THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[DemonOX 8,791]

Agreed Webber.

If the penny drops within 14 days for the majority of the list we will see a vastly different side.

I think the penny is dropping already for Jack Watts. I saw good things on friday night.

Roos has definately made Watts a priority in the resurgance of the team.

Not sure how long it will take for the penny to drop (for the team) SWYL as its already taken 8 years and we are still waiting!

[daisycutter 29,616]

Not sure how long it will take for the penny to drop (for the team) SWYL as its already taken 8 years and we are still waiting!

that's part of the problem - we don't have a spare penny

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

I think it's not so much about penny's dropping but more about the instructions given by Roos to the team for round 1, how he wants them to go about playing the game and whether they are strong enough and fit enough mentally and physically to carry out the plan. I would like to think that the game style they are going to be asked to reproduce will be that which we saw from them in the first half against the Bulldogs at Ballarat and not in their last three halves of football which have been mainly back to the future stuff except for the heroics.

[What 18,810]

Vandenberg and Newton will surely play round 1?

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I am [censored] myself about Round 1, please win it Melbourne.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Vandenberg and Newton will surely play round 1?

I'm not sold on Newton just yet, that fifty metre penalty he gave away at the end of the Essendon game was something a seasoned Melbourne player would do. Not someone who has only just come from a successful team.

[Bleeds_Red_&_Blue 172]

Someone told me today the little wizard will be out for round 1. Is this true?

Based on last years game where we should have won until the wonder boy willed the Suns into a win, If Abblet plays we will lose. If he doesnt we're a chance.

Thoughts?

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Both the bulldog and essendon games both showed that no matter who is out in the opposition, we will still find a way to not take advantage of it.

[Cranky Franky 2,061]

If we approach the game thinking we will win because Ablett isn't playing we will get belted. In the last 3-4 years Melbourne has lost almost every game that we thought we would win. The only games we have won are where we were the clear underdogs.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,833]

If we can't beat a team comprising at least 15 Essendon VFL players, how can we expect to beat a team that contains at least 15 genuinly classy AFL players?

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Round 1 Team, for mine...

B: Dunn, McDonald, Grimes

HB: Jetta, Frost, Lumumba

C: Salem, Vince, Tyson

HF: Watts, Hogan, Viney

F: Garlett, Gawn, Kent

FOL: Jamar, Jones, Cross

IC: Newton, Pedersen, Howe

SUB: JKH

EM: Vandenberg, Toumpas, Garland

Good team, I would play Vandenberg. Much better looking team without slow players(Garland) in defence.

[Tony Tea 2,809]

Someone told me today the little wizard will be out for round 1. Is this true?

Based on last years game where we should have won until the wonder boy willed the Suns into a win, If Abblet plays we will lose. If he doesnt we're a chance.

Thoughts?

Sounds like "Someone" has been listening to the radio.

[Gorgoroth 12,954]

If Ablett runs out against us, I truly hope the first bouce has a player bump him, shoulder to shoulder and test it out at every single chance, every ball up, every moment should have a player bumping that shoulder.

[samcantstandya 1,055]

Doubtless Demonlanders will be talking about the likely changes for Rd 1 from the side against Essendon, but I think we pretty much saw our Rd 1 side on Friday.

Obviously Dawes will be out with suspension and that enforces one change and means there will be plenty of debate as to whether to replace him with a big (most likely our 23rd man Gawn or Pedo) or whether the pace of Gold Coast means that a quicker player is brought into the side - Kent or JKH.

Gold Coast's ruck tandem of Zac Smith and Tom Nichols means that Jamar will go with Smith.

Nichols is quick and mobile for a big guy, so that could mean Roosy could risk using Frosty in that role.

Whilst I know Roosy would prefer to have another power forward, I think the lack of size and pace of GC will mean he needs more speed for Rd 1 and that he asks Frosty and Watts to step as the tall forwards.

A lot of Demonlanders will be calling for the usual axings of Grimes and Garland and Bail and Matt Jones and Toump and even some for Newton, but I can't really see Roosy forsaking his policy of staying loyal to his senior squad until a major loss occurs. He will however consider Vince and Howe if they play a VFL practice match this week (not sure if there is one), but most likely their lack of match fitness would mean they would be the sub.

The only other big issue as I see it is deciding which defender will man up on Ablett, who will spend a lot of time up forward because of no match practice. Given GC is missing Lynch and is so small and will use Gazza as a marking option, I suspect that Garlo will have to go to him which is a big ask I know, although Grimes is another option. Nev Jetta should get Matera and Salem will most likely have Touk Miller or Saad.

So side for Rd 1 will be:

B: Jetta Dunn Garland

HB: Salem Tom Mc Grimes

C: Lumumba N.Jones M.Jones

HF: Bail Frost Vandenberg

F: Garlett Hogan Watts

Ru: Jamar Cross Tyson

Int: Viney, Newton, Toumpas

Sub: Kent (Howe or Vince if they get through practice match well)

Emerg: Gawn, JKH, McKenzie

I'd leave out Bail & M Jones neither are up to it.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

If Ablett runs out against us, I truly hope the first bouce has a player bump him, shoulder to shoulder and test it out at every single chance, every ball up, every moment should have a player bumping that shoulder.

I think Vandenberg will run with Ablett.

[hulkhogan666 142]

Ablett and O'Meara might now play, Day, Dixon and Lynch (suspended) also might not play. But we're the MFC, doesn't matter who's out we'll still lose!

[grazman 7,436]

I can see as many as 6 new faces lining up for rd 1 based on preseason form... and depending on whether any or all of Kent, Vince and Howe are available.

My side would be:

Jetta, Dunn, Garland

Salem, MacDonald, Grimes

Lumumba*, Cross, Watts

Vince, Hogan*, Kent

Garlett* Howe, Frost*

Jamar, Tyson, N Jones

Pedersen, Newton*, Vandenberg* sub M Jones

emerg: JKH, Viney, Toumpas, McKenzie

I think sides are moving more to playing one ruck with players pinch hitting in their for 20-30 minutes a game. So I can't see a spot for big Max with Pedersen and Frost doing the relieving ruck duties. Cross to do the stopping duties on Prestia.

Edited March 23, 2015 by grazman

[Ethan Tremblay 30,861]

I think "Gary Gold Coast" has a better ring to it.

Wasn't Ablett pretty much tagged out of the game last time we played?

Edited March 23, 2015 by Ethan Tremblay

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

we will get absolutely belted. anything less than a 14 goal loss is a win.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I want Ablett to play, be sweeter when we beat them.

[sue 9,106]

Bear in mind that GC will be desperate for a win. They have finals ambitions and losing to us would be a major blow to that, both the 4 points and the shame.

[hardtack 10,537]

Bear in mind that GC will be desperate for a win. They have finals ambitions and losing to us would be a major blow to that, both the 4 points and the shame.

I hope so...the more pressure they put on themselves, the better it is for us.

[jnrmac 20,065]

I'm not sold on Salem the defender. Not accountable enough yet, I'd rather he plays on a wing or high half forward.

I'll pass that on to the coaching staff. They will be delighted you have finally given us your view.

[parch_37 38]

Reckon we have seen close to our starting 22

B: Jetta, McDonald, Garland

HB: Salem, Dunn, Grimes

C: Lumumba, Tyson, Newton

HF: Kennedy-Harris, Pederson, Watts

F: Garlett, Hogan, Frost

R: Jamar, N Jones, Cross

I: Vince, vandenBerg, Viney SUB: Kent

Emerg: Howe, Toumpas, M Jones

Think only one of Howe and Vince play. They won't risk both players. So I go with the experience and class of Vince. Howe will play one more week then come in.

Kent gets a game as the sub. If he had've played one of the last 2 NAB games he is starting.

Frost plays as the second ruck and gets subbed off. I don't think the forward experiment will last too long.

Pederson plays for Dawes in Rd 1. We will miss him, he is in good form and has had a big PS

Bail makes way for JKH, who will come straight back in.

I think M Jones will play, but have Vince as the player who takes his spot. We need Viney more as we need the midfield rotations, plus he has been used as a tagger in PS.

Toumpas needs confidence in the twos. It won't hurt him.

Brayshaw is a massive chance to play rd 1 too. Think they will give him another week or 2 though.

[Moneider96 1,045]

Have a look at sportsbet. People actually think we're a reasonable chance...