mo64

Vince for Toumpas is a given. If Dawes plays, it makes the Garlett, Kent, JKH combo even more effective. Our small forward combo could be a strength of this team. Frost plays, because he's our designated 2nd ruckman. But I don't want to see a top heavy forward line of Hogan, Dawes and Frost. As I said earlier, for team balance I'd replace one of our tall backs for Dawes. But I reckon they'll give Brayshaw a full game at Casey, which would be disappointing.

I watched the whole Saints/GWS game, and GWS dominated the first 3 quarters, but didn't hurt the Saints on the scoreboard. Unsure what other options they have as a 2nd ruckman, but Tomlinson gave them nothing up forward. Cameron was Cameron, and McCarthy was really impressive. Like I said with our forward structure, it's all about what gives you the best opportunity to win the game.

Aside from Cameron and McCarthy, I get the feeling that GWS will go small with their forwardline, with their talented mids resting up forward, rather than Tomlinson who was ordinary against the Saints.

Garland was great in the 1st half, but once the Suns went small in the 2nd half, Garland was manned up on either Ablett or Jack Martin and got touched up.

Do you realise that Garland was Ablett's direct opponent when he rested up forward?

We need to pick a team that will give us the best opportunity to win as opposed to the best 22 players. It's clear that Frost is the preferred 2nd ruck, so he's playing. I've always felt that our best forward line structure is 2 talls (Hogan and Dawes), a 3rd tall (Watts) and 3 smalls (JKH, Kent, Garlett). But now I feel that Frost may offer more than Dawes with his forward pressure. Alternatively, I also believe that our backline is susceptible to be hurt by small forwards, and worry with a structure of Dunn, T.Mac, Garland and Howe. That's one too many to match up on Cameron and McCarthy. Dunn and T.Mac are locks, which leaves Howe and Garland. If conditions are fine and dry with little wind: In: Vince Out: Toumpas Or In: Vince, Dawes Out: Toumpas, Garland (Very unlucky) I'd prefer option 1, because I like the idea of having 4 mids or small forwards on the bench as opposed to an average 2nd ruckman or a key position player.

The advent of the forward press has meant that backmen can no longer be dour "defense only" type players. If you can't clear the lines through creative running or precise disposal, you become a liability. Unfortunately for Grimes he's a dour player who's not great in a one on one contest, and doesn't possess an attacking game. I'd like to see him played as an onballer at Casey, and instructed to take the game on. I haven't given up on him, but he needs to reinvent his game.

The non-selection of Grimes, Bail, M.Jones and McKenzie goes to show that 90% of Demonland posters are astute judges of talent.

Not sure if serious or an April Fools gag!!!

By all reports, Heeney is also ready to go.

It was mentioned on draft night. When the club met with the Petracca family prior to the draft, as is the norm, the Petraccas had issues with us as a club. If you hadn't noticed, young players and their managers are getting more choosey about where they want to play. Given that he has a serious injury, the logical thing for him and is management to do to ensure financial security, is to extend his contract with us. If he doesn't extend his contract this year, I'd start to worry.

It was no secret that at draft time, his family had concerns about us as a club, and the club had to sit down with them to allay their fears. I'd be rapt if he re-signs for a couple of more years asap.

Playing home games interstate and being affiliated to Casey (wherever that is) doesn't help the club with identifying with the Melbourne brand.

Did we improve last season with additional match practice? With the lesser pressure of playing against a VFL side, the AFL listed players, with their advanced training and coaching, should dominate their direct opponents. Our players have been rusty in the preseason for the past 8 years, and it continues onto the season proper. People seem to think that we'll flick on a magical switch when the season starts. History tells otherwise.

There's a link to a 30 sec version of the ad.

Like rpfc, I normally cringe watching a footy club ad, but this is well done. Doesn't sugar coat where we're at, or sell false hope. It also doesn't include the rookies, which is good. Probably the best MFC ad I've seen.

For a proven player like Vince, I can accept your comment. The rest of our AFL listed players should have been busting a gut to win a place in the senior side. After the past 8 years, I don't buy this "practise match in March" bullsh#t.

Was Howe amongst the defenders or forwards?

That's football speak for "We have NFI when he'll play again". If Trengove does come back, he'll have to reinvent his game. Can't see him being an explosive mid or a half forward. If he can get his kicking ability back, would't mind seeing him play as a half back. He reads the play well and has clean hands.

The 2nd language in the AFL is Lying. Coaches, players, support staff etc; aren't going to divulge potentially sensitive info to a supporter hanging over the fence at training, and that includes where they are at in regards to being fully fit. But I'm sure they're all polite, hence their diplomatic responses.

And Maurice Rioli, Wayne Johnston and Matthew Lloyd never kicked the ball on their right. Jeez their skill set must have been poor. If you've been following the game for 37 years, you'd understand that left footers are generally more dexterous than right footers, so most will naturally go on their left. And I didn't understand your second point.

I think you've just confirmed what many have thought. Disposal efficiency is one of the most meaningless stats in the modern game. The percentages get skewed in favour of players who win uncontested possessions and dispose of the ball with low risk (20 metre sideways kick), and works against players who win contested possession. Disposal efficiency percentages has little to do with the impact that a player has on the game. At training, I've only seen one player kick the ball with their non preferred foot (Garlett), and in the preseason games it would be a rarity.

You didn't mention that Barlow and Mundy were subbed off / rested, and that Fyfe didn't play. Be honest, Freo had the game won at half-time. And as a top 4 team in hot conditions, they are more likely to take the foot of the pedal, than a struggling team looking to build confidence. My concern is that the last year, the gap between our best and worst broadened as the year went on.

Well he's not going to get that playing in the VFL for Casey, and I doubt that there's a place for him in the seniors. As for his attributes, he may have pace but he doesn't have quickness of mind. I'd hate having him and T Mac in the same team.

We are crying out for a forward/2nd ruckman. Pedo is out of favour. Gawn starts the last game as sub and has been underwhelming in the preseason. Frost, who has made his name as a backman, is the 3rd player that we've tried in the role. You keep bringing up the wonderful stat line of Fitzpatrick kicking 22 goals in 19 games (over 4 years mind you). By trialling him at full back at Casey, the coaches clearly don't see him as an answer long term for a forward/2nd ruckman role. Just accept that he's been shifted to fullback because the said coaches above, have been unimpressed with him to date. And of course you sugar coat things. You keep pumping up players like Fitzpatrick, McKenzie and Spencer, who are probably rated by the coaches from 30-40 on a bottom 4 list. They may be nice guys because they give you the time of day, but quite frankly 99% of supporters only care about on-field success, and what the players or coaches say to you is largely irrelevant.