Round 15 Changes/Thoughts - Brisbane

[CaptainDavey]

Now bag me all you like but tomorrow I depart for Mr. Buller Which is odd, the theory goes that we flock to the snow when we lose. Ah nonetheless, I always seem to head up there when we play the Lions. As usual though, I will be basking in pride and the self-fulfilling prophecy that is a Melbourne supporter going to the snow by wearing my jersey around the place, scarf and all

Yet again, this is our 'home' game up at the Gabba which automatically extinguishes any real hope we have of coming away with a win up there. Unless you were living under a rock you would have heard that Lions (Or Fitzroy if you will) not only beat the Eagles, but defeated them convincingly, moreso than when the Saints won over there. So as you'd expect, the Lions would be riding a tidal wave of confidence at the moment which could be their driving momentum or could force them into complacency, which is good news for us! That said, I don't think the longest road trip in the AFL will affect Brisbane all that much either.

The bad news for us is that the likes of Brown, Lappin and Black have all hit top gear in form the week before they play us. If we're gonna play the kids again which I hope we will, Bomber is gonna have a hell of time trying to negate these monsters. Anyone like the idea of Frawley on Brown? That's a baptism of fire if I've ever heard of one! Spud did alright against Waite, so I think give him a crack on Brown, if not chuck Carroll onto him. On the plus side, the man who tends to murder us and our defence; Bradshaw, is not playing due to a season ending knee injury. Akermanis usually dismantles us so it's a good thing he's moved on as well.

Along with the previous 3 mentioned of Brown, Lappin and Black, Brennan and Drummond are in a great vein of form at the moment and should be put under the microscope. Power is another player who deserves a lot of attention given his ability.

Selection wise, Ricky will be out for quite some time as reports suggest. The club has this current injury list:
David Neitz - Hamstring - Test
Ricky Petterd - Collapsed lung - TBA
Cameron Bruce - Hamstring soreness - Test
Nathan Carroll - Concussion - Test
Travis Johnstone - Achilles - 2 weeks
Brad Green - Knee - 2 weeks
Daniel Bell - Hamstring - 1-2 weeks
Jared Rivers - Groin - Season
Matthew Whelan - Ankle - Season
Adem Yze - Hernia - Season
Clint Bartram - Knee - Season

Going by that, I wouldn't mind seeing Pickett come in for Ricky, that's if he's got his shit together. Looking at the club list, we're running out of stocks big time. I'd love to see Weetra and Neville before the year is out. But at this stage I can only see one real change in the team for Brisbane as everyone played considerably well against the Blues...And we shouldn't drop Miller for when he goes back home! C'mon...He did alright...

Out: Petterd
In: Pickett

 

[dutchy12]

Good write up. Everything is spot on. Hopefully Brucey can come back in and continue to try and win his first B & F.

I'm looking forward to seeing how McLean responds from 3 quiet weeks in comparison to his usual high standards. I imagine copeland will go to him ormaybe he'll be given a run with job on Lappin.

Also Sylvia seems to play awesome at the Gabba so maybe he'll making a singificant contribuiton in his rise to becoming a star of the game

 

[demonman]

The team played well on Sunday. I totally agree with the notion to bring in Pickett. I would also keep him next year. A genuine match winner.

Unfortunately C Johnson played one of his worst games on the w/end. I think that was one of his last chances. He needs to make way for Bruce.

 

[CaptainDavey]

The team played well on Sunday. I totally agree with the notion to bring in Pickett. I would also keep him next year. A genuine match winner.

Unfortunately C Johnson played one of his worst games on the w/end. I think that was one of his last chances. He needs to make way for Bruce.

I agree on the count of Johnson but for the sake of his development I reckon he should get one more crack against the Lions. But of course, this is dependent on whether Bruce is fit enough to play or not. The poor kid CJ is in and out of the team, he needs a chance to settle and this is the perfect opportunity

 

[The Great Gabsby]

Should be some interesting matchups on the weekend.

Black - J mac
Power - Godfrey
Lappin - Maybe Bruce(if hes back) as a run with...don't think anyone else has the tank to go with him....
Brown - Half our defense
Brennan - Frawley

and perhaps a defensive forward on one of jed adcock/josh drummond. They seem to rely on these two for a lot of their drive and they can be quite damaging if given enough space.

 

[Bateanator]

Oh yay, the home away from home match. Considering we have an average losing margin of these games by 10 goals+ i dont really hold that much hope. No idea what we're gonna do about Brown, and then Lappin (who peaks just for us) and Black. At least there's no Bradshaw.

Looking for some inspiring match-winning footy from Robbo, and killer games from Macca, Sylvia, Carrol, and Bate to topple these confident Lions (thanks West Coast).

 

[Gouga]

Bruce must be first in line to come in. If he is not right it will be Pickett.

Ferguson or Warnock to replace Carroll if he doesn't get right, which i think he will.

B: Bizzell, Carroll, Frawley
HB: Brown, Miller, Ward
C: Buckley, McDonald, Wheatley
HF: Bate, Dunn, Sylvia
F: Davey, Newton, Robertson
R: White, Jones, McLean
I/C: Bruce, Godfrey, C Johnson, P Johnson

 

[dutchy12]

MELBOURNE

B: Daniel Ward, Nathan Carroll, James Frawley
HB: Lynden Dunn, Clint Bizzell, Nathan Brown
C: Paul Wheatley, James McDonald, Cameron Bruce
HF: Simon Godfrey, Russell Robertson, Aaron Davey
F: Colin Sylvia, Brad Miller, Matthew Bate
FOLL: Jeff White, Brock McLean, Nathan Jones
I/C: Paul Johnson, Chris Johnson, Michael Newton, Simon Buckley
EMG: Colin Garland, Brent Moloney, Ben Holland

In: Bruce
Out: Petterd (punctured lung)

From Mfc.com.au

 

[shanrew5]

I reckon Miller should play on Brown. Hes the only one that has the strength to go one on one with him and give him a real test to see how good he is down back. perfect chance to show what hes got

 

[devil demon]

i wonder why moloney is an emergency

 

[15Petterd15]

If I was Riley I'd have my team like this...

B Brown Carroll Ward
HB Frawley Bizzel Wheatley
C Davey Bruce McDonald
HF Sylvia Newton Bate
F Miller Robertson Godfrey
R White McLean Jones
I/C P. Johnson Moloney Dunn Buckley
EM Garland Holland C.Johnson

 

[stickman11]

If I was Riley I'd have my team like this...

B Brown Carroll Ward
HB Frawley Bizzel Wheatley
C Davey Bruce McDonald
HF Sylvia Newton Bate
F Miller Robertson Godfrey
R White McLean Jones
I/C P. Johnson Moloney Dunn Buckley
EM Garland Holland C.Johnson

What did CJ do wrong last game?

 

[jhgoat]

hows michael newton going? I need to trade Alwyn Davey for a player who is worth a little amount but will still plays games, if needed to come in a replace a injured player later in the year.

so do you see him playing out the year in the ones?

 

[Bartram_Class]

hows michael newton going? I need to trade Alwyn Davey for a player who is worth a little amount but will still plays games, if needed to come in a replace a injured player later in the year.

so do you see him playing out the year in the ones?

Definitely and he will get better and better.

 

[Trams]

Should be some interesting matchups on the weekend.

Black - J mac
Power - Godfrey
Lappin - Maybe Bruce(if hes back) as a run with...don't think anyone else has the tank to go with him....
Brown - Half our defense
Brennan - Frawley

and perhaps a defensive forward on one of jed adcock/josh drummond. They seem to rely on these two for a lot of their drive and they can be quite damaging if given enough space.

I think one we need to watch is Notting probably had one of his best years. Great kick for goal on the run outside 50 and has a huge leap, we wont want to let him go unchecked. Any ideas who he might get.

 

[notting18]

I think one we need to watch is Notting probably had one of his best years. Great kick for goal on the run outside 50 and has a huge leap, we wont want to let him go unchecked. Any ideas who he might get.

Notting has been on form, but is more likely to float in and out of the game -not as damaging as others at the moment. Watch him early though cause he starts quickly.

 

[footyfan_25]

i wonder why moloney is an emergency

Possible late change for Bruce??

Did Bruce make the flight to Brisbane?

 

[Bartram_Class]

Bruce won't be playing, according to KB on SEN who seemed pretty sure on the matter.

Moloney or Holland to come in I reckon.

 

[CaptainDavey]

Back from the snow!

It seriously does surprise me that Moloney is considered. I was under the impression that his season was all but over. Nonetheless, it would be good to see Beamer running around again, he's a quality player

Yeah, I see us getting screwed big time by the Lions. But if we win, I won't complain!

 

[footyfan_25]

Bruce won't be playing, according to KB on SEN who seemed pretty sure on the matter.

Moloney or Holland to come in I reckon.

Why would KB be in the know?

 

[Bartram_Class]

Why would KB be in the know?

He'd have access to people who'd know who made the trip up to Brisbane, if Bruce didn't travel, its a fair clue.

 

[old_clint]

He'd have access to people who'd know who made the trip up to Brisbane, if Bruce didn't travel, its a fair clue.

The Australian suggests that Garland is the substitute.

 

[Bartram_Class]

The Australian suggests that Garland is the substitute.

Good move IMO, more of the young kids getting a go. Garland got a rough go in Rd. 4 as it was, deserves his opportunity.

 

[Mr Hard Ball Get]

garland in bruce out

 

[Supermercado]

What in the name of **** is going on? I finally managed to extract myself from some crackhead taxi driver and find an internet cafe to find that Brown is going to be the latest member of the "kick a massive bag against us in Brisbane" club.

Can't wait for the death of this farcical fixture.