Are you saying that McKenzie is quicker than Jones?

No, but last year, the way that we stopped Gary was by having multiple players on him. I don't think Nate can play Gaz straight up, and I think it would be a waste to have Jones AND another player running around with him. I wouldn't be surprised if Cross spends some time on Ablett. Has the tank

I think we lost both last week and made Carlton look terrible for 3 qtrs.

Port lost both too to WC last night

Disagree about the tackle count = a win. Tackling is important and is an important stat, especially considering how weak we have been with tackling for 4-5 years. But it is not the difference in winning/losing.

We will win or lose the game via turnovers. Each loss this year our turnovers have led to immediate and multiple goals. Disposal efficiency wins the game for us today. After half time last week, even Grimes and Tom McDonald diminished the turnovers and we were able to keep possession and score using tall forwards.
Dom Tyson and Jack Viney are the vital cogs today.
Dawes and Frawley almost as important.

Their ruck stocks are really poor so expect a great game from Spencer.

I was perhaps being overly simplistic. There are obviously a whole range of statistics that are telling, eg, inside 50s, goals kicked, final scoreboard, etc.

Structurally we look sound at the moment. Something we've not really had for a very long time.

That being the case, I think we can, and should, win this game - but, to my mind, that will be determined by our ability to maintain a disciplined intensity for the whole game. And, in my observation, tackling pressure seems to reflect this more than most other statistics. Hence my perhaps overly simplistic statement - we win the tackle count, we win the game.

In short, I want to see ferocious intensity for the entire game today.

I'll be there as always. I reckon about 15-16,000. Only 13,000 at the game last year, which was a 4.40 slot. I'm attributing the extra 2000-3000 to the fact we're coming off a win.

Yeah I can picture it being 16-17,000. As you said coming off a win makes a difference, also the fact that we haven't lost our first 3 games by a combined total of 300pts. It's a shocking timeslot that we ALWAYS seem to get and ALWAYS against a low drawing interstate team which will result in a loss in revenue.

As for the game, it's tough to say definitively what could happen. The suns still have plenty of class in their side starting with Ablett, but there's no doubt that we've added to our midfield in a positive way. Tom Tyson was tagged out of the game last week and Vince was quiet but we still managed to get the win. Jones is showing to the comp that he's not just a gritty workman, he is an A-grader.

What it comes down to today is desire, we need to make them wish they'd never set foot on the G today with heavy hits and good effective tackling.

Some basic junk stats for today's match up for those interested....

Team Averages to Rnd 4

MFC vs GCS % Differentials

Contested -21.2%

Uncontested +15.4%

Effective Disposals +10.1%

Effective Disposal % MFC 72.50% GCS 66.3%

Clangers -17.5%

Contested Marks +5.6%

Inside 50s -20.0%

Marks i50 32.6%

Clearances -38.4%

1 Percenters -19.3%

Bounces -85.7%

Kicks 3.6%

Handballs -1.0%

Tackles -1.8%

Disposals per Goal

MFC 49.9 GCS 34.6

Average Attributes @ Round 4 2014

Gold Coast (Attribute) Melbourne

188.5cm (Height) 187.4cm

86.5kg (Weight) 87.3kg

23yr 3mth (Age) 24yr 4mth

57.3 (Games) 60.5

Total Players By Games to Rnd 4 2014

Gold Coast (Games) Melbourne

12 (Less than 50) 12

7 (50 to 99) 5

1 (100 to 149) 3

2 (150 or more) 2

Stats: Courtesy Footywire

Edited April 20, 201411 yr by Rusty Nails

Spencer has a chance to out-body his opponent (Nicholls) today, so should be able to have a decent influence around the ground at throw-ins etc. Nicholls isn't too physical, and I think we might see Spencil's aggression give him the edge in the contest.

Nope. Gold Coast are very good at the clearances (one G.Ablett helps for that, but so does Prestia, O'Meara etc). We could win the tackle count by plenty and get smashed in the game.

Contested possession + tackle count and we go a fair way to winning.

I'd agree, but I think if we win the tackle count, that probably means we've turned up. If we turn up, I think that'll go a long way to winning the game. Sounds obvious, huh? If we're up to our necks in it, I think the home ground advantage and the confidence gained from last week, might be enough to see us over the line. Structurally, we look stronger on paper. Maybe that's my bias?

I'm inspired by Flanagan's article about Nathan Jones. If the other 21 play with Nathan's heart, we beat GCS, no questions!

I want Howe back up forward. He can take a contested mark(not just sit on people's heads)with Dawes and Chip also up front he will cop third best defender. He's also a reasonable shot in goal. Dunn to play in defence .

I want Howe back up forward. He can take a contested mark(not just sit on people's heads)with Dawes and Chip also up front he will cop third best defender. He's also a reasonable shot in goal. Dunn to play in defence .

If dawes plays.

A few things need to go right for us today.

We have to break even with their midfield - it may be at reduced capacity, but we won't win if we can't at least compete with Ablett and co.

We have to maintain our forward structures from last week - if Dawes doesn't play, then we need Fitzpatrick to step up (which I don't expect, to be frank). We need Frawley to continue to lead up at our mids and we need Dunn to continue to work hard across half forward. We cannot win without hard working forwards who are prepared to lead and contest and bring the ball to ground if they can't mark it.

We have to tackle hard - our pressure on Carlton ball carriers last week was superb; we continued to corral them and restrict their flow, which caused them to second guess, go backwards/sideways and turn it over. If we can apply that pressure to them coming out of defence, we will force the turnovers that we need to create, to give us more of a chance of scoring.

This is an eminently winnable game, but we need to apply ourselves like we did last week.

Edited April 20, 201411 yr by titan_uranus

If dawes plays.

Was just reading that, faaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrkkkkkkk.

Ideally we want Dawes up and firing, besides straightening us up it would be good for when Hogan plays.

I'm going ...and will be having a moderate punt on Melbourne. How many other nut jobs from Dland are going? It's a shitty day and time so I don't think we'll have a great day financially/crowd wise. any guesses.

This nut job is going. I doubt there will be much of a crowd, but at least we will outnumber the seagulls these days ...

Disagree about the tackle count = a win. Tackling is important and is an important stat, especially considering how weak we have been with tackling for 4-5 years. But it is not the difference in winning/losing.

We will win or lose the game via turnovers. Each loss this year our turnovers have led to immediate and multiple goals. Disposal efficiency wins the game for us today. After half time last week, even Grimes and Tom McDonald diminished the turnovers and we were able to keep possession and score using tall forwards.

Dom Tyson and Jack Viney are the vital cogs today.

Dawes and Frawley almost as important.

Their ruck stocks are really poor so expect a great game from Spencer.

I think if we win the scoreboard we will win the match. Go Melbourne!

I have a Easter Sunday family dinner at 6pm so will have to miss todays game. My mum will disown me if I fail to show. I will be there is spirit though. Go Dees!

Im on my way in. Told the wife a week ago that she'd have to take our 18 month old son to her parents for easter lunch because I'm going to the footy. She showed her appreciation for my decisiveness with morning sex and then made coffee and breakfast. In all a good start to the day which leads to my optimism that we are in with a real shot.

Im on my way in. Told the wife a week ago that she'd have to take our 18 month old son to her parents for easter lunch because I'm going to the footy. She showed her appreciation for my decisiveness with morning sex and then made coffee and breakfast. In all a good start to the day which leads to my optimism that we are in with a real shot.

I have a Easter Sunday family dinner at 6pm so will have to miss todays game. My mum will disown me if I fail to show. I will be there is spirit though. Go Dees!

its on channel 7 I do believe

I'm going ...and will be having a moderate punt on Melbourne. How many other nut jobs from Dland are going? It's a shitty day and time so I don't think we'll have a great day financially/crowd wise. any guesses.

Will be there

Go boys looking for viney and kent to go up a cog

Will be there

Go boys looking for viney and kent to go up a cog

Kent isnt playing mate

Which is a shame cos hes a damn fine young player

Looking forward to seeing how Jetta goes

Absolutely no one here. Will be be lucky to get 14k here.

Don't let those bastards breathe!

Relax guys, it is a home game for us! After all, last week we beat one of last year's finalists playing away!

Will be there

Go boys looking for viney and kent to go up a cog

Kent is out injured.