Roger Mellie

Before we put a line through Grundy, he seems to be in red hot form. How was his last game against the Pies? IIRC he played pretty well. Do we consider him if Cox is playing? Cox has played as sub more than once. Is that a consideration for Grundy? Whatever we do, our forward line will have to adapt to a new look again with Melksham going down. I feel for the poor bloke. He so deserved to be part of our finals campaign. My main concerns are Moore and Elliot. McCrae said a few days ago that Moore would be ready next week and would be playing if not for the bye. So, I'm assuming he's playing. Elliot is a big game player and his ability to get off the leash has me pondering if Hibberd comes back in. If not him, who else? I thought Disco played well apart from a few errors and showed he could mix it at this level. Just lobbing out a few questions.

It's the vibe LDC! I think we'll have a few surprises if our fixed plan, doesn't work. Disco might be the first. The changes I'm thinking are more a specific game plan for Collingwood as opposed to the other finalists, how we react if clubs and negate May and Lever's intercept game, switching from being attacking to defensive, how high players are playing up the ground or not and other situations. For eg. I would expect coaches such as either Scott twin, to expose Melksham's lack of pace by putting a quick defender on him. It's happened before, so how do we deal with it? I think that's why our largely medium forward set-up will be interesting to see today. Like I said, I'm just mulling things over.

I'm pretty sure he was injured during his first game and concussed in his second. I suspect the club may have tried him earlier had he not broken his wrist/arm/hand. It's a little surprising, but he gives us more speed and mobility than Tommo.

Weetra was a total guess but I got 15/15. Clearly, none of you saw my Pick-A-Dee thread 🤨

I think it came from the likelihood that we and 16 other clubs (give or take) have approached WCE and said "How 'bout it?" WCE said 'Nope' and, here we are.

I think you missed the bit where I said I'm not advocating for Grundy to be retained. Rather, that we aren't left high and dry without a (DECENT) back-up ruckman or chop-out forward ruck. I don't think we can ask Max to do it alone next year with a 5-minute break here and there. Nor can we expect Verrall to be ready (but I think he has a future). Where on earth did you think I said I wanted Grundy to be rucking in the finals ahead of Gawn? Seriously WTF?

Thanks for the reality check LT! I assume the AFL media will continue to pump up his tyres with these comments - right up until Free Agency Week/Month: one of the League's best lockdown and intercept defenders across his 70-game and eight-year North Melbourne career, so us nuffies (the footy fans) will keep reading what a great player he is and eventually assume he must be a gun and therefore deserving of a Round One compensation pick. Yep, I have total faith in the AFL system!

If it's all about the team, we need to come to the realisation that Gawn is 32 at the end of the year. If Grundy hadn't carried a good chunk of the ruck load, Gawn wouldn't be as fresh for finals as he will be. He'd be even more banged up than he was last year and at (near enough) 32, he might not have too many years left in him and even less if he's carrying 90+% of the load. I'm not saying Grundy stays, but we sure as hell need someone who can give him a meaningful chop out, not just 5 minutes here and there. I wouldn't be settling for NQR ruckman like Ladhams, Hayes, Flynn and the eternally injured Preuss.

https://www.zerohanger.com/quiz-random-melbourne-players-from-the-2000s-141612/ No need to enter your email address for the answers, just click the small print below where it says to show the results anyway. Not bragging much but I got 15/15.

Not quite Jaded. The AFL are outdoing themselves with even more BS today through their media arm: North Melbourne also remains hopeful of retaining McKay, with the club's list manager Brady Rawlings telling Gettable earlier this month that the Kangaroos would consider forcing a trade if they didn't receive first-round compensation for his exit. McKay's potential departure could help North Melbourne lands picks No.1 and No.2 at the upcoming national draft, should it receive tier one compensation in return. The club is currently last on the AFL ladder with one game to play in the year. McKay, who stands at 202cm, has established himself as one of the League's best lockdown and intercept defenders across his 70-game and eight-year North Melbourne career. The Kangaroos have the ability to match any rival bid for him, given his status as a restricted free agent. – Riley Beveridge Is there any stat that puts him in the top echelon of defenders? No mention of his injury history either.

I'm running with the one tall and three medium forward set-up, with Max to visit the forward line where possible. I don't think T-Mac's turning circle cuts it anymore. JVR, Fritsch, Melksham and Smith with Kos, Chandler and Nibbler as the rotating smalls. I don't like JVR one out but I don't think we have much of a choice. The three mediums might make us a little more dynamic. Smith and Melksham can both take a leap too. Not sure of the Sydney tall forward set-up without Buddy, but Tommo presumedly stays in with the sub options of Grundy, T-Mac or Shack to send Smith to the backline if the three tall backs aren't working. Alternatively, a smaller sub if we think we need more run. I think Hibbo is out with concussion, so not a consideration. This might put Jordon (meh), Harmes ('managed?'), Spargo or Wee Wowey in the frame. Lots to mull over but I'm expecting some surprises from the MFC in the finals, not so much with selection, but with player's roles switching and a specific game plan with the filth in particular.

Gun

He's taken a massive leap forward this season. I can't wait to see what happens after the preseason - more midfield time or will he continue to steam out of the back line?

Hunter would be in the best 6 every week based on touches and ground covered. Unfortunately, his touches are often wasted through poor decisions and poor delivery.

Rivers Viney Brayshaw Lever Sparrow Melksham (6 votes had he slotted them) Stiff - Lingers, Nibbler

Laurie can hit a target

I'd like to hear that the Liam Henry to Melb rumour is back on

North have said they won't release him unless they get the equivalent of a first-round compensation pick for him. Bad luck Ben!

100% agree. I was just looking at the Colby McKercher highlights thinking - yep he looks a bit like LDU with a tiny dash of Marc Murphy. Then I read other posters say he plays like Toby Greene, then Luke Shuey and Sam Walsh. I'm happy to concede I have NFI and will continue to glean the info of the very decent talent scouts on DL.

I lifted this from Big Footy so can't prove accuracy, but if it is, Dee's are doing a fantastic job pulling the crowds considering: * 3 games where capacity was less than 21K (Hobart, Geelong [censored]-hole and Alice Springs). Not sure about Metricon. * The number of home games we play at the G v interstate sides * The massive leg up the top 4 are given with their fixtures and prime-time exposure (add Geelong next year when their [censored] stadium is finished). Go Dees! I say again. Why are we still playing Geelong in Geelong every [censored] year when the G and Marvel are vacant? Enough of this [censored].

When Harmes was on top of his game a few years ago, I remember an interview at the time where he attributed his great form all to confidence. Clearly he has none now, which is very sad, but he can't come back in the side until he gets it back. Way too many turnovers at VFL level. He's racking up possessions in the VFL, but they're mostly rubbish. Even when he played his last game for us 2 weeks ago, I can't recall him hitting a target in the first half (with minor improvement in the second half). It's too late in the season to attempt to play him back into form and we just can't afford his turnovers and fumbles. At his best, he's a walk-up start and who wouldn't want to see that? My team for this week would be Smith forward, Spargo in for Jordon, Hibbo in or sub. Grundy stays to give Gawn (and JVR) one last serious chop-out for the year before finals and ideally slot a goal or two. Alternatively, Tomlinson for Grundy depending on whether Hawks go for 3 tall forwards or a second ruck.

Mackenzie Arnold, Matildas Jamie Elliot, Filth

Short for ARCHAIC

I share your conflict and I don't know what the answer is. One thing I do know is Gawn's 32 and other than Grundy, there's no obvious replacement waiting in the wings.

You're kidding aren't you? You didn't manage to notice he was the better ruckman tonight? He certainly isn't a forward, but neither is Gawn