Preview Round 3: Melbourne vs Essendon, MCG, Friday 05/04/19, 7:50 PM, The Melksham-Hibberd-Neeld Trophy

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

It occurred to me that there is no one to being into the side anyway.

Only real problem is Clarke. Would prefer Draper. I assume that Stewart is not in the country.

Mutch in is about as meh as it gets.

Mutch won’t make it imo

3 games since 2016 if he dosent show any signs of improvement he should be delisted at seasons end

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

It occurred to me that there is no one to being into the side anyway.

Only real problem is Clarke. Would prefer Draper. I assume that Stewart is not in the country.

Mutch in is about as meh as it gets.

Would prefer Bellchambers, Brown, Zaharakis and Myers out, Clarke, Clarke, Draper and Ridley in, McKenna to wing.

 

[Drummer_19]

Just what I was pining for watching our immaculate defensive transition, more big slow guys.

 

[Lore]

Just what I was pining for watching our immaculate defensive transition, more big slow guys.

Pretty much every fit and able player with pace is already in the side..?

And we just added a winger..

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Pretty much every fit and able player with pace is already in the side..?

And we just added a winger..

Redman, Long, Ridley.....

 

[daffo]

Pretty weak selections. One would have thought a senior player should be dropped and make a statement that last week's effort wasn't good enough..

 

[Hird05]

Just glad it wasn't zero changes. Mutch is a good inclusion. People were calling for youth, youth that haven't been given a chance. Then people suggest he's not good enough. It's a neat circle. I remember a couple of games where he was fast and looked promising. Hopefully he stays in the team along with Zerk when he comes in.

 

[Bombermania]

Cannot believe Zakka is in the side, he needs a week or two in the VFL.

 

[blitzer]

I'm a fan of Mutch, glad he's getting another chance. The last few times he's played AFL level he's been pretty good. Can run all day and actually can mark some balls overhead on occasion, which automatically gives him a point of difference to the rest of our midfield. Also calling him an outside mid is a bit misleading, he is more than capable of winning his own ball in the contest.

I don't mind Clarke coming in but would have preferred Draper in. Also we should have dropped McKernan instead of Brown if we were going to play 2 rucks. Brown is a point of difference with the km's he racks up and is more of a lead up player. I'm kind of glad we are trying something however as I have been less than inspired by our forward line setup. In any case it will be interesting to see how we split the ruck time between Bellchambers and Clarke and whether we can actually get some kind of edge vs Gawn or not.

 

[Lore]

Redman, Long, Ridley.....

Long is under an injury cloud, Redman is barely out of limited minutes in the VFL? Who comes out for Ridley?

 

[ghostdog]

The perennial forgotten man, Redman. People forget just how good he was in his few games last year.

He wouldn't be match-fit yet, would he? Not that that would make much difference with our current standard but you know.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Long is under an injury cloud, Redman is barely out of limited minutes in the VFL? Who comes out for Ridley?

Oh didn’t know about Long’s injury...they bring senior players straight in, would like them to do that with Redman. Zaharakis our for Ridley who either plays on wing or goes back and McKenna to wing.

 

[brutus76]

after 2 insipid performance only 2 changes?

GUTLESS

 

[Lore]

Oh didn’t know about Long’s injury...they bring senior players straight in, would like them to do that with Redman. Zaharakis our for Ridley who either plays on wing or goes back and McKenna to wing.

With Langford out I suspect Zaharakis will be in the middle more, don't know if that's Ridley's spot. McKenna played more of a wing role in round 1 but he seems a bit out of form (like everyone else).

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

With Langford out I suspect Zaharakis will be in the middle more, don't know if that's Ridley's spot. McKenna played more of a wing role in round 1 but he seems a bit out of form (like everyone else).

Which is why I’d bring Clarke in for Myers, would have never dropped Langford but anyway, I’ll pretend the coaches must know better again and enjoy my selection night melts...

 

[Lore]

Which is why I’d bring Clarke in for Myers, would have never dropped Langford but anyway, I’ll pretend the coaches must know better again and enjoy my selection night melts...

melt away

 

[carloss]

How many out of form players can we carry?

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

So Baguley and Zaharakis stay in.

Ridley misses two weeks of development.

Mutch is slower than a wet week and will compliment our midfield beautifully if you were tanking for picks.

We are essentially playing 3 ruckmen. Bellchambers, Clarke, McKernan. Thats going to work well in 2019.

Heppell starts on the bench while Zaharakis is ruck rover. FMD.

Absolutely no courage in selection whatsoever.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

melt away

Ok.

I simply see the lack of consistent effort from Zaharakis and Bellchambers while being constantly selected as the worst team precedent to set and want it to stop. At least Baguley and Myers give it their all. Additionally Langford was far from our worst over first two weeks and gets dropped. We’ve had the same problems for ten years and continue to make the same mistakes. Their insanity is bewildering.

 

[84859300]

OK - after taking some of it in...

TBC, Smack, Clarke are all in to ruck against Gawn. I get the feel that Smack will play higher at CHF and Zac will be based towards the square when resting, with TBC on and off the bench. I get the feel they are going to try and run the campaigner out of Maxy all day and make him accountable.

Too many times last week, when we had our tails in the air and were delivering will into the F50, did I see Stringer, TBC and Smack all jumping at the same ball and no smalls in sight. When they all got dragged up the ground, we then had AMT playing the Froggy CHF role 1 v 2, 7' vs 5'. Yeah, you all know the story.

The thought of playing Raz up the ground excites me, as I feel he is a good thinker and uses the ball well... as shown when he rotates through the middle. In saying that, I hope he gets his hands on the ball early, because he needs to be productive when he gets back to the F50 after he has done his bit. He's not on his own, mind you.

Personally, I would have changed over a few more for form, but it is what it is.

 

[BrunoV]

Did forget about Ridley.

That's a pisser.

 

[BrunoV]

It's kinda hilarious that Clarke could be playing because of Gawn.

If Melbourne bring their B game we wont beat them at our best.

 

[Proper Gander]

It's kinda hilarious that Clarke could be playing because of Gawn.

If Melbourne bring their B game we wont beat them at our best.

Looks like we’ve got a b game all prepared, and that’s my most hopeful prediction.

I honestly want this game just over and done. I don’t think I’m alone here. It’s just going to be such a big overplayed deal for whoever loses - and not much better for the winner unless by 100 plus.

 

[84859300]

It's kinda hilarious that Clarke could be playing because of Gawn.

I don't see why not? Everyone seems to lose their shit when Smack gets beaten every second ruck contest, or gives away a free kick.

 

[JayJ20]

I just realised. Why the heck is Guelfi still in the side? This is the most baffling selection. At least Baguley and Zaharakis at their best provide us with something.

How can you be in his form and continually get games when you've done nothing to justify it?