Official changes v Swans

[Major Colvin]

Melbourne Team
Backs: N.Brown, N.Carroll, B.Miller
Half backs: D.Ward, J.Rivers, C.Bartram
Centreline: B.Green, B.McLean, M.Bate
Half forwards: S.Godfrey, L.Dunn, C.Bruce
Forwards: B.Holland, D.Neitz, A.Yze
Followers: J.White, N.Jones, J.McDonald
I/C: R.Ferguson, S.Motlop, C.Johnson, M.Jamar
Emergencies: D.Bell, P.Read, P.Wheatley

Team Changes
In: B.Miller, L.Dunn, R.Ferguson, C.Johnson, S.Motlop
Out: R.Robertson (jarred shoulder), M.Whelan (calf strain), C.Sylvia (calf strain), P.Wheatley , D.Bell


Good Lord.

 

[The Great Gabsby]

Looks like johnstone didnt pull up either. We're screwed.

 

[Lightning In A Bottle]

I'm gutted that TJ isn't back in. Our best player by miles and its really showing now. Atleast robbo can have a break and think about his actions! some of his shennanigans are ridiculous! I do love him but dead set he was trying to handball and was missing the ball against the blues! Having said that i don't know why I feel confident? Our hardness will go well against the swans with Brock and Jmac through the middle and we still have enough fire power to kick lots of goals. Our defence has been impressive all year. We'll take this 1.

 

[Marns]

Robbo needs a week off to recover, both physically and mentally.

Hmm, we're in a bit of trouble methinks. At least Dunn, Miller and Fergy are back.

 

[CharlieG]

As much as I respect you guys (believe it or not, I did a Ladder Predictor the day before Round 1 started and had you finishing third), we've certainly got you at the right time. If we can't beat you this week then you're truly unbeatable at the MCG.

 

[goDees22]

I don't think it's the end of the world, injuries are over rated these days as an excuse. Normally players who are still there feel the need to push harder to make up for the absence of the top players, and everyone lifts a gear so their absence isn't as obvious, and probably doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference.
Having said that, i reckon we will lose, just, 8 points.

 

[CaptainDavey]

It's a good team. It's good quality about it. The talls are a great inclusion and should match up well. I'm eager to see Motlop perform, I've put alot of faith into him and I believe he can deliver. CJ is a good inclusion as well, he can provide a bit of class to what I think is going to be a very low scoring scrappy game but we should do OK I reckon.

Chin up fellas!

 

[stickman11]

As much as I respect you guys (believe it or not, I did a Ladder Predictor the day before Round 1 started and had you finishing third), we've certainly got you at the right time. If we can't beat you this week then you're truly unbeatable at the MCG.

Mmme, it isn't too bad... Bruce is still there... Miller is a plus and Robbo was flat. Sydney might take us too easy and payyyyyyyyyyy

 

[demonfire]

if the several inclusions perform itll be interesting who comes back in for the likes of robbo tj davey pickett sylvia whelan.
i dont know if i can see sylvia coming back in time for finals... he'll return to the VFL next week and will need to gain some serious form...
i hope we bloody win this. im sick of winning up there and losing down here. we get a chance at the MCG and we have to take it. we'll really send out a message to the footy world if we can win with these inclusions and our absences... we need some fringe players to step up!

 

[Slander]

Looking at that team, my thoughts are Sydney by possibly a league record!

 

[Sylvia Saint]

It's not too bad.

On current form Motlop wouldn't need to do much to match Sylvia's output. He was thrown a lifeline this time last year and performed very well, hopefully he can reproduce that form.

CJ >>>> Bell

Wheels a big loss, not sure about Ferguson returning.

Miller can return to take his bitch.

And Robbo has done **** all of late, Dunn returning is a big +.

The worst part is that TJ isn't back yet.

 

[Dazman]

Who cares about TJ, you've got the Bruce and Brock McLean. Demons to romp it in.

 

[CaptainDavey]

I don't know why...But I got a feeling Ooze is going to do something magical this game. Almost have a Queen's Birthday impact! But I'm quitely confident...

 

[bartrams_girl]

Just think positive

 

[AllStar7]

We're ****ed I'm affaird

No Travis, Robbo, Whelan, Davey or Pickett... that's pretty much everyone in our side who can kick a football gone.

At least Godfrey is playing. You can alway rely on good ol' Godders

 

[StingaArmstrong]

i'm picking a win by 17. We need to win (yes i'm being captain obvious) and i think there are players playing for their season and even careers in the side. This should see a desperate output too match Sydneys and i think we'll just get over the line. Although i do think we are one tall too many. Don't think we can have Holland and Ferguson in the same team.

 

[CaptainDavey]

Maybe Holland will go out for Travis...? Mind games!

 

[StingaArmstrong]

Maybe Holland will go out for Travis...? Mind games!

yes thanks, fair swap.

 

[Canna7]

The team is too top heavy (Carroll, Rivers, Miller, Ferguson, Holland, Neitz, Dunn, White, Jamar). I think that's one tall too many. Probably no need for Ferguson this week, an extra runner would have been good.

The team is also very inexperienced:

69 Miller
62 Motlop
55 Rivers
41 McLean
38 Ferguson
37 Jamar
35 Carroll
18 Bartram
12 Johnson
10 Dunn
9 Bate
2 Jones

 

[CaptainDavey]

I'm not talking crap but you're right, we are going in a bit too top heavy. If you'd replace Dutchy in the side with anyone, you'd replace him with Ferguson. I can see Dutchy being a withdrawal for TJ to come in. After all, TJ did just get rested for all we know, so I reckon he should be sweet in two days time, he's had a while to get over it I hink

 

[Ed_Gein]

Unlucky to be facing the Demons well below full strength. It would have been a genuine tester to see where we are at. But i guess we really need a win to break away from all the other teams in amongst the log jam on 44 points. While the Demons will want a win to keep that breathing space and more than likely sew up a top 4 berth. Interesting battle ensues.

 

[melbournemartin]

WAY TOO TALL FFS.

We have lost two half talls in Wheatley and Robertson and brought in three talls in Fergeson, Miller and Dunn. Geez. Looks like it will be Carroll vs OLoughlin, Miller vs Hall, Rivers floating.

Up forward we will have Dunn, Holland, Neitz

Fergeson? I don't know. Maybe they trust Miller to get beaten and need to be replaced? Luckily Davis isn't playing, making the Whelan absense a little less noticable. I'd personally have dropped Holland for Read. I'd rather play Fergy up forward than Holland and look at the bench...2 talls, a small defender/winger and a small forward. We have no spare midfielders (admittedly Godfrey is named at HF where he wont play even though he had a lil stint on saturday)

 

[Supermercado]

Wheatley and Bell are no great loss, Sylvia needed to be dropped anwyay, Robertson being out is damaging but a necessary evil, but losing Whelan is a disaster. We're rooted.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Only real positives are that it's at the MCG, and we are bringing in 5 very fresh players for 4 guys who had been underperforming and Wrecker (who is a big loss).

Swans have 3 talls up forward in Hall, O'Loughlin and Grundy, although O'Keefe does play tall, and Goodes tends to go forward on occasions. I think we can really stretch their defence, and if Dunn provides the link across half forward and Neitz can kick a few on Barry, we are a show.

Like the inclusion of Motlop too - he hasn't been in great form, but he is just the sort of guy who can pop up with 2 or 3 handy goals.

I'm not confident, but let's just thank all that's holy that we are on the MCG.

 

[rick James]

Just remember guys, the two players that ALWAYS carve up Sydney are still playing.

Brock and JMac own Sydney's midfield - remember last year when they combined for 20+ tackles?

Or earlier this year when Brock had 7 clearances in the first quarter before getting injured?

Trust me, TJ isn't as big an out against Sydney as he was against Carlton.

Sydney love the stoppages, but the fact is, we do as well.

Losing Whelan sucks, but with no Davis, he didn't really have a ready made matchup anyway (bar that cheat Schneider)

The reason we lost to CArlton is we didin't force enough stoppages, it killed us.

Jones could really suit in a game against Sydney, and Bate can break lines as good as anyone - those two could really be scheduled to "arrive" (If Bate didn't last week already).