2015: Rookies

[Ricky Bobby]

Roos confirms Hogan’s AFL debut
Ben Guthrie March 30, 2015 10:27 AM

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Media conference: Roos on Hogan Paul Roos indicates that jesse Hogan will make his debut for Melbourne this week against Gold Coast

MELBOURNE forward Jesse Hogan will finally make his AFL debut against Gold Coast at the MCG on Saturday.

His first senior game will come a year later than expected after a pre-season back injury ruined his 2014 season, and more than two years after he tantalised fans with his first outings as an 18-year-old in the 2013 NAB Challenge.

Hogan joined the club at the end of 2012 as a 17-year-old acquired via the GWS mini-draft that also sent Jack Martin to Gold Coast.

"I can confirm that [Hogan will debut], provided he gets through training this week," Roos said on Monday.

"Jesse's done enough this pre-season and he played pretty consistently throughout the three (NAB Challenge) games so we'd expect him to play this week."

Hogan, now 20, showed through the NAB Challenge that he is fit and raring to go. With fellow key forward Chris Dawes suspended for round one, the 20-year-old looms as the major focal point for the Demons this week.

Roos also said Jeremy Howe, Bernie Vince, rookie Aaron vandenBerg and No.3 draft pick Angus Brayshaw were all in the selection mix for Saturday.

Vince, vandenBerg and Brayshaw all performed strongly for the Casey Scorpions in a VFL practice match on Saturday, while Howe got through a solid training session last Friday.

Vince and Howe, who battled hamstring complaints through the pre-season, trained without inhibition at Gosch's Paddock on Monday morning.
Before training, Roos hinted that both, despite their lack of preparation, would likely feature against the Suns.

"I think it was important for Bernie to play (in the VFL). He's at a different stage. Howie's been training for pretty much 10 weeks now," Roos said.

"They both got through. Certainly, given their age and experience, they've given us food for thought going into this week."

The Demons have been working hard on improving the offensive side of their game this pre-season, with senior assistant Simon Goodwin taking charge in that area.

Melbourne scored the fewest points of any team in the competition last season, with the game style heavily slanted toward defending.

Roos said he was looking for the offensive side of the game to pick up against the Suns this Saturday.

"I think the balance (between attack and defence) is something we're really looking for … putting pressure on opposition teams when we have the ball, which we didn't do enough of last year," he said.

"We've got to continue the theme of good teams. Punish teams when you've got it and hopefully stop them from scoring.

"That's the big thing for us on the weekend. We want to score a lot more than we did last year and keep teams to manageable scores."

Exclusive to melbournefc.com.au

 

[stephen]

In the last couple of years due to the split rounds we have often had debates about if a rookie is playing first week do you just take him just in case there are few rookies the next week.

This year for mine there are two players I'm 50/50 on from the first Carlton/Richmond game. They are K. McIntosh and K Lambert.

Now the Carlton Richmond game starts at 7:20pm on Thursday. All of the other teams will be released at 6:25pm that night meaning there is less than an hour to make last minute changes, and who knows how VisualSports servers will hold up for that hour, but I would like to have my team in place before then just in case it does have a brain freeze.

If both are named and not sub, there will be a case to be made to include both. Especially for McIntosh considering how few potential backline rookies there are. I reckon if he is named I will put in him.

I think they're both must-haves if named, probably even if sub, given their price, Lambert's dual position status and the lack of options. Boekhorst would be the tough one for me. He hasn't shown that much pre-season but I think if he was named it would be very tempting to put him in.

 

[The Phoenix]

Philzsay:

They are K. McIntosh and K Lambert.

Yes I am a bit twitchy about these guys and also a couple of others. My concerns are compounded by the fact that I'm going to this match and will therefore be relying on a mobile phone device .

 

[Grant]

In the last couple of years due to the split rounds we have often had debates about if a rookie is playing first week do you just take him just in case there are few rookies the next week.

This year for mine there are two players I'm 50/50 on from the first Carlton/Richmond game. They are K. McIntosh and K Lambert.

Now the Carlton Richmond game starts at 7:20pm on Thursday. All of the other teams will be released at 6:25pm that night meaning there is less than an hour to make last minute changes, and who knows how VisualSports servers will hold up for that hour, but I would like to have my team in place before then just in case it does have a brain freeze.

If both are named and not sub, there will be a case to be made to include both. Especially for McIntosh considering how few potential backline rookies there are. I reckon if he is named I will put in him.

If playing and not sub I'm definitely picking both as my emergencies. I reckon it is probably an easy decision in both cases.

The def rookie options are terrible. Name three options you think could play and be better. Saad is my no.1 def rookie but there isn't another rookie I'm confident of scoring 60s. Hamling for instance averaged 54pts in 42 VFL games. Clearly he is a last resort option (he is currently on my bench even though I don't rate him).

Lambert is a 102k dpp. With the extra mid bench spot it is virtually a no risk option even if he is in and out of the side.

 

[PC]

In the last couple of years due to the split rounds we have often had debates about if a rookie is playing first week do you just take him just in case there are few rookies the next week.

This year for mine there are two players I'm 50/50 on from the first Carlton/Richmond game. They are K. McIntosh and K Lambert.

Now the Carlton Richmond game starts at 7:20pm on Thursday. All of the other teams will be released at 6:25pm that night meaning there is less than an hour to make last minute changes, and who knows how VisualSports servers will hold up for that hour, but I would like to have my team in place before then just in case it does have a brain freeze.

If both are named and not sub, there will be a case to be made to include both. Especially for McIntosh considering how few potential backline rookies there are. I reckon if he is named I will put in him.

So the Blues v Tigers teams will drop on Thursday night as well? There is no requirement for team sheets a day before the game?

 

[The Phoenix]

...
The def rookie options are terrible.

My defence line is now back to all rookies and it looks pretty good. Not sure about wasting valuable mid,ruck,fwd positions on all but a couple of dodgy rookies.

 

[Philzsay]

So the Blues v Tigers teams will drop on Thursday night as well? There is no requirement for team sheets a day before the game?

Blues & Tigers team will be Wed night, with late outs & subs at 5:50pm Thu. (Melb time obviously)

 

[IDIG]

Young Saints set to march into team

ST KILDA could showcase up to three of its new draftees in Sunday's season opener against Greater Western Sydney, with young star Jack Billings also in the mix to return from a hamstring injury.

While captain Nick Riewoldt weighs up whether he will play, the Saints could highlight their future by selecting young forwards Paddy McCartin, Jack Lonie and rookie Jack Sinclair.

Director of coaching Danny Sexton said all three had enjoyed strong pre-seasons and would be considered at match committee this week.

"Lonie has played every game, McCartin has played every game and Jack Sinclair … his NAB Challenge form would show that he would acquit himself really well at AFL level," Sexton said.

"He (Sinclair) came on as the sub halfway through the first game and showed enough for us to select him in the third NAB Challenge match.

"We will have some guys returning this week, so we'll have (Jarryn) Geary and (David) Armitage and we've spoken about (Shane) Savage and (Jack) Billings as well among a few others who could be available.

"It's going to be good this week, match committee, we're going to have some tough decisions to make."

There is a small chance senior midfielder Leigh Montagna will be available for selection after tearing his medial meniscus in his left knee 11 days ago.

Billings, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring strain in the Saints' first NAB Challenge match against the Brisbane Lions four weeks ago and will need to prove his fitness in training this week.

Sinclair could be one of three rookies elevated later this week after the Saints moved Arryn Siposs (shoulder), Seb Ross (hamstring) and Daniel Markworth (shoulder) onto the long-term injury list.

First-year key defender Hugh Goddard is less likely to break into an experienced backline in round one, but Sexton said the club had faith he could perform if selected early in the season.

"His game against Essendon … he played on Jonathan Giles and acquitted himself really well," Sexton said.

"He competed well and he was aggressive that day against a seasoned AFL player, so we think when [the first-year players] get their call up they're going to be physically ready.

"We think if we can throw them in the deep end, they'd learn to swim pretty quick."

Sexton said the Saints would decide this week if they selected both Tom Hickey and Billy Longer to rotate in the ruck or use forward Josh Bruce to pinch-hit.

After serving an 18-month suspension for taking a banned substance, rookie Ahmed Saad could also play his first game since round 19, 2013.

"He's gone through a hell of a lot," Sexton said.

"Eighteen months is a long time out … he went away, he got married, he did some stockbroking and he really looked after himself on an individual level.

"Then to come back in the physical condition he did … if he gets selected we think he'd be ready to pounce and have an influence as an AFL player."

 

[PC]

Blues & Tigers team will be Wed night, with late outs & subs at 5:50pm Thu.

Righty, thanks. For me, if they are both in the team on Wed night, they stay in my team. One will be sub though I expect and at the moment my gut says it will be Lambert. Anyone else (Tiger fans) have any thoughts on these two?

 

[Grant]

My defence line is now back to all rookies and it looks pretty good. Not sure about wasting valuable mid,ruck,fwd positions on all but a couple of dodgy rookies.

"All rookies"? I don't see that as possible since it's quite unlikely that there will be 8+ def under 200k playing.

 

[AngryAnt]

Sinclair could be a really good shout for a mid bench spot, probably going to be the sub though.

 

[Changa]

I've been faced with something similar. I think Salem would be ahead with his JS but everytime i get him in, it's at the expense of Gray which then makes my team not look quite right so i revert back to not having him.

Im taking the gamble and running gray in the middle to start

 

[Changa]

Am also opting to save me the 50k and put bennel over martin in hope that the absence of gary will provide extra points for harley. Risk i know, but worth it if it pays of.

 

[_Slip_]

Vandenburg scenario is annoying me right now.

With the Tigers playing Thursday it means I have to lock Lambert in either forward or mid.

If I lock him in mid then I don't think I will have a spot for Vandenburg (barring other rookies not starting) and if I leave him forward and Vandenburg doesn't play I can't bring Lonie in.

I can see Melbourne naming Vandenburg in their 25 man squad but whether he gets a run or not is the problem.

Decisions bloody decisions.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Vandenburg scenario is annoying me right now.

With the Tigers playing Thursday it means I have to lock Lambert in either forward or mid.

If I lock him in mid then I don't think I will have a spot for Vandenburg (barring other rookies not starting) and if I leave him forward and Vandenburg doesn't play I can't bring Lonie in.

I can see Melbourne naming Vandenburg in their 25 man squad but whether he gets a run or not is the problem.

Decisions bloody decisions.

I hear you. Same problem for me (and lots of other I am guessing). VDB hasn't even been elevated off the Rookie list yet, so that is probably the first thing to look out for. I think if he gets elevated this week, then there is a reasonable expectation that he would play..... I think

 

[_Slip_]

I hear you. Same problem for me (and lots of other I am guessing). VDB hasn't even been elevated off the Rookie list yet, so that is probably the first thing to look out for. I think if he gets elevated this week, then there is a reasonable expectation that he would play..... I think

I think I will leave him out unless Roos comes out and says he is in the starting 22 before Thursday's game. Worst case scenario he is a corrective trade if he performs.

 

[dyii]

With Robbie Tarrant a pretty much certain inclusion according to coach Brad Scott, is he worth having as F7? Note he will be playing key defender

 

[aj74]

Yeah I don't know if it would help Karnezis too much. Thomas and Keeffe are fringe players at the club. It would definitely reduce competition for spots though.

Reckon Gault's prospects are helped a bit with Keeffe going. Our KPDs will be Brown, Reid and Frost. Reid has to play back now, you'd think. Leaves Cloke, White and Gault for the KPFs. White brings a bit to the team but is way too inconsistent to hold his spot for too long. Buckley doesn't like playing 3 talls forward so we'd be waiting for White to get dropped before Gault would play.

Karnezis can play pretty well through the midfield and makes a decent enough target up forward. Thomas is an inside mid though so his missing shouldn't affect Karnezis at all.

Taylor Adams, on the other hand... With Ball retiring, no Greenwood or Thomas, he's just become our only in and under extractor. Next best we have would probably be Jarryd Blair (though we're getting off the topic now)

 

[Ricky Bobby]

@FantasyFreako: Ben McGlynn has suffered a hamstring injury and is out for Round 1. Heeney a lock to debut now. via @neilcordy #AFLFantasy #SuperCoach

 

[OzRulesFootball]

@FantasyFreako: Ben McGlynn has suffered a hamstring injury and is out for Round 1. Heeney a lock to debut now. via @neilcordy #AFLFantasy #SuperCoach

oh god!!! That is bad luck for McGlynn but hmmm might just make me feel safer to pick Tom Mitchell again.