Jump to content

Featured Replies

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Well this is now looming as a big challenge.

A win in this game, with our outs, will lift the club’s confidence in their ability to bring in depth and still win.

Winning the clearances will become even more critical than usual, as defensive rebound may not be as strong.

With queries on our defence it is even more important that we deliver cleanly and positively into the forward line. Easy rebounds could be very costly. 

 

More outs than I’d like to see in rd1, but we have depth and should still account for the doggies, but it will be a pretty close game. Good to see us bringing in some of our new blood.

On this point, how can we have so many injuries before the year has started? It’s not like round 1 is a surprise. We have 6 months to get everyone good to go!? 

15 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Bill Laurie’s inclusion makes Chandler and Jordon less likely to play. A bit mystifying me thinks. But my form as a selector isn’t good.

We're all archair experts, chook. No harm in that! 

At the end of the day, the FD know intimately who's cherry ripe and who's not, and we have to trust that. It's largely worked for us over the last couple of years

Hindsight will prove us all right or wrong!

 

Also, geez I hope Salem gets his body right really soon, he was so out of sorts last year, I was looking to him starting fresh this year and returning to 2021 form, and he’s starting this year… injured, again?? 


Don’t forget last year guys for the 1st 4 rounds we were without lever and petty, lever returned round 4 and petty round 5 and we were just fine, if our structures hold up then it goes a long way to winning 

plus we lost Salem round 1 aswell 

I bet our back line will look better than what it was last year on paper go check it out 

Edited by brendan

9 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Chandler is so far ahead of Laurie in form it should be a laydown Misere!!

Thanks Goody

1 minute ago, brendan said:

Don’t forget last year guys for the 1st 4 rounds we were without lever and petty, lever returned round 4 and petty round 5 and we were just fine, if our structures hold up then it goes a long way to winning 

plus we lost Salem round 1 aswell 

Words of wisdom, Brendan.

Worth noting

 

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

1 minute ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

Yep, spot on. Imo play Tmac back, McVee off the bench, as well and one of Gawn or Grundy drops back more often. Petty, Lever, Tmac and Max in the back half. Should cover the Doggies talls

Let our elite smaller backs clean up - Gus, Bowey, Rivers with Langers and Hunter helping out.

They key is midfield dominance and connection with the forwards. Whoever does this best will likely win


15 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Also, geez I hope Salem gets his body right really soon, he was so out of sorts last year, I was looking to him starting fresh this year and returning to 2021 form, and he’s starting this year… injured, again?? 

This time it isn’t the soft tissue injury issue with Salo, and he has been back running by all accounts so maybe a warm up game or two with Casey then he should be right to go anew. 

8 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

MCDonald is so important structurally up forward (see the debacle of second half of 2022)  I would prefer to try Scack back - could switch them if things get bad. 

Reckon this is how we line up.
 

B: D Turner, Petty, Rivers

HB: Brayshaw, Lever, Bowey

C: Langdon, Oliver, Hunter

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Chandler

F: Pickett, Brown, Spargo

R: Gawn, Petracca, Harmes

I: Grundy, Sparrow, Laurie, McVee

Sub: Jordon

24 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

Been wondering why so little mention of JVR so far?

Genuine Q... Have I missed something? Or has his progress been slow?

I thought he was close by end of last year, and while Tmac provides a big lug target, I don't think he's a superstar... I was keen to see JVR early this season in the Tmac or BBB role

Would've thought Tmac back an option with JVR forward 

Edited by Graeme Yeats' Mullet


Laurie didn't do much against the Tigers so I was surprised to hear of the news of his debut. But after I have let my thoughts settle I think it is fantastic.  He will be better for the run and R1 - what a great game for him to debut in. Lets see what he has got on the big stage. He certainly has some tricks. To me he has an odd body shape which I thought might hinder him career wise but glass half full it is not dissimilar to Gary Ablett Junior. 

Pleased to see McVee in. Looks a great mover and great kick. When you pair him with Bowey that is some neat ball users coming out of the backline. 

May is big loss but Hibberd or Turner to cover. Maybe Turner in and Hibberd the sub. 

After last years finish we needed a freshness and we certainly have that with McVee and Bowey in the backline, Hunter and Grundy and the new rotations in the mid with Rivers, ANB and Kozzie. 

It does suck after a long preseason to head into round 1 without 4 top liners. But I still think we will get the job done. 

 

2 hours ago, BDA said:

Show some faith folks. Unfortunate for May but we’ll win regardless because we are the better team. Turner to deputise with distinction. 25 point win coming up.

And good look Laurie and McVee. We’re all right behind you both.

Exactly! May, Salem, Viney, Fritsch all important/automatic players and big outs but look at who we still have in. Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Brayshaw, Petty, Lever, Kozzie, TMac, Grundy, Langdon, Hunter. Still a formidable side to front up against.

3 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

There are no real secrets in footy these days. 

LOL. There are many, many real secrets, in our Club anyways. Idk about other clubs but our ‘keeping things under wraps’ game is totes on point. V successful. I heard things as far back as late last season that still aren’t publicly known. True story. 

We have heard from several different players during pre-season that they will be playing (at times) diff positions. Clarry in the Tigers game played a little at half back. The thinking behind this is of great value especially “in game” that if a player  goes down …multiple players can shift around & cover an injured player. This will be tested on Sat night …we will have 22 fit ..hungry players who if they play their roles we will win. The bulldogs have their own injury problems & their so called “tall 4 “ are just as unproven as the Grundy/ Gawn combo although I have a lot more confidence in our combo. 

Not sure if this has already been posted, but Sam McLure’s already stuck the boots in with a snow joke and the season hasn’t even started yet.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-reshuffle-new-boss-makes-his-mark-to-defuse-football-department-tension-20230315-p5csbs.html
 

The context is that apparently the MCC expects our game to draw a lower crowd than Hawthorn v Essendon on Sunday. 


41 minutes ago, monoccular said:

MCDonald is so important structurally up forward (see the debacle of second half of 2022)  I would prefer to try Scack back - could switch them if things get bad. 

The back half of last year we didn’t have any options up forward without Tom. This year we’ve got JVR fitter, stronger and ready to go. Get him in 

FWIW, I think Hibbo might be a good matchup for JUH. If Petty goes on Naughton, and one of Grawndy drops back, hopefully we’ll be ok…..

Lobb gives me nightmares. Absolutely teared us up on the MCG last year once May went down. Dogs forward line is huge. Could hurt them as well but gee they could also tear us up down there.

 

Sone massive overreaction going on here regarding the May news.

I see this as a great challenge for us. We've been blessed with May staying fit since 2020, but now I see this as an opportunity for someone like Petty to show the competition by he should be spoken on the same level as May and Lever.

Or perhaps someone like a Daniel Turner who can come in and grab their opportunity with both hands.

Good top 4 teams still win games regardless if an individual goes down.

Richmond lost Rance to knee reco back in the early rounds of 2019 and went on to win a flag.

On the two debutants, I love it! We, including myself were desperate for fresh young talent last year to inject a bit of enthusiasm and spark into the line up. Well I'm glad to see it happen round 1 and regardless of whether Laurie deserves it or not it's a great opportunity to further improve our depth with these two now getting a taste of AFL action.

Go well lads.


Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: Essendon

    As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie? 
    Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG. Unfortunately, performances like these went against the grain of what Melbourne has been producing from virtually midway through 2024 and extending right through to the present day. This is a game between two clubs who have faltered over the past couple of years because their disposal efficiency is appalling. Neither of them can hit the side of a barn door but history tells us that every once in a while such teams have their lucky days or come up against an opponent in even worse shape and hence, one of them will come up trumps in this match.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Like
    • 233 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 05

    Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

    • 16 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Geelong

    There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Geelong

    I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 04

    Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • Like
    • 273 replies
    Demonland