PREGAME: MS02 vs Hawthorn

[FireInTheBennelly 4,022]

2 minutes ago, dworship said:

Thanks, I really hope it's nothing. I have been impressed with him in the 2 games I've seen

Agreed

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

8 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Jetta played 66% game time and whilst the ball movement was quick there didn't seem to be a lot of two way running, I doubt he was overly taxed. 

I'd play 8 defenders and give them all a good rotation but I think the more interesting selection drama is at the other end of the ground.

In round 1 we can probably only play at most 3 of T Mc, Weid, Brown or Jackson and can probably only play 3 or 4 of Vanders, Jones (unless half back), ANB, Spargo, Pickett and possibly C Wags or Bedford. There's going to be a battle for spots on Friday.

 

There is the depth available. Any combination of that depth, minus OMac, will be effective for absolute defence, attack from defence and run from defence to the midfield.

[Pates 9,536]

I think Dees fans are going to collectively groan a few times this season because I suspect OMac will still be featuring in quite a few games. FWIW I think he’s serviceable as the second tall defender with May taking the FF and Lever acting as interceptor. 

It’s really good to see that leading into the final practice match we have competition for spots in almost all areas of the ground. 

With May and Gawn coming back from injuries I would imagine they may only play a half, if that’s the case I hope Bradtke gets a really good go. 

[Blistering 490]

Stay tuned for the announcement of the squad?

[ben russell 764]

1 minute ago, Blistering said:

Stay tuned for the announcement of the squad?

Squad announced tonight.

[Diamond_Jim 11,674]

1 hour ago, Pates said:

It’s really good to see that leading into the final practice match we have competition for spots in almost all areas of the ground. 

Most of the 22 pick themselves but here are a few of interest.

Weid v Mitch Brown (should be Weid but he needs to pull up the proverbial socks)

ANB v Spargo... who knows

AVB v??? (remains to be seen if form will continue.Before the sustained run of injuries his form in 2017or whenever he played regularly last was up and down)

Petty... is there a spot for him

Jones...will he keep his spot

[Marty 419]

12 hours ago, dworship said:

Thanks, I really hope it's nothing. I have been impressed with him in the 2 games I've seen

Same here! I’m sure he will be keen to have a run on his old home ground.

[loges 6,002]

31 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Most of the 22 pick themselves but here are a few of interest.

Weid v Mitch Brown (should be Weid but he needs to pull up the proverbial socks)

ANB v Spargo... who knows

AVB v??? (remains to be seen if form will continue.Before the sustained run of injuries his form in 2017or whenever he played regularly last was up and down)

Petty... is there a spot for him

Jones...will he keep his spot

Reckon they'll go with Weideman maybe with Brown on the bench. Wedeman on borrowed time I reckon. People keep saying he'll be great when he starts clunking his marks, well when will he? AVB one of the first picked.

[hemingway 7,583]

Not so concerned about the result but rather what we see that is a portend for the season.

Is there a discernible game plan?

Are any of our new recruits and/or any of our young players from 2019 going to step up?

Will our potential stars (Petracca etc) show that they have arrived?

Will our older experienced (slower) players show anything or will it be more of the same?

Do we have enough run and carry, pressure on the ball carriers etc?

Are our disposal skills (kicking) good enough to compete at the highest level?

As per 2019, are there still discernible gaps in the line-up ? 

In short, do we show that we have improved significantly over 2019 ?

Because our first half dozen games are going to test us.  We do not have time to ease into the season. 

We have to come out from game one and be able to maintain a high level of consistency for the full season. 

[Diamond_Jim 11,674]

23 minutes ago, hemingway said:

We have to come out from game one and be able to maintain a high level of consistency for the full season. 

Ernest.... we have never done that post 64 even in the years we made the GF.

Perhaps this year might be different (especially as they have moved your old mate the Generalissimo out of his resting place)

[hemingway 7,583]

9 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Ernest.... we have never done that post 64 even in the years we made the GF.

Perhaps this year might be different (especially as they have moved your old mate the Generalissimo out of his resting place)

Oh no, Jim, the reality check. My post probably underlines my anxiety over the first few games.

There were some redeeming features about the civil war. Particularly the wine and the women. Although no one came close to Martha.   

Franco was a monster very much like the Donald. No charm or tact. Unlike Musso who had great charm even when he was killing people.

[Deemented Are Go! 3,581]

Just got off a plane from Sydney which was turning into a flight to Tassie. Entire squad and staff milling about as I got into terminal. Offered a ‘carn Dees’ to the group on way past, received a smile and thumbs up from Jake Lever. 
 

dees by 4 goals 

[Demonland 64,387]

5 minutes ago, Deemented Are Go! said:

Just got off a plane from Sydney which was turning into a flight to Tassie. Entire squad and staff milling about as I got into terminal. Offered a ‘carn Dees’ to the group on way past, received a smile and thumbs up from Jake Lever. 
 

dees by 4 goals 

You should have said Happy Birthday to Lever (and Marty Hore).

Who was there and just as importantly who was missing?

[Deemented Are Go! 3,581]

Just now, Demonland said:

You should have said Happy Birthday to Lever (and Marty Hore).

Who was there and just as importantly who was missing?

Ahh, those two were walking together, maybe they celebrated with a pre-flight lunch together. 
I’m actually now rushing to another business meeting, so didn’t have time to do a Saty. 
Who I saw: 

May, Lever, Hore, Gus, Harmes, Max, Lockhart (I think), ANB, Milkshake, weed..that’s all I can recall, there were obviously more. 
also saw Darren burgess drop his laptop rushing through security 

[dazzledavey36 48,641]

Looks like Mitch Brown did not make the trip over..

[Deemented Are Go! 3,581]

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Looks like Mitch Brown did not make the trip over..

Please don’t go off my report, dazzle, I didn’t get to do a proper head count! 

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

On 3/3/2020 at 6:36 PM, Demonland said:

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Harley Bennell	Calf	TBC
Kade Chandler	Wrist	1-2 weeks
Kyle Dunkley	Foot	Test
Max Gawn	Knee	Test
Mitch Hannan	Groin	TBC
Kade Kolodjashnij	Concussion	TBC
Steven May	Knee	Test
Nathan Jones	Corked shin	Available
Harry Petty	Groin	TBC
Braydon Preuss	Knee	5-7 weeks
Updated: Tuesday, March 3

Early prognosis

The Demons have a few that are a while away with Bennell and Preuss working their way back from lengthy complaints, although the former has stepped up training in an encouraging sign he might finally be putting his calf issues behind him. Gawn and May are expected to play this week against Hawthorn while mystery surrounds Joel Smith's fitness, given his absence from the first two pre-season hitouts. – Jennifer Phelan

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Jack Gunston	Ankle	2-3 weeks
Blake Hardwick	Chest	12 weeks
Dan Howe	Foot	Indefinite
Jarman Impey	Knee	Indefinite
Jacob Koschitzke	AC joint	4 weeks
Ben McEvoy	Corked thigh	Test
Dylan Moore	Hip/groin	Test
Josh Morris	Knee	5-6 weeks
Tim O'Brien	Eye	Test
Updated: Tuesday, March 3

Early prognosis

Hardwick's pectoral muscle rupture from last Friday night's practice match against St Kilda at Morwell means the Hawks will miss one of their most valued players for an extended period. Impey and Howe won't help fill that void, because both are also out for the foreseeable future. Of greatest interest in the short term is whether Gunston can make it to the start line for round one after pre-Christmas surgery. McEvoy and O'Brien should be fine to take part in Hawthorn's Marsh Community Series finale on Friday night. – Marc McGowan

is the game telecast anywhere? TV and/or radio. 

[chook fowler 18,170]

Smith is a real mystery. Maybe his foot is concussed.

[GoingGoingGawn 36]

37 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

is the game telecast anywhere? TV and/or radio. 

Fox footy / Kayo 

[pineapple dee 2,892]

19 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Frost will probably have a disposal efficiency of 98% both times we meet this year.

What’s that thing about Murphy’s law?

 

Aren't we hoping that Frost's disposal will be similar to what it often was when he was wearing our jumper ??? 

That should give us some repeat entries and a chance to score higher.

[Deeoldfart 7,710]

With this being the last full team hit-out against serious opposition before R1, I'm hoping to get some good insights into our probable R1 team, and a game plan that reflects the way we want to play in 2020.  I already have a touch of nervous anticipation.  Hope I'm not disappointed, and of course, no injuries please.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,100]

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Looks like Mitch Brown did not make the trip over..

Wouldn't be surprised if they don't select him this week.

He's already had 2 games and they probably want to see T Mac and Weid operate the forward line without Brown.

I could be wrong but I reckon Brown doesn't play round 1. T Mac and Weid as our key forwards with Weid relieving Gawn in the ruck. I think having T Mac, Weid and Brown in the same forward line makes us too top heavy, particularly on a 30 degree arvo when we'll need lots of run and inside 50 forward pressure.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,100]

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

Smith is a real mystery. Maybe his foot is concussed.

Only Smith would cop a cut foot and still be in rehab 10 weeks later.

99.9% of other players would be back in full training a week later.

Starting to think he's cursed.

[Wells 11 4,649]

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

Smith is a real mystery. Maybe his foot is concussed.

His dad has been very unwell by all reports so perhaps his abcense is related..but Im guessing. 

[Slartibartfast 15,724]

5 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Ernest.... we have never done that post 64 even in the years we made the GF.

Perhaps this year might be different (especially as they have moved your old mate the Generalissimo out of his resting place)

Sorry Diamond but this sort of self pity and woe is me post really gets up my goat.

1987  12wins and a preliminary final

1988  13 wins and GF

1989  14 wins

1990  16 wins

1991 13 wins

1992 7 wins

1993  10 wins

1994  12 wins and a preliminary

1995 - 1997 a wipe out

1998 14 wins and PF

2000  14 wins GF

2002  12 wins

2004 14 wins

2005  12 wins

2006 13.5 wins

and then it turned to crap which corresponsed to a period of terrible governance.  So yes, from 2007 to now we bee awful but from 1987 to 2006 we were pretty consistent and did plenty right, unless of course you want to play the victim and say we "didn't win a flag". We played finals in 15 of those 20 years.  That's pretty consistent.

I get so sick of people wanting to feel sorry for themselves.