Changes for Essendon

[P-man 13,367]

I am also now thinking that Riley would be a very handy in against the Bombers. They don't react well to tackling pressure, and the Pigdog will give them no relief.

If JKH gets rested as seems very possible based on Roos' post match comments, Riley to come in.

[Pitchy 196]

We need goals more than anything and we look too top heavy up forward....

In: Blease and Kent

Out: Salem and Dawes

It's Sam Blease time! Fast, attacking, skillful... and, most importantly, a goal kicker. Blease is one of four current MFC players to have kicked a 5 bag in an AFL game. The others are L. Dunn, S. Byrnes and, funnily, M. Jamar.

Kent is a little goer, loves a goal and has a bit of flair. Salem needs a rest to find more ball and tackle in the VFL. Try Kent.

Also, time to swing Frawley back home to defence. As stellar as Dunn has been down back, Frawley up forward is a net loss. Swing Dunn for a bit.

Look, I know Dawes won't be dropped, but he should be. Pederson has moved past him in all areas; hardness, pressure acts and effectiveness. If I were to drop a tall it would be out of Dawes or Gawn, def not Pederson. Dawes has quickly helped us become competitive, but the whole team has completely adopted his and Roosy's exemplary attitude leaving him now a hindrance to us actually winning matches. We looked sharper and more potent against Port when Dawes was out. Pederson is first picked tall forward now and Dunn is a seriously good AFL player now.

I would like our forward line to read...

HF: Watts Dunn Blease

FF: Kent Pedo JKH

Pedo is on the verge of kicking a big bag. He will excel with less top heavy forward line. ie. no Frawley or Dawes to demand the ball only to lose or halve the contest and have the ball swept out at ground level.

[Deespicable 2,886]

We decided to go top-heavy against Pies and paid price up forward when we couldn't apply enough defensive pressure when it came in, so the question is whether Roosy can afford to play Frawley, Dawes, Pedersen and Gawn together again in one forward line.

We also lost the tackle count again and overall were beaten in stoppages - although not massively like last year so the question is whether we can afford to continue to overlook both Jordie and Riley.

I reckon Jordie would have been a monte to play on Watson, but with him out, we now must face a dilemma of whether we can alter our midfield to accommodate him. Perhaps Jack Viney can spend more time as small forward.

Our defence overall was great, although Terlich and Col were a bit down - but hardly worth considering any changes down back.

So for mine it comes down to this:

Adem Yze (CS) reincarnated back down to magoos for a week or two to play more of a midifield role. Kent to replace him to provide a quick, bigger bodied tackling small forward.

JKH back to twos to play full game for a week or two. McKenzie to replace him and tag Goddard with Viney to go forward.

A difficult decision on whether to make a third change on one of the bigs - Gawn's kicking was poor but he did run out game better this week, so it's a hard call whichever way we go and that might mean we do nothing.

Perhaps we could make Garland the sub and pull a swifty and start Chip down back and then get rid of the non-performing tall midway through third term.

Dom may again cop a hard tag from Hocking, so Roosy needs to figure out how to free him up.

[Nasher 33,617]

I would like our forward line to read...

HF: Watts Dunn Blease

FF: Kent Pedo JKH

Pedo is on the verge of kicking a big bag. He will excel with less top heavy forward line. ie. no Frawley or Dawes to demand the ball only to lose or halve the contest and have the ball swept out at ground level.

Change Blease to Bail and it looks remarkably like our terrible forward line of the first couple of rounds. I'm a huge fan of how Pedersen's been in the last few weeks, but I don't want to go back to relying on him to be the only target, and I don't want to take Dunn away from the back line.

I also happen to think the idea of dropping Dawes is silly, notwithstanding his poor return against Collingwood. If we want to balance the side a bit and leave out a tall, it has to be Gawn IMO.

[binman 44,725]

There is no chance Terlich will be dropped.

[stuie 7,374]

We need goals more than anything and we look too top heavy up forward....

In: Blease and Kent

Out: Salem and Dawes

It's Sam Blease time! Fast, attacking, skillful... and, most importantly, a goal kicker. Blease is one of four current MFC players to have kicked a 5 bag in an AFL game. The others are L. Dunn, S. Byrnes and, funnily, M. Jamar.

Kent is a little goer, loves a goal and has a bit of flair. Salem needs a rest to find more ball and tackle in the VFL. Try Kent.

Also, time to swing Frawley back home to defence. As stellar as Dunn has been down back, Frawley up forward is a net loss. Swing Dunn for a bit.

Look, I know Dawes won't be dropped, but he should be. Pederson has moved past him in all areas; hardness, pressure acts and effectiveness. If I were to drop a tall it would be out of Dawes or Gawn, def not Pederson. Dawes has quickly helped us become competitive, but the whole team has completely adopted his and Roosy's exemplary attitude leaving him now a hindrance to us actually winning matches. We looked sharper and more potent against Port when Dawes was out. Pederson is first picked tall forward now and Dunn is a seriously good AFL player now.

I would like our forward line to read...

HF: Watts Dunn Blease

FF: Kent Pedo JKH

Pedo is on the verge of kicking a big bag. He will excel with less top heavy forward line. ie. no Frawley or Dawes to demand the ball only to lose or halve the contest and have the ball swept out at ground level.

[Nasher 33,617]

There is no chance Terlich will be dropped.

Jumper numbers 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 31, 38, 40, 44, 45 and 46 are all firmly entrenched in the side at the moment - I'm disregarding any post that suggests leaving out any of those players unless there's strong justification (haven't seen any yet). Jumper 20 should also be in that group, but he's currently in such woeful form that I'm not sure and 39 is well on the way.

The only realistic candidates for omission for mine are Salem, JKH and Gawn for mine.

[whoszachunt 29]

Has anyone worked out why Riley was dropped yet? He'd make a great sub, ramping up tackling pressure in the 4th with fresh legs.

Not sure why Riley was dropped...He seemed like a player in the brief time I saw him..Good mover, tough..?? Give him another go now..

[binman 44,725]

Jumper numbers 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 31, 38, 40, 44, 45 and 46 are all firmly entrenched in the side at the moment - I'm disregarding any post that suggests leaving out any of those players unless there's strong justification (haven't seen any yet). Jumper 20 should also be in that group, but he's currently in such woeful form that I'm not sure and 39 is well on the way.

The only realistic candidates for omission for mine are Salem, JKH and Gawn for mine.

I agree will all of that, though i reckon 39 is no chance of being dropped and nor is Garland (though you're right he is not back anywhere near his best). Cannot take seriously any suggestions that Dawes should be dropped.

[Pitchy 196]

Change Blease to Bail and it looks remarkably like our terrible forward line of the first couple of rounds. I'm a huge fan of how Pedersen's been in the last few weeks, but I don't want to go back to relying on him to be the only target, and I don't want to take Dunn away from the back line.

I also happen to think the idea of dropping Dawes is silly, notwithstanding his poor return against Collingwood. If we want to balance the side a bit and leave out a tall, it has to be Gawn IMO.

I know Dawes could not kick a goal for a month and people would still say his presence is enough, agree to disagree on that. But 3 goals is the worst offensive effort I have ever seen from the club. So let's look at it that way for a tick hey?!

And Nasher. The differences are many from the first few rounds...

Watts - was playing midfield rounds 1-3. Is now settling as a high half forward.

Blease - Hasn't been given a crack yet. More damaging in attack than Bail. Unfortunately historically he is also more damaging with defensive lapses but he can't be any worse than yesterday when the ball was swept out with ease time and again. Give him a shot!

Pederson - is 5 times the player he was in Round 1. Most improved in the competition. Something has clicked for that bloke and he doesn't want to turn back. Will kick a bag if given space now.

JKH - Was sub in Rounds 1-3 and yesterday. Start him and we are more potent.

Dunn - playing wonderful football under Roos now and can kick goals. Would hate to see him leave defence too, but Frawley is not cutting it up forward.

Kent - was building solid form before injury.

There are goals in these players and would be very different proposition to earlier in the year.

[whoszachunt 29]

Jumper numbers 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 31, 38, 40, 44, 45 and 46 are all firmly entrenched in the side at the moment - I'm disregarding any post that suggests leaving out any of those players unless there's strong justification (haven't seen any yet). Jumper 20 should also be in that group, but he's currently in such woeful form that I'm not sure and 39 is well on the way.

The only realistic candidates for omission for mine are Salem, JKH and Gawn for mine.

25 doesn't do much for me as a footballer... 8 must take one place on the backline and 38 forward...

[whoszachunt 29]

I know Dawes could not kick a goal for a month and people would still say his presence is enough, agree to disagree on that. But 3 goals is the worst offensive effort I have ever seen from the club. So let's look at it that way for a tick hey?!

And Nasher. The differences are many from the first few rounds...

Watts - was playing midfield rounds 1-3. Is now settling as a high half forward.

Blease - Hasn't been given a crack yet. More damaging in attack than Bail. Unfortunately historically he is also more damaging with defensive lapses but he can't be any worse than yesterday when the ball was swept out with ease time and again. Give him a shot!

Pederson - is 5 times the player he was in Round 1. Most improved in the competition. Something has clicked for that bloke and he doesn't want to turn back. Will kick a bag if given space now.

JKH - Was sub in Rounds 1-3 and yesterday. Start him and we are more potent.

Dunn - playing wonderful football under Roos now and can kick goals. Would hate to see him leave defence too, but Frawley is not cutting it up forward.

Kent - was building solid form before injury.

There are goals in these players and would be very different proposition to earlier in the year.

Frawley is NOT a forward, especially against good defenders..Bit lost and not an accurate enough kick..Bit of a waste up there.Time to go "back"..

[rjay 25,358]

Cross to Heppell...

[P-man 13,367]

Fmd..I must've missed the moment when Terlich became an untouchable at the selection table.

[Guest]

Cross to Heppell...

I'd like him to go to Goddard first. He's far more damaging

[JV7 2,375]

Fmd..I must've missed the moment when Terlich became an untouchable at the selection table.

I agree.. Don't see why everyone defends him. His is a liability, I'd much rather see toumpas used off half back then terlich. Terlich is on borrowed time, he's a stop gap player and as soon as we are a side pushing for the 8 his gone.

[rjay 25,358]

I'd like him to go to Goddard first. He's far more damaging

They both are, I guess it will depend on who the best match up is.

[rpfc 28,966]

We need goals more than anything and we look too top heavy up forward....

In: Blease and Kent

Out: Salem and Dawes

It's Sam Blease time! Fast, attacking, skillful... and, most importantly, a goal kicker. Blease is one of four current MFC players to have kicked a 5 bag in an AFL game. The others are L. Dunn, S. Byrnes and, funnily, M. Jamar.

Kent is a little goer, loves a goal and has a bit of flair. Salem needs a rest to find more ball and tackle in the VFL. Try Kent.

Also, time to swing Frawley back home to defence. As stellar as Dunn has been down back, Frawley up forward is a net loss. Swing Dunn for a bit.

Look, I know Dawes won't be dropped, but he should be. Pederson has moved past him in all areas; hardness, pressure acts and effectiveness. If I were to drop a tall it would be out of Dawes or Gawn, def not Pederson. Dawes has quickly helped us become competitive, but the whole team has completely adopted his and Roosy's exemplary attitude leaving him now a hindrance to us actually winning matches. We looked sharper and more potent against Port when Dawes was out. Pederson is first picked tall forward now and Dunn is a seriously good AFL player now.

I would like our forward line to read...

HF: Watts Dunn Blease

FF: Kent Pedo JKH

Pedo is on the verge of kicking a big bag. He will excel with less top heavy forward line. ie. no Frawley or Dawes to demand the ball only to lose or halve the contest and have the ball swept out at ground level.

Terrible, small forward line. And robbing the backline of Dunn, please...

And the desire to drop Dawes is an utter rejection of what your eyes have seen in the last 6 weeks since he has returned.

He has straightened us up immeasurably and as a forward myself I can tell you, the way we have been kicking to him is the only pathetic aspect of our game at the minute.

Defenders are hanging off him and hitting his body late from behind and our mids are letting them do it by kicking it on top of his head.

Deliver the ball better and then complain about his output.

[rpfc 28,966]

Jumper numbers 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 31, 38, 40, 44, 45 and 46 are all firmly entrenched in the side at the moment - I'm disregarding any post that suggests leaving out any of those players unless there's strong justification (haven't seen any yet). Jumper 20 should also be in that group, but he's currently in such woeful form that I'm not sure and 39 is well on the way.

The only realistic candidates for omission for mine are Salem, JKH and Gawn for mine.

46 would be close to Casey if there was a ready replacement in form but there isn't.

And 31 was pretty bloody solid back there on Monday.

[JV7 2,375]

Another thing is our turnovers kill us... We are crying out for some good ball users out of the defensive 50. Dunn is about the only good user out of there. Jetta isn't bad but Grimes he is a courageous as they come but isn't a great kick. Tom McDonald is a bloody good defender but lacks any ball handling skills whatsoever, he can't bounce, handball or kick under pressure. Garland is a long kick but not a great user, Terlich is the same. I've said it all year, our 1st or 2nd pick in this draft needs to be used on a half back with elite skills in the grant birchall mauld

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Terrible, small forward line. And robbing the backline of Dunn, please...

And the desire to drop Dawes is an utter rejection of what your eyes have seen in the last 6 weeks since he has returned.

He has straightened us up immeasurably and as a forward myself I can tell you, the way we have been kicking to him is the only pathetic aspect of our game at the minute.

Defenders are hanging off him and hitting his body late from behind and our mids are letting them do it by kicking it on top of his head.

Deliver the ball better and then complain about his output.

There you go rpfc, I agree with you, I think the field kicking was the only thing to go backwards yesterday, methinks there will be a lot of practice during training this week, ball movement was all they practiced last Saturday and goal kicking, thinks that's what frustrated and disappointed Roos the most

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Another thing is our turnovers kill us... We are crying out for some good ball users out of the defensive 50. Dunn is about the only good user out of there. Jetta isn't bad but Grimes he is a courageous as they come but isn't a great kick. Tom McDonald is a bloody good defender but lacks any ball handling skills whatsoever, he can't bounce, handball or kick under pressure. Garland is a long kick but not a great user, Terlich is the same. I've said it all year, our 1st or 2nd pick in this draft needs to be used on a half back with elite skills in the grant birchall mauld

.....and how many years are you going to wait to watch an 18yr old develop, at least 3....we have a few 'elite kickers' from Junior level, doesn't necessarily always translate to AFL, Strauss being one example, he is having a job at the moment putting it together at VFL level

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

25 doesn't do much for me as a footballer... 8 must take one place on the backline and 38 forward...

must be my age, does a bit for me........and Howe forward for what reason, if the delivery is not perfect at the moment...so he can launch at everything?

[nutbean 8,838]

.....and how many years are you going to wait to watch an 18yr old develop, at least 3..

Nope - develop year one or he is a spud.....

[JV7 2,375]

.....and how many years are you going to wait to watch an 18yr old develop, at least 3....we have a few 'elite kickers' from Junior level, doesn't necessarily always translate to AFL, Strauss being one example, he is having a job at the moment putting it together at VFL level

Well considering we won't be challenge for a top 4 for 5 years I don't see what's wrong with waiting a few years for an 18 year old to develope. Hawthorn identified this years ago and went out and specially recruited players who can kick, suckling and birchall are probly 2 of the best kicks in the comp. They traded for Guerra. Strauss is yet another player who has been under developed through the dark years.. I'll back our new coaching staff to develope an 18 year old the right way