Going to be an interesting week at selection. After a great win the impulse would be to go again with the same team. However, there are a couple of factors against this. We have a couple of senior, best 23 players returning from injury and available and we are playing a very different team to what we faced with the Lions.

Sydney will have a couple of days extra rest over us. That may also influence selection.

Sydney have a very strong, in form midfield lead by a couple of goal scoring mids in Heeney and Warner. Throw in Grundy to deliver the ball to them and it is the main contest of the game.

As most have agreed on this thread, Viney to come in after missing the last couple of weeks. Before he was injured his tagging jobs were excellent. I would expect him to get that role once again. Most likely Heeney. Oliver steppeed into the tagging role very well in Viney's absence and that looks to have improved his form. Maybe a run with role on Warner given licence to attack the ball and hurt him the other way? I love that Petracca is spending more time in the middle and around the ball. It is where he needs to play for the team.

I would be very tempted to leave the forward line alone for the time being. I can see Fristch being sub once again and stepping in as tactical sub during the 3rd quarter once again. It worked well against the Lions and it was great the way he responded. AJ did not get a lot of disposals but was effective as a backup ruck. 7 hit outs, a couple of tackles and a couple of clearances to go along with a right place/right time goal and a lovely pass to Melksham. I like the way he adds an edge to the forward 50.

What we do with the forwards this week will depend on how we see the Sydney team lining up. here I am thinking about the roles of Petty and Turner. Turner was terrific in defence and Petty was not overly effective in attack. 2 behinds and 10 disposals. Not sure what the impact of possibly bringing lever back into the defence might have on this situation. Not a bad problem to have.

I only watch the games via live streaming and my perception of the roles some players are playing lacks the broader vision of watching at the ground. I am interested in the role that Langdon is playing. seems to be given a licence to roam pretty much as he sees the game. A bit like ANB role. He is a bit like a pseudo wing running overlaps forward and inside as well as supporting in defence and attack. Interesting coaching and interesting to see Goodwin sitting him down during the game going over visuals.

That is just an aside from team selection but I wanted to highlight one of the hybrid roles that are being developed in the team. there are others coming through a well. I see Windsor in a similar position. He was less than his usual effective self last week but I would give him another run this week with maybe a different role.

As noted above we have Lever to possibly return into a very effective defence structure. How and where do we fit him in?

My early selection for Sydney game:

B: Turner, May, Salem

HB: Bowey, TMac, McVee

C: Lindsay, Viney, Langford

HF: Sparrow, Petty, Chandler

F: Melksham, AJ, Pickett

Fol: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver

IC: Rivers, Langdon, Spargo, Windsor/Lever, Fristch.

A strong team and a difficult selection. Lever might have another half at Casey on Saturday and line up as an emergency on Sunday.

The other good thing is that we have a few players at Casey looking to put their hands up for a run. Namely, Laurie, Brown, Howes and Sestan.

Looking forward to seeing the selections. So many ways we could play this and it will have Sydney wondering which way we go right up until the first bounce.

21 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Just re Spargo: he has missed a LOT of footy, understandable that he's taking time to get up to speed.

Whether they persevere with him I have no idea. He certainly brings attack on the ball, but once again, is it enough?

Pity there's no-one really in the VFL banging the door down. Perhaps Brown. Equally, with Viney and presumably Lever back in, I can't see them making a third change to a winning side so I'd imagine Charly gets another week - even as sub?

Spargo’s put together an excellent month before yesterday. I don’t think he’ll even be mentioned in match committee.

Goal kicking hasn’t been good but if that was a criteria to play for Melbourne we’d have no players

3 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

If Lindsay is not ok, can we give Sestan a try? Please?

I think it will be either Windsor to the wing and Rivers back or we move Chin to the wing and Sharp stays in.

Sestan is probably waiting on Bowey or Salem missing time. At least until later in the year when we may as well have a look at him

33 minutes ago, CHF said:

Going to be an interesting week at selection. After a great win the impulse would be to go again with the same team. However, there are a couple of factors against this. We have a couple of senior, best 23 players returning from injury and available and we are playing a very different team to what we faced with the Lions.

Sydney will have a couple of days extra rest over us. That may also influence selection.

Sydney have a very strong, in form midfield lead by a couple of goal scoring mids in Heeney and Warner. Throw in Grundy to deliver the ball to them and it is the main contest of the game.

As most have agreed on this thread, Viney to come in after missing the last couple of weeks. Before he was injured his tagging jobs were excellent. I would expect him to get that role once again. Most likely Heeney. Oliver steppeed into the tagging role very well in Viney's absence and that looks to have improved his form. Maybe a run with role on Warner given licence to attack the ball and hurt him the other way? I love that Petracca is spending more time in the middle and around the ball. It is where he needs to play for the team.

I would be very tempted to leave the forward line alone for the time being. I can see Fristch being sub once again and stepping in as tactical sub during the 3rd quarter once again. It worked well against the Lions and it was great the way he responded. AJ did not get a lot of disposals but was effective as a backup ruck. 7 hit outs, a couple of tackles and a couple of clearances to go along with a right place/right time goal and a lovely pass to Melksham. I like the way he adds an edge to the forward 50.

What we do with the forwards this week will depend on how we see the Sydney team lining up. here I am thinking about the roles of Petty and Turner. Turner was terrific in defence and Petty was not overly effective in attack. 2 behinds and 10 disposals. Not sure what the impact of possibly bringing lever back into the defence might have on this situation. Not a bad problem to have.

I only watch the games via live streaming and my perception of the roles some players are playing lacks the broader vision of watching at the ground. I am interested in the role that Langdon is playing. seems to be given a licence to roam pretty much as he sees the game. A bit like ANB role. He is a bit like a pseudo wing running overlaps forward and inside as well as supporting in defence and attack. Interesting coaching and interesting to see Goodwin sitting him down during the game going over visuals.

That is just an aside from team selection but I wanted to highlight one of the hybrid roles that are being developed in the team. there are others coming through a well. I see Windsor in a similar position. He was less than his usual effective self last week but I would give him another run this week with maybe a different role.

As noted above we have Lever to possibly return into a very effective defence structure. How and where do we fit him in?

My early selection for Sydney game:

B: Turner, May, Salem

HB: Bowey, TMac, McVee

C: Lindsay, Viney, Langford

HF: Sparrow, Petty, Chandler

F: Melksham, AJ, Pickett

Fol: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver

IC: Rivers, Langdon, Spargo, Windsor/Lever, Fristch.

A strong team and a difficult selection. Lever might have another half at Casey on Saturday and line up as an emergency on Sunday.

The other good thing is that we have a few players at Casey looking to put their hands up for a run. Namely, Laurie, Brown, Howes and Sestan.

Looking forward to seeing the selections. So many ways we could play this and it will have Sydney wondering which way we go right up until the first bounce.

I think Lever comes straight in next week, he pushes Windsor out of the backline. I would also drop Sharp and Spargo. Any of Viney/Pickett/Langdon could fill the HF spots. Windsor can play a mix of HF or wing.

In: Viney, Lever

Out: Spargo, Sharp

32 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Spargo’s put together an excellent month before yesterday. I don’t think he’ll even be mentioned in match committee.

Goal kicking hasn’t been good but if that was a criteria to play for Melbourne we’d have no players

FFS 1 Goal in ten games as a forward???? Would not get a game at Oodnadatta Resies!

19 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

I think Lever comes straight in next week, he pushes Windsor out of the backline. I would also drop Sharp and Spargo. Any of Viney/Pickett/Langdon could fill the HF spots. Windsor can play a mix of HF or wing.

In: Viney, Lever

Out: Spargo, Sharp

Yep, possible. There are just so many different ways we could go this week against Sydney. I would have Viney in a tagging/close run with role before slotting him into HF.

Any word on Xavier Lindsay yet?

1 hour ago, bing181 said:

At least he's consistent ... from memory the last match he played was also a 5-possession game.

Lots of bluster, but if you look past that I'm really not sure he's bringing much. Perhaps his physical aggro is helping those around him, but only the inner circle would know that.

He's the Skull Murphy,/ Brute Bernard of Bluff and Bluster in the AFL!

Edited Monday at 10:351 day by picket fence

21 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

This is Petracca's 200th game right? Hopefully the supporters get down to the G after today's result and also to cheer on one of our modern stars, our only Norm Smith Medallist and the guy who helped bring the cup back home to us after 57 years.

But I don’t like his behaviour after our poor 2024 and him being a brand…

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Spargo’s put together an excellent month before yesterday. I don’t think he’ll even be mentioned in match committee.

Goal kicking hasn’t been good but if that was a criteria to play for Melbourne we’d have no players

Upfront I’ll admit I have a soft spot and may be a touch blinkered.

But.. I just think he does a lot of things that don’t get noticed. It’s what he does without the ball, as they say. And, when he has the ball he rarely does the wrong thing..

I like the notion of Brown for defensive pressure, but I’d be a lot more comfortable with the ball in Spargo’s hands that Kynans.

No change…

Reward for effort.

Leave Fritsch as the Sub and give him the same dose of angry pill…

I think we have the right balance in defence as it sits at the moment.

I think Disco's move back into the backline has been a masterstroke on my fronts.

Disco has the ability to take a pack mark, has closing speed to effect the spoil, has great agility and most importantly is strong on the ground when the ball hits the deck.

I think we become too top heavy with May, Lever and McDonald as the 3 talls i believe one of them should be good below the knees and when the ball spills onto the ground.

But I can see the temptation to bring Rick back in for his tactical nous and ability to organise our back 6 to shift across into position and press high to give us field advantage.

I think the only change will be Viney in for perhaps Spark z. Think lever will benefit greatly from one more week in the twos

Get him cherry rope for the rest of the season , it might last to the middle of September.

On 18/05/2025 at 21:02, monoccular said:

Spargo will stay rewarded for whatever Goody thinks he contributes, though I don’t know if anybody who knows what that is. Couldn’t even kick a set shot.

Fritta will probably also be rewarded, though another week as sub would do him good.

AJ has little skill but provides a very solid contest and does ok as back up ruck. No surprise that Max could come back on in the last bit of Q4 and really turn / save the game - would he have been able to do that without a real break?

Was able to do it because McInerney wasn’t playing so it was a bonus for Max & gave him some valuable breaks

15 hours ago, beelzebub said:

I feel many are too quick to caste the scythe towards AJ. He actually provides something. It doesn't sparkle or shine that something, it's quite rustic but very affective. I'd hesitate dropping him.

i want AJ in the side because he brings big man vigour that others do not in the same way, and I want him going hard and with confidence for Queens Birthday and an appointment with a certain Number Four.

Would love to see young pup Brown get a full game. Would feel like a Debut. Viney in. Sharp and Sprago to the VFL. Fritsch has another go at Sub.

Lever gets another game at VFL or one of May or Tmac get a freshen up (managed as per Melky has been). Keep Disco and Petty settled for a couple of weeks.

1 hour ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

I think we have the right balance in defence as it sits at the moment.

I think Disco's move back into the backline has been a masterstroke on my fronts.

Disco has the ability to take a pack mark, has closing speed to effect the spoil, has great agility and most importantly is strong on the ground when the ball hits the deck.

I think we become too top heavy with May, Lever and McDonald as the 3 talls i believe one of them should be good below the knees and when the ball spills onto the ground.

But I can see the temptation to bring Rick back in for his tactical nous and ability to organise our back 6 to shift across into position and press high to give us field advantage.

I'd only pick Lever if he's absolutely cherry ripe and able to move like healthy Jake not hobbly Jake. And I'd also have a very short leash to sending May or even McDonald forward and Disco back if things aren't working.

Out: Sharp, Johnson

In: Lever, Viney

Turner will be moved forward. He's actually pretty good at ground level and he's in great form. Petty to be back up ruck.

Like it or not, we just can't have 4 tall defenders so Turner has to go forward. I'd prefer AJ over Petty in the ruck, but Petty's marking and contest work edges out AJ.

I'd put Spargo as the sub as I think Fritta deserves a full game after his efforts.

17 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

With Viney back who plays the tagging role this week?

I'd have Oliver play Heeney in stoppages and Viney accountable for Warner in stoppage. I wouldn't imagine either would be out and out tags.

It'll be interesting to see.

Is Melks back to his pre ACL sizzling forward form?

Great form and we lost him just before finals.

It's wait and see. He played very smart footy against the Lions.

3 hours ago, bing181 said:

Just re Spargo: he has missed a LOT of footy, understandable that he's taking time to get up to speed.

Whether they persevere with him I have no idea. He certainly brings attack on the ball, but once again, is it enough?

sorry bing181, I’m watching a different game

Spargo was poor again on the weekend

V Lions.

First half. 7 handballs 3 effective … MINUS 3 METRES GAINED. 1 missed tackle allowing Wilmot to run through the corridor

Third quarter

His pass to Fritsch was poor. 15 metrs and it floated. Simple pass !! In fact, he was 25 metres out free… have a shot

Trac bursts through the square and hits a perfect bullet pass to a free Spargo. 30 metre out from goal. His shot. Out in the full

Both were momentum killers.

He redeemed himself with a solid tackle but one tackle is hardly enough to justify selection

As a small forward, in 8 games he’s kicked 1 goal !!! That’s so sub par for that position

Leave Disco down back.

Rest TMac if Lever is fit, Sydney do not have a big forward line.

Viney in Sharp out.

Fritter or Spargo sub.

11 hours ago, picket fence said:

FFS 1 Goal in ten games as a forward???? Would not get a game at Oodnadatta Resies!

Wouldn’t get a game at Oodnadatta — not because he’s not talented, but because Kevin the club sheepdog applies more pressure, impacts more contests, and doesn’t need four GPS trackers to prove he was ‘in the area’.

Management of players seems to be the flavour of the month so I would suggest that it’s time to give a week off to TMac who has been fantastic this year but could do with the rest. This would enable Lever to fit back into the side without upsetting the applecart in defence too much.

I would like to get a bit more out of Caleb Windsor - perhaps change he and Lindsay around to see if that works.

I would leave AJ in the side because the combination in the ruck with Max worked well.

Jack Viney has to come in - for an unlucky Harry Sharp. I would also reward Kynan Brown for his hard tackling work at Casey. I don’t think Charlie Spargo has done enough up forward and quite frankly, if you can’t rely on a forward to make the distance from 40 metres out …

6 hours ago, Adam The God said:

I'd have Oliver play Heeney in stoppages and Viney accountable for Warner in stoppage. I wouldn't imagine either would be out and out tags.

It'll be interesting to see.

Yeah the other option is push Viney to HF to play that pressure role ahead of Sharp, Spargo or Sparrow. They mentioned it On The Couch last night and how Viney out also allowed more mid time for Rivers which you'd like to see continue.