I hope Garlett is right to play against his old side. He'd love to perform well against them.

Last year these players lined up for Melbourne:

Grimes, Newton, Michie, Dunn, Cross, Salem, Dawes, Neal-Bullen, Howe, Garland, Lumumba

They've been replaced by:

Tyson, Bugg, O. McDonald, Jetta, Kent, Oliver, Hunt, vandenBerg, Petracca, Frost, Pedersen

Half the team will be different.  Salem is the only 'in' I'd like.

While others talk themselves into being nervous about this game due to last year's result I take solace in the fact that we're a completely different team with loads more talent, a different game-plan and something on the line.

I expect the Dees to win comfortably (although we all know what can happen).

4 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Last year these players lined up for Melbourne:

Grimes, Newton, Michie, Dunn, Cross, Salem, Dawes, Neal-Bullen, Howe, Garland, Lumumba

They've been replaced by:

Tyson, Bugg, O. McDonald, Jetta, Kent, Oliver, Hunt, vandenBerg, Petracca, Frost, Pedersen

Half the team will be different.  Salem is the only 'in' I'd like.

While others talk themselves into being nervous about this game due to last year's result I take solace in the fact that we're a completely different team with loads more talent, a different game-plan and something on the line.

I expect the Dees to win comfortably (although we all know what can happen).

There is no need for the last bracketed comment ProDee

The rest is perfect.

32 minutes ago, ProDee said:

While others talk themselves into being nervous...

I expect the Dees to win comfortably (although we all know what can happen).

Hedge those bets...

 

Melbourne by 10 goals...at worst

There is blood in the water, these boys are hungry.  I expect another good win.

Just saw this is a replacement game so members get in for free. Will be there with bells on!

If we go down here the bloody media will be saying that, (even though we haven't been) all they could think about was next week and finals, so no pressure and no mucking around.

Another FOUR quarter performance, nothing less. Most important penultimate non final game for us for quite a while.

Special reasons to win, including last year. We owe....

 

Only change I would like to see would be none

 

Argy Bargy   thought it was along the lines of others pithy comments, obviously Moonie is protected species

Edited August 16, 20169 yr by Satyriconhome
Removed the moonshadow v stuie v Saty argy bargy and related posts

I think Garlett's the only question mark, Roos was speaking about how there are even contributors across the board and that we're playing as a team. You don't want to break that mix if you can help it. 

While i have a bit of MFCS coming onto me I think the win and the way we did it against port can't be underestimated. The team is winning and wants to keep winning. 

Carlton have had good parts to this year but like us last year are showing signs of just being over it and wanting the season to end. If we get the first two goals quickly, it could turn into a big win. Conversely if we take an attitude like we did against Essendon we could be caught on the back foot. 

I'm confident we have learned from our mistakes earlier in the year. 

For me if Garlett doesn't get up its JKH or BenKen who comes in. That really and truly sucks for ANB because who's had a stellar year at Casey (surely going to win the B&F or poll the highest for a Melbourne player) but team balance is more important and it makes more sense to bring in one of JKH or BenKen. 

Edited August 16, 20169 yr by Pates

I can see Salem forcing his way in. JKH continues to show strong VFL form but with finals on the line i'm sure the changes will be minimal 

Get the Weed back in! Deserves his spot after the Hawks game 

4 hours ago, Deespicable said:

Effectively we are now gearing up for our Rd 23 final against Geelong, so I can't see much change happening in next two weeks, but we will find out a few things about club player assessment.

 

I would be mortified if we are focusing our attention beyond on this week. The Blues have had a knack of beating us no matter how well we are doing or how badly they're going.

We will absolutely murder this lot.

58 minutes ago, Ricky P said:

We will absolutely murder this lot.

'cn hope so

Guys is this a crazy idea:

- we need to maximise the chance of us winning the Geelong game in 2 weeks

- last year we played them with Gawn and Spencer.  Both played well but in hindsight it became the Gawn breakout game, and they reverted to 1 ruck

- 2 rucks would allow us to leave Watts forward

- Spencer is in great form for Casey

- a rested Max could create even more havoc for opposition

- if we are to do it we should try it this week

- Spencer for Pedo?

30 minutes ago, Razor said:

Guys is this a crazy idea:

- we need to maximise the chance of us winning the Geelong game in 2 weeks

- last year we played them with Gawn and Spencer.  Both played well but in hindsight it became the Gawn breakout game, and they reverted to 1 ruck

- 2 rucks would allow us to leave Watts forward

- Spencer is in great form for Casey

- a rested Max could create even more havoc for opposition

- if we are to do it we should try it this week

- Spencer for Pedo?

People keep suggesting this. Gawn is the form ruck of the comp. We want him in the guts for 90% of the time. You don't need to play two out and out rucks if one of them is going to be rucking the vast majority of the day.

So then it comes down to who is better playing forward - Pedo or spencil. Pretty easy choice.

6 hours ago, willmoy said:

Special reasons to win, including last year. We owe....

We owe indeed.

4 hours ago, Razor said:

Guys is this a crazy idea:

- we need to maximise the chance of us winning the Geelong game in 2 weeks

- last year we played them with Gawn and Spencer.  Both played well but in hindsight it became the Gawn breakout game, and they reverted to 1 ruck

- 2 rucks would allow us to leave Watts forward

- Spencer is in great form for Casey

- a rested Max could create even more havoc for opposition

- if we are to do it we should try it this week

- Spencer for Pedo?

For now the Watts experiment is working and we have Pedo in there currently to back them up, if one of Watts, Pedo or Hogan was hurt I would strongly think about it though. Play him as a bean pole forward/ruck.

I don't think we can take an attitude of resting or preparing for Geelong. We had that sort of cavalier attitude for Essendon and it could well cost us finals, it's a cliche but one week at a time. Focus and prepare for Carlton as if we are playing Hawthorn again come out with all guns blazing.

I don't think Garlett will play so the changes I would like would be:

OUT:  Garlett, Pederson, Harmes

IN:   JKH, Weideman, Salem

i think that is getting close to our long term line up, although I personally would like us to play Spencer and Gawn in the same team, and play Max more forward than he does now. I think it is better balanced. 

It will be interesting to see whether they do that next week, particularly if the race for the eight is still alive.

3 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

I don't think Garlett will play so the changes I would like would be:

OUT:  Garlett, Pederson, Harmes

IN:   JKH, Weideman, Salem

i think that is getting close to our long term line up, although I personally would like us to play Spencer and Gawn in the same team, and play Max more forward than he does now. I think it is better balanced. 

It will be interesting to see whether they do that next week, particularly if the race for the eight is still alive.

Not going to happen I would think.

2 underdone players and one kid who is yet to build any endurance...along with Oliver still building a base.

Even Carlton would be salivating over this prospect.

10 minutes ago, rjay said:

Not going to happen I would think.

2 underdone players and one kid who is yet to build any endurance...along with Oliver still building a base.

Even Carlton would be salivating over this prospect.

Agreed.  Garlett, Pedersen and Harmes played 85, 82 and 86% TOG respectively.  We've already got Oliver, Stretch, Kent and Brayshaw who regularly play in the 60-75% range.  I think the last thing we need to be doing is adding too many players with question marks over their ability to run out a game.  

For me, if Garlett is injured, Kennedy is the replacement.  Notwithstanding JKH's good couple of weeks, Kennedy has been playing well in the VFL for longer, is fit, and has demonstrated AFL ability at times this year.  With our season suddenly getting serious, I wouldn't be taking any risks.

I'd consider Weideman for Pedersen, but I'm far from convinced and would be happy either way.  No other changes to a winning formula for me.  

For the first time in a very long time I am genuinely sad for players who are missing games because they can't break into the team despite very good VFL form.

It's great.

Edited August 16, 20169 yr by Clint Bizkit

8 hours ago, Razor said:

Guys is this a crazy idea:

- we need to maximise the chance of us winning the Geelong game in 2 weeks

- last year we played them with Gawn and Spencer.  Both played well but in hindsight it became the Gawn breakout game, and they reverted to 1 ruck

- 2 rucks would allow us to leave Watts forward

- Spencer is in great form for Casey

- a rested Max could create even more havoc for opposition

- if we are to do it we should try it this week

- Spencer for Pedo?

The only advantage Spencer will have over Pedersen is that he'll be able to keep his head above water a little longer. Sunday is going to be the third wet day in a row. Rather than bringing in Spencer (or Weideman) for Pedersen I suspect the better question might be whether we keep Pedersen at all because of the expected conditions. 

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Pedersen and Garlett (if injured) out and two of Kennedy, M Jones and Neal-Bullen in.

Kennedy for Garlett, unless there are other injuries.