Rnd 12 Pre-Match Thread, vs Melbourne at MCG, 7:25 PM Saturday 4 June

[liz]

I predict a few changes.

Lizard, Hickey and Stephens in * Then McClean if Buddy fails his appeal. (Roberts and O'Riodan and TBC)

Will be interesting who is in and out.

I'll be surprised if we go that tall.

If Hickey is fit, I imagine he will come into the team and paired with Ladhams. Even though their tandem efforts are still a work-in-progress, Ladhams has been too good when rucking solo (or as the main man) to omit.

In the unlikely event that Buddy is available to play, that will likely mean that Reid or McDonald loses their spot. Longmire was complimentary of Reid's contribution (justifiably so) against Richmond but McDonald is "the future", making it hard to pick which way they would go.

If (when) Buddy is rubbed out for a week, I presume it will just be a straight swap of Hickey for Buddy. If Hickey isn't available, either Amartey or McLean will come into the frame. I think Amartey's VFL warrants him being chosen ahead of McLean, but it might depend on whether they want a big body to stand close to the goal square (McLean) or someone who plays better when they move around (Amartey).

Personally I wouldn't be bringing Stephens in. Not til he tidies up his kicking. If we want to tag Langdon, we have McInerney probably more capable (certainly more experienced) to do that.

Melbourne have a fair few smallish forwards. I reckon they are more dangerous than their talls. So I'd keep O'Riordan in. Or bring in Fox. Fox and O'Riordan if Blakey isn't available.

[AB Swannie]

I went to the Dreamtime at the G game a couple of weeks ago and the atmosphere was really flat for an “event” game. It was heaps better at Marvel the previous night. I was up high at the MCG so maybe the atmosphere is better down low???

In regards to team selection, I like the idea of bringing in Amartey if Buddy is ruled out. He can match Jackson’s athleticism when in the ruck.

Blakey is a no brainer.

Wicks needs to be dropped purely for his lack of discipline (he’s not good enough to get an automatic pass like Bud).

Like others, I’d like to see Campbell further up the ground.

In summary:

Ins: Blakey, Amartey, Stephens
Outs: Franklin, Roberts, Wicks

[Bloods05]

MCG has no aura , its hyped up by media commentary who think the game belongs south of the border only . Its just a big oval with stuff all atmosphere and as quiet as a cemetary as its reserved by dud Victorian sides who can never pack the thing even half full !

You're such a sweetheart.

[Nico]

MCG has no aura , its hyped up by media commentary who think the game belongs south of the border only . Its just a big oval with stuff all atmosphere and as quiet as a cemetary as its reserved by dud Victorian sides who can never pack the thing even half full !

Well I'll be buttered on both sides.

[Faunac8]

Sorry , i didnt mean it to burst your bubble .

Burst my bubble what the hell does that mean ?
The opinions that you continue to deliver as factual declarations are superfluous to me as a supporter. I feel that you are just continually looking for attention and if that is the case I congratulate you on how well you do so.
Still looking forward to the game and think we can deliver a positive result .
Not sure of the stats but we seem to play ok at the MCG.
They have a few top class players coming in apparently but hopefully they are short of a run and we can capitalise on that.

[Faunac8]

I'd take the SCG or Adelaide Oval (except that it would involve travelling to Adelaide) over the MCG any day. Unless there
are 60,000 (and there rarely are) at the MCG it always seems empty, not unlike everyone's favourite stadium out west.
How anyone in the upper reaches of the Southern Stand even knows which teams are playing is beyond me.
The MCG reminds me a bit of the multitude of "cookie cutter" 90,000+ capacity stadiums built in the US in the late 60s and
70s, nearly all of which have been knocked down now.

Waverley was a good example of that style of big soulless venue that was created to maximise attendance and minimise spectators enjoyment.
Bloody windswept boring venue that I was happy to say goodbye to at the last game where unfortunately we copped a touch up by Hawthorn.

Football Park at Westlakes was pretty forgettable as well.

[Mel_C]

As we suspected Buddy is still suspended for 1 match.

[SwanSand]

Let’s get the right players in now.
Hickey and Cunningham in if they are well.
Cunningham for Oriordan
Hickey for Buddy. Ladhams to go forward.
Wicks to be left out for Ronke. But knowing how the MC think they will keep Wicks but I reckon he needs to be dropped for his brain fades.
Stephens for Roberts

[i'm-uninformed2]

What I do like about our approach at the tribunal is we at least went out of our way to smear Cotchin as a bad actor who stages for free kicks. A brilliant drive by effort.

[KSAS]

Waverley was a good example of that style of big soulless venue that was created to maximise attendance and minimise spectators enjoyment.
Bloody windswept boring venue that I was happy to say goodbye to at the last game where unfortunately we copped a touch up by Hawthorn.

Football Park at Westlakes was pretty forgettable as well.

My fondest memories of VFL Park was watching World Series Cricket. I remember one night when match had finished late & buses dumped hundreds of people at Glen Waverly station when train service had already finished for the day. Lots of people slept overnight. I remember walking a bit to find phone box and ringing mum to pick up me and my mates. Good Old Days!

[KTigers]

My fondest memories of VFL Park was watching World Series Cricket. I remember one night when match had finished late & buses dumped hundreds of people at Glen Waverly station when train service had already finished for the day. Lots of people slept overnight. I remember walking a bit to find phone box and ringing mum to pick up me and my mates. Good Old Days!

I went to the very first day of WSC at Waverley in December 1977 as a kid. There were only about 500 people there that day.
There is a photo of me sitting by myself surrounded by acres of empty seats in Gideon Haigh's book The Cricket War. It was
an interesting day and the cricket was good.

[TheBloods]

Burst my bubble what the hell does that mean ?
The opinions that you continue to deliver as factual declarations are superfluous to me as a supporter. I feel that you are just continually looking for attention and if that is the case I congratulate you on how well you do so.
Still looking forward to the game and think we can deliver a positive result .
Not sure of the stats but we seem to play ok at the MCG.
They have a few top class players coming in apparently but hopefully they are short of a run and we can capitalise on that.

i meant sorry for bursting your bubble , you were excited to go to the G and i was critical about it and didnt mean to make it a negative thing . Hope you have a good time there . I was being cranky

[Bexl]

Let’s get the right players in now.
Hickey and Cunningham in if they are well.
Cunningham for Oriordan
Hickey for Buddy. Ladhams to go forward.
Wicks to be left out for Ronke. But knowing how the MC think they will keep Wicks but I reckon he needs to be dropped for his brain fades.
Stephens for Roberts

are we forgetting blakey

[Meg]

What I do like about our approach at the tribunal is we at least went out of our way to smear Cotchin as a bad actor who stages for free kicks. A brilliant drive by effort.

[emoji3581] [emoji3]

[Scottee]

Of the possible replacements:

Blakey - no brainer for Roberts

Ronke - for Wicks because he is the only player in the side to kick 7 at the G.

Amartey, like for like replacement for Buddy.

Stephens kicking in the VFL has been dreadful. He needs to improve.Ronke is a class above with his kicking.

McLean, not in the wet.

Fox - could replace COR if the coaches aren't happy with him.May be sub apart from the fact that this would be 2 weeks in a row. Maybe they could swap.

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