Round 1 Team: vs Dees Everitt and Sumner to debut

[Auntie.Gerald]

it was clever by Johnny to take the pressure off Byron and hide his selection the last moment

I also think that Jude and ROK are on notice to some extent.........I know that sounds more out landish then it is meant to but there is genuine competition and ROK with that niggling Groin problem is definitely less agile..............ROK playing a leading role and having younger faster midfielders and HFF picked ahead of him in his preferred possie and Jude not considered quite as fast or agile enough compared to those selected ahead of him is now reality.........can the young ones manage the pressure with minimal errors is the question

We are seeing a change of the guard and I think by mid season we will be liking seeing Smithy, Hannes, Jetta, Reidy etc as genuine starters...............and Byron gets a great chance with so many of our backs out - Sumner has such versatility in attack and if his focus in defence stays on course he will be a lethal weapon in counter attack with that 60 m left foot kick

over all I think out team is as dangerous as any in the comp..........depending on our back 6 being rock solid as any team............ if other teams lost 3 or 4 of their key defenders they would struggle massively but my gut feeling is we will lift as we have the depth.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think we are going to have to get used to seeing Goodes at CHF this year.

I agree as Goodes kicking looks better then ever and without Braddy we need a tall who can kick goals..............but in saying that Reidy is a very accurate kick...........from memory equal or top 5 in kicking percentage with Gary Rohan...........No reason that White cant go to FF and reidy to CHF when Goodes goes for a run either as Johnny alluded to in pre season

[stellation]

I also think that Jude and ROK are on notice to some extent.........I know that sounds more out landish then it is meant to but there is genuine competition and ROK with that niggling Groin problem is definitely less agile..............ROK playing a leading role and having younger faster midfielders and HFF picked ahead of him in his preferred possie and Jude not considered quite as fast or agile enough compared to those selected ahead of him is now reality.........can the young ones manage the pressure with minimal errors is the question

Whilst I agree that Jude is probably on notice to some extent, I think it's an overstatement to include ROK in with him (short of hopefully everybody is on notice to perform).

[Mountain Man]

The Melbourne back 6 are pretty small - maybe our tall forward line is selected as a response to that

Bartram and Bennell, 181 and 179
MacDonald and Grimes, 188 and 187
Rivers and Garland, 192 and 191

[liz]

Whilst I agree that Jude is probably on notice to some extent, I think it's an overstatement to include ROK in with him (short of hopefully everybody is on notice to perform).

You have phrased this far more politely than I was going to.

[aardvark]

Whilst I agree that Jude is probably on notice to some extent, I think it's an overstatement to include ROK in with him (short of hopefully everybody is on notice to perform).

ROK has a few years of good footy left in him yet, especially if he is over the groin issue.

[wolftone57]

I am disappointed that TDL was not picked but maybe he didn't perform in the pre-season. Happy about Byron (sounds like a movie) & Reid. I think Reid took to AFL footy last year like a duck to water. 1 game & he was right in the thick of it 7 causing a headache for defenders. I'm never Shaw about Ryce though, I think he makes too many muck ups in defence, what I'd call a real "mother mucker". I like him in attack but the options are few there as all posies are filled & filled again. The side looks good just don't underestimate Melbourne's pace, they are lightning & we have to counter that. A good start is having the likes of Rohan, Jetta, Sumner, Smith & Jack. Lets Just Do It!!!

[Primmy]

If TDL is playing ressies then oh my, but if he isn't then perhaps he is carrying at present. Will let you know.

[swansrob]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but how are Bird and Lamb named as emergencies when neither were named in the extended squad? I thought TDL and Moore would have to be named there...

[Auntie.Gerald]

You have phrased this far more politely than I was going to.

Does that mean Liz that you think ROK is a starting player in the midfield and or HFF ahead those picked for Rd 1 ?

My concern for ROK is that if he didnt get picked as a starting midfielder in rd 1 and he was pushed in the Forward pocket then guys like TDL and Lamb will certainly start to put genuine pressure to start in the forward pocket and then ROK would be once again fighting for a HFF or midfield possie

[dimelb]

I'm looking forward to hearing the Demons cry uncle.

[Nico]

Does that mean Liz that you think ROK is a starting player in the midfield and or HFF ahead those picked for Rd 1 ?

My concern for ROK is that if he didnt get picked as a starting midfielder in rd 1 and he was pushed in the Forward pocket then guys like TDL and Lamb will certainly start to put genuine pressure to start in the forward pocket and then ROK would be once again fighting for a HFF or midfield possie

AG, ROK had surgery in the off season for his groin and looked ok against the Pies. I like that he is sitting in the forward pocket when all the talk is about our talls. Maybe his time is up as a midfielder but fit, he is a very handy forward who will take a quality back every time.

[Auntie.Gerald]

hhhhhmmmm

[liz]

a) Since when did anyone take any notice of the exact spots players are listed on the team sheet
b) I suspect ROK spent most of last season named on a HFF
c) Teams need a dozen players who can rotate through the midfield nowadays
d) ROK very rarely starts at centre bounces. He does much dirty clearance work at around the ground stoppages but he's not really a centre bounce man

He's barely 30, has been one of our most consistent and damaging players for 7 or so seasons, and, by all reports, the off-season surgery cleared up last year's groin problems. It would take a huge drop off in form from the last few years for him not to be an absolutely automatic selection for the whole season, and quite probably another couple of seasons after that.

[Peace]

ROK is fine and will be in form for the whole season after getting his junk fixed in the off season.