PRESEASON RD 4: Melbourne v Gold Coast Discussion

[Ricochet]

BLUES vs BRIS   -   SK vs GWS   -   PORT vs SYD   -   NM vs HAW   -   RICH vs WB   -   MEL vs GC   -   COL vs GEE

Melbournes Squad 1. Jesse Hogan 2. Nathan Jones 4. Jack Watts 5. Jimmy Toumpas 8. James Frawley 10. Shannon Byrnes                            12. Colin Sylvia 13. Jordie McKenzie 14. Lynden Dunn 15. David Rodan 19. James Strauss 20. Colin Garland 21. Cam Pederson 22. James Magner 26. Daniel Nicholson 27. Tom Gillies 30. James Sellar 31. Jack Grimes 32. Michael Evans 35. Luke Tapscott 36. Aaron Davey 38. Jeremy Howe 39. Neville Jetta 40. Mark Jamar 42. Jake Spencer 45. Matt Jones 46. Dean Terlich

Suns Squad 1          Jaeger O’Meara 2          Zac Smith 3          Jared Brennan 5          Jarrod Harbrow 7          Karmichael Hunt 9          Gary Ablett © 10        Dion Prestia 12        Sam Day 14        Matthew Warnock 15        Daniel Gorringe 16        Rory Thompson 17        Steven May 23        Charlie Dixon 24        David Swallow 25        Danny Stanley 26        Matt Shaw 29        Tom Murphy 32        Brandon Matera 33        Aaron Hall 34        Jack Hutchins 35        Michael Rischitelli 36        Greg Broughton 37        Jesse Lonergan 38        Joel Wilkinson 39        Timmy Sumner 42        Kyal Horsley

MELBOURNE
http://www.melbournefc.com.au/melbourne/news/2013-03-14/mckenzie-returns-for-suns-clash.workstation

MELBOURNE has regained leadership group member Jordie McKenzie for Saturday’s practice match against the Gold Coast Suns at Southport.

McKenzie missed last Saturday’s 25-point loss to St Kilda at Casey Fields, after falling ill to gastro the night before the match.

Utility Neville Jetta and ruckman Jake Spencer, who didn’t play against the Saints, but were in the initial team announcement, have been retained in the 27 man squad.

Rebounding defender James Strauss has been added to the group this week.

Strauss was a member of Melbourne’s win against Port Adelaide in Renmark in the second round of the NAB Cup.

Defender Joel Macdonald, who played against the Saints, has been left out of the squad.

The match will be Melbourne’s final pre-season clash before its opening round contest against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday, March 31.

Promising young forward Jesse Hogan is set to play his fifth match of the pre-season, given he won’t be eligible to play in the premiership season, and will not be officially listed until 2014.

Colin Sylvia, Daniel Nicholson, Cam Pedersen and James Magner are the only other Demons who will have played in all five pre-season matches.

The match starts at 11:30 am (local time).


GC SUNS
http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2013-03-14/ablett-hunt-return-for-suns.workstation

Gold Coast SUNS skipper Gary Ablett will return to action this weekend alongside resilient midfielder Karmichael Hunt and speedster Jarrod Harbrow as senior coach Guy McKenna looks to field the strongest available side for their NAB Challenge against Melbourne at Southport Sharks this Saturday.

Matt Shaw will also return after missing the past two NAB Cup matches with illness.

Rising AFL star Harley Bennell will be rested after a busy pre-season campaign which included a best-on-ground performance in the Indigenous All Stars clash, while Maverick Weller will miss the match, allowing him to attend his brother’s wedding.

After impressive performances against Broadbeach in last week’s NEAFL practice match, Jack Hutchins and Timmy Sumner have been named in the 26-man squad with the selection being the first for former SANFL star Sumner.

In what looks to be a further indication that McKenna’s men are focused on Round 1, is the match committee’s decision to leave Campbell Brown out of the side. Brown will miss the first six matches of the season due to suspension and the SUNS have elected to play a team in the final practice match that will resemble the team that will tackle St Kilda in Round 1.

The SUNS will also rest Jack Martin this week. Martin, who like Jaeger O’Meara last season, is unavailable for senior selection in 2013, played in the SUNS opening three weeks of the pre-season.

[Ricochet]

No Kent... hoping Matt Jones plays well

[tbagrocks]

"Jimmy the Gun" Toumpas 8)

[Hagebear]

Again no Viney?

[Toga]

Again no Viney?

I heard reports today that he sustained a neck injury a couple of weeks ago and is just being managed so he's right for round 1 :)

[Ricochet]

Again no Viney?

I heard reports today that he sustained a neck injury a couple of weeks ago and is just being managed so he's right for round 1 :)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-father-son-recruit-jack-viney-to-play-in-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226596694686

MELBOURNE wunderkind Jack Viney remains a Round 1 lock, despite not playing since the first round of the NAB Cup.

The midfielder has been recovering from a neck injury suffered in the Demons' hitouts against North Melbourne and Richmond at Etihad Stadium on February 22.

[T Dog]

Just not keen on picking an injured rookie.... :D

[Andrew]

Again no Viney?

I heard reports today that he sustained a neck injury a couple of weeks ago and is just being managed so he's right for round 1 :)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-father-son-recruit-jack-viney-to-play-in-opener/story-e6frf9jf-1226596694686

MELBOURNE wunderkind Jack Viney remains a Round 1 lock, despite not playing since the first round of the NAB Cup.

The midfielder has been recovering from a neck injury suffered in the Demons' hitouts against North Melbourne and Richmond at Etihad Stadium on February 22.

At $102k, he's still too cheap not to pick.

[pommyadam]

good to see GC25 get another run :)

[Ricochet]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-16/gold-coast-v-melbourne

GOLD Coast's young tall timber has finally stood up.

Maligned during the club's first two years in the AFL, it was the young key position players that proved the catalyst for a 25-point practice match win over Melbourne on Saturday.

The Suns led by just two points at half-time, but five goals to one in the third quarter put the game beyond reach.

The Suns won 12.8 (80) to 8.7 (55).

After a scrappy first half on a lush Southport surface, the injection of Zac Smith into the ruck and move of Charlie Dixon forward sparked the Suns.

Dixon started the damage with two contested marks â€" a juggling one-hander and a leaping grab from the side of the pack â€" that resulted in two goals.

After sitting on the bench for the first half, Smith then drifted forward and took a contested mark of his own and converted from a tight angle to extend the lead to 19 points.

His impact was profound both in the ruck and around the ground and should almost guarantee his place for the Suns' season opener against St Kilda in two weeks.

Steven May also took a pack mark in the forward 50 and Sam Day laid on an easy goal for Daniel Gorringe before being moved to defence where he looked right at home.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said it was pleasing to see the big guys take their marks.

"We need to cut them some slack but unfortunately given our unique list, we can't wait for them, but certainly the signs we saw today were very pleasing," he said.

"It certainly makes it a tough decision (for round one), but that's good. We were scratching our head coming into this game who was our number one and number two ruck, but now we've got some really tough decisions to make which is fantastic."

After a promising first quarter where they led by nine points, the Demons stalled in the Southport sun for the following two terms.

They were without tall timber Mitch Clark, Chris Dawes and James Frawley, which made a difference.

Jack Watts was arguably the best player on the ground (25 disposals), roving around half-back and looking a class above his teammates.

Captain Jack Grimes tried hard all day and won plenty of the ball (22 disposals), while young forward Jesse Hogan looked sharp in his limited opportunities.

Aaron Hall kicked three goals for the winners, while captain Gary Ablett (24 touches and two goals) was his usual industrious self.

GOLD COAST 1.0   4.5   9.6   12.7 (79)
MELBOURNE 2.3   4.3   5.5     8.7 (55)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Hall 3, Ablett 2, Dixon 2, Harbrow, Lonergan, Smith, Gorringe, Hutchins
Melbourne: Sellar 3, Terlich, Jamar, Pederson, M.Jones, Hogan

BEST
Gold Coast: Ablett, Hall, Harbrow, Dixon, Prestia, Thompson
Melbourne: Watts, Grimes, Jamar, Terlich, Sellar

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Lonergan (wrist)
Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil