2024 Opening Round Team

[gs77 3,380]

8 minutes ago, loges said:

Actually watching Fullarton running 3/4 pace last Thursday without any sign of a limp I'd say he'd be a chance if he gets enough practise in 

Wasn't the discussion with Oliver's hammy last year that even a bad hamstring injury can be run on after a few weeks, it's the full effort running that takes longer to get back?

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,347]

34 minutes ago, gs77 said:

Wasn't the discussion with Oliver's hammy last year that even a bad hamstring injury can be run on after a few weeks, it's the full effort running that takes longer to get back?

I watched last year's Port game the other day and it was the most obvious hammy strain that you'd see. How he received the green light to play out the game is just beyond me.

Anyway the original diagnosis was 6-8 weeks for Fullarton which would have him available for the weekend we play the Dogs as a worst case/most conservative scenario.. Presumably he'd need 2 to 3 games at Casey from that weekend onwards, which would see a round 4 or 5 potential MFC debut if his form warrants it.

 

Edited February 14 by Bring-Back-Powell

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,347]

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

And Hunter.

Yes and Hunter too.

I'd suggest the journo go back to his desk and re-submit a more realistic 22.

[loges 6,146]

1 hour ago, gs77 said:

Wasn't the discussion with Oliver's hammy last year that even a bad hamstring injury can be run on after a few weeks, it's the full effort running that takes longer to get back?

Well keep your fingers crossed because he was moving more freely than a few others we're waiting on.

[58er 5,632]

11 hours ago, loges said:

Well keep your fingers crossed because he was moving more freely than a few others we're waiting on.

Touch wood and I don’t really believe that Clarry has a hammy issue any more. That has not been the case since July/ August 2023.

He is doing  everything right so far in his desire and effort to make a success  of 2024, You can see it the way he looks so determined. I wish him all the success he deserves. 

[leave it to deever 16,013]

Good to see Tommo get a spot.

[Dannyz 2,335]

22 hours ago, loges said:

Don't expect Petty to play, Oliver and McAdam possibly.

I've got no doubts McAdam will play round one barring an injury. I don't think many understand how much of the forward line strategy involves him. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,347]

7 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

I've got no doubts McAdam will play round one barring an injury. I don't think many understand how much of the forward line strategy involves him. 

Any intel whether he'll be getting minutes in either the Richmond or Carlton praccy matches?

Our round 0 side is lacking spark and potency without Petty and Kozzie so I'm hoping McAdam will be in the side.

[stinga 475]

On 14/02/2024 at 12:13, Demonland said:

Fox Footy have posted their Opening Round Teams for 2024.

MELBOURNE

B: Adam Tomlinson, Steven May, Trent Rivers

HB: Judd McVee, Jake Lever, Christian Salem

C: Lachie Hunter, Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon

HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch, Charlie Spargo

F: Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty, Jacob van Rooyen

FOLL: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney

I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Bowey, Tom Sparrow, Jack Billings, Kade Chandler (sub)

It hasn’t been the cleanest pre-season for the Demons on the injury front, particularly up forward – where they can probably least afford it. Recruit Tom Fullarton (hamstring) and Ben Brown (knee) will miss the opening rounds, while Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty (foot) and Tom McDonald (calf) have also had disrupted summers and Jake Melksham is still recovering from his ACL tear. Lachie Hunter (calf) is also in doubt and Christian Salem was on light duties last week. Kysaiah Pickett, who’s had a ripping pre-season, is suspended for Round 1, while Joel Smith is also absent after his provisional suspension for a positive cocaine test after a game last season. Plus, no Fullarton and Brodie Grundy’s exit means the Dees have limited ruck cover behind Max Gawn to start the season. The biggest question isn’t a physical health issue, but a mental health one, with Clayton Oliver thankfully returning to training over the past fortnight after a tough 2023. While the superstar midfielder is tracking in the right direction, his situation remains a precarious one. Draftees in Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup have impressed in their first pre-seasons to put their hands up for an early-season debut, while the returning Marty Hore and former Saint Jack Billings will also put their hand up. The likes of Tom Sparrow, Bailey Laurie and Trent Rivers could be in line for more midfield opportunities, with track watchers spotting Rivers’ move from defence.

I think it's about right.  Maybe Hore, Howes, Tmac and Turner could be in the same mix as Thomlinson.

I think Hunter would be the one likely to go for Kossie in round 1, but Billings would have to play well.

I guess we'll know more after the richmond, carlton ventures

[DeeSpencer 23,313]

FB: McVee May Hore
HB: Rivers Lever Bowey
C; Windsor Petracca Langdon
HF: Spargo Schache ANB
FF: Fritsch JvR McAdam
Foll: Gawn Brayshaw Viney
Int: Salem Sparrow Chandler Laurie
S: Billings

E: Tomlinson, Howes, Woewodin 

Unavailable: Oliver, Hunter, Petty, Fullarton, Pickett (susp)

Salo obviously has to prove his fitness and we’ll see how much they rotate him with Gus and Rivers on ball. Howes will have a chance to push his case which then frees another half back in to midfield but I don’t think he’s quite ready.

Chandler, Laurie, Spargo, Billings are probably competing for 3 spots and the sub. Woey too. Billings will get his chance in the practice games but I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaches think his defensive and contested efforts need a bit more refinement. Plus he can be an important impact sub. 

Will Windsor be ready, we’ll know soon.

I don’t think they rush Clarry back. I suspect they stick to the initial plan of a slow build for him.

[Wizard of Koz 970]

22 hours ago, gs77 said:

Wasn't the discussion with Oliver's hammy last year that even a bad hamstring injury can be run on after a few weeks, it's the full effort running that takes longer to get back?

I think his hammy issues may have been a ruse

[Dannyz 2,335]

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Any intel whether he'll be getting minutes in either the Richmond or Carlton praccy matches?

Our round 0 side is lacking spark and potency without Petty and Kozzie so I'm hoping McAdam will be in the side.

He will absolutely be getting minutes across these games 

[WERRIDEE 5,238]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: McVee May Hore
HB: Rivers Lever Bowey
C; Windsor Petracca Langdon
HF: Spargo Schache ANB
FF: Fritsch JvR McAdam
Foll: Gawn Brayshaw Viney
Int: Salem Sparrow Chandler Laurie
S: Billings

E: Tomlinson, Howes, Woewodin 

Unavailable: Oliver, Hunter, Petty, Fullarton, Pickett (susp)

Salo obviously has to prove his fitness and we’ll see how much they rotate him with Gus and Rivers on ball. Howes will have a chance to push his case which then frees another half back in to midfield but I don’t think he’s quite ready.

Chandler, Laurie, Spargo, Billings are probably competing for 3 spots and the sub. Woey too. Billings will get his chance in the practice games but I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaches think his defensive and contested efforts need a bit more refinement. Plus he can be an important impact sub. 

Will Windsor be ready, we’ll know soon.

I don’t think they rush Clarry back. I suspect they stick to the initial plan of a slow build for him.

It should be reading opening round team

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Rivers, Tomlinson, Bowey

C: Windsor, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Petracca, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, Schache, Chandler

FOLL: Gawn, Brayshaw, Viney

IC: Salem, Sparrow, Billings, Spargo

SUB: Laurie

EMERG: Howes, Woewodin, Hore

[spirit of norm smith 13,197]

Misding from our 23 finals team are  brayshaw Hibbo Jordon

unavailable 10-  Pickett(susp) smith (susp) Hunter (inj)tmcd (inj) Bbb (inj) Melksham (inj) Turner (inj) McAdam (inj) Fullerton(inj) Brayshaw (retired) 

Hoping for a fit Oliver 🤞 and Petty 🤞

B McVee May Lever
HB Salem Tomlinson Rivers
C Langdon Viney Windsor (debut)
HF Billings JVR ANB
F Fritsch Petty Spargo
Fol Gawn Oliver Petracca 
Int Bowey Laurie Sparrow Chandler Woewodin (Sub)

emerg. Hore Schache Howes

dev. AMW, KFW, Jefferson, Adams, Verrell, Kolt, Sestan, KBrown

squad 44 

[DubDee 21,050]

damn. having 10 missing is a terrible place to start the season

kids will be getting games this year for sure

[Demongirl35 829]

I can’t see petty playing round 0 tbh 

B: Mcvee   May   lever 

HB: Bowey Tomlinson Salem

C:billings Viney   Langdon 

HF: Spargo  JVR    ANB

FF:Fritsch Trac  McAdam 

R: Gawn Oliver rivers

Int: laurie, sparrow Schache, chandler

trac needs to play more minutes in the forward for this game 

[loges 6,146]

44 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Misding from our 23 finals team are  brayshaw Hibbo Jordon

unavailable 10-  Pickett(susp) smith (susp) Hunter (inj)tmcd (inj) Bbb (inj) Melksham (inj) Turner (inj) McAdam (inj) Fullerton(inj) Brayshaw (retired) 

Hoping for a fit Oliver 🤞 and Petty 🤞

B McVee May Lever
HB Salem Tomlinson Rivers
C Langdon Viney Windsor (debut)
HF Billings JVR ANB
F Fritsch Petty Spargo
Fol Gawn Oliver Petracca 
Int Bowey Laurie Sparrow Chandler Woewodin (Sub)

emerg. Hore Schache Howes

dev. AMW, KFW, Jefferson, Adams, Verrell, Kolt, Sestan, KBrown

squad 44 

Petty seems to be a long way off.

[spirit of norm smith 13,197]

7 hours ago, loges said:

Petty seems to be a long way off.

Updated: February 22

 

Melbourne injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Return
Ben Brown	Knee	TBC
Clayton Oliver	Personal	TBC
Tom Fullarton	Hamstring	Early season
Lachie Hunter	Calf	Test for Round 1
Jake Melksham	Knee	2025
Joel Smith	Misconduct	TBC
Kysaiah Pickett	Suspension	Round 2

• Oliver is back training but faces a race against time to be fit for the season
• A calf injury sees Hunter be in doubt for Round 1

 

[whatwhat say what 19,311]

5 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Updated: February 22

 

Melbourne injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Return
Ben Brown	Knee	TBC
Clayton Oliver	Personal	TBC
Tom Fullarton	Hamstring	Early season
Lachie Hunter	Calf	Test for Round 1
Jake Melksham	Knee	2025
Joel Smith	Misconduct	TBC
Kysaiah Pickett	Suspension	Round 2

• Oliver is back training but faces a race against time to be fit for the season
• A calf injury sees Hunter be in doubt for Round 1

 

milkshake will be back mid-year, not 2025

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,186]

8 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

milkshake will be back mid-year, not 2025

That’s very quick for an ACL!
Is LARS still a thing?  Was all the rage a few years ago, but never really hear about it now…

 

[whatwhat say what 19,311]

6 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

That’s very quick for an ACL!
Is LARS still a thing?  Was all the rage a few years ago, but never really hear about it now…

 

no, but from all reports he is significantly ahead of schedule

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,347]

Tom Doedee from Brisbane will be returning to the seniors 10 months after his ACL, so there’s no reason why Melksham won’t be back in the team by the North or Brisbane game in late June, given he’s at almost at the end of his career.

[Roost it far 6,239]

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

no, but from all reports he is significantly ahead of schedule

Players are always ahead of schedule until they’re not. It’s a 10-12 month injury

[whatwhat say what 19,311]

14 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Players are always ahead of schedule until they’re not. It’s a 10-12 month injury

10 months would have him returning to playing by july

that's achievable and anything earlier would be a bonus

[58er 5,632]

37 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Players are always ahead of schedule until they’re not. It’s a 10-12 month injury. 

 

June late would be 10 mth as partly predicted RIF. (If it occurs. )