Deeoldfart

Agree 100% rjay. Subject to him maintaining his form and fitness, I reckon Clarry will be formally 'rested' twice during the season (one at the bye in late June when everyone will need a freshen-up), and another in late July / early August to avoid any possible burn-out. I'd also expect him to be given a rest if he gets a bit of a niggle, where a more seasoned player might push through. IMO, the rest of his season will be managed through a combination of time on ground and time in the guts.

6. Watts: Jack has arrived, and there's no better way for him to confirm his arrival than against the filth. 5. Viney: Ferocious at the ball and man. Simply bleeds red & blue, and might heading for AA selection. 4. N. Jones: Getting back to his best, and we all know how good that is! 3. Gawn: The linchpin for our emerging midfield. Another excellent game in the ruck and at critical times around the ground. 2. Wagner: Surprised me and lots of others around here. Calm under pressure and took the game on. Easy to see him as a 'regular' on that performance. 1. Lumumba: Getting back to the form we recruited him for. His run from defence suits our new game style to a tee. Unlucky: Great team effort today, but a few like T.Mac. Tyson, Pedersen deserve a special mention.

Garlett (if fit) and Vince are certainties to return ....... but no idea who the outs might be! Our Footy Dept got it spot-on this week, despite the widespread criticism / incredulity around this place. Very happy to leave it to them again ....... they are far smarter than me!

Well that was an understatement!

Nothing more satisfying than beating that mob, singing our song and watching the long faces of their players and coach as they trudge off. I'm currently enjoying healthy glass of the sponsors delightful red. Always a good drop, but superb tonight!

Brilliant! Thanks guys.

Anybody heading to the Holden Centre at 12:10 en route to the 'G'? As an 'interstater' I'd love to know how some of the Dees listed players perform for Casey.

Ditto to all the above posts that predict a win if we play like we did in Hobart. Unfortunately, recent history shows that it's not the Melbourne way to be 'up' for two games in a row, and today I'm as nervous as I was before my dental visits 60 years ago. Oh how I dream of a return to the days when we are 2%, off our best and still get the points.

So spot on that it's bleeding obvious JV!. I'll enjoy my red even more tonight now that I feel reassured.

The very last thing we need right now is to be involved in any sort of controversy. We are slowly but surely starting emerge from the 'dung heap' of the last decade, but we are still in a 'fragile' state. Any whiff of an odour emanating from what Barrett is peddling needs to be doused quickly, before it can impact in critical areas such as player retention and recruitment and memberships. We don't need setbacks!

We did spoil the Enright party at the Cattery in 2015.

Not for me poita! We need wins to build confidence and momentum within the playing group, not to mention my own state of mind and good humour.

This is exactly what has me dreaming of the 'impossible dream'. As Max continues to develop his game (as I expect he will), our talented but inexperienced midfield should develop and grow around him. Surely this will lead a period of sustained success, won't it?. The dream is growing some legs.

Out of your arzzzzz, I reckon!

Mixed emotions from me tonight. A strange mix of pride in my team for their effort and 'never-say-die' attitude, anger at some of the umpiring decisions and disappointment at the final result. At the end of the day we were right in the match until the very last kick, and were only just beaten by a physically stronger and more experienced Top 4 contender playing on their own dung heap ............. but with a little more composure in the last 10 minutes would have won against all the odds. We made a positive statement today. The task ahead of us is to bring the same attitude and ferocity to the G next Sunday, and make Buckley's start to the season even worse. Get it done Dees!

6 - Lumumba. Gave great drive from the back half and set up plays. His best game as a Demon imo! 5- Viney. Inspirational and fearless. Thriving as a leader. 4 - Gawn. The architect of our dominance around stoppages. 3 - Vince. Great clearance work, but disposal not quite up to his usual high standard 2 - Jetta. Gutsy and composed, and played within his limits (as he always does). Spoiled by a couple of frees against. 1 - Hogan. Very good team game. Kicked goals himself and contributed to several others. Very unlucky: Oliver. Great around stoppages and never intimidated. Outstanding for an 18 yo with three games under his belt.

Frost or Pedders ....... that's a major dilemma for me. They both bring totally different things to the table (crockery & cutlery) but we desperately need the full setting. It's pointless chopping and changing them week about, so I'd probably keep the faith with Frost. He is more the 'future' than Pedersen, and hopefully playing forward and back-up ruck will 'click' for him soon. Will Vince earn a holiday(?) ..... and if he does, will he be replaced by ANB or Brayshaw? .... another dilemma! Jeffie should be an automatic inclusion if he's fit so Bugg or Vanders might have to give way. Down to likely match-ups I guess, but I'd prefer to give Vanders another week, because we know what he can do.

Totally agree brfe. Lloyd is just repeating what most around here know in their red and blue hearts to be the absolute honest truth. If they don't they are in denial, and that's just being crazy.

There were 11 posts when I opened this thread for the first time, and I reckon that's an omen. Eleven for me!

What a ripper kid! That interview was like a 'breath of fresh air' in today's football world .... as honest as they come, and not a cliche to be heard.

Interesting how Spencer was on the road to recovery a week ago after his foot complaint 'self repaired' (about to start running and 4 weeks away from resuming) but is now the dreaded 4 to 6 weeks away from resuming. Has there been some sort of setback?

I know exactly what you mean fndee. Fortunately I'm currently in remission, but it is known to relapse without notice.

There are too many contenders pushing for spots in our best 22 for anyone to be complacent against Essendon ......... and they all want to be on the plane to Hobart the following weekend. We will win by a big margin in spite of our recent record in 'should win' matches.

I reckon the only change for this week centres around OMac. This weeks' injury update indicates that he is a 'test' so probably 50/50. This means that 'no change' is a possibility. However, IMO OMac still has some learning to do and some confidence to build before he is close to 'AFL ready', so I reckon the return of Dunn is most likely. His experience and disposal will add value to the team we fielded against GWS. Roos' comment about the size of the Essendon forward line is interesting. Maybe Lumumba in and Garland to CHB, or Brayshaw in and Pedersen to CHB. Intriguing, but I'll stick with Dunn for OMac.

I don't think we will lose, but we must pummel their second rate team to show the football world that we have taken another step on our journey. If we come with the right mindset, we will win by a big margin, and that will be an important signpost that a 'new' Melbourne is emerging.