old55

Backs: Bennell, Sellar, Garland, Grimes, Frawley, Bartram Mids: Jamar, Green, Moloney, Trengove, Jones, Magner, Couch, Bail, Bate Forwards: Howe, Martin, Dunn, Davey, Clark, Petterd Sub: Watts It's a toss up between Bennell/Rivers, Bail/Nicholson and Davey/Blease, The only reason I haven't selected McKenzie is because he hasn't had enough pre-season. I think Gysberts might have to continue to show a bit more at Casey. It's obvious that midfield severely lacks pace but it does have plenty of grunt.

I won't be surprised if he's in.

That's pretty white. You're not looking hard enough. Jack skirts the contest.

And when it does - look out. There are reasons, not excuses, for why it hasn't yet and why he may be different from other 21yo KPFs - his personality and general level of maturity, PS rather than TAC Cup, the way MFC has operated in the past 3 years. He's smarter than most KPFs - there's every chance he'll get it, given the opportunity and direction.

I generally like your work and while there is no logical reason why McDonald and Blease can't play back and Green play forward, there is very little chance that this is going to happen this week under Neeld. McDonald and Blease have trained with the forwards all pre-season and Green is playing higher, up in the midfield.

It worked to the millimeter in the 2002 GF.

Yes agree with all that Scoop - I think Geelong and Collingwood have shown that you can be hard, ruthless and uncompromising without the Sheedy malicious bullsh1t.

It's been a long time since I've looked forward to Thursday selection as much. It's going to be fascinating to see who Neeld goes with and where (which we won't really see until Saturday). He said at the CD that he was experimenting in the NAB Cup so we may see some differences. Can't wait to see who he likes and how he sets it up.

Geelong have won 3 of the past 5 flags - they are hard and do dominate their opponents but they aren't brutal. I'd say the same for Collingwood in 2010. Hawthorn's "unsociable footy" is the only recent example of overt aggression and that was pretty tame by 80s standards. Matthew Scarlett dominates his opponents but he doesn't do it by beating them up.

Watts will be a better player if he "increases his intensity at the contest" or however you want to say it. He'll never be at the manic end of the scale but the good thing is it is a lot easier and more likely for him to do this than for Hurley to increase his agility for example.

Same players - different names, it happens a lot.

Yeah I agree with that - a combination of the best attributes of Riewoldt and Hird - but he doesn't attack the contest like they do. I think it's still possible that he will significantly improve this area as his experience and confidence grow. It's a mindset - it's very possible the switch will be flicked at some stage. If this happens he will be the best thing going. I think Neeld and co see his optimal value to the team as a KPF so they're prepared to persevere. Playing him as a key back could help him progress but they're trying to progress the backline too. He may end up playing something like Kouta.

dpositive like this

Perhaps we should call him "Tooter"

Thought about merging this with the Locker Room thread, but ah ...

You might be thinking of his brother "Haysoos Jnr"

Would Michelle Grattan make a good Prime Minister?

Dustin Martian

nice try, but try again ... Where GWS finishes is immaterial - their pick is tied to where Adelaid finishes.

Anywhere from about 7th to 15th - I think it'll be at the bottom end, maybe 13th or 14th but that doesn't worry me - maybe a step backwards with the new regime before we go forwards.

There's another thread ... http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29282-pick-activation-for-the-draft/

Very pleased we activated both. The resulting pick nuimbers depend on where we, the Dogs and the Crows finish. The mid first rounder will be around 13 or 14. Our 1st rounder will go on Jack Viney no matter where we finish - someone below us will bid for him because they know we will take him. The pick after our 1st rounder will float - if we finish 14th then it's likely to be 6 and if we finish 8th it's likely to be around 14. So likely we'll have Viney + (somewhere 6 to 14) + (13 or 14).

RIP Jim. My sincere condolences to Sam and family.

In the context of that article surely he means "wield" and not "yield" - that'd be one of many reasons I don't pay for hard or soft copy H-S content

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