Changes v Pies *Pls spare comments about coach etc

[Deespicable 2,551]

Given all our pressure indicators were way up last week, I think it will be minimal changes this week - but then who would have predicted Magner getting chopped last week.

Frawley is out so that leaves Pedersen on Lynch and Garland on Cloke (if he plays). Given that Witts is a likely Pie inclusion, I reckon we will need one more big defender which will get down to either Tom Mc or Sellar. Report from VFL says Sellar was very good so I'd go for him. Agree with other comments that Tom Mc should go back and dominate VFL before being included anyway.

Sylvia obviously comes in and it is a question of whether Evans or Matt Jones needs a rest more.

The only other change is that Fitzpatrick still looks too un-coordinated to make it - did you see his ball-drop on his shot from 45m? Gawn went back to VFL and got his form back and he's a much better tap ruckman than Fitzy, so he comes back in.

Strauss couldn't stick several attempted tackles on Puopolo but we need quick smalls down back against Pies, so I reckon he'll stay in side and his disposal skills are good.

Either way, they will pick a squad of 25 for Monday and I'm tipping the following:

Out: Frawley (inj), Fitzpatrick.

In: Sylvia, Gawn, Sellar (will come in if Witts and Cloke are listed), Blease (should play to add pace but won't unless Pies don't add Witts). The fifth 'in' won't matter because they won't play and will play for Casey on Saturday anyway.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,265]

Does anyone think we are a realistic chance against the bye following the Magpies game?

I give us a sniff, but the bye's midfield will trouble us.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,941]

Sellar isn't up to it .

Doubt he will get 50 AFL games.

Be realistic .

No hands .No feet . No pace .

I agree with your last line. We know he's a depth player , all he has to to is spoil/ tackle Cloke. Sounds easy, but if he can limit his impact he's done his job.

[pm24 451]

Out: Frawley (inj), Fitzpatrick.

In: Sylvia, Gawn, Sellar (will come in if Witts and Cloke are listed), Blease (should play to add pace but won't unless Pies don't add Witts). The fifth 'in' won't matter because they won't play and will play for Casey on Saturday anyway.

Ummm you've got four possible in's with only two outs??? who else is out to make way for Sellar and/or Blease?

[demonchris 162]

Those wanting Couch to play, the club can't play him even if they wanted to. Magner has already been promoted due to the long-term injury to Grimes. There's no other spot open for a rookie to be promoted to the senior list.

For me, Sylvia comes straight back in, and if Sylvia has improved his defensive efforts, as was suggested in the VFL report, he can come in to provide some run and carry on the wing.

If we bring Sylvia back in, then Magner doesn't need to come back in my mind. Sylvia can come in for Bail I reckon.

Jamar should also stay, because we've been more competitive in the clearances with him palming the ball down.

With Frawley out, I think Sellar is the logical choice to come in purely to matchup with Cloke. He's a bigger body, and I don't think it would be smart to bring Davis in for that match-up.

So I reckon:

Ins: Sylvia, Sellar, Blease.

Outs: Frawley (Inj), Bail, M Jones (might need the rest)

I would put Sylvia in the middle. Blease in the half forward line, and Sellar at full back to take Cloke.

Wouldnt Mcdonald be the first choice to replace Frawley?

[Deespicable 2,551]

Posted Today, 02:27 PM

Deespicable, on 05 Jun 2013 - 12:59, said:

Out: Frawley (inj), Fitzpatrick.

In: Sylvia, Gawn, Sellar (will come in if Witts and Cloke are listed), Blease (should play to add pace but won't unless Pies don't add Witts). The fifth 'in' won't matter because they won't play and will play for Casey on Saturday anyway.

Ummm you've got four possible in's with only two outs??? who else is out to make way for Sellar and/or Blease?

One of Matt Jones or Evans will be rested - won't play for Casey either. Sellar will play if Pies go big, Blease will be listed if Pies go small - but Bleasey will probably be sub.

[demonchris 162]

Given all our pressure indicators were way up last week, I think it will be minimal changes this week - but then who would have predicted Magner getting chopped last week.

Frawley is out so that leaves Pedersen on Lynch and Garland on Cloke (if he plays). Given that Witts is a likely Pie inclusion, I reckon we will need one more big defender which will get down to either Tom Mc or Sellar. Report from VFL says Sellar was very good so I'd go for him. Agree with other comments that Tom Mc should go back and dominate VFL before being included anyway.

Sylvia obviously comes in and it is a question of whether Evans or Matt Jones needs a rest more.

The only other change is that Fitzpatrick still looks too un-coordinated to make it - did you see his ball-drop on his shot from 45m? Gawn went back to VFL and got his form back and he's a much better tap ruckman than Fitzy, so he comes back in.

Strauss couldn't stick several attempted tackles on Puopolo but we need quick smalls down back against Pies, so I reckon he'll stay in side and his disposal skills are good.

Either way, they will pick a squad of 25 for Monday and I'm tipping the following:

Out: Frawley (inj), Fitzpatrick.

In: Sylvia, Gawn, Sellar (will come in if Witts and Cloke are listed), Blease (should play to add pace but won't unless Pies don't add Witts). The fifth 'in' won't matter because they won't play and will play for Casey on Saturday anyway.

I dare think that either Nicholson or Jetta will come in and play on some of the pie smalls in Elliot,Blair,Krakour and Dwyer..

[General 35]

Fitzpatrick struggled but had 11 touches 4 marks in a Fwd line that the ball rarely entered, id give him another go. Jamar - 1 kick 3 handballs 2 marks on the ball most of the day. Sylvia and Byrnes pick themselves, we need someone for Cloke, maybe Sellar or Tom Mac Donald. Blease seems to have made the coaches happy over the past few weeks I think he'll play and whose not keen to see Taggert and Toumpas play? I think we'll see a heap of changes, again!

[Craig Drinker 179]

I give us a sniff, but the bye's midfield will trouble us.

You're right! I remember them troubling us last time and eventually running over the top of us!

[pm24 451]

Wouldnt Mcdonald be the first choice to replace Frawley?

I reckon it'd be good for him to have a run at Casey first. But, if the footy department think he's ready, then yes he would be first choice, though I'm not sure he has the strength to go up against Cloke. That would be my concern.

[Deespicable 2,551]

Here's a few match-ups.

McKenzie (best tackler) on Pendlebury.

Bail (has enough speed) on Swan.

Trengove on Sidebottom (classy, but not mega-quick so Trengove has ability to run with him).

Howe on Seedsman (who has been very good of late and needs a mid with height). J Mac is other option for Seedsman.

Pies will probably use Macaffer on N.Jones with Ball and Rodan to go head to head.

Watts will most likely cop O'Brien unless Howe plays forward.

Heath Shaw will go to Tapscott, Marty Clarke will most likely get Sylvia, Marley Williams on Davey.

With Maxwell out, Reid will have to go back and match up on Dawes. Brown will have Gawn (or Fitzy if they stick with him).

Down back Strauss will have to play on Blair, Terlich will pick up Elliott leaving Dunn (eke) to claim Krakouer.

Pedersen gets Lynch and Garland gets Cloke (if he plays) or Witts. If Cloke plays, Sellar or Tom Mc will come in for Witts.

[Pates 9,537]

So the only certain out is Chip through injury and I'd say we need another big body so I see Sellar coming in. Tmac wasn't playing well before his injury do he needs weeks at the VFL to get his confidence up before he comes in. Especially against the pies.

Fitzy I reckon needs to stay, dropping him does nothing for his confidence so he should have at least another week.

Sylvia comes in because we need some quality. Magner should come in as he has earned it and we need some ball winners. We don't need wholesale changes so this is what I see:

In: Sellar, Sylvia, Magner

Out: Frawley, M Jones, Bail

[Steamin Demon 370]

OUT: Strauss, Bail, Fitzpatrick & Frawley.

IN: McDonald, Sylvia, Gawn & Blease.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,329]

Sellar isn't up to it .

Doubt he will get 50 AFL games.

Be realistic .

No hands .No feet . No pace .

I need clarification here Biffo.

Are you saying he's got no hands at all or just no hands below his knees? That is where his feet should be. Which I reckon would explain why he's got no pace.

Am I right on this or is lack of pace due to some other genetic misfortune?

[PaulRB 5,974]

I think the indicative indication of the direction of our key indicators implies we'll have a better game against Collingwood then previously indicated.

I hope this indicates how very excited I am about mondays game.

Go Dees

[DeeVoted 582]

I hope this indicates how very excited I am about mondays game.

Go Dees

Something isnt right here....

Our KP indicators are showing your excitement levels are well down.

Your failure to tackle falling hope of wins is on the up

Possession of seating remains a concern

KPIs of angst and depression heading off the scale.

A few weeks @ casey for you my lad.

[Harrisonrules 273]

To me Jamar neutralizes the centre bounce and with our midfield is actually a positive, for mine retains his place.

Totally agree. He is still the leading knock ruckman on the field week in week out. His style upsets other ruckmen. Totally neutralises opposition ruck. That's a great asset for us

[DeeSpencer 23,206]

Seems like Blease will be in after watching the Craig report. I'd have Sylvia back and after much thought I'd take Sellar in and go taller rather than shorter.

IN: Sellar, Sylvia, Blease

OUT: Frawley, Tapscott, Bail

Terlich Sellar Garland
Strauss Pedo Dunn
Howe Jones Evans
Blease Dawes Macdonald
Fitzy Sylvia Davey
Jamar Rodan McKenzie

Trengove Watts Matt Jones
S: Kent

There are just not enough difference makers in this team. We really are set up for at least a 60 point loss. Jamar can win the ruck against Jolly but not around the ground, Garland can take one Collingwood forward but the rest won't make a difference down back and in the midfield Jones can compete but everyone else will be fighting to stay in the same ball park as their opponent. If there has been one vulnerability to Collingwood this year its the personnell in their small defenders has been struggling. Obviously we need Dawes to play a good CHF game like last week but then I'd try and structure Watts and Fitzy as largely decoys with the aim of taking Reid/Maxwell etc away from the play. I'd like to see Sylvia trialed as a focal point because on a Marty Clark/Marley Williams etc he might be the one with the edge in matchup. It's wishful thinking in the highest to suggest we could get the ball down there enough but if we somehow could Sylvia along with Davey/Blease might be our best chance of getting a score.

Whilst I'm dreaming I'd love Maxwell to trundle over to Jack Watts and for Jack to really show him up. Especially if Maxwell is keen to drop off Watts and head to Dawes etc I'd like to see us play through Jack and really get him involved. Of course the hard bit will be getting it out of Collingwood's defensive pressure which means Garland/Terlich/Strauss and Dunn have to be daring but accurate and take the game on.

[titan_uranus 22,506]

Melbourne v Collingwood
MCG, Monday June 10, 3.20pm AEST
MELBOURNE
In: C.Sylvia, J.Sellar, S.Blease, M.Gawn, T.McDonald
Out: J.Frawley (hamstring), J.Strauss

[demonchris 162]

I think, Maxy, Tapscott and Bail will be the 3 emergencies.

[Invincible 9]

FFS if Tom McDonald gets straight back in, was playing ordinary before he got injured, then 4 weeks out injured. Needs to play for Casey to get some confidence.

[Biffen 12,343]

Put Clokey down for 7 if Sellars gets in.

Tom Mc is 19-thats his excuse for making the odd error.

Sellars hasn't got any.

[Demon Dynasty 15,601]

Melbourne v Collingwood

MCG, Monday June 10, 3.20pm AEST

MELBOURNE

In: C.Sylvia, J.Sellar, S.Blease, M.Gawn, T.McDonald

Out: J.Frawley (hamstring), J.Strauss

So going on this it looks like McDonald for Frawley and Sylvia for Strauss.

This is a huge missed opportunity for this week to possibly get close to the Pies IMO.

1. I would have swapped Gawn in for Fitzpatrick. Gawn is learning the ruck and this is another great opportunity. His height alone would worry the opposition in the middle and offer us a neutral outcome and allow Jamar to rest occasionaly. Gawn to rest up forward out of the goal square when Jamar's in the middle or on ball. Fitzpatrick is a mile off anything like AFL level at this point. Gawn is probably half a mile but offers a better, and possibly a scoreboard damaging, alternative. Can't see Fitz getting near the pill very often at this level, let alone marking i30 and kicking a few goals.

2. Sylvia for Strauss (looking likely)? For me it should have been Blease for Strauss. We are in desperate need of run off HB and the ability to transition quickly through the press (zone) into our 50 is sadly lacking, especially considering we are mostly using the boundary to run the ball. Our opponents have way too much time to set up defensively in our 50, making it very difficult to isolate our forwards and find them i50 on a lead or kick to the fat side as the fat side aint there, the space is often well guarded by the time we get it in there. In addition our transistion out of the defensive square, while developing and improving in terms of disposal efficiency and finding targets, is still awfully slow and predictable. Quality opponents then just have to roll their press back further up the field or bring in further numbers and push us back with most outlets being closed off. Blease and Kent off either HB line might assist here. Kent has a huge roost and can find targets effectively via long kicks. Blease needs to tidy up his general disposal and decision making. However, both are capable of turning their opponents, creating space/time and running the lines THROUGH THE CORRIDOR, which = marking/goal kicking opportunities i50/! Blease also has goal kicking ability. Another gaping hole for us ATM.

3. Sylvia for McKenzie. Without being too harsh on Mckenzie, his time has come. His opponent only needs half decent leg speed (and/or agility) and McKenzie is easy to run off or lose in the stoppage. Can’t mark his opponent except in the clinches when the ball’s already tied up and in dispute (ie., there’s some tackling already happening with the ball or player carrying the ball hitting the deck and being contested). A good example of his ineffectiveness is the 1^st quarter last week. His only impact on the contest were 2 effective handballs in close. He also had one opportunity to run into goal from 25 out and take a shot but hesitated for no particular reason, was quickly set upon from behind and we lost possession. A scoring opportunity lost.

4. Bail continues to get a game yet just doesn’t impact enough. Again, 1^st quarter last week, and he only had 2 impact stats, 1 effective defensive act and 1 effective kick. Just not enough at this level to impact. Magner straight in for Bail. 31 possessions at Casey last week, enough said.

5. Taggert in for Watts. Watts is out of his depth at this level for now. Effectively a schoolboy still running around not doing much. Worth persevering with but allow him to develop an AFL body, aggression/desire and confidence at Casey for the rest of the year and give him another pre season. We need a “small” up forward and through the middle that can worry the opposition and provide some variety (ie., a small not another mid sized tall) when pushing up forward. Kicked 4 at Casey. Might equate to 1 or 2 max in the seniors but boy we need all the goal kicking players we can muster at present.

Everyone’s playing their part, or trying atm. Unfortunately some just aren’t up to it at this level right now and may never be. We lack run off half back, we lack numbers in the mid rotations and we lack goal kicking power. We also lack 1 or 2 match winners and plenty of class in our finish and ball use, but that’s another story. Some or all of the above goes some way to fixing it (FOR THIS WEEK) IMO.

Collingwood obviously offer a daunting prospect again this week, but nothing like last week. Average uncontested possesssion differential is about 45 compared to the Hawks, 62! Effective disposal differential is also closer (but still ugly enough) at 51 vs 73 at Hawkland. The kick to handball ratio is similar. Every stat, with the exception of Marks i50, i50 entries and bounces (run & carry) is closer against the Pies vs the Hawks.

This is a gettable game IMO with the right personell, but yet again "Mad Eye" Neeldy (and the FD) manage to pull out the confounding at the selection table!

The summary of average stats for those interested are below....

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_team_comparison?team1_id=12&team2_id=5 (DEMONS v PIES)

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_team_comparison?team1_id=12&team2_id=11 (DEMONS v HAWKS)

[Demon Dynasty 15,601]

Put Clokey down for 7 if Sellars gets in.

Tom Mc is 19-thats his excuse for making the odd error.

Sellars hasn't got any.

Not necessarily. Just need a neutral outcome here and Sellar can at least kill the ball occasionaly surely? The outcome here will be mostly determined by the pressure we can put on their ball carriers up the field though Biff. If' it's half decent he gets less opportunity. If it isn't then you could be on the money.

I'm not worried too much about our defense at this point Biff. I'd prefer to have Frawley in obviously but Pederson showed last week that he can fill a hole and was one of our better players down there. Sellar i'm not so sure. So maybe Pedo on Cloke to start and Garland as a 2nd option if that's not working?

What is letting us down and is more damaging IMO is our ability to maintain and match the opposition's numbers at stoppage. We're allowing them to get +1, +2 and even +3 on odd occasions at some stoppages. We kept this to a minimum and had the edge on the Hawks for most of the first half last week, but it blew out a little in the 2nd half.

Combine this with too many "Lack of Awareness Acts" (as i like to call them) from many of the youngsters during a match that result in us coughing the ball up, or missing obvious targets in better positions. And in the former this results in us handing the ball to the opposition in mid field with an easy run into i50 or into an open goal etc, and you have multiple goals from silly turnovers to add to our woes.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Rusty Nails

[rjay 23,927]

Not necessarily. Just need a neutral outcome here and Sellar can at least kill the ball occasionaly surely? The outcome here will be mostly determined by the pressure we can put on their ball carriers up the field though Biff. If' it's half decent he gets less opportunity. If it isn't then you could be on the money.

I'm not worried too much about our defense at this point Biff. I'd prefer to have Frawley in obviously but Pederson showed last week that he can fill a hole and was one of our better players down there. Sellar i'm not so sure. So maybe Pedo on Cloke to start and Garland as a 2nd option if that's not working?

What is letting us down and is more damaging IMO is our ability to maintain and match the opposition's numbers at stoppage. We're allowing them to get +1, +2 and even +3 on odd occasions at some stoppages. We kept this to a minimum and had the edge on the Hawks for most of the first half last week, but it blew out a little in the 2nd half.

Combine this with too many "Lack of Awareness Acts" (as i like to call them) from many of the youngsters during a match that result in us coughing the ball up, or missing obvious targets in better positions. And in the former this results in us handing the ball to the opposition in mid field with an easy run into i50 or into an open goal etc, and you have multiple goals from silly turnovers to add to our woes.

Neither of these options is the right one for Cloke and even Frawley would struggle with the extra height and weight advantage Cloke has. It will have to be Sellar, he's the only one with the size to match. Garland will probably take the smaller marking forward. I hope they don't put Tommy Mc on Cloke either both he and Peders are suited to Lynch.