As stated by others, Roos never rated the NAB cup.

Like always, it won't be the scoreboard that pleases him or displeases him.

I think he will be looking at our: clearance work, 2-way running and decisions&skills-under-pressure. Howzat for stripping it to the bare essentials.

Others might have included "structures" or "shape" if we are talking cricket.

As stated by others, Roos never rated the NAB cup.

Like always, it won't be the scoreboard that pleases him or displeases him.

I think he will be looking at our: clearance work, 2-way running and decisions&skills-under-pressure. Howzat for stripping it to the bare essentials.

Others might have included "structures" or "shape" if we are talking cricket.

Agree. What I want to see is effort across the ground and I think if we get that then the scoreboard will be reasonable even if we field a modest 22 with some in reserve. Richmond have some talented players now as a side that should have ambitions for top 4 even if they aren't good enough. So if they out class us that's not a huge concern. I also doubt they'd put Riewoldt or Cotchin out there for more than a half if at all. Again it's the second week of Feb, it's just so early.

Even though I doubt I'll last anywhere near the 18 days of the NAB Challenge I'm pretty stoked for footy to be back. And we should enjoy the Friday night opportunity even if it's preseason.

Wish it was at the G I'd actually be super keen to get there, Etihad makes it less than 50/50.

will be interesting to see f Hogan, Dawes or Clark play

It will be disappointing if one of the three does not make it.

I am taking a punt on Dawes playing.

Hogan is a kid and should not be rushed.

Clark is brittle better to give him max. change to repair.

But don't worry we have Pedersen available.

It will be disappointing if one of the three does not make it.

I am taking a punt on Dawes playing.

Hogan is a kid and should not be rushed.

Clark is brittle better to give him max. change to repair.

But don't worry we have Pedersen available.

and Fitzy!

It will be disappointing if one of the three does not make it.

I am taking a punt on Dawes playing.

Hogan is a kid and should not be rushed.

Clark is brittle better to give him max. change to repair.

But don't worry we have Pedersen available.

I think Clark is definitely out. Just no point risking him. The other 2 I'm leaning to rest as it's just not worth the hassle but I think you could make a case for both. Hogan suffered a jarred knee if it was in season he would've played a game already and Dawes had what was reported as a simple knee scope which again you can get back to playing with after a few weeks. Their long rehab periods I think have just been super cautious. But they have done very little full training which means they haven't done all sorts of strange and unpredictable actions that you only do in training drills and matches and not in controlled running. So for that reason I want to see them at least do most of the sessions between now and the game.

I know there was no Clark or Hogan last year but I didn't really notice a direct comparison between Pedersen and Dawes and our form. We were rubbish with both, none or either. Dawes or Hogan in ahead of Pedersen will only impact how enjoyable the game is to watch not really the result. The result will come from midfielders willing and able to run, win the ball and use it.

Will play a lot of the new kids and mid range quality. Our top players need to be ready in 6 weeks not now and will mostly be protected from unnecessary rough and tumble until the weeks before. One or two elite players will participate to lead the way. Probably one of Grimes or Jones per first couple of games.

Will play a lot of the new kids and mid range quality. Our top players need to be ready in 6 weeks not now and will mostly be protected from unnecessary rough and tumble until the weeks before. One or two elite players will participate to lead the way. Probably one of Grimes or Jones per first couple of games.

I don't think he will just throw all the kids in the deep end even if it is NAB cup.

We need to give the new kids time to build confidence (Salem, Hunt, King etc are a bit off and would not mind them not getting a game)

JKH and Barry might be able to get a little game time. I know Roos likes to take it easy with the young draftees so if he deems them ready then il believe it.

Hopefully he doesn't tell Hogan to go easy on the Richmond scum!

I don't think he will just throw all the kids in the deep end even if it is NAB cup.

We need to give the new kids time to build confidence (Salem, Hunt, King etc are a bit off and would not mind them not getting a game)

JKH and Barry might be able to get a little game time. I know Roos likes to take it easy with the young draftees so if he deems them ready then il believe it.

Hopefully he doesn't tell Hogan to go easy on the Richmond scum!

Agree on Hunt and King and also playing JKH and Barry but I hope that Salem is at least used.

Give everyone a taste of AFL, Kent had a good NAB cup last year and followed it up with a solid season, it's a good chance for some of the boys to gain some confidence. But I see the NAB cup as being useful for individuals not so much for team. I would still like the boys to get a win and at least play with some structure. Don't risk Clark or Dawes etc there would be nothing worse then to loose a big player to the stupid nab cub.

Merit selection + no rushing of players back in.

I think to sort out the list and see who is really moving right, we should be approaching the preseason games on the same basis as main season, but with an emphasis on avoiding any risks regarding injury and the like.

After all, we are planning to reach our peak in september, yes?

This all has to be balanced with the need to get these guys playing together - specifically a midfield who aren't familiar with each other's game. We need to see Jones, Trengove, Cross, Vince, Viney, Tyson and Michie playing together and knowing what to expect. The games are far enough apart to warrant this so I would expect to see these guys out there a fair bit (not Viney yet).

Same goes for the forward line, but our A team forward line is coming from a fair way behind, so we'll have to wait for them.

Just need to get the midfield group experience with playing each other

Pity the NAB cup is such a poor competition and no one can assess a time from how they perform in it.

Pity the NAB cup is such a poor competition and no one can assess a time from how they perform in it.

Not sure I agree with you DF

The last couple of years it has been a very good guide to our abilities.

In the Main we have been flogged by everyone and guess what same results in the season proper.

Not sure I agree with you DF

The last couple of years it has been a very good guide to our abilities.

In the Main we have been flogged by everyone and guess what same results in the season proper.

I stand corrected LOL

I still am haunted by last year's practice matches -

The port match gave me hope and made me think that we could have turned a corner, for this to be shattered a couple of weeks later by the saints....then the season proper OMG.

I think I'll go in hibernation until NAB cup is over and maintain this 2014 hope.

Technically it's estivation, Wb. Hibernation is what we all should have done last winter.

I'm sure mentally it would be great for us to rest our "stars" and get belted by 80 points plus in all our warm up games. Just what a team with no confidence needs.

Play the best team available, taking into account rest and rotation policy and those drafees and rookies whose training over the summer has warranted selection.

For the most part, NAB cup is a fair indicator of the year, barring Carlton and the Lions.

I want to see a win.

The NAB Cup is like dancing with your sister [paraphrased Sheedy]

That's why its important to play the younger guys, ie Barry, Michie, JKH.

You'd think that Clark wouldn't play and Fitzy and Gawn might have a stint forward.

So Aidan Riley goes on the LTI list. Right now I don't see the rookie promotion getting used but it's a little carrot to Jetta and Georgiou to keep training hard and maybe get a shot in the NAB challenge. Particularly Georgiou is worth seeing in the Nab challenge I think. He's an unknown commodity, Garland is injured, key position depth is limited, let's give a third tall defender known for shut down work a shot. Maybe start Frawley on Riewoldt if he plays and then at half time put Georgiou on him for a bit of a baptism of fire.

Looks like Gilbert has suffered some sort of foot injury and won't be running for six weeks it's reported... Round 1 is seven weeks away so that's another player down for the aints..

The stars are aligning I tells you.

Providing we can get two of Hogan, Dawes and Clark up for round 1 and our midfield stocks stay healthy, I'm confident we can pip them.

And who knows what a round 1 win will do to the confidence of a team so used to losing...

What I mean to say is a Round 1 win will be the difference and decider of how we go during the first handful of matches. If we can get up at etihad, we then play at our home ground against the eagles which will be a big challenge but one that is very winnable if we're riding high from the previous week. It will bring the supporters out in force.

Honestly round 1 for us is our grand final. It's going to be the catalyst for change. Our players need a change in their mentality and confidence and this can be the switching point. We've seen what positive energy and confidence does to teams. They play like possessed demons. Roos will know this, regardless of whether or not it's talked up publicly, (which I'm sure it won't be).

Can't wait.

Trying not to get too excited.

Last year jones did most of the work.

He now has bonified mids in cross and vince to help him out

plus the younger guys in tyson, mitchie, viney, trengove, evans… theres a long list of guys that could develop into very handy mids.

If the lads have started to gel a bit, i don't see why they couldn't have a red hot crack at richmond, particularly if the tigers are playing a younger team.

Cant wait for the footy to start again!

Looking at that list of mids Deez and can't help but think that no captaincy and a few decent midfielders (Cross, Vince, Tyson + improving Michie, Viney, Toump, Evans etc.) could make a lot of difference to the way Trengove goes about his footy.

He can stop thinking - what would a captain do - and he no longer has a huge pressure to perform (due to previously crap midfield). He can now go back to playing his natural/instinctive football.

Roos will also try and maximise the use of each players strengths - he does have a good fitness base, is a good kick when he doesn't have his lead boots on and he is a good tackler (really just needs to improve that acceleration of his.)

I am hoping that the lack of speed/performance last year was partly due to the lack of a preseason.

I will go with the girlfriend (who I am trying to steer away from Richmond) but I will trust Roosy's judgement if he believes that the NAB cup is a load of bollocks at worst and at best, a good chance to practice. We need to start to prioritize.

NAB practice games, draft day: not particularly exciting

AFL finals, winning games: exciting.