Misson injury interview:

- Newton, Garland & Hogan available. (Hogan was ok just being conservative with back and hamstring tightness)

- Kent 3 weeks, starts training next week

- Vand 2 weeks, did fast running yesterday

- Salem 3 weeks, they are being cautious with him

- Frost 6 weeks, first run tomorrow. Bursting to get back

- Trengove has next scan July 24 which will determine if he can run

- Petracca. been running for a week, no sign of a limp.

I wouldn't be surprised to see those not available now, come back via Casey given that they would have lost match fitness.

Forgot to mention they fly up today to train tomorrow and adjust to the heat.

Titus O'Reilly's look at the game:

Melbourne vs. West Coast (TIO) 7.40pm

As a Dees supporter, I couldn’t be less interested in playing games in Darwin.

Any Melbourne supporter worth their family’s inheritance thinks Etihad Stadium is too far to go for a game.

Still, like the aftershocks following a devastating earthquake, the Cameron Schwab era still impacts the Demons every day.

Melbourne are riding high following their exciting win against Geelong, and so they should be. No one was more surprised than every single person on Earth.

The problem for Melbourne is every time they seem poised to win two in a row, they don’t.

It’s a real shame too. A friend told me winning two games in a row is a really worthwhile experience.

West Coast have proven the doubters wrong in the past few weeks and good on them, considering the injuries they started the year with. They’ve been so good that even Victorians have mentioned them a few times in the past few weeks.

I met up with a couple of Eagles fans in Perth just last night and they tell me that a young guy by the name of Matthew Priddis is worth keeping an eye on.

Remember, you heard it here first.

I can’t see Melbourne beating West Coast in this one, although I tipped them to lose against Geelong and if I thought that would help here I’d do it again.

Not that that is what I’m doing, eight years of pure hell have taught me to tip against the Demons every time. If you think that’s disloyal, all I can say is “You weren’t there, man.”

Teams that play a press can be destroyed if you have a team that also communicates and is disciplined.

The press is the nightmare of the dumb footy player.

Sorry, to be so blasé but the best teams don't get flustered by this tactic - they manipulate you for using it. It riles against one-on-one contested footy, excuses players from winning the footy in lieu of 'intercepting' the footy that was won by the other team, and instils an ethos that winning the footy isn't paramount.

Played and won a GF last year against a team that used this tactic.

Move the footy quickly and win it out of the middle and this 'web' will be abandoned by qtr time.

Teams that play a press can be destroyed if you have a team that also communicates and is disciplined.

The press is the nightmare of the dumb footy player.

Sorry, to be so blasé but the best teams don't get flustered by this tactic - they manipulate you for using it. It riles against one-on-one contested footy, excuses players from winning the footy in lieu of 'intercepting' the footy that was won by the other team, and instils an ethos that winning the footy isn't paramount.

Played and won a GF last year against a team that used this tactic.

Move the footy quickly and win it out of the middle and this 'web' will be abandoned by qtr time.

Yep, don't know if they could abandon it though. Part of the reason for using this defence is they have lost key players and they've done a good job to date covering for them.

Yep, don't know if they could abandon it though. Part of the reason for using this defence is they have lost key players and they've done a good job to date covering for them.

That was an internal reference that no-one would have possibly got - the team we played in the GF abandoned the press before qtr time.

I doubt they will leave it unless we are absolutely smashing them - which is unlikely.

Win 6 more games and it will improve in 2016.

Until then suck it up or get Foxtel.

Wouldn't be so confident of that OD.

Wouldn't be so confident of that OD.

Neither am I Chris But that is what is needed to get a better TV deal in 2016

- Petracca. been running for a week, no sign of a limp.

Sounds like he should be right to line up in about 39 weeks then :D

Expecting a 40-50 pt loss here. WCE are playing great team footy

OTC had some good footage last night showing their zonal defence. For us to win, Roosey has to win the tactical battle first.

then the rest is up to Hogan. no pressure

All the talk of Hogan will leave unless we show signs of improvement. The win against Geelong took the pressure of Hogan. He no longer needs to think that unless he kicks a bag we're no chance. And for its worth Geelong has one of the better defences. I'm expecting a win, who of note have the Eagles beaten?

Titus O'Reilly's look at the game:

Melbourne vs. West Coast (TIO) 7.40pm

As a Dees supporter, I couldn’t be less interested in playing games in Darwin.

Any Melbourne supporter worth their family’s inheritance thinks Etihad Stadium is too far to go for a game.

Still, like the aftershocks following a devastating earthquake, the Cameron Schwab era still impacts the Demons every day.

Melbourne are riding high following their exciting win against Geelong, and so they should be. No one was more surprised than every single person on Earth.

The problem for Melbourne is every time they seem poised to win two in a row, they don’t.

It’s a real shame too. A friend told me winning two games in a row is a really worthwhile experience.

West Coast have proven the doubters wrong in the past few weeks and good on them, considering the injuries they started the year with. They’ve been so good that even Victorians have mentioned them a few times in the past few weeks.

I met up with a couple of Eagles fans in Perth just last night and they tell me that a young guy by the name of Matthew Priddis is worth keeping an eye on.

Remember, you heard it here first.

I can’t see Melbourne beating West Coast in this one, although I tipped them to lose against Geelong and if I thought that would help here I’d do it again.

Not that that is what I’m doing, eight years of pure hell have taught me to tip against the Demons every time. If you think that’s disloyal, all I can say is “You weren’t there, man.”

Did you tell the eagles fans about a pitbull called Viney who will take Priddis to the cleaners and gather 25+ himself....

Yep, I have been to all our home games this year, and have not once seen the team on free to air telly. We have six weeks of away games and no free to air coverage in that time.

Stream it....

- Vand 2 weeks, did fast running yesterday

Damn he will just miss out on the chance to smash some Essendope heads in, but hopefully hes ready for the back to back Saints-Brisbane games

Edited July 1, 201510 yr by hogans_heroes

I wonder if roos will say play 1v1 all game like we did against geelong? Doesnt that then negate the web? Really interested to see how we set up tactically, i think the web works well on teams who like uncontested footy, we dont, we are a contested team so the web in my eyes will not be as effective (McGovern may be effective as the article reads, but if hes on Hogan, maybe he wont be).

Really looking forward to the Gawn v Naitanui matchup. If Gawn plays another blinder, we might come close to winning. The Geelong game showed how important it is for ruckmen to take contested marks. Saying that, it's interesting to note that Naitanui has played 12 matches compared to Gawn's 3 yet Maxy has taken 2 more marks for the entirety of the year.

Edited July 2, 201510 yr by Demon Jack

Really looking forward to the Gawn v Naitanui matchup. If Gawn plays a another blinder, we might come close to winning. The Geelong game showed how important it is for ruckmen to take contested marks. Saying this, it's interesting to note that Naitanui has played 12 matches compared to Gawn's 3 yet Maxy has taken 2 more marks for the entirety of the year.

Sorry, Demon Jack, you've broken one of Demonland's rules. You're only allowed to compare Naitinui with Jack Watts.

Really looking forward to the Gawn v Naitanui matchup. If Gawn plays a another blinder, we might come close to winning. The Geelong game showed how important it is for ruckmen to take contested marks. Saying this, it's interesting to note that Naitanui has played 12 matches compared to Gawn's 3 yet Maxy has taken 2 more marks for the entirety of the year.

Thanks for the jinx DJ, NicNat is now likely to go out there on Saturday night and haul in 13 marks....

Sorry, Demon Jack, you've broken one of Demonland's rules. You're only allowed to compare Naitinui with Jack Watts.

Come to think of it I haven't seen that comparison come up all week or even for a long time.

Isnt it pleasant.

Come to think of it I haven't seen that comparison come up all week or even for a long time.

Isnt it pleasant.

no sweat.....easily fixed.....stay tuned

Just wait til Saturday night...

We owe these pricks big time.

They are mediocre as hell and yet have smashed us for so long.

Them and North are equally as average and annoying.

I endorse your attitude...and your venom.

Teams that play a press can be destroyed if you have a team that also communicates and is disciplined.

The press is the nightmare of the dumb footy player.

Sorry, to be so blasé but the best teams don't get flustered by this tactic - they manipulate you for using it. It riles against one-on-one contested footy, excuses players from winning the footy in lieu of 'intercepting' the footy that was won by the other team, and instils an ethos that winning the footy isn't paramount.

Played and won a GF last year against a team that used this tactic.

Move the footy quickly and win it out of the middle and this 'web' will be abandoned by qtr time.

It's also more effective against teams that attack wide, and not direct & quick up the middle, which needs hard running & a certain amount of precision disposal.

The press may be more effective in the energy-sapping humidity of Darwin though.

Its 31c with 53pc humidity in darwin today

Im surprised by the heat but the humidity in melbourne today is 63pc

Official changes:

In: Hogan, Garland

Out: Lumumba (foot), Riley (dropped)

Official changes:

In: Hogan, Garland

Out: Lumumba (foot), Riley (dropped)

H's foot could be 'fortuitous ' in terms of selection dilemmas. ?

So we are staying tall.

Edited July 2, 201510 yr by monoccular

Mystery injury of the week goes to Heritier Lumumba.