Watts will spend time forward in 2014 at times anyway, just like Toumpas and Vince will, so what's the difference?

I think the difference is Watts needs every minute he can get in the midfield learning that area of the ground. Presumably Spencer rucks about 75% of the game and spends the rest of the time on the bench. That means King does 25% ruck but can also play out of the goal square for a chunk of the game maybe 30 or 40%. The rest of time Pedersen and Howe can carry the load as the key forwards.

If part of Watts' rotation is to half forward to then get up the ground and back then that's fine but mainly he needs the midfield experience. I would almost consider pitting him against a Tiger midfielder like a Shaun Grigg on a wing and not tag but use the opportunity for a bit of a head to head battle at least so his defensive requirements are highlighted to him.

Roos said he will manufacture smallish forwards, I expect to see if they play, Toumpas, Viney, Salem, Tyson, Cross, Vince and both Jones all having a stint up front

Fitzy won't play Friday. And Howe and Pedo can't be on the field the entire game. Watts should play 50/50 on the wing then the goal square when on the field

Not going to happen.

Maybe, just my thoughts. Nathan Ablett goes down in history as s premiership player.

Not undeservedly so.

Had more skill than any of them, but just didn't want it enough to keep playing.

My guess now we know that those who haven't had a full load of main group training are likely ruled out:

FB: Strauss Frawley Dunn

HB: Grimes McDonald Terlich

C: Vince Jones Watts
HF: Toumpas Pedersen Trengove

FF: JKH Howe Blease

Foll: Spencer Tyson Cross

Int: King, Michie, McKenzie, M Jones, Clisby, Salem

Plus for subs/emergencies take your pick of Evans, Kent, Georgiou, Bail, Byrnes, Barry and a few others

Ok we might be down on tall forwards and rucks but what a great opportunity to play a whole bunch of skilled and speedy midfielders and practice running super hard both ways, moving the ball quickly but safely and getting the right defensive structures.

My guess now we know that those who haven't had a full load of main group training are likely ruled out:

FB: Strauss Frawley Dunn

HB: Grimes McDonald Terlich

C: Vince Jones Watts

HF: Toumpas Pedersen Trengove

FF: JKH Howe Blease

Foll: Spencer Tyson Cross

Int: King, Michie, McKenzie, M Jones, Clisby, Salem

Plus for subs/emergencies take your pick of Evans, Kent, Georgiou, Bail, Byrnes, Barry and a few others

Ok we might be down on tall forwards and rucks but what a great opportunity to play a whole bunch of skilled and speedy midfielders and practice running super hard both ways, moving the ball quickly but safely and getting the right defensive structures.

Reckon you're pretty close 'master'.

Is there an update on J Vineys' injury I cannot seem to find anywhere

The midfield setup and rotations should be the same on Friday as they are planned to be for the rest of the year. If the plan is for Watts to rotate through the forward line during the main season, then do it on Friday night too.

It is the midfield we are hoping to see the most improvement from and it is where the most change has occurred. Lets start getting it right from the get go.

If our forward line isn't able to kick a winning score then so be it. We know the talent we have missing and it won't be long before Dawes and Hogan are back on the park.

Midfield has to be the main focus so don't tinker with the plans just because the forward line is depleted.

Well said.

I cannot stress enough the fact that our success begins and ends with the midfield.

If Roos thinks he can make a damaging outside mid of Watts - then he is going to need all the practice he can get.

I think our forward line on Friday needs to have 2 talls close to goal for as much time as possible, so I would play Pederson at FF for he whole game and have King along side him giving Spencer a chop out in the ruck when needed.

We all dream of having Clarke, Dawes and Hogan in the same team. The structure will most likely be 2 of those close to goal with the other playing CHF. We need to get a setup as close to that as possible so the mids are kicking to a structure that is familiar.

I think our forward line on Friday needs to have 2 talls close to goal for as much time as possible, so I would play Pederson at FF for he whole game and have King along side him giving Spencer a chop out in the ruck when needed.

We all dream of having Clarke, Dawes and Hogan in the same team. The structure will most likely be 2 of those close to goal with the other playing CHF. We need to get a setup as close to that as possible so the mids are kicking to a structure that is familiar.

The realty is that we may seldom see that trio in the same team in 2014.

Injury IMO will determine how often the three are available at any one time.

Hogan is a kid who should only be played on a limited basis in 2014 and the other two have so far seldom been on the park for more than a few games in a row.

Fitzpatrick will get a significant number of games this year, IMO he may be the most important player in our forward line during 2014.

A continuance of his 2013 form is vital to our improvement in 2014.

The realty is that we may seldom see that trio in the same team in 2014.

Injury IMO will determine how often the three are available at any one time.

Hogan is a kid who should only be played on a limited basis in 2014 and the other two have so far seldom been on the park for more than a few games in a row.

Fitzpatrick will get a significant number of games this year, IMO he may be the most important player in our forward line during 2014.

A continuance of his 2013 form is vital to our improvement in 2014.

I think because of the care and attention that is going into the rehabilitation of all 3, we will finally get to see them on the park together, personally I reckon around Round 4

I know what the backline can do, really looking forward to seeing our mids in action god bless

Given the tall forwards and rucks we will have missing friday, I would play Georgiou down back for part of the game and throw Dunn forward and let Pedersen help in the ruck with young King.

If Spencer plays about 50-60% of the game the other two can cover the balance in a manner of speaking.

It sounds like we could have more than 10 players out. I think I predicted that to a few mates late last year, as being what normally happens with the Dees.

Yeah would like to see what Georgiou can or can't do

I think because of the care and attention that is going into the rehabilitation of all 3, we will finally get to see them on the park together, personally I reckon around Round 4

Hope you are right.

However history and form is not on their side.

Given the tall forwards and rucks we will have missing friday, I would play Georgiou down back for part of the game and throw Dunn forward and let Pedersen help in the ruck with young King.

If Spencer plays about 50-60% of the game the other two can cover the balance in a manner of speaking.

It sounds like we could have more than 10 players out. I think I predicted that to a few mates late last year, as being what normally happens with the Dees.

My memories of Pederson in the ruck are not pleasant ones. Could just be my recollection but he seemed to get dominated regularly.

I'd be happy for him to be plonked forward and see what Roosy is on about with this new and improved Pedo. With our luck we may well need to draw upon his services throughout the season.

Rhino, how good is your memory mate? Back in your day as a moderator you jumped to the wrong conclusion about one of my posts when you though I had bagged out Brad Green and Cam Bruce.

Hawkins didn't play 07, J Pod didn't play 07 or 09 and isn't your typical power forward ie Cloke, Brown, Clark, and Mooney didn't play in the 2011 flag. Yes they were all there at some stage but not all together in the same side. As for my simplistic claim that supposedly overlooks champions of the game such as Chappy, Bartell and Stevie J.....that was exactly my point. They didn't have big skilled powered forwards

(Mooney was serviceable at best) so they concentrated on what they did have. Quality tall backs, back flankers, the best midfield since the Brisbane Lions and mid/small forwards such as Stevie J and Chappy. I can only assume Roos will be instructing the players to worry about who is playing and play to their strengths.

While Geelong did not have a stated trio of power forwards at any one time, they had alternative targets. And is flatly wrong to state they did not hav any skilled power forwards

In 2007GF, Mooney (195,99) took 12 marks, 17disps and kicked 5 goals. He was also All Australian of the Year. In the 2011GF Hawkins (197,100) changed the game with his forward work and nearly won the NSM. They did not need a trio of power forwards given their talent. I just wonder what the relevance of your original assertion when MFC have neither the preferred power forwards available nor the compensating skilled mid sized forwards.

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

?????

My memories of Pederson in the ruck are not pleasant ones. Could just be my recollection but he seemed to get dominated regularly.

I'd be happy for him to be plonked forward and see what Roosy is on about with this new and improved Pedo. With our luck we may well need to draw upon his services throughout the season.

Mine neither. And he plays forward this game and hopefully by the second NAB challenge we have Dawes and Hogan back and then we can decide whether to try Pedersen in the back up ruck job if neither Fitzy, Gawn or Jamar have come up by that time (although I presume at least 1 will). There will be a lot of shuffling of the tall forwards and rucks until at least the early rounds of the season is my prediction. But that can be a good thing, competition should develop pretty quickly.

Given the tall forwards and rucks we will have missing friday, I would play Georgiou down back for part of the game and throw Dunn forward and let Pedersen help in the ruck with young King.

If Spencer plays about 50-60% of the game the other two can cover the balance in a manner of speaking.

It sounds like we could have more than 10 players out. I think I predicted that to a few mates late last year, as being what normally happens with the Dees.

I think we should play all players in their intended position where possible, and not worry about keeping the match competitive.

I think we should play all players in their intended position where possible, and not worry about keeping the match competitive.

I think we have got this one covered.

I think we should play all players in their intended position where possible, and not worry about keeping the match competitive.

I am actually more concerned with not destroying the only ruckman we have ready to play at the moment.

I am actually more concerned with not destroying the only ruckman we have ready to play at the moment.

Spot on Redleg.

The others are at least four weeks away.

IMO think into April before they are ready for AFL.

The realty is that we may seldom see that trio in the same team in 2014.

Injury IMO will determine how often the three are available at any one time.

Hogan is a kid who should only be played on a limited basis in 2014 and the other two have so far seldom been on the park for more than a few games in a row.

Fitzpatrick will get a significant number of games this year, IMO he may be the most important player in our forward line during 2014.

A continuance of his 2013 form is vital to our improvement in 2014.

I don't know about you Old Dee, but I'm hoping Hogan can have a Jack Darling like debut season - 20 games, 35-40 goals.

I don't know about you Old Dee, but I'm hoping Hogan can have a Jack Darling like debut season - 20 games, 35-40 goals.

It would be very nice BBP

But after the last six years where we have thrown kids to the wolves every year I am happy if that is 2015 in his case.