Team v Dockers

[Gouga 570]

B: Bizzell, Carroll, Whelan

HB: Bell, Ferguson, Rivers

C: Johnstone, Jones, Moloney

HF: C Johnson, Miller, Pettard

F: Davey, Green, Yze

FOLL: White, Bruce, McDonald

I/C: Buckley, Godfrey, P Johnson, Ward

IN: Bizzell, Buckley, C Johnson, Pettard, Rivers

OUT: Bate, Brown, Holland, Jamar, Wheatley

Ins:

Bizzell - What else does he have to do?

Buckley - Looks ready to go.

C Johnson - In the best for Sandy, has kicked goals in practice games.

Pettard - In the best for Sandy, we need some youth to excite the team (and supporters).

Rivers - No explanation required.

Outs:

Bate - Can't get near it, slow and stupid around contests.

Brown - Can't use the ball, no amount of courage can make up for his lack of skills.

Holland - No match up, Pavlich and Tarrant are too quick. No role up forward, I'd prefer a small forward line.

Jamar - Needs to go to Sandy and get some possessions around the ground.

Wheatley - I hate the way he goes about playing football, plenty of easy touches last week. That's all.

[classy dees 42]

IN: pickett, dunn, CJ, rivers,

OUT: wheatley, brown, godfrey, holland/PJ/jamar (take your pick, none of them are going to win a game for us)

would love to see pettard play, but i doubt they would throw a raw kid into the mix when we are on our knees and with the knife against our throat.

[Finks 19]

....by foot, Wheats was best along with Bell. Can't see him being dropped. I'd give Ward the flick first.

I hope Bell's nose heals quickly too.

as for Rivers, I'm not sure how sore his hammy was, so who knows if he'll get up.

Moloney is no certainty of pulling up ok either.

I'm not daring to take a shot at the team for Freo. I'm not even going to look at it until they line up on the ground on the day. Too depressing.

[Jaded No More 68,965]

Can't make a team until we know what's happening with Rivers, Moloney, Sylvia, Dunn and Pickett.

If they are all fit and able to play, they all need to come in and you can pick 5 players at random who can go back to Sandy.

Choosing who needs to go is the easy part, replacing them with something better is the issue.

One thing is certain, we cannot play with all of White, Jamar, PJ, Holland and Ferguson. That's too many one-dimensional (at best), slow talls.

I'm sure we'll keep the first 3, and give PJ another go as a defender.

Holland will no doubt be back to take on the remaining Rocca brother, or someone similar, very soon.

Ferguson is just not up to it. I love his courage and his endavour, but he is too slight to play one-on-one defensive footy.

We need to inject this team with some class and some football brains, or else I'm afraid we're competing on a primary school level.

Freo may be 0-3, but they can still kick a football, a crucial aspect in today's game I believe

Edit: Yes, Wheatley's kicking is ok, but I counted 3 separate incidents yesterday in which he refused to go at the man with the footy. That's always been his issue, looking a million bucks when he has space in front of him, but having absolutely no idea how to apply any sort of pressure going the other way.

He'll stay, but gees at least Ward chases and tackles (albeit the fact that he's often chasing his own man, who he got 100m away from).

[occo 2]

As for me - and there will be some arguments here

B: Whelan Carroll Warnock

HB: Bell Rivers P.Johnson

C: Johnstone Bruce Moloney

HF: C.Johnson Miller Bizzell

F: Petterd Green Weetra

R: White McDonnald Godfrey

I.C: Jones, Ferguson, Buckley, Garland

Emm: Sylvia, Bate, Davey

Out: Davey, Yze, Bate, Holland, Brown, Jamar, Wheatley, Ward

In: C.Johnson, Bizzell, Petterd, Weetra, Buckley, Garland, Rivers, Warnock

Out:

Davey - Very ordinary and if he cant stand up and show how its done then hes out. For davey it isnt hard to pressure, obviously he thinks he isnt required to

Yze - Shocking game. In his defence ball didnt come forward much but all he did was let the ball bounce off his chest and then too many geelong players around.

Bate - I have defended him last week but he isnt rite. Give him some time at sandy (at least 2 weeks i feel)

Holland - Struggled last game. If he were to play he would come in for paul johnson.

Brown - Had a bad game and feel for the amount of uncontested possessions he gets he doesent use them

Jamar - I give up on this bloke. Go hard or go home

Wheatley - Hate the way he plays too.

Ward - Needs some time to get confidence back.

I have gone young. I feel that these blokes will do no worse than our team vs geelong - which had a number of mature players. Get these fellas to have a go. I mean we are little chance of winning anyway so lets give them some time, watch the young kids. Hell if these kids play i will be at the footy, even if we lose. I wanna see our future. As for warnock - well i really like the kid and feel he could show more than holland

[Seekers SEECAMP 0]

....by foot, Wheats ...can't see him being dropped. I'd give Ward the flick first.

You can't, others can. Wheatley was his usual stagnant self.

[Finks 19]

Wheats has been out of the game at AFL level for a bit now through injury, and whilst I agree about his stagnancy, I reckon he'll get better with game time.

[Gouga 570]

I agree with the sentiment Occo but maybe a couple young blokes too many?

I didn't pick Pickett on the basis that ND said he wouldn't play to round 4. I also didn't pick Dunn because it sounds like he is in need for another run at Sandy. Plus I think the small forward line is worth a go. Davey, Green and Yze to all play deep. Lets try and beat them with a bit of pace and skill rather than strength and braun.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,851]

As for me - and there will be some arguments here

B: Whelan Carroll Warnock

HB: Bell Rivers P.Johnson

C: Johnstone Bruce Moloney

HF: C.Johnson Miller Bizzell

F: Petterd Green Weetra

R: White McDonnald Godfrey

I.C: Jones, Ferguson, Buckley, Garland

Emm: Sylvia, Bate, Davey

Out: Davey, Yze, Bate, Holland, Brown, Jamar, Wheatley, Ward

In: C.Johnson, Bizzell, Petterd, Weetra, Buckley, Garland, Rivers, Warnock

No way in a million years will that team happen.

I don't think Weetra's even played a game at Sandringham yet.

INS - Pickett, Rivers (if OK), Petterd, Bizzel

OUTS - Moloney (if inj), Brown, Bate, Ferguson/Holland

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Bate - I have defended him last week but he isnt rite. Give him some time at sandy (at least 2 weeks i feel)

Oh yay. About time someone agree's with me. I see you have come around occo. Last week you were quite the opposite.

Where are these people saying the kid can play?

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

-----Bate - I have defended him last week but he isnt rite. Give him some time at sandy (at least 2 weeks i feel)

Oh yay. About time someone agree's with me. I see you have come around occo. Last week you were quite the opposite.

Where are these people saying the kid can play?-----

Right here. The kid can play.

Maybe he's down on confidence, making mistakes, maybe he needs a week or two at Sandy, maybe he's being forced to play in weird positions.

Maybe.... HE'S YOUNG!!!

Drop him if the time is right and if he's not doing enough a la CJ, sure. But go back and have a look at the footy he played last year. The kid goes alright. He's going to need time to get better, and he's going to have good and bad patches before he hits his straps in his career.

[occo 2]

Oh yay. About time someone agree's with me. I see you have come around occo. Last week you were quite the opposite.

Where are these people saying the kid can play?

Look, i do feel that bate is struggeling a bit but havnt all the players at some point. I mean, there have been times Rivers and McLean have had bad games (using thoes players as u say their ur fav). Its not fair to go ballistic over bate being a terrible player as a) Noone is playing well. Not one player is playing as they could play. Not even Bruce and bb) When leaders around u have terrible games u can lose confidence in the group quickly. I dont blame bate at all (hes a unique red head like me) but i see great value and potentual in him. To me, i think he has shown the most out of Dunn and Jones. I also think he will be a great player in the future and feel that he will never play midfield that well as he didnt play midfield much at Croydon (and believe me i watched him several times). He is a great forward but he hasnt played for melb in the forward line and it will take him some time to take some contestered marks. He knows when to lead...he can kick the ball 50+ metres. In the future (4 years) i see him playing half back, using his speed and running off his player at all oportunities.

I said for him to spend some time at sandy. Not because i think hes a terrible player but cause he needs some time to get confidence back. Its easy to have confidence in yourself when the groups playing well, its hard when your young. Go to sandy and get some time forward if ND wants him forward. Get a few marking oportunities under his belt. I think it will do him a world of wonders. He has the carisma to play footy, a born leader and a great kick at goal. I know he will come fighting back and be a consistant player by year end if ND sticks him in one possition (hopefully forward...but dont put him midfield, then forward, then back...let him adapt to one possition, then in a year try something new).

I find it very supprising that people rate C.Johnson. I believe this kid is nothing like Bate. Absolute nothing and i mean that. Bate has shown more in his 14 or so games than C.Johnson has shown in 2 or so years.

So believe me, Bate is the goods, I know, i have seen him play alot. Leave the kid alone...start giving it to some of our leaders like Johnson, Ward, White etc etc.

Remember players like Davey, Bate, Jones are low on confidence. And i dont blaim them. If anything i learnt at uni and school its that cancer starts at management and ends at front line staff. We have issues with our leaders on field...players that have player 150+ games and its distroying the confidence of our younger players.

Bate will be a great 250 game player, believe me along with all the other players. Perhaps some time at sandy where the team is winning is the go, as sad as i am to say it. Its time to leave our younger children alone and look at how their parents are influincing their behavior!

[jacey 333]

As for me - and there will be some arguments here

Out: Davey, Yze, Bate, Holland, Brown, Jamar, Wheatley, Ward

In: C.Johnson, Bizzell, Petterd, Weetra, Buckley, Garland, Rivers, Warnock

U'll b a fool 2 make 8 changes. 4 max.

Out: Ferguson, Brown, Holland(matchups), Bate.(needs a break from mfc fans). He's still a kid.

In: Bizzell, CJ, Rivers, tossup between Buckley, Petterd or Warnock.

I still think we can n hope we'll win but hell, that happens every year. The only exception was mayb round 22, 2003 against the swans.

[needafullback 82]

I agree with the sentiment Occo but maybe a couple young blokes too many?

I didn't pick Pickett on the basis that ND said he wouldn't play to round 4. I also didn't pick Dunn because it sounds like he is in need for another run at Sandy. Plus I think the small forward line is worth a go. Davey, Green and Yze to all play deep. Lets try and beat them with a bit of pace and skill rather than strength and braun.

Dunn must play - he puts his head over the footy, and fights hard to keep it in the forward line. I agree that forward pocket and bench are the only two places for Yze. Green must play inside 50. This give rise to a problem - if Davey plays up there that's three left-footers who all prefer the same pocket - no good particularly where we need to give Green space to lead into. Solution? drop Yze, play Davey on the wing and have him running past any contests at half forward towards goal, a-la Brent Harvey. .

[Gouga 570]

Dunn puts his head over the footy? Since when?

[needafullback 82]

Dunn puts his head over the footy? Since when?

Most recently, NAB cup v Hawthorn, but he's been going hard at the contest since his first game.

We can't take marks, kick goals or keep the ball inside 50 at all at the moment. I would have thought Dunn is a fair option under the circumstances.

[Mousey 47]

What about the idea of playing wheatley more up forward? Half Forward? He can kick the ball a fair distance.?? Just an idea?

I agree with Bate having to go back to Sandy just looks to slow and out of sorts

[occo 2]

What about the idea of playing wheatley more up forward? Half Forward? He can kick the ball a fair distance.?? Just an idea?

I agree with Bate having to go back to Sandy just looks to slow and out of sorts

Bate looks no slower than any of the other teammates. For thoes who say Bell is a quick player, he didnt look it on Sunday. The guy got fun down a heck of a lot. Bates speed isnt the issue, just his confidence which is a good reason to drop him. Dropping him for speed - well we may as well trade him cause he aint going to get much quicker.

[praha 11,240]

Everyone would still have Yze in the team, even after Sunday?

[Gorgoroth 12,969]

bizz, petterd, cj and dunn have to come in (sylvia, rivs if fit)

ward out!

godfrey out!

wheatley out!

holland out (no match ups for him)

and jamar out too, needs a big ruin at sandy to try and show something, pj was the better of the 2 and deserves another week

[Adzman 2,154]

holland and fergo shou not be in the team at the same time. One must make way for bizzell. Paul johnson was useful as a tall defnder and could drop back to fill a fergo/holland type role.

Ricky pettard in for moloney.

BATE MUST STAY IN THE SIDE! GET OFF HIS GOD DAMN CASE YOU BASTARDS! my god, next you will be asking for him to be delisted.

Surely arron davey must be sent to sandy before matty bate. We are 3 games into a season that will not be a memorable one, we must play the kids under this pressure, how else will they ever learn?

Bate, jones, bell, cj must play as much as possible. Sure bate has been poor, i am not defending his form, but bater was never one of our top 5, he only has a few games under his belt, let him find is form in the ones! He is not the main issue with the demons woes.

[Yze_Magic 3]

For Christ sake ND, if you dont bring back Pickett and Sylvia then you may as well just throw the towel in

In - Sylvia, Pickett, Dunn, Petterd, Rivers, Buckley, C.Johnson

Out - Ward, Yze, Wheatley, Bate, Godfrey, Brown, Ferguson

B - Whelan Carroll Bell

HB - Rivers Holland Pickett

C - Johnstone Jones Green

HF - Dunn Miller Bruce

F - Davey Sylvia P.Johnson

R - White Moloney McDonald

I/C - Petterd Buckley C.Johnson Jamar

DAVEY - Last chance

MOLONEY - Praying he gets up

PICKETT AND SYLVIA - Must play!

[Gouga 570]

BATE MUST STAY IN THE SIDE! GET OFF HIS GOD DAMN CASE YOU BASTARDS! my god, next you will be asking for him to be delisted.

That is a stupid comment.

Nobody wants Bate delisted. He is out of form and needs to go back to Sandy and get it. What is wrong with that?

[Red and Blue Flame 187]

That is a stupid comment.

Nobody wants Bate delisted. He is out of form and needs to go back to Sandy and get it. What is wrong with that?

I do, and so do half the fans..or at least everyone sitting around me on Saturday. As i've said- a player who will get cheap kicks in a winning side, yet when the going gets tough, doesnt want it. i've seen him drop 4 chest marks in the past two weeks. He has no idea whose around him, gets tackled all the time and doesn't use his body. he better find a way to rectify his style before seasons out

[Gouga 570]

PICKETT AND SYLVIA - Must play!

I agree but they must be fit. That doesn't look like it is the case.

Its a long season and those blokes will both feature when they are ready.