Melbourne v GWS Giants at the MCG, 7.25pm AEST

MELBOURNE

In: H.Petty
Out: A.Tomlinson (omitted), T.Bedford (Medi-Sub)

Last week's sub: T.Bedford (unused)

GWS GIANTS

In: N.Haynes, M.Flynn, F.Callaghan
Out: J.Peatling (omitted), X.O'Halloran (omitted), J.Riccardi (omitted), B.Preuss (suspension)

Last week's sub: A.Kennedy (unused)

The band down back are nearly all together. 

I rate Petty well ahead of Tommo, but I’m surprised to see the change made so soon.  No doubt our MC know what they are doing.

Same applies to the Tracc ‘niggle’ that has been widely reported in the media, and on here.  Go Dees!

Great to have Harry back in the team. I think its better he has a game under his belt before taking on the Tiges

Tom Petty!!

great to have him back.  Tommo has been ok but its clear Petty offers a lot more.

Smith unlucky. If he hadn't lost his place due to Covid protocols, you'd expect that he'd still there. Now fighting to get back in against Hunt, with Hibberd looking over his shoulder.

Petty must have trained the house down.

Great to have him back - a key player for us.

Petty looked good at Casey last week and played a fair chunk of game time. He is clearly best 22 and you get best 22 in as soon as they have the run in their legs which they must think he has. This is no disrespect to Tomo who has been serviceable in Pettys absence. 

Emergencies are Smith, Chandler, Bedford and Dunstan. Tomlinson not in the squad. 

Petty back in is good. Now we just need Salem and i will be able to rest easier at night.

I rate Tomo but Petty is a star, had to fit him in now he’s fit

6 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Smith unlucky. If he hadn't lost his place due to Covid protocols, you'd expect that he'd still there. Now fighting to get back in against Hunt, with Hibberd looking over his shoulder.

Agree it is harsh on Smith.  But is he really in competition for a spot with Hunt?  not sure

Pleased to see Harry Petty back in the Demons side.

Adam Tomlinson was probably a bit unlucky to be dropped in my honest opinion.

Nevertheless, it is good to see that the match committee are not underestimating the Giants who beat us at the MCG last year.

We definitely cannot think it will simply be a cake-walk against the Giants.

Really looking forward to the May/Hogan clash. How many games has he played against us since leaving?

Nasher you were right. I gave this battle up mid-late last year, but tonight it's official 

Petty > Tomlinson

11 minutes ago, sisso said:

I rate Tomo but Petty is a star, had to fit him in now he’s fit

Not just a star, but knows how to play to the back-line system better than Thomo.

(Could be wrong, Thomo comes across as knowing what's what.)

Great to have another premiership defender back in the team and a fantastic player too.

And please, no more small forwards as subs. 

A welcome, but surprising inclusion!

No more opposition marks in our defensive 50.

Didn't see that move coming this week.. Petty v Tomlinson

On the sub .... Smith is the perfect sub. He can cover the big man down issue

On Petty.. he strikes me as an agressive backman willing to take the play on. Tomlinson on the other is an excellent defensive backman but lacks that play on thrust.

Just watching the Essendon replay and Smith definitely showing glimpses

Edited April 14, 20223 yr by Diamond_Jim

Who is the ruck for GWS?

Hopefully we dominate the clearances

Medi Sub either Dunstan or Smith, might just prefer Dunstan!

16 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Who is the ruck for GWS?

Hopefully we dominate the clearances

Flynn, he's solid enough but Nankervis went to town on him a couple of weeks ago 

47 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Smith unlucky. If he hadn't lost his place due to Covid protocols, you'd expect that he'd still there. Now fighting to get back in against Hunt, with Hibberd looking over his shoulder.

Who would he have stayed in instead of with petty and lever now back. Think once those 2 were back him and Tomlinson were both out regardless.

The 'Wilbury' returns!

Gee our defensive depth is something to behold. All of Tomlinson, Smith and Petty could present a case as to why they deserve to be the third tall behind May and Lever. 

31 minutes ago, adonski said:

Flynn, he's solid enough but Nankervis went to town on him a couple of weeks ago 

We actually bid on Flynn in the draft (way back in the Oliver/Weid draft in 2015) but GWS matched our bid. We then picked Mitch King.