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Have to give points to David Misson for how the boys are performing as well. Four quarters, they never backed off, never stopped running and never stopped applying pressure.

The things I like are that we are finding new players, which is going to mean pressure for spots in the team and that we are aggressive at every contest. We were even more professional on the mark, where we now jump up and down, trying to put the kicker off. It shows we are thinking and that they have been taught that you can have an impact at every stage of a game.

I was harsh on Bennell last week but did not see much wrong with his game tonight. Would anyone like to highlight the issues? Played tighter. Pressured well. When he got possession used it well. Granted a slipped tackle and low possession count but a back pockets job is not to rack them up. Watts ran himself ragged but needs to play more to his strengths and lead aggressively into space. He needs to learn to demand the ball. There were signs of that last year but they seem to have disappeared. Confidence will come but will struggle for round 1 unless a big showing next week.

I grew up in Wangaratta and I think its an absolute disgrace, the time saved by flying instead of driving (when you take into account the commute to and from the airports, boarding time etc.) would have been perhaps 1 hour max. Yet the additional cost would have been huge by flying. Really makes Essendon look like a bunch of toffs. But i really feel for the local fans who bought all 11,000 tickets! My old man was helping out with a few things on the night and said many of those people were families, who due to financial circumstances, would rarely if ever have the opportunity to see an AFL game. I don't care who gets the points but its a slap in the face for a footy mad town and the local kids who missed out. The AFL needs to arrange something to make it up to them!!!

Sylvia is a Rolls Royce. When hes on song, things happen for us. And I think Jones is improving every year, he really led well from the front tonight. Cant wait for Troy Davis to get a few more games like that under his belt, he looks a very good prospect. The half dozen games I saw him play last year for Casey he was largely anonymous, after tonights effort I can now see why they drafted him. Think there are a few players that might have expected to have a spot in Round 1 now having to play catchup to reclaim their guernsey Rivers (Sellar) McKenzie/Nicholson (Magner) Bail (Bate) Dunn/Watts (Petterd/Howe) If we can get back from injury/rest the likes of Trengove,Grimes,Moloney, Clark, Rivers, Bartram, Jurrah etc then we may start to have a bit of depth. The likes of Jamie Bennell, who continues to underwhelm, are also in danger of facing extended spells out at windswept Cranbourne.

Just a random thought from left field. Could Watts have been tasked with taking the fullback out of the play to allow the medium forwards to work? Carey on MMM was talking about how he would lead up to the wing and then just hang there rather than pushing to the contest. I saw in the highlights package at least one occasion when he ran his man out of the pack rather than try to mark the ball. It'd be an intereting form of foxing.

Common sense prevails. I reckon every non-Essendon and probably many Essendon supporters would agree that this is the right result.

Its way to early to get carried away last night , but , I have not enjoyed watching a game by Melbourne like lasts nights for such a long time it was like a breath of fresh air. If the players had their kicking boots on it could have been a wipe out , however the most encouraging thing I took from last night was the pride the Dees showed and that was after they had kicked away only to see the pies come back at them especially with that disapointer 9point goal on the siren. The Commentators were all just waiting in the final Quarter to see Melb back their bags and head home for the night . But the boys didnt give in they fought back and ended up taking out the game . If Melbourne can show that heart all season we will certainly get Value for money , but I will still not expect a superb season , but I certainly hope for a better one then we have seen over the past few years under Bailey

Well I wasn't able to watch last night, and have just finished watching on iQ. And what a way to start a Sunday Thought our boys were sensational. There is still a number of kinks to iron out, but the fortitude they showed to go down, fight back, go down again and really work back into it was really a sight to behold. It's no secret Nate Jones has been my favourite player for some time now, and he is really starting to show why now. I see him as being not dissimilar to a Brett Kirk type player. Not the most naturally gifted, but puts himself to the top through desire and will alone. Was a great game from him, and I think it won't be nearly the last. Of the others, Magner is fantastic, and I think along with Couch is a lock for the rookie spots, Martin continues to improve and show that despite being big, he is agile and can play all over the ground, Fitzpatrick showed he is a very likely type, Davis was good and should grow to be quite the handy player and I could go on and on. Credit must go to Green and Davey as well. They both showed that they might have overcome the demons that pagued them last year. Early days still, but signs are better than they have been in a long time, and I'll take a win over the Filth any day of the week.

Agreed, and Mark Neeld echoed my thoughts on Melbfc website today.......he is just one of those players who doesn't have to do much to impact the game. He will settle soon and be indispensable.

Not the greatest game ever.... but by gee positives everywhere, and only a handful of negatives... Everyone here has raved about Jones, Magner, Couch, Petterd, Stef etc etc... And had a go at Watts and Bennell, fairly (both shouldn't play round 1), and Macdonald... who I thought did everything right except execute. Apart from that, there were a lot of players who weren't at their peak, who you know will get there, like Nicho and Bail... players you can put an amount of trust in. Biggest thing though, and I reckon just about everyone will agree, we had some sort of gameplan. Keeping any side to that total, let alone the pies (albeit not trying and missing most players at the end when we won it) is tremendous. Defensively we're a presence, we have the players, led ably by Garland and Chip... and with that in mind, and a massively diverse forward line, there's cause for genuine optimism... Mostly... I just loved that we were looking for targets. We're not a hghly skilled team, but we're building in this regard. You could see the confidence build, and players start backing themselves. It's only NAB cup, but I feel like that'll rope in a number of supporters who might have been entirely ho hum about this year up til now.

Can't get too ahead of ourselves, but it was definately an encouraging night. Was just hoping to see a few youngsters show a gilmpse so the win was a sweet bonus. I'll pretty much be repeating everyone if I post my thoughts so I'll add a few things I took away: I like Nicho as a player but I think he'll struggle to hold a spot this year. Jack Watts is one of my favourite players but jeez he was frustrating tonight. Anyone else notice his half hearted leads where he sticks his arms out and makes no real effort to get space? I want the Jack Watts I saw against Richmond last year who was killing himself to get the ball and throwing himself at the packs. Obviously needs confidence but might have to find it in the 2's. Hope Gysberts gets a full game next week because although he looks off the pace, tonight wasn't enough to judge him on. Davis impressed me, Magner was fantastic and Howe is a joy to watch. Bring this back next week Demons!

Totally with you on that one mate. I was out for the evening so checking results on my phone and for whatever reason thought the game was over at 56-53 Collingwood's favour leaving me thinking here we go again, all talent, no heart. Then next time I looked and we'd won and man, I was fist pumping like a crazy man punching invisible unicorns. We've always had the talent, now we have the legs and the heart to follow it through 4 quarters of footy. So keen for round one.

The NAB oob rule f's our game plan in the A. So I'm glad we're putting in a half decent show under the conditions. New found ball winning ability and stoppages around the boundary will work for us. Especially with Clark, Howe and Petterd up forward to contest, it's a plan that will suit our players. We never had the experience or speed to succeed using that handball jargon. And thank christ we got Clark, he could be that big star forward we need. Watts will just be a player, sublime at times, but too little too often, he'll live through it because of all the execuses until one day we'll wonder where the time went. Would love to be wrong, but when you see him stand there watching Petterd and Martin do what he should be doing, your heart sinks. We've looked rushed in these three games when we have the ball, I think we'll improve as we settle into the season and become accustomed each other and the new plan. Jones, Magner, Couch and Petterd very good. Garland cracked me up, half a shocker and half a ripper. Not as impressed with Sellar as everyone else, I like Davis and hopes he removes Sellar or Rivers. Howe has it all. MacDonald is gone as soon as the injury list shrinks, 3 shockers in a row, this one was putrid. Jamar looks as reliable in the air as ever, and is doing the percentage long field kick rather than a panicked handball. All in all I'm happy with what I've seen, Watts being the only negative. Oh and Bennell. Lol @ the amount of games he's played, what has he amassed, 8 possessions?

No injuries.

Of the newer players: * Magner is a real find and will play in R1. Instantly forms part of the midfield rotation. * Davis was very solid. Looks a year away but has skill, poise and gets to the ball * Couch got better as the other players got tired/slower. Need more convincing * Tom Mac only got a few minutes - why? * Seller - bigger and better than Matt Warnock. Not sure yet why Adelaide delisted him. Looks like a fairly ready made gorilla-minder * I thought Jack Fitz contested really well around the ball and showed a good motor to get away and win possession Of the known entities: * Nathan Jones could become elite. Go ahead and laugh. But his rate of improvement, especially using the ball, is amazing * Jeremy Howe will be a freak. * Joel MacDonald is likely to spend the majority of this season at Casey * I am a Jamie Bennell fan, but he needs to play closer to his man * Watts is a better #2 forward at this stage - I thought he did OK with limited opportunities - he will ebnefit from Clark being in the arc. * Sylvia is all class * Stef has every possible gift but is somehow NQR. Hoping the brain-fade doesn't reappear during the regular season. * Petterd needs to improve his set shooting To me, there will be a lot more contests for spots on game day. This is a fantastic development. Top 8 beckons....

That gentle hum you can hear is the sound of MFC membership cards across the state being sticky-taped back together and scraped off the insides of microwaves. Very early days - SEN were babbling about top 6 after we won the two NAB games at AAMI last year - but if we're associated with toughness, discipline, defence, pressure and accountability, that sits well with me.

Perhaps the single aspect I was most impressed with from tonight's game was that we didn't run out of legs towards the end of the game. Our side didn't look tired, and that wasn't from a lack of effort. The players could have easily (we've all seen it before) given up because we were "well enough" out in front, or because of a lack of fitness & drive, but they kept on running, contesting, and, what seems to be quickly becoming Neeld's catchphrase, keeping their heads above the ball. Feels great to win, feels better that we can expect more performances like this in the season proper.

i got very sick of foxtel saying that they were missing so many key players. yet their midfield for parts of the night was made of pendlebury, swan, thomas, ball, and wellingham. melbourne's midfield - missing moloney and trengove as the only two players in our group who are even approaching 'star' status, plus mckenzie - out-worked them for the most part. great to see.

Saints should get the 4 points. They were at the ground ready to play. Bombers were not. Simple really.

Earth to Demonland. He is not David Neitz, he is not Wayne Carey he is not Dermott Brereton , he is not Nick Reiwoldt.... ...he is Jack Watts. And he is doing fine, Have patience.

THE LEAN AND HUNGRY LOOK by The Oracle "Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look, He thinks too much; such men are dangerous." William Sheakespeare - Julius Caesar: Act 1, scene 2, 190–195 It was a strange game of football at Etihad Stadium. While it ebbed and flowed as all good games do, the ascendency was held, surprisingly, by the team that finished off 2011 like a ship without a rudder. Not the one that came into last year's grand final as the warm favourite. At half time, when the Magpies had just managed to snatch the lead for the first time with a Nick Maxwell goal after the siren, they decided to make a sporting declaration by removing half a dozen of their A team and replaced them with youngsters and overseas imports. The Demons responded with some changes of their own and proceeded to apply the same disciplines using the same structures that gave them a moral victory in the first half. The result was not simply a victory on the scoreboard but an early moment of pleasure for the coach and supporters. A breakthrough for Melbourne at the Docklands and the dawn of a new era for the club. After so long, the lean and hungry look has returned to the Melbourne Football Club and we welcome it back with open arms even if it comes in a NAB Cup game that everybody says noddingly in agreement that it means nothing. Especially when they lose. We've heard about and discussed Mark Neeld's game plan whereby his team hustles and grinds the opposition, works hard defensively to eke out errors, kicks long to position and performs with discipline. But this is also the result of hard work on the track and in the gym over many months. Strength, endurance, bodies changing and taking shape. We saw some good signs; the rejuvenation of players, some in rebirth and some new faces. Brad Green is back in town. Nathan Jones and Matthew Bate are changed for the better and a couple of hard nuts in James Magner and Tom Couch have been found. And there's more to come. Melbourne 0.2.6.18 0.3.9.27 0.7.11.53 0.11.13.79 Collingwood 0.2.3.15 0.4.4.28 1.6.5.50 1.9.7.70 Goals Melbourne Dunn Jones Martin Petterd 2 Green Howe Sylvia Collingwood Shaw (supergoal) Rounds Thomas 2 Ball Ceglar Cloke Maxwell Paine Best Melbourne Garland Petterd Magner Jones Sellar Green Injuries Melbourne Nil. Collingwood Nil. Reports Melbourne Nil. Collingwood Nil. Umpires Stevic Armstrong Kronk Official crowd 12,954 at Etihad Stadium

Elite players cannot be tagged out of a game. Elite players can destroy an opposition single handedly Elite players are rare. There would be less than 25 in the whole comp IMO. And we don't have any. Have we any that could be elite? Sylvia could. Frawley could. Jamar could. But they're not. The others its too early to tell.

I remember seeing 3 dimensional chess on "Star Trek" ! That looked like a big ask . Draughts or ludo takes most of my brain power . Cheers

No it's not Flooding is a blight on the game as is keepings off The lack of true one on one contests and the disappearance of the FF are partly due to the high rotation of the bench 2 subs and 2 interchange is a good rule Players and coaches will adapt quickly and the game will be much better because of it Burst players will need to work on their tanks but will still be part of the game Give me a CONTEST anyday

One of those rare nab cup rules that makes sense.

I'm just re-watching the game the game now and there were a few things from Watts that I was very pleased with. For one thing he should've had two goal assists with Green and Petterd missing very getable opportunities that were created by clever play from him. Secondly he made an effort to shepard on a number of occasions, and in the mark that Petterd took to kick a goal in the 3rd term Watts made sure to keep Kieth out of the contest to allow Petterds run at it. Now I'm not saying he was hugely influential but there are bits to his game that I'm pleased with that aren't put down in the stats. He has a long way to go, but when (and I have to doubt it will happen) it all comes together we will have one of the most dominant players in the competition,

Yes if next week against Whorethorn the gameis played with the same intensity, then i think we can all say that the preseason has been a success,& the new FD has prepared this list as best as it can.

Mark neeld has done something to this club i have not seen in a long time which is bring back team spirit and fight we really do look like a new team out there and the boys over time with these type of wins will build the hunger that is needed to win flags and do whatever it takes to get there.

Glad you could pick a best 22 cause at the moment I am stumped. There is probably 25-30 names that I'd be considering. Not a bad problem to have.....

It's been one of my frustrations for years that we've been very poor at marking the mark when opposition marks and free kicks are awarded . Often the player would stand and take his kick from the mark with no pressure , even running on and gaining much ground. At the Queen's Birthday game 4 years ago , an absolutely standout feature to me was Collingwood's defensive pressure in every way. In particular, if we were awarded a mark or free kick , a Collingwood player would run at full pace from wherever to stand the mark and force our guy back. I was really upset that our guys were having it done to them, but were not reciprocating. I believe that was the year Neeld started at Collingwood . It was SO GOOD seeing our boys applying that sort of pressure last night.

Agreed. I thought he did well for the little I saw of him, he's not a bash and crash player but still pressured well and had good disposal in his few opportunities, not really worried about his performance at this stage. Same goes for Blease, first game back after preseason and didn't get on until the second half. He didn't break the game open and made a few silly errors like turning his back on the play which allowed Daisy Thomas to get an easy mark but other than that I thought he applied good pressure and went hard at it for the time he was on. Watching the reply definitely tells a different story to the stats I was going off last night. How funny was Col Garland, what a champ. So impressed with Troy Davis, some terrible disposal but his strength and ability to collect the ball cleanly was really impressive.

I think we can really put some pressure on the Dawks game plan. They like to flick it around in close qrs till they find an open man. if we can do what we did last night there'll be some seroius opposition fumbling going on . I say just keep doing what were doing , practicing the game plan , play those that need time , rest those with niggles. Let the cards fall where they may. Then taper for rd1.

Watching the game last night I was in struggletown trying to decide who misses out round one so I thought I'd have a crack at this. I'm certain my side won't be the side that's actually picked but this is the team I'd like to see run out. B: Tynan Frawley Rivers HB: TMac Sellar Garland C: Sylvia Moloney Grimes HF: Howe Martin Petterd F: Jurrah Clark Davey R: Jamar Jones Trengove I/C: Magner Petterd Watts (Blease) Firstly, Watts is there based on the form he was in mid 2011. I'm hoping (I think we all are) that he kicks back into that gear soon but he's probably not a good shot at round 1 right now. I think Bartram will be in the side when fit, Neeld obviously rates him to some extent if he's in the leadership group. I don't see him as a vital player and I'd rather try someone like Tynan who has impressed in limited game time. Couch may make the side, a bit to like about him last night. Brad Green is a tough one. I still think he's got some good footy in him but I don't know who to squeeze out. Guys like Tapscott, Bail, Mckenzie and a fit Gysberts will be knocking on the door for their shot. Loving that we have some depth. Guys like Petterd will know if they don't perform there's someone else who wants their spot.

I think Many skilled types will spend much time @ Casey Until they start to put the body over/inline with the ball. winning the Footy is All about committing the body. The skilled types need do this, as well as using their Flair. I want the skilled types to Step Up. Not step away.

My wife saw this headline in the HUN and thought there had been a major aviation disaster - Wangaratta match called off after Essendon's plane fails to land.

Liked Mark Neeld's comments on Jack tonight. His prior 'calling out' has been blown right out of proportions and I think Neeld's learned from that more than anyone. Looking forward to this season more than any other for a long time.

You won't hear me laughing. His goal in the last quarter was sublime. In heavy traffic, he snaps it through of one step! I wouldn't exactly say the sky is the limit for Jones, but he was the acting skipper tonight and had a certain 'leaders presence' about him.

Just fantastic to laugh at the Collingwood scum in my pub and watch them make mistakes because of relentless pressure . It might only be NAB but the important thing we showed was a relentless attitude . Wattsy had a bad night but took their best defender .Ricky had a good night .I had a great night!!

Someone highlighted the stats before (perhaps the other thread), we won all the important ones- Contested Possession, Tackles, Inside 50's It is only NAB Cup and it is still difficult to read too much into it but if this is the manner in which our boys will play this year then i think we will have a good season. Whether it becomes very good is the next question.......

Leave him up forward to continue developing. He's going along just fine, and should continue to improve further this year.

I think his dad shovels elephant [censored], so he'll be working under Phil.

The more cricket I watch, the more I admire Test Cricket. I'm more inclined to watch and be more interested in Pakistan v England playing in Dubai than I am in a ODI Game 5 Australia v India.

This is my best 22, not taking into account matchups. Although this is a round one thread, I thought it was best to post here rather than start a new one. It may change after seeing the preseason games. FB: Bartram – Martin – Bennell HB: Garland – Frawley – Green C: Morton – Moloney – Bate HF: Howe – Watts – Davey FF: Jurrah – Clark – Petterd F: Jamar – Trengove – Jones Int: Grimes – McKenzie – Sylvia – Bail Emg: Gysberts (for Sylvia in first game) Where I think I differ from most is the backup ruck option, I would not specifically select one. I think teams loose run and with Clarke, Jurrah, Howe, Petterd and Watts in the forward line there is no room to carry another tall. With Jamar being such a fit player he only requires a few minutes per quarter rest. I would use a mix of Watts and Clark to back him up, and if possible against the opposition second string ruck which is normally less physical (for example not against Sandliands, but when he goes for a rest send Jamar off and Watts can ruck against whoever they send in). Watts would cause a huge mismatch with his speed and agility, as well as his big leap. If it was shared amongst a few players it would not be much of a burden, and also create matchup headaches for the opposition. If Jamar is injured this would need a major rethink. I also see a position for Morton and Bate, would move green to the backline and Rivers would be back at Casey. I am also going mainly on what players have done, not what I think they will do (Blease, Strauss) Bartram - is one of the first selected each week, rarely gets beaten and always gives his all. Disposal is not fantastic (I believe that it is not as bad as many on here make out), and will look much better without other players with poor skills around him (Rivers, MacDonald, Warnock) Martin - could be the tall backman that the team has been looking for. Has proved in the past that he can play very well in the backline, and physically can match up with any tall forward in the league. Is tall, strong, fast and has a real crack. I don’t think he is a natural forward, and I don’t think he is needed in the ruck. I’m assuming Sellar will not be better in this position than Martin. I can’t think of a player that after being delisted has walked into another teams starting 18, so I don’t think it will happen here. Bennell - can provide some class in disposal in the back line and run the ball out. Needs to ensure that he stops a player, but can also make the opposition forward pocket accountable. Garland - could dominate as the third tall. He often performs well against the best forward, on the third best he would be a real attacking option, and has great foot skills. Frawley - will be the best CHB in the AFL. Can stop a player and create play. Will be a faster version of Glen Jackovich. I think he can be a bit wasted at fullback. I would also love to see him thrown into the middle for short bursts to break open a game. Green – can play back or forward. I like him at half back. He can be used as a third man up, setting up play, attacking backman or shutting down an opposition player. His reputation has diminished in the past 12 months, but with the number of players pushing for a forward position, I think this is much better for team balance. Morton – I’m still a fan. I think that he can be a very good wingman. I think he was drafted as a wingman and the previous coach tried to turn him into a KPP. Can provide very good delivery into the forward line, and a target for the kickout. Let him run up and down the wing providing a link, take a mark up forward and help out down back. Bate – see Morton Molony – In and under centre man, has proven to be the best at getting the ball in the team. Howe – I have been impressed with his work rate, and would like to see him roam from the goal posts to halfback flank. He may also be the best option to shutdown an opposition attacking backman Watts – Will be in the top 5 players in the league shortly. I think that he can also be used on the ball (Ruck). I see the forward line a very fluid, with Watts roaming from the goal square to half back. With his speed he is very hard to match up on. Davey – Providing he is fit, he is the best kick in the team and would like to see him delivering it into the foward line, with stints on the ball and deep forward. Needs to ensure body and attitude are right. Jurrah – Is as good on the ground as in the air. Many on here are looking for a small forward, but Jurrah can do exactly what s small man can, plus take a big mark. Needs to improve consistency and intensity. Clark – Full forward, with stints in the ruck Petterd – Very good body on body, hard worker and can rotate with others to the flank or on the ball. Jamar – First selected. Super fit and can play most of the game. Does not need much backup. Small stints from Watts and Clark would do. Trengove – Should be Melbourne’s number one midfielder in the near future Jones – Love his attitude and is getting better every year. Never stops working. Grimes – Tossed up between a back flank and on the ball. I think Melbourne’s Midfield is currently the weakness, so he plays there. Kicking looked average last year, hopefully it is OK. McKenzie – Workhorse, every team needs one. Needs to kick more, but one of my favourites. Sylvia – Should be the best player in the team, needs more consistency. Adds class to the midfield, and can go forward and kick goals. Bail – Get a big wrap on this site, I don’t think that he has earned it yet. Showed in the Collingwood game two years ago that he has the potential to be a very good player. Provides run, and will not take a short step. Next best Gysberts – Was a close call, but I think he needs to develop more physically. Will be best 18 very soon Blease, Strauss, Nicholson – Need to see more before they go in the side. With a good NAB cup all three could replace a backman or wingman.

Why not... In modern footy I think you need to split the side up to categories like so and order players in order for their position. Some double up due to their versatility and this puts them up the pecking order, especially in case of injuries. (haven’t taken into account any rookies. Small Defenders / Taggers – Bartram, Bail, Bennell, Strauss Tall Defenders – Frawley, Garland, Sellars, Rivers Running Defenders - Frawley, Grimes, Bail, Bennell, Garland, Blease Inside Midfielders – Trengove, Moloney, McKenzie, Sylvia, Grimes, Gysberts, Nicholson, Jetta, Bate Outisde Midfielders – Trengove, Sylvia, Jones, Tapscott, Morton, Bail, Bennell Tall Forward – Clark, Watts, Cook, Dunn, Bate, McDonald Medium Forwards – Howe, Petterd, Green, Jurrah Crumbing Forward – Jurrah, Davey, Blease Ruck – Jamar, Martin, Spencer, Sellar B Bartram Frawley Garland HB Grimes Sellar Rivers C Bail Moloney Jones HF Jurrah Watts Green F Howe Clark Davey R Jamar McKenzie Trengove INT Martin Petterd Tapscott (Morton) Next - Dunn Bate Bennell In this side Bail would be our midfield tagger while Bartram takes the most dangerous small forward. Frawley and Sellar take the bigger to forwards while Garland takes whoever. Rivers plays his normal third man up. Grimes acts as the quarterback however this position could easily be Jones, Bennell, Strauss, Blease Our forward line does look a lot better with Clark there. Best thing to happen to Jurrah (but will Jurrah get a game? I could have easily left him out) Depending on performance Sylvia will come in for some1 in round 2.

I often use this as a method of getting back to sleep in the middle of the night, name my best 22 in the old fashioned way, ie."from the backline", "League Teams" style. It's quite effective and I'm often asleep before I've sorted out the forwards or the interchange bench. Some players, like Frawley, Jamar, Clark etc., pick themselves in their positions. Others are more difficult. There are others who I think "how could I possibly leave him out?", like Jordie McKenzie, Petterd etc. Even Green! They're are too good to omit, but for example, how do I fit Jurrah, Watts, Howe, Clark, Petterd, Green, Martin and Davey all into the same forward six. Or How do I fit Trengove, Jones, Gysberts, Bail, Moloney, Mckenzie, Bate and Sylvia all into the midfield. Or how do fit Frawley, Garland, Rivers, Grimes, Tappy, Bail, Bartram, Bennell all in the back six. In my mind all of these players are certain starters, but so far that's already 23 players. I haven't been able to fit in the next tier, who I think will all play important roles when injuries occur. They are Blease, T McDonald, J MacDonald, Dunne, Jetta, Nicholson (I know he is still on the rookie list but I suspect he may climb into the group above), Sellar and Strauss. Then there is the development group, some of whom may demand a game, and some who are probably still a way off. Davis, Cook, Tynan and Taggart. Then we have the rookies and unknown quantities. Magner, Couch, Evans, Lawrence, Williams and Sheahan. The whole picture is very good and makes the "best 22" or "Round 1 22" really almost impossible to pick. One would think that training track and NAB Cup form will throw up a couple of surprises and that the pressure on the players to keep their spots will be better than ever. It's a very healthy situation, both for the Dees and for my sleep patterns.

It's a very exciting time of the year. Looking at our complete list of 46 it seems like only about 8 players aren't currently potential best 22 this year - Cook, Fitzpatrick, Davis, Tynan, Lawrence, Williams, Sheahan all likely to have work to do at Casey this year and add Gawn to the list because of his injury. That gives us 38 possible starters by my calculations, there's a lot of competition in every area - it's going to be fascinating© to see how it comes out in the wash.

This guy that guy another guy bloke 1 bloke 2 bloke 3 this person that person another person fella 1 fella 2 fella 3 a punter a player a brother Gringo Dude Young kid geezer 1. geezer2. geezer3 unlucky bugger(sub)

FB: Bartram Frawley Garland HB: Grimes Sellar Nicholson C: Jones Trengove Bail HF: Howe Watts Jurrah F: Davey Clark Green R: Jamar Moloney Sylvia Int.: Martin Petterd/Mckenzie Tapscott (Blease) Emg. Rivers Strauss Gysberts Morton undeserved Jetta is a maybe player Mcdonald still developing Joel Mac is cover now Magner and Couch need to prove themselves Tynan Taggert can develop in VFL Cook will never develop into a bigger body and unless he makes good strides in the next two years good be facing the clutch in 2013, much like Fitzpatrick this year. We have a lot of depth, thanks Barry Prendergast, and like Bailey always wanted competition for spots is now at its peak. Bailey, who i really hated but when i reflec was right in what he said many times about creating depth and that is exactly what he has helped achieve. We have a lot of fringe players and this is becoming a problem when selecting the best 22 because anyone could pop up in the pre season. Many older heads may look for a trade come years end, Rivers and Joel Mac, so could some of our fringe, Jetta, Morton, Fitzy. I think we will be the most active in the trade period this year mainly because of the amount of fringe players we have. We may land some good talent in the trade period this year. Bailey's vision is becoming a reality, shame he was a terrible tactician and gameday coach. I think he will look on in anger and envy in the next few years, poor man!

The actual song starts 3 minutes in. And you'll have to have extremely loud speakers for it to be anything like the concert. Most talented band going around