PaulRB

While every team is looking to improve and can, in the haze of pre-season optimism, make a case for rising up the ladder... I thought I'd list why we should rise: Lewis, Hibberd, Melksham - Recruitment of mature top quality talent where we need it - Lewis, Hibberd, Melksham were all quality players for their former teams, with all finishing top 5 for good teams at various points. Viney, Tyson, Hogan, Salem, Hunt, Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, Stretch, OMac - The maturing of our young talent - Given Hogan, Brayshaw and Salem had issues last year if these 10 play most games and continue to realise their talent anything is possible. They're the key to our optimism, and I've left out Frost, Wiedeman, J Smith, JKH etc... who could work into the team as well. Gawn, Jones, Vince, TMac, Garlett, Kent, Watts - are a solid crew with all capable of playing outstanding football for long periods of the season. That's 20 players who have or are capable of finishing in the top 10 for us at years end, and 10 of those 20 are young, yet to fully or consistently realise their potential, but likely to this year and/or next. If we can keep those 20 on the track for the year then we're in for something special this year. Prediction: 5th+

This.. I hate them all. Want them to suffer and be afraid of playing us. And for us to humiliate them repeatedly. If I had to narrow it down equal first would be Dons - GWS - Hawks - Cats this year.

Saints are [censored] themselves...

Round 1 - given our outs... FB: Smith - T.Mac - Vince HB: Hunt - Oscar - Melk C: Stretch - Viney - Watts HF: Trac - Hogan - Lewis FF: Garlett - Wiedemann - Brayshaw R: Gawn - N.Jones - Oliver I: - Spencer - Tyson - Bugg - Salem E: Harmes - ANB Lots of versatility as to where players can play and my starting positions for many are placeholders as many could play elsewhere i.e. Vince in BP when he could be on ball, wing or HFF

It occurred to me last night, that with Wied coming on as a tall forward, and Spencer giving us ruck depth, that perhaps Jack Watts' best role/position is as a wingman, who can go forward or back as required, plays better on the outside and use his speed and foot skills to deliver to effect..?

We're saving Maxy for finals... ?

Garlett is a lock if fit, adds a lot to our potency up forward both directly and indirectly. Very undervalued by some on here.

I reckon PJ has engaged a couple of prospective BOJ sponsors and is working through the process of allowing the higher offer to emerge. Given most see the Dees are on the cusp of a period in the top half of the ladder there will be suitors... So let's let the bidding play out...

Viney is the apprentice Captain in waiting... like Goody was Apprentice Captain last year. Its a good way to develop Jack without throwing him in the deep end/setting him up to fail. Can't see what the resistance is to it.

I'm starting to think round 1 Dees Vs Saints at Docklands will be the GF preview...

With the cap on spending in footy areas, once clubs get over a certain revenue figure they may as well give it away to build membership, gain prime TV slots and suck up to their masters in AFL House...

Demons in a canter. Saints ruck and midfield wont hold intensity required for 4 quarters, we'll blow them away in a 10 min burst. Win by 4-6 goals.

I see the combined benefits of Spencer in and rucking 40%, forward 40% is that it give Maxy a ruck break when he can also damage up forward, and frees Watts from ruck duties where he was often ineffectual and playing out of position. Someone earlier said Spencer got his three goal because he was in right place right time... as of to discredit his value, but exactly that's what you want from a ruck resting forward. And "Betty" seems to have got his engine right such that he can run all day... I suspect the Maxy- Spencer combo will be common this season, if Spencer can hold his present form.

we won two quarters & lost two...

So pre-season's over and we still have room for improvement! Bring on the Saints and Season 2017!

RIP - twas sad.

Boom! #newmelbourne

still a Q to go... we've got this. #newmelbourne

- "Last season, Melbourne had a kicking efficiency of 65 per cent, ranked 16th in the AFL. Tonight, they are kicking at an efficiency of 76 per cent, well ahead of West Coast's 69 per cent."

Has Jack Trengove been on the field?

Reading this thread give a good list of who's made errors but not indication of who's playing well for us..?

I cant watch the game, but theres three points in it against a top 8 team in their patch... not end of world.

I reckon rotating through the backline against Carlton this week will be rest enough for those three... New coach, changed game plan, a couple of new personel and a bunch of kids gunning for spots... Only one I'd entertain resting would be Maxy, but I l;ike the way he's playing forward and he may need time to adjust to that role.?

Given the break before the season proper starts and the extended interchage, i'd be honing the team over pre-season Rd 2 and 3 by bringing in likely top 22 players and leaving out the least likely I.e. IN: Watts, Hibberd, Jetta, Pedo and Tyson (if fit). OUT: Wiede, Nibbler, JKH, etc... based on Rd 1 performance (which I didn't see). We need to hone and build momentum and cohesion coming into the season proper.