For what it's worth here's Mike's prediction for the Dees this year.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/com...5E19742,00.html

To be honest I have to agree with this statement.

"James McDonald, like Neitz, gives all he has to offer week after week. He is an invaluable soldier, but coach Daniher would prefer him to finish fourth or fifth in the best-and-fairest, not be the runaway winner he was last year.

McDonald polled 464 votes to finish 124 in front of Bruce.

If Bruce, White, Johnstone, Green and Yze were to fight out the award, Melbourne probably wins the flag."

Here's hoping for a great year.

Hells

amusing... he doesn't have Yze in the starting 22...

One of the better and more accurate pre season reports I have read.

amusing... he doesn't have Yze in the starting 22...

One of the better and more accurate pre season reports I have read.

I must be missing something....where did he give his best 22. FWIW I wouldnt have Yze in either.

not to be dismissing talks of a demon premiership this year, but mike sheahan and the heraldsun boys have been writing these articles every few days...they have built up more teams that are ready for a crack at the flag than i think realistically have a shot at it...having said that, i love reading positive articles actually related to football...all these other media reports talking about drugs, new rules etc have made this the most tedious preseason i can recall in all my years following footy

I must be missing something....where did he give his best 22. FWIW I wouldnt have Yze in either.

Was a full page spread in the hun today article half.. other half a pic of Yze (caption saying his is in trouble) a best 22 (that i like) the team list rararara...

Wish I hadn't thrown it out when I got off the train this morning. Thats what you get for still being asleep...

"The issue now is whether Brad Green, Travis Johnstone, Jeff White and Adem Yze can do it when it counts."

I don't know if I've seen a better finals player at the MFC this decade than Travis Johnstone.

I don't know if I've seen a better finals player at the MFC this decade than Travis Johnstone.

Brock was fairly handy last year

Pants its an interesting comment.

TJ has shown in bursts that he can play footy at the highest level. But its bursts and there are times where he just disappears. Frustrating

I loved Brock's game against the Saints last year. A couple more of those performances will really put him in the top shelf.

"Brock was fairly handy last year"

He sure was, and it was very exciting to see. Johnstone however, has had a number of quality performances. His game in the 2002 Semi against Adelaide when he almost single-handedly dragged us to victory was one of the best finals performances I've seen. In his next final, the 2004 elimination against Essendon, he dragged us back from the mire to lead us just shy of victory again. Had he a little more support from his teammates we would have won both. He was also recognised as one of our best in the 2000 GF massacre. Johnstone can be labelled may things, good and bad. Finals under-achiever isn't one of them in my opinion.

"I loved Brock's game against the Saints last year. A couple more of those performances will really put him in the top shelf."

Indeed. Hopefully he can sustain the form he showed in that great display. If there was any doubt as to his ability before that night, its gone now. Other teams will be giving him plenty of attention in Septembers to come.

Can someone post Mike Sheahan's team

B - Whelan Carroll Holland

HB - Bell Rivers Ward

C - Johnstone Bruce Bate

HF - Pickett Robertson Green

F - Sylvia Neitz Davey

R - White Mclean McDonald

Bench - Jones Moloney Bartram Jamar

Emer - Yze Brown Bizzell

I think his team is great. Went without a true CHF in favor of Robbo, which is not a bad thing.

The only change I would make is to get rid of Ward and add Chris Johnson

pretty well on the money.... nothing most of us havent been espousing for yonks..

its very must Dee or die ..for about half a dozen players and a coach !!

go DEES !! :-))

its all possible...

but will it ?

Intresting that he wrote off Bizzell, Brown and Yze but still found a place for Ward?

I would have thought out of those 3 fringe players and Yze, Ward would have been ranked last?

Sylvia as a small forward is probably the best spot to play him this year considering his OP.

Was a full page spread in the hun today article half.. other half a pic of Yze (caption saying his is in trouble) a best 22 (that i like) the team list rararara...

Wish I hadn't thrown it out when I got off the train this morning. Thats what you get for still being asleep...

Thanks mate, cheers. Just stole it from reception

100% agree with Sheehan. This year presents our best opportunity in a long time to win a flag and i am genuinly excited

B - Whelan Carroll Holland

HB - Bell Rivers Ward

C - Johnstone Bruce Bate

HF - Pickett Robertson Green

F - Sylvia Neitz Davey

R - White Mclean McDonald

Bench - Jones Moloney Bartram Jamar

Emer - Yze Brown Bizzell

I think his team is great. Went without a true CHF in favor of Robbo, which is not a bad thing.

The only change I would make is to get rid of Ward and add Chris Johnson

Ward out. Dunn in. Or Miller if training the house down. Shuffle Pickett, Bate and Green backwards.

I still think Wheatley should be there... at least in the emergencies.