Changes vs Essendon

[chook fowler 19,549]

Ok heres my idea.

How about we trade you off to bomberblitz for a bag of spuds.

Haha in all serious i knew you couldn't handle yourself. You start a thread of complimenting how well he played against St Kilda and you mentioned you were willing to give him time. I said to you will be straight off the wagon once he puts in a poor game.

I knew you couldn't keep to your word. [censored] nuffy.

[Moneider96 1,045]

I'm very confident that given the wet weather, we will win. Otherwise, I would be very concerned. Expect a game similar to Richmond.

[Deeoldfart 8,061]

Reading between the lines on 'Roos Views', I think Vanders might be playing at Casey this weekend. Coming off a hammy, which would have had him off legs for a while, it wouldn't surprise me if that's the way it goes.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this and felt this was the best place for it, so here is Titus O'Reilly's 'preview' of the game this weekend. It sums up exactly how I feel about it..

Saturday

Essendon vs. Melbourne (MCG) 1.40pm

Speaking of danger games, if Melbourne lose this, it will arguably be their biggest low point and that’s really saying something.

Playing Essendon at this point is like a UFC match where the ref has let it go on too long. The Bombers are out for the count.

Their captain is gone for the rest of the year, the players are mentally fatigued from the scandal that has no end and they don’t have a coach.

Really, Hird should go back to where he came from — France.

Even worse than those things, they bought in Mark Neeld and Neil Craig to help out. That’s like seeking out Bernard Tomic’s dad to coach your teenage tennis prodigy.

Apparently, Essendon players and coaches held a two-hour honesty session on Monday.

The fact the club has to make a special time for ‘honesty’ probably speaks volumes.

I’m told having Tania Hird in the corner taking notes put some people off.

If the Dees lose this they should just pack up shop; AFL doesn’t have to be for everyone.

I’m pretty worried as a Dees fan. After all, Melbourne lost to Essendon in the NAB Challenge when the Dons were playing top up players, which were basically Melbourne’s cast offs.

Melbourne are returning from a game in Darwin and have often struggled the week after. Luckily they took the second half off last week so should be OK.

I’m going to go against tradition and one of my key rules for living and tip Melbourne but if Essendon win, I deserve everything I cop from Bombers fans

I like it, except the French wouldn't have him.

[Deecisive 1,709]

if its going to be wet then maybe leave howe out, as his marking is going to be impacted by the wet and he seldom does anything other than mark, so may as well play another small or mid size.

[picket fence 17,502]

I hope that Wisebloods reflection that this is a Danger Game for us does not hold true!?

Chezus we are coming of a loss, haven't won two in a row since God's dog was a pup!

Danger Game??

Lets SEEEERRRRRRRMASSSSSSSSSSSSSH THIS ABHORANT TEAM OF PUSILANIMOUS BLACK AND RED PUS!

[picket fence 17,502]

Ok heres my idea.

How about we trade you off to bomberblitz for a bag of spuds.

Haha in all serious i knew you couldn't handle yourself. You start a thread of complimenting how well he played against St Kilda and you mentioned you were willing to give him time. I said to you will be straight off the wagon once he puts in a poor game.

I knew you couldn't keep to your word. [censored] nuffy.

Edited July 8, 2015 by picket fence

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Gee you bit hard there Dazzle man, I only had 1 piece of dried out smelly bait on a small hook and I ended up with "Jonah"

Jonah was a dude INSIDE a whale.. you should have gone with 'Moby d.ick'... close though

Edited July 8, 2015 by Curry & Beer

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Got to keep ANB in, he is doing his job and will benefit more in the long term playing in the 1's. Gus appears fine and should play, I understand all the concern about Gus (and people suggesting resting Hogan again last week) but if they are right to play and there is no added risk, play your young guns. There is no point putting players who make a difference in cotton wool because we fear for the worst due to supporting MFC for years.

HL, Grimes and Vanders (start and sub off if he gets tired) to come in.

Bail, Spencer and Jones to come out.

JKH can wait and Spence is dropped due to expected wet conditions. If there was to be another change it'd have to be JKH for Stretch, but I'd prefer Stretch this week.

I kinda wished we had in hindsight....hindsight being 20/20 of course...

[junk 342]

Deeoldfart……. your statement about Vander is probably right The interesting fact Gaz was out for 11 weeks give or take one,he didn't return via the reserves,he is a champion but Vander is an extremely fit and should play seniors. Different clubs different logic!

In general

The mention of Harmes getting a promotion can only be achieved if he is upgraded from the Rookie list,the same applies to King,hopefully Harmes,King and Hunt get to play seniors….. the club should not make the mistake years ago whereby Mctaggart and someone else

were guarranteed a run in the 1sts according to then coach Neil Craig.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I hope that Wisebloods reflection that this is a Danger Game for us does not hold true!?

Chezus we are coming of a loss, haven't won two in a row since God's dog was a pup!

Danger Game??

Lets SEEEERRRRRRRMASSSSSSSSSSSSSH THIS ABHORANT TEAM OF PUSILANIMOUS BLACK AND RED PUS!

It IS true.

If we've learned anything as Melbourne supporters it's that this very game is the definition of a danger game for us. We simply cannot lose it under any circumstances, but if someone will find a way to do it, it will be us.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

It IS true.

If we've learned anything as Melbourne supporters it's that this very game is the definition of a danger game for us. We simply cannot lose it under any circumstances, but if someone will find a way to do it, it will be us.

Agree totally

There is no such thing as a non-danger game for us, we are usually the underdogs and on the odd occasion we are favourites (this is the first time this year, betting wise) we love to drop them. This is one of the worst vestiges of our recent history (it goes all the way back to the start of Daniher's tenure). If it happens again it will really hurt because it will introduce all sorts of doubt about whether we have moved up as a club at all under the new regime.

Shirting myself

[WhyAlwaysMe 237]

It IS true.

If we've learned anything as Melbourne supporters it's that this very game is the definition of a danger game for us. We simply cannot lose it under any circumstances, but if someone will find a way to do it, it will be us.

we lose these type of games because only a few can match the intensity, prime example in the 3rd Q against WCE when we strung a few together, you could see the very moment WCE say hello & change gears, game over in minutes.

regardless of our record against Bombers our best can't match Essendons best.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

Looking forward for us playing a danger game. Haven't played one for close to a decade.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

we lose these type of games because only a few can match the intensity, prime example in the 3rd Q against WCE when we strung a few together, you could see the very moment WCE say hello & change gears, game over in minutes.

regardless of our record against Bombers our best can't match Essendons best.

what you say is accurate in a number of games this year BUT there has also been many exceptions - all of our wins, and the losses to crows, pies and saints. That's 7 times out of 13 we have put in a 4qtr performance for mine.

[WhyAlwaysMe 237]

what you say is accurate in a number of games this year BUT there has also been many exceptions - all of our wins, and the losses to crows, pies and saints. That's 7 times out of 13 we have put in a 4qtr performance for mine.

im a hard marker for mine 4Q effort against Crows & Tigers, no complaints.

[Deespicable 2,886]

I loved Wiseblood's assessment of Essendon, except that given they've had a huge loss and hit a new low, there's going to be a call to arms and accountability and we unfortunately will cop plenty of heat early in the game - so whether we can cope with it is questionable and I certainly don't think a loss will stain us more than usual.

As to selections, I think Harry O is the only cert and the next player likely to come in is JKH, because he was 23rd last week and our small forwards (apart from Jeffy) were ordinary last week.

I suspect if Vanders is 100% OK, then he'll play as well, although given he's missed the past four weeks, it's ideal if he's the sub - minimising any risk.

My suspicion is that Grimes will have to return via the twos, not because I don't rate him, but because Roosy has this year shown a reluctance to play him, so why he would rush him back I don't feel is logical.

I reckon Roosy is going to be torn between Spencer, Dawes and Howey to drop for balance, but I reckon he'll take the easy option out and omit Spencil. My personal preference is to keep Spencil as it means we have a dominate ruck combo which is crucial to us having midfield clearance control. Dawes, after a good first half last week, had a shocking second half and I am starting to doubt his value - particularly when you see Spencer running as hard to make a tackle.

As to who goes out, am I the only one who didn't rate Jimmy T's game? Also to make room for JKH, one of Bail or Matt Jones has to go and I reckon Matt Jones's game for Cats will save him for another week.

Side:

In: Lumumba, JKH, vandenberg

Out: Dawes (my choice, but I realise it will be Spencer), Bail, Toumpas

B: Jetta Dunn Garland

HB: Lumumba T Mac Cross

C: Watts N.Jones Stretch

HF: Brayshaw Hogan JKH

F: Garlett Howe Spencer

R: Gawn Vince Viney

Int: Tyson, M.Jones, Neal-Bullen, vandenberg (sub)

23rd man: Fitzy

As to match-ups, the key one is obviously Bernie on Heppell. I'd be a bit worried about Goddard this game too after his sub-par game last week and Dom is ideal for him.

[whatwhat say what 22,947]

i wonder if they might run jones and heppell head to head, vince and viney to goddard and zaka respectively.

[rjay 25,088]

i wonder if they might run jones and heppell head to head, vince and viney to goddard and zaka respectively.

Heppell & Goddard are the ones to watch I would think 'Andrew'...

Not sure if Viney would be tall enough for either but given the conditions he might be just the one to get into Goddard's head.

I think Vince to Heppell is a monty, he seems to be one of the few who still has a go for the EFC.

[Adam The God 30,413]

what you say is accurate in a number of games this year BUT there has also been many exceptions - all of our wins, and the losses to crows, pies and saints. That's 7 times out of 13 we have put in a 4qtr performance for mine.

We played about ten minutes against St Kilda and about a quarter and a half against Collingwood. Disagree, mate. Our four wins are the only times we've got close to playing four quarters, although I'll admit we had a real dip against the Crows too and just couldn't kick the damn thing straight that day.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

i wonder if they might run jones and heppell head to head, vince and viney to goddard and zaka respectively.

I don't like jones as a run with player. It has been tried before unsuccessfully more times than not.

[McQueen 17,867]

Viney will go to Stanton and there will be new material for the 'made me cry' thread.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

We played about ten minutes against St Kilda and about a quarter and a half against Collingwood. Disagree, mate. Our four wins are the only times we've got close to playing four quarters, although I'll admit we had a real dip against the Crows too and just couldn't kick the damn thing straight that day.

hard marker

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Viney will go to Stanton and there will be new material for the 'made me cry' thread.

as you and others have outlined, based on the year to date, it appears as though we should be able to comfortably negate their modest midfield. The Vince/Viney/Jones trio has shown on many occasions they can limit the opposition's best mids while dealing large amounts of damage themselves. They've done it consistently against far better opposition than this. I have a feeling Hoges will enjoy a day of plentiful, quality supply to bring him back from the rough one he had last week. We should be right on top in this one.

[biggestred 5,138]

The weather will be awful so it will literally be about who wants it more.