Dee*ceiving

Dawes would be a better option than Anthony or Hawkins, unfortunately he looks to have hit his straps and is unlikely to leave the Pies. What about David Hale? I think we should have made a play for him last year as well. Provides a decent key position target inside 50 and a back up ruckmen. Slightly off topic, but i wonder if the FD have considered manuevering Neville Jetta or Addam Maric into a small lock down defender. They are both a little light on but probably a similar height to Whelan. Jetta is quite a good tackler from what i have seen. I think Wona and Bennell will keep them out of the side for the goal sneak position.

PJ offers more in the ruck and around the ground than Stef Martin at this stage of his career which frees Jamar to spend more time in the F50 and spell him on the bench. Stress related injuries are common place in today's footy and asking the Big Russian to continually ruck on his own for entire games will eventually lead to a serious and potentially long term ailment. We'd all agree that's the last thing we need just as he is really coming into his own.

A tool no doubt, but also the best player i have ever seen. Maybe Before the Game can create a tool of the week hall of fame and induct him as the founding member to offset the accolades afforded to him by the AFL hall of fame?

it is evident yound Mr.Scully knows only 1 way. Whatever the consequence! Inspirational at 18, what's he gonna be like at 24? We're in for an 1 hell of a ride.

If you think doing that will take Lake out of the game you're dreaming. Lake will consistently leave Miller to assist the other defenders and create offense. That will lead to possessions for Brad but we know from expereince how likely he is to hurt them on the scoreboard. Highly unlikely. A better option for Lake would be to have him track a smaller more agile forward that will take him up the ground and follow the ball. You want Lake where the kick starts, not where it ends. If he is where it ends he'll mark and spoil all night against our flea brigade.

Todd was in Melbourne's team of the century, was he not? Young Jack will be a Demon, he has little choice in the matter and a legacy reserved only for the truly privelged.

You're welcome. Go Pees! (Pink Dees)

In - Bail, McKenzie (pending fitness) Out - Martin, Petterd. Run, run, run... Bruce to the forward line. Rivers/Garland should be tried forward for a qtr or so but not from the first bounce. Send one of them forward at about the 20 minute mark of the first and force the Doggies to modify their structure. If it doesn't bear any fruit by half time we can re-consider at the break.

Balls - you've lost it!

Agreed. Paging Mr. Green to the goal square, I repeat Mr. Green to the goal square.

I don't think we've used a standard, stagnant, forward six since round 1 and i think the flexibility and unpredictability has helped enourmously. At various times we've had Petterd and Bate playing high half forward with Green and Sylvia deep. At other times we've had Syvlia playing CHF with Dunn leading out to the wings. We've also seen Green roaming around the midfield with Bennell presenting an option at half forward. I think with Petterd out not much will change. I'd like to see the coaching staff deploy Bruce forward to start the game and bring a running player in for Petterd. I'd also consider another running option to replace Martin. We won't win games this year trying to take contested marks inside the forward 50 but we might if we can run harder, longer and faster than out opponents. Chances for selection - Bail (if fit), McKenzie (if fit), Cheney (in great form according to reports), Gysberts (the roughie) Out - Petterd, Martin

Warnock will get first crack, he is the full back and will play on the bloke starting at full forward. This will be Barry Hall.

I agree wholeheartedly Hanabal. The benefit of selecting a Jack Watts confident in his, body, mind and form far outweighs throwing him to the wolves just to get games into him. His time will come and when it does the footy world will take notice.

I agree that $$$ to be made at GC17 should see him heading there. Many of these rumours are started by player managers who know suggesting several relocations for a player makes for better bargaining leverage with the actual preferred destination. I still advocate however for the right price and assuming James McDonald retires at year end he would be a handy 3 year addition to the team. $$$ and value aside. Surely if he refused to resign a second round pick and a fill player would get the deal done anyway.

Fighting to get back in a successful team after injury is part of footy. Has he experienced that scenario in his career thus far??? Proving he can maintain the work rate and motivational level required at VFL level to force his way back into the red and blue is a form of 'showing us what he's made of', and a valuable lesson for a young player forging himself a reputation.

Bruce is going nowhere. If Morton was ready to come back in this week it would Dunn going out and Martin retained to provide Jamar with ruck backup. If the FD decide Jamar can ruck alone with only minimal respite from a pinch hitter then Dunn would be retained and Martin would miss out in favour of the extra running 'tall' in Morton. Those who think Bruce is not in our best 22 at this stage are delusional. There is more to footy than kicks and handballs, effective or other wise. Bruce's guidance, defensive work off the ball, reading of the play and knowing when to run into space are crucial for a young team. Yes occassionally he gets it wrong and we get burned on the rebound which looks terrible but often it sets us up with fast break towards goal.

Agree the hype surrounding Nic Nat is huge but in my opinoun mostly unheralded. He was awesome against the bombers (and who hasn't been?) but stats wise his other 4 games have been average at best. JT has improved each and every week. Let's hope it continues

Prior to 3 weeks ago what team didn't have the wood on us lately? Stef is capable backup for Jamar against the Roos.

Rivers is in the best 22 and I think he is a better option than Garland to help the side get the 4 points on Saturday against North. It doesn't mean that Rivers is the better long term option, but I think the 4 points is important enough to justify a change. In - Rivers Out - Garland Bail deserves to regain his spot but pending injury there is no obvious vacancy. He will need to be patient and show us what he's made of for the Scorp's. The good news is our arguments have changed from why blokes should be dropped to why blokes shouldn't be dropped. What a fantastic and somewhat unique development!

I am yet another child of the 80s and I agree regarding the current level of excitement. The anticipation of acheivement surrounding the current group is the highest I can remember. 1994 & 2000 were exciting years but the improved performance was not as a result of significant long term planning and hard work such as what has been in play since 2007.

I agree with RobbieF regarding Bruce, his kicking is deplorable but he reads the play well and still has something to offer defensively. It's still early days for Stef, his chance will come but it won't be in a role similar to Brucey's current role. And while were at it i'll admit Bate looks a little underdone fitness wise but he has improved each game he's played. Sure his goals have been gimmes but he has been presenting to the wing and half back to provide a link up more often each week.

Dees have some chance. Like others i'll be happy with a4 qtr performance that sees us lose by no more than 5 goals.

Many of us were falling all over ourselves at the prospect of landing Luke Ball (albeit via the Pre-season draft). Thompson > Ball (IMO) ST still has plenty to offer at this level. Has been a very good player for several years at the Crows and didn't leave the Dees high and dry when he moved to Adelaide, we were sufficiently compensated. I'd take him at the right price, don't forget James McDonald can't do it forever, ST would be a good option as a midfield 'General' in the eventual absence of our current skipper.

That was Troy Wilson, who was also a man mountain and played a handful of decent games. I think he kicked a bag of 6 or 7 against the Saints one time.

6 - Frawley 5 - McDonald 4 - Grimes 3 - Davey 2 - Bruce 1 - MacDonald