2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

It's a problem when players have done nothing and get a recall. It destroys the "play well  at Casey and you put yourself in line for a spot in the Seniors" rhetoric.

I like Vdb but boy has he under delivered this year.

It's rhetoric that the so many supporters live by, that senior coaches haven't lived by in years. Seconds form is but one input in to selection; the coaches don't just put a list from best to worst VFL form and select from the top down.

Neil Craig shattered the illusion of "rewarding seconds form" when James Magner had a 50 touch VFL game, was already a promoted rookie, and still wasn't picked. Roos made a comment about Grimes saying he had "no margin for error" - that says to me they won't pick Grimes unless he is at absolute 100% form and fitness. Obviously he feels vB has a much greater margin for error.

The coaches pick what they think is the strongest side - if they feel an underdone and in poor form vB is more likely to contribute to the team than Grimes or whoever, I'll just have to take their word for it. They are far more qualified to judge and it's their backsides on the line, not mine.

57 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Except last week.

Well, no, our forward entries were ordinary. 

Glad to see TSK was left at Casey.

That is a positive however Vandenberg into the 25 mistifies me.

Previous form was poor and Done nothing since being dropped.

Now into the 25!

Selection should be on form and best fit or team balance. You would think it is a given but you wonder at times. Coaches have their favourites and those that have fallen out of favour and that will always be a hidden factor.

5 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Selection should be on form and best fit or team balance. You would think it is a given but you wonder at times. Coaches have their favourites and those that have fallen out of favour and that will always be a hidden factor.

This.

It's all very well to say that gripes about the selection is overdramatic, but it's a frustration that has accumulated over the season.

The principle of selecting the best available side has been sketchily followed at best, and the rewarding of VFL form has not been applied equally.

2 hours ago, stuie said:

Looking at the run home, should GC beat us this week they will likely finish higher than us on the ladder.

That's a wake up call.

 

Jesus that is grim... At the moment I'd say I'm just a tad underwhelmed with our level of improvement this year. A loss this weekend though would be a serious kick in the guts

7 hours ago, stuie said:

You're still away Zorky?! Long stretch mate, best wishes to ya!

I take a philosophical approach with Dawes. Would think he'd be 50/50 at best to be around next year, and even if he is I wouldn't expect him to play many games, but I'm big on picking a team on form and he played well enough last week to get another game this week IMO. The young guys just aren't quite ready. The plan with the Weed seems to give him a development year at VFL level, but I wouldn't mind seeing Hulett some time before the end of the season.

 

 

Indeed I am mate, I am only back in the country for the last game of the season, (Geelong on the 27th)
I get that he played well last week and if he stands up this week anjd puts his stamp on the game then fair cop and he should remain in the side based on form, however I think it's too little too late for Dawes and he is staring down the barrell of a de-listing come seasons end, I know we don't want to deny him his 50th Melbourne game and get our moneys worth from him, but the times are a changing and the sunset on his career at Melbourne (And in general) is upon us, move over and time to blood the new fellas

32 minutes ago, Juicebox said:

Jesus that is grim... At the moment I'd say I'm just a tad underwhelmed with our level of improvement this year. A loss this weekend though would be a serious kick in the guts

I'm bitterly disappointed with the result last week, but it's worth recognising we played some great footy at times. There's no doubting our contest has gone up a level again this season and the stats support that. Ball movement particularly to create scoring opportunities remains a slower work in progress.

Last week really hurt. That would've been a massive notch in the belt for the season. As it stands, we didn't get it. Like every loss it needs to be used as motivation. We need to get the job done this week the same as against Brisbane and Fremantle.

9 wins remains a pass mark for mine and that's still firmly in sight.

18 minutes ago, The Sailing Demon said:

Indeed I am mate, I am only back in the country for the last game of the season, (Geelong on the 27th)
I get that he played well last week and if he stands up this week anjd puts his stamp on the game then fair cop and he should remain in the side based on form, however I think it's too little too late for Dawes and he is staring down the barrell of a de-listing come seasons end, I know we don't want to deny him his 50th Melbourne game and get our moneys worth from him, but the times are a changing and the sunset on his career at Melbourne (And in general) is upon us, move over and time to blood the new fellas

Agree about next year. I guess you pick a team on form but make your list decisions based on the bigger picture, which means he gets a game this week but might not get a list spot next year.

37 minutes ago, The Sailing Demon said:

Indeed I am mate, I am only back in the country for the last game of the season, (Geelong on the 27th)
I get that he played well last week and if he stands up this week anjd puts his stamp on the game then fair cop and he should remain in the side based on form, however I think it's too little too late for Dawes and he is staring down the barrell of a de-listing come seasons end, I know we don't want to deny him his 50th Melbourne game and get our moneys worth from him, but the times are a changing and the sunset on his career at Melbourne (And in general) is upon us, move over and time to blood the new fellas

They blooded OMac in the last 2 games last year, so y not Hullet 4 Dawes

On AFL site, it says No Change to MFC side, but ANB is out for AVB. Have I missed something?

Final Changes

In: Aaron Vandenberg

Out: Alex Neal-Bullen

 

1 minute ago, Demon Jack said:

Final Changes

In: Aaron Vandenberg

Out: Alex Neal-Bullen

 

 

Vanders would wanna pull his finger out.   Hes very lucky.

vandenBerg has a Willy Wonka golden ticket. Done nothing this year but waltzes back into the side.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

On AFL site, it says No Change to MFC side, but ANB is out for AVB. Have I missed something?

The surprising thing Mr. Leg is you seem surprised by the AFL and this comment.

honestly they would know a tram was up them until the Connie ran the bell.

Just now, Sylvia Saint said:

vandenBerg has a Willy Wonka golden ticket. Done nothing this year but waltzes back into the side.

True but I think the idea this week is to overpower the Suns with our big bodies in the midfield.  We should completely crush them.  Vanders hasnt been flash but he will go hard and hurt his opponent.

Staggered by this change.  Surely they have to give Neal-Bullen an extended run?  If VdB had been in great form then I'd understand it but he was lucky to be in the side in the first place!

 

ANB should be phoning his manager tonight exploring opportunities.

He showed a bit last week and deserved at least another week.

 

Horrible selection.

9 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

ANB should be phoning his manager tonight exploring opportunities.

He showed a bit last week and deserved at least another week.

 

You are joking! In para 1) you suggest he should be looking elsewhere and in para 2) you say that he played ok last week. Do you really think all players who miss selection should sulk and head to other clubs?

I cannot understand how Roos can spout on about picking an in form team and then drop a player for a guy who is not in form?

 

4 minutes ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

I cannot understand how Roos can spout on about picking an in form team and then drop a player for a guy who is not in form?

VDB was out injured. No longer injured. Comes back in.

Have I missed something?

I'm annoyed by the contradiction the club is sprouting rather than the player itself. 

Regardless of what you think about Grimes, Trengove, ANB they've knocked the door down at Casey and overlooked while VBD, Dawes and Lamumba come straight into the team on no form. 

Thought ANB showed enough to hold his spot

Think VDB has shown nothing all year. Hasn't looked right at any stage

13 minutes ago, bing181 said:

VDB was out injured. No longer injured. Comes back in.

Have I missed something?

No. It's just that everyone else has.