Melbourne Discussion

[Purple 77]

Did you omit Dom Tyson just for me Barra? :P

I'm not sure the rest of the Melbourne faithful share my views  :-X

[Big Mac]

Dom Tyson definitely best 22 for me. Yes he may need a stint in the VFL to get into some form and reinforce the basics but he is still best 22.

[My Chumps]

Matt Jones still finding the pill across halfback. His disposal efficiency wasn't fantastic, I assume largely to the wind down in Tassie. Reckon he will have this role at least for the short to medium term?

Eh. He's not on top of the list of players I have a problem with, and seeing as Paul Roos has a direct line on my thoughts and feelings, I'd say he's safe for now  :P

Gee Dom Tyson used the ball well on the weekend :P

Now, wait just a minute.

Although that goal he did was sublime (right in front of me too!) as a result from equally sublime ruck work from Max Gawn, that was just one of 4 kicks, that's right, 4 kicks he did for the day.

Could that be playing within his limitations? Maybe, in which case I support that.

Would a fit Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw or Jack Trengove be preferred? Absolutely.

I think I recall him hitting someone lace out inside 50 at some stage down that end too! 4 kicks out of 20 is a touch concerning though.

[Barra13]

I am a big fan of Tyson, but believe he just needs to find a little bit of form. Include him as the other MID if you must.

[Purple 77]

I definitely believe Tyson has a future at Melbourne and when he is at his best, he is an auto-selection. I'd be devastated if he left Melbourne or anything like that.

Still, drop the guy. It'll do him good.

[Purple 77]

We're gonna miss Bernie this week  :-\ he killed against Collingwood twice last year.

God do I wanna win this match

[Barra13]

Seems that anyone that isn't battling an injury or isn't a rookie is in form at the moment. Good signs for the whole club. ANB could be getting a call up after his efforts.

Casey Scorpions 27.17 (179) d Frankston 5.5 (35)

“A lot of things went right for us and a lot of players played really well. It was a really good start to round one and the start of the season. We were dampened early by three significant injuries early in the game â€" and three Melbourne-listed players, so it was really disappointing that that happened. But there were a lot of winners on the night and there were a lot of players who played their role, which was really pleasing.” â€" Justin Plapp

Angus Brayshaw: It was a really, really solid game from Angus. He had 33 possessions and kicked two goals and went inside 50 seven times. Angus came back from the AFL and needed the run. We had the opportunity to give him some pretty big game time, which was something we wanted him to achieve. His work around the ball and contested work and his attack on the opposition was a real highlight. He certainly ticked a lot of boxes on the weekend.

Colin Garland: Col was solid. Like Angus, he came back from the AFL. Without starring, he played a really solid role in defence. He took a lot of strong contested marks. With a lot of younger players in the backline, he really organised and directed our defensive six really well, which was pleasing. He had 18 possessions and had seven marks, so without starring, he was solid.

Liam Hulett: It was probably Liam’s better games since he’s been drafted to the club. He’s a first year player and is learning his craft, so it’s going to take some time for him, as he’s come from under-18 level. We were really pleased with his output on the weekend. It was the first time he got into double-figure possessions, so he won a bit of the ball. He marked the ball strongly at times and kicked a goal, so it was an improvement on the past two or three weeks.

Jayden Hunt: I felt Hunty was one of our better players. He’s put two or three really solid weeks together in the VFL now, so he should be knocking on the door in the next few weeks. He had 30 possessions, playing a high defensive role, plus he linked up really well. Hunty also gave us plenty of dash and speed from opposition turnovers. We were really happy with his game and he’s coming along really well, so we were pleased with him.

Joel Smith: He’s a rookie in his first year at the club. Joel’s another who is improving week-by-week. He got exposed to a lot of game time on the weekend, because of our injuries. He’s a kid who plays with a lot of intensity and speed, plus he attacks the ball from the air. Joel’s another kid, who we’re not putting any pressure on, but it’s just about getting game time into him. We just want him to keep working on his craft. He had 19 possessions and took six marks, so for that role that he plays, he certainly had an impact.

Jay Kennedy-Harris: He played well up until he hurt his hamstring. Unfortunately, he had to go off the ground. Jay’s had a couple of setbacks over the past couple of months, in regards to injuries, so he just can’t get consistency with his footy at the moment. He’ll be assessed during the week to see where he’s at, but up until he got injured, he was playing his role.

Oscar McDonald: It was probably one of the better games I’ve seen Oscar play in the VFL. He was really strong in the contest and he defended well. He probably let himself down with his disposal at times and his efficiency by foot. For the role we wanted him to play, he certainly ticked a lot of boxes. He’s another one who has put another strong performance up and he’ll certainly come into the mix for senior selection.

Mitch King: He unfortunately did his knee in the match. Mitch only lasted half a quarter and unfortunately we didn’t see him again.

Viv Michie: I thought Viv was another one of our better players on the night. He played midfield and spent some time at half-back. He won 23 possessions and went inside 50 six times. He finished with two goals and his contest work was a highlight. His ability to use his hands around the contest and bring other players into the game was a real highlight.

Alex Neal-Bullen: He’s been pretty solid the past two weeks. Alex has had 30-plus touches for the past two matches. His work around the ball and his tackling was really strong. We were really, really happy with Alex. He’s put two solid weeks in at VFL level.

Cameron Pedersen: He was another who came back from the senior team and gained big numbers. Cam had 29 possessions and took six marks. The pleasing thing about him this week was that we were happy with the way that he competed, particularly forward. He had to go into the ruck when Mitch King when down with a knee injury. He gave us a really strong contest and worked to help our defenders as well. His effort was fantastic and he played a really good game.

Christian Petracca: Christian was solid again. He’s come back from a long layoff and it was his second game back. He increased his game time. We’re just letting him feel his way, as the most important thing for him is to build his tank, game time and his conditioning. He’s been able to do that the past two weeks. He’s got some things to work on, but in regards to playing his role, his ball-winning efforts and his ability to get out of tight situations, particularly around the footy â€" his game was a highlight. He also finished off his work well and pushed forward to kick three goals, so he was one of our better players.

Dean Terlich: I was really happy with Dean and so were the other coaches. They were really pleased with his performance on the weekend. Dean played his role, used it well when he had it and defended strongly. It was a credit to him, as he had a couple of weeks off, yet came back into the team and had a really good performance.

Jack Trengove: Trenners unfortunately was knocked out in the first two minutes of the game, so he took no further part in the game. He’ll be assessed later in the week in regards to whether he plays this week or not.

Sam Weideman: He’s going really well, this kid. He’s getting better each week. He kicked four goals. His contest and the way he attacks the ball is a real highlight and his one-on-one work against his direct opponent was also something that was the highlight of his game. Sam’s another first-year player who we hope will continue to improve week-by-week. He’s a terrific young kid who wants to keep learning and get better.

Mitch White: Whitey was good. He took some really good contested marks and some good intercept marks from the opposition. He’s certainly growing and developing and he played a good game. Mitch continues to work on his craft and is really clear on where he needs to get better.

[Purple 77]

The bad thing about winning really well, is that every player does well and you don't know if there performance was really good or just the benefit of winning by 144 points...

Still, love seeing the Weed kick a bag, Petraccattack building and Brayshaw getting his hands on the ball; something he hasn't really been able to do much at AFL level. Boy he makes them count, but I'm looking forward to the day he gets 25+ possessions at AFL.

[Barra13]

Got along to training this morning.  I believe the whole list was present save for Mitch King.

Arrived to see a "sore / tightness" group jogging slow laps comprising Viney, Kent, Salem, Vince, Terlich IIRC.

The rehab group consisted of JKH (hammy strapped) and Jeffy doing some quick hands handballing.  Jeffy later proceeded to walk a couple of laps and then disappear.  Not self evident that he'll be playing this week but perhaps just giving the ankle maximum rest.  Pencil must have been lurking there too somewhere as I saw him later on in the session walking around the boundary.

Oscar McDonald didn't participate in training and just jogged a few laps.

Training consisted of the usual skills sessions.  Highlights for me were: 1) Ben Newton looked sharp and must be close to a game with Casey; 2) Dawes participated fully and can't be far away; 3) Trengove showed no signs of any lingering impact from the hit out at Casey; 4) Petracca very enthusiastic and hit up Weed and others on a number of occasions with what's quickly becoming a trade-mark ie low, hard & accurate passes.....not quite Flash like but elements to be sure.; 5) a great camaraderie across the group with a high level of self assuredness ahead of what looms as a massive game against a backs to the wall Pies unit.

The other interesting facet was a couple of media outlets being present, including Stevo who stayed for the whole session.  So presumably a selection story brewing?

[Nige]

Max Gawn is a monster in the ruck. The man can get a hitout or two!

[Big Mac]

Max Gawn is a monster in the ruck. The man can get a hitout or two!

Destroyed Goldy imo

Goldy still better around the ground though

[Purple 77]

Max Gawn is a monster in the ruck. The man can get a hitout or two!

Destroyed Goldy imo

Goldy still better around the ground though

I really thought Gawn destroyed Goldy in general after quarter time.

But yeah, I'll have to admit he had a better overall game than Gawn credit to that insane first quarter.

[Barra13]

CHRISTIAN Petracca is "jumping out of his skin" to play but the former No.2 draft pick will have to wait, with Melbourne coach Paul Roos ruling out a debut against Collingwood on Sunday.

Taken at pick No.2 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, Petracca was sidelined for his entire first season after rupturing the ACL in his left knee in February last year.

After a lengthy rehabilitation, Petracca has been back playing competitive football for the past two weeks, dominating for VFL club Casey last weekend.

The 20-year-old midfielder gathered 28 disposals and kicked two goals in 85 minutes against Frankston, sparking suggestions he could be ready for an AFL debut.

Despite Petracca's impressive VFL performance, Roos said the youngster wasn't yet ready for senior selection.

"We think Christian is talented and coming back well from a knee reconstruction really well," Roos said on Thursday.

"But the reality is the jump up from VFL to AFL is fairly significant, so we'll continue to monitor him."

Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones said the 20-year-old was still "a couple of weeks away", but admitted the young midfielder was looking forward to eventually playing his first game for the Demons.

"He's one of the most excitable characters. You almost have to pull the reins on him because he's jumping out of his skin," Jones said.

"I love his confidence and I love his enthusiasm but I think he's aware he has to continue to work on getting his body 100 per cent and get that conditioning in.

"He really believes in himself and backs himself. I'm going to be pretty excited when he gets his chance. He's going to do some impressive things for us.

"We need to make sure we prepare him as best we can to live up to some of the hype so when he gets out there he can play his best footy."

Midfielder Angus Brayshaw could return to the senior side against the Pies this week with Bernie Vince suspended.

Goal sneak Jeff Garlett will need to get through training on Friday before he is cleared to play.

The small forward injured his ankle last week at training and consequently missed the loss to North Melbourne last Sunday.

[GoLions]

Any chance of a tag going to Cotchin this week?

[elephants]

Any chance of a tag going to Cotchin this week?

I'd think either N.Jones or Viney go head to head with him or Vince tags. Vince has been good this yr tho... Maybe Tommy Bugg tags him?