Melbourne v Western Bulldogs @ Eureka Stadium Ballarat - 14th March, 2015

[old dee 24,001]

Given Bradshaw just extended and would be unlikely to play early in the season proper, if I were Roos I'd give him a run, just so he's more aware of the level he needs to hit and play at for 4 Q against real AFL opposition. Like blooding him, so when his debut rolls around he'll know what to expect.

That said, I like the idea of honing in on our best 22 for rd 1.

On Hogan, if he's recovered and unlikely to damage his foot by playing, I'd play him. We need to build fluency in the forward like and the more the forward 6+ play together, the better we'll be rd 1. I recall Jimmy managed to play despite some discomfort over his career...

I have not seen any confirmation of that.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

North Ballarat Roosters chief executive officer Mark Patterson said preparations had gone smoothly for the match, with expectations of a crowd size between the 4000-7000 mark – slightly lower than that for the North Melbourne v Carlton encounter last year, which drew about 8000.

Patterson said the AFL had already distributed about 2200 tickets, with 700 more already pre-sold.

Quote from today's Ballarat Courier....

With BBO going, the crowd should push up to 12,000. Heard a rumour he is the pre game entertainment, something to do with paysties and a dwarf.

[Akum 2,660]

With BBO going, the crowd should push up to 12,000. Heard a rumour he is the pre game entertainment, something to do with paysties and a dwarf.

Any fire involved?

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

With BBO going, the crowd should push up to 12,000. Heard a rumour he is the pre game entertainment, something to do with paysties and a dwarf.

what a thighslapper

have you considered a career in comedy?

[Moonshadow 17,678]

what a thighslapper

have you considered a career in comedy?

No, you've obviously got that market cornered, unintentionally.

[daisycutter 29,892]

hope they have filled in all the rabbit holes on eureka stadium. we don't want anymore foot injuries

[KLV 1,768]

The Richmond & Melbourne theme songs are our exit songs at the end of the night.

The Richmond & Melbourne theme songs are our exit songs at the end of the night.

Mmm, a mixed marriage, hope you've got the potential offspring sorted

[Demon Jack 7,140]

Won't be able to watch the game on Saturday through the stream. Will a replay be viewable on the club website afterwards?

Edited March 11, 2015 by Demon Jack

[Biffen 12,949]

hope they have filled in all the rabbit holes on eureka stadium. we don't want anymore foot injuries

make sure you wear sensible shoes next time.

[Allen Jakovich 516]

Won't be able to watch the game on Saturday through the stream. Will a replay be viewable on the club website afterwards?

Yeah, 12 hours after the conclusion of the match.

[DeeSpencer 26,273]

I really want to see Stretch and Brayshaw have a run in this game, but at the end of the day if they aren't in the frame for round 1 we may as well have a look at the the 26 most likely to actually play round 1. If that's the clubs game plan then may as well go with it.

So:

Out: Hogan, McKenzie

In: Watts, Viney

FB: Jetta Frost Dunn

HB: Salem McDonald Garland

C: Toumpas Jones Newton

HF: Kent Dawes vandenBerg

FF: Garlett Gawn JKH

Foll: Jamar Tyson Lumumba

Int: Grimes Pedersen Viney Cross Watts Michie

S: M Jones Bail

If it were up to me I'd rest a few of the better players as well just to give more game time to some youngsters and responsibility to those on the fringes pushing for spots. But I can understand the theory of playing the best available together and hopefully being well prepared for the start of the season.

Edited March 11, 2015 by Georgiou R.R. Martin

[Demonland 73,485]

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Post by Melbourne Football Club.

Squad:

Rohan Bail, Daniel Cross, Chris Dawes, Lynden Dunn, Jack Fitzpatrick, Sam Frost, Colin Garland, Jeff Garlett, Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, Jesse Hogan, Mark Jamar, Neville Jetta, Matt Jones, Nathan Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Heritier Lumumba, Tom McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Ben Newton, Cameron Pedersen, Christian Salem, Billy Stretch, Jimmy Toumpas, Dom Tyson, Aaron vandenBerg, Jack Viney and Jack Watts

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

not named: brayshaw, harmes, howe, hunt, kent, king, o-mac, anb, petracca, spencer, riley, terlich, trengove, vince, white

[Seraph 1,824]

Hogan still in the squad - interesting.

[Young Dee 1,303]

So that must mean

Ins: Viney, Watts, Fitzy

Outs: Kent, Spencer, ??

Good line up - sad to see Kent sit out though. Really want to see Toumpas and Hogan have big games.

Should win this one Bulldogs fielding a young side:

"A host of young Dogs are set to get their first chance in red, white and blue this Saturday, with seven of the club’s off-season recruits named in the NAB Challenge squad to face Melbourne

Draftees Toby McLean, Lukas Webb, Declan Hamilton, Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel will all get their chance this week after impressing in the club’s recent intra club match.

Rookie recruits Jordan Kelly and Roarke Smith are also named in the 29-man squad for Ballarat preseason match, joining fellow rookies Daniel Pearce and Brett Goodes in the youthful Bulldogs’ lineup."

Edited March 12, 2015 by Young Dee

[Seraph 1,824]

So that must mean

Ins: Viney, Watts, Fitzy

Outs: Kent, Spencer, ??

Good line up - sad to see Kent sit out though. Really want to see Toumpas and Hogan have big games

There are 29 players named, we played with 26 last week.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Hogan still in the squad - interesting.

surely he won't play

the club knows if there is even the slightest doubt... and they sent him out there.. and something happened.. boy would there be some upset characters

[Young Dee 1,303]

There are 29 players named, we played with 26 last week.

I was going from the original 29 man squad

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,251]

Dogs missing McRae, Murphy, Dahlhaus, libba, Stevens, Crameri, Wood, Hunter and Roughead.

Should win and win well.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

Dogs missing McRae, Murphy, Dahlhaus, libba, Stevens, Crameri, Wood, Hunter and Roughead.

Should win and win well.

Dangerous words!!!

[deanox 10,045]

I reckon they've named Hogan to show that he isn't actually injured, could play but we're resting him.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Dogs missing McRae, Murphy, Dahlhaus, libba, Stevens, Crameri, Wood, Hunter and Roughead.

Should win and win well.

Kind of disappointed they are resting so many players. I'd rather have a crack at them at close to full strength.

[DubDee 26,306]

Agree its a pity they are fielding their seconds. and then we'll take on the best of the VFL next week.

not the best preparation but might cheer some up to have a couple of wins

[Bossdog 2,002]

deanox, on 12 Mar 2015 - 12:50 PM, said:

I reckon they've named Hogan to show that he isn't actually injured, could play but we're resting him.

Why would you rest him?...........He needs all the game time he can get.......No use wrapping him in cotton wool......He is an AFL footballer FCS and they need games under their belts before the real season starts....Surely.

He has played 2 games in three years

[mdemonski2 403]

Strange we have seemingly picked a best available side yet no Dean Kent?

I would have him as a best 22 player.

Anyone know if he is injured?