Just wanting to know who will be rested/is injured, does anyone know any definites aside from White? I'm particularly interested to know if Beamer will be playing.

Cheers

ND said no Chook, Beamer, TJ, Flash, White on 3AW.

ND said no Chook, Beamer, TJ, Flash, White on 3AW.

You could add Bartram (ankle), Sylvia (OP), Wheatley (no idea) and maybe Neita (rested?) to that too.

Looking forward to seeing a totally different team on Sunday. Very exciting!

i want to see all the young kids have a go and atm that looks extremely likely with the resting of crucial players with injuries...

can't believe its here already. I'm sure it will be a full young list, and there's sure to be a big suprise packet, there always is.

I'll never forget the first time i saw Davey rip it up in the flesh, that NAB prelim where we went down to the cats by a point at the dome.

I can't imagine i'll ever feel that good after a 1 point lose again.

It will certainly be good to see all the young guys coming through to play on sunday, it will be good to see.

This will show us who has potential to make it into the big time

Cant wait

That's a fair slew of players I expected to play. Really sad about Moloney. Apart from all the project players we may not see until next year, I was looking forward to seeing him in the flesh for the first time in a couple of years (for me).

Just a rough 22 with those absences.

B: Weetra, Carroll, Frawley

HB: Bell, Rivers, C. Johnson

C: Green, Jones, Bate

HF: Pickett, Miller, Dunn

FF: Newton, Robertson, Hughes

Ruck: Jamar, McDonald, Bruce

Int: Bizzell, Buckley, Ferguson, PJ, Warnock, Neaves.

That's an enormously young side. If they're serious they'll put Whelan, and maybe Holland, Brown, Ward or Godfrey in for one or two of the younger guys. Also i have 3 tall defender on the bench. This is a very rough 22, and those 3 are players I want to see get around soon. Realistically though, they won't play Bizzell, Ferg AND Warnock on the same bench.

Whelan, Neitz, Holland and Yze to keep old bodies on ice. Yze at very least to return next week regardless of result.

Brown and Hayes could swap with a wide variety of players. Brown for perhaps one of the 3 tall defenders on the bench. Hayes with Hughes. A Davey-less lineup may warrant ND selecting him in his place, which might be interesting.

Godfrey, Neville and Bode all not first preference.

Ward... who knows?

So I've counted there as injured, White, Brock, Moloney, Trav, Davey, Bartram, Sylvia and Wheatley. That's a fair few THIS early.

Just a rough 22 with those absences.

B: Weetra, Carroll, Frawley

HB: Bell, Rivers, C. Johnson

C: Green, Jones, Bate

HF: Pickett, Miller, Dunn

FF: Newton, Robertson, Hughes

Ruck: Jamar, McDonald, Bruce

Int: Bizzell, Buckley, Ferguson, PJ, Warnock, Neaves.

THe most salient feature of the side selected is that is has NO facility for midfield rotation of any sort.

Both of PJ and Neaves surely won't play. Your multiple defensive options will have to make way for some run.

B: Whelan, Carroll, Frawley

HB: Bell, Rivers, Ward

C: C. Johnson, Jones, Bate

HF: Pickett, Miller, Dunn

FF: Green, Robertson, Godfrey

Ruck: Jamar, McDonald, Bruce

Int: Bizzell, Buckley, PJ, Hayes. Weetra.

I thought Dogga Brown played well early and is close to a playing but I could not fit him in. Newton needs to show he wants to play before he deserves a further opportunity.

So I've counted there as injured, White, Brock, Moloney, Trav, Davey, Bartram, Sylvia and Wheatley. That's a fair few THIS early.

I rather be fit in September, not March or April again.

A lot of these players would have played if Sunday was an important game. It isn't.

Also, unless one of Neaves/Jamar/PJ play as a permanent forward on Sunday, there is no way we could play all 3. I hope to see them all in action during the pre-season though, esepcially Neaves.

All I want is for Jared Rivers to be played at true centre half back, on the oppositons best tall forward

Surely it is time?

Neitz will be playing on Sunday.

FF: Green, Robertson, Godfrey

Godfrey in the forward pocket Rhino?????

Godfrey in the forward pocket Rhino?????

Brocky,

It was a combination of lack of preferred smalls that are fit and a feeling that the poor blighter was so short of a gallop that he needs to get his puff back.

Not my best selection but I should have offered the following qualification (Players may not line up as selected!!!)

Good news about Neitz. hardly got out of a trot yesterday so it would be reasonable for him to play! Yze should play as well....could not he injured now:

In: Neitz, Yze,

Out: Bizz, Hayes

B: Whelan, Carroll, Frawley

HB: Bell, Rivers, Ward

C: C. Johnson, Jones, Bate

HF: Pickett, Miller, Dunn

FF: Robertson, Neitz, Yze

Ruck: Jamar, McDonald, Bruce

Int: Green, Buckley, Godders, Hayes. Weetra.

Rhino I think Bizzell will be one of the first selected, as will Brown. We must use the NAB Cup to evaluate the merits of these players and whether they are past their used by date or not.

Weetra and Hayes will not play IMO. Their time is definately in front of them. We know where they stand.

We don't know about Bizzell and Brown.

BTW, I don't know why Godders needs a gallop. AFAIK he's had an uninterupted preseason.

BTW, I don't know why Godders needs a gallop. AFAIK he's had an uninterupted preseason.

Godders had an operation (spurs removed from his ankle) and missed a bit of pre-season -

http://melbournefc.com.au/default.asp?pg=n...rticleid=314722

Godders had an operation (spurs removed from his ankle) and missed a bit of pre-season -

http://melbournefc.com.au/default.asp?pg=n...rticleid=314722

Thanks Kev, I didn't know.

This from the article "Godfrey missed first two weeks of the pre-season after an operation to clean up bone spurs in an ankle that became "a nuisance" towards the end of last season. He also underwent surgery on his wrist."

I'm not sure missing the first 2 weeks would effect Godders all that much given he's one of the fittest blokes at the club.

B: Whelan Carroll Frawley

HB: Bell Rivers CJ

C: Green McDonald Brown

HF: Dunn Miller Bate

F: Pickett Robertson Yze

R: Jamar Bruce Jones

INT: Bizzell Buckley PJ Ward Godfrey (one of Holland/Ferg/Warnock)

Would like some younger midfielders in there but McLean, Sylvia, Moloney, Petterd (probably) and Bartram are out. Older blokes like Ward, Brown and Godders are therefore needed to fill the void. You can't go too tall in the NAB Cup - it will be hot and you need plenty of runners.

The other option is to go really young and play Weetra or Hayes instead of Brown/Ward/Godders. From only a glimpse yesterday, Hayes does not look ready. Weetra showed a little bit but I don't know whether he is at a "Bartram" stage to play straight away.

I see no point in playing Neitz, other than for structural reasons. He never has a big pre-season and does not really need the extra game. If he does play, I'd drop Miller to the bench and remove Holland/Ferg/Warnock.

B: Whelan Carroll Frawley

HB: Bell Rivers CJ

I love the look of that starting backline Scoop.

Godfrey in the forward pocket Rhino?????

Brocky,

It was a combination of lack of preferred smalls that are fit and a feeling that the poor blighter was so short of a gallop that he needs to get his puff back.

Not my best selection but I should have offered the following qualification (Players may not line up as selected!!!)

Good news about Neitz. hardly got out of a trot yesterday so it would be reasonable for him to play! Yze should play as well....could not he injured now:

In: Neitz, Yze,

Out: Bizz, Hayes

B: Whelan, Carroll, Frawley

HB: Bell, Rivers, Ward

C: C. Johnson, Jones, Bate

HF: Pickett, Miller, Dunn

FF: Robertson, Neitz, Yze

Ruck: Jamar, McDonald, Bruce

Int: Green, Buckley, Godders, Hayes. Weetra.

just reading the melbourne website. White will be playing on Sunday!

just reading the melbourne website. White will be playing on Sunday!

Thats interesting

I let the others make up a possible team that will play on sunday

THe most salient feature of the side selected is that is has NO facility for midfield rotation of any sort.

Both of PJ and Neaves surely won't play. Your multiple defensive options will have to make way for some run.

Can you tell how much time I spent on my 24? Very astute C.

Int: Bizzell, Buckley, PJ, Hayes. Weetra.

Don't forget, the bench is 6 players. Have I got that right?

Also, unless one of Neaves/Jamar/PJ play as a permanent forward on Sunday, there is no way we could play all 3. I hope to see them all in action during the pre-season though, esepcially Neaves.

Nail on the head there J. If White doesn't play, then of the 3 others only Neaves is solely a ruckman at this stage. I reckon it's imperative that he get a quick taste for the real thing NOW, since barring tragedy he won't play this year. I want him to get some idea of what the pace is like, and change his game accordingly. And I would disagree VEHEMENTLY with anyone who reckons a 24-man NAB cup side Can't run around with PJ (backline or forwardline), Jamar (Gorilla forward) and Neaves, given their particular flexibilities. I'm willing to wager a slab with you, J, that all 3 will be selected in match 1. Probably won't come to fruition, but I hope it does.

Oh, and that's a slab of breezers, naturally...

Neitz will be playing on Sunday.

Yeah. I remember last year he needed the NAB cup to get up and running. So while I expect him to get less than 6 touches, it's vital that he gets that old body ready for all that punishment that's on its way. Remember he was one player that was partially responsible for the first 3 losses?

just reading the melbourne website. White will be playing on Sunday!

I read that article as "White is ok to play on Sunday." Not "White WILL play on Sunday." Happy to be wrong of course.

I'm willing to wager a slab with you, J, that all 3 will be selected in match 1. Probably won't come to fruition, but I hope it does.

Oh, and that's a slab of breezers, naturally...

White + PJ + Jamar + Neaves?

It's not going to happen.

I look forward to my slab... and please, none of this cordial stuff. I want beer thanks!

Both David Neitz and Neale Daniher stated emphatically that our skipper would be playing on Sunday at the Family Day.

I think we can put to rest any doubts over his starting status....