Preview Melbourne Vs Footscray @ Etihad Stadium, Round 23, 2013

[tasmanlvr]

Two best bits about our season - it finishes and we actually get to play in September.



Melbourne
Round 1: Port Adelaide 19.19 (133) defeated Melbourne 8.6 (54)
Round 2: Essendon 28.16 (184) defeated Melbourne 5.6 (36)
Round 3: West Coast 27.15 (177) defeated Melbourne 13.5 (83)
Round 4: Melbourne 22.12 (144) defeated Greater Western Sydney 15.13 (103)
Round 5: Brisbane 17.20 (122) defeated Melbourne 14.10 (94)
Round 6: Carlton 18.13 (121) defeated Melbourne 8.12 (60)
Round 7: Gold Coast 16.18 (114) defeated Melbourne 7.12 (54)
Round 8: Richmond 15.16 (106) defeated Melbourne 11.6 (72)
Round 9: Fremantle 19.16 (130) defeated Melbourne 6.4 (40)
Round 10: Hawthorn 21.17 (143) defeated Melbourne 6.12 (48)
Round 11: Collingwood 17.20 (122) defeated Melbourne 5.9 (39)
Round 12: Bye
Round 13: St Kilda 16.8 (104) defeated Melbourne 10.9 (69)
Round 14: Melbourne 15.13 (103) defeated Footscray 15.10 (100)
Round 15: Sydney 16.20 (116) defeated Melbourne 13.7 (85)
Round 16: Geelong 13.20 (98) defeated Melbourne 4.6 (30)
Round 17: Brisbane 13.16 (94) defeated Melbourne 11.9 (75)
Round 18: North Melbourne 22.18 (150) defeated Melbourne 4.4 (28)
Round 19: Greater Western Sydney 19.10 (124) defeated Melbourne 12.15 (87)
Round 20: Gold Coast 13.12 (90) defeated Melbourne 10.17 (77)
Round 21: Fremantle 20.13 (133) defeated Melbourne 5.8 (38)
Round 22: Adelaide 18.12 (120) defeated Melbourne 7.10 (52)

Yep, the season finishes and I think no one really gives a stuff about how we go for about the sixth or seventh week in a row.

Players To Watch
Jake Spencer: What we like about the Spencil is that he just gives it a go, no matter what the state of the game, no matter who the opponent, and no matter his skill level. Held his own against Jacobs on the weekend (30 hitouts compared to Sauce's 42) and has a tough task against the AA-ruckman elect, which I reckon he can handle.

Jimmy Toumpas: A solid game, with 22 touches, but there are still doubts about his capacity under pressure. It mustn't be forgotten that he's come off two hip ops, which is what most critics seem to be missing, hey? Still, we can hope he builds from performances like these.

Jack Watts: Will it be his last game as a Melbourne footballer? Let's hope not. Watts had arguably his best game last time out against the Dogs, and kicked four goals on that great Saturday night. Watts had another solid game last weekend as he collected 18 touches and kicked a goal.

Footscray
Round 1: Footscray 19.13 (127) defeated Brisbane 7.17 (59)
Round 2: Fremantle 16.10 (106) defeated Footscray 11.12 (78)
Round 3: Richmond 20.15 (135) defeated Footscray 10.8 (68)
Round 4: Adelaide 12.8 (80) defeated Footscray 4.4 (28)
Round 5: Geelong 15.17 (107) defeated Footscray 13.8 (86)
Round 6: West Coast 21.11 (137) defeated Footscray 10.7 (67)
Round 7: North Melbourne 22.19 (151) defeated Footscray 15.7 (97)
Round 8: Gold Coast 13.15 (93) defeated Footscray 8.13 (61)
Round 9: Footscray 17.8 (110) defeated St Kilda 15.11 (101)
Round 10: Footscray 10.7 (67) defeated Port Adelaide 8.10 (58)
Round 11: Bye
Round 12: Collingwood 15.9 (99) defeated Footscray 9.11 (65)
Round 13: Richmond 17.19 (121) defeated Footscray 8.13 (61)
Round 14: Melbourne 15.13 (103) defeated Footscray 15.10 (100)
Round 15: Footscray 13.9 (87) defeated Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)
Round 16: Essendon 18.13 (121) defeated Footscray 14.6 (90)
Round 17: Hawthorn 13.17 (95) defeated Footscray 11.10 (76)
Round 18: Footscray 16.15 (111) defeated West Coast 13.11 (89)
Round 19: Sydney 21.8 (134) defeated Footscray 15.9 (99)
Round 20: Footscray 16.21 (117) defeated Carlton 13.11 (89)
Round 21: Footscray 20.11 (131) defeated Adelaide 17.12 (114)
Round 22: Brisbane 15.10 (100) defeated Footscray 13.15 (93)

A frustrating game for Dogs' fans, but they would have been pleased at their second half revival which saw them nearly do a Melbourne (you know, that game against Freo in '08) and win. It's been a much improved season for the Dogs, despite losing seven in a row from round two to eight.

Players To Watch
Will Minson: As I mentioned before, he is all but the AA ruckman in what's been a stellar season. Minson won an epic ruck duel against Matthew Leuenberger last week, winning 36 hitouts to 22, allowing the Dogs to win the clearances 50-34. Minson has averaged a staggering 39 hitouts a game in 2013.

Jarrad Grant: Grant's had a terrific month and a bit. Since coming into the team against Essendon, the #5 draft pick has really taken his chance, averaging 17 touches, two tackles a game and kicking 12 goals in that period of time.

Ryan Griffen: 11 touches is all Griffen needs to complete a career best season. Griffen had a day out last time against the Dees as he collected 31 touches and kicked three goals, and with our midfield the way it is, will look to finish off a great season with a bang.

Prediction
Think both sets of supporters will be cheering when the siren goes on Sunday evening (hey, it is a twilight game after all). Dogs' supporters will probably be cheering a win, we'll be cheering the end of a s**t season. Whatever, 2013, piss off pls

 

[Major Colvin]

Hurts my brain looking at all those demoralising losses again. This will be another Im sure.

 

[d33my]

Twilight game ugh. The most perfect timeslot to see out a horrific season.

 

[Captain Jack]

Lets just get this over with.

 

[tasmanlvr]

Twilight game ugh. The most perfect timeslot to see out a horrific season.

Honestly think our round 23 fixture was decided at three quarter time in round one.

 

[SuburbanMe]

We're gonna win this. You wait. Dogs will choke.

 

[ponsdale]

So I may have some time on Friday and be in the Jolimont area? How/where do I find out if there is training?

 

[KAYNE]

We're gonna win this. You wait. Dogs will choke.

They will literally have to all pass out from choking on oranges for us to have a chance! Not long now until it's all over!

 

[Brock 'n' Roll]

No chance dogs will belt us. The main reason for me attending is to see Davey play his last game and Watts to play his last game as a demon. Will be happy to see the back of the 2013 footy season.

 

[Topkent]

Yeah unfortunately like I thought was going to happen last time but didn't will happen this time and there midfield will destroy us , we need to play an outside game an avoid stoppages , get the ball forward quick and long and back our talls to beat the dogs at either end ..

Dogs by 44

 

[Topkent]

Yeah unfortunately like I thought was going to happen last time but didn't will happen this time and there midfield will destroy us , we need to play an outside game an avoid stoppages , get the ball forward quick and long and back our talls to beat the dogs at either end ..

Dogs by 44

 

[fushy]

Will be in NZ so might not be able to watch

 

[CWaffles]

Will be in NZ so might not be able to watch

Lucky you!

 

[Blackas87]

How on earth does Bail get a game over Magner?

Well done to Taggert though, hope he makes the cut.

 

[Deefolt]

Rapt about Rory, still confused about jimmy... why?

 

[rhaz]

TAGGERT TIME


Lets hope they give him a full game, and he plays well.

Hope Taggert and Gawn make the final 22.

 

[Dory_77]

How on earth does Bail get a game over Magner?

Well done to Taggert though, hope he makes the cut.

Agree on both points. I'll be pissed if Taggert starts with the vest though. It'll most likely happen, but even so I think if we're going to give him a token game at the end of the year, at least give him a full bloody game.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Surely a bench of Taggert, Bail, Tappy, Howe... not that Bail really deserves a crack but can't see the point in going in with Sellar or Gawn.

Too tall.

 

[Deefolt]

Apparently Magner isnt selected for Casey either... so there is that

 

[rhaz]

Surely a bench of Taggert, Bail, Tappy, Howe... not that Bail really deserves a crack but can't see the point in going in with Sellar or Gawn.

Who will back up in the ruck though? With Pedersen out. I'd have thought Pedersen for Gawn was a straight swap, then the others fight for Rodan's spot.

Who knows, team selection has been mysterious many times this year

 

[Spirit of 39]

I was informed by a pretty reliable source that Rory Taggert will not debut this week and will be the emergency. Pretty disappointing if correct.

 

[adamelliott]

my god what a shocking year
still tipped them but

 

[Captain Jack]

Final changes: Jetta and Gawn in for Rodan and Pedersen.

Are you kidding me? No Taggert? The selection committee has been on acid all year I would have though. Jetta is a prime delist candidate. If I was Taggert I would be calling my manager to see who might be fishing for a young mid/forward type.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Final changes: Jetta and Gawn in for Rodan and Pedersen.

Are you kidding me? No Taggert? The selection committee has been on acid all year I would have though. Jetta is a prime delist candidate. If I was Taggert I would be calling my manager to see who might be fishing for a young mid/forward type.

Rory has had no contact from the club with regards to a new contract for next year.

 

[Deefolt]

Final changes: Jetta and Gawn in for Rodan and Pedersen.

Are you kidding me? No Taggert? The selection committee has been on acid all year I would have though. Jetta is a prime delist candidate. If I was Taggert I would be calling my manager to see who might be fishing for a young mid/forward type.

... im lost for words... frustrates me so bad