THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[P-man 13,239]

I just started writing up a preview and then decided, stuff it.

Let's just wait. And hope. Like always.

It's winnable. That's all I will say.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

I just started writing up a preview and then decided, stuff it.

Let's just wait. And hope. Like always.

It's winnable. That's all I will say.

Don't get my hopes up any further than they already are P-man. I don't think I can take it!

[What 18,810]

This is a 50./50 game, make no mistake

The pessimism in here is off the charts, but considering how [censored] we are every season in Round 1 i guess its fair enough

We almost rolled them last year on the G and surely we have improved a fair bit since then (yes i know, GC have likely improved to)

We need Bernie Vince to play

[Nasher 33,133]

Maybe but they will still probably pants us unfortunately.

I get that, but that's more about us than them. People panicked when they saw the GC team though.

As for me, I remain optimistic. I have to. I really struggle to build up enough interest if I've already decided we're going to be smashed before the game has even arrived. I don't know how people do it when they think a loss is a foregone conclusion all the time.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,401]

I get that, but that's more about us than them. People panicked when they saw the GC team though.

As for me, I remain optimistic. I have to. I really struggle to build up enough interest if I've already decided we're going to be smashed before the game has even arrived. I don't know how people do it when they think a loss is a foregone conclusion all the time.

Given our record over recent years,using the depths of despair as a baseline is not an unreasonable position Gnasher.

[DeeSpencer 23,313]

I get that, but that's more about us than them. People panicked when they saw the GC team though.

As for me, I remain optimistic. I have to. I really struggle to build up enough interest if I've already decided we're going to be smashed before the game has even arrived. I don't know how people do it when they think a loss is a foregone conclusion all the time.

Because whilst the head says loss the heart says it's still possible. And the song plays, the players run through the banner, there's Jones, Lumumba, Tyson, Hogan, Salem etc and you get this belief they can do it. Then Matt Jones fumbles, Grimes turns it over and the despair sets in.

One of the reasons we have to be more attacking this year is so the crowd gets involved. You can feel the despair of an MCG crowd when we get a couple of goals in a row kicked against us. Even if the margins are the same or bigger if we are scoring more regularly it gets the crowd involved. You won't breach a 3/4 time 4 goal deficit when you've only kicked 4 all game. It's more likely if you've kicked 10 of your own.

[Generation dee 1,336]

Rumours circulating Ablett has reinjured his shoulder, looking doubtful not only round 1 but also a large part of the season. Hope not as he is a great player to watch. However gc will need to find an extra 35 disposal, 8 assists, 4 goals and 8 tackles somewhere if he misses.

[What 18,810]

Was just reading the Round 1 thread on the Gold Coast bigfooty forum and saw this

Melbourne have a blue chip midfield, led by Jones, Tyson, Cross, Viney and Brayshaw with distributers such as Vince, Salem, Toumpas and Kennedy-Harris.

Never thought Id ever hear anyone call our midfield blue-chip.

Edited March 28, 2015 by hogans_heroes

[P-man 13,239]

"Blue chip" midfield?

I think some of the Gold Coast Bigfooty members have been in touch with their old mate Karmichael.

[Demon Stalwart 255]

Every game is winnable : , its just a matter of what you do and don't do throughout the game.

In past seasons its been more a case of what we didn't do

This Nab cup was much more of the same.

Are the demons able to do the doable in their first real game of the 2015 season .

Well we can only wait and see .

The one thing I know right now is it is doable!

But if the ability to do what is doable is truly un-doable

then we as supporters may well decide to do that which is truly not doable

as well as unthinkable but in actuality quite doable

Now if they can understand the above then anything is doable

wouldn't you agree?.

[Pates 9,537]

This might sound ridiculously obvious but belief is key to us for this match. I honestly think we have got the players to win this match but we need early goals (or at the very least an even contest) otherwise if GC get the first few on the board quickly I can see a blow out similar to what's happened previous round 1 years.

We get on a run early I think we will win, down by 2-3 goals at quarter time it'll be more history repeating.

Edited March 28, 2015 by Pates

[DemonOX 8,541]

. I don't know how people do it when they think a loss is a foregone conclusion all the time.

Comes with practice Nasher.

The previous seasons have really affected my optimism tbh.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

This might sound ridiculously obvious but belief is key to us for this match. I honestly think we have got the players to win this match but we need early goals (or at the very least an even contest) otherwise if GC get the first few on the board quickly I can see a blow out similar to what's happened previous round 1 years.

We get on a run early I think we will win, down by 2-3 goals at quarter time it'll be more history repeating.

We are still very much a confidence side. We still don't have the capacity to get back into games like many of the others, so if we can get our tails up early, as you mentioned, then we are certainly in with a show of causing an upset.

It's a big if though.

[Macca 16,173]

We are still very much a confidence side. We still don't have the capacity to get back into games like many of the others, so if we can get our tails up early, as you mentioned, then we are certainly in with a show of causing an upset.

It's a big if though.

Upsets can always happen of course but if we do win our first game, it might mean a number of players have stepped it up.

What I was looking for in the pre-season was for those who should be stepping it up to do so - that didn't really happen. I'm specifically talking about those players who have been in the system for 4+ years. It seems they might have max'd out and if that's true, that doesn't bode well for our chances.

However, if Dunn, Jetta, Howe, T-Mac, Jamar, Watts, Dawes & Garland can mostly improve to substantial levels along with Grimes, Kent, JKH, Viney, Toumpas, Michie, Gawn & Pedersen mostly improving to better than reasonable levels, we may end up with 8-10 wins.

We could assume that Lumumba, Garlett, Salem, Hogan & Frost will all add a lot to our chances but on an overall basis, there's a lot of if's and but's.

I'm cautiously hopeful for a 6-8 win season but that evaluation may change if we win our first game

.

Edited March 28, 2015 by Macca

[Moneider96 1,045]

We will win

[DeeSpencer 23,313]

We will win

I don't think we've won a game in my time on DL when some muppet has posted this. Thanks for the jinx.

[P-man 13,239]

So how's the team looking now? Rough stab:

B: Jetta Dunn T McDonald

HB: Grimes Frost Salem

C: Toumpas Jones Lumumba

HF: vandenBurg Hogan Watts

F: Garlett Pedersen Kennedy-Harris

R: Jamar Tyson Viney

Int: Newton Cross Brayshaw (Kent)

E: Michie Garland M Jones Gawn Bail

If fit, Howe replaces Vanders, Vince replaces Toumpas.

[bing181 8,200]

You're a brave man P-Man. Given where we are, seems to be half a dozen vying for the last few of places: Brayshaw, Vince, Howe, JKH, Kent, Vandenberg ... then throw into that Mitchie, maybe Bail, Toumpas, M Jones, toss up between Gawn and Pedersen etc. etc.

V. hard to pick.

[What 18,810]

Brayshaw will 100% play

Dunno why people are saying Roos wont play him early, JKH debuted in Round 1 last season and he was tiny

Angus is ready and has earned it.

My round 1 lineup

-B - N.Jetta - L.Dunn - J.Grimes

HB - C.Salem - T.McDonald - S.Frost

C - H.Lumumba - D.Tyson - B.Newton

HF - J. Kennedy Harris - J.Watts - A.Vandenberg

F - J,Garlett - J.Hogan - M.Gawn

R - M.Jamar - N.Jones - J.Viney

I/C - D.Cross - V.Michie - A.Brayshaw

Sub - D.Kent

Emer - C.Garland C.Pedersen J,Toumpas

I seem toe the only one with Gawn in my team.. Does everyone think we will go in with only 1 ruck?

Edited March 28, 2015 by hogans_heroes

[Gorgoroth 12,337]

I think most of us think Frost will do second string rucking.

Not that I've picked a side, but on form I reckon Pedo has a better chance than Gawn at getting a game.

[G-max 154]

It was weird last night seeing a news update with VFL highlights of Brayshaw and talk of him looking set to debut in round one. I could see him sharing the sub vest with The Berg.

[Demon Jack 6,347]

My final round 1 team prediction

FB: Jetta Dunn Grimes

HB: Frost TMac Salem

C: Toumpas Viney Lumumba

HF: vB Hogan Watts

FF: JKH Gawn Garlett

R: Jamar N.Jones Tyson

INT: Cross Brayshaw Kent

SUB: Howe

EMG: Pederson Garland Michie

Edited March 28, 2015 by Demon Jack

[Gator 16,909]

The Suns have a new coach with a new game-plan and many players coming off an interrupted preseason.

I certainly don't fear them, especially at the MCG and will be disappointed if we lose this game. The Suns will evolve throughout the year into a solid team, but they'll be underdone in round 1.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

The Suns have a new coach with a new game-plan and many players coming off an interrupted preseason.

I certainly don't fear them, especially at the MCG and will be disappointed if we lose this game. The Suns will evolve throughout the year into a solid team, but they'll be underdone in round 1.

I will be disappointed when we lose as well.

[Gator 16,909]

I will be disappointed when we lose as well.

You have a very defeatist attitude shared by many. Naturally, you're welcome to it.