Second drdrake, adjusting mine...

IN: Scully, Blease

OUT: Tapscott, Davey

I would add Petterd to that list. Yes Newton had a brainfade but he kicked two and pressured. Brainfade aside what is the angst he is copping and why is more of it not aimed at Petterd and Bate?

I left Bate in because he has more to give, but is struggling with his belief, as he feels let down by the club, and a bit disillusioned. This is distracting his ability to focus. But his Bulk is handy in contested ball situations, when the ball comes to ground. We need some size out there, and his support showed in a win against the Crows. It just wasn't apparent in the 'Stats'.

I left Bate in because he has more to give, but is struggling with his belief, as he feels let down by the club, and a bit disillusioned. This is distracting his ability to focus. But his Bulk is handy in contested ball situations, when the ball comes to ground. We need some size out there, and his support showed in a win against the Crows. It just wasn't apparent in the 'Stats'.

sorry dee-luded I think you're clutching at straws there

we all know Bater has some talents (albeit limited) but he rarely shows them with any frequency and his deficiencies just stand out too much. I think playing one reasonable game every 6 outings has put his future in serious doubt. A pity cos a couple of years ago I thought he might come on but his development has stalled. I see him at Casey for the rest of the season with Juice (and preferably Dunne) and we pump some games into the youngsters whilst we can.

OUT: Newton Tapscott

IN: Howe Blease

Out: Tapscott (injured), bate(useless),

In: Blease, Howe

Lucky: Newton, Davey

I have to disagree about Bate/Newton. I don't think Bate is as much of a liability as Newton. Bate has been quiet but he at least gives a contest. I also feel that Newton gets in the way up forward. I'd rather see more room for Jurrah who does his best work when isolated up forward. Bate on the other hand works hard up the ground and although he's a bit slow, he is strong and tries hard. I'd like to see him play a couple in a row in the seniors, rather than the 1 week up, dropped, dominate the VFL, back up again pattern we have going on.

I don't understand why the coaching staff don't isolate a Jurrah or Petterd in the goal square and continually, especially in Jurrah's case play him up the ground. With Watts coming on now as more of a midfielder type, they should be given the deep forward job more often, both great 1 on 1 marks and also decent at ground level

sorry dee-luded I think you're clutching at straws there

we all know Bater has some talents (albeit limited) but he rarely shows them with any frequency and his deficiencies just stand out too much. I think playing one reasonable game every 6 outings has put his future in serious doubt. A pity cos a couple of years ago I thought he might come on but his development has stalled. I see him at Casey for the rest of the season with Juice (and preferably Dunne) and we pump some games into the youngsters whilst we can.

I know he's limited, and I'm not thinking to far in the future, But for right Now, he's helpfull, if we let him. The reason is until we get all the A+ players back, Bater is good value. We need his size, and IF he found his old form he would be very handy. He was influential towards our win against the Crows even if many missed the method that helped us.

OUT: Newton Tapscott

IN: Howe Blease

Who's your Ruck, and who's going to offer overhead marking inside the 50?

I don't understand why the coaching staff don't isolate a Jurrah or Petterd in the goal square and continually, especially in Jurrah's case play him up the ground. With Watts coming on now as more of a midfielder type, they should be given the deep forward job more often, both great 1 on 1 marks and also decent at ground level

Their developing the side and it's structure. We didn't like having Robbo deep forward as the go to man and he was easily beaten by top defenders. Inefficient, so we have to have a structure similar to the one we plan to go forward with. Our midfielders need to learn to be able to spot a short target or to look Deep for the talls.

Jurrrrah Is Not a tall forward, but rather a flanker who can roam and damage through the middle, as well as drift deep.

We didn't like having Robbo deep forward as the go to man and he was easily beaten by top defenders.

I must have been watching a different football game.

Robbo was indeed played deep for most of his career. He was a hard mark up for defenders at his best because his size belied his marking ability. Over his career he collected some fair scalps. He was definitely not a flanker.

re: Blease and co: At some point, and it might not yet, someone like Blease needs a run in the seniors to check if he suffers "the Rohan Bail syndrome" which of course is the mirror-image of "the Rod Keogh plague". When Bail was elevated to the senior team, he hadn't played a single break-out Casey game. In fact, reports were that his Casey performances were nothing special. Within 2 weeks he made it clear that he was a part of the Melbourne senior side. There's something about the pace, pressure and space at senior level that just 'clicks' with certain players.

I know he's limited, and I'm not thinking to far in the future, But for right Now, he's helpfull, if we let him. The reason is until we get all the A+ players back, Bater is good value. We need his size, and IF he found his old form he would be very handy. He was influential towards our win against the Crows even if many missed the method that helped us.

Sorry mate, IMO he was woeful against Crows. 6 possessions, dropped chest marks etc. Had zero influence on outcome. You won't convince me otherwise.

Who's your Ruck, and who's going to offer overhead marking inside the 50?

Steffy to fly solo and I haven't seen Newton take a overhead make since 2007.

Sorry mate, IMO he was woeful against Crows. 6 possessions, dropped chest marks etc. Had zero influence on outcome. You won't convince me otherwise.

From the player review on the MFC website Matthew Bate: Matthew’s work-rate was very good. He presented in all the right areas. He needs to demand the ball more and we need to use him more.

So if we don't kick it to him, he can't do much with it can he?

In: Blease

Out: Tapscott (inj)

reading the player review on the MFC site it seemd like the coaches were least happy with petterd?

IN / OUT (revised)

Strauss / Tapscott (hamstring)

Howe / Bate

Gawn / Newton

Scully / Davey (knee)

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/just-when-davey-looked-safe-knee-lets-him-down-20110524-1f2ik.html

Edited May 25, 201114 yr by Artie Bucco

I must have been watching a different football game.

Robbo was indeed played deep for most of his career. He was a hard mark up for defenders at his best because his size belied his marking ability. Over his career he collected some fair scalps. He was definitely not a flanker.

I'm glad you spelt that with "fl" and not "w", which at times however, would have been appropriate.

The problem for Robbo was that the delivery was dismal. He could've been something if the ball were to be kicked out in front of him rather than 2 foot above his head. Between that and his work ethic, seriously cost him a spot in the "greats of Melbourne" list. I think if the former had've been better, the latter would have naturally increased.

I'm still a strong believer that Blease will make his debut this week. If we are to keep Bate in, I'd send him to Full Forward and tell him not to come out of the 50m area. This would require us to drop Newton, who would then require Gawn to come in, and I'm just not sure if we will have 2 debutantes in the one night.

I'm glad you spelt that with "fl" and not "w", which at times however, would have been appropriate.

The problem for Robbo was that the delivery was dismal. He could've been something if the ball were to be kicked out in front of him rather than 2 foot above his head. Between that and his work ethic

Agreed. The delivery to Robertson was terrible, but he presented very well on the lead.

Between that and his work ethic, seriously cost him a spot in the "greats of Melbourne" list.

Yeah the hack only managed to come in THIRD in the AL TIME GOALKICKERS LIST of the MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB, behind Neitz and Norm Smith, ahead of Gary Lyon

great comment mate

Yeah the hack only managed to come in THIRD in the AL TIME GOALKICKERS LIST of the MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB, behind Neitz and Norm Smith, ahead of Gary Lyon

great comment mate

So you'd have him in your "Greats of Melbourne" team? Good for you, I wouldn't, regardless of where he stood on the goal kicking table. I believe he was a very good player for the MFC, but obviously not as high as you rate him.

Sorry if my comment wasn't up to your "great" standard...mate.

I see Davey is now in doubt for Friday with a "knee injury" (nothing too serious - just a discomfort) - is "knee injury" some sort of coded message?

On Davey, I had to have a little laugh in the last quarter on Saturday, he was done for the day and I dare to say would have been subbed off if we still had the option. He was limping around looking at the bench wanting to come off, all of the sudden the ball was near him Jones wasn't and he was the Flash again sprinted after the footy was quick the ears pricked back, then Jones went back to him the limp came back and the looks to the bench started again.

I'm starting to think he won't play might be the same as Aussie's knee the week before.

I would expect Carlton to play two ruckmen, even if Warnock doesn't play. So Martin is going to need help. As much as I find Newton to be a continuing disappointment, unless he's replaced with someone who can support Martin, he has to stay one more week. I can't see Davey being dropped - but he could be out injured. I think Bate, while never having been a star has shown in the past that he can play. So I'd give him another chance; ditto Petterd, although he has also been disappointing.

But enough about the forwards - I don't think they're the problem. With Tapscott, Garland, Grimes, Bail and possibly Davey out we have a backline with holes, lacking pace and generally poor foot skills. With Carlton primarily relying on small forwards, it's time for some new or transfused blood back there.

So, I would make the following changes:

OUT:

Newton for Gawn

Tapscott for Bennell/Strauss (to play on one of the small forwards)

Davey (but only if injured) for Bennell/Strauss

If Newton stays in, I'd be tempted to drop MacDonald and play Howe moving Petterd back - although, once again, his foot skills worry me.

It's 50:50 for me whether Bennell or Strauss come in.

Edited May 25, 201114 yr by La Dee-vina Commedia

I see Davey is now in doubt for Friday with a "knee injury" (nothing too serious - just a discomfort) - is "knee injury" some sort of coded message?

"Knee soreness" is slightly more inventive than "general soreness"

I would like to see Davey given this week in the seniors to see if he responds. If he doesnt then let him go to casey. I just have an inkling hes ready to go. I may and probably am completely off the mark.