Play Jeremy Howe as a forward

[poita 3,902]

Howe's performances in defence this season have comprehensively proven that he is not a defender. He is atrocious one-on-one, and loses his man far too often. As we saw with Hawthorn last week, opposition teams will play through Howe's man whenever possible because he is so unaccountable.

I don't think he is a particularly great forward either, for many of the reasons listed by others above, but he does bring something different to what is very a one dimensional forward line at present. I think he should start forward, with the ability to push up the ground if he is struggling to get a kick.

That said, if his workrate doesn't improve markedly, a stint at Casey might be on the cards.

[monoccular 17,443]

He started there last week and re-confirmed his laziness within the first 15 minutes and was moved back quite promptly. Has low work rate, lacks defensive intent, his leading patterns aren't great and when he does get chances has poor conversion. But he does take a lovely mark every now and then. Has been poor, round 1 aside and should be at Casey this week.

Let's cut to the chase.

He has lost interest. The only question remains is - is it Sydney, Hawthorn, Collingwood etc who has him wrapped for 2016?

Of course AFL, that honorable integrity filled body, would say that this cannot be done so early....but the record speaks.

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

If we ignore his high marking, everything else about him is VFL standard. His freakish skill has bought him a lot of time and plaudits but has had little efectiveness to his forward or backline play. One of the established players we are better off without along with Dunn, Watts and Grimes.

Edited May 20, 2015 by america de cali

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

we hate the players in our team.

[ManDee 7,162]

we hate the players in our team.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

I'd like to see him playing as a high half forward for the Giants and Shiel playing midfield for us.

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

I'd like to see him playing as a high half forward for the Giants and Shiel playing midfield for us.

Any of their starting midfielders expect Scully will do.

[ManDee 7,162]

Any of their starting midfielders expect Scully will do.

expect Scully will do or except Scully? OK must be typo.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Just learnt how to do the gif thing mandee?

[dpositive 1,670]

I have said before ( understandable ridicule not required) that he could be a model of leaper Lynch (Roos teamate at Fitzroy)The game was certainly diferent then but Lynch had a limited number of tricks but developed into a reasonable forward after spending some time in the back half.

Hogan seems to have a great motor and has good skills at every level so plays a very mobile role and could be at CHF with Leaper Howe told to stay within the forward 50 at all times. He does have reasonable skills as those wanting him to play in the mid field attest.

Is he lazy perhaps so but let him know that he is to keep moving around the forward 20-30 metres to keep his opponent unsure of what direction he will be leading or coming from and so stop the interference he has suffered in the past. It probably wont matter which direction he goes as delivery will not be perfect and he will have to alter direction anyway. If his opponent is reading where our attack is coming from he should keep an eye on him and come in late. God he can outmark most players or at least make a contest as he has shown that on the backline.

Like most of our players he needs to take the game on using his knowledge of teamates and his own skills.

Stay at home in the 50, keep moving and hope that out of the congestion a ball will come in your general direction giving you time to seperate from your opponent or to contest late.

It must be frustrating to have so few deliveries into the 50 and that is why Jesse and all forwards are sucked towards the contests at the centre. But Howe must stay deep forward.

[rjay 25,002]

Agree. Just like Frawley in his final season with us.

...and he's gone.

[ManDee 7,162]

Just learnt how to do the gif thing mandee?

Yes. Too much?

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Yes. Too much?

Definitely mate

[DeeMfc 621]

Agree. Just like Frawley in his final season with us.

May be so, but he is not a free agent at years end so the team who wants him will have to trade with us.

The big positive with this is that a top player wanting out of another team (in or out of contract) can be asked for in return.

[stinga81 210]

Playing likes he left already. It looks all too familiar.

[Chris 2,892]

If we ignore his high marking, everything else about him is VFL standard. His freakish skill has bought him a lot of time and plaudits but has had little efectiveness to his forward or backline play. One of the established players we are better off without along with Dunn, Watts and Grimes.

Dunn, seriously?

[Chris 2,892]

I think he should be on the wing, with Watts on the other. Both great below the knees, one great over head, one exceptional decision maker with great skills, and the other very good. Would make a nice matching pair for the backs to kick to, bit of height, good hands, and some grunt at their feet from the likes of Viney and Jones. Mixed with Salem across half back and Lumumba's run it could work well. The only problem is getting Watts and Howe to get the best out of themselves or die trying, without that the whole thing falls down.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

Howe needs to play deep forward for mine. The opposition would be quite happy for him to attempt his speckies way up the field. No shot at goal possible = no threat. Opposition will play him loose or have a 4th stringer defender on him here. Too easy.

Deep forward he becomes a reasonable headache and more than likely attracts their 3rd best defender. Also means that defender is generally starting deep in defence on the rebound. Better for us to commence there vs high half forward. We bleed enough goals from inside our 50/mid field as it is. Ranked 17th/18th in the competition here so far. Same as last season, although we are defending worse from inside 50 and condeceding more points per game.

So far we havent acheived any progress this year. Concede more points. And score about as much. Our inside 50 entries are down on last year and our chains of play resulting in inside 50 entries are almost as bad as it gets ranked 17th. Our conversion rate is also horrible and I think we are now ranked last in the AFL for conversion %. Basically we dont have a forward line and are bleeding more points per game than last year. Looking at those 2 most critical book ends... the only conclusion one can draw is that we have regressed as a football team vs last year.... so far (yeh its early days but if we dont win the next 2 matches it is yet again season over).

Edited May 21, 2015 by Rusty Nails

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

Dunn, seriously?

I am annoyed with Dunn's game. He was AA standard last season up until he signed a new contract. Since signing he has been average at best much like his previous seasons. These are the sort of senior players who will never get us off the bottom because it appears they are only motivated by money. Problem is we are stuck with them for now.

Edited May 21, 2015 by america de cali

[Chris 2,892]

I am annoyed with Dunn's game. He was AA standard last season up until he signed a new contract. Since signing he has been average at best much like his previous seasons. These are the sort of senior players who will never get us off the bottom because it appears they are only motivated by money. Problem is we are stuck with them for now.

What is the better option. I don't disagree he has gone downhill since mid last year, but if we get rid of him how do we move forward?

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

I'm sick of bagging Howe but I think the issue is probably deeper now for these guys that have been at Melbourne for the past 4-5 years and played their first 80-100 games in red and blue - they're broken mentally.

We saw the effect it has had when Garland last week dropped to his knees and looked for a hole to hide in.

There is no way that players like Howe, Garland and Watts can possibly walk onto a field in a Melbourne guernsey and think they're a chance of winning. The scars are too deep.

Listen to Rhys Stanley talk today about the difference between Geelong and St Kilda. He said something like "The confidence and belief in the entire group at Geelong is just incredible...even after a loss we know we are on the right track and can bounce back". And it's generous to compare us to St Kilda who actually have had some success in the past 8 years and have on-field leaders.

Short of those that have shown they are up for the fight and improved through the misery (Jones, Dunn, Jetta, McDonald), and having to do the right thing by Trengove, I think every player that has been on the list in the Bailey/Neeld days has to be moved on at season's end. I'm thinking Howe, Garland, Watts, Grimes, Toumpas. Clean the list out once again and bring in established players and talented kids that aren't scarred and believe they can win.

GWS offered pick 7 for Howe last year. They might still be interested in him as a mid-sized forward that can get them on the news each week. We might be able to get their 2nd pick this year (25-28) or bundle Howe with a pick to try and get a talented midfielder there that can't get a game.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Chuck him in the centre clearances and tell him it is his last chance to show he actually wants to be an AFL footballer.

Nowhere to hide.

Why would any player suddenly perform BETTER if thrown into a role that they are not naturally suited for, have not trained for and have no experience in

There is a very high probability that they will perform WORSE

[rjay 25,002]

Howe needs to play deep forward for mine. The opposition would be quite happy for him to attempt his speckies way up the field. No shot at goal possible = no threat. Opposition will play him loose or have a 4th stringer defender on him here. Too easy.

Deep forward he becomes a reasonable headache and more than likely attracts their 3rd best defender. Also means that defender is generally starting deep in defence on the rebound. Better for us to commence there vs high half forward. We bleed enough goals from inside our 50/mid field as it is. Ranked 17th/18th in the competition here so far. Same as last season, although we are defending worse from inside 50 and condeceding more points per game.

So far we havent acheived any progress this year. Concede more points. And score about as much. Our inside 50 entries are down on last year and our chains of play resulting in inside 50 entries are almost as bad as it gets ranked 17th. Our conversion rate is also horrible and I think we are now ranked last in the AFL for conversion %. Basically we dont have a forward line and are bleeding more points per game than last year. Looking at those 2 most critical book ends... the only conclusion one can draw is that we have regressed as a football team vs last year.... so far (yeh its early days but if we dont win the next 2 matches it is yet again season over).

Howe can't play deep forward, that's the problem. He gets blocked way too easily from the contest and is totally ineffective.

Personally I think he is better value as a HHF who can drift up and back, but on this years form that might be at Casey.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Howe is a poor kick for goal, but he wouldn't be alone in that with our forward line. Has played his best footy in our backline.

[Grapeviney 9,734]

I'm sick of bagging Howe but I think the issue is probably deeper now for these guys that have been at Melbourne for the past 4-5 years and played their first 80-100 games in red and blue - they're broken mentally.

We saw the effect it has had when Garland last week dropped to his knees and looked for a hole to hide in.

There is no way that players like Howe, Garland and Watts can possibly walk onto a field in a Melbourne guernsey and think they're a chance of winning. The scars are too deep.

Listen to Rhys Stanley talk today about the difference between Geelong and St Kilda. He said something like "The confidence and belief in the entire group at Geelong is just incredible...even after a loss we know we are on the right track and can bounce back". And it's generous to compare us to St Kilda who actually have had some success in the past 8 years and have on-field leaders.

My bigger fear is that the loser mentality infects the more recent arrivals. How could it not ?

The Rhys Stanley quote is revealing - Dawes, HL et al may have come from stronger or more winning cultures, but they would also be realistic, and while trying their best, would probably take the field against the top teams thinking "we are no chance today".

That's why the two early wins (and hopefully some improved performances in the coming weeks) are so vitally important - get a bit of momentum happening and everyone starts to think "hey, we really have buried the bleak misery of the recent past."

The tough recent draw and the injuries have robbed us of that early confidence, and doubt is writ large, everywhere, including among the supporters.