Match Preview and Team Selection - Round 21

[Earl Hood 6,101]

A game where a successful tank will be all but nigh impossible. On this basis, [since we forego Petracca], then let's hope that we can follow it up with commanding wins over the Eagles in the West and North at Etihad, with Hogan kicking a bag in the last game of the season.

The above is adopting a "glass half-full" philosophy!

I will be closely watching this game for any evidence of tanking from us at least. Having watched the antics of 2009 and in recent weeks come to fully understand the devastating and lasting effects of that Richmond game which we lost in 2009 that according to Roosey has affected players who were never there, I for one will be livid if I detect tanking like coaching!

For instance if I see someone like Frawley playing forward and someone, say like Howe playing off half back I will know the "Petracca Tank" is on!

[chook fowler 19,569]

There is no way a Roos team will tank - just forget it.

Like the look of the side - will win easily.

Hope big Maxxy builds on last week and monsters them, especially in the forward line.

[jackaub 1,402]

Jack Grimes coming back does not excite me one bit. I dont think that he is part of the future, he must be a damn fine leader if they keep playing him.

Barry, Bail, Jones & Riley on the bench.

Riley was quite good as the sub last week but probably deserves a chance for a full game. Thought Barry was good last week. Jones plays midfield. Bail as the sub (i cant stand the sub rule!)

Turnovers will be worse this week for sure

[jackaub 1,402]

I am not a fan becks but in all honest he is as good as it gets at the Dees at present.

He is in our best 22.

You surely are joking

Jack Grimes coming back does not excite me one bit. I dont think that he is part of the future, he must be a damn fine leader if they keep playing him.

Barry, Bail, Jones & Riley on the bench.

Riley was quite good as the sub last week but probably deserves a chance for a full game. Thought Barry was good last week. Jones plays midfield. Bail as the sub (i cant stand the sub rule!)

Nothing wrong with RILEY HE TACKLES AND IS HARD

[McQueen 17,867]

A good win will send our % soaring into the mid 70's.

Yay.

[DeeSpencer 26,084]

We'll only put up a big win if we play well long enough to really tire the giants out. And considering we might (if we go for Salem, Barry etc not Jones, Bail) go for a young side as well there's every chance that doesn't happen. There's a lot of talk the giants aren't that keen on winning but I wouldn't be surprised if they come out hard after a poor performance. Sure they are setting up for next year with surgeries but what exactly is the benefit for them in getting ahead of us in draft order by throwing a game?? Haven't they got enough picks, I can't seem them so keen for Petracca.

Think the game is a legitimate 50/50. The giants get up and play their best footy at the MCG.

[What 18,810]

..and with no Pedersen again this week, will Fitzy get a chance in lieu of McKenzie or Bail?

no

gawn has taken pedersens role

and im bloody excited, cant wait to see big Maxy this week and dominating in the future

[Pipefitter 2,168]

GWS have the wood over us recently. Ah the life of a demons supporter. I don't believe they are tanking. They have enough talent on their list to get the pick they want anyway (Dom Tyson). I'm only tipping us because it's at the G. Anywhere else (including etihad) I'd be tipping the Giants. They don't get to win too often. They will be up for this game as they usually are against us.

[Whispering_Jack 30,684]

They've only had the "wood" over us in two games played on their home soil and at times when we have had nowhere near our best possible side and with gaping holes in key positions. I think the reverse applies at the moment and I would be very disappointed if we didn't win this and win it well.

While I'm ever the optimist and believe that there's an enormous capacity for improvement next year if players like Gawn, Hogan, Trengove, Toumpas and Salem have a full pre season (giving us virtually 5 "recruits" before we start recruiting), a loss here might well leave us in a position where we would have lost the last nine games on the trot which, for many reasons, isn't the best way to finish a season.

[binman 43,823]

I agree wj. A win is crucial. For both clubs.

[What 18,810]

i think GWS might go full throttle this week

Most of us assumed they'd be tanking to get Petracca (which is stupid considering Brayshaw seems just as good anyway and no kid is a sure thing)

Huge game this weekend for the MFC

[rpfc 28,782]

Huge game this weekend for the MFC

Sigh.

[nutbean 8,838]

Sigh.

Either way, I'm tipping the sun will still come up on Monday morning.

[old dee 23,872]

Either way, I'm tipping the sun will still come up on Monday morning.

Is that a glass half full comment?

[What 18,810]

Sigh.

No need to sigh

Huge game for the MFC

Unless you think winning against a GWS lowly team thats beaten us the last 2 times and has never won a game at the G isnt important of course

[Grapeviney 9,803]

The giants get up and play their best footy at the MCG.

.. except they've never actually won a match there.

[rpfc 28,782]

No need to sigh

Huge game for the MFC

Unless you think winning against a GWS lowly team thats beaten us the last 2 times and has never won a game at the G isnt important of course

It's as important as last weeks game and next weeks game. And isn't MORE important because it's a game we might win.

[ManDee 7,222]

I think we should swap half forward lines with Casey.

Casey HF: Salem, Hogan, Toumpas

Melbourne HF: Michie, Frawley, Viney

Edit: Listed players

Edited August 15, 2014 by ManDee

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

I think we should swap half forward lines with Casey.

Be patient grasshopper

Casey HF: Salem, Hogan, Toumpas

Melbourne HF: Michie, Frawley, Viney

Edit: Listed players

[ManDee 7,222]

I think we should swap half forward lines with Casey.

Be patient grasshopper

Casey HF: Salem, Hogan, Toumpas

Melbourne HF: Michie, Frawley, Viney

Edit: Listed players

I will be patient when I can walk the rice paper!

In the mean time go Casey.

[P-man 13,366]

It's as important as last weeks game and next weeks game. And isn't MORE important because it's a game we might win.

I wouldn't be so quick to summarily dismiss this game as just another week.

Coming from where we are, wins are VITAL for this club. These players are starved of them. Performances have wavered of late with some positive signs against the Hawks, but this week the boys need to win. No ifs. No buts. The Giants are depleted and we are playing on our home ground. We lose this one and it will be ending the season on the flattest note possible. You could almost say it will place real question marks over our progress. A lot of our indicators still make for some very ugly reading.

Every coach says that the end of the season plays a part with momentum carried into the next. It's not "huge", but it's important that we get the win. Preferably in convincing fashion.

[Deecisive 1,709]

GWS players have had very little success in their limited existence so they will want to win they will be chomping at the bit to have a go at the dees who they see they have a real chance to beat again! Yes they have put a few out for surgery etc but they have a lot of good young early draft picks that are also looking to win a place in the side or bring themselves to the attention of other clubs. We will need to win this game, the giants are not going to be throwing it. I doubt any of the GWS players really care if they get pick 2 or 4 as they know they can trade excess players for whoever they want to St Kilda or Melbourne should they loose. Thinking they are going to tank will just get us over confident when we can least afford it.

[Nasher 33,617]

Grimes and Salem in for Bail and Kennedy-Harris.

Another 22 game candidate bites the dust (Bail). The only ones left now are Jones, Tyson, Vince, Dunn, Watts and Howe.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

I am tipping a win by the Dees, because I believe on the G we will be tough for them to beat, having said that I don't think they will be so concerned about Petracca that they would sacrifice momentum, and the 5 wins that would be their best ever season, I think the Giants will come hard

[McQueen 17,867]

Salem or Matt Jones to start sub?

I would assume that Pig dog and Dom would be safe to start off the bench following last weeks efforts.