Geez, JKH must really filthy at himself for that Pies game. Missing that mark has pretty much cost him a spot in the team, and Roos won't be making it easy to get back in.

Im still a tappy fan, as i think most are deep down.
It will be humid and slippery, tappy has been working on his stoppages and apparently become quite good working under the congestion.
Id like to see him get a run, through the midfield and forward line. He will get the 4th defender even 5th depending whose in the fwd line.
He could be a good leading hit up target, can kick from outside 50. I would be happy with salem rested and tappy in.

not nicholson, omg, I'm sorry dan but you were rubbish last week.

Edited July 3, 201411 yr by Deez

Completely agree re Salem v Toumpas, JKH etc. Seems really odd that some stay in and some don't. I'm sure there are reasons.

No wonder we are where we are, when our leading goalkickers to date are Dawes (15), Frawley (12), Pederson (11) and Watts (11). By this stage of the season, we could really, really have used something like Clark (32) and Hogan (26), for example.

Completely agree re Salem v Toumpas, JKH etc. Seems really odd that some stay in and some don't. I'm sure there are reasons.

No wonder we are where we are, when our leading goalkickers to date are Dawes (15), Frawley (12), Pederson (11) and Watts (11). By this stage of the season, we could really, really have used something like Clark (32) and Hogan (26), for example.

Be patient grasshopper Hogan will come in soon.

This season is all about Roos finding out who can and can not play his game plan.

IMO I am sure that he knows the Toump and JKH can play his game plan but is making them work for senior selection unlike ever before to set the standard.

It is frustrating but i have full confidence in Roos.

VINCE, Bernie MFC 14 games, 9 goals. Is having an excellent season and is one of the best acquisitions for the club in years.

I agree with this. Vince has been an outstanding recruit for us. He's been particularly good since about round 7.

If given the choice of Sylvia or Vince I'd actually choose Vince.

Edited July 3, 201411 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

Roos is showing immense belief in Salem, considering his disposal count for the last two games have been 7, 4 (subbed on), 2 (subbed off) and 8, and has only gained more than 10 on one occasion. Would love to be a fly on the wall during team selection - Salem doesn't look to be in AFL form to me.

I trust Roos.

Salem isn't getting a lot of touches but most of the things that I have seen him do are of amazingly high quality for a first year player, or indeed for any player.

Whilst he said he wouldn't 'gift' games he obviously sees something that some who may read the stats sheet first don't.

That said, if we were genuine contenders at this stage possibly he would have made different choices

GO DEES!!!!!!

Edited July 3, 201411 yr by monoccular

If given the choice of Sylvia or Vince I'd actually choose Vince.

it's a no brainer - one of them puts in irrespective - the other picks and chooses his moments.

Good luck to Anthony Morabito....

Toump could have used the same belief in him as Salem is getting. He got dropped after Weagles game with 17 touches??? Comes in as emergency v Richmond and gets 15 touches while Salem has 8?? Maybe a couple more games in the firsts and he wouldn't be struggling with his confidence in the 2's like he is now. Wondering how he gets dropped and others have faith shown in them. One rule for him and another for Salem by the looks of it.

I don't think it comes down to touches with Roos, it's more about doing the things they are supposed to do, like defensive efforts and two way running etc.

Gisberts managed to get two rising stars and a couple of 26 possession games, but he just didn't seem to be able to do the team oriented work.

Toump could have used the same belief in him as Salem is getting. He got dropped after Weagles game with 17 touches??? Comes in as emergency v Richmond and gets 15 touches while Salem has 8?? Maybe a couple more games in the firsts and he wouldn't be struggling with his confidence in the 2's like he is now. Wondering how he gets dropped and others have faith shown in them. One rule for him and another for Salem by the looks of it.

They play different roles. Toumpas is playing midfield/half back, whereas Salem is playing forward.

They are not necessarily competing for the same position.

Stephen Hill Out - Clancee Pearce in. We have had a good run with some oppo stars missing.

- Blease/Tapscott being mentioned in the best each week but not a gig ?

- JKH getting 30 touches but not being elevated ?

- Salem having a modest return but still retaining his spot ?

- Toumpas not being given the same leniency as Salem ?

Some here are scratching their heads at what they see as odd but it just tells me one thing. We make a subjective assessment on what we see in the seniors each week and some have the extra insight of actually watching Casey. We don't have real insight into training, we don't have insight into the physical loads on young players and how they are tracking, we have zero insight into discussions between players and coaches and we don't know what the exact roles given to each players are and the coaching panels expectations.

So do I have faith in this coaching panel ? Absolutely. I therefore must be missing a piece of the puzzle as to why Salem has had such a modest return ( granted - every time he gets the ball something happens) and is getting a game as opposed to some at Casey who appear to be banging the door down.

My gut feel is that one of the talls will be a late 'out'. Either McDonald if he's not fully fit or Gawn. If I'm right which of the emergencies would come in? Would Nicholson get a reprieve or Tapscott his first chance for the year? (I'm assuming Georgiou would be classified as a 'tall' and therefore not contemplated). My suspicion would be that Nicholson will get a second chance and have first crack at Ballantyne.

The Blease/Tapscott issue is the first time I've really questioned the current regime. I'm not at all comfortable with them not being given a chance after having seemingly earned one, whilst a first year player in Salem continues to be given opportunities on the back of very little in recent weeks.

If they go on next season and flourish elsewhere, it will be on Roosy's head, sorry to say.

- Blease/Tapscott being mentioned in the best each week but not a gig ?

- JKH getting 30 touches but not being elevated ?

- Salem having a modest return but still retaining his spot ?

- Toumpas not being given the same leniency as Salem ?

Some here are scratching their heads at what they see as odd but it just tells me one thing. We make a subjective assessment on what we see in the seniors each week and some have the extra insight of actually watching Casey. We don't have real insight into training, we don't have insight into the physical loads on young players and how they are tracking, we have zero insight into discussions between players and coaches and we don't know what the exact roles given to each players are and the coaching panels expectations.

So do I have faith in this coaching panel ? Absolutely. I therefore must be missing a piece of the puzzle as to why Salem has had such a modest return ( granted - every time he gets the ball something happens) and is getting a game as opposed to some at Casey who appear to be banging the door down.

If you read the VFL player reviews you usually don't get too surprised by the players coming in. The 'Bests' and the reviews don't necessarily reflect each other.

The Blease/Tapscott issue is the first time I've really questioned the current regime. I'm not at all comfortable with them not being given a chance after having seemingly earned one, whilst a first year player in Salem continues to be given opportunities on the back of very little in recent weeks.

If they go on next season and flourish elsewhere, it will be on Roosy's head, sorry to say.

and blease will almost certainly get a run elsewhere, there is obviously a hole in his game that Roosy doesn't like, and I think Tappy just needs to hold last weeks form for another week or two and he'll get his chance, but it certainly seems Blease has a line through his name at the moment.

I too am surprised that Salem is still in the team as he looks to me to need a week off. But the toumpas v Salem debate is an easy one. Salem goes in hard and looks comfortable at afl level. Toumpas doesnt attack the ball and gets pushed off it too easily. he is not dominating at vfl level like salem did so why gift him a game? God i wish Roos had of been here last year to handle Toumpas's first year, we threw him in too quick

on JKH he had one very good game and before that some very poor ones. I'm sure if he backs it up he'll be back in the ones

clearly Roos doesnt give a stuff about how many disposals people have. its running, defending, what you actually do with your disposals and playing a team-game that counts

The Blease/Tapscott issue is the first time I've really questioned the current regime. I'm not at all comfortable with them not being given a chance after having seemingly earned one, whilst a first year player in Salem continues to be given opportunities on the back of very little in recent weeks.

If they go on next season and flourish elsewhere, it will be on Roosy's head, sorry to say.

I expect Blease or Tapscott may replace Salem next week (unless Salem has a blinder). If Roos wants to see what Blease or Tapscott can offer, why would you play them in the atypical conditions of Darwin? You'd want to reduce the number of variables so you can see what they can actually do. If their first game under Roos was in Darwin, you'd be unable to know whether their performace - good or bad - was contributed to by the conditions.

The Blease/Tapscott issue is the first time I've really questioned the current regime. I'm not at all comfortable with them not being given a chance after having seemingly earned one, whilst a first year player in Salem continues to be given opportunities on the back of very little in recent weeks.

If they go on next season and flourish elsewhere, it will be on Roosy's head, sorry to say.

Tapscott has only had one game of note, which was last week. As a result of that he's an emergency. He's clearly being asked to do more running, and once he does it consistently then he'll get a game.

Blease has problems with defensive intent and consistency of work rate. It has been a theme through nearly all the reviews. Until he does that then Roos won't be able to trust him to perform a role in the AFL.

Lots of people underestimating Freo. Back end of the season, readying up for finals. They'll have no mercy. Melbourne has hit a wall. Unless this team can miraculously get out of its disposal funk, I can see anywhere between an 8 or 15 goal loss, with at least 6 goals directly from turnovers.

Roos is showing immense belief in Salem, considering his disposal count for the last two games have been 7, 4 (subbed on), 2 (subbed off) and 8, and has only gained more than 10 on one occasion. Would love to be a fly on the wall during team selection - Salem doesn't look to be in AFL form to me.

Watch Salem closely. He is a target, the opposition watch him, and his positioning at a contest is sublime. He often wins it and while at this stage rarely gets a clean possession out of it, he does as we should expect from a forward, and that's make a contest. I'm talking about mostly ground contests. He makes sneaky little taps and shimmies that set up 2 goals on the weekend, and has set up a few every week he's played. We've never really had a player that manages to tap and protect the ball that way. Watts has improved in this capacity as well.

That said, I'm not sure Salem is a major necessity at this point. He could probably do with a run at Casey to show them how it's done.

Salem is comfortable at AFL level. He just needs to find that pathway to getting his hands on the ball.

Edited July 4, 201411 yr by Cudi_420

Tapscott has only had one game of note, which was last week. As a result of that he's an emergency. He's clearly being asked to do more running, and once he does it consistently then he'll get a game.

Blease has problems with defensive intent and consistency of work rate. It has been a theme through nearly all the reviews. Until he does that then Roos won't be able to trust him to perform a role in the AFL.

Agree....

Even Dawson has a 'role' and that's what he does....limited, but very, very disciplined. The Roos way.

If you read the VFL player reviews you usually don't get too surprised by the players coming in. The 'Bests' and the reviews don't necessarily reflect each other.

In fact some reviews/best players have been polar opposites.

It shows that these coaches are not impressed with lots of disposals if your direct opponent is also doing the same.

Completely agree re Salem v Toumpas, JKH etc. Seems really odd that some stay in and some don't. I'm sure there are reasons.

No wonder we are where we are, when our leading goalkickers to date are Dawes (15), Frawley (12), Pederson (11) and Watts (11). By this stage of the season, we could really, really have used something like Clark (32) and Hogan (26), for example.

If Hogan can get back to play the last 4 games, there's absolutely no reason why he can't win our leading goal kicker, and I'll even consider a few dollars on him for the Coleman.

Tapscott has only had one game of note, which was last week. As a result of that he's an emergency. He's clearly being asked to do more running, and once he does it consistently then he'll get a game.

Blease has problems with defensive intent and consistency of work rate. It has been a theme through nearly all the reviews. Until he does that then Roos won't be able to trust him to perform a role in the AFL.

Yeah I'm aware of all that but Blease has shown improvement in his defensive e game which has been noted in several reviews. He is getting more of the pill and whilst his use of it may not always be fantastic, who in the current Melbourne side can lay claim to that?

This is about a kid like Salem keeping his spot at the expense of Blease. To me that isn't justified.

Yeah I'm aware of all that but Blease has shown improvement in his defensive e game which has been noted in several reviews. He is getting more of the pill and whilst his use of it may not always be fantastic, who in the current Melbourne side can lay claim to that?

This is about a kid like Salem keeping his spot at the expense of Blease. To me that isn't justified.

Have you ever seen Blease create goals with clever smothers and intercepts like Salem has? Or get run at full on and nail the tackle as Salem did in the Essendon game.

They've decided the model is that in order to be promoted to the senior team you have to be in excellent form at VFL level. To keep your spot at AFL level all you have to do is play your role and compete.

I'm pretty sure Salem will be the sub this week or at least on the edge of selection. But Blease, Tapscott or JKH need 1 more good game at least to prove eligible for selection which is the term Allison uses.

Ideally we have 8 or so guys who are in the VFL all playing well consistently and therefore all eligible to come take a spot. But Blease's form hasn't got to that level.

The real question is whether the demands on the likes of Blease at VFL level in such a bad team are too much to ask for. It's hard to be defensive and make smart decisions all the time in a rotten team when you are one of the better attacking players. It's easy for Nicholson or Barry to play defensively and do their role but guys like Michie and Blease are trying to carry the side and it's hard to play Paul Roos football in such a bad team. That's my thoughts.