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Posted

There are six potential ins this week IMO and then the selectors have to work out how many actually get a game.

Obviously if Viney and Jetta pass fitness tests, they will come in, but based on last week's training - they will have to have made good progress to be included.

Bail as 23rd man last week is a big chance to come back in - Michie, Grimes and Stretch have been our previous 23rd men and all got games the next week.

Having watched the VFL game, there were only three whose form in the loss warranted consideration this week - Gawn, Grimes and Michie.

A case could be made for McKenize or Riley to come in to add tackling pressure, but assuming Viney's back, we will be right there.

Of the three from the VFL, Gawn would be most likely. Sure he made a massive howler kicking into the wind, but he still has weapons (height and marking) and has to be given a chance soon. Obviously it will help his chances if the Hawks retain the down on form McEvoy as Ceglar's backup. If they do, Gawn's extra rucking ability will back up Spencer a bit more adequately than Pedo or Dawesy.

Grimes has his knockers here, but watch the VFL game and if you can't see his leadership and poise in the loss, then you don't get football. He will get another chance soon, it just may not be this week.

Michie started slowly but as the VFL game wore on, hde looked our best creative midfielder and given he was an unlucky omission after Freo game, he has to be a chance, but maybe not required if Viney comes back.

So who is out:

JKH has survived six weeks and as discussed on this medium by many, has not yet kicked on from last year. Perhaps he has a bit of the old second-year Blues, but given he is not an explosive quick like Garlett or Vandenburg, it's hard to see him surviving. With Kent out we need another small forward, so it's back to Bail and we pick up four or five more tackles than JKH, albeit we lose a bit of polish (but it's only been potential polish this season from JKH, as he has barely impacted the scoreboard).

Jetta, if fit, also has to come in and the question is which of our two wingmen - Stretch or Watts miss out as Lumumba will go back there if Nev is right. Both had their moments last week, but neither dominated (only two did, mind you) and they are about to come up against Isaac Smith or Brad Hill or Billy Hartung. Personally I'd back in Stretch for one more week and play him on Hartung, but I suspect the club will stick with Watts so as not to upset his loyal followers. Watts does at least provide plenty of options whether he starts as the fourth tall forward, wing or with the subs vest again.

Dom's form and his knee soreness has obviously been in question for several weeks now (only one Demonland vote for the year compared to about 50 this time last year). He wasn't spanked by Kennedy (although one of his goals was a disaster for Dom). There were a few signs that he was getting back to being the extractor, though, but I reckon this might be the week to give his knee issue a rest. Viney, if fit, will take his spot, although Michie will be a chance if Jack needs another week.

Grimes also must be a big chance, but it also would be a big call to dump Jimmy T after just one week - although they did do that to Grimesy. But if Jetta doesn't come up, it could be Grimes who gets the gig to play on Rioli or Puopolo.

The really tricky decision is who to leave out for Gawny and as stated earlier his presence may not be as crucial if McEvoy is axed. Even if McEvoy does play, you could still make a case for Pedo because as we know, even if our selectors have forgotten it, Pedo can play back and is a precise, long kick.

It may come down to the weather, but I actually think Gawny may just miss out as Roosy stays loyal for another week to Pedo and Dawes.

Both Pedo and Dawes must however start bang on the centre square and charge in to the centre and really try and hunt down Hawthorn's playmakers, whether it be Mitchell, Burgoyne, Smith or Anderson and make it their aim to get as many US style sacks as possible. Neither Dawes or Pedo are doing enough yet, so they have to hurt the opposition (legally) or else its hard to justify them.

Vince should go the hard tag on Smith, Viney go to Mitchell, Cross to intimidate Hartung

One other thing I'd like to see, which won't happen mind you, is for Watts to be sent down back and play on Gunston as I think Dunn will be too slow for him and Garland should take Breust because he plays tighter than Howey. As it is, I'd play Howey on Gunston and free up Dunny for the resting ruckman (if they have one this week).

So ultimately, the changes as I see it are:

In: Viney (Michie), Jetta (Grimes), Bail

Out: Tyson (rested), JKH, Stretch

B: Jetta (Rioli) T Mac (Roughy) Dunn

HB: Salem (Puopolo) Howe Garland (Bruest)

C: Harry O (Hill) N.Jones (Mitchell) Cross (Hartung)

HF: Vandenberg Dawes Bail

F: Garlett Hogan Brayshaw

Ru: Spencer Vince (Smith) Viney

Int: Newton, Toumpas, Pedo, Watts (sub)

Emerg: Gawn, Grimes, Stretch

Looks like a thorough analysis but I stopped reading it when you mentioned Grimes. I obviously don't get footy.

Posted

By far the worst MFC side ever posted on here.

*Grabs Popcorn*

Munch munch ( eating steel and [censored] nails)

As Hulk Hogan would say.

What u got ?? Brother!??

Munch Munch???

Posted

Munch munch ( eating steel and [censored] nails)

As Hulk Hogan would say.

What u got ?? Brother!??

Munch Munch???

Pass around whatever it is you are on Picket, don't be greedy.

Posted

Romulan Ale "Banned in these parts" probably legal around Tullamarine!!

Posted

AFL website now has Lake as a chance to play alongside Frawley on the weekend. Yikes!

The Hulk will handle them.

  • Like 1
Posted

Out: JKH, Pedersen

In: Jetta, Jamar

JKH was a waste today. I though Pedersen was ok but we need to give Spencer another go. I'd have him as a sub with Jamar yo ruck a half and Spencer the other. We will then know who we persevere with.

Toumpas also to be given a final chance and I'd okay him on the ball more. He is too slow elsewhere and I want to see if he can be an inside mid.

I would not rush Viney back in for the Hawks. If Vince gets rubbed out or if Tyson is injured, then Riley comes in for me. Bail next in line after Riley.

I'd play Jamar this week & send Pencil back to Casey for a week... let him miss & want it back, keep rotating them for 3 matches more. until one shows more dominance than the other. the idea to force up intensity.

... after the next month, hopefully both will be pushing one another with gawn needing to push up as well. we need our rucks competing much harder with one another This Year, as we have to make a call on some of them this end of season.

its time to play games with them, to pit them against one another, in a selection sense.

Posted

They can lead all they want.... Where to though? The other end of the ground where the ball is?

We could have Plugger, Dunstall, Jakovich, Gary Ablett Snr, Schwarz (at his prime) ALL inside the 50.... We still wouldn't kick a score that would win us the game!

The lack of RUN, CARRY and SPREAD in our midfield is destroying us....

But, alas.... Watch last nights replay and you will see young Billy Stretch looking to spread and getting on the end of a couple.... The kids ARE the future... Our current mid-age players are SHYTE! Barring a couple of the obvious ones...

:):):)

yes, but we can't go from one extreme to the other every week. we have to maintain our base of defence..

the attacking must not undermine our strong mindset of defence & keeping the opposition honest & respectful. So I think we have to be patient bringing in the kids, as we sacrifice maturity & strength often when bringing them in. too many too soon & we can lose balance & momentum, & can get thumped.


Posted (edited)

Out- constantly bombing long to garlett vs 3 defenders

In- A forward line

Oy vey! It's the midfield.

JKH is ranking in the bottom 3 players almost every week. He appears lost almost anywhere outside of the 40 meter arc but IMO he is a real lover of goals and knows where they are.

If Roos is willing to leave him i40 (when in the side this season) and allow him to learn his craft there then I would ask Jeffy to play a mid/forward role to compensate and use his run/carry to damage/worry our opponents coming through the middle (or outside) and delivering/scoring coming i50 just as he did against the Tiges.

If Roos isnt willing to do this then it might he better he is sent to Casey to learn the craft of playing higher up the ground there. He is way off it at AFL level soon as he moves up the ground. He has to chase and pressure his opponent when he doesnt have it so will obviously be there at times but his role shld be as a small crumbing forward only at this point along with pressure acts i50

I'm just not sure you can get away with this style of play in the modern game. It's effectively hiding JKH in the forward 50. It's tough. Opposition players will run off him and he'll invariably get dragged out. But at the moment, unless there's someone else at Casey demanding a spot, he'll probably have to go around again. He needs a major lift though. His decision making this season has been frustrating to say the least.

Why would anyone want to drop stretch? Keep him in and let the kid learn he held his own

I'd play him as sub. Bring on his run and seeming toughness at the end of the third. Get him to lay a couple of tackles and run his opponent off their feet. Gut running for a quarter and a bit.

Edited by AdamFarr
Posted

The way to beat Hawthorn. :)

I understand we have been playing against premium midfields over the last two weeks but the issue is we are a high stoppage team and only have 1 ruckman. Whether it be Jamar or Gawn, it needs to happen. I like Gawn because he has learnt to take contested marks and is in marking form, which Jamar isnt. After watching the VFL game, Gawn should be the one getting called up. He killed Hawthorn last year too. (would be very disheartening for Jamar if he had to ruck 1-out in the VFL, however). Could even do a Spencer Pederson swap for Jamar Gawn - but Spencer got better as the game went on.

Jetta definitely back and i reckon this should free up Jeremy Howe. He had 10 disposals with three rebounds. Like, they can cover 3 rebounds. Send him forward and let him take grabs and kick 3 inside 50's. That is where we need the help. He was born to play high half forward. He killed Fremantle with that cameo in the 2nd half - very difficult to match up on. He would almost demand Gibson or Stratton to be accountable, meaning Dawes and Hogan won't be double teamed.

Grimes in to play a midfield/HB role, which he has been doing very well in the 2nds. He played majority out of the centre against sandy.

JKH/Toumpas - I like them, and giving them continuity in the seniors does wonders for their games but they don't do enough - simply put, they break the chain from back 50 to forward 50. I reckon their GPS numbers would be high, but they don't run effectively yet. (dropping toumpas again will hurt him and his trade value)

Really liked Watts as the sub. Stretch was the highlight. Michie close to recall - just way too slow with decision making after he takes a mark between the arcs but does find the ball.

Tyson - getting double the attention to late last year. With Vince playing his new role and Viney out, Tyson is copping a much heavier load.

Out: Pederson Toumpas JKH

In: Gawn Jetta Grimes

Garlett Hogan Gawn

VandenBerg Dawes Howe

Brayshaw Vince Cross

Salem McDonald Lumumba

Garland Dunn Jetta

Spencer/ Jones Tyson

Jamar

Newton Stretch Grimes

sub: Watts

Posted (edited)

Any chance Fitzy comes in to have a crack at Roughy. I don't see Tommy Mac going to him (prefer Gunston) and I thought Dunny was exposed by Tippett purely on height. I know he didn't have a great game against Sandy but height and speed wise he might be the best bet.

Edited by hells bells
Posted

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  • Like 2
Posted

Thought I'd add this. For those wanting Viney and Jetta back this week, both were at the pre game function on Sat night and did a Q&A with some of the supporters.

Essentially, Viney said, "he's 40/60 to play this week". But pretty much ruled himself out through body language. I'd be really surprised to see him listed.

For those wondering about Jetta, he thinks he's ready to go, but they saw the specialist when he had the concussion two weeks ago and basically said he's had 6 concussions in the last year and a bit. Specialist said its minimum 4 weeks on the side line. So while he thinks he's good to go, the club is taking no chances on the long term health of any of their players.

  • Like 8
Posted

Where did you pull this from? cant find it anywhere

Comes up on my facebook feed. Will post it each week if it keeps coming.

  • Like 1

Posted

Got a funny feeling Toumpas will get dropped this week, as much as i'd like to see him given 3-4 games to build some confidence at AFL level

Posted

Looks like a thorough analysis but I stopped reading it when you mentioned Grimes. I obviously don't get footy.

Frosty,

Don't worry, I am talking simply about that game and am not suggesting Grimes always exhibits poise.

I am fully across that he has struggled to impact at AFL level because the pace of that game is vastly superior to VFL and decisions have to be mega quick.

But at the moment, he's too good for VFL level.

He still has all the challenges to cross at AFL level when he gets another crack at it and obviously minimising decision-making howlers, improving his kicking efficiency and shrugging off tackles with change of direction is primary to it.

But I think people here seem to have viewed him as a basketcase and that typecasting is amazing given that only four years ago everyone was singing his praises because of his courage, leadership etc.

I don't think people take into account the pyschological damage caused by him feeling he failed as captain and how it impacts his confidence under pressure. Imagine if your boss got demoted at work, would he pout or brood, most likely he would walk away to another job?

Grimesy is endeavouring to prove to the footy world that he is every bit as good a player as he looked as a youngster and at VFL level you can see that he's still got the fundamentals to achieve at AFL level, it's just a question of whether he has the pace and strength and kicking ability to really achieve it again.

Personally I think he has the game-smarts and dedication to do it, I'm just hopeful he gets another chance to really show it.


Posted

Jetta wont play this week. And I think Viney will be given one more week so hes 100% and ready to take on the Bulldogs.

I don't mind that. Bulldogs and Collingwood are both winnable games.
  • Like 1
Posted

Jetta wont play this week. And I think Viney will be given one more week so hes 100% and ready to take on the Bulldogs.

Bummer

thanks HH

Thats not official news from anywhere , its just my gut feel

Clown

A clown who got it 100% right.

  • Like 2

Posted (edited)

IN

  • Jack Grimes,
  • Rohan Bail,
  • Viv Michie,
  • Matt Jones

OUT

  • Jack Watts (Omitted),
  • Cameron Pedersen (Omitted),
  • Jay Kennedy-Harris (Groin),
  • Ben Newton (Omitted)

Watts dropped

Edited by Brayshaw Self
Posted (edited)

Watts dropped

That will make many happy on here.

I'm not one of them though.

Edited by DemonOX
  • Like 1

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