Team - Round 1 vs Port Adelaide

[Madden]

B: Slattery Hurley Fletcher
HB: Hocking Ryder Dempsey
C: Houli Stanton Lovett
HF: Davey Neagle McPhee
F: Monfries Lloyd Lucas
Fol: Hille Watson Winderlich
Int (from): Bellchambers Skipworth Lonergan Pears Dyson Atkinson Nash

New: Michael Hurley, Hayden Skipworth

I assume Myers is still injured. Although Jetta and Lovett-Murray aren't...

[danstar84]

We need more from Jetta. Needs to get his hands on the ball more often.

Have a look at the backline. Very inexperienced. Forward line looks good, but without Welsh and Mcveigh in the middle, we might struggle.

[robrulz5]

I think we should prepare for some hurt on Sunday, it could get ugly.

[bomberflyer]

B: Slattery Hurley Fletcher
HB: Hocking Ryder Dempsey
C: Houli Stanton Lovett
HF: Davey Neagle McPhee
F: Monfries Lloyd Lucas
Fol: Hille Watson Winderlich
Int (from): Bellchambers Skipworth Lonergan Pears Dyson Atkinson Nash

Play the guys in bold. Harder bodies and will need to win some in and under footy.

[swoodley]

My eyes must be deceiving me

Our first round draft choice is actually playig in round 1....surely it's a typo

Good luck to Hurley...may this be the first of many great games in the mighty red and black

[Sartorius]

Wouldn't have done too much different. Jetta not even named in the squad suggests that he needs a few consistent performances in the twos before he gets the recall (did well by the sounds of it last match there). Hopefully he can find more of the ball, and apply that defensive pressure he has been asked too.

In regards to the bench as bomberflyer said, Belly, Skippy and Lonergan would be in, but as for the last one, between Nash and Atko. Dont need Pears as we are tall enough down back (and up front). As for the other two it is kind of hard to split.

[Madden]

I reckon Pears has to play. That back 6 looks pretty green and we will need to rotate through there.

[Mrs Mercuri]

Interesting team this week. Great to see Hurley and Skipworth getting to play their first matches in the red and black!! I would expect Nashy and Lonergan to get a game off that bench as well.

L-Murray and Jetta are the bigger names to miss out. Considering the inexperience of our backline, not playing Natrat certainly makes a statement.

[tom9779]

I like this team.

C: Houli Stanton Lovett

with Foll: Hille Watson Winderlich

Throw in Welsh, McVeigh, Reimers and then probably Prismall when fit and you can hardly argue that it is Essendon's midfield which needs attention.

The team is coming along nicely. Myers is a bit of a blow. But thats why hocking is getting a gig.

Jetta, i hope he comes good.

[Mrs Mercuri]

I guess with Myers just coming off a bit of an ankle injury they didint want to risk him. Interesting that Slats has been named as i didint think he would be right for round one.

Bendigo plays Geelong in a practise match this week. How many of the blokes not playing will get a run with them?

[billyduckworth]

At least on paper, it's not a bad team.

All the veteran stars are there (Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher).
Most of the engine room is there (Hille, Watson, Stanton)
Most of the speedsters are there (Lovett, Davey, Dempsey)

Of course, missing McVeigh/Welsh/Reimers is a pity, but overall it looks okay.
I won't be devastated if we lose, but I hope we put up a reasonable fight at least.

[Jacob Zuma]

Agree with one comment: great to see a first round draft pick playing!!! wooohoooo...good like to Hurley for his debut. Don't f*** it up now (hehe)

[Mrs Mercuri]

Im very surprised that Nash isnt playing. It looks like players such as Houli, Dempsey and maybe Lonergan will spend a bit of time in the back half. Maybe there is still doubt on Slats playing....

[tonysoprano]

I shouldn't be surprised by this - but Port have won 9 out of the last 10 against us. f*** me - no wonder I hate them so. Time to turn the tables.