Melbourne’s small defender stocks are depleted before the season has started, opening up opportunities.
Jack Grimes is the latest general (i.e. non-key-position) defender from the Demons to be confirmed to miss round 1, with a back problem. According to the Herald-Sun, the injury is different to the one that caused him to miss much of 2008, but it will hold him out of the first game of the season against North Melbourne at least. Back problems do tend to turn into long-term issues, and Grimes does have a history even though this isn’t a recurrence of the older injury.
This news comes on the back of Daniel Bell‘s thumb injury sustained on the weekend, Paul Wheatley‘s lingering convalescence from a calf injury, and the likelihood that Matthew Whelan will also miss round 1 with another calf problem. The Demons are blessed with tall defenders, with five of them competing for spots in the 22 come opening weekend, but with Melbourne facing the likes of Lindsay Thomas and Matt Campbell, with Brent Harvey pushing forward and the likes of younger players like Jack Ziebell and Ben Ross also spending time in the Kangaroos forward line it would be folly for Dean Bailey to err on the side of height in his selected backline.
So who does Bailey have left to rely upon? Simon Buckley seems ensured a spot now, at least. Brad Green spent a lot of games last year playing as the man in the hole across half back, though it had been seeming like Bailey wanted to use him in a more attacking role in 2009 – and Green’s far from the sort of hard-nosed, lock down defender that a pacy small forward like Campbell requires. The smokie of this situation is Kyle Cheney, a 2008 draftee who played for Sandringham in the VFL last year – for which I can’t get stats – and for the previous two years at North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup, for which I can present numbers to you now.
Kyle Cheney’s TAC Cup stats from 2006:
50, 66, 44, 32, 36, 64, 65, 40, 29, 50, 53, 55, 44, 42, 66, 32, 95, 57, 56, 67
Average: 52.2
… and 2007…
83, 61, 77, 44, 40, 59, 55, 59, 104, 85, 92, 64, 136, 83, 104, 97, 45, 50, 99, 100, 96
Average: 77.8
I like the progression of those numbers, particularly the last month or two of 2007. Cheney’s kick-to-handball ratio in 2007 was an extremely healthy 284 to 117, up from 163 to 80 in 2006, so he loves to get the ball on the toe. The effectiveness of his possessions, albeit in the low pressure environment of the TAC Cup, were also solid at about 68% for his kicks and 83% for his handballs.
Along with Nick Suban, Jared Petrenko and Nathan Grima, Cheney has to be considered a strong candidate as one of the vanishing few rookie-priced backs who will get a consistent run of early games in 2009, helping to stave off any repeat of last year’s backopalypse. With Grimes out of the picture for now, realistically, it becomes all the more important to nail which of those four – or other smokies who come out of the clouds in the next eight days – are the ones to buy for your fantasy teams.
Tell me your thoughts on what the Grimes injury means to your team, if anything, and how it screws wiht your structure.
jarrad
March 18, 2009 at 11:54 am
doesnt matter to me
straight swap to collier
Bi
March 18, 2009 at 11:55 am
he is in everyones team…
Dicko
March 18, 2009 at 11:55 am
Ouch! That’s one of my locks gone. I know nothing about Cheney, and if I start him I’ll have him and Hill in the 22 which is a bit of a risk. Maybe Spangher instead of Grimes?
mcwarne
March 18, 2009 at 11:56 am
Well its back to the drawing board for that last defender. Had such high hopes for Grimes too but I dont want to look like a dill and having sitting on my bench 5 or 6 games in, still not having played (you never know with back injuries). So is it back to Tom Collier? I havent heard anything about him lately and no-one seems overly keen.
Evolved
March 18, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Not bothered, didn’t have him to begin with….
Bomber
March 18, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Clearly shift Hill to the backline to replace Grimes and replace Hill in the midfield with Rich. Problem solved.
Jack
March 18, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Except most people have Hill down back already and Rich in the middle already
DAZZLER
March 18, 2009 at 12:37 pm
YEP Jack 🙁
FAAAAARK !!!!
It might be between :
Spangher (I have him in DT, but Brimes in S/C, will spangherman get a run in R1 or not ???)
Collier( again, will he get a run??)
D Stanley (dont know enough, will he play regular magie supporters ??)
Maguire (Old and injury prone)
and from there it is kids and i’ve already got Hill on the ground and Petrenko and suban n the pine..
SUGGESTIONS ???
Heater
March 18, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I had Hill as a starter with Grimes on the bench purely because Hill has the potential to to score better than Grimes. However Grimes was someone I thought would be a very good cash cow early on.
Now, well I think I’ll go with Suban & Collier or perhaps Suban & Petrenko. I’ll see how the thinking goes next few days…
Lee
March 18, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Will Suban play ahead of Broughton, who has just won promotion off Freo’s rookie list? I thought Suban injured his shoulder last start?
FarknTarkyn
March 18, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Dazzler:
Stanley is a hack. He may get a few games, which is a few too many. How he’ll go sc & dt wise I don’t know, but I don’t imagine he’ll rack up the stats.
He is particularly unsuited to sc, a lot of turnovers, even under no pressure.
Big Jim
March 18, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Monty – love the oblique reference to Frank Grimes (or Grimey, as he liked to be called.)
Well, thats thrown a fair sized spanner in the works. Collier may be the go – but is he safe in the lions 22 do you reckon?
Brad
March 18, 2009 at 1:01 pm
This may have been asked a 100 times already but can someone please tell me if super coach scores from the NAB Challenge games can be found anywhere?
I know that Skipworth had a 90 plus score in dream team last weekend but what was his super coach score?
Chad
March 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm
hahaha, awesome picture from the simpsons monty. GREAT stuff 😉
John23
March 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm
M0nty, brilliant work with Frank “Grimey” Grimes!
I didnt have Grimes in my team, so could enjoy the humour that Grimey gave me whilst reading the headline (rather than having a heartattack)
Chad
March 18, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I’m looking at the same thing Lee. Suban V Broughton. Can’t seem to find out how bad his shoulder is. Broughton being elevated puts him on even terms at selection table with Suban. So it comes down to how (if either) can get into the 22? if u get an answer let me know 😉
Charlie
March 18, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I had Grimes as a regular-playing, increase by up to $100/- cow. I don’t see any other back line options as certain to get games at this price (already have Raines.)
So rather than just ‘hope’ someone like Cheney or Collier get games, I’m rejigging the team a little. Moving Houlihan into the back line and fussing around with the cheap forward options instead. I want my starting 22 to all be ‘certain’ players week in, week out for the first half of the year. I’ll leave the donuts for the bench.
Peanut
March 18, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Has to be Geary. good pre-season, low cost, not even iffy according to monty. thats my swap but i just died a little inside after reading that.
west
March 18, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Geary Geary Geary
Aaron
March 18, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Ive always had cheney from the beggining, this is not news to me but annoying that everyone will now
kc
March 18, 2009 at 1:49 pm
i cant find any article agreeing with grimey being out.. where and when was this listed?
(still in disbelief.. not grimey!!)
WOOFTA
March 18, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Agree Peanut,J Geary if he gets a game.
Like the way G Broughton was whacked by Stevens,think Harvey would have too.
The SC
March 18, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I am the same as you Charlie, have to re gig the backs/forwards. Basically means that i am starting an extra forward rookie than i wanted. However if i find out its only a 2-3 weeks injury i might keep him in and start hill
TC
March 18, 2009 at 1:56 pm
What are peoples thoughts on sean dempster as a replacement for grimes?
butch
March 18, 2009 at 2:04 pm
get on alex rance for a replacement, he will play all 22 games and hes been averaging 20 touches in nab cup!
Charlie
March 18, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Butch – do you write Nigerian spam for a living? Rance won’t play 22 and hasn’t averaged 20 touches. He’s averaged ~45DT points in 3 preseason games.
He does look like a nice Tiger prospect, will get games etc, but you need a lie down.
Heater
March 18, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Suban is from Ballarat (where I live) and according to the local news he is fit and ok to play. He went off to have his shoulder checked and came back on for the last quarter.
Heater
March 18, 2009 at 2:34 pm
TC – Dempster is out with a knee reco
The Bin Cop
March 18, 2009 at 3:07 pm
David Johnston straight in for Grimes.
christoff
March 18, 2009 at 4:05 pm
whos it gunna b Geary or collier?? and does any1 know if ricky Henderson is going to get a game for the crows?
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SpikeSetsFire
March 18, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I swapped Grimes for Hill. I had Geary last year, and he was frustrating. Constantly in and out of the team, and scoring in the 40s whenever he got a gig. I’m wondering if he is worth having again this year, and how much he’s improved…
Greg
March 18, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Had Dick Cheney in my team since Nab rnd 1. Just looks confident under pressure and his skills are solid (well for a melbourne player anyhow).
The grimes injury just cements it further-but its a shame the cat is out of the bag tho as Cheney was an undercover gem!
snozza
March 18, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Nobodys lookin at Geary. His numbers are very good for the pre season. He’s my grimey replacement.
Hendo
March 18, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Straight swap for Ricky Petterd and no major harm done (SC)
Lucky i had that extra bit of cash sitting there
Gives me a spot for Hill in DT
Not ideal as i had high expectations of Grimey, but that’s how it goes i guess
DS01
March 18, 2009 at 6:24 pm
What about Goldsack?
Only 188k(DT)
Nice 07 average…..injured a bit and missed chunks of 08…..if fit is he a cert ofr 22 games in 09?
fryzie
March 18, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Isn’t Petterd injured also?
Pete
March 18, 2009 at 6:37 pm
ive upgraded grimesy using money from my 3rd ruck (jesse white). who is another rookie ruckman besides spencer who will play some games? im looking between s.jacobs and a.Graham atm any other suggestions?
Athomas
March 18, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Not having Raines meant I can swap him for Raines… who is gonna be crap, 65 average at best. Which should be enough.
CrowsFan
March 18, 2009 at 6:43 pm
What about andrew raines as a replacement? Everyone was talking about who to pick between raines and grimes a few weeks ago but havent seen any of you suggest him as a replacement. Why not?
cannon
March 18, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Spangher as a replacement?
SpikeSetsFire
March 18, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Cause most of us probably already have Raines. =)
Pete
March 18, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Injuries!: anybody know how long porps and jesse smith are out for?
jasondevo
March 18, 2009 at 7:51 pm
ARGHH!!!!
NO!!
lovepelican
March 18, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Krakouer for Grimes, and switch Houlihan from the forwards to the backs for me.
What about Broughton and Suban on the pine! Surely one will play?
dylan
March 18, 2009 at 8:04 pm
i have hill on the bench so should i sub grimes off or does it look like he could still miss more matches? grimes was looking good and if his only going to miss a game or 2 then come back i might hold but if it looks like he will miss a fair few i don’t think i want to bother. If i do trade grimes should i just go for a cheapy and put hill on??
thanks
p.s. monty i like the pic, i started laughing at it when i saw it only to realize who the pic was on about =(
TigerFever
March 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Look like it wil be 3-4 weeks.
http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/73405/default.aspx (Its half way down the page)
Tim
March 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm
could it be worth starting petrenko on the field to replace grimes?
sean
March 18, 2009 at 8:46 pm
how long is his injury for? any ideas.
and when do the actual matches for dt start this year? is it round 1 now or still a few rounds in?
if hes only out for round 1, i dont see a reason to trade him out straight away, i have high hopes for him and with a back bench including hill and petrenko surely one can fill his spot for the opening rounds.
NT.Thunder
March 18, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Hey Lovepelican,
Krackour maybe playing down back but isnt listed as a fantasy BAC just FWD my friend……Back to the drawing board buddy