CBDees

Pedersen, Frost and Watts (augmented by Garlett, Kent, Kennedy, Vanders, Harmes & ANB).

Then they should let the eight to ten MFC players play with the Casey Development team against their firsts in a practice match to even it up a bit.

Not sure why Casey couldn't have a practice game however if we used it to get some of our players fit with match practice how are they intended to get their own list match fit?

I arrived late at training but he looked bloody good and raring to go. His kicking certainly looked OK to me and the NAB Challenge with its 9-pointers seems an ideal arena for him to debut.

I agree on Hulett. It would be nice to see him get a run this Sunday.

Jack looked fine and was running laps when I rocked up late. He is hopefully a starter in Round One or soon after though I confess I wasn't specifically looking for him in the match sim drills. He seems pretty confident. Most guys seemed to be hard at it in match practice and skill levels were generally good. I particularly noticed Petracca. What a powerful kick this bloke is and he seemed to me to be putting his hand up for Round One (along with a few others who we did not see last Sunday)! Oliver was another who stood out and (along with Petracca and Watts) was the last off the ground, as he lazily kept posting them through the bigs sticks. Judging from what I saw, another hard call by the selectors again this week (although it would be nice to see Oliver get another run and Petracca come in for Brayshaw)!

From what I saw at training today he seemed both match fit and in touch. Expect him a smokey for this Sunday, the following Sunday, Round One of the VFL and then the opening Round of the AFL.

I spoke to Trenners today as he was running the boundary. He smiled when I mentioned Round One but somehow I suspect that he may come back through the VFL. But who knows for sure?

I spoke to Trenners today as he was running the boundary. He smiled when I mentioned Round One but somehow I suspect that he may come back through the VFL. But who knows for sure?

Although I like your line-up, l would be surprised if Oliver doesn't get a guernsey for Round One. Not sure who to leave out though as, judging from training today, they all looked lively. I tend to agree that Petracca may be a surprise inclusion (particularly with two NAB Challenge matches and a VFL match scheduled before the start of the Season)! Oliver is simply too talented to not consider. At training today, he was the last to leave the field as he remained slotting them through the middle whilst the others were heading back to AAMI. Anyway it is a nice problem to have (an abundance of choice in the midfield)!

He looked the goods at training this morning. He certainly had no trouble finding the sticks.

Arrived late at training this morning (although they trained until after 12.30) and had a chat to the guy who wrote the AFL report. Trac was very lively at training and (until reading that report), I almost would have had him as a smokey for next Sunday. He was moving very well and was one of the last to leave the track. With two NAB Challenge matches and one VFL match scheduled before Round One, he could surprise everybody!

It is all Hird's fault!

And now ironically we have ended up with Kennedy who was the number 10 draft pick.

We are doing alright so far with 20% of the nominated players to date!

Or Trengove Tackle Mark III.

No happy with Viney and a leadership team including Brayshaw, Hogan, Oliver, Petracca, Salem and Tyson (in alphabetical order).

It's no longer the NAB Cup but the NAB Challenge. There is nothing to win (and no $300,000 prize money)!

It might be tatts next. Nathan Jones watch out!

But the bushranger beard seems to be growing in popularity (Gawn, Butcher, etc)!

I think that I'd have Oliver ahead of Stretch but Stretch or NB as emergencies.

And Melbourne are in the eight. That's prophetic!

I suspect that the weather had something to do with it last Saturday. The players had only been at it 5 minutes and they were all dripping with sweat as though they had run out oiled. I feel rotations will drop back next match, possibly to the 90 cap which will apply during the season proper.

I like the way you think bUt I am not sure that the players would share your sentiment. I agree about playing NB and maybe even Hulett but I am not sure how the rest of the team (or Goodwin) would respond if told that we are seriously trying to win without Gawn, Hogan and Salem?

I knew what you were saying and Watts, M. Jones and Oliver were also applying pressure further up the ground. The other 17 teams will have a different Melbourne to contend with over the next few years!