Teams v Melbourne / Are Melbourne tanking?

[Bloody Hell]

Big changes for Melbourne

Backs L.Dunn, M.Warnock, J.Frawley
Half backs B.Moloney, J.Rivers, C.Bruce
Centreline C.Bartram, J.McDonald, A.Davey
Half forwards J.Bennell, M.Newton, C.Morton
Forwards B.Miller, M.Bate, L.Jurrah
Followers S.Martin, R.Petterd, N.Jones
I/C From: P.Johnson, K.Cheney, N.Jetta, M.Whelan, S.Valenti, J.McKenzie, R.Bail.

TEAM CHANGES
In: Cheney, Johnson, Miller, Newton, Valenti, Whelan, McKenzie, Bail
Out: McLean (Knee), Jamar (Quad), Green (Scaphoid), Grimes (Back), Robertson New: Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons), Rohan Bail (Mt Gravatt)

That is disgraceful. They might as well have changed the whole team.

[Bloody Hell]

Not necessarily, as ugg suggested they can leave any named player out.

I meant in terms of Roos signalling his intent.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Robbo out without an injury suggests the Dees are driving a big fat Sherman towards the end of the season

[alison.z]

I hope the bench is Bird, Pyke, Thornton, Vez.

yes!!! v. happy hannebery gets another game!!!

[Nico]

How The Hell Does Ablett Keep Getting A Game

[Donners]

Not necessarily, as ugg suggested they can leave any named player out.

Apart from injury, I can't remember a player in the 18 being dropped out rather than someone on the extended bench.

[Bloody Hell]

How The Hell Does Ablett Keep Getting A Game

Are you saving the ALL CAPS for when he plays next week?

[BSA5]

How The Hell Does Ablett Keep Getting A Game

Because firstly, he wasn't too bad last week (not great, but kicked a goal and did some stuff), and secondly, if we want any chance of getting something decent for him come trade time, best to give him games. A senior player that can't crack the 22 is not going to instil much confidence in other teams. If Ablett can play out the rest of the season as a defensive forward, kick a few goals, lay a few tackles, show that he can be at the very least a depth player for a team looking at a Premiership, then we might actually get something for him.

[Plugger46]

How The Hell Does Ablett Keep Getting A Game

Not one of mine as you well know Nico but I didn't think he was too bad last week.

[stellation]

I don't mind Ablett across half forward.

[SimonH]

If MOD and Schmidt don't qualify as even making the top 25 after being in the 2nds bests, come round 17, then whither their careers?

[sharp9]

On the other hand they are young players with their best in front of them and, as such, their places on the list may be safe...it's the underperforming senior players who need to show something to save their spot on the list.....Ablett, Buchanan, Bevan

[10Totti10]

Ablett, Bucchanan, Bevan r on their last chances. One bad game and they will be dropped. Schmidt, MOD, Murphy, Laidlaw, DOK all still have to play so they will slowly push them in. Thornton will play along the backline won't he to cover for Richards. Oh and Hanneberry is DEF in. If ur named in the starting lineup u will play. Im going to the game this weekend so im pretty happy.

[DST]

If MOD and Schmidt don't qualify as even making the top 25 after being in the 2nds bests, come round 17, then whither their careers?

Schmidt has spent almost the entire year on the sideline's with knee problems, not to mention no pre-season to speak of.

Can't he come back and string a number of games together before subjecting him to senior football.

DST

[ernie koala]

Given the outs and list of youngsters Melbourne have put forward, we'll win, and older players like Ablett and Bevo(if he plays),(we know what they bring to the table) and no doubt they will perform ok against a tanking bottom side and therefore hold their spots for another week or 2.
At the end of the season decisions on many reserve players will be made, players like MOD, DOK, Laidlaw, Braba, with out having seen them play more than a game or 2 of seniors. Yet even with a perfect opportunity, like this game, we don't play them. ...For a club that is looking to rebuild...? Extremely puzzling to say the least.