G-max

He's had a chance to prove that he's fit after recovering from a knee injury. Give him a run as the sub and see what he can do. Similar to how Brayshaw and Stretch. I'm on board with a St Kilda call-up. They aren't exactly the wolves.

Alex Neal-Bullen-a-China-shop.

No rush but he's had a fair crack. He played two games with the development team, debuted in the senior Casey side in round 3 against Essendon, and has played in round 4, 5, 6, and 8 (round 7 was the bye). With 5 solid games at VFL level he's gotta be in contention.

This interview dropped this morning: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-06-02/media-conference-jesse-hogan

Nice interview with Hogan here: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-06-02/media-conference-jesse-hogan

Stoked for Jesse Hogan to get the nomination. Might have been a bit of a make-up nomination after the last two weeks when he was stiff to miss out. I didn't get on him early in the year when he was at $9.00. I figured he would take a while to settle in (as most key forwards do). Happy to be proven wrong. Definitely thought it would be Angus this week but he'll get his turn - 14 contested possessions on the weekend was great. Cripps is having a great year with Carlton - 21.6 touches and 5 tackles per game. The big stat is his 13.7 contested possessions per match which is good for 9th overall. Quite a tasty pick up at no. 13 in the 2013 draft. Cam McCarthy was taken one spot after him at 14th. Thankfully Salem is looking like a good pick in his own right. Either way, it could be worse for the Dees. Neither Matthew Scharenberg (6th) or Nathan Freeman (10th) have played a game for the Pies. There was much discussion about Jake Lever prior to last year's draft - many thought he was deserving of consideration with our 2 / 3 pick (along with Jayden Laverde). He hasn't blown minds but he's been solid and looks like he belongs. Great value at pick 14th. 2014 draftees Jack Lonie (41st) and Cory Gregson (47th) are showing good signs. Hopefully Stretch and ANB come on strong and become part of a great stretch in the 40s.

Geez, lighten up mate.

No doubt, Pedo > Dawes. I didn't see the whole game but it looks like Spencer had a good one. Monty on fan footy gave him the star "Set up the Dee win by engineering a big clearance advantage... 40 hit outs... also 12 disposals and 8 tackles." Those tackle numbers have been consistent since he's been in the side (7.6 per game).

He really does have good hands.

Agree that it would be nice to see Michie string together a few more senior games but Riley has earned his call-up. We need more inside toughness in our midfield with Viney out. Hopefully Michie's stint in the VFL helps him to launch back into the seniors.

"I feel really bad for Mick Malthouse. He just seems like such a good bloke." - No one ever.

Big men take time to develop. Not saying he'll get there but you can't make a call on a big man when he's 19.

Goes to show that Watts' confidence is as low is it looks on-field.

Don't mind Hogan sitting this one out. I'm also nervous about Tyson and the lingering MCL injury he's been carrying. Wouldn't hurt us to give him a spell. I would have liked to see Gawm get a run but no biggie.

When he did his knee I remembered seeing this from the draft combine (skip to 4:45): http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-03/day-four-draft-combine-wrap Not saying it's related.

I rate Hawthorn's attack higher than Freo and Sydney so I agree that this could get ugly. I'm setting realistic expectations - I can't see us doing any better than last week against Sydney. I'll be vacating this thread shortly before kick off. Would be good to see Hogan take a few contested grabs on Frawley just to rub it in. Wouldn't mind if Brayshaw was in the conversation for a rising star nomination. Looking forward to seeing Stretch again too. I'm mentally preparing to grimace every time Matt Jones or Rohan Bail get a touch. Would love either one to prove me wrong.

That Hogan one-hander got me out of my chair. Sensational grab. He also did some great work with hands, very fast to pick up at ground level and move it to a target. There weren't many highlights but this young man gives us hope.

Note to self: stay off Demonland during the game.

We've been shyte but what do we expect? Sydney was in the grand final last year and we finished 17th. There's a long way between us and the best teams in competitions and that's what we're seeing tonight. Next week we've got the reigning champs coming off an embarrassing loss to GWS. They'll be fired up.

Brayshaw has been solid but clearly the bookies are paying more attention to the marking and goal kicking of Jesse Hogan. He's down from $9.00 to $5.50. Both of them will need to step up at some point to get the nomination, which as you point out pantaloons, is a dodgy system. Hogan needs to kick a bag or Brayshaw needs 20 touches and ~10 tackles. At the moment I feel like Brayshaw is flying under the radar a bit outside of MFC circles. KingDingAling, why are you so quick to write off Heeney?

Says here it's on 7: http://www.afl.com.au/broadcastguide

We are one run-with player down with Viney out, that's the only reason McKenzie got included. We needed that option against Freo's stacked midfield. Clearly Roos isn't excited about Jordie for much beyond that. It's obvious we're going to need one of Gawm or Spencer to step up in the ruck in the next year or so. Spencer's earned this opportunity from the sounds of it. Stoked that Stretch is getting a run. He'll definitely start as sub. Would expect him to get a run in 4th quarter garbage time once Sydney have conceded defeat. This makes me doubly optimistic that ANB will get a run if he stays healthy. Suddenly very excited to tune in on Saturday night (channel 7).

This obviously is not match-related, but I was excited about ANB after seeing this vid: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-23/nealbullen-returns-to-football. He comes across as a very composed young man with an even temperament. That's important for a mid. Thanks for all the reports, good lunch-time reading.

I couldn't find that stat in isolation but it's a significant part of the Supercoach formula. I did a quick search and also discovered... He's 3rd in one-percenters (47). He passes both the eye-test and the stats test.