old55

The emergencies from this week: Sellar, Dunn, Couch The Casey bests: McDonald, Morton, Couch, Sellar, Bennell Injured: Petterd Couch and Sellar are likely ins, with Dunn McDonald, Morton, Bennell, Petterd all in consideration. Moloney was pantsed by Collingwood's 6th best midfielder's kid brother, I don't think he'll get a 2nd opportunity - in Couch. The backline has a structural problem without Sellar in there, one of Rivers or Macdonald has to come out IMO. Green just cannot play in that forward role with way we go long, he was good in the midfield against Collingwood in the NAB Cup and may warrant a run through there, otherwise it's career over - Dunn or McDonald in. The FD was clearly not happy with Blease since he was subbed - Petterd in. But really the problem is the midfield and Couch is the only midfielder there and he's not going to solve our problems, particularly at Subi. Gysberts lack of engine will hurt him there too so I don't see him in either. We could move Grimes to the midfield and bring Bennell or Morton into the backline. So: In: Couch, Sellar, Bennell, Dunn, Petterd Out: Moloney, Macdonald, Green, Blease, Davey.

Clark took Brisbane's key defender Maguire and Stef had the 2nd tall (note that if Brisbane wasn't forced to use Merrett forward he would've had a different opponent). Stef made it to a heap of marking contests but can't take a contested mark. He's a far better option than say Paul Johnson was who just didn't even make the contest. If he can learn to clunk a decent percentage then he'll be a very effective player. Right now he doesn't judge the flight too well.

Merged with Locker Room: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29382-stef-martin/

I think you're in for some pain

Saturday was a special form of torture. We played contested and stoppage football and got murdered in the stoppages. The midfield was the big problem. No wonder Neeld was tearing his hair out, his premier mid got pantsed by his last year 6th rated mid's kid brother. We were smashed in the clearances - not just the numbers but the cleanness of them. There's no Pendlebury, Swan, Ball, Thomas or even Wellingham. I thought the backline looked well structured early until the avalanche from the midfield started. But I want to see Sellar in there, we're just not big enough. The forward line was mixed. Clark's not Travis Cloke but played an anchor role. So Stef got to a heap of contests but just cannot take a contested mark - but Brisbane's key defender was in their forward line. Green just can't play that role any more. Howe can't just go for mark of the year all day. Davey and Blease were not dangerous. Moloney, Green, Davey and Rivers got ditched from the leadership group and some are worried about Neeld's judgement? If Simon Black played for us and Stef held a third of the marks he got to we would have been very close. Should Neeld change his plan to suit our personnel or develop the personnel to suit his plan? We going to get the latter first and then some of the former. Hardwick started out with umpteen straight losses 3 years ago and we're probably on a similar path. I think Rohan Connolly is on the right track in today's Age. Buckle up.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/131813/default.aspx I don't think he means negotiate a consensus.

What would you prefer ahead of "comply"?

That's a pretty good line-up, there's at least half a dozen players there with claims to play for MFC next week who should be striving to make their case.

He'll play this week then

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"