Jump to content

Featured Replies

9 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Jebus. I was hoping for a 4th option.

It will be a much weakened team regardless. Preuss's last couple of games for us were very poor. His work around the ground almost non-existent

I would not be surprised at all if they get creative with the ruck situation rather than playing Preuss

4th option could be to ruck Tomlinson and bring in another defender.

My expectation though, assuming Gawn is not available, is that it is either  (1) Preuss if he's fit or (2) Mitch Brown to come in with Tom McDonald doing most of the ruckwork with occasional assistance from Weideman

 

I’d be tempted to bring in Preuss, but reckon that leaves us one short up forward, as TMAC simply doesn’t suit the role anymore and if it is going to be wet, he is horrendous when ball is on the ground. We are gonna have to rely on midfield goals and smalls this week I feel. I’ll back Preuss, but reckon Brown should be in the mix too. He apparently kicked 5 in the meaningless practice match of 12 a side

12 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Jebus. I was hoping for a 4th option.

It will be a much weakened team regardless. Preuss's last couple of games for us were very poor. His work around the ground almost non-existent

I would not be surprised at all if they get creative with the ruck situation rather than playing Preuss

If you insist on a fourth option, try Austin Bradtke and then go back to the first option.

 
1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

Could we potentially bring OMac back in, play Tomlinson as main ruck, TMac to ruck in forward half and relieve?

Preuss has apparently only played 1 scratch match so not sure on match fitness.

Preuss was a standout in our 12-a-side  practice game against St Kilda this week. Give him a run. 


3 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Jackson said to be a month, put him on ice I’d say.  No need to push the kid in his 1st year 

He’s not the messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy (for getting injured!).

He has really adapted well to the big time, and has a long future.  If it is a hammy, must have been done in training because he seemed to run the game out well ????

Leaves room for TMac in the side.  Preuss in if Max doesnt get up.. or pull out a Bradtke to set the cat amongst the pigeons!

1 minute ago, CBDees said:

Preuss was a standout in our 12-a-side  practice game against St Kilda this week. Give him a run. 

Do you know how many minutes the quarters were, by any chance? They said he dominated around the ground, but that would be meaningless if they were 10 minute quarters or something. 

 

That's awful news about Jackson on a number of levels.

There are a number of options, all of which stink:

  1. Brown replaces Jackson, TMac stays 1st ruck and we use Weideman/Brown/Tomlinson as the relief rucks;
  2. Preuss replaces Jackson and plays 1st ruck, with TMac taking Jackson's spot in the forward line and relief ruck;
  3. OMac replaces Jackson and takes Tomlinson's defensive spot, Tomlinson then takes TMac's spot in the ruck and TMac takes Jackson's spot.

Whatever we do, I want us to try to maintain our forward structure first and foremost. Collingwood set up very well behind the ball. We can't try our luck with replacing Jackson with a mid/small forward and leaving Weideman as the sole key forward. Whether it's Brown or TMac, someone has to play as the second tall forward.

5 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

He’s not the messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy (for getting injured!).

He has really adapted well to the big time, and has a long future.  If it is a hammy, must have been done in training because he seemed to run the game out well ????

Leaves room for TMac in the side.  Preuss in if Max doesnt get up.. or pull out a Bradtke to set the cat amongst the pigeons!

He will be the messiah, the kid is doing ridiculous things in his first year.


13 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Jackson said to be a month, put him on ice I’d say.  No need to push the kid in his 1st year 

Get him up for the Grand Final

2 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Get him up for the Grand Final

?let’s hope so

The weather in Brisbane is sunny every day till end of next week, except for Saturday, where rain and possibly thunderstorms are predicted. Hopefully  all over by mid afternoon.

15 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

While it is not ideal to not have a proven ruckman up against Grundy I reckon our midfield is much better than theirs. 

They have a rusty Sidebottom, a borderline fit Pendlebury (if he plays), Treloar out,  Hoskin- Eliot borderline fitn (if he plays)  which only leaves Taylor Adams.  Put Harmes or Viney onto him and our midfielders should beat theirs, even tho they have the ruck advantage.  Grundy isn't in great form anyway.

We have 6 day rest to their 3.5. 

Their fwd line is suss at the moment.  Eliot coming in will help.  Stephenson and Milochek are out of form.

Still very optimistic about winning this.:cool:

Viney to go head to head with Adams and Harmes to Siddy

 

1 minute ago, Grimes Times said:

Viney to go head to head with Adams and Harmes to Siddy

Yep, very happy with that variation!


16 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Jebus. I was hoping for a 4th option.

It will be a much weakened team regardless. Preuss's last couple of games for us were very poor. His work around the ground almost non-existent

I would not be surprised at all if they get creative with the ruck situation rather than playing Preuss

Bring in Austin Bradtke? He rucked vs North in the practice match earlier this year. You asked for a 4th option!

It’s a tough call, for me I just worry about Sam and Tom in the same forward line. They just don’t seem to click. I’d be leaning towards Brown for LJ and continue playing Tom as our ruckman with Tomlinson chopping out. If Grundy plays then tell Tom his number one job is to run hard all day to tire him out. 

That said the obvious choice is probably LJ out, Preuss in. 

Tmac now stays in playing the same role as last week, Maybe they can bring smith in to play fwd and relief ruck in place of Jackson? Or if Gawn is fit have him play fwd 

Edited by Garbo

20 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

Viney to go head to head with Adams and Harmes to Siddy

Would rather Jack play mostly forward and share that role with Sparrow.  Adams is good but not worthy of a hard lock at this stage if that is what you were suggesting GT.  Harmes to the Bottom is a must imv.

I don't think the Pies will risk Pendles in this one unless he's cherry ripe.

Edited by Rusty Nails

Surely Preuss plays. I understand he played his first scratch last week but by all reports was good. He is a brute, had a great preseason and they are shortened quarters. Assuming no Gawn and with LJ out we are surely not going in without any actual ruckman. Worst case he bangs up Grundy to make it easier for TMac when he relieves. 

Big call bringing in Preuss with half a game match conditioning under his belt...


1 minute ago, dee-tox said:

Big call bringing in Preuss with half a game match conditioning under his belt...

Might have had some runs on the board (personal fitness regime outside of usual training) prior.  Shortened quarters might see him get up.  D11 reckons he plays and his mail is usually pretty good (from memory).

41 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Preuss plays

That's from the grapevine D11?

42 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

I’d be tempted to bring in Preuss, but reckon that leaves us one short up forward, as TMAC simply doesn’t suit the role anymore and if it is going to be wet, he is horrendous when ball is on the ground. We are gonna have to rely on midfield goals and smalls this week I feel. I’ll back Preuss, but reckon Brown should be in the mix too. He apparently kicked 5 in the meaningless practice match of 12 a side

While I think TMac has lost a lot of his speed and agility, I felt he actually showed positive signs before getting injured and he was ok last week.

I think if we're asking him to play a high half forward then that works for us - but I don't think he's suited to the deep forward role which is ok as Weid is doing that nicely at the moment!

Mixed feelings on Preuss coming in.  He's a man mountain but does he have the fitness to not be a liability?  Regardless of Grundy's form and potential injuries, he plays as an extra midfielder.  Not sure if Preuss is capable of countering that or forcing Grundy to be accountable for him the other way.

 
5 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Surely Preuss plays. I understand he played his first scratch last week but by all reports was good. He is a brute, had a great preseason and they are shortened quarters. Assuming no Gawn and with LJ out we are surely not going in without any actual ruckman. Worst case he bangs up Grundy to make it easier for TMac when he relieves. 

Yes l totally agree  r f e we are on the same page.  Why have Preuss on the list and not use him when necessary. You need a big man to combat   Grundy .  Keep Grundy at bay while he is not in form.  

IIRC Preuss shed a heap of weight over the preseason and the mission was to get his aerobic fitness up to scratch. This was all going to plan until the injury. I would assume, even with the injury lay-off, his fitness base is far superior to last year when he wasn't even getting to ruck contests. I think he plays and a) bashes up Grundy or b) at least is in the same stratosphere as Cox if he is Grundy's replacement.


Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • GAMEDAY: West Coast

    It's Game Day and the Demons have a chance to notch up their third consecutive win — something they haven’t done since Round 5, 2024. But to do it, they’ll need to exorcise the Demons of last year’s disastrous trip out West. Can the Dees continue their momentum, right the wrongs of that fateful clash, and take another step up the ladder on the road to redemption?

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 48 replies
    Demonland
  • FEATURE: 1925

    A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: West Coast

    Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 1 reply
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 08

    Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • Thanks
    • 177 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: West Coast

    The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 563 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Richmond

    The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland