Rnd 0 - Pre Match Thread - vs Melbourne at SCG, Thursday 7 March 2024 at 1:30 PM

[Maltopia]

First match of the season! Exciting, but we are also up against a likely top four side with Mills, Parker and possibly Adams out.

On paper, lots of potent players on every line for the Demons.

May, Lever. Salem, Langdon, Petracca, Gawn, Kickett, Fritsch, Oliver and Melksham/Spargo could easily be in our best 22 (for Melican, Fox, Cunningham, McInerney, Rowbottom, Grundy, Wicks, Hayward, Jordon and Almartey). How they could afford them all, along with Brayshaw in their salary cap?

We also get another look at JVR who could have taken. I am sure some of us will be comparing his career with Sheldrick's for a long time to come!

Anyway, if we use our Elimination Finals team from last year as the basis for the squad, then:

Out: Mills (inj), Parker (inj), Hickey (ret)
Ins: Adams (if recovered), Jordon, Grundy

Sub: Fox (again)

Hopefully Adams is ok to play. If he isn't, then Sheldrick to come in.

Possibly Ladhams in for Almartey, and/or Roberts in for Fox as well.

Looking forward to it, and hoping we can start off the season well.

[Auntie.Gerald]

My guess ROUND 1

BACKS Melican McCartin Rampe

HALF BACKS Florent Blakey Cunningham

CENTRELINE Gulden Warner Jordon

HALF FORWARDS McInerny McDonald, Wicks

FORWARDS McLean Amartey Hayward

FOLLOWERS Grundy Heeney Rowbottom

INTERCHANGE Fox Sheldrick Cambo Adams

Roberts or Mitchell

[KSAS]

Jake Lloyd missing from your team AG (hope he has recovered from his soreness).

I think selectors won't take any chances with Adams this week & make sure he's right against his old team in R2 (9 day break).

Hope there's no surprise non selections due to secretive injuries.

[Auntie.Gerald]

ooooops..............cant believe i forgot Llloyd..........and upon reflection I think they will probably be conservative with patch and he looked off the pace anyway with his limited pre season


BACKS Melican McCartin Rampe

HALF BACKS Florent Blakey Lloyd

CENTRELINE Gulden Warner Jordon

HALF FORWARDS McInerny McDonald, Wicks

FORWARDS McLean Amartey Hayward

FOLLOWERS Grundy Heeney Rowbottom

INTERCHANGE Fox Sheldrick Cambo Cunningham

Roberts or Mitchell

[KSAS]

Has anything official been announced yet on how long Luke Parker will be out?

What is the situation with Sam Reid? Did he get to play any minutes in the VFL practice matches? I'm not aware if he has any injury issues.

[neilfws]

Has anything official been announced yet on how long Luke Parker will be out?

Parker a month and Adams about the same.

Injury Update: Taylor Adams and Luke Parker

[dejavoodoo44]

Parker a month and Adams about the same.

Injury Update: Taylor Adams and Luke Parker

Which is a little bit better than what I was expecting for Parker and a little bit worse for Adams.

[BRS328]

AG,
I think you have another oops coming unless you think Papley is not up to it!!!

For mine Papley, and Ladhams for McLean and Melican. Melbourne are not a tall side. McLean has performed poorly in both practice matches in the relief ruckman position. Ladhams was significantly better in the last game and from what I am hearing he has been very good in the reserves games

Also note that Kickett will not be playing due to a suspension from last season

[i'm-uninformed2]

ooooops..............cant believe i forgot Llloyd..........and upon reflection I think they will probably be conservative with patch and he looked off the pace anyway with his limited pre season


BACKS Melican McCartin Rampe

HALF BACKS Florent Blakey Lloyd

CENTRELINE Gulden Warner Jordon

HALF FORWARDS McInerny McDonald, Wicks

FORWARDS McLean Amartey Hayward

FOLLOWERS Grundy Heeney Rowbottom

INTERCHANGE Fox Sheldrick Cambo Cunningham

Roberts or Mitchell

I suspect you’ve nailed first 22, and I’d say Roberts as sub.

The one bit of luck we’ve had with the draw is bar Melbourne, we don’t really play a side that builds their game around contested ball/stoppage clearances whilst we’re a bit light on for inside bulls.

[KSAS]

Parker a month and Adams about the same..

Injury Update: Taylor Adams and Luke Parker

Thanks for the update link Neilfws. Concur Adams sidelined bit worse than expected. Will test our midfield depth & chance for some to grab their opportunity by the scruff of the neck.

[dejavoodoo44]

For what it's worth.

B: Lloyd, Melican, Rampe.

HB: Florent, McCartin, Blakey.

C: Gulden, Jordon, Campbell.

HF: Heeney, Amartey, Hayward.

FF: McLean, McDonald, Papley.

F: Grundy, Warner, Rowbottom.

I: Sheldrick, Cunningham, Wicks, McInerney, Fox.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Paps and Lloyd I missed

Im truly the village idiot.............again

wow weee.....primacy recency bias at its finest

we were down 6 serious players on Thursday night