PJ's short stint in the ruck against Everitt/Jolly was more effective than both White and Jamar's time in there... Give the boy a chance. I thought he showed a bit against quality 'tap' opposition. He surely can't be worse than Jamar, who really needs a spell at Sandy...

Could not agree more! PJ has not been given enough consistent game-time to be crucified.... Jamar is so out of form it's beyond a joke! Not even sure if he has form for that matter....

PJ deserves a run on a week to week basis.... God knows they've given Jamar a fair crack at the big time!!! Give PJ the same opportunity! I guarantee he will show more promise than Jamar ever has!!

Did any of those pushing for Warnock or Bizzell actually venture down to Beach Road Sunday - both were very ordinary at best.

Ferguson shoud be a certainty as the third tall defender, who can play as a tall forward as well. I know he is for some reason not one of ND's "chosen few".

To those who said he is tried and tested - he has never been given a decent run in any position, His courage is on a par with Brown, and his skills are far superior. Still, I would be very surprised if he ever gets a go under ND. Our loss

Newton could be a smokey though probably not if Neitz returns at the expense of Garland.

Warnock is untried as far as I'm concerned. [...]

We need to find out whether he's worth keeping on the list next year.

Agreed. Whether that means he gets a gig before Ferg at this point in time I'm not sure.

burgoyne has been cited by the tribunal

yeh hes gone for 2 weeks

it said on ch 9

Just remembering how in a pre season game, wallace rucked two ruckman against white (one was acting as a tall rover) would this be suitable with a White/PJ combo as they are both agile for their height? The only thing that will save our backline is a good midfield, we need tough bodies in there and a target up forward.

Whoever they chose, and I don't think there will be too many changes, a great day is all I ask.......

It is my birthday on Sunday and lets be honest four points would be a great present :D !!!

From all reports Newton played well for Sandy today.

I wouldn't mind seeing him come in for Garland assuming he did play as well as has been suggested.

Nothing against Garland who had a tough ask playing in the forward line against Sydney. At least now he has a better understanding of what it takes to play at AFL level.

SANDRINGHAM produced another focal forward yesterday when Michael Newton booted six goals in the crushing home win against Casey Scorpions.

Newton and veteran spearhead Nick Sautner (four goals) provided a two-pronged attack which wore down the Scorpions.

They were supported by clever flanker Ezra Poyas (five goals) to break through the Casey defence.

The Zebras were in control for the first three quarters then bounded away in the last quarter, kicking 9.4 to 1.0 to win by 78 points.

Newton, who turned 20 on Friday, is a Melbourne-listed player from the Murray Bushrangers. He is 193cm, good in the air, OK on the ground and a strong kick.

"He is a third-year player and is really starting to believe he belongs now," Sandringham coach Mark Williams said. "Once he gets his head around getting the little things right then his game comes together. And that's what happened today. He just needs to string three or four games together to give him some confidence."

Another from Sandy's AFL affiliate, Ryan Ferguson, was dominant sweeping across half-back and later in attack with strong marks, including a candidate for mark of the year.

"He has just got to wait for his (AFL) opportunities," Williams said. "Sometimes they can't play those sorts of fellows because of match-ups. His courage is super and he is an outstanding player."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/com...5E19895,00.html

newton only turned 20 last friday? with 3 years in the system? he has plenty of time ahead of him...he is only a kid FCS

Ferguson shoud be a certainty as the third tall defender, who can play as a tall forward as well. I know he is for some reason not one of ND's "chosen few".

To those who said he is tried and tested - he has never been given a decent run in any position, His courage is on a par with Brown, and his skills are far superior.

Just so you dont think you are Robinson Crusoe, Monoccular, I agree entirely.

I dont understand who's dog he kicked on the selection committee, he just may be a Jonah....

Ferg gets pole-axed with criticism but a few others are seen to be B&F material, who in my jaundiced eye are not footballers.

I did think there would be a few others to come out and support Fergy. But then I must confess I like Godfrey,

so I guess that limits my judgment

Just so you dont think you are Robinson Crusoe, Monoccular, I agree entirely.

I dont understand who's dog he kicked on the selection committee, he just may be a Jonah....

Go read Choko's thread about the club function tonight...

Ferguson is too slow and too weak. At least Godfrey isn't weak

Out: Bate (inj.), Garland, Brown, Jamar

In: Neitz, Ferguson, Newton, Green

B: Ferguson Carroll Petterd

HB: Bell Rivers C Johnson

C: Johnstone Bruce Green

HF: Sylvia Miller Pickett

F: Newton Neitz Davey

R: White Moloney McDonald

Int: P Johnson, Dunn, Yze, Godfrey

Emg: Bizzell, Brown, Buckley

Jamar could use a game or two back at Sandringham to get 80-90% game time in the ruck to keep his fitness up and remind him that he is better then VFL level and belongs in the red & blue.

Perfect chance to give Newton a taste of AFL level before McLean, Jones, etc return in the next couple of weeks and squeeze a few players out of the side.

Port only have Lade in the ruck at the moment - Brogan injured his ankle against the Pies and as far as I know isn't back this week.

Therefore Jamar shouldn't get in as second ruckman by default - it is a good chance for PJ to show his worth at AFL level (if there is any). 2 ruckmen vs 1.

It's no secret that we really are struggling for a third tall defender - whether you like it or not all the noises coming out of the club say Warnock is the frontrunner from Ferg and Biz, Holland is injured and it says to me P.Johnson will either be selected as #2 ruck or dropped.

Hopefully Wheats/Frawley are back soon so we have more options.

Jones is apparently a better chance than Green. Neita will probably come back.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the team that fronts up:

In: Neitz, Jones, Warnock, Newton

Out: Jamar, Garland, Brown, Bate (inj)

B: Bell - Carroll - Warnock

HB: Petterd - Rivers - C.Johnson

C: Johnstone - McDonald - Moloney

HF: Davey - Miller - Yze

F: Pickett - Neitz - Dunn

R: White - Bruce - Godfrey

I: P.Johnson - Sylvia - Jones - Newton

Port only have Lade in the ruck at the moment - Brogan injured his ankle against the Pies and as far as I know isn't back this week.

Brogan was a late exclusion last week. But reports say he'll be fit this week.

In: Neitz, Jones, Warnock, Newton

Out: Jamar, Garland, Brown, Bate (inj)

B: Bell - Carroll - Warnock

HB: Petterd - Rivers - C.Johnson

C: Johnstone - McDonald - Moloney

HF: Davey - Miller - Yze

F: Pickett - Neitz - Dunn

R: White - Bruce - Godfrey

I: P.Johnson - Sylvia - Jones - Newton

I like this team the most. At worst PJ can play/rest as the 3rd tall back (in Holland's continued injured absence)

My surprise over Garland getting a run before Newt's was justified when he did nothing (instant drop)

Bate injured

Dog shouldnt have been in the team for as long as he has been

Jamar, out of form, out of chances?

Nieta back in to straighten us up and be a Gorrila in the goal square

Warnock, looked solid and ran at Sandu on sat

Jones boy (glen lovett junior) needs no explanation

And the big one..... Newton (yes i was at sandy on sunday but only for the 1st half) I can see where he might need a few more matches at sandy for confidence, he kicked 6 but there was many times I thought he could have done more. 1 or 2 dropped catchable marks, 1 or 2 times e could have gone to the contest, 1 or 2 times he could have chased. They all add up, not that he is not capable of any of them just being confident in his own ability to attack the ball or the person with it. Or maybe he is just trying to hard... im not a footy coach so I cant say. But maybe leaving him at sandy for another 2 or 3 weeks would be good for him but then there may not be a better chance than now to see if he can put his hand up and say this is what I want.

My side

IN- Netiz OUT-Bate

- Green -Jamar

Thats it. Try and keep the same side.

Sylvia lucky also needs to improve or he is a chance not to be there next year.

Sylvia lucky also needs to improve or he is a chance not to be there next year.

The only possible way Sylvia will not be on the list next year is if he's involved in a trade for Judd. The club has invested far too much in him to discard him when he's finally fully fit and ready to fire.

Thats it. Try and keep the same side.

Try and keep the same side that got thrashed by Sydney?

The club has invested far too much in him to discard him when he's finally fully fit and ready to fire.

don't know why I just found myself thinking of Thommo.

i'm still pissed that he "wanted to go home".

Try and keep the same side that got thrashed by Sydney?

Agree Clint Bizkit. Its easy to say keep the side consistent but that only works when you have the right mix. Right now we don't have the right mix.

I thought we were a defender short against Sydney and I'll be disappointed if one of Bizzell, Ferguson or Warnock doesn't come into the side.

Judging by people who went to the function last night, form and media reports:

In - Neitz, Warnock, Jones,

Out - Brown, Bate (inj) Garland

B Warnock Carroll Bell

HB Petterd Rivers Sylvia

C Godfrey Moloney Johnstone

HF Pickett** Miller Davey

F Dunn Neitz Yze

FOLL White Bruce McDonald

Int C Johnson Jones P Johnson Jamar (think he will be needed to counter Lade/Brogan. Very last chance)

**Pickett to have a blinder as he always plays well against the old boys.

Key Matchups - Rivers on Tredrea (gets first crack, then give it to Carroll/Warnock)

Carroll on Ebert

Bruce on C Cornes

Godfey on a Burgoyne

J Mac on a Burgoyne

Bell on Motlop

Go read Choko's thread about the club function tonight...

Ferguson is too slow and too weak. At least Godfrey isn't weak

What he said was that ferguson is to slow to play Full back, meaning on a leading type tall. And he also said he's not strong enough to play on the power forwards (gorillas) but he could play on the others like young ablett etc, with ferg the matchup is important.

MELBOURNEfc Squad

Backs: C.Bruce, N.Carroll, A.Yze

Half backs: N.Brown, J.Rivers, D.Bell

Centreline: C.Sylvia, J.McDonald, A.Davey

Half forwards: R.Petterd, B.Miller, B.Pickett

Forwards: L.Dunn, D.Neitz, B.Moloney

Followers: J.White, S.Godfrey, T.Johnstone

I/C From: P.Johnson, N.Jones, M.Bate, C.Johnson, S.Buckley, B.Holland, M.Warnock

From the mfc website

Jamar and Garland both ommited