ASSISTANT/forwards coach Josh Mahoney runs through the 29 players who represented Melbourne in the opening round of the NAB Cup against Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night
Rohan Bail - He showed once again how important it is to have a great runner in the side. He continually gets to a number of contests and wins a lot of the footy.
Clint Bartram - Clint played a very solid game defensively. His kicking has really improved and it was good to see him impress in this area. It was also good to see him take on guys and kick through the corridor.
Matthew Bate - He was particularly good in the second match against Port Adelaide. Bater’s one-on-one work and contested work was very good. It was all-round solid performance by him on the night.
Jamie Bennell - Jamie played a number of roles and it’s probably the way he’s going to play this year. He played in the backline, the midfield and in the forward line. It shows how important he is with his pressure all over the ground.
Sam Blease (v PA) - Sam played fewer than 10 minutes, but it was great for him to make the trip and get out there, after what he’s been through with injury in his first couple of years at the club.
Lucas Cook (v PA) - Cooky played the second game against Port Adelaide. He was really smart with his leads and his use of the ball is always a highlight.
Aaron Davey - It was overall a good hit-out from Aaron. He got a lot of the ball and it was good to see his kicking ability in action again.
Lynden Dunn - Lynden’s contested and one-on-one work, particularly in the first half against Port Adelaide was fantastic. He’s becoming a very important player for our forward line.
Michael Evans (v Ade) - Michael played against the Crows. He makes very good decisions and he’s a fine kick on either side of the body. He showed some good signs.
Colin Garland - Col showed how important he is with his reading of the play. His contested mark was a highlight. He is becoming a real general for us in the backline.
Brad Green - Greeny played on the wing for the majority of the night. He also had a little stint up forward, but he was very important for us across half-back. He saved us a number of times.
Jack Grimes - Jack provided a lot of run for us from the backline. His ability to beat his man and then generate run was excellent. He’s going to be a real weapon for us this year.
Jeremy Howe (v Ade) - It was a good experience for Howey to come across to Adelaide and play his first game. He provided some good contests and it was good to see him go for his marks.
Mark Jamar - Russian continued his form from last year and dominated the hit outs. He impressed up forward and showed that if he keeps working hard in attack, he will be a key for us.
Neville Jetta - Neville did more work in the midfield during the pre-season. His ability to get out of traffic and his agility work was a real highlight for us. He was very good in the stoppages.
Liam Jurrah - Liam was very exciting in the two games. Overall, he had five shots at goal for the night. He showed when he is around the ball, how dangerous he can be.
Tom McDonald (v PA) - Tom was smart with his leading. He knows where to run. He also showed clean hands. With these young players, you’re looking for a special moment and Tom showed one in the last five minutes against Port Adelaide. He won a really important one-on-one contest, which was a highlight.
Joel Macdonald - Joel had a very good night. He was very attacking for us in both games. He was also impressive in one-on-one contests.
Addam Maric - Addam’s had a fantastic pre-season and it was great to see him carry that into the first two matches. He kicked two goals against Adelaide and his fitness allowed him to get to a lot more contests. We’ve always known he’s got great kicking ability and he also showed that in both matches.
Stef Martin - When Stef played in the forward line during the first match, he created some very good contests for us. In the second game, due to match ups, he had to play in the backline, but that underlined his flexibility to play at both ends. He showed some good signs after a strong pre-season.
Tom McNamara (v Ade) - It was good to see Tommy get another opportunity in the backline. He always makes smarts decisions with his ball-use.
Brent Moloney - Brent has had a really good pre-season. He’s super fit and he contributed well in our midfield.
Daniel Nicholson - Nicho played in the backline in his first game. He takes players on and has got good skills - these attributes were on show in both games.
Jared Rivers - With injuries to James Frawley and Matthew Warnock, Riv had to play tall in both games. Once again, he showed his experience with the timing of his spoils and his use of the footy.
Jake Spencer - We were really excited to get Jake out there again, after battling some injuries. He continues to show improvement each year. Some of his ruck work was very good.
James Strauss - Straussy is developing really well and is gaining confidence in the backline. He’s got very good agility and he’s a great kick. We want him to keep taking the game on.
Colin Sylvia - Col played the majority of both games in the midfield. His strong body and work around the stoppages were really important for us.
Jack Trengove - Jack made a few uncharacteristic errors throughout the night. But the more experience he gets through the midfield with the likes of Moloney and Sylvia, the more he will add another dimension to our midfield team.
Jack Watts - The highlight for the night was watching Wattsy go for his marks and taking some really good contested grabs. It’s an area of his game he is continuing to work on and to finish the night with a goal in each game was a good return.
Rohan Bail - He showed once again how important it is to have a great runner in the side. He continually gets to a number of contests and wins a lot of the footy.
Clint Bartram - Clint played a very solid game defensively. His kicking has really improved and it was good to see him impress in this area. It was also good to see him take on guys and kick through the corridor.
Matthew Bate - He was particularly good in the second match against Port Adelaide. Bater’s one-on-one work and contested work was very good. It was all-round solid performance by him on the night.
Jamie Bennell - Jamie played a number of roles and it’s probably the way he’s going to play this year. He played in the backline, the midfield and in the forward line. It shows how important he is with his pressure all over the ground.
Sam Blease (v PA) - Sam played fewer than 10 minutes, but it was great for him to make the trip and get out there, after what he’s been through with injury in his first couple of years at the club.
Lucas Cook (v PA) - Cooky played the second game against Port Adelaide. He was really smart with his leads and his use of the ball is always a highlight.
Aaron Davey - It was overall a good hit-out from Aaron. He got a lot of the ball and it was good to see his kicking ability in action again.
Lynden Dunn - Lynden’s contested and one-on-one work, particularly in the first half against Port Adelaide was fantastic. He’s becoming a very important player for our forward line.
Michael Evans (v Ade) - Michael played against the Crows. He makes very good decisions and he’s a fine kick on either side of the body. He showed some good signs.
Colin Garland - Col showed how important he is with his reading of the play. His contested mark was a highlight. He is becoming a real general for us in the backline.
Brad Green - Greeny played on the wing for the majority of the night. He also had a little stint up forward, but he was very important for us across half-back. He saved us a number of times.
Jack Grimes - Jack provided a lot of run for us from the backline. His ability to beat his man and then generate run was excellent. He’s going to be a real weapon for us this year.
Jeremy Howe (v Ade) - It was a good experience for Howey to come across to Adelaide and play his first game. He provided some good contests and it was good to see him go for his marks.
Mark Jamar - Russian continued his form from last year and dominated the hit outs. He impressed up forward and showed that if he keeps working hard in attack, he will be a key for us.
Neville Jetta - Neville did more work in the midfield during the pre-season. His ability to get out of traffic and his agility work was a real highlight for us. He was very good in the stoppages.
Liam Jurrah - Liam was very exciting in the two games. Overall, he had five shots at goal for the night. He showed when he is around the ball, how dangerous he can be.
Tom McDonald (v PA) - Tom was smart with his leading. He knows where to run. He also showed clean hands. With these young players, you’re looking for a special moment and Tom showed one in the last five minutes against Port Adelaide. He won a really important one-on-one contest, which was a highlight.
Joel Macdonald - Joel had a very good night. He was very attacking for us in both games. He was also impressive in one-on-one contests.
Addam Maric - Addam’s had a fantastic pre-season and it was great to see him carry that into the first two matches. He kicked two goals against Adelaide and his fitness allowed him to get to a lot more contests. We’ve always known he’s got great kicking ability and he also showed that in both matches.
Stef Martin - When Stef played in the forward line during the first match, he created some very good contests for us. In the second game, due to match ups, he had to play in the backline, but that underlined his flexibility to play at both ends. He showed some good signs after a strong pre-season.
Tom McNamara (v Ade) - It was good to see Tommy get another opportunity in the backline. He always makes smarts decisions with his ball-use.
Brent Moloney - Brent has had a really good pre-season. He’s super fit and he contributed well in our midfield.
Daniel Nicholson - Nicho played in the backline in his first game. He takes players on and has got good skills - these attributes were on show in both games.
Jared Rivers - With injuries to James Frawley and Matthew Warnock, Riv had to play tall in both games. Once again, he showed his experience with the timing of his spoils and his use of the footy.
Jake Spencer - We were really excited to get Jake out there again, after battling some injuries. He continues to show improvement each year. Some of his ruck work was very good.
James Strauss - Straussy is developing really well and is gaining confidence in the backline. He’s got very good agility and he’s a great kick. We want him to keep taking the game on.
Colin Sylvia - Col played the majority of both games in the midfield. His strong body and work around the stoppages were really important for us.
Jack Trengove - Jack made a few uncharacteristic errors throughout the night. But the more experience he gets through the midfield with the likes of Moloney and Sylvia, the more he will add another dimension to our midfield team.
Jack Watts - The highlight for the night was watching Wattsy go for his marks and taking some really good contested grabs. It’s an area of his game he is continuing to work on and to finish the night with a goal in each game was a good return.
