Strategy Round 1, 2014

[CTHORANGE]

So it's been a round of the underdogs getting up (well according to the bookies anyway), and for the first time in a long time we are the favourites, that'd be right.

 

[Bluelegs]

To be expected. Howe, Fitzy and JKH, you're up.

 

[Bluelegs]

So it's been a round of the underdogs getting up (well according to the bookies anyway), and for the first time in a long time we are the favourites, that'd be right.

Freo are underdogs?

Honestly three of four of the winners should have been starting favourites. Carlton are crap and Gold Coast have the wood over Richmond, plus they were always going to make another big step forward this year.

 

[CTHORANGE]

Freo are underdogs?

Honestly three of four of the winners should have been starting favourites. Carlton are crap and Gold Coast have the wood over Richmond, plus they were always going to make another big step forward this year.

No, obviously Freo were not underdogs, but 3 of 4 games missed by the punters is interesting. Like you I was surprised that Port were not favourites based on last years form, Gold Coast v Richmond seemed to me to be a 50 / 50, but now it's clearer how far Gold Coast have come over another pre season, should be a top 4 side somewhere within the next 2-5 years

 

[Topkent]

To be expected. Howe, Fitzy and JKH, you're up.

If Fitzy clunks everything and Howe does his usual then it still looks competitive, Hopefully Pedo clunks a couple and kicks 1 or 2 might get people off his back

 

[CTHORANGE]

If Fitzy clunks everything and Howe does his usual then it still looks competitive, Hopefully Pedo clunks a couple and kicks 1 or 2 might get people off his back

It's a chance for Fitz and Pedo to throw their hats in the ring and say to the coaches they can be best 22, it's a great opportunity for them. It also means we'll have one main ruckman, plus Fitz and Pedo as backups, provides some flexibility. Does St Kilda even have a genuine ruckman now? Might be an area we can look to expose.

 

[Bluelegs]

Lets not forget some of the great stuff fitzy did last year. Sure he makes a few mistakes but he can play when theres some belief in him. Remember the sydney and brisbane games last year. Big confidence player

 

[Topkent]

It's a chance for Fitz and Pedo to throw their hats in the ring and say to the coaches they can be best 22, it's a great opportunity for them. It also means we'll have one main ruckman, plus Fitz and Pedo as backups, provides some flexibility. Does St Kilda even have a genuine ruckman now? Might be an area we can look to expose.

They have the GWS reject and a couple of other young blokes Spencer has a really big chance to dominate a game in the middle for us and really get his season off to a big start with a midfield that should atleast break even with StKildas

Maybe play Gawn as well and try and really smash them in the middle

 

[CTHORANGE]

Lets not forget some of the great stuff fitzy did last year. Sure he makes a few mistakes but he can play when theres some belief in him. Remember the sydney and brisbane games last year. Big confidence player

Yeh Fity'z at that stage where he is usually too good for VFL footy, but not consistent enough / does not impact games enough at AFL level, has the ability, big year or 2 for him. Roosy work your magic!

 

[mrmonkey]

So it's been a round of the underdogs getting up (well according to the bookies anyway), and for the first time in a long time we are the favourites, that'd be right.

Even as a 'good' team in 04-06 we would lose to a bottom 4 team like Hawthorn and Carlton(in 06 Carlton had 3 wins 2 of them came against the dee's), and yet as a bottom 4 team we very rarely beat a 'good' team or any team.

 

[TheKanga]

Sorry to intrude, was just wondering if someone could tell me when your last win at Etihad was?

 

[CM Sean]

Nab Challenge v Tigers. lol

 

[Bluelegs]

Nab Challenge v Tigers. lol

Yeah lets go with that.

 

[mrmonkey]

It was so long ago man named Ben Holland was playing

 

[CM Sean]

Not sure where it was mentioned, but apparently Bernie Vince will be on The Footy Show this week.

 

[Blackas87]

I like Bernie

 

[Dory_77]

B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Alex Georgiou
C: Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones, Jack Watts
HF: Jack Viney, Jeremy Howe, Jack Trengove
F: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Toumpas
FOLL: Jake Spencer, Daniel Cross, Dom Tyson
INT: Viv Michie, Jordie McKenzie, Matt Jones
SUB: Sam Blease
From the AFL site. A reasonable side I think. Viney will probably be out given his lack of match fitness and injury on the weekend. I agree that Pedo should come in as another tall target. I think we've got a decent group of goal kicking mids (Vince, Jones, Watts, Trengove) to be able to support the forwards. The defence looks solid too and should be able to lock down their forwards.

For reference here is what they think St Kilda will go with:
B: James Gwilt, Luke Delaney, Sean Dempster
HB: Dylan Roberton, Sam Fisher, Jimmy Webster
C: Farren Ray, Clint Jones, Shane Savage
HF: Luke Dunstan, Nick Riewoldt, Rhys Stanley
F: Tom Curren, Beau Maister, Tom Lee
FOLL: Tom Hickey, David Armitage, Jarryn Geary
INT: Adam Schneider, Jack Newnes, Nathan Wright
SUB: Eli Templeton
Pretty sure Schneider is hurt though, so a change there. Doesn't look like an overly imposing side but as we know we've got a history of letting mediocre players win new contracts with games against us. We should get on top in the midfield which should go a long way towards us winning. We'll have to be accurate in front of goal though. We can't dominate play but waste it on the scoreboard. Will be a close game but I think we should get up.

Were there any reports from the Casey game about how some of the fringe guys went?

 

[Demon 16]

Didnt see any official reports Dory, but I read that Gawn looked ok but tired towards the end, and Jetta was our best player in a side that got soundly beaten.

Evans and Clisby did their jobs but most other Melbourne players (Tapscott, Strauss, Kent etc) were pretty uninspiring.

Viney was the bad news of the day as he went off with concussion at a reasonably early stage (and didnt return) I believe.

So yeh your comments seem pretty spot on to me, probably Viney out, and Clisby in.

 

[Captain Jack]

I think it's encouraging that the side named above at least has some midfielders on the bench. They may not be fantastic but shit it's better than previously having multitudes of flankers and sub options rounding out the 22 .

 

[Dory_77]

I'd also maybe swap McKenzie for Bail. He looked good in the NAB games as a forward/winger so probably deserves to be rewarded for that form.

 

[CM Sean]

This I LOVE:

COACH Paul Roos says there’s no chance Melbourne will take its season opener lightly, when it takes on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium this Saturday night

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-03-17/st-kilda-will-be-no-easy-contest-roos

 

[schmutttt]

You can't take games lightly when you're coming off a two win season and % of 56...

 

[Tulip]

Pedersen in for Viney

 

[wowlace]

No, obviously Freo were not underdogs, but 3 of 4 games missed by the punters is interesting. Like you I was surprised that Port were not favourites based on last years form, Gold Coast v Richmond seemed to me to be a 50 / 50, but now it's clearer how far Gold Coast have come over another pre season, should be a top 4 side somewhere within the next 2-5 years

Just shows how ****ing stupid gamblers are. I see one upset so far.

 

[Dez!]

Spencer despite not being the modern day type of mobile ruckman he should physically manhandle the Saints ruck division, Spencer becomes so important this week.

Also I know he was being redeployed in the midfield this year but should Watts spend a fair chunk of time up forward on Saturday night?