Young Dee

I agree with most that it will be one of the following: Trengove Grimes Toump Strauss Howe Dawes I still have my doubts with regards to Watts ability to put head over ball. Thats what I will be looking for in the Geelong game. I think Viney will lead from the front - but thats no real big surprise - was great when he got on the park last year. Also expecting a big year from Tyson - but he wasn't here last year so doesnt really count (Michie - same).

You can listen to it here: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-02-18/jack-grimes-3aw-interview

Yes - after all the training reports I was expectng him to be lightening quick - when he was almost run down whilst kicking the sealer I thought - He isn't that quick. But now that I think about it - it was his first game and that was at the end of the game - so maybe he was just fatigued. The young guys (King/JKH/Salem) probably get fatigued after 20 mins of play.

23,650 - 18 Feb 2013 26,641 - 17 Feb 2014 With a round 1 win against STKilda we may well reach 40,000. What do people think? I know it would bring a smile to PJ's face. Should we aim for 30,000 by round 1?

I agree completely - thought the same thing re Watts. Strauss is fast (I have seen it at training) he just hasnt been able to use it in game. I like strauss but can accept that his one on one work is just not acceptable. Although he always seems to be on his man (something Terlich doesnt do) he is always one metre behind. Part of me hopes that this is due to a lack of consecutive games at AFL level. Give him consecutive games (4) and it could pay off (like Fitzy) - if not then I will accept that he has had enough chances. IMO - he is worth persiting with because he has some great attributes. If he can adapt to AFL level and find some confidence then the skies the limit.

Probably doesnt get the credit he deserves on here. He is easily in our best 22 and very important with Garland being down. He is no longer the Dunn of 2010 that many still associate him with.

In no real order - I would have something like this (if we were fielding the best team available). Roos may want to play around with the list and manage game time etc. Don't know who our main ruckman will be this year with the interchange cap but I think Jamar and Gawn should get some game time in. With Clark, Dawes and Hogan up forward you would think one of those (probably Clark) could take ruck duties in the forward 50m. That way the ruckman doesnt have to cover so much ground. If only we could get the same thing happening in the backline (would also mean that there would be a big target coming out of defence or keeping ball in the forward 50m arc). I wouldn't mind giving Blease another game - I think he is a bit of a confidence player and could be more dangerous with Dawes, Hogan, JKH up forward. OUT IN Max King - Dawes Perersen - Hogan Spencer - Jamar/Gawn (or both) Blease - Viney Nicholson - Watts Barry - Kent/Clisby/Tappy/Harmes

If we plan to play our strongest lineup against Geelong then I think it would be something like this but ofcourse Roos may decide to rest some players or give some younger kids (Harmes) some game time. I think that we could make the team quite a bit stronger for the Geelong clash. I would like to see Strauss have some consistent game time, Yes he isn't very good one on one abd always seems to be a couple steps behind however he did get 22 touches and can kick nicely. He does have speed so I think the reason he is often one step behind the defender is him adapting to AFL pace still (same goes with decision making). Watts is going to have to fight for a spot in the midfield. OUT IN Max King - Dawes Perersen - Hogan Spencer - Jamar/Gawn (or both) Blease - Viney Nicholson - Watts Barry - Kent/Clisby/Tappy/Harmes

how do people think Strauss went? Will watch the game again tomorrow (minus the fingernail biting)

Obviously the spotlights on the midfield toninght. Looking forward to seeing if our players run both ways - attack and make space (long time since that has happened) and when the ball turns over I hope to see them get back on their man. For too long the oppostion has always been on our heel and we have made it easy for them by popping the ball up nice and high. I would like to see a couple of our mids with a few metres on their men and running into open space. Look forward to seeing Strauss play after a good preseason. All I am hoping for is a competitive side that doesnt drop their head when they Richmond score three consecutive goals. I don't expect a decent score with our forward line/with midfield that has never played together.

Wow - thats a bit of a curve ball. And to think that most of Demonland were begining to doubt his ability after last year.

Yes good point - you have to keep an eye on those three unless you want the ball to hit you in the face!

So neither teams attacking very well then?

Keep an eye on number 19 and 6

50 – Maia Westrupp http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-12-03/2014-melbourne-guernsey-numbers

Yes didn't think clark would do the match sim but he was training with the main group on Wednesday so should train with the main group after match sim.

Dawes, Clark, Hogan?

Jetta - for me Would like it to be Harmes (like the look of him) but I think we should take it very slowly with all the new draftees (as annoying as that is). King - long way off. Georgiou - wasn't thrilled with this selection (rather youth - more potential) but have not seen him play yet so can't really judge him. We can play rookies in the Nab cup right? Because that's all that King, Georgiou and Harmes would really need (a small stint in the Nab cup followed by a year in VFL)

Looking at that list of mids Deez and can't help but think that no captaincy and a few decent midfielders (Cross, Vince, Tyson + improving Michie, Viney, Toump, Evans etc.) could make a lot of difference to the way Trengove goes about his footy. He can stop thinking - what would a captain do - and he no longer has a huge pressure to perform (due to previously crap midfield). He can now go back to playing his natural/instinctive football. Roos will also try and maximise the use of each players strengths - he does have a good fitness base, is a good kick when he doesn't have his lead boots on and he is a good tackler (really just needs to improve that acceleration of his.) I am hoping that the lack of speed/performance last year was partly due to the lack of a preseason.

I don't think he will just throw all the kids in the deep end even if it is NAB cup. We need to give the new kids time to build confidence (Salem, Hunt, King etc are a bit off and would not mind them not getting a game) JKH and Barry might be able to get a little game time. I know Roos likes to take it easy with the young draftees so if he deems them ready then il believe it. Hopefully he doesn't tell Hogan to go easy on the Richmond scum!

You got the names right (minus cross/Dawes)

That was originally my view but now I don't think we really have one clear cut leader. Jones is an on-field leader while Grimes seems more an off-field leader. They might make a good duo.

...all of demonland breaths a sigh of relief.

I think you just walked in on WW3...... not called Demonland for nothing! As for Jayden he isnt as raw as I thought he would be - seems to be settling in well considering he was playing school footy. Not as skinny as I thought he was. Highly doubt he will play next year.

Photos of today http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-01-22/photo-gallery-wednesday-22-january (hogans_heroes enjoy!)