I wonder if the coaches looked a week ahead and picked Milkshake as they saw a role against Freo and this gives him a week to come up to speed (as well as getting another game closer to 200)

2 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

My guess is the FD are looking to share the love around in order to keep their preferred next rung of players up and about and at the level (AFL worthy) in case needed to cover off injuries late in the season.

Otherwise the preferences (around the middle anyway) would surely have to be Bedders or Dunstan in most cases.

The four in the mix seem to be Melk, Weid, Bedders & Dunstan.

If Weid gets another game in the Red and Blue ill spew

Sorry this is a duplicate bit I so impressed myself with it that I had to post it twice 😄.

It's all becoming clear in my mind now. Melksham's playing this week so he can get to 199. Clearly he's going to have a great day because we're playing North which will provide justification for him staying in the side to play his 200th against Freo. If Bedford had been picked amd Melksham made medisib it would have been impossible to drop Bedford for next week and you can't pick Melksham as medisub for his 200th. So Melksham gets to 200 and by then Salem will be ready to come back into the side. Melksham can safely go out without any ongoing concerns about not getting to 200 before his contract expires.

I'm not sure what we do when James Harmes comes back though. I haven't got that far in my thought process.  

2 hours ago, DemonWA said:

Milkshake is a solid, low risk choice and probably a better Like for Like replacement for a Harmes than Bedford or Dunstan. 

Exactly my first thought too: probably the closest like-for-like option available. I don’t mind it. Good luck to him, hope he gets to 200. He’s been an excellent servant of the club since coming over from Essendon.

2 minutes ago, Sydney_Demon said:

Sorry this is a duplicate bit I so impressed myself with it that I had to post it twice 😄.

It's all becoming clear in my mind now. Melksham's playing this week so he can get to 199. Clearly he's going to have a great day because we're playing North which will provide justification for him staying in the side to play his 200th against Freo. If Bedford had been picked amd Melksham made medisib it would have been impossible to drop Bedford for next week and you can't pick Melksham as medisub for his 200th. So Melksham gets to 200 and by then Salem will be ready to come back into the side. Melksham can safely go out without any ongoing concerns about not getting to 200 before his contract expires.

I'm not sure what we do when James Harmes comes back though. I haven't got that far in my thought process.  

Harmes is out for at least 2. A defender will come out for Salem, most likely Rivers.

Unless Melksham is beyond terrible or gets injured, he’ll play #200 next week.

2 hours ago, mauriesy said:

Melbourne is so boringly good now that even the team changes on Thursday night are ho-hum.

I know. It's amazing right?!

Melksham has been selected on merit, and isn't getting gifted a chance to play his 200th. The last 2 games he's played against WC rd 22 last year and the Hawks this year, he's played well. And he replaces a half forward in Harmes. Bedford was only selected for our starting 22 when Kossie was out.

Those arguing that Bedford should be selected because he's younger are barking up the wrong tree. It's like those who continue to argue that we should be resting players against weaker opposition. Goody once again stated in his presser that we are still trying to perfect our synergies. When Viney was out, Dunstan came in. Selection has always been like for like, especially when we've had a ready made replacement in form.

If Milkshake gets off the chain against this mob could be the difference between a 60 point win and a 90 point win. Bit of downhill skiing didnt hurt anyone. Until it does. 

9 hours ago, mo64 said:

Melksham has been selected on merit, and isn't getting gifted a chance to play his 200th. The last 2 games he's played against WC rd 22 last year and the Hawks this year, he's played well. And he replaces a half forward in Harmes. Bedford was only selected for our starting 22 when Kossie was out.

Those arguing that Bedford should be selected because he's younger are barking up the wrong tree. It's like those who continue to argue that we should be resting players against weaker opposition. Goody once again stated in his presser that we are still trying to perfect our synergies. When Viney was out, Dunstan came in. Selection has always been like for like, especially when we've had a ready made replacement in form.

Good points, well made.

You're right, melksham is probably the closest like for like and will be a good option.

Edited May 19, 20223 yr by binman

Not surprised.

I did think Jake Melksham would be likely to get a chance this week to replace James Harmes. They both play similar roles as midfielders and half forward flankers.

 

However, I would of thought Toby Bedford would of been more likely to get the nod though. But I guess he will probably be the medi-sub again?

55 minutes ago, mo64 said:

Melksham has been selected on merit, and isn't getting gifted a chance to play his 200th. The last 2 games he's played against WC rd 22 last year and the Hawks this year, he's played well. And he replaces a half forward in Harmes. Bedford was only selected for our starting 22 when Kossie was out.

Those arguing that Bedford should be selected because he's younger are barking up the wrong tree. It's like those who continue to argue that we should be resting players against weaker opposition. Goody once again stated in his presser that we are still trying to perfect our synergies. When Viney was out, Dunstan came in. Selection has always been like for like, especially when we've had a ready made replacement in form.

Sure about that..?

7 hours ago, binman said:

Good points, well made.

You're right, harmes is probably the closest like for like and will be a good option.

Do you mean Melksham?

9 hours ago, Sydney_Demon said:

Sorry this is a duplicate bit I so impressed myself with it that I had to post it twice 😄.

It's all becoming clear in my mind now. Melksham's playing this week so he can get to 199. Clearly he's going to have a great day because we're playing North which will provide justification for him staying in the side to play his 200th against Freo. If Bedford had been picked amd Melksham made medisib it would have been impossible to drop Bedford for next week and you can't pick Melksham as medisub for his 200th. So Melksham gets to 200 and by then Salem will be ready to come back into the side. Melksham can safely go out without any ongoing concerns about not getting to 200 before his contract expires.

I'm not sure what we do when James Harmes comes back though. I haven't got that far in my thought process.  

You seriously think Milkshake is not the best player to come in, in the coaches eyes but is playing ahead of more deserving players to get him to 200 games??

I can see this for a club legend like Jones to get to 300 but Melksham who has played 84 games for us I don’t get it. 

If Bedford finishes his career on 198 games these 2 games would have been handy to get him to 200

9 hours ago, Jjrogan said:

If Milkshake gets off the chain against this mob could be the difference between a 60 point win and a 90 point win. Bit of downhill skiing didnt hurt anyone. Until it does. 

Love downhill skiing,   until you hit the tree or the  lift  pylon.

Melky May be our Stuart Dew aka 2008, on his day can win finals for us. Worth having in the conversation. 
Go Dees

Plenty of consternation around here over the most minor of minor team selections in a game which we're expected to win by 11 goals. 

I defer to a premiership winning coach over some people here with clear agendas Against some players

Yeah I'm quite surprised to be honest, thought Bedford was the lock or even Dunstan. Melksham although was wasn't bad against the Hawks is a baffler of a selection.

Will back him in though, hopefully he cuts them to ribbons. 

I don’t for one second think we are gifting games to Melksham to get him to 100. 
We may however be making this change with next weeks game in mind. 
Freo have a better defence than any team we have played so far this year and we need to improve our work i50. 
Perhaps Sparrow takes on more of the Harmes role and Melksham plays a bit further forward.  He’s a great kick of footy and would link up very well with our forwards. 

14 hours ago, sisso said:

Don’t really understand why we’d go with the Melk unless it’s to nurse him to 200

Yes it is called loyalty, and I think it's "the way"

11 hours ago, mo64 said:

Melksham has been selected on merit, and isn't getting gifted a chance to play his 200th. The last 2 games he's played against WC rd 22 last year and the Hawks this year, he's played well. And he replaces a half forward in Harmes. Bedford was only selected for our starting 22 when Kossie was out.

Those arguing that Bedford should be selected because he's younger are barking up the wrong tree. It's like those who continue to argue that we should be resting players against weaker opposition. Goody once again stated in his presser that we are still trying to perfect our synergies. When Viney was out, Dunstan came in. Selection has always been like for like, especially when we've had a ready made replacement in form.

Melksham was good against WC in Round 21 and also played against Adelaide in Round 22 las year and had a poor game. (He was so frustrated with his game he gave away a free for booting the ball after it crossed the boundary line.)

That said, I have no issue with him playing. I think he plays well on Docklands and I think the club is right to get him to 200. Who knows, maybe he can rewind the clock to his 2018 form and give us another avenue to goal?

11 hours ago, binman said:

Good points, well made.

You're right, melksham is probably the closest like for like and will be a good option.

Having watched Casey all year I'd have thought Dunstan was the obvious replacement with Melk a close second. I'm sure the 200 games came into the equation.

Dont mind the selection, gives Kozzy, Sparrow and Jordan more midfield time.