Pre-Match. Pies v. Giants. All comments.

[LaurieHolden]

^ there's not one AFL game in Melbourne this weekend.
3 of the scheduled matches start at 6.30pm, the other late afternoon.

Health and safety / player welfare disregarded? That's a stretch.
In Round 1, two matches are closer to traditional start times.
The transition from February to March in Melbourne brings an average high temperature of 22.9°C.
The AFL have delayed matches previously and have strict policies around this. AFL Victoria State League & Talent Program Guidelines -
Temperature equal to, or greater than 36°C at the scheduled commencement of the game:
a) A VFL or TAC Cup match shall not commence if the temperature at the scheduled commencement time is equal to or exceeds 36°C.

The lightning safety rule of 30/30 will be observed i.e. when play is to be stopped when the lightning to thunder ratio reaches 30 seconds or less (time between when the lightning is seen, and the last thunder is heard) play will be suspended and participants will be moved to a safe structure.

[joemamone@gmail.com]

I prefer McInnes ahead of Johnson any day of the week. He is more intense and does not drop easy overhead marks.

[R.Barham]

I don't believe either will be selected ?!
Let us see

[Jezza]

[Pies2016]

I’m also picturing a team selection where neither Johnson or McInnes are selected in the opening round. I’m also factoring in that Howe won’t be rushed back in either.
Whenever you play good opposition, you’re always looking to put out a versatile, flexible team that’s capable of reverting to a plan B or C in case plan A isn’t working ( and that obviously happens more often against better opponents ). Our flexibility comes from the likes of Cox, Naicos, W H E, Lipinski and even Frampton to an extent and its those types who can change things up around the ground. I feel like we’re better served with Cox starting forward and with the back up ruck work to be shared between Cox and Frampton ( they executed this against the Tigers ) This would require Dean to be selected and the absence of Howe and Deans ability to play as a key defender if Frampton is required elsewhere, makes his debut increasingly likely.
Playing an in form Noble also appeals because this allows Crisp to play more around the ball and present as the extra midfielder needed to run the Giants on ballers into the ground late in quarters.
I don’t usually buy into team selections because it only sets you up for failure but it’s the first game of the year, so I will have a crack

Below assumes Howe and Murphy are unavailable. Dean misses out if Howe comes up.

Dean Frampton Maynard
Noble Moore Quaynor
Jaicos Mitchell Sidey
Schultz Miochek Lipinski
Elliot Cox. Hill
Cameron DeGoey. Naicos
W H E Pendlebury Crisp. McCreery
Sub either Markov or Macrae

[RudeBoy]

I'm not sure that either Johnson or McInnis will come into the side, but if one of them comes in, I agree with Swoop that it's more likely to be Johnson.

I actually like Frampton in defence, as he is reminiscent of Presti, in his total focus on blanketing his opponent. His extra height will help free up Moore and Howe to play their intercepting roles.

Schultz will prove to be a marked improvement on Ginni, who had a very poor GF. Schultz is a pressure forward and a complete team player - with grunt.

Like others, I'm tipping Lipinski, now that he has fully recovered from his shoulder injuries, will have his best ever season.

Overall, I predict we will perform considerably better this year, and will start the season with a convincing win over the midgets.

[LaurieHolden]

[Skids]

[Piesnchess]

I cannot see us winning this, these pricks are livid and out for revenge, and lets fact it, like the Gabba, nobody else will beat these buggers up there. BUT, fi we can snag a win, its a virtual 8 ladder point match, for us, so you never ruddy know, lose by 7 points, or win by 7 points, be a very close contest either way , methinks,

[stui magpie]

[Magpietothemax]

[Magpietothemax]

[stui magpie]

[Johnno75]

A bit of shit talk coming from north of the border. We haven’t said anything in response. I’m guessing we will do our taking on the field on Saturday night. What better way to shut them up.

[Magpietothemax]

What are they saying?