Team, Round 1 2023

[bornadog]

Prior to Xmas he was constantly in the rehab group and he might have even sat out one intra club game but he's probably had 10 weeks on no interruptions so I doubt that he hasn't done the work.

From a R1 team selection perspective the more concerning non selection might be Toby Mac. Outside of injuring his arm he's done a lot of work and with Cody missing it makes it just a bit more intriguing.

I had him in my team and I am a little surprised he isn't in, although the North game he was ineffective.

Hopefully he is the sub and makes an impact when he comes on.

[1eyedog]

Well there is a belief that Bevo likes shiny new toys but I do believe Baker has earned his spot.

100% he earned a spot and probably pushed Tobias out following his excellent game against Norf.

[GVGjr]

100% he earned a spot and probably pushed Tobias out following his excellent game against Norf.

We've normally been a bit more understanding with one quiet game because McLean was good in the intra club games.
JJ and Baker will probably play that small forward role while Cody is out.

[Mantis]

We've normally been a bit more understanding with one quiet game because McLean was good in the intra club games.
JJ and Baker will probably play that small forward role while Cody is out.

In the match sim that I saw McLean was much more effective playing in the midfield (generally in the 'B' team) rather than roles he will need to fill when we have a full squad to pick from.

He doesn't look dangerous up forward and he looked slow when trying to apply forward pressure... he simply needs to break into the midfield rotation if he wants to play so the challenge is in front of him.

[DISHLICKERS]

I have never seen a Doggies forward line on paper as the one chosen for this game.

The only concern is one or two small, cunning, good goal sense and pressure crumbing forwards are absent.

Regardless of result I hope the persevere with the tall forwards.

[Mofra]

Melbourne recruiters just keep hitting gold don't they. Very good call, someone needs to be aware of that.

They can't find talls though.
Gawn was a fair way back and Petty is quality. They've traded well to fill gaps but their ability to draft and develop tall talent is their weakness

[GVGjr]

I believe that is correct now I think about it. Can we cross live to Skinner Reserve and ask our roaming correspndant G?
G how is the weather out there, and more importantly is your tent safe?

How dare you sir!
How dare you imply I'm some sort of low end footy groupie that camps out in a tent to get a glimpse of the players much like a teenager might camp out to get Ed Sheeran tickets.
For the record it's a fully kitted out camper van with all the fixens

[Grantysghost]

How dare you sir!
How dare you imply I'm some sort of low end footy groupie that camps out in a tent to get a glimpse of the players much like a teenager might camp out to get Ed Sheeran tickets.
For the record it's a fully kitted out camper van with all the fixens

Hahahaaaa.... Classic.

I reckon you and your overpriced camper and Lachie McNeil obsession have bumped our membership to record levels.

God speed tent man.

[bornadog]

Hahahaaaa.... Classic.

I reckon you and your overpriced camper and Lachie McNeil obsession have bumped our membership to record levels.

God speed tent man.

My spys have found him

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Our tallest player in Round 1 1950 was Arthur Olliver who was 189cm.

I'm 189cm myself and feel like I'm taller than 98% of people and I would be below average in our current team.

Wow! When the dogs line up for round 1 2073 there's a real chance the average could be over 2 metres. Bring back Peter Street..

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Players will get more tired, more quickly. But our big guys won’t get any shorter as the game goes on. Just kick it to their advantage and set up well.

Classic Jack Dyerism right there!

[soupman]

The more I think about it the more I think the Bruce selection is super weird.

Beveridge has never been concerned with convention, and 100% has always opted for backing in the better player for our system than a player to fill a role. This has been particularly evident with talls, in defence frequently if the talls he rates aren't available he has not bothered calling up the next one in line and instead has brought in the next defender he rates. Pretty sure Naughtons first season with us he basically picked Naughton, a first gamer, as our sole key defender and worked around having to cover the oppositon key forwards. The ruck has been the other obvious example where when English was struggling in 2020 instead of calling up Sweet we just let English take the centre bounce then hang forward while someone like Jong or Dunkley did the rest.

So picking Bruce, who has shown some signs but is a long way from what I would expect is a best 22 option, seemingly solely because Melbourne have 3 tall forwards is a really interesting move, especially when you consider none of their tall forwards a particularly good. Just very un Beveridge like and I'm wondering if its a change to a more conservative/conventional match selection strategy.

[jeemak]

It's a good question soup. What we do know is if Bevo thinks he has the player he wants for the role he wants, then he'll pick them.

If that's not the case then perhaps it's a bit of a leap of faith given Bruce went to the MC and suggested the change and has shown solid progress in the role. Reward for effort and all that.

[azabob]

At first I thought Bruce was an odd selection but I came to the conclusion if Gardner was fit he’d be playing alongside Jones and Keath.

Maybe, just maybe Beveridge is selecting team based on structure rather than solely available personnel.

[jazzadogs]

The more I think about it the more I think the Bruce selection is super weird.

Beveridge has never been concerned with convention, and 100% has always opted for backing in the better player for our system than a player to fill a role. This has been particularly evident with talls, in defence frequently if the talls he rates aren't available he has not bothered calling up the next one in line and instead has brought in the next defender he rates. Pretty sure Naughtons first season with us he basically picked Naughton, a first gamer, as our sole key defender and worked around having to cover the oppositon key forwards. The ruck has been the other obvious example where when English was struggling in 2020 instead of calling up Sweet we just let English take the centre bounce then hang forward while someone like Jong or Dunkley did the rest.

So picking Bruce, who has shown some signs but is a long way from what I would expect is a best 22 option, seemingly solely because Melbourne have 3 tall forwards is a really interesting move, especially when you consider none of their tall forwards a particularly good. Just very un Beveridge like and I'm wondering if its a change to a more conservative/conventional match selection strategy.

This is why I expected Crozier to play ahead of Bruce. He's obviously been more impressed with Bruce's efforts in pre season than some of us.