Just floating the thought that we're struggling at delivering the ball to about 20-40 metres out, and wondering if it's not worth throwing Watts, or even McNamara into the square where we wouldn't have to try and be so precise and could have a big unit to catch the ball? (Old school, I know)

I like Green, Sylvia, Dunn, Bate, and even occasionally Moloney from 40-50, but we're struggling to hit targets at that mid distance between there and the square. We have some big fellas in Watts, McNamara, Martin, Morton, and even Green plays above his size down there, could they be used well there?

Watts could get some much needed confidence from a few shots at close range.

Rivers could even play around half forward to utilise his marking, as he's mostly struggling down back with the modern style of short possession game.

Thoughts?

Just floating the thought that we're struggling at delivering the ball to about 20-40 metres out, and wondering if it's not worth throwing Watts, or even McNamara into the square where we wouldn't have to try and be so precise and could have a big unit to catch the ball? (Old school, I know)

I like Green, Sylvia, Dunn, Bate, and even occasionally Moloney from 40-50, but we're struggling to hit targets at that mid distance between there and the square. We have some big fellas in Watts, McNamara, Martin, Morton, and even Green plays above his size down there, could they be used well there?

Watts could get some much needed confidence from a few shots at close range.

Rivers could even play around half forward to utilise his marking, as he's mostly struggling down back with the modern style of short possession game.

Thoughts?

Chuck Watts in the square to play alongside Green, Sylvia and Dun who will also float in the 50, and move Garland and Morton in there too. Bate should float around 50.

Bailey, pleeeeeease put Dunn in the square this week and leave him there. His confidence will be sky-high this week after kicking 8 for Casey, can we please at least try some form of long target. Even if we bomb it long and it comes straight back, better than turning it over on the flank/wing while pissing around with it. Or Green, or maybe Watts - but only if the delivery is good. Putting it on his head = death by Presti.

Left field:

McNamara

Just floating the thought that we're struggling at delivering the ball to about 20-40 metres out, and wondering if it's not worth throwing Watts, or even McNamara into the square where we wouldn't have to try and be so precise and could have a big unit to catch the ball? (Old school, I know)

I like Green, Sylvia, Dunn, Bate, and even occasionally Moloney from 40-50, but we're struggling to hit targets at that mid distance between there and the square. We have some big fellas in Watts, McNamara, Martin, Morton, and even Green plays above his size down there, could they be used well there?

Watts could get some much needed confidence from a few shots at close range.

Rivers could even play around half forward to utilise his marking, as he's mostly struggling down back with the modern style of short possession game.

Thoughts?

Your right but probably to soon. If we want the midfield to develop their games & skills to near perfection, then maybe they have to learn to make great decisions, & to pinpoint their kicks.

By going long all the time or bombing long will diminish that hard learning curve that will hurt us in the future when we'll hopefully need to know how to make the winning decisions & to make that game winning play. We can add that simple long option any time in the future.

Develop the defense first then the midfield follows, & then the icing on the cake.

Your right but probably to soon. If we want the midfield to develop their games & skills to near perfection, then maybe they have to learn to make great decisions, & to pinpoint their kicks.

By going long all the time or bombing long will diminish that hard learning curve that will hurt us in the future when we'll hopefully need to know how to make the winning decisions & to make that game winning play. We can add that simple long option any time in the future.

I disagree, let's not completely sacrifice goals and success for development. Let the lads get up some confidence by any means necessary - results will follow, as will the creativity and the skilful delivery. No point having a hard learning curve if the forwards are getting frustrated at the mids and vice versa. We need an outlet, our skills aren't yet good enough to play the waiting game around the centre/HF.

Just floating the thought that we're struggling at delivering the ball to about 20-40 metres out, and wondering if it's not worth throwing Watts, or even McNamara into the square where we wouldn't have to try and be so precise and could have a big unit to catch the ball? (Old school, I know)

I like Green, Sylvia, Dunn, Bate, and even occasionally Moloney from 40-50, but we're struggling to hit targets at that mid distance between there and the square. We have some big fellas in Watts, McNamara, Martin, Morton, and even Green plays above his size down there, could they be used well there?

Watts could get some much needed confidence from a few shots at close range.

Rivers could even play around half forward to utilise his marking, as he's mostly struggling down back with the modern style of short possession game.

Thoughts?

I agree with you but I would be looking at Paul Johnson. Jamar needs help and Paul is the only one at the moment worth selecting. Bailey should instruct Johnson to stay close the goal square at all times just like Mark Jackson did. For those that did not see Jackson play for us he was very successful at kicking goals because of his strength plus if he could not get it he tried to put the ball to our advantage. Result being Gerard Healy kicked 77 goals as well as Jackson getting 70 odd. While Jacko was a bit of a nutter we certainly fed off him when he played for Melbourne. Johnson could provide the target and our smaller players could feed off him if he does not get the ball. While I understand the game is a lot different to 25 years ago we could still apply the same principles. Green and Dunn could provide the leading options.

Unfortunatey I think Jack Watts has to go back to Casey and learn how to play in the forward line. Especially how to get in front of his man. In some ways Watts reminds me of David Cordner. David had big raps on him but found it hard to adapt to the tougher conditions of senior football. However with good coaching we will get Jack Watts to the required AFL level going into the 2011 season.

I disagree, let's not completely sacrifice goals and success for development. Let the lads get up some confidence by any means necessary - results will follow, as will the creativity and the skilful delivery. No point having a hard learning curve if the forwards are getting frustrated at the mids and vice versa. We need an outlet, our skills aren't yet good enough to play the waiting game around the centre/HF.

We have the outlets allready, they just happen to be injured, either unfortunately on fortunately, whichever way you care to look at it.

they will be back soon.

Too many good sides have prematurely climbed the ladder to fight for glory on the back of goal kicking forwards who help them scrape through games they posssibly didn't really deserve to win. Only to go on & disappoint in the big ones. Another rebuild gone bad. Many teams with Tall goaal kickers as main focal points have been shut down in finals because they lacked the class small forwards & rovers of class & guts to work hard both ways to win the ball & kick the opportunist goals.

The midfield must learn to work hard & gut run all day with elite delivery, rather than take the easy way & leave it, as it were, to the power forward.

I don't like the talk about our injured forward line, yes it is bad luck, but it's our circumstances. Does it mean we shouldn't try something else and just lack in goal kicking til they all come back? I'm talking about a solution for now, not a total game plan change, but something that may improve the way we are currently playing.

If we're talking about rucks going to full forward it would have to be Jamar, but who would ruck? Johnson and Martin have not showed as yet that they can do much in front of goals but the big ruski is a threat down there. This must explain why we have Spencer, Fitzpatrick, Meesen, Martin, and Gawn, hoping for a developer so maybe Jamar can go forward in his later years.

Jurrah is gonna need some help when he comes back as it while probably take a while for his confidence to come back, Aussie's time will only gradually increase with his match fitness, Ricky is a second target, and the other options in Morton and Garland aren't ready for the forward line yet. Watts needs somebody to show him that when he gets knocked down, niggled, beaten up off the ball that the team will go in to bat for him, and only then will his confidence start to build I feel, that and a few goals from close in, and who knows what he might be capable of?!

So maybe this thread should be more bout ruckmen? If one of those options steps up, Jamar can go to the square for half of quarters, Watts has back up, Aussie and LJ have a big target to crumb off, Green can lead out all day, and our gang of emerging midfielders have options rather than just kick it to a boundary side lead 50 out.

How about we trade for a full forward at the end of the year, or try to find another Podsiadly??

Dunn has to be given 4 quarters in the goal square. Kicking 8 in the VFL might be on par with winning a boxing match against a donkey, but it is still a sign that he is a capable forward.

Select him, and leave him at FF!

How about we trade for a full forward at the end of the year, or try to find another Podsiadly??

Suggestions?

There's a couple of threads on possible trades/recruits... the cupboard is, as usual, pretty bare.

Ah the good ol move Paul Johnson to fullforward. It's been done, and he has done nothing.

LYNDEN DUNN,LYNDEN DUNN, LYNDEN DUNN, LYNDEN DUNN!!!!!

How about we trade for a full forward at the end of the year, or try to find another Podsiadly??

Unfortunately, guys like the J-Pod don't grow on trees.

Gotch in his VFL player review said Dunn played basically 15-25 metres out from goal. And he kicked 8.

Either you reward good performances and promote players in the positions they have played well in, or you don't.

Easy decision for me. Not like we've got a dominant FF keeping him out of the position.....

Why has no one mentioned Danny Hughes?? Is he really THAT out of favour at MFC? I have only seen his few appearances in the seniors but I think he has shown more potential than most of the other names mentioned.. Strong hands, fast, good overhead, courageous. Surely we can give him a few more games to see what he has got?

Why has no one mentioned Danny Hughes?? Is he really THAT out of favour at MFC? I have only seen his few appearances in the seniors but I think he has shown more potential than most of the other names mentioned.. Strong hands, fast, good overhead, courageous. Surely we can give him a few more games to see what he has got?

I think we are going to have 3 out through injury and 1 -2 dropped for poor performance.

So surely there is room to bring in Dunn and Hughes!

Like Dunn, I saw Hughes twice and thought he was a little unlucky to be dropped.

Both he and Dunn have a quality we will need on Monday and that is they are both strong and tuff.

Neither will be bluffed by pie thugs.

After we embarrased them earlier this year they will come out with all guns blazing, especially since we are getting a reputation for being slow starters.

I agree with you but I would be looking at Paul Johnson. Jamar needs help and Paul is the only one at the moment worth selecting. Bailey should instruct Johnson to stay close the goal square at all times just like Mark Jackson did. For those that did not see Jackson play for us he was very successful at kicking goals because of his strength plus if he could not get it he tried to put the ball to our advantage. Result being Gerard Healy kicked 77 goals as well as Jackson getting 70 odd. While Jacko was a bit of a nutter we certainly fed off him when he played for Melbourne. Johnson could provide the target and our smaller players could feed off him if he does not get the ball. While I understand the game is a lot different to 25 years ago we could still apply the same principles. Green and Dunn could provide the leading options.

Unfortunatey I think Jack Watts has to go back to Casey and learn how to play in the forward line. Especially how to get in front of his man. In some ways Watts reminds me of David Cordner. David had big raps on him but found it hard to adapt to the tougher conditions of senior football. However with good coaching we will get Jack Watts to the required AFL level going into the 2011 season.

FFS...

When will it end?

Don't really think Johnson is an option any more, we have more than enough midfielders, we don't need a 200cm one getting in the way, and he just doesn't seem to have the core strength in the goal square. I liked the look of him maybe 2 years ago, but I think our team identity is changing and our game plan has started to become more visible and unfortunately there's a few blokes who despite their efforts just simply won't work.

I would doubt we will go after a full forward at the end of the year unless a more than decent one becomes available, but what ruckmen are out of contract at end of season? As I said earlier, Jamar is a great, albeit non-permanent, solution at full forward, but we really can't have any one of Miller (won't be at the club), Newton (won't be at the club), Martin (yet to prove himself), Johnson (won't be at the club), Dunn (better in the forward line), or even Sylvia (seriously, in the ruck? what is going on there?) relieving him if we want to start winning clearances.

we have more than enough midfielders, we don't need a 200cm one getting in the way, and he just doesn't seem to have the core strength in the goal square.

Let's hope some of the Johnson fans read this comment.

Why has no one mentioned Danny Hughes?? Is he really THAT out of favour at MFC? I have only seen his few appearances in the seniors but I think he has shown more potential than most of the other names mentioned.. Strong hands, fast, good overhead, courageous. Surely we can give him a few more games to see what he has got?

And if you look at the player review he states that Hughes was putting the ball to Dunn 15-20 metres out. So they work well together but Hughes a does his best work further up the ground as a hit up forward. Much better than miller

I like the idea of a tough little nugget like Hughes, Maric, maybe even Bail (when he gets some luck and can get some games together) delivering the ball deep to either Dunn, Watts, or Jamar (on a chop out) in the square. Along with Green leading in and out, Bate, Dunn (when not in the square), and occasionally Sylvia, Moloney, and maybe Jetta (after his goal last week) marking around the 40-50 distance, and then Benell, Aussie, LJ (when back) lurking inside 50, all of a sudden we have a forward line. Then if Ricky decides he prizes loyalty over a tan and stays with MFC we have another marking option at mid distance.

IN: Hughes, Dunn

OUT: Watts, Miller

That might work.

Would love to see Watts given another week, dream scenario would be Ox or Gazza giving him a big rev up before the game so he is bursting with purpose. I don't like it that it's the young blokes being moved back and forward from Casey when some of our senior boys have been in worse form.

Wouldn't even mind if Watts came out and ran through, charged, decked someone at the bounce to show he's got that bit of mongrel.