THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[bing181 9,218]

Wow. Sends a huge message to the players and supporters. Gutsy, even brutal selections. Fantastic to see the selectors doing what they want the players to do: put themselves on the line.

Kent, JKH, Brayshaw, VDB even Toumpas and an underdone Howe over some of the fringe players we've become used to as fixtures, is a bold commitment to the future.

Notable omissions are not just Grimes, but Gawn and especially given Dawes' suspension, Pedersen.

[bing181 9,218]

Should just add as well ... not only gutsy selections, but two of those must know that they need to perform or else, as both Dawes and Vince would be automatic selections for next week you would think.

[What 18,810]

Will be interesting to see if Frost and Howe play where they've been named or they swiitch around

. An MFC team with some flexibility, whod have thunk it

[dees189227 12,388]

Is Matt hinting at a possible change here?

G'day AP, it's a fair call. If there is a change, Gawn could come in as the second ruckman, creating a different mix to the original line-up.

​Dont want to jump ahead but r2 changes could be good. Dawes and Vince coming back.

[Meggs 595]

Like many others, I feel excited by the selections. I was vacillating about going on Sat but given that we have 7 newbies, one playing his 200th and 3 debutants (Hoges at last), me and my 9 yo will go along and check out the R Flower Wing. Will check out the 'reserves' game too.

Surprised that I'm surprised about this team.

Go Dees

[rjay 24,917]

Gold Coast have packed their side full of mids. Miller, Bennell, Rischitelli, Martin, Garlett, Sexton are all mids really. Not goal kicking forwards although a lot of them are handy forward.

It tells me two things:

1) Gold Coast are keen to run all day and make this a scrap

2) Ablett will see a lot of time forward

It also tells me that GC are missing a couple of key forwards and are having to improvise.

[deanox 9,912]

Interesting that with almost everyone fit that is who the selectors think are the best/in form 22.

When fit/available, Dawes and Vince both come in. But who for? I'd say Frost for Dawes, and one of Toumpas/vanDemon/Brayshaw for Vince, depending on form.

If Dawes does come in for Frost, who does the back up ruck role? If both play, with Hogan, I fear week be a touch too tall up forward, we have worked better with a shorter forward line.

I feel we are a touch short in the forward line though given we don't have a true back up ruck. Frost will do it, and I suspect Howe will swing forward at times to add an extra dimension.

Interesting.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Brayshaw and Hogan. I think we are going to see something special from these boys.

At least we know they love the contest and will go in hard...

[picket fence 17,144]

In Gus we trust. Good luck to the young man. Dropping Grimes is a big statement, one which I don't mind.

And a great statement! What's the bet the two former Captains will be not at the club in 2016.

Now there is a provocative and emphatic vision!

Is it also the way forward??

[rjay 24,917]

I would be surprised to see Howe start, more likely the sub or will drop out of the team.

Yep, the team looks good on paper but we are now playing an opposition and this is where a team, particularly ours comes unstuck.

This year it was harder to get a line on us from the NAB games, that is if the Essendon game was an anomaly. Let's hope it was.

We should have a fair idea how the year will set up for us sometime on Saturday afternoon.

[dees189227 12,388]

23 and sunny on saturday. We have 7 new players including some young ones. Paying tribute to a former great in Robbie. No excuses for a poor crowd. Perfect day for an afternoon at the mighty G.

[deanox 9,912]

I also think there is another team positive out of this side.

Players like Grimes, Matt Jones etc. can go and play a few games at VFL level, find the pace themselves, work on a couple of things, enjoy the game again, and play above (dominant) that level before coming back when they force their way in or have to come up for injury.

We haven't had that opportunity for a while, or at least players haven't taken it!

[Bang Bang Bang 5,825]

Only 8 players from the Round 1 2013 side will run out on Saturday. Only 9 from 2014.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Sylvia Saint

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

Bold call on Brayshaw for mine, but if Roos thinks he is ready that will do me, after watching all pre season the rest I am cool with, Howe will be fine, outstanding at training again today

[jumbo returns 6,741]

23 and sunny on saturday. We have 7 new players including some young ones. Paying tribute to a former great in Robbie. No excuses for a poor crowd. Perfect day for an afternoon at the mighty G.

I agree! Everyone get down there and support this new team!!

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Bold call on Brayshaw for mine, but if Roos thinks he is ready that will do me, after watching all pre season the rest I am cool with, Howe will be fine, outstanding at training again today

So you are happy with the Matt Jones omission, even though you screamed from the rooftops he was a cert for Round 1?

Edited April 2, 2015 by Wiseblood

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I must echo others by saying I feel better knowing that Grimes, Bail and Matt Jones aren't in the team.

Let them dominate the VFL and put pressure on those in the team now.

[BrisbaneDemon 1,572]

Wow........ Speechless

[What 18,810]

who do you guys think will be sub?

Will be between VanDemon and JKH you'd think?

[Bonkers 994]

Compared to the lineups from the nab challenge there are a lot less talls listed. I like it, however we may be stretched in the ruck with only Jamar & Frost. It will test Jamar taking the bulk of the ruck duties & so far Frost has been limited in the ruck. Perhaps Gawn will come in for Howe as another poster previously mentioned.

[Sir Why You Little 37,033]

Excellent side on paper

This is now a Roos team.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Compared to the lineups from the nab challenge there are a lot less talls listed. I like it, however we may be stretched in the ruck with only Jamar & Frost. It will test Jamar taking the bulk of the ruck duties & so far Frost has been limited in the ruck. Perhaps Gawn will come in for Howe as another poster previously mentioned.

It's a good point Bonkers. I think Roos and the FD trialled having the extra talls in the side and quickly realised that it didn't work as well, and therefore we have gone a little smaller. Our forward line does have some potency to it however, and I love the idea of having Garlett, Kent and JKH roaming around down there at the feet of Hogan, Frost and Watts.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

who do you guys think will be sub?

Will be between VanDemon and JKH you'd think?

Brayshaw.

[DubDee 25,846]

who do you guys think will be sub?

Will be between VanDemon and JKH you'd think?

Brayshaw for sure. Roos loves the kids coming in via sub

[mo64 5,874]

The non-selection of Grimes, Bail, M.Jones and McKenzie goes to show that 90% of Demonland posters are astute judges of talent.