Got have Howe in. More than any other of those names (maybe besides Dunn) he intercepts, runs and moves the ball forward quickly. Lumumba might help with that, but the more the better.

Jetta, Dunn and Howe are my starters. Lumumba makes the perfect 7th defender who plays 60% back whilst each defender has their 10% rest and 30% on the wing.

Leaves 3 spots for McDonald (who's very likely), Frost, Garland and Grimes.

Of course everything changes if Garland and Grimes can recapture their best form.

And the option for Salem, Toumpas, Brayshaw, Terlich or even something fancier like Cross, Vince or Michie.

If our outside running midfielders (Matt Jones, Toumpas etc) don't step up and Lumumba is more use in the midfield then I'm all in favour of picking 7 defenders outright. Particularly if 3 big boys are needed in the side and Frost comes in. In that case Howe would be a definite swing man option, particularly when games open up late and he finds more space forward. Would coincide nicely with a ruckman being subbed in the last quarter. Throw a key forward in to the back up ruck and swing Howe forward. Frost as a 4th quarter 5 minute chop out ruckman would be another option.

I'm all for Roosy throwing the side around a bit more this year if we get more consistent even performance and need to make some moves to change the outcome of games.

I think Howe can be more damaging up forward because of his leap, he will be a huge problem for defenders once we can move the ball quickly and fluently into our forward line.

This is what I'm waiting to c before I get too excited about the season.

Been there too many times before and I am gun shy.

You are not on your own DO

Another positive for Salem is that he was considered the best kick in his draft pool, the fact that he kicked the winning goal against Essendon last year just emphasises the importance of it.

That was an impressive display of dealing with pressure, but the kick that emphasised Salem's skills would be the one he kicked from the boundary to a flat out Bail against PA in Darwin.

"For one, we are fitter and fitness makes a big difference for most players in terms of their kicking. But more importantly, fitness and trust in your teammates and the game plan mean that your leads get honoured, players present more options and they are drilled better in what to do. Remember often you don't have to kick to a target but kick to the right space. A space is much easier to hit and if the teammate is running to the space as they are being drilled then it will look a lot like they are hitting more targets"

Agree JnrMac

Fitness provides surety and balance and therefore better delivery . also hoping multiple forward options mean opposition has to man up more one on ones and with more leads opens up space.

I remember Miller (and always enjoyed) him making space as two defenders would follow him to a space. He usually (unfortunately) didnt mark but often leapt and took two defenders out of the contest creating space.

And Gary Lyon was the master at running into the space that often was established through poor kicking to position. He always amazed me by timing his run perfectly to just get to the ball

That was an impressive display of dealing with pressure, but the kick that emphasised Salem's skills would be the one he kicked from the boundary to a flat out Bail against PA in Darwin.

that was a thing of beauty..

Many ex-coaches have respectable reputations as ex-players, but Roosy had a stellar career. That brings respect. However as we know Roos has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills backed up by a teachable realistic game plan that players have confidence in. He has been realistic about the club's prospects and players abilities from the start. Players want to play for him. That is a powerful force. He has brought new blood to the club and players that have chosen to play for him (cite Lumumba) that otherwise would have viewed Melbourne as a graveyard. Then look at his support staff. He may not be the Messiah but he has gone a long way to resurrecting our old club.

I regard Roos as the Messiah.