While Guelfi has been training with the mids I think that is more a learning experience to round out his game. I still expect him to play predominantly back when selected with maybe occasional runs through the midfield
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Yes, the forwards, backs and rucks
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Of which the changes this year, from what I can recall of training reports are;
Longy- backs
Guelfi- mids
Laverde- mids? Unclear? Any help?
Begley??
And the experiments of last years preseason of Dlarke as a forward, Hooker forward, Brown back seem to have been dropped.
Laverde has been training with the forwards and Begley has been with the modified players so hasnāt been in any of the specialised groups
From what Iāve seen, as Nackers said above, but Laverde has spent more time in the middle than in previous years, and Begley hasnāt really ventured into mid territory.
Yep.
And even if you do have a bad little spell of injuries, thatās an opportunity within that to try new things which then improves your squad depth and/or flexibility.
Any recommendations on where to sit? Iām going up there for the first time.
Dea 
Will Begley be right to go by then?
James Stewart or Smack who you got.
Why isnāt anyone asking who your 7th defender is?
I think heāll be fit but I would be surprised if he doesnāt play some games in the reserves first to get confidence back in his body
If it makes you feel better.
Maxx
Who is your seventh defender?
Or to be clear, who provides the interchange relief for your backline?
Langford Parish Begley Myers?
Not ā ā ā ā ā ā likely.
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I posted something the other day that might answer the question:
Your maths is wrong.
Try looking at percentages of time on the ground for the 4 small / medium defenders only
Trying to add all percentages by a nominal positional basis leads you into pixie land. Thereās a reason Essendon and most other sides name a defender on the interchange.
Iām actually excited for this season, which canāt be a good thing.
Going to head to that filth shithole next Thursday
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An updated Best 22 - my guess at who the selectors may actually pick vs GWS.
(Players named as per first bounce)
Saad Hooker Francis
Gleeson Hurley McKenna
McGrath Heppell Zaharakis
Walla Joey Langford
Stringer Fanta Zlarke
Belly Shiel Merrett
I/C Smith Parish Myers Guelfi
Not what Iād originally considered but I wanted to see what the two ruckmen might mean.
GWS is short of rucks for Round 1 - it may give us a serious advantage at stoppages by playing two.
Note Fanta at FF is based on the ā clear everyone else outā strategy teams are reportedly considering for the new centre bounces rules.
Gleeson if not match fit replaced by Redman- I think theyāll take a punt here on either player.
Not just one reason. There needs to be cover in case of an injury on each line. That doesnāt necessarily mean covering both key defenders and small-medium defenders on the bench for example. Having a specialist tall defender on the bench would be silly, but having a swingman would be great. Brown is ideal for that, because he is mobile and can even play on the wing.
If a Saad / McKenna went down, McGrath or Baguley would move to the back end, and one of the mids eg Smith or Guelfi could cover for them. Ideally the bench would have 1 medium tall defender, one medium/tall forward and 2 mids. but The Langford can cover the tall forward role, so 1 medium (plays) tall defender and 3 mids incl Langford might do the trick.
So, "There are reasons why Essendon and most other sides name a defender on the interchange.
Oh wow, I seriously didnāt realise one of our JLT matches was in Melbourne, rather than out woop woop. Iāll definitely go.
Makes me wonder if Iāll need a ticket. Remember that preseason game in 2016 there where I think it was just about full?
On a related topic (kind of) - for Round 1, does anyone have any recommendations on where to sit in Spotless Stadium? Iāve never been there and am flying up to see the Dons there for the first time. Tickets havenāt yet been released by the AFL, but I thought Iād start seeking suggestions.
Or should I start a new thread about the Round 1 game?
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Do you think Zlarke will be in over McKernan?