A random stat - if Jeff Garlett kicks 5 goals this weekend he will, after Round 8, equal last years MFC leading goal kicker.

And if he had converted the set shots from dead in front or close to, he'd already have that total ticked off.

A random stat - if Jeff Garlett kicks 5 goals this weekend he will, after Round 8, equal last years MFC leading goal kicker.

I wasn't sure whether to like this post or not. That really tells a horrible story.

I don't think it's that simple. The dogs are playing outstanding team football.

Their inside midfielders aren't much but they do all the basics around stoppages right. They're forwards aren't all that special. Their backs not that great.

But as unit they produce high level pressure and high level ball movement by running and trusting their skills.

They lost 2 mids against the saints and the pressure around the ball dropped and their ability/confidence in ball movement fell away and they lost a 50 point lead. For us to beat them we have to play really good team footy as well, which means our skills standing up under pressure and our defensive work rate being good enough against a team with a heap of confidence to move the ball.

I really don't like our chances. On form the Dogs will beat us by 10 goals.

If our midfield breaks even, our forwards win their battles and our backs hold their forwards, we'll have played a good team game, IMO.

But you're right. We're going into this game very rightly as underdogs (pun not intended ).

Garland should take Crameri.

Dunn always gets carved up by him. Dunn on Stringer perhaps.

I wouldn't waste Tommy on Boyd at this stage. The latter has struggle to impact the game like Hogan has. I'd be risking it and starting Dunn on Boyd and seeing if he can run off him. Crameri gave us problems last year, because I think he was awarded two or three of his goals from free kicks - arguably because he was too big for Dunn. Still, I think I'd play Tommy on him this time. Therefore, perhaps Howe plays on Stringer, which leaves Garland for Boyd? Just typing that out makes me a little concerned. We might get done for height there. I wonder if that's why Fitzy is being considered? He's been playing in the backline at Casey, hasn't he?

Few players are playing for their careers over the coming weeks, I will be fascinated to see how it all unfolds

B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Jack Grimes

HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Heritier Lumumba

C: Daniel Cross, Nathan Jones, Matt Jones

HF: Angus Brayshaw, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts

F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Aaron vandenBerg

FOLL: Jake Spencer, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince

I/C (from): Jimmy Toumpas, Max Gawn, Billy Stretch, Ben Newton, Aidan Riley, Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick

IN: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jack Watts, Max Gawn, Aidan Riley, Ben Newton, Jesse Hogan

OUT: Chris Dawes (calf), Viv Michie (omitted), Christian Salem (hamstring)

I just want to see Maxy play. Are we meant to believe that Watts has suddenly found form and confidence? Sorry but I wonder if we were playing brisbane last week weather watts would have dropped himself. I just don't think he wanted to play against hawthorn because he knew he'd be beaten or physically pushed around.

Watts has played many times against the Hawks. Why would this one be different? Silly, unfounded comment.

Mitchie not even on the extended bench. After already being dropped a couple of rounds ago, you'd have to wonder if we'll see him in the firsts again.

A bit surprised to see Newton there after a) he was dropped and b) he didn't play at Casey last week. Having said that though, would think the bench will be something along the lines of Toumpas, Newton, Riley and Bail.

Injuries are really stretching us.

Disappointing to see Michie dropped again. He has hardly had the chance to prove himself with limited opportunities . Also had to play against the top teams in the comp. Would have kept him in at the expense of young Stretch. I hope he gets another chance.

Ok fair enough, but how we we nullify Murphy?

Engage him in pseudo-intellectual conversation.

Missing

An ageing ruckman. Last seen being beaten by a 3 meter monster. Answers to Mark.

If found, please contact Melbourne Football Club match committee

Seriously, where is Jamar?

Doggies are great to watch. They play for each other, with belief and intensity. We don't do any of those things. Can't see us getting within 10 goals of them.

I'm worried about Jetta now. Not sure what M.Jones did to stay in the 18. Thought Bail was better

Strewth mate, go watch the replay.

Doggies are great to watch. They play for each other, with belief and intensity. We don't do any of those things. Can't see us getting within 10 goals of them.

They're not infallible either. Watch their game against the Saints

Dawes out calf

I was actually referencing an earlier post...this one...http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38419-paul-roos-on-triple-m-at-135/?p=1092661

but thanks all the same

Anyone watch the Doggies game? I can't see who we've got to run with Johanissen who gave them amazing drive in the second half. Fit, Kent would keep him accountable. I just don't see where we have the pace to stem the drive he offered.

Missing

An ageing ruckman. Last seen being beaten by a 3 meter monster. Answers to Mark.

If found, please contact Melbourne Football Club match committee

Seriously, where is Jamar?

Against Cordy this is a great chance for Spencer to gain some confidence and hopefully get into some form. He will have 50+ hit outs this week

There is only one aspect about this game that truly concerns me

The Dogs are playing with flair and belief

The Dees have NO Flair and little belief

how is this so

Dogs by 50

He did a bit round the ground but well was well-held by Lucas Cook up forward.

Not a ripping endorsement for promotion to the AFL.

It also says a lot about where Jamar is at....

If we want a ruck...we'll need to go shopping. We've had years to groom one...hasnt gone too well.

Hey, didn't we beat this mob in the NAB cup?

I know its the NAB cup but FFS we have to be in with some kind of a chance don't we??

I hope to god that Spencer is out.. This bloke just looks uncorodinated for starters!! Gawn should play, because he will win the hit outs and he plays like a midfielder anyway!! Until we recruit another ruckman GAWN IS THE FUTURE!!!

Hey, didn't we beat this mob in the NAB cup?

I know its the NAB cup but FFS we have to be in with some kind of a chance don't we??

2, I believe

I hope to god that Spencer is out.. This bloke just looks uncorodinated for starters!! Gawn should play, because he will win the hit outs and he plays like a midfielder anyway!! Until we recruit another ruckman GAWN IS THE FUTURE!!!

Gawn is a quite capable VFL player. Thats his limit. If he were to break open games and impose he might make an effective AFL player. He doesnt. That just ..is. Why do we sugar coat reality.

He did a bit round the ground but well was well-held by Lucas Cook up forward.

Is that the same Lucas Cook? (Pick 12 2010)

Hey, didn't we beat this mob in the NAB cup?

I know its the NAB cup but FFS we have to be in with some kind of a chance don't we??

yes . its a 50/50 game

Some people here are seriously overrating the Dogs

yes . its a 50/50 game

Some people here are seriously overrating the Dogs

I admire your unblinking support for us HH..

but

youre kidding yourself. They are easily a 5-6 goal better team than us..Looked at the ladder lately by chance ???

I admire your unblinking support for us HH..

but

youre kidding yourself. They are easily a 5-6 goal better team than us..Looked at the ladder lately by chance ???

Yeah Ive looked at the ladder. They've had a solid start, but they also got thumped by the Hawks and lost to the Saints.

Like us they are young and inconsistent. Your'e taking like they are 7-0

As I said, its a 50/50 game

Hey, didn't we beat this mob in the NAB cup?

I know its the NAB cup but FFS we have to be in with some kind of a chance don't we??

More than half the side we face this week is different to the one we faced in the NAB. You can pretty much read nothing into that game, and even if you did, they completely rolled over us in the second half and almost won playing with their seconds.

If we can match their intensity we're a chance, but that's a big IF.

Dogs are playing with dare. We've been playing with the opposite of dare.