Grand final selection

[Snag Breac]

Medhurst leads six inclusions


Collingwood Media Department 11:54 AM Thu 12 March, 2009

Paul Medhurst leads six inclusions for the Magpies side to tackle Geelong on Friday 13 March


Collingwood has fielded a strong line-up for Friday night’s NAB Cup grand final after making six changes to the side that beat Essendon last week.

After missing the entire NAB Cup campaign, Magpie forward Paul Medhurst will return to the side after overcoming back/foot related injuries. Medhurst will join skipper Nick Maxwell, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, John McCarthy and Chris Dawes in the side of 26 to take on Geelong at the Docklands.

Medhurst, Collingwood’s leading goal-kicker last season, will make his long awaited debut into the side after recovering from back and foot ailments which saw him miss the first three NAB Cup matches. The 27-year-old played in the VFL last week and was a dominant force in the midfield.

Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell will return to the side after the club elected to rest him last week.

Forward Dawes has impressed selectors with his play in the VFL side over the last two weeks after playing in round one of the NAB Cup. The 20-year-old has kicked seven goals in his two matches for the VFL Magpies in the pre-season.

Midfielder Wellingham played in 12 senior games last year and was prolific in the VFL last week collecting 16 possessions. He will play his second game of the NAB Cup after performing against West Coast in week one.

McCarthy, who played six successive games last season including two finals appearances, will come off the bench for his second game of the pre-season competition after playing in round two against Richmond.

The midfielder will join Ben Johnson, who was omitted from last week's senior match, on Friday night.

Defender’s Heath Shaw (hamstring/back) and Leigh Brown (back) will miss with injury, while Jaxson Barham, Anthony Corrie, Ryan Cook and Brent Macaffer have all been omitted.

2009 AFL NAB Cup
Collingwood v Geelong
Friday 13 March
Docklands, 7:40 pm

Collingwood
B: Nick Maxwell (c), Simon Prestgiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Shannon Cox, Nathan Brown, Dale Thomas
C: Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury, Martin Clarke
HF: Paul Medhurst, Traivs Cloke, Steele Sidebottom
F: Shane O’Bree, John Anthony, Ben Reid
Foll: Chris Bryan, Leon Davis, Dane Swan
Int: Cameron Wood, Chris Dawes, Alan Didak, Ben Johnson, Tarkyn Lockyer, John McCarthy, Alan Toovey, Sharrod Wellingham
Emg: Ryan Cook, Brent Macaffer, Danny Stanley

In: Chris Dawes, Sharrod Wellingham, Paul Medhurst, John McCarthy, Nick Maxwell, Ben Johnson

Out: Leigh Brown (back), Heath Shaw (hamstring/back), Ryan Cook, Jaxson Barham, Brent Macaffer, Anthony Corrie (omitted)

The team includes eight on the bench (two super-subs) and three emergencies.
collingwoodfc.com.au

A sacred thread - don't defile it!

Sorry about title - got a bit excited.

 

[jefffff34]

Re: Gradn final selection

Fraser?!?!?

 

[shawthing09]

Re: Gradn final selection

They picked Maxwell twice? once on the bench and once in the back pocket? Either way it's a good side and pretty much what I'd expected / hope for. I am guessing the emergencies on that list are Dawes and Johnson.

 

[MrNatural]

Re: Gradn final selection

No Josh Fraser?
Wasnt he just rested last week?
Or is he injured?


Dont wanna see another repeat of the 07 Prelim and see Ottens make us look silly!

 

[Snag Breac]

Re: Gradn final selection

Stanley as an emergency. Can they really just be resting Fraser?

 

[person_pitch]

Re: Gradn final selection

There's certainly some young players in important positions.

It'll be exciting if all of Beams/Sidebottom/McCarthy/Wellingham play.

 

[Pie eyed]

Re: Gradn final selection

Looks a good side.
Fraser's omission will stir some debate.



Go Pies.
I hope it's a good standard close game.

Pies by 7

 

[Spagger83]

Re: Gradn final selection

they picked maxwell twice? Once on the bench and once in the back pocket? Either way it's a good side and pretty much what i'd expected / hope for. I am guessing the emergencies on that list are dawes and johnson.

they didnt pick maxwell twice, he's in the back pocket and he's an "in" as in an inclusion into the side

 

[Dave The Man]

Re: Gradn final selection

Fraser must be Injured.

Good to See Dawsey in.

Well we Drafted Daisy and Steele for this Very Match

 

[Trojan82]

Re: Gradn final selection

Still undecided about Wood and Bryan. Giving them both another run. Remember its only the Pre-season. These decisions need to be made.

I cant see Corrie playing many games this year.

 

[Old Spice]

Re: Gradn final selection

I like Daisy at half back flank delivering to Marty in the midfield / on wing.

 

[shawthing09]

Re: Gradn final selection

Still undecided about Wood and Bryan. Giving them both another run. Remember its only the Pre-season. These decisions need to be made.

I cant see Corrie playing many games this year.

I reckon it's probably just that too. Bryan has only had 1 pre season match so far and needs another one and Wood is being given every oppertunity pre-season.

When you add to that Fraser body having a history of injuries and the fact that he seems in really good shape atm there is no need to play him just yet.

 

[FIGJAM]

Re: Gradn final selection

Well we Drafted Daisy and Steele for this Very Match

14 goal head start!

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

Re: Gradn final selection

Beams and 'Bum still hold their spots

Matchups? Going from the named teams (realise this will change):-

Cloke -> Scarlett? (Can Scarlett afford to run with him or stay at home?)
JA -> Taylor (Size-wise a good matchup)
Reid -> Mackie (Good contest there)
Milburn -> Medhurst (Is Milburn a wee bit slow for him?)
Corey -> Thomas (I bet he slips forward)
Hunt -> Sidebottom (if he plays there... Hunt will be too strong)

BUT... we also have Tarks pinch-hitting up forward which will be damaging, Dawes who could match up nicely on Hunt or Milburn and at least force a contest...

Geez, it's going to be interesting!

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Re: Gradn final selection

Fraser must be Injured.

Good to See Dawsey in.

Well we Drafted Daisy and Steele for this Very Match

I've got a conspiracy theory.

Fraser is not injured. He was not selected to give Cameron Wood one more chance at staking a claim for Round 1 after Chris Bryan outplayed him last week.

We should see if C-Wood rises to the challenge against Ottens.

 

[cat_fanatic]

Re: Gradn final selection

I think Taylor will go to Cloke and Scarlett will take Jack. However if Jack moves further away from goal then Scarlo will stay on who ever plays full-forward, whether it be Medhurst, Cloke or someone else.

 

[DoubleO7]

Re: Gradn final selection

Cloke -> Scarlett? (Can Scarlett afford to run with him or stay at home?)

Scarlett only plays on the the players positioned at full forward. So, he'll probably go to Anthony (Dawes, if he starts at FF).

Gradn final selection

LOL! at the thread title

 

[Kirby]

Re: Gradn final selection

I like the side except for the inclusion of BJ. I would much rather see Stanners in the side and he deserves it more imho.

On Fraser, I think he is fully fit and they are just resting him. There is no need to risk him with his history of injury. Furthermore, we need to really test out Wood and Bryan to see who is up for the 2nd gig in the ruck.

 

[Optimax]

Re: Gradn final selection

I've got a conspiracy theory.

Fraser is not injured. He was not selected to give Cameron Wood one more chance at staking a claim for Round 1 after Chris Bryan outplayed him last week.

We should see if C-Wood rises to the challenge against Ottens.

peters nails it

Fraser is fit he has done all the training. Wood needs as much game time as possible and you couldnt drop bryan after last week. So rest fraser works perfectly

 

[well left]

Re: Gradn final selection

Fraser would be in cotton wool for Round 1. He showed enough in the first 2 games to show he has touch and we don't want to risk him getting injured otherwise we will be forced to go with Wood and Bryan as a combo Round 1.

I think we are starting to see the Rd 1 side forming here. Leigh Brown, Corrie and Cook not featuring. Stanley does not get another go. Johnson's last chance to stake a claim. Macaffer out with Medders back. Dawes has one more shot at budging Reid from the side.

The only two to come back in are Shaw and Fraser for Round 1. 6 need to come out for Round 1 - you'd be looking at Bryan, Dawes, Johnson, Goldsack and two from a group of Sidebottom, Beams, Wellingham, McCarthy and Toovey.

 

[Trojan82]

Re: Gradn final selection

Fraser would be in cotton wool for Round 1. He showed enough in the first 2 games to show he has touch and we don't want to risk him getting injured otherwise we will be forced to go with Wood and Bryan as a combo Round 1.

I think we are starting to see the Rd 1 side forming here. Leigh Brown, Corrie and Cook not featuring. Stanley does not get another go. Johnson's last chance to stake a claim. Macaffer out with Medders back. Dawes has one more shot at budging Reid from the side.

The only two to come back in are Shaw and Fraser for Round 1. 6 need to come out for Round 1 - you'd be looking at Bryan, Dawes, Johnson, Goldsack and two from a group of Sidebottom, Beams, Wellingham, McCarthy and Toovey.

O'Brien may be back for Round 1 as well

 

[well left]

Re: Gradn final selection

O'Brien may be back for Round 1 as well

yeah fair point. I kept looking at the backline and could not figure out who was missing. He definitely takes Goldsack's position.

That leaves one spot for one of the young mids IMO. Tough times at the selection table.

 

[didaka]

Re: Gradn final selection

Cloke -> Scarlett? (Can Scarlett afford to run with him or stay at home?)

Scarlett only plays on the the players positioned at full forward. So, he'll probably go to Anthony (Dawes, if he starts at FF).

Gradn final selection

LOL! at the thread title

I laughed a little too.

Uncommon to see Snag make a spelling error.

Usually flawless.

 

[The Dawes]

Re: Gradn final selection

Will be a very good win if we can get over the line - Cats have named a very strong side, whereas we've still got Fraser, O'Brien, Shaw and Rocca to come back in before we're at full strength.

We've named an exciting young team - the future is very bright at Collingwood.

Go Pies.

 

[Dynamics]

Re: Gradn final selection

Medders, you beauty!!!

Not sure about BJ getting a run. He looks fitter than last year but his kicking is still ordinary and isn't going to improve. Here's hoping he puts the right boots on this week.

Fraser resting makes sense, so I'm happy enough with that. Wonder if there's a niggle there we don't know about? It will cost us not having him there tomorrow and could be a factor in us winning or losing, but it's better in the long-run to have him 100% come round 1. It's time for Cam Wood to fire up and show us what he's made of.

Loving the sight of Sidebottom and Beams starting, especially seeing Beams in the middle. You know it makes sense.