Great news, we have no choice but to develop Rivers, Jackson and Kosi on the run with no VFL team playing.

They are all great prospects.

Remember when Port played 3 debs against us first game last year...it gave them a real boost.

The inclusion of Bennell & Rivers with Salem (I'm guessing) improves are foot skills, which is another huge positive.

Hopefully our round 1 loss is still raw to the players and they set the tone early. Nothing better then rolling up the next round to atone, rather than having to wait months like we had to after prelim final loss in 2018.

2 minutes ago, rjay said:

Great news, we have no choice but to develop Rivers, Jackson and Kosi on the run with no VFL team playing.

They are all great prospects.

Remember when Port played 3 debs against us first game last year...it gave them a real boost.

The inclusion of Bennell & Rivers with Salem (I'm guessing) improves are foot skills, which is another huge positive.

I'm always nervous when people refer to the benefit to the team of any first time player's kicking skills. Reminds me too much of Adam Maric and his inability to get enough of the ball for us to benefit from that part of his armoury.

I hope all our debutants have a great first game and distinguished careers to follow. I like the bold approach.

5 minutes ago, rjay said:

Great news, we have no choice but to develop Rivers, Jackson and Kosi on the run with no VFL team playing.

They are all great prospects.

Remember when Port played 3 debs against us first game last year...it gave them a real boost.

The inclusion of Bennell & Rivers with Salem (I'm guessing) improves are foot skills, which is another huge positive.

Shame  Forgetting about Jonesy his Return will be the most influential to our new forward line ad hence our performance.

14 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

In - Jones, Salem, Bennell, Rivers, Jackson

Out - Spargo, Brown, Bedford, Lockhart, ANB

Lockhart very stiff, but feel as though Salem is a direct replacement.

ANB, aside from kicking our first goal of the year brought nothing else to the table.

I still feel as though our forward structure falls down without a second genuine key forward supporting T Mac.

I still think Lever might be an out despite Goodwin saying he'll likely play. 5 omissions does seem a lot, although probably warranted.

Hibberd has to go not Lockhart if firm is any guide 

26 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

This is looking like the clubhouse leader Werridee - somewhat the oracle.

For me, I reckon this 22 with OMac replacing Smith.

I think Werridee has got it wrong with the omission of Jetta (I doubt they'll dump him when he's about to play his 150th game), but otherwise it's looking pretty good.  Hibberd is the one I'm a bit iffy about... he's been playing well below his best in recent times (late last year and round one this year), so do they risk him in the hope that he finds form in what should be a relatively easy game, or do they sit him out?

12 minutes ago, 58er said:

Shame  Forgetting about Jonesy his Return will be the most influential to our new forward line ad hence our performance.

Haven't forgotten him '58'...he will be a big plus in the forward half.

Knows how to kick a goal.

Bloke with the biggest smile this weekend could be Jason Taylor.

Simply just awesome..

All 3 of our 2019 draft selections are playing.

Big tick for Jason Taylor.

Two new debutants in Jackson  Rivers and a possible Harley Bennell. That leaves Jones and Salem and others like the Weed and Vanders to be included  i guess.  We cannot fit them all in the side.

There will be an extended  bench when they announce the team. That also means that  probably a debutant might miss the cut in the end.

That is just an assumption.  I expect that Lockhart and Oscar to be picked after performing well in round 1.

In any case l would be expecting a solid win which will give us the kick start to a great season. 

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

While your argument sounds logical five odd years of watching VFL has taught me that VFL form is irrelevant. I would assume that in this day and age the other desirable.... namely match fitness can be obtained in other ways..contact training drills, repeat running etc

Bennell has an added risk....the game has changed since he last played...five odd games in four years. Only one way to simulate that and its not at VFL level. Other than Gold Coast we are not going to have an easier opponent for the year.

But silky skills is still silky skills.

I can’t see how Lockhart could possibly be dropped after his game in Rd 1.  I think he keeps Salem out. 

Vanders definitely not yet available as he didn’t play the last quarter on the weekend due to foot soreness at 3/4 time.  

36 minutes ago, chookrat said:

Hopefully our round 1 loss is still raw to the players and they set the tone early. Nothing better then rolling up the next round to atone, rather than having to wait months like we had to after prelim final loss in 2018.

yep I thought that should happen before round 1 given 2019. but we looked insipid.

27 minutes ago, hardtack said:

I think Werridee has got it wrong with the omission of Jetta (I doubt they'll dump him when he's about to play his 150th game), but otherwise it's looking pretty good.  Hibberd is the one I'm a bit iffy about... he's been playing well below his best in recent times (late last year and round one this year), so do they risk him in the hope that he finds form in what should be a relatively easy game, or do they sit him out?

was Hibberd that bad ? he was getting the ball, running aggresively then kicking into a forward line outnumbered and was made to look like thats his bad kicking.

3 minutes ago, nosoupforme said:

Two new debutants in Jackson  Rivers and a possible Harley Bennell. That leaves Jones and Salem and others like the Weed and Vanders to be included  i guess.  We cannot fit them all in the side.

There will be an extended  bench when they announce the team. That also means that  probably a debutant might miss the cut in the end.

That is just an assumption.  I expect that Lockhart and Oscar to be picked after performing well in round 1.

In any case l would be expecting a solid win which will give us the kick start to a great season. 

No, as the article said:

"Wednesday morning’s session at Casey Fields finished on a high as Simon Goodwin revealed the trio would be pulling on the red and blue against Carlton this weekend."

"The remainder of Melbourne’s side will be confirmed on Thursday evening in the lead up to the AFL’s return to play this weekend."

They will definitely be playing.

32 minutes ago, hardtack said:

I think Werridee has got it wrong with the omission of Jetta (I doubt they'll dump him when he's about to play his 150th game), but otherwise it's looking pretty good.  Hibberd is the one I'm a bit iffy about... he's been playing well below his best in recent times (late last year and round one this year), so do they risk him in the hope that he finds form in what should be a relatively easy game, or do they sit him out?

Personally, I think Demonland should ban posters making a comment such as this one. Haven't we learnt nothing?

Goodwin seems to love a bolter selection for games after a long break.

Joel Smith round 1 2017

Corey Maynard round 1 2018

Tom Sparrow round 1 2019

Toby Bedford round 1 2020

and now Trent Rivers.

with hindsight none of these selection surprises have really worked so far, lets hope Trent breaks that run. 

4 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

was Hibberd that bad ? he was getting the ball, running aggresively then kicking into a forward line outnumbered and was made to look like thats his bad kicking.

I should probably rewatch the game I suppose... my memory of it was that although he had something like 21 disposals, his efficiency wasn't particularly good, and he had been off his game for some time up to that point (last season's performances).  Maybe I'm being too harsh.

8 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Vanders definitely not yet available as he didn’t play the last quarter on the weekend due to foot soreness at 3/4 time.  

I love vandenFyfe but he's cooked.

Very happy we have Bennell but would be shocked if he doesn't get injured.

Rivers is a big tick.

Jackson will be interesting, with Preuss injured I hope he plays that second ruck role.

14 minutes ago, nosoupforme said:

Two new debutants in Jackson  Rivers and a possible Harley Bennell. That leaves Jones and Salem and others like the Weed and Vanders to be included  i guess.  We cannot fit them all in the side.

There will be an extended  bench when they announce the team. That also means that  probably a debutant might miss the cut in the end.

That is just an assumption.  I expect that Lockhart and Oscar to be picked after performing well in round 1.

In any case l would be expecting a solid win which will give us the kick start to a great season. 

No there won't, we play Saturday which means no extended bench can be named Thursday night

IN: Jones, Salem, Bennell, Jackson, Rivers
OUT: Spargo, Bedford, ANB, Brown, Lockhart

?

2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Personally, I think Demonland should ban posters making a comment such as this one. Haven't we learnt nothing?

Hey, at least I said "should be" and not "will be"... I always leave myself with an escape clause ?

 

On reflection I'm not sure about Jackson being selected, yes it might be against Carl but still a massive step given he hasn't even been given a run anywhere. Putting him in for one game then taking him out would be a shame if he looks like he is finding his feet and maybe gets lost. He's a long term prospect and it could be a bit early? 

Anyone else think so too? How has he been at training? 

Just want to understand why he's picked over Weed 

If Lockhart is fit, and looking in the same nick he was pre lockdown, I can't see any way he gets dropped.

31 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Simply just awesome..

All 3 of our 2019 draft selections are playing.

Big tick for Jason Taylor.

Way too early for a big tick.