5 hours ago, Colm said:

AJ to stay in for the next two game for me. Give him a few games to settle in and I think he will make less mistakes. His energy and crash and bash against the pies will be useful.

Viney to come in for Spargo, I think JV normally plays very well after a freshen up and I’d expect a massive game from him.

The Duke has quietly been finding a bit of form in his new role and I think he’ll have a cracker of a game against the saints too.

I don’t think we make finals this year but if we can continue our current trajectory against the saints and beat the Pies I’ll be very satisfied with how we are tracking.

If we roll the Saints and then beat the Pies we’ll be 7-6 and the absolute in form side of the comp alongside GC. Why wouldn’t we make finals from there considering there’s every chance we’ll only be % outside the 8?

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

We win the next 2 we are 7-6 with 10 games to go.

Assuming a good injury list we are almost certainties for finals.

I’d say “decent chance” for finals, at best, not “almost certainties”.

We have a tough fixture and strong competition for top 8 spots, and we did exhibit some truly rank football 6 weeks ago.

One week at a time.

10 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I’d say “decent chance” for finals, at best, not “almost certainties”.

We have a tough fixture and strong competition for top 8 spots, and we did exhibit some truly rank football 6 weeks ago.

One week at a time.

fair enough

But the way we are playing i’m pretty confident

especially having the Saints twice plus north and WC and blues

and yes i know we were terrible early but we had injuries and now confidence is infectious

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

Surprisingly and coincidentally enough, it is actually Viney who leads us for inside 50 tackles (per game), and by a fair margin.

Tholstrup second, then Melksham and Petracca, before Spargo comes in a close 5th.

Let's hope we get our way, @old55 😉

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

If we roll the Saints and then beat the Pies we’ll be 7-6 and the absolute in form side of the comp alongside GC. Why wouldn’t we make finals from there considering there’s every chance we’ll only be % outside the 8?

Hopefully. But I feel we have three more tough ones after the pieds.

Power, Gcs and crows all on their turf.

Lose those and it may be all over.

Our next four of the season may be ours but two are at Marvel where North smashed us.

I know it wasn't just the venue as I believe the Gws game exhausted a team which ( us) has since miraculously turned around its fitness very quick.

Our last two are the pies and hawks again so our back will be against the wall. But that seems to bring our best.

I like your optimism Roost it far. You are a genuinely passionate Dees supporter and let's hope, on the money.

One thing for sure if we win the flag this year, it will be a comeback for the ages.

If we don't, the only consolation will be beating cwood twice.

And Maynard being injured in the first, so he can't play the second. He got off without any justice.

And his victim doesn't play again. Nice work AFL. And the head is sacrosanct. Well restrospectively at least. I think.

Then again maybe not. If that was a Melbourne player instead of Mills, I guarantee three weeks. It looked premeditated to me . Despite Spargos height, Mills launch would have collected most.

Danger game this one. The Saints back's are against the wall and only 1 win behind us and on similar percentage. Ross Lyon has copped a bit of criticism during the week with his comments lately (even though I totally agree with him) so his chargers will be fired up I'd imagine. If Melbourne want to play finals they need to put this game to bed early to avoid a St. Kilda resurgence after half time. As Goody mentioned on 360 last week "Take it one game at a time".

16 hours ago, binman said:

Good question. Probably sharp or spargo.

good option

Id also put TMac in for Petty and make Petty the sub

It probably doesn’t matter because the Fox commentators will probably be in their Southbank studio but someone should tell them that the game between Melbourne and St Kilda on Sunday is being played at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs and not the MCG.

16 minutes ago, dpositive said:

good option

Id also put TMac in for Petty and make Petty the sub

Probabaly put Disco forward for that to work

Consider Sestan for Windsor who looked like he could do with a bit more recovery to get back to his usual best,

7 hours ago, DubDee said:

He’ll come in eventually but he has been very poor at casey the last 2 weeks with apparently not a great attitude

inside info or just guessing?

6 hours ago, dpositive said:

Consider Sestan for Windsor who looked like he could do with a bit more recovery to get back to his usual best,

Disco’s playing the best football of his life down back, so why move him?

Windsor had 24 touches last week - that’s not too shabby.

Were you at the game?

Melbourne favourites against a Ross Lyon coached team out of form. What could possibly go wrong…..

If we have half an eye on KB rather than our full force and focus on the Saints this will be a loss.

Come on Dees don’t let me down.

If Viney not ready to roll I would consider Sestan as sub being he could cover back and also pinch forward subject to who subbed out. However if not I suspect they will go with Henderson who whilst not banging the door down is likely next man up in the required Spargo role.

4 hours ago, bing181 said:

inside info or just guessing?

source Demonland 😬

7 hours ago, dpositive said:

good option

Id also put TMac in for Petty and make Petty the sub

Exactly what I would do. Add Viney for Spargo and there you have it!

It a it a possibility that we rest or manage May and bring in TMac. And Viney for Spargo.

Small changes either end. Have May good n ready for KB. Go Dee’s

14 hours ago, DubDee said:

He’ll come in eventually but he has been very poor at casey the last 2 weeks with apparently not a great attitude

has some growing up to do

Attitude fine this week was reported but form only ok. Need not be so harsh to prove a point. Not great to overcriticise a youngster who does wear his heart on his sleeve, to be honest.

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

Exactly what I would do. Add Viney for Spargo and there you have it!

Tmac not being considered for forward position. Safety with his game with less coordination in his older legs etc.

12 hours ago, Roost it far said:

If we roll the Saints and then beat the Pies we’ll be 7-6 and the absolute in form side of the comp alongside GC. Why wouldn’t we make finals from there considering there’s every chance we’ll only be % outside the 8?

Completely agree.

We can beat the Pies. They are well drilled, but beatable if we maintain pressure. And we are due!!!

Then we have Port in Adelaide - which again, super winnable, with the bye following.

Imagine going into the break at 8-6!!?

We'll need that form and boost because we have away games v GC/Adelaide after the bye.

Another week off for Viney wouldn't be such a bad thing given the severity of his concussion. We want him cherry ripe for King's Birthday. Laurie or Henderson seem the likely options for Spargo's replacement and both are in good form in the VFL. The same goes for May, if he needs a rest this week Tmac comes back in.

Am I the only one that thinks Petty is playing a good role as the primary target up fwd?

Not getting the goals but competing hard and bringing the ball to ground

No way I would drop him to the Sub

I would love to see this week Harry Sharp start and not be the medical sub. He is such a dangerous player when he gets minutes, I would love to see goody have a bit more faith in the young man

3 hours ago, 58er said:

Attitude fine this week was reported but form only ok. Need not be so harsh to prove a point. Not great to overcriticise a youngster who does wear his heart on his sleeve, to be honest.

Just passing on some second hand information via a footy forum. No point to prove

relax

I havent seen anyone mention this yet on DL but in the last few games i have seen Trac shirk a few contests in particular when he is going back first into a contest or where he is marginally out of position. It is completely understandable given what he went through and im not out to get him.

Just wanted to see if anyone else noticed this as well, because the injury he sustained is still clearly affecting him. The reason i bought it up was more for next week against Collingwood - what attitude do you think he takes into that game.. there will be a lot of hype around it and will mark roughly 12 months.

17 minutes ago, HazSharp30 said:

I would love to see this week Harry Sharp start and not be the medical sub. He is such a dangerous player when he gets minutes, I would love to see goody have a bit more faith in the young man

Plays the sub role perfectly. Has struggled to have any impact when he plays full games imo.

56 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

I havent seen anyone mention this yet on DL but in the last few games i have seen Trac shirk a few contests in particular when he is going back first into a contest or where he is marginally out of position. It is completely understandable given what he went through and im not out to get him.

Just wanted to see if anyone else noticed this as well, because the injury he sustained is still clearly affecting him. The reason i bought it up was more for next week against Collingwood - what attitude do you think he takes into that game.. there will be a lot of hype around it and will mark roughly 12 months.

Yes I’ve noted it previously. I have no problem with him or any other player doing it. It’s the smart play. Lives being ruined over foolhardy acts of bravery playing a game need to be protected. Not only by the game but the attitude around the game by players and supporters. I’m not sure his name but there’s that ex WC recruit who’s had a series of neck operations and still can’t live a fruitful life. It’s simply not worth it. Personally I’d like to see the knee that’s driven into backs and heads regulated. Not got rid of as the high mark is worthy of protection but don’t drive the knee.