McQueen

Spencil is in! Melbourne team: round 13 B: O.McDonald, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Michael Hibberd, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince C: Jayden Hunt, Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones HF: Clayton Oliver, Jack Watts, Mitch Hannan F: Tom Bugg, Christian Petracca, Jeff Garlett Foll: Cam Pedersen, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney I/C (from): Christian Salem, Jake Melksham, Sam Weideman, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jake Spencer, Ben Kennedy, James Harmes In: Spencer, Kennedy, Weideman

Another nightmare round for the tipsters among us. Let's hope it starts off with a draw between WCE and Geelong tonight. Wouldn't be surprised if the Blues pulled another upset at Metricon against the Suns. Put $10 on the Lions too.

I think the fact that in the article he's mentioned his partner has a fair say in the decision, you wouldn't be silly to think he's odds on to move back to Vic.

If Jake wants to play for Melbourne they'll have suck up whatever we offer/give them.

Similar to your sentiment, I'm hoping that the fact we're in the top 8 now will be a major driving factor in the continued pursuit of wins for the fear of dropping outside given the closeness of the competition.. I'm confident we'll go into this game with the right mindset.

Need Brissie to beat Port at AO (unlikely but hoping) and the Swans to beat the Tigers at the G and ourselves to beat the Dogs will have us sitting in 4th on the ladder, giving us a 4 point gap on 5th.

We can't afford a hiding in any of the remaining games as percentage is going to be so, so crucial this year.

I voted 7 - 9 because I didn't read the poll question correctly. I think we will win 7 to 9 more games in a really st one finish to the year. Please edit if possible.

He acknowledged that he had an absolute mare on 360 last night but highlighted that as a "proud person" he would definitely bounce back next week against the Dogs. Start him in the guts this week.

Spencer will have a far greater influence than the stand-ins we've had to this time. Its my belief that we will need first hands in ruck contests to come out on top in clearances vs the Dogs on ballers. We will see come Thursday night but I don't believe Spence will the liability you think he'll be. cheers

We need to win the clearances more than worrying about being mobile. We're talking about a single player, not wholesale changes. I think this will be a distinct advantage to have a dominant big man at the ball ups against the Dogs.

Out: ANB In: Spencer Spencer first ruck, Pedo to CHF, Watts FF and Trac to the pocket.

I wanted that to go for longer.

I get that - my point is that Bugg is missing clear opportunities to mark the ball cleanly and goal. If he cleaned up these important parts of his role, the team would be much better off rather than scrapping for it when it hits the deck.

Too much is made of this "bringing the ball to ground" theory. If you're a forward, mark the bloody thing and kick truly and all of a sudden 2 goals become more goals.

Playing a Puopolo type role but just doesn't get the runs on the board at the moment. If he can hold those marks he flys for and convert in front of goal he would instantly become a regular 22.

Was just watching Steven May rag-dolling Hawks opponents with effortless tackles and I started wondering if Oscar could chuck on another 8 kilo he'd be the gorilla minder we need. We need a heavy defender that is hard to move off the ball and I think it's time to grow one. Oscar is the man I reckon.

Hunt gained extra metres but the end result was similar to Tysons so I can't agree with your light and day assessment. Anyway, if we're not criticising too much handball we're criticising the blokes who get it forward at all costs and today was one of those days and as ugly as it was, it was necessary.

I know Stretch hasn't been setting the world on fire at Casey but watching today's game, particularly our misplaced 15 - 30m F50 kicks, we desperately need a cooler head with pressure like we experienced today. There were several culprits so picking an individual wouldn't be easy but I'm convinced we're burn g far too many opportunities to score.

Spencer or Gawn is an absolute must against the Dogs. Our clearance work suffered today against a very good onball brigade so next week will be no different. We need cleaner clearance that only the big men can provide. Unlikely that Hoges will be good to go but if so I would ditch Bugg.

Clearly Burgo wasn't interviewing him.

In the 8 baby!!!!!!!

This has a very Hawthornesque feel to this game.

We've still got another gear to go imo. Great to see Oliver back into it, Viney did some good work and Salem off half back was dangerous.

Lewis played a key role in the comeback against the Suns. We desperately need it again.