Deespicable

Where do you think he's been playing in the VFL - basically in the goalsquare and then on the ball as relief for Spencer/Jamar. He's got a bit of forward instincts, often floating back behind his opponent and he's so tall he presents matchup difficulties. I'm certainly not saying he's a superstar and he's prone to clangers, but if you've watched the VFL a bit, you would have seen that he pulls down quite a few marks and is a long-ball option.

Been a while since we've had anything celebrate on QB weekend and seem to recall last year that it was five goals to three just before three quarter -time when Vince's goal was disallowed and JKH came on and wanted the ball on the wrong wing and we paid for it big time. The two obvious outs are Bail and Matt Jones, but given they are both small forwards one of them might survive. Against that is that they laid a combined one tackle v Port, so it may be just a case of finding a better, albeit slower, option - Newton and Riley were stiff last week, so at least one should come in and Tyson has to play if he's fit. Perhaps Viney could be used as a forward until halftime and then sent into middle when game is still hopefully on the line. I am willing to bet that Jack Viney would lay at least one tackle. Sending Vandenberg back to the forward line again may seem like a step backwards, but as we all know the half forwards play high anyway and he adds forward pressure. If you send Toump forward, he's too slow to lay a tackle, if you send Watts forward, he won't be aware that he should tackle and if you send Howey forward, he won't tackle unless the camera's on him. As to our bigs, Fitzy went backwards last week and Gawn has been pressing for inclusion. Perhaps its time to make Pedo a major swingman playing down back on their rucks, up forward for a bit. By giving Gawny a go as a forward who rucks, it allows Hoges to go upfield every now and then just in case he gets starved of opportunity. The other possible change gets down to whether Roosy wants to send Howey or Watts back to the VFL, but I suspect he won't want to make a statement this week given this is a big occasion game - for us anyway. Perhaps Howey could be sub, as he can play virtually anywhere when he comes on. Out: Fitzy, Bail, M.Jones In: Gawn, Tyson, Newton B: Jetta (Fasolo) Tom Mc (Cloke), Garland (Goldsack) HB: Lumumba (Elliott) Dunn (White) Grimes (Blair) C: Cross (Sidebottom) Tyson (Pendles) Brayshaw (Varcoe) HF: Viney (Seedsman) Hogan (Frost) Newton (Langdon) F: Garlett (Williams) Gawn (Brown) vandenberg (Toovey) Ru: Spencer (Grundy) Vince (Swan) N.Jones (Adams) Int: Pedersen (Witts), Watts (Oxley), Toumpas (Crisp) Sub: Howe (De Goey)

You are either incredibly clever and have inside information re: Port's side, or you are just brainless - Ryder, Westhoff, Schulz and mid-size Monfries makes Port's forward line one of the biggest in the league.

Will be interesting this week to see whether Port swing the axe or stay loyal to squad for another week. They have three big forwards - Ryder, Schulz and Westhoff - plus Monfries - so the fact that Fitzy is in means we don't have to make any changes down back and also means we don't have to panic that if Spencil went down, we are stuffed. Fitzy's strong game means there's no room for Gawn or Dawes this week - but they will get a game soon. It was an extraordinary decision to select him given his poor game against Sandy and then the fact that he hurt his neck the week before and virtually didn't play, but we were well overdue some luck and the good thing is that he's fast enough to make a contest on all the big forwards when they lead. As to inclusions, Jetta is a definite now that he has done his month off and his return will most likely mean Howe lines up forward again. Viney also returns if he pulls up OK from training. He will play the whole game - he is a super fit bloke. They replace Matt Jones (injured) and Bail or Riley. Bail has some chance of surviving because he is a small forward - not because he had a game worthy of retention. Tyson may play - although it then begs the question as to whom he replaces - it would have to be Riley or Newton. Other than that, the guys who played well in twos - Terlich, Michie, Neal-Bullen and White plus the 23rd man Stretch just have to bide their time. Amazing what a win does to team selection.

This is a good thread but it's also one that would have been laughed down by us three weeks ago after our win against Richmond. I think you will find Roosy has done some major thinking in the past few days and we will see him tinker with a few things now. Ultimately though, we as yet haven't found a couple of midfield stars to win clearances on a regular basis and Viney's absence and passion around the contest has hurt more than a few of us realised. Dom's step back from being a reliable extractor has also hurt big time. We do at least now have a defensive star and a bright light up forward - but you need to be solid across the ground with 21 all playing a role. The Dogs got lucky and now have two stars in Bon and Stringer to build their side around, but let's see how they go next year with Boyd and Murphy well into their 30s.

It's always hard to pick a team after a massive loss - there are so many potential outs. It also makes it harder when the reserves lose and there's not many standout inclusions to replace the potential outs. The Dogs are fast and lively and play without a major ruckman - this means that unless Minson is an inclusion, we will have a rare win in the hitouts, which at least gives us a slightly better chance of winning the clearances. Given that the Dogs will be quicker than us, this is an important factor if we are to make any headway and not cop another belting. I also think Roosy would have done a lot of thinking this week - questioning where we are going etc and as a result I can see him tinkering with his side, but I'm not sure that will mean wholesale changes - but maybe a couple of positional switches - his midfield set up may alter a bit. Most of us had two definite outs this week among a host of possibilities on top of the injured Salem and I think Roosy will feel the same. Jimmy T's errors combined with his looseness does not warrant another match. Billy Stretch is young and found the going really tough. He can now take his AFL experience back to VFL and try to become a major threat. Matt Jones, Rohan Bail and Viv Michie also did their cause serious harm with errors, but they may survive this week simply because there are so few options to bring back. If there is to be a regular senior player dropped then the two in contention are Chris Dawes and Jeremy Howe after failing to impact again. Pedo's form, unfortunately has put the onus on Dawesy to do more and with Hogan back he is the obvious one to make room. Dom is also is yet to show his 2014 form, so I imagine the debate on whether to rest him up in the hope to overcome his knee soreness will be discussed again and I suspect this will be the week they do it. Then there's the debate on whether to bring in a solid tapman in Jamar to replace a higher workrate, but less skilled tapman in Spencer. I don't have a fixed view on which one, but I actually advocate also bringing back Gawn, because we have to make sure we have a major advantage against the Dogs in the ruck, otherwise I suspect we will be smashed in clearances and they are clearly better than us at outside run and pressing. I also view that we need to go bigger because as we saw against Hawthorn, we can't beat good sides with our smaller lineups and we need to have a couple of advantages, because the battle to provide run is already lost without Viney, Salem, Jetta, Kent, Frost etc. We also will be forced to go long up the line a bit because of their press and that makes it more vital to have two talls providing the marking option. The only two definite ins are Hogan and Newton (who was 23rd man last week). Jetta is on a four-week recovery strategy and I think it sounds like Viney is another week away. Riley and McKenzie have been the hard workers in the reserves and you'd have to think one of them will come in this week. Watts could come back but I suspect it would be in his interests to wait until he really dominates a game before rushing him back. Neal-Bullen could also come in, but once again to do so is rushing him, he needs to really dominate a VFL game first. I have put Vince to a forward pocket with the plan that he ends up on Murphy, who has been huge for several weeks now and needs a negater. I have also named Cross as a half forward in the hope that he gets his old buddie Matt Boyd and make him more accountable. McKenzie gets the job on Dickson, TMac takes Stringer, Dunny has Tom Boyd and Col Garland gets Crameri with experienced heads Lumumba and Grimes heavily rotating on their other revolving forwards. Moving Vince and Cross out of the middle will also mean that we can go with a different midfield setup. Riley's hardness will at least test out Bontempelli, even though he will lose the battle, and Brayshaw deserves a bigger shot at winning clearances, he's only had a few minutes each game up until now, and he links up well with Jonesy. So my view and there's plenty of other options here is as follows: Out: Salem, Tyson (inj), Stretch, Jimmy T, Dawes In: Hogan, Newton, Riley, McKenzie, Gawn B: McKenzie Dunn Garland HB: Lumumba T.Mac Grimes C: Newton Riley vandenBurg HF: Bail Hogan Cross F: Vince Pedersen Garlett Ru: Spencer Brayshaw N.Jones Int: Gawn, M.Jones, Michie, Howe (sub)

Fantastic post and spot on, but shows how under Prederghastly we had no idea and then, with a key pick in the draft three years ago, under Todd Viney, but coerced by Neeld, we got it majorly wrong and dropped off Wines. Thanks christ we now have a recruiting guy in Taylor who understands where the game is at and hopefully where it is headed. But even now luck can play a part - if we didn't go Trengove we would have most likely gone Morabito and not Martin, for example. If Petracca wasn't available, Roos went on record as saying we would have most likely gone McCartin, which now shapes as a bust - early days though on this one.

Do you seriously think any club that has been following football, and they all keep an eye on players, would trade for a guy who is slow, has no major overhead marking ability, and can't kick with his left foot and plays an outside game and panics and ... No we will get nothing for him, although I'm told he is a great bloke. Unfortunately when Neeld, in one of his many acts of lunacy, said he wanted an outside player to go with Viney's inside game, we f...ed up completely and missed out on Wines. True, he had been a standout out at the U18 carnival, but why we weren't able to ascertain his pace prior to his injury remains one of the great mysteries. Roosy and Taylor are paying the price for it now.

6. T.Mac 5. Pedo 4. Garland 3. Garlett 2. Grimes 1. N.Jones

Had to leave at half time because I actually work weekends. But quick comments from today. Tom Mc is a monolith at moment and makes our other guys look almost incompetent at moment. Jack Grimes was having a great day as well - he kept presenting and while he doesn't have weapons, he showed that he still has game smarts. Col was continuing his strong season. Have to wonder about: What are Mitchell, Puopolo applying to their arms that makes it almost impossible for us to stick a tackle properly. Our guys don't seem to be wearing the same oil. Roosy, whom I think is a super coach, opted for a stack of smalls this week and decided on playing Howey as a forward - which is fine, except that Hawthorn selected four tall forwards - Hale, Gunston, Roughy and even Schoenmakers was up there. So how come just 20 minutes into the game you reailise the mistake and send Howey back to defence. Who came up with the idea of going small? Sorry, but Jimmy T played his last game - not just for us, for any club at AFL level. He isn't quick enough to play outside and certainly isn't tough enough to be a hardnut in the middle. Don't think he will be traded - others will have watched him for 3 seasons now and they know the issue. Rohan Bail, who at least provides fight and grunt, also may have played his last game - unfortunately two shocking kicking howlers will mean he bears the brunt of major DL fore this week. There are oterhs, but what was clear was our midfield is not good or quick enough - losing Viney and Frost is a real bummer because we can't match top teams inside and we don't have enough pace outside.

As I stated on the "changes next week" thread, which is now obsolete, with the dry conditions forecast, I still think there's some chance that one of Gawn or Pedersen will come in and a late change, most likely Tyson (knee) will happen. Otherwise we are majorly at risk should Spencer go down given that they have two genuine ruckmen. The other comment is that based on team selected, you'd have to think that Howey will be the surprise third tall forward with Lumumba playing as the third-man up down back. Final comment is to the guy who said Watts lacks class, that is complete and utter nonsense and shows you have never been to training. His only significant problem is that he lacks aggression - and that, sadly, is why he will never make it.

Given the dry conditions forecast, I still think there's some chance that one of Gawn or Pederson will come in and a late change, most likely Tyson (knee) will happen. Otherwise we are majorly at risk should Spencer go down given that they have two genuine ruckmen. The other comment is that based on team selected, you'd have to think that Howey will be the surprise third tall forward with Lumumba playing as the third-man up down back.

All true except I'm not sure our early second round pick will be quite good enough for him. A lot may depend on how he goes when he comes into their senior side - if he goes well, then we will need a big sweetener. If he goes the whole season in the NEAFL, then I suspect it will be deal done. Then Roosy can turn his attention to getting Shiels with our first round pick and a sweetener. That won't be easy as it looks likely he'll poll mega well in the Brownlow and every other award going around.

Frosty, Don't worry, I am talking simply about that game and am not suggesting Grimes always exhibits poise. I am fully across that he has struggled to impact at AFL level because the pace of that game is vastly superior to VFL and decisions have to be mega quick. But at the moment, he's too good for VFL level. He still has all the challenges to cross at AFL level when he gets another crack at it and obviously minimising decision-making howlers, improving his kicking efficiency and shrugging off tackles with change of direction is primary to it. But I think people here seem to have viewed him as a basketcase and that typecasting is amazing given that only four years ago everyone was singing his praises because of his courage, leadership etc. I don't think people take into account the pyschological damage caused by him feeling he failed as captain and how it impacts his confidence under pressure. Imagine if your boss got demoted at work, would he pout or brood, most likely he would walk away to another job? Grimesy is endeavouring to prove to the footy world that he is every bit as good a player as he looked as a youngster and at VFL level you can see that he's still got the fundamentals to achieve at AFL level, it's just a question of whether he has the pace and strength and kicking ability to really achieve it again. Personally I think he has the game-smarts and dedication to do it, I'm just hopeful he gets another chance to really show it.

Can we please get a reply from Georgiou - whilst we all make errors (eg: Jetta), this post is now worthy of an award!

And the good thing is that even though Petracca got injured, our luck seems to have turned. Poor old Pies - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-11/hamstring-surgery-for-unlucky-magpie-nathan-freeman- they took Scharenberg (6) and Freeman (10) and are a long way off getting a game out of them. Kelly (2) got dropped by GWS and even though we can look back and rue missing our on a once in a generation player in Bontempelli, we got Tyson (2) and Salem (9) in that deal. Then this year, the Saints have their very own Jack Watts in Paddy McCartin. It's amazing that since Taylor took over for the 2013 draft, we seem to be getting players who have the right tools to succeed in the modern game. But the biggest irony of the whole thing is that the guy who kept getting it wrong for us - Barry Prenderghastly - actually succeeded with one of his final throwaway picks before being sent packing. His name - Tom McDonald.

Good effort young fella and pleasing to see that you actually have realised that we have to give up a fair bit - unlike some posters who think we can trade easily. Under Roosy the keys are big-bodied midfielders who tackle and have good kicking skills. He also likes quick players and I suspect he will look for a mobile forward/ruck project this season assuming Jamar retires. We just have to hope that someone is disenchanted and that generally means they are not playing much, if at all - so the dream lists of gun players at other clubs are just that - dreams. Having said that I'm sure Roosy would love to get his hands on Dylan Shiel - but there will be a big queue if he doesn't sign up with GWS. One advantage we have is that Dom and Sam Frost help our chances of getting in the heads of a GWS player. I also reckon we will be working overtime on delisted free agents and trying to unearth someone like Newton who is out of favour. Don't be too surprised if we bring in one more veteran as well - someone like Nathan Van Berlo who assumes a bit of the Crossy role. Our best recruit next year will however be Petracca

There are six potential ins this week IMO and then the selectors have to work out how many actually get a game. Obviously if Viney and Jetta pass fitness tests, they will come in, but based on last week's training - they will have to have made good progress to be included. Bail as 23rd man last week is a big chance to come back in - Michie, Grimes and Stretch have been our previous 23rd men and all got games the next week. Having watched the VFL game, there were only three whose form in the loss warranted consideration this week - Gawn, Grimes and Michie. A case could be made for McKenize or Riley to come in to add tackling pressure, but assuming Viney's back, we will be right there. Of the three from the VFL, Gawn would be most likely. Sure he made a massive howler kicking into the wind, but he still has weapons (height and marking) and has to be given a chance soon. Obviously it will help his chances if the Hawks retain the down on form McEvoy as Ceglar's backup. If they do, Gawn's extra rucking ability will back up Spencer a bit more adequately than Pedo or Dawesy. Grimes has his knockers here, but watch the VFL game and if you can't see his leadership and poise in the loss, then you don't get football. He will get another chance soon, it just may not be this week. Michie started slowly but as the VFL game wore on, hde looked our best creative midfielder and given he was an unlucky omission after Freo game, he has to be a chance, but maybe not required if Viney comes back. So who is out: JKH has survived six weeks and as discussed on this medium by many, has not yet kicked on from last year. Perhaps he has a bit of the old second-year Blues, but given he is not an explosive quick like Garlett or Vandenburg, it's hard to see him surviving. With Kent out we need another small forward, so it's back to Bail and we pick up four or five more tackles than JKH, albeit we lose a bit of polish (but it's only been potential polish this season from JKH, as he has barely impacted the scoreboard). Jetta, if fit, also has to come in and the question is which of our two wingmen - Stretch or Watts miss out as Lumumba will go back there if Nev is right. Both had their moments last week, but neither dominated (only two did, mind you) and they are about to come up against Isaac Smith or Brad Hill or Billy Hartung. Personally I'd back in Stretch for one more week and play him on Hartung, but I suspect the club will stick with Watts so as not to upset his loyal followers. Watts does at least provide plenty of options whether he starts as the fourth tall forward, wing or with the subs vest again. Dom's form and his knee soreness has obviously been in question for several weeks now (only one Demonland vote for the year compared to about 50 this time last year). He wasn't spanked by Kennedy (although one of his goals was a disaster for Dom). There were a few signs that he was getting back to being the extractor, though, but I reckon this might be the week to give his knee issue a rest. Viney, if fit, will take his spot, although Michie will be a chance if Jack needs another week. Grimes also must be a big chance, but it also would be a big call to dump Jimmy T after just one week - although they did do that to Grimesy. But if Jetta doesn't come up, it could be Grimes who gets the gig to play on Rioli or Puopolo. The really tricky decision is who to leave out for Gawny and as stated earlier his presence may not be as crucial if McEvoy is axed. Even if McEvoy does play, you could still make a case for Pedo because as we know, even if our selectors have forgotten it, Pedo can play back and is a precise, long kick. It may come down to the weather, but I actually think Gawny may just miss out as Roosy stays loyal for another week to Pedo and Dawes. Both Pedo and Dawes must however start bang on the centre square and charge in to the centre and really try and hunt down Hawthorn's playmakers, whether it be Mitchell, Burgoyne, Smith or Anderson and make it their aim to get as many US style sacks as possible. Neither Dawes or Pedo are doing enough yet, so they have to hurt the opposition (legally) or else its hard to justify them. Vince should go the hard tag on Smith, Viney go to Mitchell, Cross to intimidate Hartung One other thing I'd like to see, which won't happen mind you, is for Watts to be sent down back and play on Gunston as I think Dunn will be too slow for him and Garland should take Breust because he plays tighter than Howey. As it is, I'd play Howey on Gunston and free up Dunny for the resting ruckman (if they have one this week). So ultimately, the changes as I see it are: In: Viney (Michie), Jetta (Grimes), Bail Out: Tyson (rested), JKH, Stretch B: Jetta (Rioli) T Mac (Roughy) Dunn HB: Salem (Puopolo) Howe Garland (Bruest) C: Harry O (Hill) N.Jones (Mitchell) Cross (Hartung) HF: Vandenberg Dawes Bail F: Garlett Hogan Brayshaw Ru: Spencer Vince (Smith) Viney Int: Newton, Toumpas, Pedo, Watts (sub) Emerg: Gawn, Grimes, Stretch

The only view you expressed was that everyone on Demonland was full of themselves and had no idea - I like Roosy too and think he's a super coach, but that doesn't mean he, or others in the club, always make the right choices. I don't know where you work, but ask yourself does your boss or your company do everything correctly? Are there any grey areas? If the answer is no, then try another medium - Demonland is not for you.

You may well be right HH and based on emergencies, that means Bail comes in. But the tricky thing is deciding which of the four talls up forward makes room. Obviously if Dawesy is still slightly sore, he would be an easy omission, but he trained well yesterday so I doubt that. Your namesake definitely won't go and Pedo's game last week and his backup ruck work means he'd be very unlucky to miss. But our fourth tall forward could go and Roosy could just say it was team balance post-game and he doesn't have to put up with it being a big story.

Great job as always RPFC, but hopefully we can upset a couple of the big-name teams in the next five weeks so that we don't have to spend the entire second-half of the season debating who we should flick and who we can get (however nonsensical the player thrown up is)!

In an ideal world, Petracca would have replaced him as the mobile third/fourth tall. But given we have gone back to a three bigs setup - Hoges, Dawes and Pedo - then Watts' value drops because the fourth tall role requires someone to occasionally drift in for the mark and goal, but primarily tackle hard and provide a fair degree of inside 50 pressure. Vandenburg can do that role easily, but I suspect he is one week away from being thrown on the ball almost full time. Howey can also do that role, but is preferred down back as third-man up intercept support, although H can do that role if Roosy deems it. But Brayshaw already does Wattsy's fourth-tall role for a large chunk of the game - he may as well assume it full time. At least that way opposition defenders who take a long time to get rid of it, will be in fear of being made to pay for it. Newton has good goal sense as well and could do the role as well. There are plenty of options, it's all a question of priorities. By the way I don't hate Wattsy - I actually love what he does offfield, I'm just a realist who saw what Jamie Bennell did to him last year and realised that there's now no spot for him in the current physical game. You can't teach intensity, it has to come from within.

Yes, you are right to a certain extent but what you did is what many journos do and take one sentence and try and make something of it. Obviously they all have their roles to play and that is why I mention so many players and not just exclusively Dom. But Dom has not been doing his specific team role - which is to be an extractor - in our two major losses and hence his form is the key and in question. We have removed Jamar this week because Roosy decided he needed to tinker with his clearance setup and Spencil has been dominant at VFL level and Roosy hope he can provide more of a team role at the stoppages with screening and tackling support for Dom and others. This week the spotlight at centre bounces will go on to others in that area as well - but Dom more so than others because he showed last year he could play the offensive extractor team role and this year (possibly because of his knee issues) he has been unable to impact.

It took place on here five years ago and has taken place every week since and it doesn't matter what we Demonlanders say about his lack of intensity, he lines up every week. Suggest you get a new scriptwriter and just keep mum on it - it will probably happen the one day we don't say anything.

If it wasn't for the Freo game, I'd be looking forward to tomorrow night. We have to bounce back like we did after the GWS midfield touch up or else it shapes as another long season. The key for me is Dom Tyson. Whilst Roosy has moved on Jamar in the hope that the less silky, but more mobile Spencer will provide more physical support to our midfield, the question remains whether our two best clearance winners - Tyson and Jones - with support from Bernie, Crossy and Vanders can match it with the Swans - Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Mitchell and Hannebery. Apart from the middle I think we can match or maybe even win against the Swans. Their backline is well drilled but Grundy, Laidler and Teddie Richards aren't exactly AA's, so Hoges, Dawes and Pedo should be able to grab the occasional mark inside 50 - assuming we can get it in there. They may even be forced to send Reid back down there to counter us. Our own backline with Tom Mc firing has been fairly impressive this year and while Dunn on Tippett and Garland on Reid will concede height, we should have Howey and Lumumba providing second-man up support. But if it comes straight down from almost every clearance like last week then we are in deep sh.. The key is Dom. If he can return to his Pendlebury-type games of last year and just win the ball and dish as many times as Kennedy, then I reckon we are a chance. It was interesting that Roosy singled him out last week for criticism, so maybe he knows Dom has the character to fight back and turn thing around. Jonesy and Jack will most likely be a tie with the winner decided by the umpires interpretations. I actually reckon Bernie will pick up Parker and Crossy will go to Hannebery. Mitchell will get plenty of touches but whether his disposal is good enough to hurt us I'm not sure. No matter what, if we get smashed again in the middle, Roosy will have to rework his strategy in there. While Billy is everyone's tip to be the sub, the other option apart from Jimmy T is Watts. Billy does provide more run and sometimes that first-game excitement helps engender spirit from everyone. It's a bit of a waste if he comes on late in the third with the game over. The Swans will probably use Goodes as the their sub, so Watts is a similar sort of match-up for him as the sub with both having more of a chance to impose when the heat goes off the game.