WERRIDEE

McDonald is a key defender not a flanker, can't see him and Petty in the same team. I think there are only 2 spots up for grabs the 3rd tall forward spot out of Johnson and Jefferson and the wing spot out of Lindsay and Sharp the rest pick themselves.

Just with Petty playing back don't see him and McDonald in the same side. Johnson is ready to go so should be ahead of Jefferson and I think McAdam needs to show some form before he gets a gig.

After listening to Goody I have changed my side. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Lindsay, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Johnson, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Turner FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Sparrow, Tholstrup SUB: Melksham EMERG: Jefferson, Sharp, McDonald Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bonner HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sharp, Laurie, Woewodin HF: Spargo, Fullerton, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, McAdam FOLL: Campbell, Hardie, Culley IC: Billings, Mentha, Verrall, Brown, Yze EMERG: D.Smith, Baldi, George

Now that the draft is done and dusted it's time to put out my best 21. B: Colvin, Gillard HB: Chaplin, Harris, Goldrick C: B.Mackin, Purcell, McNamara HF: Zanker, Campbell, Hore F: Bannan, Gall FOLL: Pearce, Hanks, Heath IC: Paxman, Fitzsimon, Lampard, Wotherspoon, O'Hehir EMERG: Pisano, D.Taylor, Mahony REST OF THE SQUAD: Beasley, Hose, S.Taylor, Johnson, Rigoni, Dethridge INJ: A.Mackin

With Bonner playing for Casey I have changed the Casey side. Melbourne B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Bowey, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Langford, Sparrow, Melksham, Petty SUB: McAdam EMERG: Howes, Sharp, Jefferson Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bonner HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sharp, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Woewodin, Lindsay IC: Verrall, Merntha, Hardie, Culley, Casey youngster EMERG: Smith, Sruk, Doultree SUS: Pickett

I felt I needed to put McAdam in he has to show his worth early after a wasted season. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Bowey, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Langford, Sparrow, Petty, Melksham SUB: McAdam EMERG: Sharp, Jefferson, Lindsay Casey B: Hore, Adams, Smith HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Sharp HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: Kentfield, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Brown, Lindsay IC: Verrall, Mentha, Hardie, Culley Lever has been injured so far but he is still a certainty to keep his spot in the back pocket. May has been training well another one who is locked into full back I haven't heard a lot from McVee but his consistancy keeps him in the back pocket Need a old head in the half back line and Salem is the man, he hasn't had a full pre season yet but he is close to getting back to his best. If he drops off his form again he will have Bowey, Howes, Moniz-Wakefield and Woewodin breathing down his neck. McDonald keeps his spot at CHB due to Petty being the swingman. Windsor has a new position at half back. Bowey has been a big shining light this pre season hasn't put a foot wrong. He said he will play more on the wing this year and that where I have him starting. Rivers is having a full pre season and due to his midfield work this year he stays in the middle to help out Oliver, Viney and Trac. Langdon is having his usual pre season locked in on a wing. Trac will be expected to play more up forward this year due to the emergence of Rivers. He was missed in the second half of the year. Turner is expected to go to the next level at CHF if he doesn't he will have Petty, van Rooyen, Jefferson, and Johnson breathing down his neck. Tholstrup will play high half forward doing a bit of Neal-Bullen's role. He has Sharp breathing down his neck. Fritsch will play the 3rd tall midsize forward role. van Rooyen is set to explode at full forward if he doesnt he has Jefferson and Johnson breathing down his neck. Chandler with Pickett out will be expected to play closer to goal and also doing a bit of Nibblers role. Gawn is our most important player without him we will struggle hopefully Campbell can give Gawn a chop out we weren't able to do that this year. Oliver is hopefully over his off season dramas. He's had a full pre season so far which is more than he had last year. Viney is Viney back in terrific nick one of the best trainers going around. Langford is the only player I back to debut round 1 he's built like a man which should allow him to mix it with the best. Sparrow had a poor year this year by his standards if he continues that way he will have Sharp, Lindsay, Laurie, Woewodin and Brown will be breathing down his neck. Petty didn't have a great year and is now being used as a swing man he could take over McDonald's role if he doesn't improve his forward involment Johnson will be breathing down his neck as could Campbell. I see him as being the 2nd ruck ATM. Melksham has moved from sub to best 22. He's crafty if he struggles early McAdam, Chandler, Tholstrup, Spargo and Pickett when he comes back will be gunning for his spot. McAdam is controversial because he done nothing to cement a place in the side he still unfit but should be right after Christmas. We rate him and we traded him for a second round pick so we must see what he can do early. With Pickett out it helps his chances. Sharp unlucky to not be in the side but as I said I want to see what McAdam can do. Lindsay won't be fit until after Christmas that may put him behind others we don't need to blood youth immediately like we have had to do in the past. Jefferson has been on the list for 2 years now it's time to start performing I don't see him in the round 1 side but if we can get 5 to 10 games out of him that will be a masive boost for the future.

I feel that we don't need to debut a lot of players immediately. Langford and Sharp will debut but Lindsay, Jefferson and Johnson will have to bide their time.

After reading all the training reports. This is my round 1 23. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Tholstrup F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Bowey, Langford, Sparrow, Petty SUB: Melksham EMERG: McAdam, Jefferson, Lindsay Casey B: Hore, Adams, Smith HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Jefferson, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Lindsay, Culley IC: Verrall, Mentha, Hardie, Kentfield SUS: Pickett

How is Howes and Sharp going?

Thank god she's going. Pick 2 coming our way with us also giving them late picks to help Gold Coast pick up Harris. No talk about Tayla Harris maybe she is staying. That would be an excellent outcome.

I guess I got it wrong George isn't a Cat B rookie. He's just a train on in case someone gets injured. so here's my round 1 team B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Windsor C: Sharp, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Jefferson FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Melksham, McDonald, Langford, Lindsay SUB: Sparrow Casey B: Hore, Adams, Bowey HB: Howes, Fullerton, Moniz-Wakefield C: Woewodin, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Kentfield, Billings FOLL: Campbell, Bonner, Tholstrup IC: Verrall, Mentha, George, D.Smith, Casey younster SUS: Pickett

Always forget the followers for some reason, probably because it's the most settled line in the team.

Now that we know who our 2nd Cat B rookie is it's time to do my final 46 Melbourne B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Bowey C: Windsor, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Pickett F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Lindsay, Langford, Sparrow, Melksham SUB: Tholstrup EMERG: Sharp, McDonald, Jefferson Casey B: Hore, Adams, D.Smith HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield C: Sharp, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield FOLL: Campbell, Billings, Woewodin IC: Verrall, Fullerton, George, Mentha, Casey youngster EMERG: Bonner, Baldi, Surk

The obvious one is Clarry he will be the difference between making the 8 and not making the 8.

No it doesn't if we bid on Andrew he would have been on the senior list. Johnson is more regarded than him at Melbourne.

Mithen has to go. Tell her she's not wanted. Pick 2 is a no brainer. Mithen has been ordinary for 2 years now time to go , I'll pack her bags. She always be known as a premiership player but reality says she's no longer in our best 21.

I think it's Chandler with Tholstrup doing a little bit as well.

I tell you who will be on the bottom 2 it will be Essendon. Only Richmond below them. I can't see Essendon improving when you consider that North, West Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast and St.Kilda should improve. I see them certain bottom 2 maybe bottom 3 with West Coast.

How did Lindsay and Langford get 3 year deals? I thought it was 2 when you get drafted?

Great to see Trac back and firing. Oliver was the reason we finished so low this year. He's now fit and firing. I'm calling it now we will make the 8 maybe even top 4. Can't wait for the season to start.

1. May 2. van Rooyen 3. Salem 4. McVee 5. Petracca 6. Windsor 7. Viney 8. Lever 9. Spargo 10. Langford 11. Gawn 12. Tholstrup 13. Oliver 14. Billings 15. Langdon 16. Laurie 17. Bowey 18. Melksham 19. Sharp 20. Johnson 21. Jefferson 22. Howes 23. McAdam 24. Rivers 25. McDonald 26. Adams 27. Hore 28. Verrall 29. Lindsay 30. - 31. Fritsch 32. Sparrow 33. Fullerton 34. Campbell 35. Petty 36. Pickett 37. Chandler 38. Sestan 39. Mentha 40. Woewodin 41. Brown 42. Turner 43. - (Irish rookie) 44 - Kentfield 45. Moniz-Wakefield.

Back to doing my rolling Dees sides B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Bowey C: Windsor, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Melksham FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Lindsay, Sparrow, Langford, Tholstrup SUB: Sharp Casey B: Hore (Cat A), Adams, D.Smith (Casey) HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield (Cat A) C: Billings, Laurie, Brown (Cat A) HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan (Cat A) F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield (Cat A) FOLL: Campbell, Woewodin, Baldi (Casey) IC: Verrall (Cat A), Mentha (Cat B), Fullerton, Sruk (Casey), (Casey youngster) SUS: Pickett Hopefully we can pick up an Irish Cat B.

Pickett for Tholstrup. Tholstrup as the sub. Sharp dropped.

Back to my rolling Demons line ups for round 1. B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, Petty, Bowey C: Windsor, Rivers, Langdon HF: Petracca, Turner, Chandler F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Melksham FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC: Lindsay, Sparrow, Langford, Tholstrup SUB: Sharp Casey B: Hore, Adams, D.Smith HB: Howes, McDonald, Moniz-Wakefield C: Billings, Laurie, Brown HF: Spargo, Johnson, Sestan F: McAdam, Jefferson, Kentfield FOLL: Campbell, Woewodin, Baldi IC: Verrall, Fullerton, Mentha, Rookie A, Casey youngster SUS: Pickett

Well one thing is for sure Fullerton is a wasted pick been replaced as ruck now as a forward. Not willing to write a line through Johnson as he's a hard nut definitely Pedersen vibes as well as Andy Goodwin if people could remember him.