PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

[Cards13 9,117]

Pert tipping 70k attending... game day threads... going along to an actual game... ggaaahhh it all feels so surreal. Off to the Arbory for a bite and couple of steadier's prior to and will be seated to watch the flag unfurl!

What's on the smoker @Josh or you making the trip?

[Demon17 4,638]

19 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Three defenders out is not ideal. We saw vs Carlton what the impact is of an unsettled backline, particularly when compared to last year's stable back seven.

You would expect Tomlinson, Smith and Hunt to be the replacements for Petty, Hibberd and Rivers; all three selections make sense. I am not a fan of Smith and Hunt being in the same backline though, adds too much unpredictability. At least they all got a run last week so they're not coming in from the cold.

 

I want Hunt over Smith.  Especially seeing Jayden and Langers on the side same and carving up the Doggies on that wing with overlap running they seemed to do a lot last year.

Jordan in for mine also.

[Spargonicus 487]

On 3/13/2022 at 5:48 PM, titan_uranus said:

I don't think anyone should be surprised if we lose.

How much of Demonland goes on about drinking bathwater, particularly after we lost to Carlton?

We're coming up against arguably the best side in it other than us (if not the best side in it full stop), it's a new season in which 2021 doesn't stand for too much, and we'll be missing at least two best 22 players from our backline.

We can be disappointed with a loss, but no one should be surprised if we drop a game to a fellow 2022 flag contender.

We'll stomp all over them. Dogs by 53.

[picket fence 15,549]

53 minutes ago, Jontee said:

Anxiety level just gone from low to moderate....

Like this??

[picket fence 15,549]

58 minutes ago, Spargonicus said:

We'll stomp all over them. Dogs by 53.

Nar mate, Dog's in for a Spankin!! Im happy if Foghorn Leghorn is our Supersub!!

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by picket fence

[mauriesy 6,859]

The violence we used to teach our kids. 🤔

[Brownie 5,424]

7 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I would say Max is more on the money with Tomlinson over Smith. Both played the entire pre season but you'd imagine they'd go with Tomlinson who has had more runs on the board and is probably more dependable than Smith.

Hunt would need to dramatically improve his performance from the Carlton game if he's selected. However we need a medium sized defender to replace Rivers.

Jordon would have to be some sort of chance given he's always the 22nd/23rd player in the mix?

I'd agree with both of those ins and both blokes. They would be both super keen to cement a spot after last year.

I reckon Tomlinson is going to be as bigger beast as Viney.

So good to have this depth and hunger for spots.

[640MD 2,997]

21 minutes ago, mauriesy said:

The violence we used to teach our kids. 🤔

never hurt me,   tic,    tic

[Demonland 66,450]

 

[DubDee 21,264]

3 premiership defenders out sounds bad but I'm not worried.

Barring injury Tomlinson and Smith could easily have been selected in the GF.  Hunt too lost his spot to injury if memory serves.

Lever, May and Salem will keep the ship steady, especially against an average attack

[chook fowler 18,392]

7 minutes ago, DubDee said:

3 premiership defenders out sounds bad but I'm not worried.

Barring injury Tomlinson and Smith could easily have been selected in the GF.  Hunt too lost his spot to injury if memory serves.

Lever, May and Salem will keep the ship steady, especially against an average attack

And Bowser!

[picket fence 15,549]

4 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

And Bowser!

ANNND the Price keeps rising at the BOWSER!

[titan_uranus 22,751]

Can anyone confirm the time for the unfurling of the flag and/or any other pre-match festivities?

Has this stuff been communicated to members and I've just missed it?

Edit: found it: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1077849/afl-round-1-game-day-guide

Unfurling at 6.40pm.

Edited March 15, 2022 by titan_uranus

[titan_uranus 22,751]

1 hour ago, Demon17 said:

I want Hunt over Smith.  Especially seeing Jayden and Langers on the side same and carving up the Doggies on that wing with overlap running they seemed to do a lot last year.

Jordan in for mine also.

If Jordon is one of your three ins (i.e. with Tomlinson and Hunt), who are you putting in the back seven rotation to make up for the three missing defenders? Jordon (not a defender)? Brayshaw (not a defender)?

In 2021 we refrained from flipping players around the ground other than within games due to injury (e.g. when we had to send Brayshaw back to cover for May going off vs Geelong) or to try to spark us when behind (e.g. Hunt going forward when we were losing to GWS).

I strongly suspect we're not about to throw Jordon or Brayshaw or another midfielder into defence to cover for Rivers/Hibberd. Instead, I strongly suspect we're going to pick a defender to play that role. Hence, I think both Hunt and Smith will play. Jordon only to play if he takes a midfield/forward spot.

[Damo 3,019]

id have Smith over Hunt. Hunt's a known known

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,396]

Tomlinson not in according to Ch 7.

Hunter is in for them.

[brendan 3,417]

Why no Tomlinson