Changes vs Essendon

[chook fowler 19,734]

Baguley suspended for a week. He's a good player. Do you reckon he will challenge?

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-07-06/btv-baguley-suspended-rd14-2015

Hope so - he'll get 2

[Moneider96 1,045]

If he remains suspended, I fully expect Garlett to kick a bag.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,477]

So you don't like him GNF?

Any chance the "go home" factor will kick in for him?

[Moneider96 1,045]

Vandenberg a chance this week? Been waiting for Vandenberg + viney + Brayshaw for ages....

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

I will judge us on how we perform against the top teams because if you want to be a top team that's your measuring stick.

So far whilst I believe we have improved we still have too many players not up to standard. They give their best and some like Dawes have had pretty good careers but if we are to match the top sides we need to turnover more of the list.

I completely agree, and so far we have been thumped by the top teams, but for our club and building into next year we need to win at least 4 out of the remaining games. Even if it is against the bottom teams, If we get beaten by Essendon, Brisbane and Carlton etc then there wont be an increase in memberships next year and we will be in the same situation as last year...we need these wins as cheap as they are to show we have improved, turn the list over as you say and focus on shortening the gap to the top teams next year.

So I would not debut Harmes until next year and try to stick with guys like Dawes, Bail and Howe until the end of the year only.

[Brayshaw Self 847]

Baguley out is huge. Garlett to kick 10.

[old dee 24,028]

It isn't a Toumpas problem alone old dee.

It's that our bottom 6-8 players are far too inconsistent. Look at the Geelong game - these guys were terrific and helped us win the game. The next week they are terrible and contribute heavily to us losing the game. We don't have the quality to cover that, and until we get that consistency we won't win enough regular games to be a finals threat.

I don't disagree and the replacements are hardly wonderful but I don't see that the continually playing of Toumpas is either adding to the team result or making anything much in way of improving his performances.

[rjay 25,344]

I completely agree, and so far we have been thumped by the top teams, but for our club and building into next year we need to win at least 4 out of the remaining games. Even if it is against the bottom teams, If we get beaten by Essendon, Brisbane and Carlton etc then there wont be an increase in memberships next year and we will be in the same situation as last year...we need these wins as cheap as they are to show we have improved, turn the list over as you say and focus on shortening the gap to the top teams next year.

So I would not debut Harmes until next year and try to stick with guys like Dawes, Bail and Howe until the end of the year only.

I would play him now, he's in good form and can't give us any less than the others...we also need to know if he can step up before we make a decision on his future at season end.

[chook fowler 19,734]

I would play him now, he's in good form and can't give us any less than the others...we also need to know if he can step up before we make a decision on his future at season end.

Likewise I believe he has earned a spot so should be played.

Many said Stretch and ANB weren't ready and should be held back. If you're ready you're ready.

[demonkey 6]

29 touches and 11 tackles for Harmes.... . Changing my mind again, and think he will debut vs Essendon. He has earned it

Where abouts do you find these stat sheets? I wouldn't mind looking at a few other games too!

[Pennant St Dee 13,409]

So you don't like him GNF?

Should be a Detective Old Dee with ability to pick things like that up

[old dee 24,028]

Should be a Detective Old Dee with ability to pick things like that up

My talents are many and varied PSD

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,339]

Yep, teams have a habit of coming out the week after a thrashing trying to reinstate some respect.

We only seem to nab wins by surprise and always drop the ones we're expected to win. Frustrating but it's an ongoing theme for us. The fact that we're favourites in the betting sends a shiver up my spine.

I agree. The Melbourne I know lose games like this. It is usually completed with a post game press conference admitting "we didn't come to play today". This is the game that will show me if we have learnt anything.

[dazzledavey36 55,983]

29 touches and 11 tackles for Harmes.... . Changing my mind again, and think he will debut vs Essendon. He has earned it

Sam Blease lol

[ILLDieADemon 804]

The next three game should be wins, nothing less will be disappointing

[Adam The God 30,640]

Out: Spencer, Toumpas, Bail, M Jones, Howe

In: Lumumba, Harmes, JKH, Riley, Fitzpatrick

The decision to play Spencer in Darwin was as baffling as Jordie McKenzie starting sub against Freo. At least Fitzpatrick is quick and good below his knees, where the ball spends a fair bit of time in Darwin.

Toumpas is no where near it.

Howe is a joke.

Bail and M Jones are beyond a joke.

I reckon Fitzy's papers might have been stamped.

[Moneider96 1,045]

The wet weather will definitely help us - but it will probably mean that we won't win by a big margin. Fookin 10 degrees though.

[titan_uranus 25,207]

I don't disagree and the replacements are hardly wonderful but I don't see that the continually playing of Toumpas is either adding to the team result or making anything much in way of improving his performances.

The improvement in Toumpas' performances over the month leading up to the West Coast game was plain for all those who actually pay attention to him to see.

He had a bad game against West Coast but we shouldn't be dropping players after one bad game when the previous 4 were all much better and showed determination and application to work on the areas of his game that weren't good enough earlier in the year.

[Adam The God 30,640]

He was ordinary in the Geelong game too, but was one of our best against St Kilda the previous week. Keep giving him continuity.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Newtons numbers look pretty good as well

Would like to know why he's not getting a regular run at senior level. (I am sure there is a valid reason) but I like the kid

[chook fowler 19,734]

The improvement in Toumpas' performances over the month leading up to the West Coast game was plain for all those who actually pay attention to him to see

He had a bad game against West Coast but we shouldn't be dropping players after one bad game when the previous 4 were all much better and showed determination and application to work on the areas of his game that weren't good enough earlier in the year.

Agree. There were many calling for Watts to be dropped too earlier in the season. Since then he has put together a half dozen excellent games and is in career best form.

I think Jimmy's confidence is fragile and will only get better with continuity of games.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Ugh, all the media focus on Essendon tonight is making me very concerned. I reckon they'll come out breathing fire on Saturday, and the wet weather will make kicking accuracy a huge challenge for us. Not to mention coming off the Darwin heat; the players completely ran out of gas in the fourth.

I reckon we missed the absolutely ripe moment to play the Bombers; right off the back of a Hawks loss they were expected to lose anyway, so no media spotlight nor pressure on Hird or the players. Don't forget the Saints put on immense pressure to get the Bombers demoralised. They were harassing and tackling with intent the entire day long. The media are highlighting all the problems with Hird's player selection and gameplan, giving them every chance to correct their mistakes against us. They'll be desperate for the win, especially when losing to us is, rightly or wrongly, still viewed as the most embarrassing loss imaginable. The Bombers would be patently aware of what happens when you don't turn up against the Dees and will be drilling that into players now. They'll likely make wholesale changes to their team and play lots of kids with hunger (Laverde).

We need to be switched on from minute one, because the only way we replicate the Saints' impressive win is if Hird has actually lost the players. I'm not fully convinced this is the case, so I expect they'll have a renewed passion this weekend to make amends.

[DeeSpencer 26,470]

Newtons numbers look pretty good as well

Would like to know why he's not getting a regular run at senior level. (I am sure there is a valid reason) but I like the kid

He's got neat skills but he isn't really a half forward and he doesn't cover enough ground as a wingman so for now he's a bit position less.

In a good team that's fine because you can rotate guys between half back, wing, on the ball, half forward and they'll blend in and play well. But Newton certainly needs to build his tank and if possible work on his speed.

[DeeSpencer 26,470]

Agree. There were many calling for Watts to be dropped too earlier in the season. Since then he has put together a half dozen excellent games and is in career best form.

I think Jimmy's confidence is fragile and will only get better with continuity of games.

Watts did play all those good games after he was dropped/dropped himself, but I agree we keep Toumpas for at least another week if not longer.

We have to build the notion of players going back to Casey to work on aspects of their game and not so much being dropped. Of course that comes with a level of performance that will produce that.

[PaulRB 6,435]

Hird has the smell of death, in regard to his coaching career, about him.

Hope our boys put the sword to the Dons like the Saints last week... reckon they'll lose interest if they are behind.

Too many transgressions by club and coach on that playing group.

They'll lose till Jimmy is out the door.