Melbourne Team

Backs: N.Carroll, B.Holland, M.Whelan

Half backs: D.Ward, B.Miller, D.Bell

Centreline: T.Johnstone, J.McDonald, M.Bate

Half forwards: C.Bruce, R.Robertson, A.Yze

Forwards: C.Johnson, D.Neitz, A.Davey

Followers: J.White, B.Green, B.McLean

I/C: M.Jamar, N.Jones, B.Moloney, C.Bartram

i had just copied ti fromt he official site

not a bad team, still dont like ward int he side, i love the centre line of TJ, junior and bate

miller should be forward and i think will be

I think ND has got it wrong already.

With Rivers out either Bizzell or Ferguson should be in the team.

Even if ND intends to play Miller at CHF it is very likely based on that team he will see time in defence.

Very very surprised to see Bartram. He played just 5 days ago!

Good line up, except the backline could rival an Alzheimer's clinic in terms of brain-fades potential. Not sure where the drive will come from, given that Ward and Miller can't kick, and Holland can't run.

I'm guessing a late change if the weather turns particularly nasty, that is Holland out and possibly Godfrey (hopefully Buckley) in.

A little surprised at that... I reckon Miller will play back, at least to begin with. We only have 2 full-time KP defenders in there who have to take Gehrig (Carroll) and Kosi (Holland). If anything goes wrong with one of those, Miller will HAVE to go back. There's no-one else.

Excellent to see Moloney in there...

And the biggest shock... BARTRAM!!!!! He's back already! Absolutely all for it having watched him the last 2 weeks.

Can't understand how Ward can be put in the backline before the Bizz!!

the bizz and brown are emergencies as well as P johnson

id like to see bizz or brown in for ward but i reckon brown will come in for bartram

Interesting....

Agree totally re Bizz and Ward.

In terms of drive out of defence, I think that's fine, with Bell, Ward, Whelan, Barts, and then other options in C. Johnson, Yze, etc...

I like the number of quality midfielders in our side - crucial against the Saints.

Remember that talls tend to be underdone early in the year and it may be wet, so I think we have a good balance.

Congratulations to Chris Johnson. A just reward for a great pre-season and a particularly good praccy match against the Tigers. He's going to be a regular and hopefully just as good as his dad

Good team

Although I wouldnt have Ward in there, and I think CJ will play off half back and provide the drive

Yze lucky

i thought buckley would make it in

ah well

As an aside, does this mean we're friends again YNSM? Here's hoping for a big Friday night.

There will be a late change.

Either Bizzell in for Ward or PJ in for Yze. We are one KPP short.

Jones has been our standout through pre season and must start on the ground

There will be a late change.

Either Bizzell in for Ward or PJ in for Yze. We are one KPP short.

Neither Bizz nor PJ are KPPs.

Neither Bizz nor PJ are KPPs.

Either is Robbo but he is named at CHF. The inclusion of Bizzell means Miller plays forward.

Neither Bizz nor PJ are KPPs.

seriously concerned our defence will not keep Saints to a losing score.

No CHB, Holland must be out for someone with legspeed, C.Johnston MUST play defence

No CHB, Holland must be out for someone with legspeed, C.Johnston MUST play defence

CJ is NOT a natural defender.

Given that this is round 1, I don't see the point in criticising the team selection, as there isn't a lot to go by when it comes to form. I hate the idea of Miller playing as a defender, but I don't think he will actually line up there tomorrow night (especially with Riewoldt out).

I think we have enough KPP in the team, as the St Kilda forward line isn't particularly tall without Riewoldt and we don't have any quality forwards to come into the side.

seriously concerned our defence will not keep Saints to a losing score.

No CHB, Holland must be out for someone with legspeed, C.Johnston MUST play defence

Why on earth would Holland be omitted? So CJ or Ward can play on Kosi? Ridiculous.

Dutchy takes him, or the resting ruckman, and Carroll takes Gehrig.

The Saints Team reads as:

St Kilda Team

Backs: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher,Brendan Goodard

Halfbacks: Jason Gram, Matt Maguire, Leigh Fisher

Centreline: Andrew Thompson, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna

Halfforwards: Robert Harvey, Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake

Forwards: Xavier Clarke, Fraser Gehrig, Stephen Milne

Followers: Matthew Clarke, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo

Interchange: Jayden Attard, Aaron Fiora, Andrew McQualter, Michael Rix

EmergencyL Shane Birss, Barry Brooks, Brett Voss

They've got two talls, and a possible resting ruckman in Blake (they have selected 3 ruckmen).

The other forwards are crumbers or resting onballers.

The teams are in, the excitements building, bring on the game!!

I have no issue with ND choice. Happy to see ward in and not Biz and good to see Bartram in. Our defence is a little wobbly without Riv but ND cant help that. We need to concentrate on the midfield as the game will be won there. Our forward line against saints backline is better than saints forward line and hopefully Kosi has a shocking lapse of concentration and get cleaned by someone. Tag Dal Santo (James McDonnald) and Hayes (Bruce) and were looking better than them.

Happy with danners choice...yze u better lift mate. Lucky ur being given a 2nd chance...I wouldnt

going to be hard for Silv to get back in there assuming we have no injuries.... im having a hard enough time trying to work out who to drop for riv and picket.

good to see lots of run all over the ground.

shoot me but I like robo at half forward. plays tall, can mark, can kick and isnt slow. Could also open the forward 50 up a bit more for Nieta Flash and Yze (he is hoping)

Seeing the Saints line up it would surprise me if Bruce starts down back

Tag Dal Santo (James McDonnald) and Hayes (Bruce) and were looking better than them.

Make Hayes tag Bruce.

Put the Saints on the back foot.

Make Hayes tag Bruce.

Put the Saints on the back foot.

Exactly

One thing Id lie to see from Danners this year is uisng our weapons to maximum effect

Bruce is as damaging as they come, one of the best goalkikcing midfielders in the AFl, if not the best