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.

I'll be there again with the grandson and my wife who has no real interest in football but keeps me company, hopefully this will be a better year it's not easy getting the grandson interested.

I see Jakey Spencer is going to lead the rucks according to Roosey.

Edited February 11, 201411 yr by RobbieF

I'll be there again with the grandson and my wife who has no real interest in football but keeps me company, hopefully this will be a better year it's not easy getting the grandson interested.

I see Jakey Spencer is going to lead the rucks according to Roosey.

I have been reliably informed Robbie that he has been told the position is his to lose at this point.

He has been told that he has a good head start on the others healthy wise and they are pleased with his end 2013 and pre season form.

A good first month and the others will struggle to replace him.

Need less to say he is looking to make every post a winner.

I have been saying for a couple of years he is as keen as mustard.

I have been reliably informed Robbie that he has been told the position is his to lose at this point.

He has been told that he has a good head start on the others healthy wise and they are pleased with his end 2013 and pre season form.

A good first month and the others will struggle to replace him.

Need less to say he is looking to make every post a winner.

I have been saying for a couple of years he is as keen as mustard.

It will be interesting to see how he goes, he's certainly copped heaps on here from some posters.

I have been reliably informed Robbie that he has been told the position is his to lose at this point.

He has been told that he has a good head start on the others healthy wise and they are pleased with his end 2013 and pre season form.

A good first month and the others will struggle to replace him.

Need less to say he is looking to make every post a winner.

I have been saying for a couple of years he is as keen as mustard.

The way he was looking towards the end of last season, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he became top dog. Good luck to him if he does.

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.

The 2007 grand final result was Geelong 24 19 163 to Port 6 8 44. Mooney may have kicked 5 but Nathan Ablett kicked 3 if that's any indication. The game was over half way through the second qtr. I don't believe using stats from that game lends much weight. I know it was a GF but it was also a white wash. My personal thoughts on Mooney is that he was an average footballer in a side surrounded by stars. I'm not saying I'm right, it's purely my opinion.

The point I was originally trying to make when I referred to Geelong and Fremantle was as follows. Geelong won 3 flags without a trio of talls, yes they may of had one or two of Mooney, Pods, Hawkins playing but it was their defence, midfield and small forwards that made them so successful. Fremantle had a horror run with injury's last year but had second tier players step up and they stuck to their game plan and made it into a GF. We find ourselves in a position where we have 3 power forwards coming back from different injury's. Your right, we don't have the compensating mid size forwards so we have to come up with other options. Toumpas kicked 5 in the intra club, could he repeat that against the Tigers? maybe not but 2 or 3 might be feasible. Slot Trengove up forward, he's a reasonable overhead mark and shot for goal. Throw Dunn up there for some aggression. Some people(I'm not suggesting you) seem to think with out Clark, Dawes and Hogan playing that we might as well pack up shop now, obviously we are a stronger side with them but we can't just throw in the towel. We need to find/develop a group of players that regardless of injury's/suspensions run out there with a mindset that were still in it(pre season/regular season)very much like that of the Swans.

Edited February 11, 201411 yr by Al's Demons

I'll be there again with the grandson and my wife who has no real interest in football but keeps me company, hopefully this will be a better year it's not easy getting the grandson interested.

I see Jakey Spencer is going to lead the rucks according to Roosey.

Lets combine the 2. Jake Spencer's unique brand of pace, inco-ordination and height could be just the guy to get your grandsons interest

It will be interesting to see how he goes, he's certainly copped heaps on here from some posters.

This kid I know a bit about Robbie.

If determination were all it took he would win a brownlow.

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.

Good post, no reason why we can't be more than competitive with the team you have named.

I have been reliably informed Robbie that he has been told the position is his to lose at this point.

He has been told that he has a good head start on the others healthy wise and they are pleased with his end 2013 and pre season form.

A good first month and the others will struggle to replace him.

Need less to say he is looking to make every post a winner.

I have been saying for a couple of years he is as keen as mustard.

Thats great.

Im a big fan of Jake Spencer.

His second efforts are absolute top shelf, especially for a 200cm ruckman.

Great guy to go into battle with.

Thats great.

Im a big fan of Jake Spencer.

His second efforts are absolute top shelf, especially for a 200cm ruckman.

Great guy to go into battle with.

Love Jake's work. I can recall a post game interview a couple of years ago where N Jones mentioned something along the lines of Jake's competitive attitude providing a bost to teammates. He strikes me as the sort of bloke you would want next to you in the trenches.

Love Jake's work. I can recall a post game interview a couple of years ago where N Jones mentioned something along the lines of Jake's competitive attitude providing a bost to teammates. He strikes me as the sort of bloke you would want next to you in the trenches.

And then he doesn't take a mark, doesn't hit a target by foot and gets beaten repeatedly in ruck contests including getting pushed off the ball or horribly mistiming his leap. I like Spencer's attitude and he took a positive step in late 2013, but in reality he moved from complete waste to nearly serviceable. He still had improvement left to get to league average. I'd say this year though he's probably finally got the mix of muscle and endurance right to physically compete so I'm keen to see improvement. Taking on some big boys from Richmond as pretty much a lone hand will be a good start.

thank god Mark Lee is not playing for Richmond still !!! He ws a gentle soul

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.

I dont reckon KIng will play at all this year, He is a fresh ruckmen, they take forever to develop.

The last thing roos would do is play king, unless he's some sort of man child ready to go ala jesse hogan.

I dont reckon KIng will play at all this year, He is a fresh ruckmen, they take forever to develop.

The last thing roos would do is play king, unless he's some sort of man child ready to go ala jesse hogan.

In last weeks match Spencer took him apart in the second quarter that I saw.

I think you are right we would need to be very desperate before he was thrown to the wolves.

I dont reckon KIng will play at all this year, He is a fresh ruckmen, they take forever to develop.

The last thing roos would do is play king, unless he's some sort of man child ready to go ala jesse hogan.

I suggest that you contact Jay Clark at the Hun and get him to check his sources.

Melbourne

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

• by: Jay Clark
• From: Herald Sun
• February 10, 2014 6:22PM

MYSTERY teen Max King has emerged as the answer to Melbourne’s big man worries against Richmond on Friday night.

The Dees are nursing back to health a clutch of key talls meaning new coach Paul Roos will have to field a makeshift forward line and ruck setup in their NAB Challenge opener.

King, a 200cm ruckman taken at No. 19 in last year’s rookie draft, started the pre-season sixth in line in the club’s ruck pecking order.

well if Jay says..........

Go Pedo!

I dont reckon KIng will play at all this year, He is a fresh ruckmen, they take forever to develop.

The last thing roos would do is play king, unless he's some sort of man child ready to go ala jesse hogan.

I think you will see King on Friday night, it may be his only game for the year but Roos has flagged that he will play due injury of our big men.

Go Pedo!

Desperate?

Squads for Friday

MELBOURNE

2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Mitch Clisby, 17. Sam Blease, 18. Daniel Cross, 19. James Strauss, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom Mcdonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 33. Dom Barry, 38. Jeremy Howe, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Max King

Max has a lot of potential but as a big man probably won't hit his straps until

around the age of 25.

Nonetheless, he is very good below the knees and can kick a goal.

Squads for Friday

MELBOURNE

2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Mitch Clisby, 17. Sam Blease, 18. Daniel Cross, 19. James Strauss, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom Mcdonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 33. Dom Barry, 38. Jeremy Howe, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Max King

So as I understand 2 to be omitted from that squad and 2 to be named substitutes

I dont reckon KIng will play at all this year, He is a fresh ruckmen, they take forever to develop.

The last thing roos would do is play king, unless he's some sort of man child ready to go ala jesse hogan.

He has been named after all, I hope he has a positive first senior experience!

Squads for Friday

MELBOURNE

2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Mitch Clisby, 17. Sam Blease, 18. Daniel Cross, 19. James Strauss, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom Mcdonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 33. Dom Barry, 38. Jeremy Howe, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Max King

That leaves

Hogan, Salem , Dawes, Viney, Clark, Kent, Garland, Riley, Hunt, Tapscott, Gawn, Jamar, Fitzpatrick, Jetta, Harmes

not names in the squad

It's 3 to be omitted, leaving 26, 8 on the bench, 2 of which are subs