https://www.afl.com.au/news/579064/unbeaten-dees-set-for-massive-boost-with-key-pair-returning-early

 

'Both will take part in Casey's VFL practice match against Williamstown on Saturday and could press their case for an AFL return as soon as Melbourne's round five clash with Hawthorn on April 18.'

 

Edited April 6, 20214 yr by Pickett2Jackson

13 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

https://www.afl.com.au/news/579064/unbeaten-dees-set-for-massive-boost-with-key-pair-returning-early

 

'Both will take part in Casey's VFL practice match against Williamstown on Saturday and could press their case for an AFL return as soon as Melbourne's round five clash with Hawthorn on April 18.'

 

It was mentioned on the Gus n Gawny podcast the other week that Casey's forward line could look pretty ominous in the air for this week or the next. Ben Brown, Majak. Weid and maybe Mitch Brown all to return through the VFL it seems. Sheesh.

BBB in the side is so damn exciting. 

 

6 hours ago, SPC said:

What happened to the other listed MFC AFL players over the weekend that didn’t play? Any game? Practice match or otherwise to gauge form from. 

In the Burgess’  injury report he said we played an intra-club with the Casey guys on Saturday. Smith, M Brown, Lockhart and Hibbo all got through it unscathed.

Lockhart played ?! Thats big news.

Obviously his vital parts injury wasnt as serious as one would expect.Credit to medic staff.

More depth for team.

 

Edited April 6, 20214 yr by siam juntaRus

59 minutes ago, Yung Blood said:

It was mentioned on the Gus n Gawny podcast the other week that Casey's forward line could look pretty ominous in the air for this week or the next. Ben Brown, Majak. Weid and maybe Mitch Brown all to return through the VFL it seems. Sheesh.

I mean that’s a forward line that you wouldn’t hate seeing at AFL level. 

Flew very much under the radar (I like it) but both played in a Casey/Melbourne intraclub match. Nothing said about how anyone did but that’s big for their recovery. Fingers crossed for clean bill of health after next weeks games. ?

24 minutes ago, siam juntaRus said:

Obviously his vital parts injury wasnt as serious as one would expect

I think he may have worn a protective device (in a nutshell).

22 minutes ago, demonstone said:

I think he may have worn a protective device (in a nutshell).

I set myself up for that one.

Time for Lao Kao.

I do not expect too many changes to the team this week. After all, it is a winning team. 

I would like to see Jetta replaced in defence. 66% game time for 9 possessions and zero tackles is not what I want to see from him. 

I might be tempted to bring in Bowey. Give him a taste and see how he goes. 

There has also been talk about possibly Melksham for Sparrow. Not for me. Sparrow made more tackles and defensive efforts last week than Melky did the whole of last season.

On 4/5/2021 at 10:48 AM, Accepting Mediocrity said:

I'm big believer that you don't drop someone after one bad game. Jetta has been solid the first couple of weeks of the season, in a defense that is operating as well as I've ever seen at the dees. He'd be stiff to be dropped, but I'd understand if he makes way for Hibberd.

I think Jones has done more than enough to keep his place in the side.

I think Jetts will make way, I can’t see him being able to match up against Miers. 

On 4/5/2021 at 5:17 PM, titan_uranus said:

I have no issue with the royal blue jumper as our clash jumper. I like it.

The question is why were we wearing it vs GWS, a side with whom we don't clash?

If this is the start of a new "policy" whereby we wear the clash jumper in all our away games, I'm not interested. We should wear the home jumper with white shorts in any away game which doesn't involve a clash (which, IMO, are away games to Brisbane, Collingwood, Geelong, Gold Coast, GWS, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney, West Coast and the Dogs).

Maybe the club is choosing to wear them to try and sell more of them? I have no issue with that and personally love the retro ones. They crap all over the white ones they’ve tried over the years. 

Trac has been very good this season without exploding.  Hes received coaches votes in all 3 matches.

Sunday , MCG vs Geelong.....   the stage is yours Christian.

 

Petracca and Viney missed training according to the news, but Gawn said it was just precautionary normal stuff. 

Petracca can always play more forward, but if Viney isn't right that could be the change to get Melksham in, run him and the young mids on ball more. 

Jack played very well on the weekend but he's still probably a bit underdone from his minor break in training and we need him to find his absolute best form. 

Otherwise I'm still think Jones makes more sense as the change for Melksham if everyone is 100% ready to go. We need to keep that defensive heat to force mistakes from Geelong and get the game on our terms. Otherwise they'll just settle in to their kick-mark game with the backline staying deep and we'll struggle to score.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Petracca and Viney missed training according to the news, but Gawn said it was just precautionary normal stuff. 

Petracca can always play more forward, but if Viney isn't right that could be the change to get Melksham in, run him and the young mids on ball more. 

Jack played very well on the weekend but he's still probably a bit underdone from his minor break in training and we need him to find his absolute best form. 

Otherwise I'm still think Jones makes more sense as the change for Melksham if everyone is 100% ready to go. We need to keep that defensive heat to force mistakes from Geelong and get the game on our terms. Otherwise they'll just settle in to their kick-mark game with the backline staying deep and we'll struggle to score.

That clip on 7 News also said that Oliver went for "running repairs" on his shoulder, whatever that means.

Doesn't seem like cause for concern but still.

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

That clip on 7 News also said that Oliver went for "running repairs" on his shoulder, whatever that means.

Doesn't seem like cause for concern but still.

Could be a 6 month post surgery scan

So Geelong are missing 6(?) from their best side including two top 5 players in Danger and Cameron. I have no idea who Francis Evans is but apparently he is best 18. Anyone know more of him?
Hopefully we make the most of their outs. 

 

I dont believe we can play the style of game we are well with both Jones and Melksham in the side and Jones for all his faults is getting involved in core chains and lets be honest wont get omitted. Sparrow does need to get more than 4 possessions weekly but his work off the ball and his pressure in structure is extremely high and should be rewarded again regardless of his quiet day with the ball. Jetta is the concern for me, he is hanging on through sheer will and I just dont see the clear match up for him against the Cats. 

Hibberd for Jetta and Baker or Chandler as sub. 

Agree that Jetts is really struggling, and the end is nigh. 

Don't understand the love for Melksham. He's played poorly the past 2 seasons, particularly the lack of defensive effort. What has he done to justify a recall? 

No one has particularly mentioned the absence of Harmes. His absence seems to have been covered.

 

Looks like it might be wet in the morning but showers will pass by the time our game starts 

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

I dont believe we can play the style of game we are well with both Jones and Melksham in the side and Jones for all his faults is getting involved in core chains and lets be honest wont get omitted. Sparrow does need to get more than 4 possessions weekly but his work off the ball and his pressure in structure is extremely high and should be rewarded again regardless of his quiet day with the ball. Jetta is the concern for me, he is hanging on through sheer will and I just dont see the clear match up for him against the Cats. 

Hibberd for Jetta and Baker or Chandler as sub. 

Chandler please 

Lots of conflict here.

Cant argue against Jets lack of form but as people have argued Hibberd isnt like for like.

Sparrow for Melk is interesting but unlike Hibberd, melk does not imho have the credits in the bank.

Will Melk add more firepower to our fwd line?

Possibly, but not convinvced.

I think if in doubt, leave them out.

No change. 

Sorry Hibberd.

Sparrow, Jordan, Lockhart, Chandler/Baker/Laurie (young, determined, playing a role) In Please.

Jones, Jetta, (old, making up the numbers) Out Please

Melksham, Hibbo (Will get their turn to prove they still have it) Hold Please

 

18 hours ago, Yung Blood said:

It was mentioned on the Gus n Gawny podcast the other week that Casey's forward line could look pretty ominous in the air for this week or the next. Ben Brown, Majak. Weid and maybe Mitch Brown all to return through the VFL it seems. Sheesh.

Throw Melk into that mix, as well. Sheesh-sheesh!

Has Jetts ever been fast, evasive, explosive? 

A tough lock down defender who negates the smalls well. Just as he did in Rnds 1 & 2. 

Hibberd would of been the right match up for T.Greene but Jetta still has a role for mine. 

3 hours ago, FarNorthernD said:

So Geelong are missing 6(?) from their best side including two top 5 players in Danger and Cameron. I have no idea who Francis Evans is but apparently he is best 18. Anyone know more of him?
Hopefully we make the most of their outs. 

 

That's a significant list given their lack of depth

Evans is a kid plucked from obscurity, playing for Brunswick amateurs apparently