Wiseblood

Is that why everyone on the outer wing continues to yell 'ball'?

Saints assistant coach just mentioned that McCartin will 'test' out his hammy in a VFL practice game tomorrow. Did they make the late change more for strategy, as it seems strange that he would be a late withdrawal only to play in a practice game the next day.

Confirmed - McCartin out, Jack Lonie his replacement. No changes for us.

Not sure how I feel about the potential change. I see Acres as someone who can cause us more damage than McCartin can, but on the flip side it should allow us to focus our energies on keeping Bruce and Membrey quiet.

I'm the only Melbourne supporter in the family since the old man passed away years ago, PD. While it annoys me at the best of times it gives me a few Demon supporters to chat with during the game as I live too far away to make it regularly.

Not as yet, although you would think going by the 'jungle drums' that one of these two will miss and Acres will be the replacement.

A few things to remember before today's game: Yes, the Saints will kick a goal at some stage. There's no need to act like the world is caving in. They may even kick two in a row, but that's no excuse to claim we're the 'same old Melbourne from 2013' and that 'nothing has changed'. Yes, we will also make a turnover or two. Every team does it, even the Doggies. It's no need to act like a child and embarrass yourself on a forum. If you can remember these two golden rules, not just for this game for the season ahead, then the game day threads won't resemble the sewer that it often does.

Buy her a membership and then present her with a Dees victory... Can't do much better than that, dazzle. Absolutely pumped for today, but that also makes me nervous. I always try to temper my expectations as, more often than not, we would get rolled and then I wouldn't as disappointed. But I can't help it today. Go Dees!

The Pies are playing like a big budget movie that goes nowhere at the minute - getting plenty of the footy but it's been for nothing so far. Dogs far cleaner and more clinical.

I'm assuming you brought it up for this reason, but all 3 won't be playing on Saturday which will be handy.

That's a fair comment, but then he hasn't exactly had a whole heap of opportunities to play in the midfield during his time in the senior side. He's been played primarily as a small forward with small stints in the midfield. I'd say Hannan is the direct replacement for Kent, while ANB may be a replacement for Tyson. Hopefully ANB gets a good run at it in the midfield to show what he's capable of, whatever that may be.

You think wrong, Wiz, but I guess that's what makes the world go round.

Very harsh on Simpson. Many, many worse than him. 30 touches, 6 marks, 73% efficiency. Tigers only look good as the Blues don't know what the word defence means. Tiger fans will be crowing, but it won't last.

Didn't even notice that Tyson wasn't selected - while I'd rather him in the side, it clearly shows that we want players in the side who are fully fit and ready to go. If we take a passenger or two then we won't get near the Saints, so I'm happy to see him play another week in the magoos.

Absolutely, dazzle. I think we've got a good combination of class and X-factor in that forward line. We look a little short in the back half, however I'd like to think Jetta and Smith will rotate through a few players down there as well while The McDonald brothers take the main two talls, whoever they turn out to be. I feel as though we've named a very strong side.

Disappointed that Kent misses, but that's a good looking side. Very strong across the ground and I'm excited to see how Hannan goes in the big time. I like the combo of Hogan, Weideman and Watts with guys like Garlett and Petracca hanging around to snag a few goals.

Who says he plays forward? The inclusion of Hannan may see ANB spend most of his time through the midfield.

Disappointed that Kent misses, but that's a good looking side. Very strong across the ground and I'm excited to see how Hannan goes in the big time. I like the combo of Hogan, Weideman and Watts with guys like Garlett and Petracca hanging around to snag a few goals.

While I hate supporting Carlscum, I would LOVE to see the Tigers get rolled tonight. It would be glorious!

Of that list above, you could argue that Frost, Hibberd and AVB are in the best 22, while the others are on the outside looking in. It's a longer injury list than we'd like, but we're not missing too many crucial players, so we can't complain too much. And of those crucial players, Frost should be back very soon and Hibberd is hopefully back within a month.

Pumped to see the teams, and I feel that there will be plenty of conjecture amongst supporters when they drop. Spencer and Watts will be the big talking points, and I doubt we'll see them both selected. Congrats to Joel Smith, too. I thought his first two JLT games were terrific and he might be a smokey to play on someone like Membrey. He has the pace, agility and size to do it.

Interesting re: Watts. Could they be getting cold feet about playing Spencer and just go with the pinch hitter in the ruck? I'm hoping that's the case.

If you only made the email address for accessing the app, why actually log in to it? Just leave it and continue to sign in to watch the footy. Sorted. You'll never know what they're sending you.

Possibly, but I'd like to back in that Gawn has learned from both experiences. I'm just not sold on Gawn playing forward - I like it when he drifts down there for the odd goal, which he did really well last year, but I'm not a fan of him as a stay at home forward while Spencer runs around in the ruck. Proof will be in the pudding, though, and I'd be happy to be wrong. But I just don't see it happening.

If deemed fit enough to play, Tyson, Kent and Garlett should all be automatic inclusions. They make the side better. I'm still very skittish about the potential selection of Spencer. I don't think he'll suit the ground or the style of play we want at all, not to mention the time he takes away from Gawn in the ruck, plus I don't really rate Gawn as a forward. It will be fascinating to see selection on Thursday night.