On 2/13/2017 at 10:06 PM, Skuit said:

The last time JKH was playing at the AFL level - over a year ago - he managed 2 goals in 9 games. I didn't see him against GWS in the final round but he looked like an absolute rabbit-in-the-headlights in that farcical win over Brisbane. I think he even managed negative stats. Essentially, he's unproven as a goal-kicker, and will need to be able to run through the middle regardless. I'm not writing him off, and by the sounds of it he's well respected at the club and is having a cracker of a pre-season, but I'm not so sure that Kent's absence will be JKH's opportunity. We have potentially fringe players - Harmes, Bugg, Kennedy - who can slot in at HFF and have more recent exposure at the top level. 

I've never been completely sold on JKH as he can one minute look like a 'rabbit in headlights', then the very next minute try to do way to much with the ball.

With that said, I also get the sense that he may have been playing out of position for the first couple of years.  He doesn't strike me as a small forward and I am interested to see how he goes playing much higher up the ground now that fitness may be allowing him to do that.

On 2/11/2017 at 10:08 AM, big_red_fire_engine said:

B: Jetta Frost Hibberd
HB: Hunt T-Mac Vince
C: Lewis Tyson Brayshaw
HF:  Petracca Hogan Kent
F: Garlett Watts Pederson
Ru: Gawn Jones Viney
Int: Oliver Salem Stretch Vanders
Emerg from: JKH OMac Weid

 

Adjusting this based on yesterday's JLT and assumption all are fit bar Kent (my guess) for round 1 at Etihad.

B: Jetta O-Mac J Smith
HB: Hunt T-Mac Hibberd
C: Lewis Tyson Jones
HF:  Petracca Hogan Vince
F: Garlett Watts Pederson
Ru: Gawn Salem Viney
Int: Oliver Brayshaw Stretch Melksham
Emerg from: Vanders Bugg Weid

32 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Adjusting this based on yesterday's JLT and assumption all are fit bar Kent (my guess) for round 1 at Etihad.

B: Jetta O-Mac J Smith
HB: Hunt T-Mac Hibberd
C: Lewis Tyson Jones
HF:  Petracca Hogan Vince
F: Garlett Watts Pederson
Ru: Gawn Salem Viney
Int: Oliver Brayshaw Stretch Melksham
Emerg from: Vanders Bugg Weid

I think this side is about right.

Smith would need to play 2 more good game practice games to be in contention. 

Frost would probably take his spot.

the players sitting at 25-30 are trangove, ANB, JKH, Kennedy, Garland, Weid 

I think only trengove and Weid have a real chance from this group. 

Goodwin said in an interview before the match "we wanted to get a fair bit of game time into our best 24", which was in reference to picking such a strong squad.

For whatever reason Watts didn't play and Tyson, Kent, Jetta weren't ready.

Smith a BIG chance to play round one.  Loved internally.

44 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Goodwin said in an interview before the match "we wanted to get a fair bit of game time into our best 24", which was in reference to picking such a strong squad.

For whatever reason Watts didn't play and Tyson, Kent, Jetta weren't ready.

Smith a BIG chance to play round one.  Loved internally.

Smith is a perfect match up for those undersized key forwards we struggle with ie: Crameri/Stringer, Membrey etc.... I knew he was fast and had a leap but his strength and aggression at the man yesterday were the best surprise for me. 

This is going to be hard....

Based on what I've seen so far (2 JLT's)

B: Jetta - O.Mac - Hibberd

HB: Vince- T.Mac -  Hunt

C: Tyson - Viney - Stretch

HF: Petracca - Hogan - Kent

FF: Garlett - Weideman - Watts

FOLL: Gawn - Jones - Oliver

INT: Lewis - Brayshaw- Melksham - Salem

EMG: Spencer - Harmes - J. Smith

 

Feel like putting Spenc in would hurt us on the rebound but help us in the ruck. I'd leave him out considering we play the Saints

 

1 minute ago, DemonLad5 said:

Based on what I've seen so far (2 JLT's)

B: Jetta - O.Mac - T.Mac

HB: Hibberd - T.Mac -  Hunt

C: Tyson - Viney - Stretch

HF: Petracca - Hogan - Kent

FF: Garlett - Weideman - Watts

FOLL: Gawn - Jones - Oliver

INT: Lewis - Brayshaw- Hibberd - Vince

EMG: Melksham - Spencer - J.Smith

Double double there. 

4 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Double double there. 

fixed

The Saints have given us the run around the last few times we've played them ... they are slick movers of the ball and have good leg speed right across the ground.  They play Docklands as well as anyone. 

We'll need to match them in the above areas but we'll also need to close down their game with a strong defensive focus.  Any player that we pick can't be a player who might get exploited.   We bring anything less than our best and we lose. 

The ground itself shouldn't be looked upon as a hoodoo ground.  Previously, we simply haven't been good enough to win games there ... now that we've got a decent list with competition for spots at a premium, it's time to win.

Against whoever, whenever, wherever. 

Stop St Nick

Hibberd  O McDonald  Melksham (if Frost had played any minutes this pre season, I'd have him in here against St Kilda)

Hunt  T McDonald  Jones

Lewis  Viney  Stretch

Petracca  Hogan  Vandenberg (this is the position Watts has to win back - VDB lacks the skills, but he brings the endeavour - he'll almost certainly play Round 1)

Weideman  Pedersen  Garlett

Gawn  Tyson  Oliver

Brayshaw  Salem  Vince  Harmes (even though Harmes is a butcher, he's tough and he gets the ball - I'd play him Round 1 - waiting on Kent's return)

 

This is the line up that I suspect they'll go with. I can't see the Essendon boys or the McDonald's being left out. Neither, Hunt nor captain Jones.

Stretch's pace, like Hunt's, will be vital for Etihad. Lewis will bring much needed experience and Viney's toughness will set the minimum benchmark for attack at the ball and player. All certain starters.

Petracca looks ready to explode and what better time to do it, than in front of the club that overlooked you for that #1 pick. He's a lock, as is Jesse. And the coaches clearly like what Vandenberg brings and whilst I don't think he has the skill-set to make it long term, he does bring a toughness and x factor when on song.

The FF line is the toughest line to predict, but I reckon Pedersen will get the nod based on his experience - we can't afford to go too young here. The club will also want to get games into Weideman, so he plays, as does Garlett, if he's fit. We can never have too much speed and this is what Jeffy offers. Particularly against St Kilda and particularly at Etihad.

Then the rucks pick themselves.

And the bench provide us with midfield and forward minutes, along with Bernie as a defensive cog and Harmes with some hardness.

It's a hard thing as a long suffering supporter to imagine what depth looks like at Melbourne.  Assuming that the JLT series and Goodwin's comments reflect those in the mix for Round 1 - then there's quite a few some would have seen as automatic inclusions in Rd 22 waiting in the wings for their chance through injury/suspension or form.

Watts, Jetta, Frost, Stretch, Bugg, Harmes  and Pedersen  all miss out.

 

Backs: Hibberd, T Mac, Vince

H Backs: Jones, O, Mac, Smith

Centre: Hunt, Lewis, Brayshaw

H Fwd: AVB, Hogan, Petracca,

Fwd: Kent, Weideman, Garlett

Rucks:  Gawn, Tyson, Viney

INT: Oliver, Salem, Melksham, Spencer.

Emerg: Stretch, Bugg, Harmes

 

I think Spencer will get the nod, there's lots of reasons why we wouldn't play two rucks in a conventional set up, but with Hogan roaming up the ground (including as a Ruck Rover at times) and Max's ability to go forward, Jake actually gives more flexibility to the side because he's a genuine ruck compared to Pedersen/Watts who only give you a limited chop out.  Stretch very unlucky, but it depends on how Kent pulls up in a couple of weeks. 

I know some won't have AVB in their side, but I think Goodwin will.  One of the commentators mentioned that he was all about the angles and cutting down the oppositions options.  AVB does that exceptionally well, he runs the angles and crashes into blokes, doesn't get a heap of it (most High Half Forwards don't) but plays his role - and is a reliable shot on goal.  The consistent theme of the entire 22 that I've picked is that they're combative players. 

 

 

Touch wood that there are no injuries in our last JLT game.

When I look at what will definitely be a difficult Round 1 task, I can identify three visible positives/points of difference to our side now.

1) The added experience and level-headedness of Jordan Lewis to our 22 and to a lesser extent, Hibberd and Melksham. (Maybe leave the level-headedness bit out for Milky Joe). Lewis's influence just cannot be underestimated and like so many who have said it already, I'm not really concerned about his possession count etc on game-day. It's his general aura that holds such significance for the rest of our side. The 'Gordan-Aura'. As if walking out onto the ground with a modern day champion midfielder who has been apart of one of the strongest dynasties in footballing history wouldn't get you supremely aroused. He also nominated us as the club of his choice. Lewis, Hibberd and Melksham over Matt Jones, Grimes and Lumumba. List upgrades. I love em.

2) The Goody-Effect. I think it's a safe bet to suggest our midfield are going to really trouble opposition sides this year. Goody has got us playing like manic, hunger-crazed Hyenas and when you look at the attribute types and strengths of our midfield collective, it ain't gon' be no passing fancy. We have a genuinely angry and hungry group of midfielders who want to hurt other humans and are running in hordes, out-hustling and tackling ferociously. It's a pleasure to watch. I've never been as excited by a group melbourne mids, most of whom are still cubs. Oliver, Viney, Salem, Brayshaw, Petracca, Tyson. Our 22 and unders just look like they want to play for Goody and that's an incredibly exciting thing.

3) Ball movement. Look so much better. I guess another Goody-effect, but who wouldn't want to play the game in such an exhilarating way? Some of our movement yesterday was super impressive and Casey is a difficult ground to navigate being the Bermuda Triangle it is. I'm definitely aware that we still lack serious class kicking skills and maybe I've watched too much of the outlier in Hawthorn over the years so my expectations are way out of whack, but footy is so much more enjoyable to watch when risky plays come off. I think the deliberate repositioning of players like Salem into the midfield and Jones to half-back are two small but important moves that really complement this attacking style we're seeing. I have nightmares when I think of Neeld's 'long down the line' approach with Magner, Couch and Dan Nicholson causing havoc at the fall of the ball..... .. . 

 

All-in-all, it's just nice to be a relevant footy club again with players who are now universally recognised. 

I'm still pretty uncertain about a couple of things. For one, I think our backmen still battle above their weight division. I think Oscar and Tom will be mauled a number of times be bigger, stronger and smarter opposition and I still think the club should have picked up at least one backup mature-age key defender. The saints game is likely to come down to the talls and who can penetrate better in that regard. The midfield will be a fairly even battle, so it'll come down to who has the most effective forwardline and defence. 

I think their KP defenders are better than ours and our KP forwards probably break-even with theirs so I reckon they'll pip us unless we comprehensively beat them in the midfield.

Carn though.

 

 

11 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Touch wood that there are no injuries in our last JLT game.

When I look at what will definitely be a difficult Round 1 task, I can identify three visible positives/points of difference to our side now.

1) The added experience and level-headedness of Jordan Lewis to our 22 and to a lesser extent, Hibberd and Melksham. (Maybe leave the level-headedness bit out for Milky Joe). Lewis's influence just cannot be underestimated and like so many who have said it already, I'm not really concerned about his possession count etc on game-day. It's his general aura that holds such significance for the rest of our side. The 'Gordan-Aura'. As if walking out onto the ground with a modern day champion midfielder who has been apart of one of the strongest dynasties in footballing history wouldn't get you supremely aroused. He also nominated us as the club of his choice. Lewis, Hibberd and Melksham over Matt Jones, Grimes and Lumumba. List upgrades. I love em.

2) The Goody-Effect. I think it's a safe bet to suggest our midfield are going to really trouble opposition sides this year. Goody has got us playing like manic, hunger-crazed Hyenas and when you look at the attribute types and strengths of our midfield collective, it ain't gon' be no passing fancy. We have a genuinely angry and hungry group of midfielders who want to hurt other humans and are running in hordes, out-hustling and tackling ferociously. It's a pleasure to watch. I've never been as excited by a group melbourne mids, most of whom are still cubs. Oliver, Viney, Salem, Brayshaw, Petracca, Tyson. Our 22 and unders just look like they want to play for Goody and that's an incredibly exciting thing.

3) Ball movement. Look so much better. I guess another Goody-effect, but who wouldn't want to play the game in such an exhilarating way? Some of our movement yesterday was super impressive and Casey is a difficult ground to navigate being the Bermuda Triangle it is. I'm definitely aware that we still lack serious class kicking skills and maybe I've watched too much of the outlier in Hawthorn over the years so my expectations are way out of whack, but footy is so much more enjoyable to watch when risky plays come off. I think the deliberate repositioning of players like Salem into the midfield and Jones to half-back are two small but important moves that really complement this attacking style we're seeing. I have nightmares when I think of Neeld's 'long down the line' approach with Magner, Couch and Dan Nicholson causing havoc at the fall of the ball..... .. . 

 

All-in-all, it's just nice to be a relevant footy club again with players who are now universally recognised. 

I'm still pretty uncertain about a couple of things. For one, I think our backmen still battle above their weight division. I think Oscar and Tom will be mauled a number of times be bigger, stronger and smarter opposition and I still think the club should have picked up at least one backup mature-age key defender. The saints game is likely to come down to the talls and who can penetrate better in that regard. The midfield will be a fairly even battle, so it'll come down to who has the most effective forwardline and defence. 

I think their KP defenders are better than ours and our KP forwards probably break-even with theirs so I reckon they'll pip us unless we comprehensively beat them in the midfield.

Carn though.

 

 

I am not so sure that Frost won't be back against the Saints, nor that we won't see even further improvement in Joel Smith by the First Round. I am feeling much more confident in all sectors of the ground than last year.

5 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I'm still pretty uncertain about a couple of things. For one, I think our backmen still battle above their weight division. I think Oscar and Tom will be mauled a number of times be bigger, stronger and smarter opposition and I still think the club should have picked up at least one backup mature-age key defender. The saints game is likely to come down to the talls and who can penetrate better in that regard. The midfield will be a fairly even battle, so it'll come down to who has the most effective forwardline and defence.

That would be Lynden Dunn. But it's clear now that we're going all-in.  

11 minutes ago, Skuit said:

That would be Lynden Dunn. But it's clear now that we're going all-in.  

I meant a 'proper' mature-age defender.

Not a pretend one.

Assuming Tyson, Jetta, Watts and Kent play next week. Hoping Smith plays on Darling next game as a good performance will secure him a spot for those undersize key forwards we struggle with. Jetta is a great servant and lock down defender but lacks the flexibility of who he can play on and the attacking flair of the 2017 game style and I suspect will not be best 22 in Goody's eyes.

Backs: Hibberd, T Mac, Vince

H Backs: Hunt, O, Mac, Smith

Centre: Lewis, Tyson, Jones

H Fwd: AVB, Hogan, Petracca,

Fwd: Kent, Weideman, Watts

Rucks:  Gawn, Salem, Viney

INT: Oliver, Brayshaw, Melksham, Stretch

Emerg: Spencer, ANB, Jetta

11 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

 

Backs: Hibberd, T Mac, Vince

H Backs: Hunt, O, Mac, Smith

Centre: Lewis, Tyson, Jones

H Fwd: AVB, Hogan, Petracca,

Fwd: Kent, Weideman, Watts

Rucks:  Gawn, Salem, Viney

INT: Oliver, Brayshaw, Melksham, Stretch

Emerg: Spencer, ANB, Jetta

No Garlett Red?

Garlett will now be battling for round one.

I've said repeatedly Jetta might struggle to get a game this year and Joel Smith is presenting a strong case for inclusion.  Smith is exceptionally agile, athletic and fast.  I see someone like Membrey as the right matchup.

Hunt can play on a Lonie or Gresham type.

31 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I meant a 'proper' mature-age defender.

Not a pretend one.

28 minutes ago, grazman said:

No Garlett Red?

I think they said his hamstring is 3-4 weeks. I wouldn't put him straight into round 1.

12 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Garlett will now be battling for round one.

I've said repeatedly Jetta might struggle to get a game this year and Joel Smith is presenting a strong case for inclusion.  Smith is exceptionally agile, athletic and fast.  I see someone like Membrey as the right matchup.

Hunt can play on a Lonie or Gresham type.

I fully agree. He is perfect for the Membrey, Stringer/Crameri, Darling type match ups that we really struggle with.

Garlett or JKH?? Garlett has runs on board - jeez I have soft spot for JKH though...

Why has everyone picked Weideman? Promising and potential yes but not afl standard yet.