Morton to debut for Demons

Maloney, Miller, Davey and Petterd named + Morton

So that's a potential 5 back in

Match Details

MELBOURNEfc v Richmond

Friday 22 February, 7:30 pm* Cairns (Local Times)

Melbourne Squad

Nathan Jones

Ben Holland

Matthew Bate

Brad Miller

Cale Morton

Paul Johnson

Colin Sylvia

Adem Yze

Ricky Petterd

Brad Green

Addam Maric

Colin Garland

Daniel Bell

Brent Moloney

James McDonald

Kyle Cheney

John Meesen

Isaac Weetra

Michael Newton

Tom McNamara

Stef Martin

Trent Zomer

Aaron Davey

Matthew Warnock

Austin Wonaeamirri

Mark Jamar

Jace Bode

Shane Valenti

pity we cant watch or hear it :(

No buckley. interesting

No buckley. interesting

Very... in too good a form perhaps?

Already hit top gear and needs to be put on ice.... don't want to give too much away

No Jeff White or Robbo either?

That's to be expected though

No Jeff White or Robbo either?

That's to be expected though

Why's that...dont they have their Scuba licences?

No Sir Brock either?

Disapointed Buckley's not playing. I guess players who show a bit of skill won't be tolerated <_<

after last week's run in the park, would have thought both could do with the run....

perhaps robbo has a clash with It Takes Two?

I wouldn't call a practice match a "debut" they are trying to make these games out to be more than what they are.

Why's that...dont they have their Scuba licences?

They need to take care of their complexion, Robbo's a TV star now

after last week's run in the park, would have thought both could do with the run....

perhaps robbo has a clash with It Takes Two?

I can't imagine DB tolerating that, but you never know - he might have a thing for the show?

Fantastic to see Moloney in. We've been hearing whispers he might be shot, but obviously that isn't the case. Hopefully he'll be able to give us some drive out of the middle.

I always worry when a high draft pick gets his first jumper. The (unfortunate) expectation is that he'll be dynamite from the get go, and realistically there is a minimal chance of that happening. With a bit of luck Morton will get a few kicks, maybe bag a goal, and give us a taste of what he's about.

I wouldn't call a practice match a "debut" they are trying to make these games out to be more than what they are.

I agree - it's a tad farcical, but you could call it a debut of sorts for the young guys. It’s a chance to represent the club

No Jeff White or Robbo either?

That's to be expected though

Interesting, we'll actually be fielding an even less experienced team than against Geelong, even though there will be a few more players with 'some' experience. None of the inclusions have 100 games up. Two are still less than ten.

Shame about Buckley, I'm gonna assume he pulled up with a corky or something.

As I've said elsewhere - if this squad beats Richmond, I'l be laughing. It's incredible but I think we're somehow still the stronger team, with 50% of the best 22 still out.

I actually think Morton will have an impact right from the start, which contradicts assumptions I've made in the past about being too young and skinny at this stage - I now think it's more a case of him gradually getting worn down too much if he tries to play a full season at AFL level. Still wouldn't tip for rising star this year

Fantastic to see Moloney in. We've been hearing whispers he might be shot, but obviously that isn't the case. Hopefully he'll be able to give us some drive out of the middle.

I always worry when a high draft pick gets his first jumper. The (unfortunate) expectation is that he'll be dynamite from the get go, and realistically there is a minimal chance of that happening. Hopefully Morton will get a few kicks, maybe kick a goal, and give us a taste of what he's about.

True, and there is also no harm in getting a little excited for the young bloke.

We've finally got a chance to get on up to Cairns in the Cyclone and watch him play It's too far even from the Sunshine Coast.

Perfect introduction for Cale, away from the spotlight and playing on his brother - how the heck could you do that... crunch your brother in a tackle? Can never quite fathom that

Interesting, we'll actually be fielding an even less experienced team than against Geelong, even though there will be a few more players with 'some' experience. None of the inclusions have 100 games up. Two are still less than ten.

Shame about Buckley, I'm gonna assume he pulled up with a corky or something.

As I've said elsewhere - if this squad beats Richmond, I'l be laughing. It's incredible but I think we're somehow still the stronger team, with 50% of the best 22 still out.

I actually think Morton will have an impact right from the start, which contradicts assumptions I've made in the past about being too young and skinny at this stage - I now think it's more a case of him gradually getting worn down too much if he tries to play a full season at AFL level. Still wouldn't tip for rising star this year

That's a good point - Buckley did pull up with something towards the end of the Geelong game... assumed it was cramp

And that's a valid point you make about Cale, more an issue of managing him along the way

Following weekends game will be in Bendigo on Friday 29th Feb against the loser of Essendon/Western Bulldogs NAB cup game this week.

Following weekends game will be in Bendigo on Friday 29th Feb against the loser of Essendon/Western Bulldogs NAB cup game this week.

Interesting. Any idea what time? If its an afternoon-evening game I'm tempted to go up and have a shifty. I doubt they have lights up there (though I wouldn't know), so it probably would be.

Following weekends game will be in Bendigo on Friday 29th Feb against the loser of Essendon/Western Bulldogs NAB cup game this week.

Regardless of whether we win or lose?

Fantastic to see Moloney in. We've been hearing whispers he might be shot, but obviously that isn't the case. Hopefully he'll be able to give us some drive out of the middle.

I always worry when a high draft pick gets his first jumper. The (unfortunate) expectation is that he'll be dynamite from the get go, and realistically there is a minimal chance of that happening. With a bit of luck Morton will get a few kicks, maybe bag a goal, and give us a taste of what he's about.

Agree about Moloney, but can't say i've got any worries about the expectations on Morton. It's not as if many of us are actually going to see him play this week.

Very happy with that squad. Nice to see players who are important to our best side slowly being squeezed in. I imagine that as the practice rounds go on, more and more of them will rear their heads.

Interesting. Any idea what time? If its an afternoon-evening game I'm tempted to go up and have a shifty. I doubt they have lights up there (though I wouldn't know), so it probably would be.

They def have lights there!

Interesting. Any idea what time? If its an afternoon-evening game I'm tempted to go up and have a shifty. I doubt they have lights up there (though I wouldn't know), so it probably would be.

7pm start.

How good is it to see Moloney in that team! Also Petterd lining up is a bonus.

Just remember guys that score results at this stage are meaningless, sure it's nice to hava a win but it's not the point of the exercise

The backline is still in raw experimental mode, I'd include both Holland and Miller as experiments at this stage. Last week was a bit of a trial by ordeal, it should be a little easier for the young blokes this time round.