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Injuries

Early warning signs: Team projections for Round 1 2009 AFL season, version 7.0

R1 team projections, v7.0

Injuries to key players are opening up spots in depth charts all over the AFL, as opening weekend looms.

I am including injury, suspension and retirement lists for each team, including the four official additions to the long term injury (LTI) list. Keep in mind that these are all projected for round 1, so that some who are currently injured are not included because I expect them to recover in a fortnight’s time.

Richmond
FB: Jordan McMahon, Will Thursfield, Kelvin Moore
HB: Chris Newman, Luke McGuane, Andrew Raines
C: Matthew Richardson, Shane Tuck, Richard Tambling
HF: Joel Bowden, Jack Riewoldt, Brett Deledio
FF: Mitch Morton, Jay Schulz, Nathan G. Brown
Fol: Troy Simmonds, Nathan Foley, Daniel Jackson
Int: Angus Graham, Matt White, Dean Polo, Ben Cousins

In: Schulz, Cousins
Out: Cleve Hughes, Shane Edwards
Iffy: Cousins, White, Polo, Tambling
Waiting: Edwards, Adam Thomson, Jake King, Adam Pattison
Injured: Graham Polak, Trent Cotchin, Mark Coughlan, Kane Johnson, Hughes

Alright, alright, alright. Cuz gets his spot, you lot in the comments can lay off now. Quite apart from his excellent outing against the Lions in the NAB Challenge game, a training report published on One-Eyed Richmond swayed me more than anything that the Shane Edwards experiment at half back is over, and that Cousins is a lock in the 22… for one round at least. “Steamer” Hughes has been sporting the increasingly popular fashion accessory for the style-conscious footballer – the moonboot – and Schulz gets a reprieve to allow him to stink up the Richmond goalsquare. Graham had a stinker himself in the Brisbane praccy, but he’s already got the Terry Wallace seal of approval so Pattison will have to wait in the magoos. Polo is probably the most at risk in this 22, with Thomson still having a claim to that last bench spot. With Foley’s knee knock on the weekend, Thomson is a lock for the emergencies at least, and is every chance to be a late inclusion if Axel doesn’t come up.

Carlton
FB: Chris Johnson, Michael Jamison, Bret Thornton
HB: Paul Bower, Jarrad Waite, Heath Scotland
C: Shaun Grigg, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Matthew Kreuzer, Andrew Walker
FF: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Chris Yarran
Fol: Cameron Cloke, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy
Int: Shaun Hampson, Richard Hadley, Jordan Russell, Mitch Robinson

In: Russell
Out: Adam Bentick
Iffy: Scotland, Hadley, Russell, Robinson
Waiting: Dennis Armfield, Simon Wiggins, Sam Jacobs, Brad Fisher
Injured: Andrew Carrazzo, Robert Warnock (LTI list)
Suspended: Setanta O’hAilpin, Nick Stevens

Bentick is still struggling to recover from last year’s knee problems. Scotland is still underdone, with Armfield eying his spot. The biggest question mark for me, however, is on Yarran and Robinson. I had thought a week ago that Robinson was locked in and Yarran just needed to maintain fitness to be selected, but after a week of speculation by Blues supporters I’m not so sure. A lot of fan 22s contain one of the two draftees but not both, and some include neither. Then again, a fair few of them also have Fevola, Kreuzer, Cloke and Fisher all in the same forward line, which is way too tall. The Blues have struggled in recent years with forward pressure, due to a lack of small forwards chasing their opponents as they rebound from halfback to set up coast-to-coast goals. Betts needs help, that much is clear, so to my mind Carlton need to have Yarran at the very least to give Betts some assistance, if not also Robinson and maybe even Wiggins or Garlett as well. Fisher is the odd man out due to lack of match practice, though at least he’s had more of a run than Kreuzer. I’m still of the opinion that Carlton need Cloke in the ruck, to give at least token resistance. I could see Kreuzer out for Jacobs with Cloke slotted into CHF, though. At least we’ll have these teams to peruse on Wednesday week.

Hawthorn Hawks Training Session

Hawthorn
FB: Brent Guerra, Robert Campbell, Campbell Brown
HB: Luke Hodge, Thomas Murphy, Grant Birchall
C: Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Clinton Young
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Mitch Thorp
FF: Mark Williams, Jarryd Roughead, Michael Osborne
Fol: Simon Taylor, Brad Sewell, Travis Tuck
Int: Brent Renouf, Stuart Dew, Brendan Whitecross, Cameron Stokes

In: Whitecross, Stokes
Out: Ben McGlynn, Jarryd Morton
Iffy: Campbell, Hodge, Brown, Birchall
Waiting: Morton, Beau Dowler, Josh P. Kennedy, Garry Moss
Injured: Trent Croad, Xavier Ellis, Tim Boyle, Rick Ladson, Stephen Gilham, Jordan Lewis, McGlynn

McGlynn was rocking the moonboot on Friday as well, according to one source, though another said he had splints on. Either way, he’s out of the race for round 1. Whitecross had a good outing on a half back flank in the Eagles game, so at the moment he’s bobbed his head in front of the large pack. Be warned, however, that Whitecross is likely to be first out when the senior players start trickling back in by round 3. I didn’t particularly like Morton’s game all that much on Friday, and the news of Hunt’s injury at Geelong seals it for me: Stokes is a better matchup to exploit the holes in the Cats aging defence. Doesn’t hurt that the coach likes the kid either. Thorp has that third tall position locked in for the moment, though judging on Friday’s structure it will not be lucrative for fantasy purposes, as Thorp’s instructions seemed to be to let Buddy run past him up the ground, and then watch the ball sail over his head. Dowler is an outside chance at a defensive spot if the Hawks hierarchy don’t want to entrust the ruck to the Taylor/Renouf tandem, or if Campbell’s multitudinous ailments catch up with him. Hodge, Brown and Birchall should all play.

Geelong
FB: David Johnson, Harry Taylor, Darren Milburn
HB: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright
C: Joel Corey, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
FF: Ryan Gamble, Tom Lonergan, Mathew Stokes
Fol: Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett jnr, Cameron Ling
Int: Mark Blake, Simon Hogan, James Kelly, Max Rooke

In: Kelly, D. Johnson
Out: Josh Hunt, David Wojcinski
Iffy: Johnson, Hogan, Gamble, Milburn
Waiting: Wojcinski, Jeremy Laidler, Dan McKenna, Tom Hawkins
Injured: Matthew Egan, Tom Harley, Hunt

Hunt’s injury is going to hurt the Cats, no question. David Johnson is a like-for-like swap, though at this stage of his career it’s a bad sign if he is playing in the ones. There are other options available to the Cats: moving Enright to Hunt’s role and rotating Corey and Bartel through Enright’s position; shifting Lonergan back and using Hawkins up front; or blooding a kid like McKenna or Laidler. On the downside: none of the draftees have the kicking skills of Hunt; Lonergan should be kicking goals instead of the unfit Tomahawk; and robbing from the midfield would leave Geelong short in other areas. Whichever way the Cats hierarchy goes, something is going to have to be sacrificed. In the short term, they’re going to have a devil of a time finding a matchup for Rioli in round 1, which is why I’ve plumped for the genuine defender option. Wojcinski’s fitness is also an issue, which is why Kelly gets a reprieve.

Collingwood
FB: Ben Reid, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Heath Shaw, Nathan J. Brown, Harry O’Brien
C: Nick Maxwell, Scott Pendlebury, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Leon Davis, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
FF: Dale Thomas, John Anthony, Paul Medhurst
Fol: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Dane Swan
Int: Cameron Wood, Marty Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham

In: Medhurst
Out: Anthony Corrie
Iffy: Reid, Wellingham, Johnson, Medhurst
Waiting: Shannon Cox, Chris Bryan, Dayne Beams, Steele Sidebottom
Injured: Anthony Rocca, Sean Rusling

Medhurst seems to have recovered to the point where he can play, though his touch may take a little longer. Corrie has disappointed me greatly this preseason. I still can’t quite find a spot for Beams or Sidebottom, with Beams still far more favoured to get a round 1 gig. One possibility might be Clarke moving into Reid’s spot in the backline, leaving a bench spot open, though with Adelaide looking like starting three genuine tall forwards, Reid will probably be needed. Sorry folks, I can’t find a hole big enough elsewhere to squeeze in Beams while the entire senior midfield brigade is fit. Malthouse needs to win early while his team is up, so he will probably not want to gamble.

AFL Rd 16 - Adelaide v Western Bulldogs

Adelaide
FB: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Scott Stevens
HB: Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bock, Jared Petrenko
C: David Mackay, Scott Thompson, Chris Knights
HF: Jarrhan Jacky, Trent Hentschel, Richard Douglas
FF: Tyson Edwards, Kurt Tippett, Taylor Walker
Fol: Ivan Maric, Simon Goodwin, Brent Reilly
Int: Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Bernie Vince, Andy Otten

In: Walker, Otten, Jacky, Hentschel
Out: Nick Gill, Nathan Van Berlo, Patrick Dangerfield, Brad Moran
Iffy: Rutten, Tippett, Petrenko, Otten
Waiting: Moran, Dangerfield, Aaron Kite, Brodie Martin
Injured: Brett Burton, Brad Symes, Greg Gallman, Jason Porplyzia, Van Berlo, James Moss

For better or worse, Neil Craig has committed to both Hentschel and Jacky, while Otten’s NAB Challenge form is demanding selection and all you Walker fans will finally get your wish. Another word of caution: note that there is still no Griffin in this 22, and with Moran likely to be squeezed out, the Crows are going to need some cover for Maric in the ruck. The way I see this playing out is that Hentschel holds down centre half forward against Brown, while Tippett rotates from full forward to ruck with Walker only getting time on ground (TOG) at full forward when Tippett isn’t there. Apart from the TOG concerns endemic to draftees playing in Craig-coached sides, standing at full back will be the formidable Simon Prestigiacomo. No, I’m not joking. Presti has quietly had an outstanding preseason, and I expect him to almost completely nullify whoever is in the goal square with him.

Brisbane
FB: Joel Patfull, Daniel Merrett, Joel Macdonald
HB: Josh Drummond, Lachie Henderson, Jed Adcock
C: Tim Notting, Bradd Dalziell, Travis Johnstone
HF: Luke Power, Jonathan Brown, Ashley McGrath
FF: Mitch Clark, Daniel Bradshaw, Scott Harding
Fol: Matthew Leuenberger, Simon Black, Michael Rischitelli
Int: Tom Collier, Albert Proud, Troy Selwood, Daniel Rich

In: Proud, Harding
Out: Jared Brennan, Rhan Hooper
Iffy: Black, Proud, Harding, Rich
Waiting: Justin Sherman, Jason Roe, Cheynee Stiller, Hooper
Injured: Jamie Charman, Pat Garner, Todd Banfield, Daniel Murray, Joel Tippett, Sam Sheldon, Brennan

I have some bad news for you. Rich may not be the lock in this 22 that you all think he is. Brisbane fans over on BigFooty are currently devising 22 after fan 22 with no Rich to be seen. I think they may just be doing it to make us fantasy coaches cry. It must be said, though, that Brennan’s injury eases a lot of the pressure, and Black is no guarantee to be ready in time either. Wouldn’t it be the final kick in the head for all of us who bought Proud last year if he’s the one who tips out Rich this year? As for Hooper, he missed not only the weekend game but also training during the week, with no word from the club as to why. Until I hear of him attending training again, I’m assuming he’s gone AWOL again and Harding’s solid preseason will be rewarded instead.

West Coast
FB: Brett Jones, Darren Glass, Mark Nicoski
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Adam Selwood
C: Brent Staker, Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten
HF: David Wirrpanda, Ashley Hansen, Andrew Embley
FF: Ben McKinley, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Fol: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Tyson Stenglein
Int: Mark Seaby, Sam Butler, Brad Ebert, Chad Fletcher

In: nil
Out: nil
Iffy: Hansen, Embley, Ebert, Masten
Waiting: Josh J. Kennedy, Matt Rosa, Eric Mackenzie, Matt Spangher
Injured: Beau Waters, Adam Hunter, Nick Naitanui, Patrick McGinnity, Luke Shuey

Masten’s cramp at the end of the Friday game shouldn’t scare you off him, though Rosa did a few nice things and he could conceivably replace Masten, Ebert or Fletcher in this side. Cox is apparently going to be carrying a broken cheekbone during the season after a knock in the proto-Derby. Good old Coxy, he’s not happy unless some bone of his is sticking out of his skin! Hansen looked completely awful on Friday, so if Kennedy shows anything like match fitness then the Eagles hierarchy would be crazy not to play him instead. They seem to have a blind spot where Hansen is concerned, unfortunately.

St Kilda
FB: Xavier Clarke, Zac Dawson, Farren Ray
HB: Raphael Clarke, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna
HF: Jason Blake, Nick Riewoldt, Sam Gilbert
FF: Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Adam Schneider
Fol: Steven King, Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball
Int: Michael Gardiner, Jarryn Geary, Steven Baker, Colm Begley

In: Clarke, Begley, Dawson
Out: Max Hudghton, Matt Maguire, David Armitage
Iffy: Gram, X. Clarke, Baker, Begley
Waiting: Clinton Jones, Andrew McQualter, Leigh Fisher, Tom Lynch
Injured: Hudghton, Maguire, Armitage, Jarryd Allen, Sean Dempster, Robert Eddy

Hudghton picked up a hamstring injury in the weekend’s NAB Challenge game against Port, while Saint fans have admitted to themselves that Goose Maguire is many weeks away from full fitness. The latest fan 22s all have Dawson at full back, with one even sticking Blake at CHB! That’s what they drafted Dawson for, I suppose, and they have one rookie elevation spot available even if they don’t put Allen on the LTI list. It does put into question the premium status of Sam Fisher, if he is called upon to play a more defensive game. Armitage has a 2-4 week hamstring strain, Xavier Clarke picked up a niggle himself on the weekend, while Gram has had an almost non-existent preseason. With Koschitzke struggling at training with soft tissue issues, Riewoldt underdone and King now suffering minor ailments, it’s lucky for St Kilda that they have an extremely soft schedule in the first month of the season. By the way, he’s not listed above, but word from training is that Jack Steven is burning up the track, so don’t be surprised if he turns into an Eddy-style fantasy midfield rookie worth picking up.

Sydney
FB: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Craig Bolton, Paul Bevan
HB: Nick Malceski, Ted Richards, Martin Mattner
C: Amon Buchanan, Brett Kirk, Rhyce Shaw
HF: Jarred Moore, Ryan O’Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh
FF: Patrick Veszpremi, Barry Hall, Heath Grundy
Fol: Darren Jolly, Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes
Int: Jesse White, Craig Bird, Ed Barlow, Kieren Jack

In: nil
Out: nil
Iffy: White, Grundy, Shaw, Bird
Waiting: Mike Pyke, Jared Crouch, Daniel O’Keefe, Ryan Brabazon
Injured: Leo Barry (LTI list), Daniel Currie, Henry Playfair, Tim Schmidt, Michael O’Loughlin, Luke Ablett, Campbell Heath
Retired: Tadhg Kennelly, Nic Fosdike

Paul Roos was quoted on the weekend as saying that four spots in this 22 were still up for grabs, but who is he kidding? He’s barely got 22 fit blokes to pick in the first place. Sydney’s depth is almost non-existent even at this early point.

Melbourne
FB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Colin Garland
HB: Brad Green, Jared Rivers, Jack Grimes
C: Matthew Bate, Brock McLean, Cale Morton
HF: Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Austin Wonaeamirri
FF: Colin Sylvia, Michael Newton, Lynden Dunn
Fol: Paul Johnson, James McDonald, Nathan Jones
Int: Jake Spencer, Simon Buckley, Brent Moloney, Clint Bartram

In: Spencer, Wonaeamirri, Newton
Out: Mark Jamar, Aaron Davey, Matthew Whelan
Iffy: Rivers, Whelan, Bartram, Dunn
Waiting: Matthew Warnock, John Meesen, Neville Jetta, Rohan Bail
Injured: Jamar (LTI list), Davey, Whelan, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Daniel Bell

Wona has miraculously recovered to be back on track for round 1, while Jamar will be put on the LTI list to promote Spencer – which is as stark an indictment of Meesen’s abilities as you could get. Newton had an impressive first half against the Bulldogs which puts him back in the frame, though you get the feeling that he’s only shown just enough enthusiasm and no more. Dean Bailey was quoted as saying that he would “lose” all three of the injured players from the NAB game – Bell, Davey and Petterd – though apart from Bell’s broken thumb the other two didn’t sound like their injuries were all that bad. Petterd was used at full forward in that game, a sign of desperation to find a place in the Demons structure for him. Full forward is not it. Meanwhile, Warnock is very close to getting into this side, and probably will if Bartram’s report for front-on contact to Giansiracusa results in a suspension.

Kangaroos Training Session

North Melbourne
FB: Daniel Pratt, Nathan Grima, Josh Gibson
HB: Scott D. Thompson, Lachie Hansen, Gavin Urquhart
C: Michael Firrito, Adam Simpson, Daniel Wells
HF: Matt Campbell, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
FF: Corey Jones, David Hale, Jack Ziebell
Fol: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Brent Harvey
Int: Liam Anthony, Sam Power, Scott McMahon, Leigh Harding

In: Thompson, Anthony, Grima
Out: Jesse W. Smith, Daniel Harris, Andrew Swallow
Iffy: Jones, Power, McMahon, Harding
Waiting: Swallow, Harris, Josh Smith, Ed Lower
Injured: Robbie Tarrant, J. W. Smith
Suspended: Aaron Edwards (club)

Dean Laidley is playing silly buggers. Surprise surprise! He left Harris out of the squad for the NAB game against Essendon for no good discernible reason. Oh well, if he focuses his implacable evil on Harris and not Ziebell or Anthony, fantasy coaches will be happy. As with Carlton, the worry here is that the two draftees are fighting for a single spot in the 22, a battle which Anthony would be leading based on his preseason numbers. As for Smith, time to cut bait on this kid from a fantasy perspective. Same goes with those of you who were still holding a candle for Swallow. As for Grima, he has played in both NAB Challenge games for DT scores of 19 and 39, so even if the Roos do decide to commit to the kid at full back coming off his ACL last year, he looks like being a Nathan J. Brown type for DT (though I look forward to seeing his SC scores).

Port Adelaide
FB: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Paul Stewart
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Troy Chaplin, Nathan Krakouer
C: Travis Boak, Domenic Cassisi, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Justin Westhoff, Danyle Pearce
FF: Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
Fol: Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Brendon Lade, Josh Carr, Steven Salopek, Robbie Gray

In: nil
Out: nil
Iffy: Stewart, Gray, Krakouer, Salopek
Waiting: Wade Thompson, Jacob Surjan, Marlon Motlop, Toby Thurstans
Injured: Jackson Trengove (LTI list)

Gray’s three goals on the weekend has him just in front of Thompson at this late stage. Mark Williams loves him some flashy indigenous boys, nevertheless. The choice between Surjan and Stewart is equally even.

Essendon
FB: Sam Lonergan, Dustin Fletcher, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Adam McPhee, Patrick Ryder, Andrew Lovett
C: Hayden Skipworth, Jobe Watson, Bachar Houli
HF: Jay Neagle, Scott Gumbleton, Leroy Jetta
FF: Alwyn Davey, Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas
Fol: David Hille, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh
Int: Tom Bellchambers, Angus Monfries, Jay Nash, Jason Winderlich

In: Winderlich
Out: David Myers
Iffy: Gumbleton, Dempsey, Lonergan, Nash
Waiting: Ricky Dyson, Michael Hurley, Tayte Pears, Heath Hocking
Injured: Andrew Welsh, Jason Laycock, Brent Prismall, Kyle Reimers, Myers

The saga of Scott Gumbleton’s back-related-hamstring problem, which is the subject of a hilarious and scary 24-page thread over on BomberBlitz, looks like continuing all the way up to the start of the season. As far as I can tell, in between a lot of miscommunications and outright lies, Gumby has suffered a three-week hamstring injury which is part of a chronic issue that will have to be managed through the season, if not his career. Meanwhile, Neagle has a chronic ankle problem, though he returned this weekend with a creditable performance against the Kangaroos. Myers picked up a knock that will see him out for round 1 but back soon after, allowing Winderlich to profit from his impressive preseason form.

Fremantle
FB: Chris Tarrant, Antoni Grover, Marcus Drum
HB: Paul Hasleby, Michael Johnson, Roger Hayden
C: Garrick Ibbotson, Byron Schammer, Stephen Hill
HF: Ryan Murphy, Matthew Pavlich, Daniel Gilmore
FF: Kepler Bradley, Luke McPharlin, David Mundy
Fol: Aaron Sandilands, Rhys Palmer, Ryan Crowley
Int: Brett Peake, Scott Thornton, Steven Dodd, Clayton Hinkley

In: Thornton, Murphy
Out: Des Headland, Chris Mayne
Iffy: Thornton, Hinkley, Dodd, Murphy
Waiting: Nick Suban, Greg Broughton, Josh Head, Michael Walters
Injured: Headland, Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne, Andrew Foster, Andrew Browne, Adam Campbell, Paul Duffield, Brock O’Brien, Matthew DeBoer, Clancee Pearce, Ben Bucovaz
Suspended: Dean Solomon

What a dog’s breakfast the Fremantle list has become. Their injury list is worse than Hawthorn’s was last week, and it will get to Essendon-of-08 levels if it keeps on going like this. Apparently the Docker gameplan in the game against Carlton in Bunbury on the weekend was to play all the forwards in the backline and all the defenders forward. Newsflash: that’s what they’re planning for round 1 as well! Tarrant on Fevola didn’t work at all, but it seems Mark Harvey is determined not to play him in the forward line, even with all of his other genuine forwards injured. Murphy showed terrible form in the preseason but he’s all they’ve got left. Suban and/or Broughton are every chance to replace any of the bench players in this 22, though it wasn’t good to hear that Suban got a knock to the shoulder in Bunbury.

Western Bulldogs
FB: Andrejs Everitt, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Dale Morris, Tim Callan
C: Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross, Nathan Eagleton
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Daniel Giansiracusa
FF: Shaun Higgins, Brad Johnson, Jason Akermanis
Fol: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Matthew Boyd
Int: Will Minson, Jarrod Harbrow, Dylan Addison, Josh Hill

In: Callan, Akermanis
Out: Jarrad Grant, Callan Ward
Iffy: Eagleton, Everitt, Hill, Callan
Waiting: Ward, Grant, Sam Reid, Stephen Tiller
Injured: Tom Williams

Bulldog fans are united in leaving Grant out of their 22s for round 1, so I can’t argue with that even though he might still be battling with Hill for that last spot. Dog supporters also like Callan as part of the starting back six, and Aker to play even though he is lacking match fitness in recovery from his calf problems. Plenty of Bulldogs are going to be underdone for round 1, including Murphy, Cooney and Everitt.

This post took out all of my Saturday. I had to trawl through endless forum threads filled with gloom, backbiting, lying, swearing, insults, and invites to real life fights. And that was just on BomberBlitz! Seriously, those guys need at least a decade of learning how the other half live. Anyway, I expect you all to shower me with praise and affection seeing as I’ve given you all what you want: Cousins, Kelly and Walker all starting. I’m sure you’ll find something else to pick fault with in the comments. Have at it!

192 Comments

192 Comments

  1. Brad

    March 18, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Ben, Haselby.
    I am hoping that Beams might keep Wellingham out of the side for a while at least.

  2. bo

    March 18, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    Grimes out, Cale morton in. Shuffle as required.

  3. Ben

    March 18, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    i hope s’bottom and beams get a few games by the way

  4. Ben

    March 18, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    who do ou think will be the best cheap forward john anthony and jack riewoldt or who
    Cheers

  5. Brad

    March 18, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Ben, do you wear a big purple fluffy over coat, a big white top hat and carry a cane like the other pimps?

  6. Brad

    March 19, 2009 at 12:27 am

    Rumour coming from Arden Street is that Jesse W Smith is fit and ready for round 1!

  7. Brad

    March 19, 2009 at 12:35 am

    Monty, you can lcok in Zac Dawson as a definite Round 1 starter:

    “ZAC Dawson will make a surprise Round 1 debut for St Kilda at the scene of his worst nightmare.

    The Saints have told Dawson he will be promoted from the rookie list in time to confront Sydney at Docklands on Saturday week.

    Waiting for Dawson in the goalsquare will be the menacing Barry Hall. Dawson, the former Hawk best known for being monstered by Anthony Rocca at Docklands in 2006, has been fast-tracked because of injuries at Moorabbin.”

  8. David

    March 19, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Since when has Sam Lonergan played in the back pocket?

    He’s an inside midfielder and he has been one of Essendons best performers this pre season after a very good season last year.

    He is a lock for Round 1.

  9. Joffa Burn

    March 19, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    A.Browne from richmond will play round 1 in place of Graham.

  10. RUSSELL

    March 19, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    thanks monty it helped fine tune my final 22 line up particularly the backs
    ps would you pick taylor as a stater over hentschel

  11. johmps

    March 19, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    bachar houli?
    what do people think of him

  12. azza

    March 19, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    can anyone tell me more about jarryn gearry please?

  13. Pendles

    March 19, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    What about Tom Swift? No mention of him, he has looked great throughout the pre season.

  14. Brad

    March 19, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    I can tell you that Jarryn Gearry has alot of “r”‘s in his name.

  15. west

    March 19, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I think Geary plays for St. Kilda, he is a footballer… hope that helps.

  16. azza

    March 19, 2009 at 7:39 pm

    hope you boys do better with ya dream teams that ya comedy act!

  17. Les Dobson

    March 19, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    Dobbo Says:
    Mate I am impressed. Would love to know when your F/L starts up.

    Thanks!

  18. Brad

    March 20, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Monty you can remove Veszpremi from round 1 considerations.
    He is having surgery on a finger injury and will miss up to 8 weeks.

  19. Sam

    March 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Why do you have Pat Dangerfield out? He was an abosolute certainty a couple of weeks ago..

  20. Josh

    March 20, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    Simon Hogan..
    Do you think he will hold his spot in a Geelong side?

  21. Brad

    March 20, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    I think the Hogan hype might be over Josh.
    IMO Wojo will come in for Hogan.

    The minute Wojo has an ordinary game The Hulkster will get his chance.

  22. Dave

    March 20, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Hey fella’s, thanks Monty, for all the work. Just getting people’s opinion on spending all your salary cap vs. leaving some cash in the bank for the start of season… Any thoughts?

  23. evan

    March 20, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    hey guys. if anyone is looking for another leugue theres room in this one. 385740 and 556408. thanks guys. btw does any1 no the extent of hudges injury and what it is, i hear he’ll miss round 1

  24. Dare2Dream

    March 20, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    Thanks evan – be good to join some other Fan Footy players! Signed up

  25. evan

    March 20, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    hi again. should i egt adcock or malceski, im leening towards adcock but i rekon i have too many brisbane players and malceski could get injures. thanks please help

  26. Dicko

    March 20, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    “btw does any1 no the extent of hudges injury and what it is, i hear he’ll miss round 1”

    Is this Hodge, and what’s the truth of it?

  27. evan

    March 20, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    yeah its hodge, people are saying he could be a late withdraweral, adcock or malceski??

  28. Ash

    March 20, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    Version 8 soon monty? there have been a few injuries to add to the list. Will fev be ok? Ben jack riewoldt is better than anthony, more consistent this year i reckon.

  29. sam

    March 20, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    Dangerfield? what’s happening with him? is he going to play or not?! and daniel rich is another? is he in the lions best 22? thanks guys, hit back

  30. Adam 1.0

    March 20, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Melb vs NM

    In an ideal world I would have Warnock play and one of Garland or Rivers would go forward, but wtf do I know?

  31. goomskies

    March 20, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    what are everyone’s thoughts on dale thomas? do you think collingwood will stick with the half back experiment and does he have the potnetial to be a consistent DTer this year?

  32. gooms

    March 20, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    what are everyone’s thoughts on Dale Thomas? do you think Collingwood will persist with the half back experiment? more importantly is he good enough to average 80 this year?

  33. Daniel

    March 21, 2009 at 12:20 am

    how long will Ballantyne be out of action for? anyone!

  34. AdamG03

    March 21, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Re: Evan
    Adcock is the better choice as he pushes into the midfield and Malceski didnt perform as well in the preseason as Adcock.

    Re: Daniel
    I think its at least 3-4 rounds and people are expecting him to come in around round 5-8.

    Re: Gooms
    I’m hoping Dale Thomas can perform this year and become a consistent DTer. I read somewhere on bigfooty that Mick Malthouse had said this year they will put Dale Thomas wherever he can find the ball. So long as they get the ball into his hands early and a lot, then hes likely to change the game. Thats a good sign!

    Hope that helps
    AdamG03

  35. jeremy

    March 21, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    With Grimes out for a while, who will he his replacement for Melbourne, will Petterd take his place, if not who will? Also Petterd seems to had a bad preseason, anyone with a diagnosis of how he will go?

  36. Ash

    March 21, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    Looking fwd to version 8 now, be interesting to see how they have changed over the months.

  37. sam

    March 21, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    wats happened bout Ward???
    he showed last year that he can make the cut

  38. Montastic

    March 22, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    I can’t get over Wells’ numbers this pre-season … insane!

  39. michael

    March 22, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    hey guys. i’m having some real difficulty decidein: judd and didak OR pendles and a forward of my choice (not pavlich already have).

    if i choose the pendles option what fowward should i get.
    please help.

  40. Johnny Bee

    March 22, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    GOOMS
    Dale Thomas is the one forward that i don’t have that i wish i could fit in. i think he will def average in the 80’s.

  41. Tim

    March 22, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    I have a pretty good set up but my ruck division is letting me down in my ruck i have Mark Blake, Matthew Leunberger, Jordyn Roughead and Jake Spencer what i am asking is should i get rid of Leunberger and bring in Jesse White or should i get rid of Mark Blake to bring him in a keep a young ruck divison and save up some extra cash

  42. Tim

    March 22, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    And also do i have Malceski, Heath Shaw or Peter Burgyone in my side and what would be the go with Wade Thompson he had a good pre season but would he play for Port at all in the first few rounds

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