He's Back - Spencil

[Cards13 9,117]

The big fella is back!!!

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-27/spencer-set-to-return-from-injury

[old dee 23,778]

In a week or two when he gets some touch back that should help Casey they got killed in the ruck last week.

 

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Yep Uncle Bitter had the inside on this. Spoke to him outside the Jim Stynes bar pre the Richmond game.

The really exciting aspect was his comment that " I want to be a part of this".

It seems the club has turned around and the players are on board for the journey.

[Deecisive 1,709]

IT would be awesome if we could get spencer into the team working with Gawn, one on the ball one resting in the goal square, Hogan at CHF, it would take some pressure off max rucking all day, and put pressure on the oppsition if he was sitting in the goal square when not on the ball.

[old dee 23,778]

9 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Yep Uncle Bitter had the inside on this. Spoke to him outside the Jim Stynes bar pre the Richmond game.

The really exciting aspect was his comment that " I want to be a part of this".

It seems the club has turned around and the players are on board for the journey.

I know this kid he has been devasted with this injury.

if effort made you a Champ he would be up for the Brownlow.

 

Edited April 27, 2016 by old dee

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

3 minutes ago, old dee said:

I know this kid he has been devasted with this injury.

if effort made you a Champ he would be up for the Brownlow.

 

Indeed OD and a lot of posters forget he has played some good footy for the dees. Nice bloke too!

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,066]

Any time we get back a player who this club has decided it at least wants, and hopefully needs (regardless of what we might think), it's a great thing. So welcome back to another one!

The "I want to be a part of this" comment, coming from someone like Jake appears to be, suggests there is a very clear view in the players' minds that there is a very tangible "this". Excellent.

As to Jake's role, the 'threatening/handful-resting-forward' is great to contemplate. However, what do we think of Jake's marking and his mobility (to the extent that a 'resting forward' of that type needs to be mobile)? In marking, Max clearly has the 'goods' now, including in the forward 50 as Sunday demonstrated, but does Jake yet? If not, can he achieve it? Can it be taught? Even that mark he took to goal at Kardinia Park last year - suggesting he might suit the role - was far from convincing!

[Dee Dee 1,105]

16 minutes ago, Deecisive said:

IT would be awesome if we could get spencer into the team working with Gawn, one on the ball one resting in the goal square, Hogan at CHF, it would take some pressure off max rucking all day, and put pressure on the oppsition if he was sitting in the goal square when not on the ball.

Spencer and Gawn worked well together against Geelong last year. If Spencer gets his fitness back on track it could be an interesting prospect.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Our insurance policy is back.

[Cards13 9,117]

We do need him back, fir and working as hard has he can to get into the team. 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,166]

Thread title should be changed - I thought he rid himself of the "Spencil" moniker and is now and forever to be referred to as Jake the Snake.

[rjay 24,854]

54 minutes ago, Deecisive said:

IT would be awesome if we could get spencer into the team working with Gawn, one on the ball one resting in the goal square, Hogan at CHF, it would take some pressure off max rucking all day, and put pressure on the oppsition if he was sitting in the goal square when not on the ball.

 

36 minutes ago, Dee Dee said:

Spencer and Gawn worked well together against Geelong last year. If Spencer gets his fitness back on track it could be an interesting prospect.

Never worked at Casey (I even think it hindered Max's development) and won't work now.

Max is an onballer, he needs to play there most of the game and Spencer isn't a forward.

It will work once in a blue moon, think Geelong.

[pinkshark 950]

I love the big pencil.  He's a big man.  Can take a grab.  Get fit and get in big spence, we need you brother!

[Adam The God 30,123]

Spencer is underrated. Glad to see him back. Won't push Maxy out of the ruck obviously, but will play a handful of games at the right time. The Geelong formula won't work every time, but reckon they'll try it a few times.

[Outside fifty 967]

Saw the big fella last week at training and he seemed to be moving really well. 

[chook fowler 19,444]

He's a big boy

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

The perfect back up for Gawn. I hope he is fit and firing asap.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

Good to have a back up for Gawn ready in the seconds. I was getting a little worried what we would do if He got injured. 

[Moonshadow 17,675]

I dare anyone to tell him face to face that he's not good enough or second fiddle. The Spence will dispense! 

Edited April 27, 2016 by Moonshadow

[mo64 5,853]

36 minutes ago, rjay said:

 

Never worked at Casey (I even think it hindered Max's development) and won't work now.

Max is an onballer, he needs to play there most of the game and Spencer isn't a forward.

It will work once in a blue moon, think Geelong.

Spot on. Gawn will play 85% game time as 1st ruck, and Spencer can't play any other position. With fewer interchanges, no team can afford the luxury of a 2nd ruckman who can't fulfill another role.

Our attacking game style makes Spencer's inclusion even more remote.

[spirit of norm smith 16,271]

Great backup spencil. We are thin after big Maxy. Big Jake is a man mountain... imagine if he could get some skills and footy smarts. His heart is unquestionably there.

[KingDingAling 3,752]

It is the perfect situation for MFC. Spencer should derive a lot of benefit competing with Gawn for that no 1 ruck position. It will make going back to Casey seem like an absolute walk in the park. It should result in our mids at Casey getting first use of the ball off of a quality ruck. Spencer works very hard. I think it is fantastic that he is back, not only will it make Casey improve, but will also fast track the improvement on ANB and co.

[Nasher 33,607]

30 minutes ago, mo64 said:

Our attacking game style makes Spencer's inclusion even more remote.

It's not that remote - we're one single injury around him playing next week.  

[monoccular 17,413]

1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Any time we get back a player who this club has decided it at least wants, and hopefully needs (regardless of what we might think), it's a great thing. So welcome back to another one!

The "I want to be a part of this" comment, coming from someone like Jake appears to be, suggests there is a very clear view in the players' minds that there is a very tangible "this". Excellent.

As to Jake's role, the 'threatening/handful-resting-forward' is great to contemplate. However, what do we think of Jake's marking and his mobility (to the extent that a 'resting forward' of that type needs to be mobile)? In marking, Max clearly has the 'goods' now, including in the forward 50 as Sunday demonstrated, but does Jake yet? If not, can he achieve it? Can it be taught? Even that mark he took to goal at Kardinia Park last year - suggesting he might suit the role - was far from convincing!

There seems to be a lot of genuine positivity around the club now - fantastic to see.

As far as I can recall there has really only been one match in which their tandem efforts really clicked, that unexpected win at KP last year, when Jesse was "rested".  It isn't always going to work and Max has claimed the number 1 spot, clearly, but as we have seen particularly with the midfield, pressure and competition for places, and having ready made replacements chomping at the bit lifts the whole team and the whole club.  

Good luck Jack - welcome back.  Get yourself match fit for if and when you are required. 

Edited April 27, 2016 by monoccular

[Dees2014 2,377]

1 hour ago, AdamFarr said:

Spencer is underrated. Glad to see him back. Won't push Maxy out of the ruck obviously, but will play a handful of games at the right time. The Geelong formula won't work every time, but reckon they'll try it a few times.

Yes horses for courses. Most top sides have two giant ruckman. When they do we play Jake, when they don't we don't, unless it is wet of course.