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PREGAME: Rd 11 vs Sydney

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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Some decent inclusions for Sydney.

Doubt Culley or Laurie make it, interested to see who goes out for Lever.

No Viney. Hopefully they're just being extra cautious, which I'd love, and it's nothing serious.

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    Bench looks a bit tall, but this is my guess:

    Interchange: Lever, Turner, Rivers, Johnson

    Sub: Fritta

    EMER: Culley, Laurie, Sharp

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    Good to see no new injuries and Culley get close to a debut

    Could Jai be a chance to replace Sharp?

    Agree with Nasher, Lever for AJ unless we rest one of the old guard down back


    4 hours ago, Watson11 said:

    Agree. Not sure how anyone thinks he is a poor kick. Spargo is not back to his 2018-23 kicking level yet but he will get there. His kicking is as good as anyone playing in the forward half. His career goal average is 0.6 v Miers at 0.7. Miers has spent 17% more time on ground in his career as well. He needs more kicks but maybe we just need to accept he will be 7 kicks a game and they will be impactful. As long as he combines that with pressure he shouldn’t be dropped.

    IMG_1322.jpeg

    Great post.

    Just regarding disposal and kick count, I think we'd like to get his kicks up.

    He had 19 disposals against Freo and 7 score involvements. That's where his level should be.

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    From Richo:

    “Jack has been slowly improving, but unfortunately is not quite ready to return this week," Richardson said.

    “He will continue to progress through the concussion protocols over the coming week, and hopefully be available for round 12.”

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    1 minute ago, Deeoldfart said:

    From Richo:

    “Jack has been slowly improving, but unfortunately is not quite ready to return this week," Richardson said.

    “He will continue to progress through the concussion protocols over the coming week, and hopefully be available for round 12.”

    Doesn’t sound great. He must have been hit hard. Regardless of intent…

    Viney out for another week.

    Not great news

    Culley is slow at Casey and in recent weeks has not impressed. Is he better than Sharp as a sub. Maybe

    That would allow lever in moving Turner forward and Fritsch back in

    Viney has taken the pressure off the selection group but will it work?


    We had a bit of a selection dilemma with Viney's return. What to do with Clarry and lessening Rivers' midfield time after his best ever game.

    We can kick that can down the road another week.

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    Hmmm. interesting selections and I don't think we are any wiser to who is going to end up playing or where they are going to play.

    Viney not getting up for the game has changed things around a bit.

    I would expect the on field 18 named would play but you cannot be certain these days. Of the extended bench I would have Rivers and Turner as definate on the bench. That leaves two more bench spots and a sub.

    I think we need a bit more midfield cover and would then have one of Laurie or Culley with Sharp dropped to play at Casey for a full game. I would have a look at Laurie this game.

    And now we are down to a spot on the bench and the sub.

    Fristch was very effective as the sub last week. Full of run and endeavor. Might be tempted to try the same again. Sub made early or mid 3rd term.

    Lever or AJ on the bench? A toss up for mine. With Turner in the team both these players give us options. AJ backs up Max and gives the option of slotting Petty back if required or allowing Petty to swap with Turner. Lever releases Turner to swing forward.

    Really don't know which way we will go.

    I do know we will win.

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    Of course Spargo GIFTED another game FFS!

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    Interesting regarding Viney, even if he was 100% I wouldn’t fit him in, I’m not convinced .

    11 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

    Viney out for another week.

    Not great news

    Culley is slow at Casey and in recent weeks has not impressed. Is he better than Sharp as a sub. Maybe

    That would allow lever in moving Turner forward and Fritsch back in

    Viney has taken the pressure off the selection group but will it work?

    Am a bit stressed about Viney, I know we all think he is made of stone, but three weeks suggest his bell was well and truly rung. Thinking he could be a bit longer still than what the club is saying. Don't love that symptoms were delayed and while it was a decent hit, it wasn't the biggest we've seen him wear. Am worried he's getting to the stage where he is just more susceptible.

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    2 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

    Am a bit stressed about Viney, I know we all think he is made of stone, but three weeks suggest his bell was well and truly rung. Thinking he could be a bit longer still than what the club is saying. Don't love that symptoms were delayed and while it was a decent hit, it wasn't the biggest we've seen him wear. Am worried he's getting to the stage where he is just more susceptible.

    Hopefully Goodwin addresses it in his Presser tomorrow.

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    2 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

    Hopefully Goodwin addresses it in his Presser tomorrow.

    Agree Viney been SENSATIONAL!

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    Surprise 1. I’m very surprised. Culley looked very average last week. He’s a big too slow in a midfield role and actually was poor in the tackle and chase. His disposal is generally very good but that’s at a VFL level. He needs a serious addition of intangible Zing (intensity). Kynan Brown and Blake Howes must be scratching their heads as to what they have to do

    (Footnote, I don’t want Howes to get years end and ask for a trade to get opportunities)

    Surprise 2. Well not really surprised as Spargo is being week after week GIFTED another game !! He was so poor last week as I wrote in an earlier post. I don’t any club would want him if he was delisted or put up for trade. Honestly !

    I actually don't like the way the extended benches are announced... smacks of tokenism and teasing.

    Probably just me.. seems so trite.

    Just name the team.

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    AJ has to stay in. The last time we played Sydney (March 2024) was the first time Max played against Grundy after Brodie was traded by the Dees. Twice Grundy intentionally drove his knee powerfully into Max's back. To my eyes, it came across as payback for who knows what reason. Max is crucial. So we need AJ to stay in just in case Grundy has any more payback in mind - and because Sydney runs with 2 rucks.

    What we Dees fans are not used to is Goody managing players. In previous seasons, Goody insisted the boys play every game and play through niggles, delivering the mental resilience that delivered flags. He has changed dramatically this season.

    That extended bench is so strong, I wouldn't be surprised if another player was managed this week.

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    Viney's delayed out is a worry. He had many concussions earlier in his career until he learned to turn his body going into a contest. Multiple concussions over a career becomes a medical issue. As sure as night follows day, the AFL is going to have a massive lawsuit from ex-players with evidenced brain trauma. In the background, there will need to be significant, documented evidence the Dees and the AFL have ticked every box to ensure Jack faces no danger from playing AFL.

    On a related note, aren't you all really ticked off:

    1. That West Coast kid only received ONE week when it looks like our Jack will be out for 5! I hope new, well-networked MFC director Steve Smith can become The Incredible Hulk within AFL headquarters with this sort of stuff.

    2. The *!@&% TV commentators made light of the hit Jack took. They're not in sync with the seriousness of head trauma in global sport.

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    On 19/05/2025 at 09:25, seventyfour said:

    The discussion around AJ, Sharp and Spargo exposes one of our biggest flaws, which is depth. Our list is fit yet there's no kids banging down the door for a spot.

    Assuming we keep Pickett, Petracca and Oliver, we'll really need to trade future picks to get back into the 2025 draft.

    Listening to cal twomey, this draft is pretty weak. Last week he came out and said the top 5 in not only last year but the year before would be a clear number one this year. Sounds like we did very well to trade out of it and bring in XL

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    2 hours ago, Nasher said:

    On that extended bench I’m going with in: Lever, out: Johnson (omitted)

    Disco to the forward line, Petty to 2nd ruck.

    I don’t see any point in bringing in Laurie or Culley unless to cover injury concerns.

    I think this is likely too. I also think it's a shame because AJ is by far a better second ruck and gives Max a very real rest period. As well as bringing grunt and pressure the other forwards don't bring.

    Also, Turner has been rock solid down back and I think he's the CHB of the future so stop moving him around.

    JV7 not playing, so it’s been 3 weeks and he is not quite right. Then I am thinking there is no way known he should play again next year and he needs very careful management for the rest of this year.

    But I am pleased that if there is any doubt he was not picked. You cannot run your head into brick walls and expect to do if forever.


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