Gator

JLT2 is a dress rehearsal for round one, so we'll pick the best 26 players possible. I doubt either will play on Saturday, but both were encouraging. I think Petty has a long-term future and I was surprised by Keilty's athleticism in the ruck.

That's probably the least controversial statement any Melbourne supporter could say. Leaving aside Flower, because wingmen were very different to on-ballers back in the day, Oliver is easily the best midfielder I've seen since Greg Wells. He's better than Wells, who's the second best midfielder I've seen at Melbourne. I can also see Oliver being hailed our greatest mid ever if he leads the side to some flags.

A week or two ago following the practice match against Collingwood I said Preuss was a very average footballer. I think it was in the best team for round 1 thread. You took offence at my comment. I'm sorry to have hurt your feelings.

The MFC is the oldest football club in the world still playing at their codes highest level.

McDonald made it clear that there were some ''rehab guys'' that he named who obviously wouldn't play on Sunday, plus he said there were a few guys who've done everything who'll be ''rested''. I'm expecting quite a few of the (perceived) best 22 won't be playing.

It's just an opinion.

Top 4: 18 of 22

Malthouse rates our list, but he doesn't rate the club. He also think we're too easily satisfied, as well as liking to drink our own bath water.

Most footy fans would agree with you re Brown, except me. He's most definitely a talent, but I find him quite one dimensional. What I like about McDonald is that he not only takes marks inside 50, but he also plays that important connector role from defence and can take a grab on the wing. Those connector marks are invaluable and often start scoring chains. I hardly see Brown leave the forward 50.

You really don't want your best player on indefinite leave 3 weeks before the season starts. Saints can't take a trick.

Hogan is a more talented footballer than McDonald, however, McDonald is just as effective as a forward, as his 76 goals from the last 31 games he's played as a forward attests. Note: there were a few games at the end of 2016 after his move forward where he went back and played as a defender. The Inside Football records are handy for showing this. By comparison, Hogan has 68 from his last 31 games. That said, many variables come into goals kicked, so I'm not reading anything into McDonald's slight lead.

All fair comments.

Cognitive bias is an amusing phenomenon. Most people have hardly seen Preuss play, but they're sure he's in Melbourne's best 22, because a) Melbourne decided to recruit him, b) training reports, c) he kicked two goals in a practice game against a team that had no decent key defenders, and d) West Coast play two rucks. Preuss was OK, but he's a bit of a lumberer and not a particularly good tap ruckman. He's aggressive, which is great, but right now he's a pretty average footballer.

Get well, Dieter. I'm hoping for the best.

That maxim is true when they're seasoned and established, but that's not the case for an 8 game player.

I agree re Lewis. My Brother made the observation that he's too slow, however, he didn't get caught with the ball and made good decisions with quality disposal. I haven't been including him in my best 22 to start the season, but I'm certain he'll be there.

I don't agree with your recollections of history.

I know. I edited 10 minutes ago.

I really liked his game. Did every kick hit a target ? No, but many did and he was back to his running and aggressive self. If they can get him to exploit his attributes with a little more composure I think he'll play a lot of games.

Preuss played 8 games for North. Jolly played 48 games for Melbourne. Martin played 57 games for Melbourne. We received pick 15 for Jolly, which we used to draft Dunn. Melbourne and more importantly Sydney both knew Jolly could play, which is why we received such a good pick for him. Jolly didn't like being the understudy to Jeff White, as he wanted to be the no.1 ruckman. Jolly cracked it and asked for a trade. Sydney offered very good compensation for a known commodity (unlike Preuss). Martin's best position at Melbourne was also the ruck. But he was behind Jamar, so we'd play him forward and as the back up ruck. He sort greener pastures, but we knew when given no.1 rucking duties he excelled. Both players had a lot more exposed form than Preuss, who never threatened to be the main ruck at North and unlike Jolly and Martin hasn't come to Melbourne to be the main ruck either. I'm sure you'll have your say, but I'm not interested in a tennis match.

I'll answer my own question to @don't make me angry from another thread here, because this is the appropriate thread and because I'm virtually certain they won't answer my question. West Coast play a possession game centred around kicking and marking. It's why they took almost 400 more marks than Melbourne from the same amount of games and had over 400 more kicks. This game-style and structure is more conducive to playing a second ruck if they're athletic like Vardy, if you have other quick mobile tall leading forwards like Darling and Kennedy, and if you're more of a tempo/controlled team moving the ball forward. Melbourne play a high pressure and more chaotic game that is based around the territory game and the production of inside 50s. Melbourne was no.1 for inside 50s in 2018. Melbourne's goal is to either retain the ball inside 50 through pressure, have repeat entries, and obviously score. My concern with Preuss is that if he's not taking marks and hitting the scoreboard he becomes a liability. We lose a pressure player with Preuss in the team. Melbourne had the highest metres gained differential last year (460) with Richmond second (403) and Collingwood third (281). All three teams finished top four, so it's a handy metric. West Coast were eighth (138), but still in positive territory, through their different, yet effective means. My point ? What works for West Coast, and potentially other teams, i.e. two rucks, won't necessarily work for Melbourne. I'm sure they'll try it and occasionally use it, but I very much doubt it will become the norm. But if it does and it works fantastic.

I don't see any correlation with Preuss and the Melbourne duo you refer to. Melbourne knew both could play, but neither could be the main ruck at the time. Both had shown far more than Preuss.

It happened once in the entire game, albeit for a good result.

We'll soon find out, won't we. If Preuss plays ten games in 2019 I'll be shocked - with the caveat being there are no injuries to the three other talls. But if you're right you're right. I don't care what happens as long as it's working. Btw, Richmond didn't and doesn't enter my thinking whatsoever. It must enter yours.

Two questions: 1. Do you know how their game-plan differs from ours ? 2. Do you think Preuss has the athletic attributes of Vardy ? If I'm right and Preuss is used sparingly why do you think it'll be ?