Squad for JLT game named

[DJC]

What's the issue with Harry having a run in the ruck?

He has been in the system for 12 months, put on muscle and, no doubt, learned how to look after himself.  Most of the top ruckmen (apart from those who started as rookies) debuted in the ruck at 19 years of age.  Harry may still be a touch on the light side but I'd back him in if he gets a run.

[bmaurizio]

The real surprise is leBois for a rookie to get a mention the kid must have impressed.
Looking forward to the game. Demons will be a fitting test.
Hope we come away with some positives.
Go Baggers

[sandsmere]

No Liam Jones?

Probably already pencilled in at FF for the Richmond game.

[flyboy77]

The real surprise is leBois for a rookie to get a mention the kid must have impressed.
Looking forward to the game. Demons will be a fitting test.
Hope we come away with some positives.
Go Baggers

We've certainly named a strong side - even without Crippa and SPS!

Really don't see why the Dees are rated so highly. on paper  we look the goods!

[Pratty]

Reckon Lebois could cause some headaches on the wkend, and in 2017. He'll be a promoted rookie at some point and play senior footy.

[Navy Maven]

We've certainly named a strong side - even without Crippa and SPS!

Really don't see why the Dees are rated so highly. on paper  we look the goods!

Dees are about 2-3 years ahead of us in terms of list development. We've managed to tick 1 of 3 boxes in that our defence looks set to roll for a while, but we need to add to our midfield and forward line. Melbourne are set to emerge, they've got a good young backline with the McDonald brothers et al, Hogan and Weiderman give them some good young forward targets, their midfield is exciting and they have the best ruckman in the game.

On paper we have some promise, some young guys that we're hoping come good. Melbourne now have some proven performers and are about to explode.

[PaulP]

The biggest hurdle for the Dees, as with all cellar dwellers, is overcoming years of poor performance and mediocrity. It becomes a mind set and a habit that is hard to break. 

[flyboy77]

Dees are about 2-3 years ahead of us in terms of list development. We've managed to tick 1 of 3 boxes in that our defence looks set to roll for a while, but we need to add to our midfield and forward line. Melbourne are set to emerge, they've got a good young backline with the McDonald brothers et al, Hogan and Weiderman give them some good young forward targets, their midfield is exciting and they have the best ruckman in the game.

On paper we have some promise, some young guys that we're hoping come good. Melbourne now have some proven performers and are about to explode.

My thoughts on the Dees

1. Back line - a real weakness for the Dees (and certainly compared to ours) - TMc only 194cm, Oscar 196cm (could either compete in the air with Levi or even Harry Mc at 203cm); Hibberd? meh; Contrast Weitering, Plowman, Marchbank, Docherty, Bryne....
2. Followers - Gawn - sure, gun. Jones, Tyson, Lewis (is this stint his retirement fund), Petracca (knee notwithstanding, nothing on Cripps), Viney (plenty of talk but no better than Ed Curnow imo). Match Gibbs, Murph, Curnow, Cripps and Kreuzer....our best mids easily match theirs...imo.
3. Forwards - Hogan (the jury is still out), Watts? Meh. Weiderman, no further advanced than Charlie or SOJ? Prefer our mix of the Bolt, Harry, Charlie, SOJ and Weitering any day of the week!

How are they 2 or 3 years ahead? That's just a motherhood rehash of some journo's carp.....

Fox's best 22 for the Dees:

MELBOURNE

B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta

HB: Christian Salem, Oscar McDonald, Bernie Vince

C: Dom Tyson, Jordan Lewis, Billy Stretch

HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Jeff Garlett

F: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Cam Pederson

FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney

I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Tom Bugg, Jayden Hunt

EMG: Jake Melksham, James Harmes, Ben Kennedy

OTHERS: Jack Trengove, Sam Frost, Mitch Hannan, Colin Garland, Sam Weideman, Aaron Vandenberg, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Liam Hulett, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jake Spencer, Mitch King, Dion Johnstone, Pat McKenna, Josh Wagner,

[jeza]

Dees are about 2-3 years ahead of us in terms of list development. We've managed to tick 1 of 3 boxes in that our defence looks set to roll for a while, but we need to add to our midfield and forward line. Melbourne are set to emerge, they've got a good young backline with the McDonald brothers et al, Hogan and Weiderman give them some good young forward targets, their midfield is exciting and they have the best ruckman in the game.

On paper we have some promise, some young guys that we're hoping come good. Melbourne now have some proven performers and are about to explode.

Dees backline is their biggest issue. And they probably lack that bit of extra pace class around the wings / flanks.

But they've had a 12 year rebuild so they should be ahead of someone. And definitely not getting spanked by us like they did late last year.

[DJC]

Dees are about 2-3 years ahead of us in terms of list development. We've managed to tick 1 of 3 boxes in that our defence looks set to roll for a while, but we need to add to our midfield and forward line. Melbourne are set to emerge, they've got a good young backline with the McDonald brothers et al, Hogan and Weiderman give them some good young forward targets, their midfield is exciting and they have the best ruckman in the game.

On paper we have some promise, some young guys that we're hoping come good. Melbourne now have some proven performers and are about to explode.

I can't really see that NM, and I didn't see any evidence of it in round 28.  I think they've had 2-3 more years to work on their list but they're yet to get to where they should be.

Even with Cripps out, our midfield is stronger and has greater depth than we had in round 28 and that should enable us to neutralise Gawn's influence.

I reckon we have a better defence but the question of who is going to kick our goals is still unanswered.  Hopefully we'll have more idea on Saturday evening.