Changes vs the Saints

[DeeSpencer 26,463]

Did you not see Roos presser? Or The article ''players don't listen'

Watching the game seeing Cross run loose racking up disposals at one end while Oxley did the same at the other end, it doesn't take a genius to put 1 and 1 together.

Paul Roos set the team up with 6 forwards, 6 mids and 6 defenders. Collingwood went with 5 forwards and 7 defenders allowing Oxley to play without an opponent.

Roos decided to use Cross as the spare defender without an opponent.

Roos was critical of the forwards not rolling up to Oxley and competing in the air.

Those players were: Howe, Pedersen, Hogan, Watts, Matt Jones and maybe a couple of others. The efforts of Howe and Pedersen to get away from their opponents and fly for marks and bring the ball to ground were particularly poor.

[bing181 9,436]

Tyson for VDB would be about it, perhaps Fitzy, depending on match ups, but he wasn't out worst, and got better as the game wore on.

Next cab off the rank for a change/out would be Newton. Started the season well, but wheels seem to have come off somewhere along the way.

Rather than in/outs making a difference, there are players who need to get back to their best: Tommy Mac, Jetta and Viney to name but 3.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Anyone that singles out Toumpas today really does need to question their bias. Wasn't our best, far from our worst. Starting to get his hands on it and getting the right contested/uncontested balance and unlike most of our other mids runs to space. Made a couple of errors but not on his own there. Newton, Riley and M Jones clearly more likely to go out based on output and impact. I would make three but would not be surprised just Vandenberg for Tyson.

Out Vandenberg, M Jones, Newton

In Tyson, ANB, Grimes

agreed b_r_f_e, Re le`toump. Wasn't the worst, but he's slowly getting it. He still needs to pickup the pace of the AFL, but he won't pick it up whilst at Casey. As long as they show the will & desire for the contest, then we need to play them as much as we can afford. We can't lose all the experience... but toump, & watts (100+) now, need to fast track they're games a bit.

think we can afford some more foot speed this game, against the Saints, hence why I mentioned Stretch, in an other post. I think we can match the Saints around the contest, so need some speed on the outside, for the Sainters, & against the Catters the week after.

[DeeSpencer 26,463]

Out: Vanders, Newton, Matt Jones

In: Tyson, Grimes,ANB

FB: Jetta Dunn Fitzy

HB: Grimes McDonald Garland

C: Toumpas Jones Lumumba

HF: Brayshaw Hogan Watts

FF: Howe Pedersen Garlett

Foll: Gawn Vince Viney

Int: Tyson ANB Cross

S: Riley

Wouldn't be against Stretch or Harmes either.

Riley, Newton and Michie are 3 who warrant further attempts at AFL level but I think they all need preseasons to be up to AFL standard and their best positions are on the ball, they don't have the pace or skill to play half forward. Matt Jones and Bail should be in the never again pile.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I can't see us winning, but at least I can't see us getting thumped. That's progress

I can see a win there.

down the Saints, & sinners are grinners.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Tyson for VDB would be about it, perhaps Fitzy, depending on match ups, but he wasn't out worst, and got better as the game wore on.

Next cab off the rank for a change/out would be Newton. Started the season well, but wheels seem to have come off somewhere along the way.

Rather than in/outs making a difference, there are players who need to get back to their best: Tommy Mac, Jetta and Viney to name but 3.

yes we lost some momentum, Re Jetta & Viney, since their injuries. TMac & Hogan, since they got the media accolades, have slowed off a bit.

[rjay 25,336]

Tyson and ANB in...

[DeeSpencer 26,463]

I just hope ANB is quick and fit. We have such a need for speed at half forward, especially against the saints at Etihad.

Selection criteria:

Are you fit?

Are you quick?

Can you tackle and chase?

Is your name anything other than Rohan Bail or Matt Jones?

If you answered yes to the above 4 questions then you can get a game on a half forward flank for Melbourne.

[old dee 24,026]

I just hope ANB is quick and fit. We have such a need for speed at half forward, especially against the saints at Etihad.

Selection criteria:

Are you fit?

Are you quick?

Can you tackle and chase?

Is your name anything other than Rohan Bail or Matt Jones?

If you answered yes to the above 4 questions then you can get a game on a half forward flank for Melbourne.

Sad but unfortunately true

All the alternatives fail the first question thought.

[olisik 4,060]

I just hope ANB is quick and fit. We have such a need for speed at half forward, especially against the saints at Etihad.

Selection criteria:

Are you fit?

Are you quick?

Can you tackle and chase?

Is your name anything other than Rohan Bail or Matt Jones or Jordie Mckenzie?

If you answered yes to the above 4 questions then you can get a game on a half forward flank for Melbourne.

Corrected

[rjay 25,336]

I just hope ANB is quick and fit. We have such a need for speed at half forward, especially against the saints at Etihad.

Selection criteria:

Are you fit?

Are you quick?

Can you tackle and chase?

Is your name anything other than Rohan Bail or Matt Jones?

If you answered yes to the above 4 questions then you can get a game on a half forward flank for Melbourne.

He's not quick 'George', but his favourite player is Lenny and he wasn't quick but could play. He will give us more than a few others...

[DeeSpencer 26,463]

He's not quick 'George', but his favourite player is Lenny and he wasn't quick but could play. He will give us more than a few others...

Might have the work rate and game sense to play 'quick' at half forward but I am weary of a youngster slipping in to the black hole that is half forward for Melbourne. Brayshaw has flourished but it's not an easy task. Some speed and a good tank make it much easier.

[DeeSpencer 26,463]

Sad but unfortunately true

All the alternatives fail the first question thought.

The best 4 options - Petracca, vanders, Kent and JKH sure. Hence why it's probably time to try ANB and failing that Harmes and Stretch.

Stretch didn't do much on a wing and he's not really built to be a robust marking half forward flanker but with his tank and zip he might do well in a more defensive forward role, he's at least indicated he's willing to think through and not waste possession when he gets it.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

I would play Spencer against Longer...Gawn,VDB out

Tyson, Spencer in.

[P-man 13,367]

Tyson and ANB absolutely come in IMO. Grimes and Michie should be in the mix. I actually think Grimes' leadership would've added something to the back six today.

Outs will depend on injuries to Vanders, Viney or (god forbid) both. M Jones, Newton and Riley on the fringe. Fitz was okay aside from the inexplicable tunnelball move. Dawes must come back via Casey and earn his spot.

[Gorgoroth 13,188]

Who would Fitzy line up on this week?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

My question is was Cross playing loose in defence under instruction from Roos?

If so, why is Roos slamming the players for leaving Oxley free if he was playing Cross loose in defence?

[Pipefitter 2,217]

Matt Jones out please. He tries, but he's not part of the future.

[old dee 24,026]

Matt Jones out please. He tries, but he's not part of the future.

Or the present

[Lucifers Hero 40,538]

My question is was Cross playing loose in defence under instruction from Roos?

If so, why is Roos slamming the players for leaving Oxley free if he was playing Cross loose in defence?

To me it looked like our forwards were playing up the ground.

Then when our ball carrier went forward they would bomb it in long hoping Hogan would mark it I suppose.

They didn't give our forwards time to get back with shorter kicks.

Hogan was double tagged by Frost and Oxley and when the ball came in high Oxley was able to float away.

We were too focused on Hogan.

So I agree with Roos comment.

What I don't understand is why there wasn't a runner going out every five minutes until the players started doing what they were told. That was up to Roos.

Someone should have stayed back.

Firstly to stop the double tagging of Hogan and then to make Oxley more accountable.

A few times I thought we left Hogan out to dry a bit. No one at all to help him.

[Wunders 397]

Paul Roos set the team up with 6 forwards, 6 mids and 6 defenders. Collingwood went with 5 forwards and 7 defenders allowing Oxley to play without an opponent.

Roos decided to use Cross as the spare defender without an opponent.

Roos was critical of the forwards not rolling up to Oxley and competing in the air.

Those players were: Howe, Pedersen, Hogan, Watts, Matt Jones and maybe a couple of others. The efforts of Howe and Pedersen to get away from their opponents and fly for marks and bring the ball to ground were particularly poor.

Just listened to Roosy's Presser and he said a number of times that he told the guys not to let them have a spare in defence.. Problem was that they came out at 3qrtr time and had 6,6,6 but then after melbourne got a role on they dropped one back and the Melbourne players didn't compensate and drop one forward to match him up.

I remember sitting in the goal square in the 4th quarter an they had just kicked a goal and i saw dunn pointing for someone to go from defence to man up the lose in our forward line, but mcdonald was the only one free then so he started to run forward but then all the sudden newton was free and they were really confused.. By the time they had actually decided the ball had been bounced and he was still unmanned.. We are getting there, but it needs to be a lot quicker and the obvious move needs to be made.

Who would Fitzy line up on this week?

They play 2 ruckmen (Hickey and Longer), so he plays on Hickey who has been doing well for them as a 3rd tall forward (we couldn't put garland on him, so perfect match up for fitzy).

[Webber 10,641]

There were some really good signs from yesterday..... Toumpas best game by some margin. Yes, he still gets the heebeejeebies, but there was more elite level decision making and ball use than not. Dropping him when he's on an upward trajectory would be mindless. It was Watts most physically assured game for the club. He was great in traffic, and for the first time started using his size and body. Turning point? What did Fitz do wrong other than the tunnel ball? If I wasn't a Melb supporter it would be pretty funny. The football world also saw Angus Brayshaw yesterday. He is a double sided, one touch, 18 year old one, 10 game superstar with no fear and a huge tank. Excited much?

Out: Vanders (inj.)

In: Tyson.

[Lucifers Hero 40,538]

There were some really good signs from yesterday..... Toumpas best game by some margin. Yes, he still gets the heebeejeebies, but there was more elite level decision making and ball use than not. Dropping him when he's on an upward trajectory would be mindless. It was Watts most physically assured game for the club. He was great in traffic, and for the first time started using his size and body. Turning point? What did Fitz do wrong other than the tunnel ball? If I wasn't a Melb supporter it would be pretty funny. The football world also saw Angus Brayshaw yesterday. He is a double sided, one touch, 18 year old one, 10 game superstar with no fear and a huge tank. Excited much?

Out: Vanders (inj.)

In: Tyson.

Agree with every word Weber!

I don't get the DL Toumpas bashing yesterday.

He played on Sidebottom, kept him quiet and was eventually subbed off.

Toumpas also had a good attacking game.

Some people just look for things to criticise.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

This is a classic case where the statistics don't tell the full story, he was timid and didn't hurt the opposition. This was clear for us at the game, not those just looking at the stats sheet. His handpass backwards to Gawn (while himself in the clear) was a clear example of this but it will just be measured as an "effective disposal".

It was the right option for him to handball to a player in space who should have executed the finish better. Gawn kicked it onto the [censored] of a collingwood player when 5m either side were two Melbourne players in the open. Whilst Toumpas could have turned around to look at the option, the slow looping handball he recieved would have made him think pressure was coming so to get it out to a safe in a better position is not at all a mistake. If it were to have been a kick and mark situation then it was completely different.

How amusing was the collective groan from all the MFC supporters when he handpassed to Dunn as he was being tackled from behind by Cloke in the 2nd quarter?

He could have kicked it himself he was so open.

This secondly, was definitely the fault of Lynden Dunn, you dont just turn 180 and handpass it unless there is a call from someone, so he turned to give it to someone he assumed was in space. Lynden Dunn has a habit of calling for the ball when he is in a poor position or covered by the opposition without really understanding that he is not in space.

I dont think anyone can be critical of Toumpas game today, it was a great game, not only in terms of finding the football, but his unrewarded running and 21 pressure acts (which he often gets questioned for) was pretty outstanding. I will say that at times he seems panicked with the football, but that is because he looks to give off the quick option, this will get better as he realises he has more time on his hands than he thinks.

[rjay 25,336]

My question is was Cross playing loose in defence under instruction from Roos?

If so, why is Roos slamming the players for leaving Oxley free if he was playing Cross loose in defence?

I think Roos was more concerned with the contest when the ball came in high. Collingwood players were able to shield Oxley from the contest on too many occasions.