So this is what I'd go with:

In: Chandler, McDonald, Viney, Lever

Out: Pickett, Jackson, Sparrow, Smith

I think they'll go for Bedford over Chandler and Dunstan gets another game.

3 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

First game in 3 years live... staying up in Melbs also for the first time in 3 years (Jolimont) on Friday and Saturday.... anyone got some good recommendations for food that isn't fish n chips or good ol australian country town chinese takeaway?

I celebrated my birthday last year at I'll Duca restaurant in East Melbourne. Great menu selection, great service and great wine list.

Pretty sure they'd be open and happy to have Melbourne supporters even though they have an Essendon heritage.

They are in East Melbourne opposite Jolimont station

OUT: Jackson, Kozzie, Sparrow, Goodwin.

IN: Viney, Lever, Bedford, Yze

Minimal changes, Viney and Bedford for Kozzie and Sparrow, and while Jackson for Lever is not like for like, we should be able to shuffle to make it work... i.e. Smithy forward ;) ?

If Viney doesn't get up, Melksham will come in.

But would imagine it won't be limited to just these 3. We've seen with West Coast that once it gets into a club it runs amok.

The straight forward way of dealing with what would otherwise have been a problematic situation.

In: Jake Lever Tom McDonald Jack Viney

Out: Luke Jackson (H & S Protocols) Kysaiah Pickett (H & S Protocols) Tom Sparrow (H & S Protocols)

Joel Smith becomes the Medical Sub and Toby Bedford goes into the starting 22 effectively covering Kozzy while Jake Lever effectively replaces Smith.

Alternatively, if we get some heavy, wet weather, then possibly go with Jake Melksham rather than Tom McDonald.

The result is IMO just as good a line up as the one that beat Richmond last Sunday night.

What about Majak Daw as second ruckman.

Assuming the MCG is awash on Saturday....

Dunstan for Sparrow

Bedford (or possibly Chandler) for Pickett

Mitch Brown for Jackson

Weid to play 25% in the ruck

Medi Sub = Smith

PS: Plus of course Viney and Lever in

Edited April 27, 20223 yr by Diamond_Jim

5 minutes ago, Sam ARBER said:

What about Majak Daw as second ruckman.

Don’t think there’s a chance he plays. They’ve been playing Weideman as a ruck in the VFL recently and I think they’d rather play him + Tmac

17 hours ago, rpfc said:

Funny, I saw this and immediately thought they are isolating together and have got Covid. 

Others see a contract signing.

Art is in the eye of the beholder…

You're beholding better than others🤢

49 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The straight forward way of dealing with what would otherwise have been a problematic situation.

In: Jake Lever Tom McDonald Jack Viney

Out: Luke Jackson (H & S Protocols) Kysaiah Pickett (H & S Protocols) Tom Sparrow (H & S Protocols)

Joel Smith becomes the Medical Sub and Toby Bedford goes into the starting 22 effectively covering Kozzy while Jake Lever effectively replaces Smith.

Alternatively, if we get some heavy, wet weather, then possibly go with Jake Melksham rather than Tom McDonald.

The result is IMO just as good a line up as the one that beat Richmond last Sunday night.

Joel Smith made one mistake otherwise he played a good game - May made a similar mistake in the last qtr - pretty tough call to drop him over that 

 

23 minutes ago, dpositive said:

I celebrated my birthday last year at I'll Duca restaurant in East Melbourne. Great menu selection, great service and great wine list.

Pretty sure they'd be open and happy to have Melbourne supporters even though they have an Essendon heritage.

They are in East Melbourne opposite Jolimont station

Huge fan of Il Duca! Long time institution. Get on the lamb shanks!

On a day where 30-40mm of rain is predicted, I'd rather they not select Tmac. He's fumbly below his knees at the best of times.

Weid to chop out in ruck whilst Max rests forward.

Edited April 27, 20223 yr by Stiff Arm

OUT: Jackson, Sparrow, Pickett, Smith

iN: Viney, Bedford, Melksham, Lever

Updated forecast:

Just right for game time!

People still want Smith dropped even when the changing rooms are as ripe as a Wuhan wet market?

OUT - Jackson, Sparrow, Kozzi

IN - Lever, Viney, Bedford

1 minute ago, DubDee said:

People still want Smith dropped even when the changing rooms are as ripe as a Wuhan wet market?

OUT - Jackson, Sparrow, Kozzi

IN - Lever, Viney, Bedford

Not convinced Weed is suitable as a back up ruck. TMac must be a likely inclusion as he is ok in the ruck and good up forward and down back. His versatility and experience will be needed.

7 minutes ago, DubDee said:

People still want Smith dropped even when the changing rooms are as ripe as a Wuhan wet market?

OUT - Jackson, Sparrow, Kozzi

IN - Lever, Viney, Bedford

More just balance on a wet day i reckon. May, Lever, Petty, Smith maybe leaves us a tiny bit light on at ground level, not saying those guys aren't solid enough ground level players, but you get what i mean

5 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Not convinced Weed is suitable as a back up ruck. TMac must be a likely inclusion as he is ok in the ruck and good up forward and down back. His versatility and experience will be needed.

I reckon between Weed/BB up front and Petty/Smith back we have plenty that can take the odd tap.

TMac, BB and Weed is too tall and lacking agility/mobility imo

31 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Joel Smith made one mistake otherwise he played a good game - May made a similar mistake in the last qtr - pretty tough call to drop him over that 

 

Precisely why the club is in such a strong position at the moment. He’s the obvious one to make way for Jake Lever.

And, as Medical Sub, he’s still in the game.

1 hour ago, Demon Dynasty said:

So Dunstan gets another shot....unless of course he also got....

I reckon Dazzle and a few others here might need to get down to training tomorrow

Huh?

36 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Not convinced Weed is suitable as a back up ruck. TMac must be a likely inclusion as he is ok in the ruck and good up forward and down back. His versatility and experience will be needed.

Weed is better suited to back up ruck as it would mean he does less up forward. 

with viney and lever back, we shouldn't be any worse off than last week

Jackson, Sparrow, Pickett OUT

Lever, Viney, Bedford IN

Lever May Petty

Hunt Rivers Bowey

Jordon Oliver Langdon

Harmes Brown Spargo

Fritsch Weid ANB

Gawn Petracca Viney

Brayshaw Smith Bedford Dunstan

Sub: TMac

does it for me if the rain is obvious maybe a melk/chandler vest

Well, that makes the selection meeting a three cheese platter night.

Jackson, Sparrow and Pickett out with H&S protocols and who is to say that there will not be more before the weekend.

I hope that Lever and Viney are right to go as they will immediately cover a couple of the losses above.

Lever coming in would allow Brayshaw to move back to the wing and Jordon to move to a more central role in place of Sparrow. You could, of course, leave Jordon on the wing and give Brayshaw a more midfield role. Either adjustment would not weaken the team.

I can see Bedford coming in in place of Kossie. He has been close to selection in the past few weeks and I think he might be primed for a good one. Chandler the alternative but Bedford looks to be ahead of him at this stage.

Jackson is a hard one to replace as he is so unique in the way he moves and plays. Having said that, He did not have a lot of impact on the game last week and it will be interesting, given the weather forecast, to see which way the electors will go. Do they try a like for like approach and bring in Tmac to free up Weid to share the ruck work with Max or do we look at Max to take 90% of the ruck work and bring in a smaller midfield cover?

I would look at the later solution. Leave Weid and Brown forward as the main targets, Max to do the bulk of the ruck work in the center and in defence and bring in another runner. I would look at Baker to have a run, possibly Laurie. 

It will be interesting to see which way we go in this one and to see if more players have to isolate.

 

5 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

First game in 3 years live... staying up in Melbs also for the first time in 3 years (Jolimont) on Friday and Saturday.... anyone got some good recommendations for food that isn't fish n chips or good ol australian country town chinese takeaway?

What sort of food are you after? 
I can send you an entire list