Changes v Essendon (Round 6)

[Grand New Flag 3,226]

13 hours ago, Socrates said:

We have lost games to teams we easily beat last year - we have not improved

Out: Goodwin

In: Roos

 

 

Utter Rubbish - We are a far better team this season. Footy Gods have been horrible unkind. Our respective ruckmen going down in the 2nd quarters against Geelong and Richmond cost us both those games. 

 

[Macca 16,173]

The other issue that needs to be addressed is our forward line ... our opponents are flooding back but we're giving them the time to flood back.  We need to be far more direct with our inside 50 forays but that line of thinking needs to be backed up with the right personnel and structure.

HF   Kent   Hogan  Watts

F     Garlett  Petracca Pedersen

The above forward line needs to have an element of rotation & adaptability for roles & match-ups.  Watts & Hogan can spend some time in the midfield (not rucking) whilst Petracca can play as a high-half forward on occasions (if fit) as well as playing out of the goal square.  Watts can play a similar role.

Pedersen can also (at times) play out of the goal square and he could also be used as a decoy ... apart from being the 2nd ruck.  Bugg could play in Kent's position but the AFL is not the VFL.

Meanwhile, we'd have a kid in the ruck trying his absolute best.  It's not ideal but it might just have to do.

Edited April 25, 2017 by Macca

[What 18,810]

2 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

 

Lets see how the team pulls up, but I can see 4-5 changes this week.  Essensystematicdrugcheats should be gettable, even with the injury list we currently carry

They will have a 4 day break,  already look slow and tired and will play in a big game today.

We will still somehow find a way to lose to them though.

[chook fowler 18,212]

8 minutes ago, Grand New Flag said:

Utter Rubbish - We are a far better team this season. Footy Gods have been horrible unkind. Our respective ruckmen going down in the 2nd quarters against Geelong and Richmond cost us both those games. 

 

Plus the Hogan/Lewis fiasco

[WERRIDEE 5,209]

IN: LEWIS, O.MCDONALD, PEDERSEN

OUT: SMITH, SPENCER, JKH

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,418]

I think we need to run with three rucks for the foreseeable future; Pedersen, Watts and Frost. Pedo can ruck 50%, Watts 30% and Frost 20%.

We can then bring in O Mac to ensure we have a tall enough backline when Frost is rucking.

I'd make the following changes:

In: Pedersen, O Mac, Lewis, Kent

Out: Spencer, Smith, JKH, Melksham

I really don't see what JKH brings that is better than Kent? Unless there is some special KPI I'm not getting, Kent is cleaner with the ball, faster and hits the scoreboard. It really is a no brainer. I know he didn't play his best game at Casey on the weekend but he is our best option as a small forward.

[Satyriconhome 9,982]

14 hours ago, bing181 said:

You see what you want to see I guess. Love Nev as much as the next wo/man, but is he damaging enough once he gets it? You look at what Hibberd and Hunt did tonight and wonder if the modern game hasn't gone past the role of a primarily defensive HBF.

That is not his role, he is the stay at home defender allowing Hibberd and Hunt the freedom

Has licence to drift forward as well as he reads the play, hence the 2 goals already this season

He saved at least 3 certain goals last night

[Wiseblood 24,636]

55 minutes ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I think we need to run with three rucks for the foreseeable future; Pedersen, Watts and Frost. Pedo can ruck 50%, Watts 30% and Frost 20%.

We can then bring in O Mac to ensure we have a tall enough backline when Frost is rucking.

I'd make the following changes:

In: Pedersen, O Mac, Lewis, Kent

Out: Spencer, Smith, JKH, Melksham

I really don't see what JKH brings that is better than Kent? Unless there is some special KPI I'm not getting, Kent is cleaner with the ball, faster and hits the scoreboard. It really is a no brainer. I know he didn't play his best game at Casey on the weekend but he is our best option as a small forward.

This is something people are constantly bringing up.  I'll preface my comment by saying that I would rather see Kent in the side than JKH, but...

Kent was, from all reports, pretty poor on the weekend at Casey.  He had the opportunity to go back, work on what was expected of him (which we assume is defensive efforts) and force his way back into the side.  It sounds as if he didn't get close and played a very average game.  You could argue that Goodwin was justified in dropping him if that's the response he gets.

We need to send a message that you are in the side based on how you play your role within the side, not just on talent alone.  We can't afford to gift games to players as it sends the wrong message.

[deestar 159]

17 hours ago, wheaters31 said:

Frost has to go into ruck for mine. Oscar McDonald brought in to take key defensive post. In for Spencer.

Pederson in for Smith

Lewis in for Melksham. No tackles for Melksham as a defender. Gone.

Kent in for Jay Kennedy-Harris. The kick to the corridor from the wing that resulted in Riewoldt goal will go down as one of the worst decisions that I've seen.

This is assuming Petracca and Viney are fine.

 

Summary:

In: O. McDonald, Pederson, Lewis, Kent

Out: Smith, Spencer, Melksham, JKH

You have read my mind. 

We are royaly screwed in the ruck dept and bringing in a kid Mitch King isn't the right call. Frost has unbelievable athletic ability and the coaching staff need to work some magic with ruck school this week. Frost does some amazing things and utterly stupid things but like Goodwin has said they need to get creative. Not sure on his tank though ... anyone know what his endurance is like ? Pederson in as that utility forward and back that can pinch hit ruck. Watts in the fwd line is much more dangerous.

Leaving Kent out last night was a big match selection error .... JKH looked good a few years ago but hasnt done anything more than that .... Kent last night would have been much more value.

[dbj1983 138]

Goodwins selections this year have been woeful in just about every game.

Fancy picking Tim Smith (after dropping him after one game) and not picking Pedersen who is a good back up ruckman. Dropping Bugg after one game was a mistake as well. He would have added more grunt and pressure than four Jay Kennedy Harris’. I watched JKH last week and he was average at best. Again, Kent was stiff to be dropped after one poor game given Melksham has had four average games in a row. I just get the feeling Goodwin has his favourites and this really bothers me.

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, Kent and Pedo

Outs: JKH, Bullen, Spencer and Smith.

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

Spencer gone for 6 weeks..

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-04-25/spencer-to-miss-six-to-seven-weeks

Smith punctured lung and Tracca cleared of any damage but will be assessed during the week.

Edited April 25, 2017 by dazzledavey36

[bing181 8,164]

29 minutes ago, deestar said:

Kent last night would have been much more value.

Or not.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

14 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Spencer gone for 6 weeks..

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-04-25/spencer-to-miss-six-to-seven-weeks

Smith punctured lung and Tracca cleared of any damage but will be assessed during the week.

Damn.  Let's look at those next 6 weeks:

Bombers - Have Leuenberger with Daniher pinch hitting.

Hawks - McEvoy

Crows - Jacobs and Jenkins

North - Goldstein and Preuss

Suns - Witts

We then have the bye, followed by the Pies on Queens Birthday which Spencer may be ready to go for by then.

The Adelaide/North fortnight scares me in terms of their potential ruck dominance, but the other three don't worry me as much.

[At the break of Gawn 3,486]

Have a feeling Daniher might kick a bag against us. McDonald is his bunny. Fantasia and Tippa both in good form also and there is Hooker to worry about.

If you play Frost as the back up or our main you'll need OMac in to cover him.

[junk 342]

I agree with Deestar changes for next week. This constant mention of Essendrug is waring a bit thin considering we have purchased two drug cheats from them,that makes some of us hypocites. Maybe we could give Keilty a go. Another loss eventually and we might end up in the abyss!!!. 

[defuture15 844]

Frost needs to take daniher

[Demon Dynasty 15,377]

1 hour ago, dbj1983 said:

Goodwins selections this year have been woeful in just about every game.

Fancy picking Tim Smith (after dropping him after one game) and not picking Pedersen who is a good back up ruckman. Dropping Bugg after one game was a mistake as well. He would have added more grunt and pressure than four Jay Kennedy Harris’. I watched JKH last week and he was average at best. Again, Kent was stiff to be dropped after one poor game given Melksham has had four average games in a row. I just get the feeling Goodwin has his favourites and this really bothers me.

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, Kent and Pedo

Outs: JKH, Bullen, Spencer and Smith.

Pretty spot on dbj.

Our selections and particularly the chopping and changing without any continuity towards team cohesion, player confidence and allowing new entries to step up to 'AFL Level' fitness and pace over 2 to 3 weeks continuity (at least) has been woeful so far.

Agree with most of the above but now that Kent is out (agree should have been given one more week as should have Bugg) i want to see what JKH truly offers in the next 2 weeks (minimum). My view is if you bring someone in they have to have a fair crack at showing what they might be offering and backing your initial selection. Ie., they have to be in such good form over a few weeks or more at Casey that you have no option but to select and give them a run at it.  JKH didn't do that but has now earned the continuity as he is there, even if his inclusion was on the back of an initial poor selection criteria/judgement.

So, if the FD collectively feels King can at least neautralise a fair percentage of contests and has at least a 3/4 match tank or more i would run with....

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, King, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Melksham, Spencer & Smith

If King is just too far away and too big a risk then:

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Spencer & Smith

Frosty to share ruck duties with Pedders, Watts playing a minor 3rd string role when needed (max approx 10% of game time)

Edited April 25, 2017 by Rusty Nails

[Moonshadow 16,161]

10 minutes ago, defuture15 said:

Frost needs to take daniher

Take him out, you mean?

[Redleg 37,556]

3 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Take him out, you mean?

We don't do that, other sides do.

[praha 10,270]

Not quite sure we match up well with the Bombers. Fear they are a 4-5 goal better side. Like Richmond they pounce on opposition errors and are quite good in transition. Depending on how Goodwin approaches it, this next few weeks will really test his coaching prowess (or lack thereof). 

[Wiseblood 24,636]

6 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Pretty spot on dbj.

Our selections and particularly the chopping and changing without any continuity towards team cohesion, player confidence and allowing new entries to step up to 'AFL Level' fitness and pace over 2 to 3 weeks continuity (at least) has been woeful so far.

Agree with most of the above but now that Kent is out (agree should have been given one more week as should have Bugg) i want to see what JKH truly offers in the next 2 weeks (minimum). My view is if you bring someone in they have to have a fair crack at showing what they might be offering and backing your initial selection. Ie., they have to be in such good form over a few weeks or more at Casey that you have no option but to select and give them a run at it.  JKH didn't do that but has now earned the continuity as he is there, even if his inclusion was on the back of an initial poor selection criteria/judgement.

So, if the FD collectively feels King can at least neautralise a fair percentage of contests and has at least a 3/4 match tank or more i would run with....

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, King, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Melksham, Spencer & Smith

If King is just too far away and too big a risk then:

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Spencer & Smith

Frosty to share ruck duties with Pedders, Watts playing a minor 3rd string role when needed (max approx 10% of game time)

This post drips with irony.  You complain that we are constantly chopping and changing which is bad for the side, and then you suggest 4 changes, two of which aren't down to injuries.  

Not only that, but one of those changes is ANB who has been one of our better players this year.  Madness.  I do like the fact that JKH, who was far worse than ANB, survives to support your 'continuity' argument, which shows how hard you shot yourself in the foot with that line of thinking.

If a player comes in and can't step up then they face the axe.  We are well past the idea of giving away games, and if we want to play finals then players must come in to the side knowing they need to step up or lose their place to the others guys waiting in the wings.  We now have solid depth that means we can afford to do it.  We can't persist with players anymore.

[beelzebub 22,225]

17 hours ago, martin said:

fair point but Goodwin, and Roos before him, have publicly stated that form will be rewarded. Pederson has been very good. The likes of JKH have been gifted games.

Agree

 Goody has without doubt some favourites .

So be it... Just get it right Simon.

[dbj1983 138]

29 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Pretty spot on dbj.

Our selections and particularly the chopping and changing without any continuity towards team cohesion, player confidence and allowing new entries to step up to 'AFL Level' fitness and pace over 2 to 3 weeks continuity (at least) has been woeful so far.

Agree with most of the above but now that Kent is out (agree should have been given one more week as should have Bugg) i want to see what JKH truly offers in the next 2 weeks (minimum). My view is if you bring someone in they have to have a fair crack at showing what they might be offering and backing your initial selection. Ie., they have to be in such good form over a few weeks or more at Casey that you have no option but to select and give them a run at it.  JKH didn't do that but has now earned the continuity as he is there, even if his inclusion was on the back of an initial poor selection criteria/judgement.

So, if the FD collectively feels King can at least neautralise a fair percentage of contests and has at least a 3/4 match tank or more i would run with....

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, King, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Melksham, Spencer & Smith

If King is just too far away and too big a risk then:

Ins: Lewis, Bugg, Pedo

Outs: ANB, Spencer & Smith

Frosty to share ruck duties with Pedders, Watts playing a minor 3rd string role when needed (max approx 10% of game time)

Fair comment. Like your thinking!

 

[Old Bear 388]

18 hours ago, Abe said:

Could try no ruckman at all?

Sure could 

Would last for all of 10 minutes and 5 goals to Bombers

[Biffen 12,323]

41 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Take him out, you mean?

I couldn't be seen in public with anyone that ugly.

Although I make an exception for vaguely amusing people such as Bitters.