Jump to content

Changes for Essendon

Featured Replies

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.


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.

-dafuq-.gif

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.

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..

 

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.

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.


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...

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"..

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

Cross to Heppell...

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


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.

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.

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.

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.

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


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

Edited by Satyriconhome

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

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?

 

.....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.....

.....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


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: Carlton

    Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

      • Clap
      • Like
    • 0 replies
  • REPORT: North Melbourne

    I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 4 replies
  • CASEY: Werribee

    The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

      • Thanks
    • 0 replies
  • PREGAME: Carlton

    The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 222 replies
  • PODCAST: North Melbourne

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
    Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 29 replies
  • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

    The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

      • Haha
      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 253 replies