MadAsHell

I'd be keen to go HF: Howe, Watts, Petterd FF: Jurrah, Cook, Wonna Howe and Watts I'd look to play higher, Watts for his delivery into the forward 50 and his ability to blow his opponent up through out a match (ala Nick Riewoldt) which I think Watts will develop. Howe also I'd like up higher for his mobility, marking and tackling pressure that he can bring also. Petterd I'd put on the oppositions most damaging half back, like a Heath Shaw or Chris Yarran. Try and take them away from the play but also have the ability to hurt them in our attacking 50 with his over head abilities. I like Cook deep. From what I've seen of him at Casey he's a great one grab mark and kick at goal. Looks like a young Dvid Neitz to me, although I don't want to get ahead of myself. Wonna is the perfect crumbing forward, just get front and square of Cook's contests, hopefully he comes back at his best, Maric could still be an option for this role also, same with Jetta. Then the Jurracaine is the perfect mid sized forward to cap it all off. Dangerous in the air and deadly on the ground, he can play both Cook, and Wonna's roles, and close to goal is where he'll be most dangerous. As for Jamar I'm happy for him to be rucking the whole time he's on the ground. Martin can play down back as our gorilla keeper but also chop out in the ruck when Russian needs a rest, with Rivers, Frawley & Garland all playing, they'll be able to cover Martin's ruck stints when needed. Also look out for Jack Fitzpatrick to play deep forward also whenever a Watts, Cook, Jurrah or Howe is to miss. Fitzpatrick will be able to ultinate between deep forward and ruck with Jamar while others push up higher, allowing Martin to stay permanatly in defence for those games. Edit: Spelling of Jurrah.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If you think we got it wrong in 2008 you must have nightmares about our draft in 2001. Our picks went 9. Luke Molan 25. Steven Armstrong 26. Aaron Rogers 55. Brad Miller & 70. Pass When other players who went just after those picks were 13. Nick Dal Santo 36. Sam Mitchell 37. Leigh Montagna 58. Dane Swan & 71. Brian Lake End of the day you never know how the players are going to turn out, from 2000 to the 2005 draft inclusive we didn't have a lot of success, however since then we've had our fair share of good selections in the draft IMO.

Agree about Jamar, if he isn't fit then Gawn holds his spot for sure. Jurrah I agree also, however I've heard a few people in other posts suggest he may be playing injued. If so give him a rest I say, otherwise I'd keep him in for the reasons you've given. Maric, possibly lucky to get a gig, but at the same time was probably a bit unlucky to get dropped. With no Wonna or Jetta someone has to play the role of the crumbing forward. Tapscott if fit I'd bring straight back no hesitation, his kicking and physicality will be a much needed boost, but if he's not right then I'd give him another week. Bartram, I love his competativeness and tenacity. However similar to Warnock I think his disposal hurts us, I'd like to see Nicholson given an opportunity in Bartram's role. As for Dunn he'll need to do what he did on saturday at least another 3 or 4 times to get a recall. With Howe's early form coupled with Cook coming along nicely, I have Dunn a little down the pecking order, ahead of Bate but behind a few others at this stage anyway.

IN: Garland, Jamar, Maric, Nicholson, Petterd, Tapscott OUT: Bartram (inj), Jetta (inj), Jurrah (inj/rest), Bennell, Evans, Gawn FB: Garland, Frawley, Nicholson HB: Morton, Rivers, Strauss C: Trengove, McKenzie, Jones HF: Howe, Watts, Green FF: Martin, Petterd, Maric FOLL: Jamar, Moloney, Scully INT: Gysberts, Sylvia, Tapscott SUB: MacDonald EMERG: Bennell, Cook, Gawn

Thanks for the summary SS.

But in all seriousness Jesse White is someone who I reckon we should take a look at. Possibly even a Scott Gumbleton if our medical staff are confident they could get his body right? But onto the main point of this thread sorry. I was impressed woth Howe again. One of only about 5 or 6 players who I thought could hold their heads high. Hopefully we see him play the majority of this season in the seniors. I'd be keen for him to play VFL finals also though. Edit: Thought I should mention Howe.

We've drafter 3 really good key position forwards over the years all inside the top 30 that should now be ready to fill this role for us. Luke Molan Nick Smith Aaron Rogers Oh wait a minute......

If your talking about the area where I sit (level 2 southern stand) it happens a lot. There were actually a few filth supporters near me who were asked to leave by a ground official. This is more then fair enough in my opinion, I and I assume you pay more then $400 a year to sit in an exclusive Melbourne supporter area. If I wanted to sit amongst other club supporters then I'd just get a regular membership and save the money. In the past when I have taken a friend with me who supports the opposition I've simply puchased a guest pass for them and taken a seat on leval 2A as anyone in the level 2 section can do with their guests. In the future if there's opposition supporters seating in that area don't be affriad to tell an official I say.

I like the way KrazyJay thinks!

Good post and excellent points Jaded!

When I find myself doubting whether or not Scully is staying or going I try and look at it this way. People in the media who say Scully is going: Sheehan, Schwarz, Maguire, Maher. People in the media who seem to think Scully will stay: Pickering, Wilson, Robinson. Throw in Dean Bailey and every Melbourne player who has fronted the media about the issue, including Scully and I'd like to think the people in the staying list are far more credible then those in the going list.

Enjoying your conversation with yourself???

I'm 50/50 on if he'll stay or go, obviously I hope he'll stay. One thing I will say though is that surely his managment would be behind him waiting to seasons end to sign. With all the speculation about Tom going to GWS, Melbourne may end up offering him more then they otherwise would have in a desperate effort to keep him.

Schwarz just said on Gameday that he's heard from the right people at Melbourne that Scully is gone. I got the impression Mark Robinson thinks Melbourne's still confident they can keep him. Not sure how much info Schwarz actually gets from the club anymore however. In his book he says himself he hardly has any friends left at Melbourne. Edit: Added last line.

Beat me to the punch there TJ. I had this discussion with a Collingwood supporter mate of mine at the start of the year how I thought although their first 25 or so players were still decent they didn't have anywhere near the depth they did last year. He initially thought that with Tarrant and Kraouker added to the team this wasn't the case, but then when we went through the list of players who were no longer there from last year he realised their loss of experience. Fraser, Lockyer, O'Bree, Medhurst, Anthony and Prestagiacomo all gone, and then when you throw in Nathan Brown's injury at the start of the season they definatly don't have the depth they once had. Further more looking at their squad for monday, the only players not there who are automatic selections in their best 22 are Johnson, Swan, Thomas, Jolly and N. Brown. 5 players out of their best 22 is still not as bad as what we've had or will have on monday as we're still without Garland, Grimes, Tapscott, Jamar, Wonna, Davey, Bail and probably still Bartram. If we win on Monday I know all the media will make reference to the players Collingwood have out. If this is the case I know I'll attempt to call up one of the radio stations to remind them of our outs also.

Round 2 last year Petterd was our best with 4 goals and kept Shaw quiet also as our defensive forward.

Anyone know what injury Lawrence received? Dunn played career best football after his bag of 8 goals in the VFL which saw him get a recall straight away last year. His form's been terrible this year, but using him as an example from last year is a terrible one, on that basis Petterd should be recalled for sure. Personally I'm happy for Petterd to come in next week if someone gets either injured or has a poor game. But if there's no injuries, we have a win and all players continue to play well then by all means he can have another week in the VFL.

They made Jordie do a 2nd year on the rookie list despite his equally if not greater performances in his first year. And Spencer had to do 3 years. Seems to be MFC policy with rookies at the moment, I could be wrong however.

In relation to that link according to my records both MacDonald & Warnock are out of contract at the end of this season also. In regards to Evans & Nicholson, as long as the rookie list stays we should keep them on there for as long as we can IMO, allows us some more picks in the national draft.

Not factoring in fact people are taller now then once were possibly I should have amended that statement to "He'd have to be the shortest CHB in the last 20 years!"

Two points. 1: If Gawn doesn't play, who is our 2nd ruck option? 2: If Strauss doesn't play who becomes our designated kicker out of defence? Especially seeing as Tapscott's at least 1 week away.

Petterd only played against Collingwood once last year in round 2 where he was out best with 4 goals. Played that defensive forward role on Shaw brilliantly! However he did his shoulder in round 6 and didn't play again after that. With a forward line already consisting of Watts, Jurrah, Green & Howe, Petterd's going to have to string several good games together with Casey and hope for either an injury or form slump to one of the others to get a role back in that forward line. As for Jetta, while I don't think he's the most talented player there is going around, he works bloody hard and is a good tackler (somthing Maric, Morton, Petterd & Wonna need to do more of), so Jetta holds his place more mine. Petterd has a big role in Melbourne's future, but I reckon really making him earn this recall is the best thing we can do not only for him, but for the club also. I'll note I reckon it's already had a good effect judged on the fact that Petterd laid 8 tackles for Casey last weekend. Somthing he isn't noted for!

At 185cm he'd have to be the shortest CHB of all time! Half back flank will be his position I reckon, with he and Tapscott bringing the ball out of our defence for years to come hopefully our kick out worries may become a thing of the past in time.

No changes for mine. As far as our back line goes. Rivers gets Dawes, Frawley gets Cloke, MacDonald gets Brown, Bennell gets Kraouker, Strauss gets Didak and in the midfield the only tag we have to run with Swann & Thomas out is Morton on Pendlebury. We're a real chance for this match!

Having now taken into account Newton's injury & Bartram's likely return I'm now thinking our changes will be. IN: Bartram, Blease Gawn, Howe, Scully, Strauss, Trengove OUT: Newton (inj), Bate, Bennell, Evans (stiff), Maric, Morton, Warnock FB: Frawley, Rivers, Bartram HB: MacDonald, Martin, Strauss C: Trengove, McKenzie, Jones HF: Petterd, Watts, Green FF: Howe, Jurrah, Jetta FOLL: Gawn, Moloney, Scully INT: Gysberts, Nicholson, Sylvia SUB: Blease EMERG: Evans, Maric, McDonald