4 hours ago, layzie said:

Could be a great test for the lad. We need to develop another lock down guy and you probably learn quickest playing on the best players.

Wouldn't count Hibbo out though. We know he can offer a bit more than just playing on Cameron and be the experienced reliever down back. 

I would like to see us take a more of a ‘horses for courses’ selection process for players each game day, rather than trying to have a ‘settled’ side week in, week out. Potential positives include:-

Given the depth of talent in our current squad,  this would give more players the opportunity to gain experience and exposure in the ones.      
This would also give injured players (eg -May) extra time to overcome injury concerns and increase their chances of being fully fit come September 
And enable some other key ‘older’ players to be rested when they need a break
Which in turn would encourage positive competition on the training track week in , week out.

All in all this should improve chances of having a fit and committed team come September that has real proven depth (eg - in case  we encounter a serious injury in the finals campaign).

The downside risk I see with this approach being not having a ‘settled stable side’. The counter argument however being is that if more players get appropriate game exposure during the year,  they should get more and more familiar with the ‘demons system of play’ so if and when the need arose they could just slot into the ones.

We need to take advantage of our current squad’s depth. Come September only 23 can make the team. The players that miss out would at least know they were very important contributors who enabled the club to get there.

And by the way, I could be totally wrong, I’m just a fan of the club. Not really fussed if people think I’ve got it all wrong (good chance I have!).  And for the record, I fully back the football department.  Never in my life have I been so happy following the Mighty Dees.  That is an undisputed fact! GO DEES!!!

Edited March 20, 20232 yr by Wodjathefirst

14 hours ago, chook fowler said:

No way can I see May playing - an old man’s calf doesn’t fix in 1 week. 

Not even for a 30 year old CF. I would be thinking 4 weeks actually. Calf injuries are one of the hardest to heal. 

There's no way I would be risking any of our 4 Premiership players in Steven May, Jack Viney, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem unless they are 100% fit. Remember it is a VERY long season!

 

However, I think Viney replacing Bailey Laurie and Fritsch replacing Kozzy Pickett are the most logical replacements. As long as they are fit and ready to play. If there is ANY doubt we should not risk them.

 

As other fellow Demonlanders have mentioned, I am definitely concerned about dangerous small forward Charlie Cameron. Would he slaughter 2nd gamer in Judd McVee? Is it better to replace him with Michael Hibberd? That's my biggest question.

 

Perhaps Michael Hibberd should be the "super sub" for this game? Although, I do believe Jake Melksham did an excellent job against the Bulldogs.

I also think Harmes should tag Daniel Rich as a defensive half forward. We also need to be mindful of speedy Irishman Conor McKenna.

 

The Brisbane Lions have a team stacked full of talent and will be fired up to make amends after their disappointing loss to Port Adelaide. This will certainly be a challenging game for the Demons up at the GABBA on Friday night.

 

Fritsch and Viney completed most of the pre season, so if they are deemed 100% fit they should walk straight back into the side.

I think Salem needs time in the VFL to get some fitness and touch back. He has missed a big chunk of the pre-season and his condition is not so easy to manage.
He was also in and out of the side last year with injury, and his form was pretty poor by his own high standards. A couple of weeks to gain confidence at Casey will do him a world of good. He is an A grade player, and at his best he makes us a better side. Would be fantastic to get him back to that level prior to finals.

As for May, wrap that golden egg up in cotton wool and protect it from all evils. Far far too important to risk in round 2. 

15 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

There's no way I would be risking any of our 4 Premiership players in Steven May, Jack Viney, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem unless they are 100% fit. Remember it is a VERY long season!

 

However, I think Viney replacing Bailey Laurie and Fritsch replacing Kozzy Pickett are the most logical replacements. As long as they are fit and ready to play. If there is ANY doubt we should not risk them.

 

As other fellow Demonlanders have mentioned, I am definitely concerned about dangerous small forward Charlie Cameron. Would he slaughter 2nd gamer in Judd McVee? Is it better to replace him with Michael Hibberd? That's my biggest question.

 

Perhaps Michael Hibberd should be the "super sub" for this game? Although, I do believe Jake Melksham did an excellent job against the Bulldogs.

I also think Harmes should tag Daniel Rich as a defensive half forward. We also need to be mindful of speedy Irishman Conor McKenna.

 

The Brisbane Lions have a team stacked full of talent and will be fired up to make amends after their disappointing loss to Port Adelaide. This will certainly be a challenging game for the Demons up at the GABBA on Friday night.

 

McVee didn't seem in any way daunted by being asked to lock down Martin in the preseason game - I realise he is a different player type to Cameron but IMO Judd should have first crack at him.

6 minutes ago, monoccular said:

McVee didn't seem in any way daunted by being asked to lock down Martin in the preseason game - I realise he is a different player type to Cameron but IMO Judd should have first crack at him.

100% agree. Give McVee the job. I'm backing him in.

21 minutes ago, Action Jackson said:

100% agree. Give McVee the job. I'm backing him in.

I'd be very surprised if the big mcv doesn't line up on Cameron.

He is surprisingly good one on one, is competitive and has the acceleration over the first 5 metres so to go with Cameron.

And i reckon Goody has him penciled in as the defender to take exactly such players - players we have really struggled to conatin since Jett's brilliant 2018 season. 

Judd played on Higgins and Dusty in the praccy matches. And on the dog's best effort equivalent (ie medium forward) in Hannan against the dogs (ireckon he would have gone to Weightman if he played).

31 minutes ago, Action Jackson said:

100% agree. Give McVee the job. I'm backing him in.

You back him in for the First Quarter for sure, Hopefully we can Blitz Vegas early in the game, like Last year

I still think they are very overrated as a Team

7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

You back him in for the First Quarter for sure, Hopefully we can Blitz Vegas early in the game, like Last year

I still think they are very overrated as a Team

You omitted ... "and then hang or / (preferably) run away with it".

5 hours ago, ANG13 said:

This week if Salem is fit and depending on exact match ups in the backline I would have Brayshaw on the wing and would prefer to see Bowey, Rivers and Salem given an opportunity to rotate through the midfield to. I think Brayshaw is a better player than Hunter and has a better work rate than Hunter also. Bowey, Rivers and even Jordon are all good players who I think should improve a lot this year and could add something different to our midfield group particularly if McVee can hold his spot down back. 
 

I personally feel Hunter is better suited to the high half forward flanker role but I would still have ANB and Spargo in front of him. Just my opinion though. 

I think your inclusion of Jordan in the imperatives of moving forward with increasing talent and game time is most appropriate. That young fella has heaps to offer and is more than capable of raising eyebrows onfield. He is one of the few with whom increasing game time and workloads are critical. 

35 minutes ago, monoccular said:

You omitted ... "and then hang or / (preferably) run away with it".

We are not Banged up with injuries this time around 

 

 

Fritch in for Kozzi 

viney in for Laurie 

May in for Tommo

and Salem plays vfl???

OUT: Pickett, Laurie, McVee, Tomlinson

IN: Viney, Fritsch, Salem, May

McVee gets the vest or melksham retains it.

it's stiff on Tommo and McVee but theres levels to this game and they'll get more chances over the course of the season

Can’t see Salem or Fritsch coming back in off limited preparation - they probably both need at least three quarters with Casey first. 

 

Laurie and Pickett having a rest, and Viney and Fritch in, if BOTH FULLY FIT

I would be shocked if McVee gets dropped. Hes gone from an unknown to playing rd 1 in a top 2 side in a heartbeat because the coaches know he's something special.  

Before his baulk on Libba there was a contest on the wing where we have a 2 on 1.  He does the sums in his head and subtly runs in front of naughton to block his line of sight to the ball (and not to give away a free kick). Then releases just when Petty picks up knowing he is the option forward of the ball. It was all just so smooth.  Also he has great 3 step acceleration and he hits targets. This kid is something special.  Give him the role on Cameron to start, lets see his ceiling.

Edited March 21, 20232 yr by Jjrogan

I hope the team trained with soap on the pills as it could be quite damp with humidity up here Friday night. 31 during day and min of 20 overnight. Be a warm one. Looking forward to going and trust we play like the last round in 22. Not the final!!!

Why on earth is this game starting at 7.55pm? I realise that it will only be 6.55pm in Brisbane. However, the inconsistency of game starting times does my head in!

1 minute ago, Docs Demons said:

I hope the team trained with soap on the pills as it could be quite damp with humidity up here Friday night. 31 during day and min of 20 overnight. Be a warm one. Looking forward to going and trust we play like the last round in 22. Not the final!!!

Thanks.. was about to check the weather... Sounds like a warm one

Rotations and sub use will be important

21 hours ago, old dee said:

Not even for a 30 year old CF. I would be thinking 4 weeks actually. Calf injuries are one of the hardest to heal. 

Yes and if it goes again.... might not be back till well into second half if lucky.  No doubt the FD won't be pushing to get him in unless he's cherry ripe

We don't need everyone back this week.

Salem will need a run with the 2s for a while to just get into the rhythm again. We can do without May for another week or 2. No point rushing him back. We have cover. We know Lever can direct traffic out there. 

If Viney and Fritter are fit and ready, they are natural inclusions for Kozzie ad Laurie. 

Those 2 changes alone, together with the solid performance we put in last week will mean the Lions will have a lot to think about. I agree with the sentiments above, Judd was awesome, we want to reward and encourage guys like that - he'd seriously challenge Cameron.

Don't think the Lions will match the team above. Last year's final loss resulted from a lot of banged up players, and the culmination of (IMO) poor self mindset throughout the year. Our guys are looking fresh, and I think we have readjusted the mindset a little. 

I like Milkshake as the Sub. The pace and heat is off late third and last. His pressure or lack thereof is not as much as a factor and the ground is bigger with tired players so he can hit open targets (such as goals from 60m out). He gets 5 to 7 touches in a last quarter, it will lead to points.