Selectors swing the axe

[Pinball Wizard 273]

The MFC selectors have reacted savagely to the team's disappointing defeat at the hands of Adelaide in Mout Gambier last week.

They have swung the axe and made seven changes including bringing back skipper David Neitz for this week's Richmond clash.

Travis Johnstone, Russell Robertson, Byron Pickett, Nathan Carroll, Daniel Ward, Nathan Brown and David Neitz have been included in the provisional squad.

Matthew Warnock is out injured (ankle) while Simon Godfrey, Paul Johnson, Daniel Hughes, Heath Neville, Ricky Petterd and Colin Garland have been left out and will most likely line up for Sandringham in a practice match on Sunday against the Bendigo Bombers (Trevor Barker Oval 2 pm).

Squad for Richmond match: Simon Buckley, Nathan Jones, Clint Bizzell, Ben Holland, Matthew Bate, Brad Miller, James Frawley, David Neitz, Daniel Ward, Adem Yze, Lynden Dunn, Travis Johnstone, Chris Johnson, Brad Green, Daniel Bell, Brent Moloney, James McDonald, Russell Robertson, Nathan Brown, Jared Rivers, Cameron Bruce, Byron Pickett, Jeff White, Ryan Ferguson, Aaron Davey, Mark Jamar, Nathan Carroll and Matthew Whelan

The match starts at MC Labour Park (Princes Park) at 2pm.

[Rogue 585]

The tone is a little harsh there - I think it's to be expected that a host of our young kids make way for legit best-22 contenders coming into the end of the NAB competition.

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

The tone is a little harsh there - I think it's to be expected that a host of our young kids make way for legit best-22 contenders coming into the end of the NAB competition.

Yep, I agree. If you look at that team, its pretty much our best 22 plus emergencies - excluding Sylvia, Bartram, Wheatley. Its game on this weekend for the fringe players such as C. Johnson, Frawley, Ward, Ferguson, Dunn, Miller, Buckley.

[Pinball Wizard 273]

The tone is a little harsh there - I think it's to be expected that a host of our young kids make way for legit best-22 contenders coming into the end of the NAB competition.

There was a fair amount of tongue in cheek there but I don't think I was being harsh at all.

I appreciate that the disappointing outcomes of Melbourne's recent Nab Cup and practice match performances could be rationalised due to the makeup of the teams, experiments in style of play and the lack of importance of the games played. These things have been well documented around here over the past week.

However, there are no excuses now for not performing in tomorrow's practice match. We are going in with a relatively stronger squad than the Toigs, we've had a couple of weeks to tinker with the run and carry stuff and it's time to start thinking about getting serious.

Besides I don't think we should ever whinge about not having a strong squad as was the case last week against the Crows. What we showed was that our depth in talent remains highly questionable. Last year in round 20 the Doggies had only 25 players available and a huge injury list, yet they still beat the Crows. Could we be assured of doing something similar this year if injury struck hard?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

There was a fair amount of tongue in cheek there but I don't think I was being harsh at all.

Honestly we have been trialling new tactics and players over the paqst couple of weeks.

The heading and tone of the thread befits the doss that Hun serves up through out the year.

[Rampaging Demons 1]

Clint Bizzell would be another one that is now considered a fringe player, so an important game for him.

Good to see Brent Moloney listed to play - really missed him last year!

Looks a pretty good squad.....

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,520]

Richmond have Richo, Kingsley, Tambling, Simmonds and Patrick Bowden out of their side.

At this stage we only have McLean, Sylvia and Bartram out (although guns like Travis might miss.)

If we lose by a fair bit tomorrow, I'll be on the war path.

It's time to get faredinkum dees!!!!

[Hatchman 496]

I'm glad Bizzell is selected I hope he does well

[godees 706]

If we lose by a fair bit tomorrow, I'll be on the war path.

If we don't win by at least 6 goals I will be on the war path

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I am sure the Club will be shaking in its boots.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,520]

I am sure the Club will be shaking in its boots.

So you won't be the slightest bit concerned if we get done tomorrow with a stronger squad then Richmond?

[Brocky 4]

Hysterics before a practice match. Unbelievable.

[diesel 420]

So you will won't be the slightest bit concerned if we get done tomorrow?

Not answering on behalf of Rhino, but unless we know for a fact that the objective will be to go out and win by as much as possible (unlikely) then the result is irrelevant as long as the players are playing as they are instructed. It is a practice match. The theory of practicing winning put forward by some posters is baloney IMO.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Not answering on behalf of Rhino, but unless we know for a fact that the objective will be to go out and win by as much as possible (unlikely) then the result is irrelevant as long as the players are playing as they are instructed. It is a practice match. The theory of practicing winning put forward by some posters is baloney IMO.

I think it's more of a case of practicing what works best.

And you would hope that what works best results in a win.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,520]

If the score ebbs and flows all day and Richmond end up on top, then we live with it. Who cares.

But if we lose by the same amount as we did to Adelaide last week, with a far stronger squad, then yes we do have cause for concern. You can't expect us to magically flick on a switch and beat the Saints in round 1 after 4 pathetic weeks of pre-season games.

Season 2007 preperation begins tomorrow. Forget about the last 2 games. Half our team was out.

[CarnTheDees 52]

You can't expect us to magically flick on a switch and beat the Saints in round 1 after 4 pathetic weeks of pre-season games.

According to some here you can... Many seem to believe that you "practice" for a few weeks with players and tactics that don't have any relevance come season proper, then dump all the kids for the best 22 guys who've all been rested and expect to play winning football. I can't see that being an effective approach, but the many blind optimists around here will make up any old excuse for a loss, all the while claiming 100% faith in the coaching staff...

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,520]

According to some here you can... Many seem to believe that you "practice" for a few weeks with players and tactics that don't have any relevance come season proper, then dump all the kids for the best 22 guys who've all been rested and expect to play winning football. I can't see that being an effective approach, but the many blind optimists around here will make up any old excuse for a loss, all the while claiming 100% faith in the coaching staff...

Totally agree with you here.

I have no interest in making excuses for 58 point losses (particuarly in a state where our average losing margin is 10 goals) like others around here are. I know the Adelaide game was just a practice match but they had as much talent out as we had.

A 58 point loss is a 58 point loss. Cause for concern? Maybe? Well lets see if the MFC bring a winning mentality tomorrow afternoon to Princes Park. If they put in another sub-standard performance, then we have something to think about it.

[Scoop Junior 3,093]

2002:

Pre-season Rd 1

St Kilda Saints (16.13 109)

Melbourne Demons (5.11 41)

Pre-season Rd 2

Brisbane Lions (12.8 80)

Melbourne Demons (10.11 71)

Pre-season Rd 3

Adelaide Crows (22.10 142)

Melbourne Demons (4.11 35)

Rd 1 Real season

Hawthorn Hawks (15.13 103)

Melbourne Demons (20.9 129)

Yep, pre-season results are indicative of where a team is at.

[Jaded No More 59,541]

Hysterics before a practice match. Unbelievable.

Doesn't matter how long you've been around this site, this sort of irrational behaviour never ceases to surprise you.

Success in the pre-season means nothing come round 1, in fact, minimum exersion can lead to positive outcomes at the end of the season.

If it was up to me, our top 10 players wouldn't play until the very last week before the season proper, just to give them a bit of a run. I find it nerve-wrecking that so many of our star players might go out there, try too hard and suffer injuries as a consequence.

Believe me, you'll remember a season-ending injury for longer than you'll remember the scoreline for these things.

[Jarka 767]

It's a practice match, the result is meaningless, unless we lose by 200 points....

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,520]

2002:

Pre-season Rd 1

St Kilda Saints (16.13 109)

Melbourne Demons (5.11 41)

Pre-season Rd 2

Brisbane Lions (12.8 80)

Melbourne Demons (10.11 71)

Pre-season Rd 3

Adelaide Crows (22.10 142)

Melbourne Demons (4.11 35)

Rd 1 Real season

Hawthorn Hawks (15.13 103)

Melbourne Demons (20.9 129)

Yep, pre-season results are indicative of where a team is at.

Yeah but you forgot the win we had just before round 1 in a practice match which was the catalyst to the Hawks victory.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Are you sure or just linking two events to suit your position?

Anyway, I think Scoop and Brocky have reflected the proper need to be realistice and reasonable in people's assessments.

Unfortunately it is difficult for some posters.

[Scoop Junior 3,093]

Yeah but you forgot the win we had just before round 1 in a practice match which was the catalyst to the Hawks victory.

So why are you concerned about a 58-point loss in Mt Gambier without half our side when in the past pre-season beltings have proved absolutely nothing as to form come the season proper?

[godees 706]

2002:

Pre-season Rd 1

St Kilda Saints (16.13 109)

Melbourne Demons (5.11 41)

Pre-season Rd 2

Brisbane Lions (12.8 80)

Melbourne Demons (10.11 71)

Pre-season Rd 3

Adelaide Crows (22.10 142)

Melbourne Demons (4.11 35)

Rd 1 Real season

Hawthorn Hawks (15.13 103)

Melbourne Demons (20.9 129)

Yep, pre-season results are indicative of where a team is at.

Losing tomorrow won't mean our season is ruined obviously, but surely you will concede that with nearly a full strength line up losing to a Richmond side missing the quality of players they are missing, would not be a good sign.

I'm not at all concerned about being thrashed by Adelaide because that side was nothing like the one that will line up in round 1, BUT the side we will be fielding tomorrow is. I expect us to win. And if we lose because of overuse of the handball, or any other reason, I will be worried.

[WonnaJurah 5]

all i want from this game is a good game by all and no injuries