Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

I have been looking at best 22s for the upcoming season. With the addition of Lewis and possibly Melksham to the midfield group, is there room for both Gus and Clarry in the side?

I'm interested in people's thoughts regarding our starting midfield...

Posted

This is a AFL.com peice from the Dees website but I do agree with it. Obviously you could swap some positions around but I reckon the 22 are right. Some people have Pedo over Weids but I think we need to get more games into Weids.

B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Michael Hibberd
HB: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Christian Salem
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince
HF: Dean Kent, Sam Weideman, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
R: Max Gawn, Jordan Lewis, Jack Viney
INT: Jake Melksham, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Cam Pedersen
EMERG: Tomas Bugg, James Harmes, Sam Frost

  • Like 2

Posted
5 minutes ago, Deeztroy said:

This is a AFL.com peice from the Dees website but I do agree with it. Obviously you could swap some positions around but I reckon the 22 are right. Some people have Pedo over Weids but I think we need to get more games into Weids.

B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Michael Hibberd
HB: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Christian Salem
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince
HF: Dean Kent, Sam Weideman, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
R: Max Gawn, Jordan Lewis, Jack Viney
INT: Jake Melksham, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Cam Pedersen
EMERG: Tomas Bugg, James Harmes, Sam Frost

Yep all those midfielders will rotate

  • Like 1
Posted
1 hour ago, Steve13 said:

I have been looking at best 22s for the upcoming season. With the addition of Lewis and possibly Melksham to the midfield group, is there room for both Gus and Clarry in the side?

I'm interested in people's thoughts regarding our starting midfield...

I think so. They have a point of difference as mids (Brayshaw - good vision and skills; Oliver - super hands and clearance ability) and, if fit, they are both absolutely AFL standard players.

 

Posted

Throw in Petracca I'm not sure there was in 2016 but this year there should be.

Gus looks to have made good strides with his fitness and hopefully this calf injury clears up. If that's the case he'll contribute as a half forward, on ball and probably rotate to a wing. 

Clarry didn't look in great knick when he came back but seems to have tightened up and if he's improved enough to get his time on ground up over 70% he'll be in the team for sure. 

Tracc isn't the fittest guy around just yet but this time last year he was in rehab for his foot injury after his knee recovery. We'll need him more as a forward and he won't be ready for big midfield minutes but he should be fitter and have a bigger match fitness base this year. I'm sure there's times when his work rate drops off but around the ball his defensive work was really strong in year 1. I hope he steps that up.

All 3 need to be developed the right way - manage their bodies, focus on developing attacking and defensive games etc but they should be able to play in the same side.

  • Like 5

Posted
1 hour ago, Deeztroy said:

This is a AFL.com peice from the Dees website but I do agree with it. Obviously you could swap some positions around but I reckon the 22 are right. Some people have Pedo over Weids but I think we need to get more games into Weids.

B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Michael Hibberd
HB: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Christian Salem
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince
HF: Dean Kent, Sam Weideman, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
R: Max Gawn, Jordan Lewis, Jack Viney
INT: Jake Melksham, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Cam Pedersen
EMERG: Tomas Bugg, James Harmes, Sam Frost

Parrk!!! Frost gotta be better than Oscar at CHB!

  • Like 2

Posted
23 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Parrk!!! Frost gotta be better than Oscar at CHB!

Frost better than Oscar??? No chance.  Frost couldn't hit the side of a barn 

  • Like 1
Posted

The competition for spots is refreshing.

Weid v Pedo

Oscar v Frost

Garlett-Kent (when fit)-JKH, throw in Dion Johnstone

Mids battling for position.

 

  • Like 8
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Danelska said:

I fear for AVB :(

I think it was Macca who said of AVB that when he's up and running we usually win... 

I'm a fan and reckon he's our player most like and likely to follow the Swan's Kennedy's path and heights as a big bullocking mid who hunts the ball and player, hurts when he can both on body and the scoreboard. 

Edited by PaulRB
  • Like 3
Posted
4 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

I think it was Macca who said of AVB that when he's up and running we usually win... 

I'm a fan and reckon he's our player most like and likely to follow the Swan's Kennedy's path and heights as a big bullocking mid who hunts the ball and player, hurts when he can both on body and the scoreboard. 

That's a fair wrap. 

I'm not sure he's got that ceiling. I like him as a forward line pressure/enforcer type who also has the ability to crash through and create something on the ground or take a mark in the air. Against the Hawks in our signature win last year he made Gibson defend him which mean Pedersen and Weid could get one on ones. If he's fitter and healthier this year then he can go in to the midfield as a change up.

  • Like 2

Posted
2 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I think so. They have a point of difference as mids (Brayshaw - good vision and skills; Oliver - super hands and clearance ability) and, if fit, they are both absolutely AFL standard players.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Wasn't he the one that kicked the ball from the wing to the centre for a shocking turnover against the Saints (or the Dogs)?

Posted

Personally, I think Brayshaw has some of the outside mid traits and abilities we need. People are too quick to put him in the 'inside-mid' category but the kid has a good step on him and the smarts to find the pill. 

That coupled with his concussion history, I say give him licence to run and give options rather than battle it out at the stoppages.

  • Like 6

Posted

Agreed Steve,

Let Oliver,Petracca,Jones,Viney,Lewis control the middle.

Brayshaw looks best charging through from the backline.

Will be interesting to see if Bernie can even hold down a spot.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, jnrmac said:

I'm not so sure about that. Wasn't he the one that kicked the ball from the wing to the centre for a shocking turnover against the Saints (or the Dogs)?

Against that, remember the game in his first season in which he set up Garlett for two break away goals in about 3 minutes, and the game against Geelong (I think) in which he took a fine intercept mark/pick up off half back, bullocked through the midfield then delivered it nicely into the forward line.

In short, I think he has good vision. He's a natural footballer. Last season he just looked knackered (presumably due to concussions), which probably affected his decisioning and ability to execute cleanly etc.

 

Edited by Ron Burgundy
  • Like 4

Posted
5 hours ago, Biffen said:

Agreed Steve,

Let Oliver,Petracca,Jones,Viney,Lewis control the middle.

Brayshaw looks best charging through from the backline.

Will be interesting to see if Bernie can even hold down a spot.

Firstly if they are 100% then yes to both Gus and Clarrie.

Was also going to say Bernie is one for mine who may be making way as the year moves on if he doesn't improve on his end of 2016 form.

This stage Kent unlikely for rnd 1, Tyson coming off knee issues and Salem really needs to prove himself in the preseason comp.

So refreshing to have competition for spots.

Posted
10 hours ago, jnrmac said:

I'm not so sure about that. Wasn't he the one that kicked the ball from the wing to the centre for a shocking turnover against the Saints (or the Dogs)?

It was against the Hawks in our great win. Gunston swooped in to spoil and strolled forward for an easy goal.

What made that worse was that there should have been a 50 metre penalty to us which would have put Brayshaw within easy range.

  • Like 4
Posted
7 hours ago, Biffen said:

Agreed Steve,

Let Oliver,Petracca,Jones,Viney,Lewis control the middle.

Brayshaw looks best charging through from the backline.

Will be interesting to see if Bernie can even hold down a spot.

Vince's second half in 2016 was poor. There may be good reasons for that and if he's back to (or near) his best he needs to play, but not in the backline. He looks out of place there. But I fear that age might have caught up with him in which case he may struggle for game time.

19 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Frost moving back to the backline (where he should never have left) made both McDonald brothers much better.

They aren't competing for spots.

I can't see how we wouldn't play three talls. All of Frost and the Macs are mobile. And if one of them is unable to play, I would expect Garland or Wagner to take their place, or Pedersen if we need a particularly strong body. I envisage a team of three tall defenders (Frost and the McDonalds) and four small defenders (Hibberd, Jetta, Hunt and either Salem/Harmes/Melksham, depending on other needs). Those seven players allow for the necessary rotations with the four small defenders also spending some time on the wings.

  • Like 2

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 4

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...