Lord Nev

Seems like the right amount or so. We've got Bennell, Jackson and Rivers locked in, Smith, Salem and Jones as almost definites, then possibly Weid, vandenBerg, Hannan, Hunt, Sparrow all around the mark to choose from. Feels like a lot at first, but then you think it's basically another round 1 given the break.

Unsubscribe.

Without continuing too much with this quickly derailing thread, away from the tele he's actually one of the most boringly normal people you'd ever meet. My opinion is he has to be a bit more 'out there' on tv given it's, well, tv, and also because he has to contrast/deal with the conservative commentators they often have on the show. Anyways, 'left or right' will be the death of us all so I'm going to check out for now. Have a good one mate!

One thing I will say though, he's a nifty guitarist. (Think I've had my political fill for the day)

Didn't say anything about Waleed. Didn't say anything about believing every word he says. Didn't say either 'left' or 'right' get everything right. Just pointing out the ridiculousness of implying right wing commentators don't have a platform.

Yeah there's a real absence of right-wing opinions in the media hey.... ?

I really like Smith too, my only worry is having both he and Lever playing maybe gives us too many intercept types? Not sure how I feel about OMac on Casboult. Casboult is so good on the lead, I think he'd have a day out on OMac, perhaps Smith on Casboult is a better matchup? Not really sure what to think about it all to be honest, given the ins at the moment it feels like it will be a very different type of setup at this stage, so bit hard to guess. Also - some whispers around Lockhart might not be 100% fit to play. Apparently borderline with an injury/soreness of some kind.

Yeah absolutely could be. Wouldn't think Hibberd is beyond dropping. Not sure if it was here, but did read somewhere he was looking great in training though. Definitely a different backline if all of Rivers, Salem and Smith come in. Personally, I wouldn't think we'd be play May, Lever, OMac and Smith, so for mine OMac goes out mostly due to pace given the shorter quarters and quick track. This has got me up and about too tbh. Sparked my interest back all of a sudden. IMO Jackson will mostly play forward, wouldn't think Gawn would need much relief, unless he goes forward more often. Really feel for Weid. Started a bit behind in his draft year due to injury, got really badly timed injuries along the way and now they're seemingly using him as a ruck option when he desperately needs forward confidence, and there's no VFL. I think we'll play 2 key forwards, TMac and Jackson, and rely on the mid sized forwards like Fritsch, Melksham, Petracca and Jones to kick a few with Pickett, ANB and Viney hopefully adding some scores from pressure. But geez, it's months since a game so it's pretty hard to have a solid idea.

Yeah, thought OMac was decent in round 1, but that was a couple of months ago now so not sure it matters too much. To me, just seems like we might go a bit smaller given the shorter quarters and quick track at Marvel. If Lever's soreness sticks around could be him coming out though. I'm a big fan of both Lockhart and Bedford, but gut feel is they might make way. You could be right on Hibberd, wouldn't be super surprised if he missed.

Half guessing, half already official.... IN: Bennell, Rivers, Jackson, Jones, Salem OUT: Spargo, Brown, OMac, Lockhart, Bedford

Nah, officially announced mate. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/703824

Bennell selected, Jackson and Rivers to debut also.

He's innnnnnnnn!!!!

Not sure that's entirely accurate. He played ruck very early but switched to forward while still young. It was after switching to forward that he won two best and fairests, so not sure "not a natural forward" is correct if you're looking at junior level.

1,000 allowed at the GWS game this week and just announced that around 2,200 (including private rooms) will be allowed in for the SA showdown too. We're definitely getting closer.

I said "probably no vandenBerg". That's not ruling him out. From the article corresponding to the video: "Aaron vandenBerg (foot), who has also faced a tough battle with injury in years gone by, has been increasing his training loads and shouldn’t be far away from a return." To me, that doesn't sound like he will be playing this week.

No Hore and probably no vandenBerg going by the injury report, but Bennell seems a genuine chance.

Just announced, no crowds for QLD games this weekend.

Not sure where the round 2 crowds thread went, but just been announced GWS will be able to have fans at their game this weekend. Don't know all the details yet.

Yeah, was very close to picking Weid at CHF. Not against it at all. The thing that tipped the balance for me was the short quarters on a quick track. Thought it might be good to go a little smaller. Why "must" Smith play? What form are you going off there? Bloke hasn't played an AFL game for about 20 months. I like him, but not sure why so many are all of a sudden excited by him. Anyways, you've got 2 players coming in and 3 players coming out there.

Nah, I wouldn't be. I'm more in the marketing and brand areas, not the business development areas. There will be plenty of quality people with the right knowledge looking for supplemental consultancy work going forward though so there's an opportunity there.

Yeah, look a few names are by no means set in stone, but you have to make a call. Personally I think Hibberd will benefit from the time off and that's what made me select him. ANB by all reports has looked like he's recaptured some form in training, and without VFL games training is the only barometer the selection committee have at the moment. Joel may be close, would no be surprised at all to see him play, but he's been out a LONG time, and tbh I'm just a fan of Hore and think at this stage he's the 'safer' option in a backline where clearly the offseason mantra has been 'make it safer'. To me, Joel is also an interceptor, and there's only 1cm between them so I don't see a big difference in defensive capabilities in one on one battles. Given we generally play a zone, I'm not too fussed about specific matchups tbh, I just feel we have often gone too tall at either end in the past and it has cost us some run. All just opinion and chat though, I'm not super passionate about that being the 22 that runs out.

No mate, you just went off on a completely different topic. One which I didn't bring up and don't think is relevant here. Apologies for posting again after saying I would leave it, but felt that needed to be explained. No hard feelings or anything, we're just on different topics now seemingly.