I don't expect either Rivers or Moloney to line up on Sunday, and I'll be thankful to see TJ out there.

But at least we've got some decent ins with Pickett and Dunn making their return.

Hopefully we'll get to see Petterd debut as well!

all this about moloney is because he was icing his groin on sunday, which he did the week before, and still played, which he did during the practice matches

they are managing moloneys OP, i doubt it will ever be 100% gone, they are just being precautionary with it all, the same with sylvia

Ferguson isn't strong enough and we've been saying this for a few years now. I would have thought that Danners would have told him that he needs to bulk up by now. PJ is the tallest out of all the three ruckman and maybe he'll follow Sandilands around the ground. i.e. White or Jamar take the centre square taps and then drift fwd and then PJ follows Sandilands around the ground. Bizz or Riv will play CHB, i doubt both will be in the team.

Hopefully Green will line up in the pocket next to Jamar so he can be the leading fwd. Jamar will be there to contest the "Daniel Ward" long bombs.

Did anyone see the shot of Ferguson standing next to Ottens after he kicked a goal? I couldn't help but laugh in the arm size difference, insane...

Anyone reckon Yze will be dropped to the magoos again.

He's on the extended interchange so obviously no certainty to play this weekend.

all this about moloney is because he was icing his groin on sunday, which he did the week before, and still played, which he did during the practice matches

they are managing moloneys OP, i doubt it will ever be 100% gone, they are just being precautionary with it all, the same with sylvia

he didnt play much in the last quater though did he?

3 qts from Moloney is better than none!

Major concerns going into this week. If Chris Connolley was worth his salt he'd pick a running team cause we won't be able to go with them.

Ferguson isn't strong enough and we've been saying this for a few years now. I would have thought that Danners would have told him that he needs to bulk up by now. PJ is the tallest out of all the three ruckman and maybe he'll follow Sandilands around the ground. i.e. White or Jamar take the centre square taps and then drift fwd and then PJ follows Sandilands around the ground. Bizz or Riv will play CHB, i doubt both will be in the team.

Hopefully Green will line up in the pocket next to Jamar so he can be the leading fwd. Jamar will be there to contest the "Daniel Ward" long bombs.

Oh how those long bombs can be so damaging.

In Chris Lamb's last game, he was on Matthew Lloyd. He kept him to one goal at half-time. Someone else was switched on to him(?Bizz). Lloyd ended up with 5 or 6. Lamb was told he was too heavy, and to lose several kilos so he could keep up with the mobile forwards. He followed instructions, lost the weight, then was told he didn't have the body strength for the big forwards in one-on-one contests. He never played again, but has always looked a top full-back at VFL level. Apparently he was too "nice".(presumably he would have told Headland what a lovely girl his daughter looks!)

I hope(and think), Ferg's as good, though I hear he's been told he's not strong enough to take a big forward, but too slow to take a small one.

Please don't be too cutting in your reply, Rhino, as I'm rather sensitive.

Jack,

Lamb amongst his other limitations, lacked pace and conditioning. His judgement under pressure was suspect. Your rendition is a lovely myth of the type that gets perpetrated on this site without any fact. Its reptition does not engender its truth.

If Lamb was so good how what is that other Club never bit when he was offered for trade? Hmmmmm!

I totally agree with you Ferg is as good as Lamb was. It was not the Ferg was told. Its just that he actually not strong enough and too slow.

Cheers Rhino

Rhino are you grading Ferguson based on a key position player or as a third tall?

You are right Ferguson is no where near strong enough to play on most CHFs and FFs. He is however a smart footballer, courageous and he uses the ball better than Brown, Godfrey and Ward.

I think there is a place for Ferguson in our team.

Speed is not an issue when you can read it, al la Greg Williams.

Did anyone see the shot of Ferguson standing next to Ottens after he kicked a goal? I couldn't help but laugh in the arm size difference, insane...

Yep, I saw that and it really is a worry that Ferguson is 26 but looks about 12.

He absolutely must bulk up a la Jared Rivers before the ship has sailed.

Although Rivers still weighs less (just a few kilos difference according to MFC website?) than Ferguson, he just seems like he has much more upper body strength particularly in his arms...and of course there is that other factor - Rivers is just awesome

But against players like Gherig and Ottens, as we saw, I don't think that Ferguson has any chance in the current condition he's in.

It seems like he just has none of the physical toughness that Rivers and Carroll have, and really, what's a defender without toughness?

When does the offical team get named? Isnt it today?

Melbourne Team (from melbournefc.com.au)

Backs: C.Bizzell, N.Carroll, M.Whelan

Half backs: D.Ward, P.Wheatley, D.Bell

Centreline: B.Moloney, J.McDonald, B.Green

Half forwards: C.Bruce, B.Miller, B.Pickett

Forwards: S.Godfrey, M.Jamar, A.Davey

Followers: J.White, N.Jones, T.Johnstone

I/C: N.Brown, P.Johnson, L.Dunn, A.Yze

Emergencies: R.Petterd, C.Sylvia, M.Bate

Jared Rivers apparently didn't come up but where did Colin Sylvia come from in this team and if he's an emergency, why hasn't he been named to play for Sandy?

OFFICIAL INS: Bizzel, Dunn and Pickett

OUTS: Bate, Holland and Ferguson

Rivers didn't get up!! Damn it

PS: Wheatley is the KEY.................

Melbourne Team (from melbournefc.com.au)

Backs: C.Bizzell, N.Carroll, M.Whelan

Half backs: D.Ward, P.Wheatley, D.Bell

Centreline: B.Moloney, J.McDonald, B.Green

Half forwards: C.Bruce, B.Miller, B.Pickett

Forwards: S.Godfrey, M.Jamar, A.Davey

Followers: J.White, N.Jones, T.Johnstone

I/C: N.Brown, P.Johnson, L.Dunn, A.Yze

Emergencies: R.Petterd, C.Sylvia, M.Bate

The Biz!

so let me get this straight ...

we have Carroll, bizz and wheatley to cover potentially pavlich, tarrant and mcpharlin (good chance he'll play forward due to our lack of tall forwards).

Pavlich for dreamteam captain it is.

Melbourne Team (from melbournefc.com.au)

Backs: C.Bizzell, N.Carroll, M.Whelan

Half backs: D.Ward, P.Wheatley, D.Bell

Centreline: B.Moloney, J.McDonald, B.Green

Half forwards: C.Bruce, B.Miller, B.Pickett

Forwards: S.Godfrey, M.Jamar, A.Davey

Followers: J.White, N.Jones, T.Johnstone

I/C: N.Brown, P.Johnson, L.Dunn, A.Yze

Emergencies: R.Petterd, C.Sylvia, M.Bate

Jared Rivers apparently didn't come up but where did Colin Sylvia come from in this team and if he's an emergency, why hasn't he been named to play for Sandy?

Did anyone witness training this week?

Sylvia wasnt even in the 27 man squad

This makes no sense

And by the way, Danners is a complete [mod edit] for leaving Petterd out of the team

Another weak of Ward, Broan and Yze

FOR CHRISTS SAKE THIS IS GETTING OLD AND BORING

Mod Note: Y_M, make your point without swearing, will you? Thanks!

Ah, the Sylvia mystery continues.

Maybe Moloney is expected to be a late withdrawal, which means Sylvia might possibly play??

Our backline looks horribly depleted yet again without Rivers. They'll kick over 100 point before three-quarter time, I can just see it now.

One of Petterd or Sylvia will play

Replacing moloney or Johnstone, or both

If Col plays due to a latre withdrawal he will be that short of a gallop he will struggle off the bench.

If Moloney is a late withdrawal, I would play Pettard. I just dont think Col is fit.

If Col plays due to a latre withdrawal he will be that short of a gallop he will struggle off the bench.

If Moloney is a late withdrawal, I would play Pettard. I just dont think Col is fit.

Well he played last week didn't he? Or was that the week before?

I'm losing track of all the injuries!

They may have trained him during the week, and he came up.

I wouldn't object to playing him out of the square alongside Greeny, which means he won't have to run around all day.

As long as playing him doesn't further aggrevate the groin injury, I'd be thrilled to see him out there finally.

Whatever happens, at least we have 3 exciting emergencies, and I wouldn't be upset to see either of them playing.

One of Petterd or Sylvia will play

Replacing moloney or Johnstone, or both

Why don't you try supporting mate? Just 2 posts earlier you have had a go at Danners for not playing Petterd and you probably have said the same thing about Sylvia, then you say you reckon one of them will play. In tyhe Cam Bruce thread, you pick exactly that thread to point out that Cam isn't a champ in your eyes.

Get a life and stop whinging.

sylvia will be playing, he will replace rivers who is still sore from injury

Don't ask me why but I'm starting to feel slightly optimistic about this game.