GawnWithTheWind

There is going to be multiple byes throughout the season to accommodate teams moving back to WA and SA. I would say it’s likely we will play the dons after the swans.

They may have a few weeks with no WCE or Freo, and 4-5 games whilst new teams isolate in the WA or SA hubs.

It may not be fair now, but this season will have lots of swings and roundabouts.

He’s right. Lever is not worth 800k. We overpaid massively. His next contract won’t be half that.

They'll look at matchups in the backline for Oscar's case, but this week doesn't do him any favours.

You'd think it'll be something like;

• Smith to Stringer
• May to McKernan
• Jetta to Tippa
• Harmes to Devon Smith
• Lever to the fat side.

Can't see any changes to the back 6 this week.

No way Hunt gets dropped. They will also persist with Smith. Weid responded, and therefore deserves a chance.

Essendon only have 1 legitimate tall, so no need for O'Mac.

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Ins: Weid, Pickett

Outs: Jackson, ANB

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Smith - May - Jetta

Rivers - Lever - Salem

Tomo - Viney - Langdon

Trac - Weid - Hunt

Pickett - TMac - Fritsch

Gawn - Oliver - Brayshaw

Bennell - Harmes - Jones - Melksham

Guys, he’s played one senior game. There are 21 other players out there, if we can’t beat the blues without him, we’re in for a tough year.

They lost Silvagni too, it’s about the same impact. 2 goals a game.

Pretty surprising that we are playing the three debutants.

What the side might look like with those included;

FB: Jetta (Betts)  - May (McKay) - Hibberd (McGovern)

HB: Rivers - Lever - Salem 

C : Langdon - Viney - A.Tom

HF: Trac - TMac - Melksham

FF: Kozzi - Jackson - Bennell

R: Gawn - Oliver - Brayshaw

I: Jones (Fwd/Mid) - Harmes (Back/Mid) - Smith (Back) - ANB (Fwd/Mid)

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Depth: Vanders - OMac - Bedford - Hannan - Weid - Hunt - Brown - Lockhart

FB: Jetta - May - (open spot)

HB: Salem - Lever - Harmes

C : Tomlinson - Viney - Langdon

HF: Melk - Weid - Trac

FF: Kozzy - TMac - Fritsch

R: Gawn - Oliver - Brayshaw

I: Jones - (Open back) - (open fwd) - (open fwd/mid)

Backline open spots: Hibberd, Smith, Omac, Lockhart, Rivers 

Fwd bench spot: Bennell, Vanders, ANB, Spargo, Bedford, 

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Rationale behind selections:

- Hibberd: It’s still his spot to lose. Does give his heart to every contest and his penetrating kick off the half back at Etihad can be lethal. Rivers can be pushing for it later in the year.

- Smith: His versatility is very valuable. Can play on tall and small, and bounces out of the backline with pace. Can throw him fwd if we are struggling to convert and mark inside fifty.

- Bennell: If his body is ready, his smarts around goal could be the missing key. 75/25 forward to mid, and can work his way up to 60/40 if his body holds up. Has more talent than anyone on our list (and carltons).

- Vanders: We are a different team when he plays. He hits, and hits hard. His toughness lifts everyone around him. I value him in the top 10 on our list.

FB: Jetta - May - Hibberd

HB: Salem - Lever - Harmes

C: Tomlinson - Viney - Langdon

HF: Trac - Weid - Melksham

FF: Pickett - TMac - Fritsch

R: Gawn - Oliver - Brayshaw

I: Jones - Smith - Bedford - ANB

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E: Hore - Brown - Lockhart 

It’s time for new blood, and a few positional changes. We have nothing to lose, and may as well try to be innovative.

FB: Hibberd - Frost - Hore

HB: Salem - T.Mac - ANB

C : Fritsch - Viney - Harmes

HF: Melksham - Weid - Hunt

FF: Keilty - Preuss - Garlett

R: Gawn - Oliver - Brayshaw 

I: Trac - J.Wagner - Lewis - Jones

E: C.Wagner - Lockhart 

Who didn’t play in the opener? Just Omac?

Ins: Lewis - Jeff - Keilty

Outs: Oscar - ANB - J.Wagner

I admire the care that most of you all show, I admire more the hope that some of you still have.

However, the harsh reality all Melbourne supporters need to face into is that this season will be a failure. Even if we manage to beat a few top 8 sides and show some signs, the season is now over and the next 19 games are irrelevant.

Absolute downside to overperforming in one season.

No huge changes, need to focus on playing our best 22 fit players.

Out: May (inj), Lockhart, Sparrow

In: Stretch, Keilty, C.Wagner

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FB: Jetta - Oscar - Hibberd

HB: Salem - Frost - Hunt

C : Fritsch - Oliver - KK

HF: Melk - T-Mac - Trac

FF: Keilty - Weid - C.Wagner

R: Gawn - Harmes - Brayshaw

I: Viney - Jones - Stretch - ANB

E: Lockhart - Preuss - Petty - Sparrow

Doesn’t sound like many impressed in the practice match. Can’t undertand how people would suggest Petty is ready again.. he’s still 12 months off.

Keilty is one I would consider if it’s going to be dry.

In: May, Keilty

Out: Hore, Oscar

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FB: Jetta - May (Hawkins) - Hibberd

HF: Salem - Frost (Rata)  - Hunt

C : Fristch - Oliver - Jones

HF: Trac - Weid - Melk

FF: Spargo - T-Mac - Keilty

R: Gawn - Brayshaw - Harmes (Danger)

I: Viney (Selwood) - ANB - Wagner - Sparrow 

Best guess with our current injury/suspension landscape:

FB: Jetta - McDonald - Hore

HB: Hibb - Frost - Lewis

C : Salem - Oliver - Fritsch

HF: Trac - Weid - Melk

FF: Spargo - T-Mac - ANB

R: Gawn - Viney - Brayshaw

I: Harmes - Jones - Hunt - Stretch

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Missing from Best 22: May, Lever, AVB, Garlett, Hannan --- pretty long list!

Vanders out. Looks like he could be 6-8 weeks too.

My round 1:

FB: Hibberd - Oscar - Jetta

HB: Lewis - Frost - Salem

C. Jones - Oliver - Fritsch

HF: Melksham - Weid - Trac

FF: Spargo - TMac - Vanders

R: Gawn - Viney - Brayshaw

I: Harmes - ANB - Smith - Hunt

E: Hore - Stretch - Keilty

Spargo has been cooked for 3 weeks. Unfortunately needs a rest after a big first year.

Garlett is the only suitable replacement, and unless a great game on Sunday, will make way for Viney in week 1 of finals.

Guilty.

After seeing Dunn completely go over the top in celebration after round 23 last year, I hold no respect/care for him and either should the club. Sure, be happy about winning a game, don’t rub it in your exteammates faces.

He is now just another pie player who I couldn’t care less for..

Our season is over. Can BS on here all we want, the saints are the second worst team in the league and we can’t beat them... 2018 is worse than 2017.

What does Joel Smith provide? How can we select him and Petty in a crunch match... Goodwin continues to lose games on Thursday night selections.

We are pathetic. Losing to a team that should have lost to GC.

Ins: Garlett, Weid

Outs: Smith, Petracca

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FB: Jetta - Oscar - Hibberd

HB: Lewis - Smith - Salem

C : Fritsch - Jones - Tyson

HF: Melk - TMAC - Harmes

FF: Garlett - Hogan - Weid

R: Gawn - Viney - Oliver

I: Brayshaw - Hannan - ANB - Vince

Ins: Frost, Garlett

Outs: Hannan, Smith

——

Need a gorilla keepers for Port, and need to trial Jeffy at the feet of Jesse and Tom. Hannan has done what’s expected of a player that’s in between our 18-25th best player.. but jeffy could be in our top 10. Crazy to keep his talent out of our team.

Any news on Melksham and Howe? 

I have a feeling Melksham will be a late out for Garlett.