jack7 463]

Why don't we just bring Clarke back in Rd. 19,give him 3 games before the Finals?

[Qld dee 8]

Im not worried. Toump and Howe and maybe Trenners up forward are good enough to kick a bag

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,021]

why don't you just take a step further and say we should be able to beat anyone with our best 20 players out injured

it's the same logic

If you think so.

But I will go as far as saying our I would back Chip, Tom M, and Garland against Riewoldt, Vickery and co. We now have some midfield depth and should give Tigers a run for their money. Vince and Cross add toughness and class. There's every chance Richmond will take us lightly. Let's be the aggressor from the opening bounce. We will have a make shift forward line, so let's mix it up and see what happens. I know the Tigers have a knack of beating Hawthorn but they are overrated. If your mentally beaten before the opening bounce don't bother running out.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

If your mentally beaten before the opening bounce don't bother running out.

agree with that ..but no matter what the result, it is obvious we are missing a group that will probably bag 5 a week at least between them in season proper, so that should be taken into account.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,000]

We could always put Grimes forward to play on Grimes.

[Whispering_Jack 28,118]

Max King could be the answer for Melbourne against Richmond in the NAB Challenge

What's the mystery about Max King? Do they think he arrived at the club in a UFO?

[rjay 24,178]

Max King could be the answer for Melbourne against Richmond in the NAB Challenge

What's the mystery about Max King? Do they think he arrived at the club in a UFO?

Good luck to Max, similar thing happened with Geelong last pre season. Take your chance big fella.

[bush demon 1,927]

We could always put Grimes forward to play on Grimes.

Don't talk dirty.

[DeeSpencer 23,635]

Good luck to Max, similar thing happened with Geelong last pre season. Take your chance big fella.

Except Blitcavs won Geelong's time trial where as when King was running a repeat 400m earlier he ended in preseason up on the ground in a pile of spew! But I agree on the sentiment, he's got an opportunity to show what he can do. He looks a nice moving and well skilled big man. If he can dig in and compete physically then it's a great opportunity to get a kick start to his career. Plus practice match or not it would be a huge thrill for the lad to wear the red and blue and play AFL.

[rjay 24,178]

Except Blitcavs won Geelong's time trial where as when King was running a repeat 400m earlier he ended in preseason up on the ground in a pile of spew! But I agree on the sentiment, he's got an opportunity to show what he can do. He looks a nice moving and well skilled big man. If he can dig in and compete physically then it's a great opportunity to get a kick start to his career. Plus practice match or not it would be a huge thrill for the lad to wear the red and blue and play AFL.

I'm not sure any AFL player could beat the Geelong guy (not going to try spell his name) in a time trial. He could run but not play footy, or so we thought. Max can play footy, maybe he's hiding his running talent (lol).