Preview NAB Challenge: Melbourne v Fremantle, Fremantle Oval - March 5

[d33my]

Thought I'd start a preview thread to talk about all things related to this game.

Squads have been announced here:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-03/nab-challenge-squads-fremantle-v-melbourne


It's a real shame Vince is out. Watts and Howe also missing.

What are we looking for from this game? Surely not much. I'm pretty happy just to see individual performances, especially from our new recruits.

 

[Cannon82]

No goddamn injuries...

 

[Demon 16]

Newton and Vandenburg are of most interest to me.

Keen to get a look at Stretch, Toumpas and Gawn at FF as well.

Others of note are Frost and Garlett I guess.

Looking for a lot of numbers to the contest in the middle as well as good running of the lines all game.

 

[Demon 16]

Actually Hogan will take some interest, and Salem has been flying this preseason so am looking forward to seeing where those 2 are at as well.

 

[pjfairbairn]

Disappointed that Fitzy isn't playing... Really want to see once and for all whether he is good enough...

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Probably the better thread for it, no Brayshaw?

 

[Cannon82]

Disappointed that Fitzy isn't playing... Really want to see once and for all whether he is good enough...

Is he injured? Cos if he isn't and he's not playing in our NAB cup game at 24 years of age, that covers the second part of your post.

 

[Dez!]

I'm kinda relieved Brayshaw isn't playing.

 

[d33my]

Would be interesting to know if the CP injury influenced the Brayshaw decision. I kind of hope not, because I want our kids to play footy. Would be disastrous if he got an injury but that's part of football.

Might be reading too much into it anyway. How has he been training?

 

[Sprout]

Both sets of supporters will be watching one particular player with great interest. Freo fans still seem to think he's going west, bless them.

Can't wait to get a look at Billy the kid running around.

Salem will make his way into a few fantasy sides by the end of the game.

Would like to see Maximus clunking a few like he has at training.

Newton, Vanders and Michie will be the other three I'll be keeping an eye on. A couple of these guys could make a meaningful difference this season.

A win would be nice but no injuries and some solid individual performances are the main preferred outcomes.

 

[TheDarkDwarf]

I am looking forward to watching VandenBerg. Also Toumpas, am hoping he really comes good this year. Is a pity that Brayshaw is not in the team.

 

[Klyntonius]

Am anticipating with particular interest proper two-way running. The much talked about attack to go with the defensive mindset. As always, I'm excited for possibilities at this time of year.

 

[Demon 16]

Disappointed that Fitzy isn't playing... Really want to see once and for all whether he is good enough...

Fitz is still in a rehab program I think. Didn't play in last weeks scratch match.

Probably the better thread for it, no Brayshaw?

He's had 2 head knocks in 2 scratch matches, the first was a genuine concussion. I can understand why they've left him behind.

 

[Demon 16]

Riley is the one I'm interested in. Does anyone know why he was left out?

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure he's in full training.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Fitz is still in a rehab program I think. Didn't play in last weeks scratch match.



He's had 2 head knocks in 2 scratch matches, the first was a genuine concussion. I can understand why they've left him behind.

Cheers, I'd forgotten about that.

 

[Righteo]

Go Viv!!

Very excited to see how Hogan goes, both teams seem to be approaching this as a pretty serious dress rehearsal.

 

[Demon 16]

Cheers, I'd forgotten about that.

Trained fully this morning apparently, so yeh just being cautious after a couple of head knocks.

Really do hope he plays in our second match.

 

[Topkent]

I'm interested in whether we can break down freos structure enough to get meaningful I50s, pretty sure they have kept us to 6 goals or less 4-5 times in a row

Second thing I'm interested in is how the smalls structure up around hogan , I hope he plays the Barry hall role aka mostly i50 and then Kent , JKH, Garlett all get around him and lock it in there

If we can get the ball deep with the new holding the ball interpretation then Forward pressure will equal shots at goal from HTB and rushed clearances , if anything getting the ball In long is more important again

 

[Bluelegs]

Brayshaw will probably play against the Dogs, they're a younger side so it might just make more sense to start him there. Not everyone can play.

 

[Dez!]

Go Viv!!

Very excited to see how Hogan goes, both teams seem to be approaching this as a pretty serious dress rehearsal.

It's our Grand Final.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Go Viv!!

Very excited to see how Hogan goes, both teams seem to be approaching this as a pretty serious dress rehearsal.

Yes the lineups by both sides surprised me, neither side holding back to much.
Incidentally if we can knock over a good freo with our best 22 at Freo oval a ground the dockers know like the back of their hand. I will celebrate. I know it's a preseason game but a win would indicate a great amount of improvement

 

[Righteo]

Yes the lineups by both sides surprised me, neither side holding back to much.
Incidentally if we can knock over a good freo with our best 22 at Freo oval a ground the dockers know like the back of their hand. I will celebrate. I know it's a preseason game but a win would indicate a great amount of improvement

People will say it's only a praccy and the result is worthless and that may be true but I don't think Freo will want to put in a poor showing on the ground they train at most days every week in front of what will be a pretty vocal crowd (for a preseason game), I reckon it will be pretty willing for both sides.

Lumumba and Garlett will keen to prove themselves early too, especially Jeffrey, and there's a number of fringe players who will want to stake claims for round 1 from both teams.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Seven news saying that Viney will not head to perth despite being named in the squad. I can't recall why i wasn't paying attention but i think it might have been a concussion sustained at training today

 

[Demon 16]

Seven news saying that Viney will not head to perth despite being named in the squad. I can't recall why i wasn't paying attention but i think it might have been a concussion sustained at training today

If he gets another concussion, I can see him donning the helmet soon.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Confirmed Viney out
http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-03-03/viney-to-miss-first-nab-challenge-match