On 05/03/2026 at 15:49, dice said:

Wrong.

Round 0 confirmed rucks (so far):
Carlton - Pittonet, Reidy
Brisbane - Fort, Zakostelsky
Swans - Grundy only at this stage (Ladhams and McLean are the first 2 emergencies)

A 2nd mobile ruck could be the way to go. Gawn has to suck it up and stop sooking

Pittonet & Reidy was a fail against the Swans. Carlton must go back to to Pittonet only with another player up forward pinch hitting in the ruck.

On 05/03/2026 at 12:00, Pennant St Dee said:

He’s not getting a gig in the forward line ahead of Miochek, JVR, Fritsch or a fit Kentfield and Jeffo. We ain’t going taller then that.

Heath should absolutely be ahead of Jefferson and probably Kentfield too. Fritsch doesn't play tall so I don't see him as competing for the same spot as Heath.

It would be a mistake to have Heath playing at Casey only to emerge in the event of a Gawn injury.

45 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

Pittonet & Reidy was a fail against the Swans. Carlton must go back to to Pittonet only with another player up forward pinch hitting in the ruck.

Yep, looks that way. Still think Heath deserves a go, especially against TDK and Marshall

18 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Heath should absolutely be ahead of Jefferson and probably Kentfield too. Fritsch doesn't play tall so I don't see him as competing for the same spot as Heath.

It would be a mistake to have Heath playing at Casey only to emerge in the event of a Gawn injury.

I see him competing against Kentfield and JVR, TBH I don’t think we go to tall for most of the season I think it will be 2 tall forwards and Fritsch. Although there will be games where we go with 3 and that is probably when he may come in. But that decision comes down IMO to how Kentfield is going as the back up ruck if he’s going well I think Jeffo comes in if he’s going well.

But a few ifs in all that

It's all a question of rotations. With a fifth player on the bench can you afford one substantially on the bench (say 65%) and do adequate rotations with the remaining four.

Heath really doesn't warrant a full game based on current form.

Weather for next weekend is looking benign

On 28/02/2026 at 11:03, Fritta and Turner said:

A bunch of blokes in red and blue, some tall some short (sorry).

Love it Fritta! It makes a lot more sense than the AFL's system starting the season.

4 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

I see him competing against Kentfield and JVR, TBH I don’t think we go to tall for most of the season I think it will be 2 tall forwards and Fritsch. Although there will be games where we go with 3 and that is probably when he may come in. But that decision comes down IMO to how Kentfield is going as the back up ruck if he’s going well I think Jeffo comes in if he’s going well.

But a few ifs in all that

PSD I know you are looking medium term but I don't think Jefferson / Batman with be in contention for the first few games. Heath may get a look in because the cupboard is bare.

1 minute ago, old dee said:

PSD I know you are looking medium term but I don't think Jefferson / Batman with be in contention for the first few games. Heath may get a look in because the cupboard is bare.

He may OD, but I believe he’s Gawns long term replacement

2 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

He may OD, but I believe he’s Gawns long term replacement

He appears to be better than expected. Did the saints move him on because they simply needed his salary space?

On 06/03/2026 at 11:40, dpositive said:

Dont know why the love for Petty, TMac has him covered in defence and has been really solid in praccies and training (from reports).

Petty can certainly play both back and forward and has shown he can be reasonably mobile. I reckon he makes an excellent emergency as he can fill most spots.

Im not sure how he goes as a burst player as he always seemed to need time to get used to patterns but i would be concentrating on that aspect in training.

Why??

Petty is a Premiership KPD, and is a far longer term proposition that the gallant TMac.

22 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I’m not a fan of this. It’s all fine and dandy if we’re winning, but for mine it looks silly when a team’s being thumped and a player’s song comes on. I believe music belongs in many places but the footy ain’t one of them.

Totally agree.

If you want music blaring* after scores, watch basketball, NFL or BBL.

Still, I guess 'the younger generation' can't survive without external stimuli. (I may sound like an old curmudgeon which I proudly am).

*same goes for prematch and breaks

1 minute ago, monoccular said:

Why??

Petty is a Premiership KPD, and is a far longer term proposition that the gallant TMac.

Totally agree.

If you want music blaring* after scores, watch basketball, NFL or BBL.

Still, I guess 'the younger generation' can't survive without external stimuli. (I may sound like an old curmudgeon which I proudly am).

*same goes for prematch and breaks

You are not alone Mono I agree 100%. I went to a BB game before Christmas. They were handing out Clackers for free before the game. Add those to the blaring music and I did not enjoy the game. 2 weeks later my daughter asked me if I want too go to another game? Easy answer No. I would rather go to the lower games that have none of this [censored]. It was the first game of the rep under 16 girls season last night. Sadly my Grand daughters team lost. Level at half time, 3 points behind at 3 quarter time but lost by 10. A lapse in defensive effort of a couple of minutes at the start of the last quarter and it was game over. I think the other teams talent level ran a bit deeper than ours. They never gave up and fought it out to the bitter end. After their lapse at the start of the last quarter i thought they might drop their heads and big defeat might result. After the match my GD said we hate that team we will get them in a few weeks time.

Sorry boys and girls I had to tell someone. This year if the dees have a Friday game I will be at the Basketball.

26 minutes ago, old dee said:

He appears to be better than expected. Did the saints move him on because they simply needed his salary space?

Well Rowan is 30 and De Koning is 26 so probably surplus to requirements. And if Moose was going to be the next big thing thy may have not gone for De K.

3 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Well Rowan is 30 and De Koning is 26 so probably surplus to requirements. And if Moose was going to be the next big thing thy may have not gone for De K.

That was my thoughts, I don't know a lot about the saints but if he was any good why sell the farm for the long haired blone. I actually thought he was nothing special at Carlton in the games I saw.

9 minutes ago, old dee said:

That was my thoughts, I don't know a lot about the saints but if he was any good why sell the farm for the long haired blone. I actually thought he was nothing special at Carlton in the games I saw.

Because to buy a casino they had to sell their farm.

Make no mistake they're rolling the dice.

4 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Because to buy a casino they had to sell their farm.

Make no mistake they're rolling the dice.

If it doesn't work the saints are going to have a number very long expensive contracts to deal with. Hmm a bit like us!

Edited March 7Mar 7 by old dee

2 minutes ago, old dee said:

If it doesn't work the saints are going to have a number very long expensive contracts to deal with. Hmm a bit like us!

Oh my wordy wordy yes they will.

I think our list is better. In so much as it makes for a better team...

They look OK possibly on paper...

We've looked better on the track... imho

We are going to have a week of hearing about stkildas last quarter win from last season & nas's highlights leading up to this game.

Not long til round 1!

May this O round be finished soon and put us out of our misery

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

We are going to have a week of hearing about stkildas last quarter win from last season & nas's highlights leading up to this game.

My son brings it up every week just coz he knows it really pisses me off

Hate it but kinda like how good he is getting at taking the pizz

I think we can expose their second both can’t play forward so one of them will be a burden just like Heath who can’t go forward interesting to see if they play Culley as the second ruck like a poster said he can be an extra midfielder and can go forward

Melbourne

B: Lever, Petty, Salem

HB: Jiath, Turner, Lindsay

C: Langford, Steele, Langdon

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, K.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Miocek, L.Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Rivers, Windsor

IC: Sparrow, Howes, Tholstrup, Laurie, Culley

EMERG: McDonald, Heath, Sharp

Casey

B: Bergman, Adams, Berry

HB: Taylor, McDonald, Bonner

C: L.Lual, Onley, Stanley

HF: Matthews, Bowden, Mentha

F: Cross, Ah Mu, Melksham

FOLL: Heath, D’Angelo, Sharp

IC Henderson, Hampton, Scalpin, Pipicelli, Sinnema

12 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I think we can expose their second both can’t play forward so one of them will be a burden just like Heath who can’t go forward interesting to see if they play Culley as the second ruck like a poster said he can be an extra midfielder and can go forward

Melbourne

B: Lever, Petty, Salem

HB: Jiath, Turner, Lindsay

C: Langford, Steele, Langdon

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, K.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Miocek, L.Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Rivers, Windsor

IC: Sparrow, Howes, Tholstrup, Laurie, Culley

EMERG: McDonald, Heath, Sharp

Casey

B: Bergman, Adams, Berry

HB: Taylor, McDonald, Bonner

C: L.Lual, Onley, Stanley

HF: Matthews, Bowden, Mentha

F: Cross, Ah Mu, Melksham

FOLL: Heath, D’Angelo, Sharp

IC Henderson, Hampton, Scalpin, Pipicelli, Sinnema

Sorry but either Tom or Heath must play

12 hours ago, DubDee said:

My son brings it up every week just coz he knows it really pisses me off

Hate it but kinda like how good he is getting at taking the pizz

Well it’s written in the stars. He’s clearly his father’s son 😅

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Y’ALL!

I was born on International Women’s Day 21 years ago (shut up anyone who dares refute that) and this morning a friend asked me if I had a birthday wish. This is what I said… I want the Saints to beat the Pies but I want the Saints to sustain some injuries, nothing serious, just a week on the sidelines. And a suspension wouldn’t go astray, especially if someone takes out Maynard in the process (totally serious). I also want NWM to play a blinder coz Collingwood, but then for him to trip and land awkwardly when leaving the field. Again, nothing serious, he’ll sit out for a week.

My friend said “oh, ok. I was thinking more along the lines of good health, happiness, world peace etc.” I told him those things are all equal second on the list 😅

34 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Y’ALL!

I was born on International Women’s Day 21 years ago (shut up anyone who dares refute that) and this morning a friend asked me if I had a birthday wish. This is what I said… I want the Saints to beat the Pies but I want the Saints to sustain some injuries, nothing serious, just a week on the sidelines. And a suspension wouldn’t go astray, especially if someone takes out Maynard in the process (totally serious). I also want NWM to play a blinder coz Collingwood, but then for him to trip and land awkwardly when leaving the field. Again, nothing serious, he’ll sit out for a week.

My friend said “oh, ok. I was thinking more along the lines of good health, happiness, world peace etc.” I told him those things are all equal second on the list 😅

Happy Birthday to you Ghostwriter, and I hope that you have a great day.

Happy birthday GW - may there be many more ( and if you are only 21 then there should be!). Hope your birthday wishes come true.

Edited March 8Mar 8 by Neil Crompton