CHF

Anyone got any idea when we might expect and injury list update from the club?

OMac out and Dunn in is a given I would have thought, injury or not. As for the rest, if Brayshaw is ready to go then he comes in and then there is the decision as to who gets dropped. I lean towards one of Frost/Pedersen for Brayshaw. if pressed I would go for Frost to be dropped and Pedersen retained. Hogan and Watts with Pedersen rotating with Gawn as required for 5 mins per quarter. VDB can be a third/fourth tall in the forwards when required. In the midfield I would be letting a few know they needs to step up as there are players lining up for a crack at their places in the team.

Round 2 Preview. Getting in early this week as there is no chance I will become any smarter during the week. Let’s start with last week. Got a couple wrong last round. Firstly, by calling the Tiges/Boos match a draw. I feel as if I had a moral victory with that one. Tiges did not deserve it and Boos could not win it. And Danger beat the Dorks, who woulda thunk it? Of course the highlight of the Round was the victory by the Mighty Dees. Be still my fluttering heart. Now this next round should provide some highlights First up on Friday night at the G - Pies Vs Tiges. Dear oh dear, I have already read someone describing this as a ‘Blockbuster’. Some people have no imagination, intelligence or common sense and most of them are sports reporters (I'm looking at you, Robbo.). Pies not only got pantsed last week but the Swans had time to wash, dry and iron them before giving them back in individually wrapped cellophane baggies. Some of the players were seen carefully folding the baggies for later use. Rumour has it that Eddie has a club sanctioned barber coming in to shave all players heads. Hair testing….good luck with that. The Tiges will fancy their chances against the Inepts only because they were slightly less inept in their draw against the Boos. I just hope these two do not sully the sacred turf with their collective ineptitude. Prediction: Tiges by 2 goals, they may be the only two goals of the match. Still Saturday in Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval (love descriptive names) Cows Vs. The other team from Adelaide. The whole of Adelaide get their knickers in a twist about these games and the rest of Australia do whatever it is they do when they realise that they should be in awe of whatever is happening in the Town That Time Forgot and could not give a fat rat's clacker. Just hope that these two belt the living suitcase out of each other and 3 or 4 from each team get suspensions. Cows were losers last time playing at the home away from home and they deserved it. The other team from Adelaide got 4 points for playing the Aints. Cows deserve another beating. Too old too slow. Prediction: Port to dominate – 6 goal win. Saturday afternoon footy at the ‘G’ again for the Mighty Dees and this time against The Drug Cheats. This week we are the ‘visitors’ to our home ground. TDC should not be allowed on to the ground unless they have all had chlorine showers and passed drug tests. This should include all coaching staff. We want a ‘clean’ game. TDC Cool-aid supporters will walk to the ‘G’ as a show of support for their much maligned, persecuted, poorly treated ‘players’. The rumour that a few of them will be dragging crosses is unfounded as is the one that old Clay Feet James will be attending the walk. He would not be allowed to walk but will be born at shoulder height in a sedan chair carried by drug fueled fanatics as is only right for French royalty. Scum! Dees to step up from their win last week and play at least 3 quarters and win going away. Prediction: Dees by plenty As we go around the grounds this Saturday we are at the Gabba for The Pride VS Norf. Yes, Jack we have the close on here! Lepper’s Pride goes before a fall …..2 mins to go and a point in it! Nah, I lie, I am delusional. After a wander back and forth across the Nullabor against a winning Norf coached by “Scott no friends except his brother” they will not get anything out of the first two rounds. Heard someone mention that Norf had a win last week I asked how Carey played, got nothing back except quizzical looks. They looked even more puzzled when I asked about Archer’s performance. I had to explain who these guys were and that if Boomer was till trotting out these other two could not be far behind him. Prediction: Norf My goodness gracious me! More Saturday games and we travel to inner Melbourne to the Home Away from Home to preview Aints Vs Dogs. Ok, I am going to dive into the doggies hype, put on the flippers, goggles and snorkel and swim around in it. They are burning bright across the dull night sky playing exciting footy to warm the hearts of the footy faithful.. well that is what is being reported and I believe all that I read. The Aints, on the other hand, are a guttering candle fighting against the cold dawn light of reality. (just read that again… damn that is a line that is too good to be wasted on the Aints). St Nick looking towards the North pole. May well be a season of ‘Honorable’ loses for the Aints. Prediction: Another loss for the Aints and this one may not be honorable. Last but least on Saturday Night we can all stay glued to our TVs to watch the losing Duckers Vs the Sons of Ablett being played somewhere west of most other places in civilized Australia at a ground with a name. Maybe this will be the close one. Freo might turn up to play and the Sons might get weary from travel. Hmmm that is one ‘Maybe’ and two ‘Mights’ in the first two sentences. This is a reflection of the fact I do not have a clue about this game or the teams involved and even less care as to who might win it, maybe. Prediction: Freo to squeeze it due to their ‘dead cat bounce’ after their display last week Three big games on Sunday kick off with Greater than what? Western Sydney Vs Danger this is to be played at a ground designated “MO” on the ALF site. No idea…anyone? Anyone? The Gnats MO last round against the Mighty Dees was to counter punch the goals through. Had a few problems finding the right direction on the kicks but I believe that they used the game to lull the rest of the comp into a false sense of security. You just wait, they will come good and their supporters have the perfect excuse for a loss. “If only we had kicked straight!” hide behind that thought, suckers. Geelong MO is to give it to Danger and sit back and watch. I am sure Danger was to supposed play for us this season. Juddies Gran said it was so. Prediction: Handbaggers by a couple Second of the Sunday three with the Reigning Premiers Vs The Ex-druggies at the G. Dorks came second in a two horse race last round and the Exs won one at home. At least I think I read somewhere they won. I am sure they did, against one of the other teams. (see I am on top of my game, over all of it… detail Robbo…Detail.. ya can’t beat it!). This is a hard one for me to call as I think the Dorks will open their account for the season and get the 4 points but I really do not want them to do well this season. I am bored with them and Clarko. Bring back Jeff. I want to see him and Eddy go at it in the Cage. But I digress. The game. Hmmm yes, what to say about the ex-druggies. They come from Perth, won last week and will fly to Melbourne for the game. (See what I did there? Robbo, I stuck with the facts. Good reporting huh?) Prediction: Dorks.. who cares about the margin except for the diehard punters. (this is the opinion piece Robbo. Get back to me when you can define the difference between facts and opinion) Last one on Sunday at the Home away from Home Boos Vs Sydelly. Ignoring The Drug Cheats who I believe will come last, I think the Boos are a good thing to be propped up by them and be the first team in the history of Footy to get awarded a wooden spoon because the team below them is rubbed out because of drug cheating. The Drug Cheats got their wooden spoon in 2012 in my book. Boos to look good for a quarter or so and then wake up to the fact that they are not really that good and to tank it for the Swannies. Buddy to kick a bag (if I repeat this each week, one round I will be right). Prediction: Swannies by a few. Just to raise the culture level of this I end with a favorite quote from none other than Hemmingway. “Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” Another round done and dusted.

From all reports this preseason we have had improvement across the board and I put that down to a good, competent coaching squad. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to selection of the team. Looks as if they want to ensure that we give every one the message that you have to be fit to run out the game without any doubts. i will support that.

I do not have the same concerns with regard to Omac as many on here as I believe that, as is the case in just about any game I have watched, it will be won and lost in the midfield. If we do not have the pressure in the center then, no matter who is in the defensive arc we are in trouble. We need the guys in the middle to be there all day and then some. Lets have a look at who will be in the middle tomorrow. Vince, Viney, VDB, N. Jones, Tyson, Oliver, M. Jones, Salem, Harmes, Kent, Garlett, Bugg, Kennedy. From My point of view that is 13 players we have capable of spending time in the middle. To that I might also add Watts. There is some real quality in that group and if they can do what is asked of them then it will help with any pressure on our defence. We are now defensive all over the ground rather than waiting for the ball to come to us and then reacting. We are more proactive and that comes from all of our players, not just the mids. We also need our coaches to be smart, fast and intelligent in their game analysis and reactions to the evolving situations. We have the players, the coaches and leadership in both groups, now we need the application of all. Dees by a few goals.

They are warming up the microwaves down Richmond way.

There, There 3Dee... here's a nice cuppa. Drink it up and have a nice lie down.

From all reports this preseason we have had improvement across the board and I put that down to a good, competent coaching squad. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to selection of the team. Looks as if they want to ensure that we give every one the message that you have to be fit to run out the game without any doubts. i will support that.

Surprised by OMac over Dunn but not concerned as we have plenty of flexible cover for defence.

Ya got me there Ralphie. Should have written it up as the Little League curtain raiser for the main game.

Ok, Have not done this for a while (did it a bit on ‘ology) but as it is Round 1 of season 2016 I thought I might have a crack at working without the safety net of intelligence or forethought and give you all the benefit of my deep (mirror like depth) footy knowledge and preview the round. First up on Thursday night at the home of the Dees - Tiges Vs Boos. What a cracker to start the season, the Finals Specialists Vs Mick’s Exs. Wow oh wowie! We will all be hanging on every bounce of the ball. The Tiges are on a hiding to nothing and I think that is a beautiful thing. They win it and we all shrug and say “Yeah. Whatever…. They were always going to win”… they lose it and after we stop laughing at the Tiges we sit back and watch the faithful melt down and warm up the micorwave. The Boos have a few players… I am sure they do, somewhere, but, for the life of me I cannot recall their names. It will come to me. Yeah that Betts guys, he’s good. ..And Garlett and Waite… what a forward line. Opps. What? Nah, I must have just read the wrong paper. Prediction: a draw with Jack The Bolt kicking a point with the last kick of the game for the Tiges. Now for the big one: Saturday afternoon at the HOME of FOOTBALL the Mighty Dees take on GWS. GWS??? GWS??? Seriously, What does that even stand for? I have been to Western Sydney, once, and, believe me, there is nothing great or greater about the place. GWS.. Got Wet Sometime? Nah, never rains out there. Going With Sister? Maybe. Anywoo, the game – expect to see the Dees carry on from the end of last season as this is the second half of Round 23 game and we all know we run on during the second half of the game. Cannot give a preview of this game without mentioning Scully, hope that Gawn gives him his customary farewell at the end of the game as they discuss the finer points of Chinese cuisine. Prediction: Mighty Dees by a couple of goals easing up. Still Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium GCFC Vs TDC (The Drug Cheats) Firstly, it is not a stadium, it’s a stumble in a cow paddock out the back of a blight on the landscape. Now that I have that out of the way let us discuss this matchup. More chance of me getting pregnant than the Cheats winning this one. End of preview. I love the Cheats new away strip…. They have decided to play without shorts so that opposing teams do not have to remove them. Will be less painful that way for all concerned. Prediction: Sons Anything above 80 points Saturday night at “insert sponsor name here” Stadium Norf Vs Cows. This place should be called the Home of Visiting Interstate Teams, the home away from home you have when you want a nice peaceful night without too many people around. Look, I know some people care about this game. I am not one of them. There are people that take their footy tipping very seriously and these people will analyse these teams, look at matchups, listen to the coache’s pressers and then take a guess and not think too much more about it. North, the last time they were relevant Carey was locked up in a toilet somewhere discussing plumbing with someone else’s wife. Adelaide are all over the place like a blind man with an epileptic guide dog. No danger (get it?)of them winning this. Prediction: Norf maybe by 3 goals. Last of the Saturday night games Swannies Vs The Pies. I really hate the Pies. No rational reason, it was bred into me. It is as natural as breathing. So please read this preview with that bias in mind. Swannies to pants the bastards and to silence the small number of toothless idiots that travel up to the Other Cricket Ground to watch. About 25% of those that travel up there might actually be smart enough to find their way to the ground. Buddy to kick 10 (he is playing, right?) the rest of the team to kick 10 more and the Pies to carry their tattered pants home in a laundry bag. Prediction: Sydelly by 5 Goals Now for Sunday… Bulldogs Vs Doggers – I may have misheard that. At The Visitors Home Ground. Could be the Match of the Round this one, could be…maybe.. With this game my main worry is the commentary team. If Sandy Roberts is involved it could mean mass confusion to anyone watching the game on television. Seriously, he is all over the place like a mad woman’s breakfast. Does not know his ass from his elbow. Bulldogs exciting to watch. Doggers coached by Ross Lyon. Say no more… nudge nudge,,, Wink Wink.. Prediction: Foot is Gray by a few points. Adelaide Oval (Well done, the ground is in Adelaide and you have the shape right – Batting 1000) Sunday afternoon - Port Adelaide (ignore the teal, they are the other black and white I love to hate.)Vs Saints. Put down the glasses. Port is already in front by a long way and the Saints are not going to light up this season. This could be the last run around for St Nick before he shuffles off to the North Pole to resume duties in the long off season of footy retirement. He has been an ornament to the game. Strange phrase that. Heard it a million times about a bunch of footy players and each time I have a visual of a lump of china or brass sitting dusty on a mantelpiece or a shelf somewhere. Not the way I would like to be remembered. Prediction: Port by plenty Sunday afternoon still - Domain Stadium (no idea where that is) Ex Druggies Vs Lions One coast vs the other. Long way for Brissy to travel to have their pants handed to them. Cannot see much improvement in Brissy this year and I say that without a thing to back it up except that they have what-his-name as coach and I don’t rate him. The Ex druggies on the other hand have … um…ahh another coach who I rate more than whoever. Therefore I bet you can guess who I like for this one. Prediction; Yep, you guessed EX Druggies by the width of the Nullarbor Last but not least on Monday afternoon Dorks Vs the Handbaggers At the mighty G Dangerfield. There mentioned it and got it out of the way. Geelong to be the big sliders this season and will struggle to make the 8 (don’t take this too seriously folks I am working without a safety net of intelligence and knowledge here). Hawks to wander along untroubled by too much really. Come 5 pm Monday Clarko will shake his head a little and ask himself “Hmmm, what was that?” and a small voice somewhere will answer “The Ghost of Grand Finals Past.” Geelong will not lose their pants but will lose their way. Prediction: Dorks by a handy margin And that is thatt another one done and dusted

Ok, my last version of the R1 team. B: Jetta - Dunn - GarlandHB:Vince- T. McDonald - SalemC: Brayshaw - Tyson - OliverHF: Kent - Watts - VandenBerg F: Garlett - Hogan - HarmesFoll: Gawn - N.Jones - VineyI/C: Bugg - Kennedy - M. Jones - Pedersen Back 6 and front 6 pick themselves to my mind. Vince and Salem to launch off the HB line. Forward setup with a few very mobile talls dragging their defensive opponents all over the track. Pedersen over Frost as I feel he offers a bit more at this stage by way of scoring power. M. Jones to get a run. Do not think Lumumba is right yet and needs one more run. Midfield to take another step forward this season right from the first bounce. One thing that I do like is when Garlett gets a few minutes in the center. he is so quick in there and seems to flash in and out. I feel this is a game we can win but we will need to be right 'on' from the very first. Dees by 2 goals.

Have no idea why that quote is in my reply box and I cannot get rid of it. The team i would have for R1 at the moment is: Jetta Dunn Garland Vince Tmac Salem Harmes Viney Bugg Watts Pedersen Kennedy Gartlett Hogan Kent Gawn Tyson N.Jones VDB Brayshaw Oliver Grimes I am not convinced about Frost at the moment and would get him to run in Casey a few times to see more. Pedersen to relieve Gawn in the ruck with a lot of run on the bench. Dunn, Garland, Tmac, Pedersen, Watts, Hogan and Gawn all 90%+ time on the ground with the interchanges to go mainly into the midfield.

Oliver, Bugg and Kennedy all in my R 1 team after that game. Will be interesting to see if Brayshaw comes up.

Be careful with that wish. Having sailed the Med a few times and sampled more than a few of the wines and a few of the locals, I can tell you that the quality of both varies tremendously.

All back men and mids, no forwards.... I find that interesting

Yep... no argument from me on that group

I believe that Jobe should not have any future in playing football after he serves his suspension and the sooner he gives back his ill-gotten Brownlow the better. I do not want him anywhere near the Demons.

To be honest, I had him in and out of the team a few times. I can see that by the end of the season he may well be a fixture there. He will get a run very early and I can see the possibility of him continuing his run of form in the next NAB or in the Casey preseason games to make his inclusion in R1 irresistable. At this stage I would be inclined not to have him there R1. I think there will be a lot of team management throughout the season with the changes to the interchange rules and the fact that we have a relatively young group of players that are still trying to build proper capacity to endure a complete season.We need to build a list that has not only depth of talent but also the endurance to carry us through the season.

This is the team I posted in the OP way back towards the end of January. FB: Garland. T Mac. Dunn HB: Salem. Frost. Jetta C: Vince. N. Jones. Stretch HF: Kent. Dawes. Brayshaw F: Watts. Hogan. Garlett FOL: Gawn. Viney. VDB INT: Hames. Kennedy, Tyson, Pedo. With the first two NAB games out of the way and a few injuries, revelation of form and niggles uncovered, I would make the following adjustments to my R1 team. FB: Garland. Dunn. Jetta HB: Salem. T Mac. Vince C: M Jones. Viney. Grimes HF: Kent. Pedo. VDB F: Watts. Hogan. Garlett FOL: Gawn. VDB. N. Jones INT: Hames. Bugg, Tyson, Stretch In a team like this I could see us stacking runners on the bench to cover the limited rotations and to try and keep the grunt in the midfield. I see a lot of time on the ground for Gawn, Pedo and Dunn. I don't expect Lumumba or Dawes to be Match fit for R1. Brayshaw is a chance to be there and if so, he replaces Grimes and Grimes drops to the bench to replace Stretch. Petracca or even ANB may put their hands up if they get a run in NAB3 or the Casey praccy games. Frost will not get in the team on present form and will need to run into form at Casey.

BMW..... I was driving... Not watching while driving.

just so that all can feel comfortable on here that someone is upholding the proper traditions of Melbourne supporters, I watched the game at some ungodly hour of Saturday morning over here and there jumped in the car and drove to Switzerland to go skiing. Just right and proper for a Melbourne supporter. Have watched the game a couple of times and like the way the team responded. If we can do that when points are at stake I will be happy. All Iwant to do is enjoy watching my team play footy

We are not fielding our best side no matter what some may say. I will be interested to see how the following go under a bit of proper match intensity. would like to see all of these get a run. Clayton Oliver - New kid that has had some good training write ups, This is a chance to see what he might bring and for him to understand the AFL match pressures. Dean Kent - while we know a bit about him I want to see how he is shaping up after his Hammy problem. Sam Frost - only played a few games last season and He could be anything according to training reports. Where will he play? Cameron Pedersen - Want to see him in action. he has to compete for a spot and has the opportunity to take a step. Oscar McDonald - Mac The Younger. Like to see how he has developed. Jayden Hunt - Let him loose to see him burn a few.... if he can. Jack Grimes - New position? new man? Tomas Bugg - Know little about him and want to see him in action. Ben Kennedy - As above with the bug Josh Wagner - We had a big success with a mature aged VDB, will lightening strike twice? Dean Terlich - Want to know what is with this kid. lighter and more mobile? what has changed? Weed, Hulett and the Royal family (the Kings) to get a run next.

When is it expected that the side will be named?