5 minutes ago, Nicko said:

What I have also loved seeing from BBB over the last couple of weeks is the pure enjoyment he is getting from seeing his teammates’ success. He cheers and celebrates everything with them - it brings a smile to my face each time I see it ❤️💙

From everything I have seen, BBB looks to be the nicest guy on and off the field.

When he hangs 'em up, I hope he hangs around and eventually takes the forward coach role. Would love to keep him.

But not yet - he deserves another premiership medal. 

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

As the world continues to spin at 107,000 kms per hour !!!! Hold on tight everyone… woooooohooooo!!! 

Not at the poles. 

2 hours ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

Anyone aware of training times when the lads are training in Adelaide? @WalkingCivilWar 

Hoping there is a training on Monday at some point?🙏

Andy posted this on another thread:

 

PS really happy for you to be attending two matches. I take living in Melbourne for granted and sometimes whinge coz I have to miss out on attending a couple of matches in a season. Enjoy the matches! I hope your team wins! (that’s a little cheer squad joke, it’s never not funny. To us, anyways 😁)

1 hour ago, bluey said:

He’s nearly thirty and struggled to play fifty games, I wouldn’t be expecting much.

He is 28 and was drafted at 23 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

In my preseason ramblings I clearly stated that we could finish anywhere from 1 - 12 based on our pre season. I’m edging closer to 1 after watching them. There’s a resolve, a clear hunger and want atm. I like it but there’s 20 more games to go before our season really begins. This is the fluff

Fair enough and I agree 

15 minutes ago, von said:

Fair enough and I agree 

I must say I may of been overly strident with my views during the preseason. Last years finals really [censored] me off 😂

4 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

I must say I may of been overly strident with my views during the preseason. Last years finals really [censored] me off 😂

Me too, I was ready to not pay much attention to the football this season. I was kidding myself though 

 

 

Port is one of the few teams that rely on their top 3 midfielders for inside 50s more than us.  And they bat deep.  Rozee is good uncontested so we have to have someone responsible for him from stoppages.  Viney for mine. Wines and Drew I think can be nullified. But Butters, well good luck. Guy has gone from 'potential' to mini Petracca/Oliver clone in 25 games.  Egads.

 

2 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

He said he is feeling great (specifically hammy) & roughly two weeks away at Monday's training.

Was kicking goals from 50 so fair to say he's looking good hammy wise.

Sure he may get up to play a game here or there, but the doubts are around a sustained presence in our forward line. 

With Lever likely to play now, which option do you think we'll go with:

A) The simple like for like with Tomlinson replacing May.

B) Going in small and starting Hore as a "tall defender" with T Mac as the other tall defender and Lever as the interceptor. No Tommo. You're essentially putting a lot of faith in Hore taking a Marshall or Finlayson.

C) Petty plays in defence. Tomo left out.

1 hour ago, Jjrogan said:

Port is one of the few teams that rely on their top 3 midfielders for inside 50s more than us.  And they bat deep.  Rozee is good uncontested so we have to have someone responsible for him from stoppages.  Viney for mine. Wines and Drew I think can be nullified. But Butters, well good luck. Guy has gone from 'potential' to mini Petracca/Oliver clone in 25 games.  Egads.

Sounds like Horne-Francis will miss so that helps 

Petty trained solely as a defender today.

 

17 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Thought this was quite an interesting read from (believe it or not) Damien Barrett:

BARRETT: No self-pity as under-fire Melbourne confronts its demons -

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1095159

Can’t argue with that article. 
head down and work hard Demons 

Who cares if outsiders “don’t like us”

Also Oliver is in doubt after being sent for scans on his hand.

 

17 hours ago, CHF said:

While Ben Brown just kicked a point last week I think he has been of great value to the forward group. the opposition just cannot afford to cover him and pay respect to the potential damage he is capable of. It gives a lot of freedom to the rest of the forwards and in particular the smaller forwards at the drop of the ball.

The value Benny brings here shouldn't be underestimated.  He makes the opp potentially have to play an extra tall defender they may not want to, instead maybe wanting to place that tall on a mis-match with Roo (or Petty now he's back) seeking an advantage.

Yes they may already intend to play that tall in the side regardless but having BB in still draws him away from a Petty or Roo.

And if the oppo doesn't have the taller defender options a la the Bulldogs, he ends up drawing the odd free closer to the sticks at times which often result in a bonus 6 points here and there.

Then there's his ability to get the ball to the ground for the smalls as mentioned.

And his occasional foray up the ground for the odd mark down the line or at HB.

Let's hope we continue to see him often going forward.

3 hours ago, Nicko said:

What I have also loved seeing from BBB over the last couple of weeks is the pure enjoyment he is getting from seeing his teammates’ success. He cheers and celebrates everything with them - it brings a smile to my face each time I see it ❤️💙

Absolutely.  He brings an intangible joy that must rub off on the rest of the group.  Gotta love big Benny when he's up & about.

Edited March 27, 20241 yr by Demon Dynasty

22 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

With Lever likely to play now, which option do you think we'll go with:

A) The simple like for like with Tomlinson replacing May.

B) Going in small and starting Hore as a "tall defender" with T Mac as the other tall defender and Lever as the interceptor. No Tommo. You're essentially putting a lot of faith in Hore taking a Marshall or Finlayson.

C) Petty plays in defence. Tomo left out.

The midfield have to step up their workrate. Keep the ball out of Port’s forward line as much as possible. Jack Viney to play a blinder

200 games for the great man

Just now, Demonland said:

Petty trained solely as a defender today.

 

I'm inclined to go for Petty back and Fullarton forward/ruck. We're defence focussed and Petty is far superior to Tomlinson and he makes for a better mix with TMac and Lever. 

Petty is likely far superior to Fullarton forward too, but Fullarton and JVR could take a bit more ruckwork and spell Max for the short turnaround.

Do we give Lever a week off?

B - Howes, Tomlinson/Petty, Hore

HB - Rivers, McDonald, Salem

 

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

With Lever likely to play now, which option do you think we'll go with:

A) The simple like for like with Tomlinson replacing May.

B) Going in small and starting Hore as a "tall defender" with T Mac as the other tall defender and Lever as the interceptor. No Tommo. You're essentially putting a lot of faith in Hore taking a Marshall or Finlayson.

C) Petty plays in defence. Tomo left out.

Tommo in with Marty as sub maybe

Much will obviously depend on whether Lever gets up or not.

If he doesn't i suspect the FD would want to keep Marty in for his ability to play tall and the intercepting.  That might result in Marty in and Tommo as sub.

Petty being trained as a defender might suggest that Tommo probably won't make the cut (sub at best) and we're happy to just play the two talls in BBB & Roo until May returns.

Edited March 27, 20241 yr by Demon Dynasty

1 hour ago, Sydee said:

Sounds like Horne-Francis will miss so that helps 

JHF is a great out.

He makes their midfield even more potent and has a knack for kicking a goal from 50 in key moments.

Hopefully all's ok with Oliver, and with Lever probably playing, we're in a pretty good spot to give Port a crack.

Melbourne star Clayton Oliver was sent for a scan after suffering a dislocated finger at training on Wednesday, but the Demons still expect him to face Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The Demons confirmed Oliver left Casey Fields for a scan following the incident but do not have concerns over his availability ahead of the blockbuster Adelaide Oval clash.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Lever is either out, or named but a late out. Tomlinson and Petty to cover him and May. 

Petty back for a 1-2 games. 

I lean towards Hore sub and someone in at half forward, just not sure who! Fullarton? Woey? Laurie? Or….is it time for the Kolt?

But Hore in too and Salem back on ball works as well.