12 minutes ago, Dante said:

ANB will not be dropped, the coach was glowing in his praise for him and it would be extraordinary for him to then drop him a week later, he cops a lot on here but he is a good player and fits in with the style of game we are playing.

I agree he played well but is still think he is a midfielder filling in the forwardline for the missing small forward. Will he actually be droped? Maybe not, but he is the one right on the edge I think. Thats not even a big knock on ANB, It's just the fact that Kent is a better natural forward.

This is the basis of my perspective:
If you look at a "best 22" scenario right now I dont have ANB in it. So if I was coach and had decided Kent (IMO is best 22) was ready to play I would pat Alex on the back for coming up as the "23rd man" playing his role really well and then set him some things to work on at Casey to see if he can get himself a more perminant role in the team. It sucks for him but thats what we need to have happen of the next 10 years to keep improving and be a really good side. Injuried and dissapointing form will allow ANB plenty of opportunity throughout the year. Hannan might find himself in a similar position, if not this week then in coming weeks. Better/more experienced players are going to take peoples spots even if they played well on the day. It's these days we have been dreaming of for a decade. If Kent comes in and plays poorly and ANB continues to perform at Casey then the opposite will happen and the onus will be on Kent to earn his spot back.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I thought Melky was quite good. Took some good marks in defense and got into the faces of a couple of saints players. Definitely loves a scrap!

He's the fake tough guy champion of the league, taking the crown from Lynden Dunn who is now the VFL champ after his Lin Jong efforts in the VFL grand final. $1.01 he drops a mark or fumbles a ground ball under pressure in the coming weeks.

Gotta love Carlton supporters. This from http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35716 

"We could be lke the Dees in 3 years but highly unlikely. The AFL stepped in and helped Melbourne. First they used their secret formula to come up with pick 3 as compo for losing Frawley. They talked Roos into coaching again and then paid his contract for 3 years. They put a CEO in place and helped negotiate compo from the MCC because they had MCC Melbourne members, as all clubs do.
They became a destination club in part due to Roos and now is it paying off.
The AFL do not give a stuff about us and we will not help.
This will be ugly I am afraid."

Based on VFL report and the fact that he is regarded mega highly by almost all of us, I think it's fair to say that Dom Tyson will be playing against Carlton this week.

Whether it is just a straight swap for Smith with Salem having to play down back for longer periods like he did after quarter time last week I don't know, but after such a strong win I can't see many changes.

The only other discussion I imagine they will have is what they have to do to regain Jack W's confidence. Casboult is a lot taller and stronger than Bruce, so whether it is something the selectors are happy with wearing for another week I don't know. My gut feel is that, barring injury, it will just be the one change and that Bugg, Harmes and Kent will have to wait their turn to get back into the side.

4 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He's the fake tough guy champion of the league, taking the crown from Lynden Dunn who is now the VFL champ after his Lin Jong efforts in the VFL grand final. $1.01 he drops a mark or fumbles a ground ball under pressure in the coming weeks.

At some time in the coming weeks, every player in the AFL will drop a mark or fumble a ground ball.

It's not only confined to the players you don't like.

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He's the fake tough guy champion of the league, taking the crown from Lynden Dunn who is now the VFL champ after his Lin Jong efforts in the VFL grand final. $1.01 he drops a mark or fumbles a ground ball under pressure in the coming weeks.

The difference being that Melksham can actually go (in the ring anyway).

4 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

I agree he played well but is still think he is a midfielder filling in the forwardline for the missing small forward. Will he actually be droped? Maybe not, but he is the one right on the edge I think. Thats not even a big knock on ANB, It's just the fact that Kent is a better natural forward.

This is the basis of my perspective:
If you look at a "best 22" scenario right now I dont have ANB in it. So if I was coach and had decided Kent (IMO is best 22) was ready to play I would pat Alex on the back for coming up as the "23rd man" playing his role really well and then set him some things to work on at Casey to see if he can get himself a more perminant role in the team. It sucks for him but thats what we need to have happen of the next 10 years to keep improving and be a really good side. Injuried and dissapointing form will allow ANB plenty of opportunity throughout the year. Hannan might find himself in a similar position, if not this week then in coming weeks. Better/more experienced players are going to take peoples spots even if they played well on the day. It's these days we have been dreaming of for a decade. If Kent comes in and plays poorly and ANB continues to perform at Casey then the opposite will happen and the onus will be on Kent to earn his spot back.

Even in peak fitness Kent hasn't shown he has the tank for repeated defensive efforts like ANB. There's no way if ANB is playing well with the ball that Kent takes his spot unless he's on fire in the VFL. 

I agree at times you just have to pick the more talented guy but when the preseason focus has been on defensive pressure it certainly won't be this week. 

Our ability to pressure and spread was what really shifted the game in our favour and it was why we won at Etihad for the 2nd time in ages, because at the G we get away with less of both. ANB was crucial to that. 

anyone know what time the MRP comes out? Waiting on Bernie and Casboult results

3 hours ago, old dee said:

Don't hold your breath LH it is the nature of the beast.

Has gone on  since Adam played full back for Jerusalem

Adam played his last game at the cave of the patriach hebron before Jerusalem was even in the league

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Even in peak fitness Kent hasn't shown he has the tank for repeated defensive efforts like ANB. There's no way if ANB is playing well with the ball that Kent takes his spot unless he's on fire in the VFL. 

I agree at times you just have to pick the more talented guy but when the preseason focus has been on defensive pressure it certainly won't be this week. 

Our ability to pressure and spread was what really shifted the game in our favour and it was why we won at Etihad for the 2nd time in ages, because at the G we get away with less of both. ANB was crucial to that. 

Gee ANB has played one decent game this season. His three in the pre season were ordinary.

Kent has proven over the years he is a quality player. Kent has two big problems he is injury prone and he is inconsistent.

I think it is a while off before we can judge who gets a spot if they are competing for the same one.

Heartbeat 2017

Goodwin says: Oscar just oozes leadership with the way he goes about his business on a day-to-day basis, which is really exciting.  He prepares extremely well and he trains to a high level every session.  For a player of his age to be able to play that way has been really exciting for the club.

Goodwin says: Alex has had a fantastic pre-season. His last pre-season, he probably drifted through the summer and it affected his season.  But this pre-season he came with real purpose and focus.  He's changed his body shape and is training to a really high level. Alex plays the game the way we'd like it to be played, so we see an exciting year ahead for him.

 

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Even in peak fitness Kent hasn't shown he has the tank for repeated defensive efforts like ANB. There's no way if ANB is playing well with the ball that Kent takes his spot unless he's on fire in the VFL.

I feel like Kent has shown he has the tank, he has at times not come in with the right defencive attitude and there is every chance Goody's philosphy would be to sit him at Casey untill he is showing that defencive attitude every week. I just think Kent has shown better signs over a longer peroid than ANB who has had just 1 or 2 good games. But as I said earlier that I would be happy with either of them picked this week.

2 minutes ago, dino rover said:

Adam played his last game at the cave of the patriach hebron before Jerusalem was even in the league

Well you learn something ever day.

 

2 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

Heartbeat 2017

Goodwin says: Oscar just oozes leadership with the way he goes about his business on a day-to-day basis, which is really exciting.  He prepares extremely well and he trains to a high level every session.  For a player of his age to be able to play that way has been really exciting for the club.

Goodwin says: Alex has had a fantastic pre-season. His last pre-season, he probably drifted through the summer and it affected his season.  But this pre-season he came with real purpose and focus.  He's changed his body shape and is training to a really high level. Alex plays the game the way we'd like it to be played, so we see an exciting year ahead for him.

 

Hmm I like his enthusiasm for ANB but OM still leaves me wondering.

4 minutes ago, Akum said:

At some time in the coming weeks, every player in the AFL will drop a mark or fumble a ground ball.

It's not only confined to the players you don't like.

Of course, but when Jones, Viney or Oliver etc get a little aggressive it probably works because when it's their turn to go they'll go. If players want to waste their time trying to rough those guys up then good luck to them.

Watch the faces of the players Melksham tries to niggle. They're usually laughing because they know on a footy field his bark is bigger than his bite.

Melksham could be an important player because he has good size for a flanker, good aerial ability, really nice speed/endurance combination and length and penetration to his kicking. If that's what we got him for he might work. If Goodwin or anyone else is a fan of his tough guy shtick or decision making under pressure then good luck to them, I'm not buying it.

The Hawks dominated because of their anti social footy - Hodge, Lewis, Mitchell, Franklin, Rioli etc were intimidating players. Look at what happened when North tried to copy it with the likes of Lindsay Thomas, Scott Thompson etc. They got found out against the big boys in finals.

6 minutes ago, old dee said:

Gee ANB has played one decent game this season. His three in the pre season were ordinary.

Kent has proven over the years he is a quality player. Kent has two big problems he is injury prone and he is inconsistent.

I think it is a while off before we can judge who gets a spot if they are competing for the same one.

They are competing right now are they not? Kent's had a scratch match and 2 other VFL hit outs. I'm not saying he holds the spot long term but in reply to ArtificialWisdom who was happy to make the swap right now I was saying ANB holds it for this week at least.

6 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

Heartbeat 2017

Goodwin says: Oscar just oozes leadership with the way he goes about his business on a day-to-day basis, which is really exciting.  He prepares extremely well and he trains to a high level every session.  For a player of his age to be able to play that way has been really exciting for the club.

Goodwin says: Alex has had a fantastic pre-season. His last pre-season, he probably drifted through the summer and it affected his season.  But this pre-season he came with real purpose and focus.  He's changed his body shape and is training to a really high level. Alex plays the game the way we'd like it to be played, so we see an exciting year ahead for him.

 

It would appear that Goodwin doesn't read Demonland, if he did he'd change his opinion quick smart and drop Oscar and ANB next week, never to return.

TCHD

 

7 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

Heartbeat 2017

Goodwin says: Oscar just oozes leadership with the way he goes about his business on a day-to-day basis, which is really exciting.  He prepares extremely well and he trains to a high level every session.  For a player of his age to be able to play that way has been really exciting for the club.

Goodwin says: Alex has had a fantastic pre-season. His last pre-season, he probably drifted through the summer and it affected his season.  But this pre-season he came with real purpose and focus.  He's changed his body shape and is training to a really high level. Alex plays the game the way we'd like it to be played, so we see an exciting year ahead for him.

 

I wonder if Goodwin actually said these things or whether the technically correct wording should be "Matt Burgan says he believes Goodwin thinks: Oscar just oozes leadership..."

That's not to say the Goodwin didn't approve them and therefore has to take accountability for what was published.

16 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

anyone know what time the MRP comes out? Waiting on Bernie and Casboult results

It's doubtful Casboult will get a game no matter which way the MRP swings...

6 minutes ago, Dante said:

It would appear that Goodwin doesn't read Demonland, if he did he'd change his opinion quick smart and drop Oscar and ANB next week, never to return.

TCHD

 

Are you sure Dante?

He may to see what not to do.

39 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Under this plan, who would you play as second ruck when Gawn has a break?

If Watts goes to the backline (which I doubt will happen), I would expect Spencer to play.

Not a hope in hell. I applaud Goodwin for picking a team to beat St. Kilda, not a team based on conventional structures. The same should apply to Carlton. Their biggest weakness is their lack of offensive pressure and defensive speed. They don't have any small forwards to worry about aside from Armfield, who killed us last year. Richmond's young small forwards chopped them up, and I'd expect the same from Kent, Garlett and ANB, and for them to do a better job of nullifying Docherty and Simpson.

I'd play Watts in the ruck when Kreuzer is off the ground, and I'd play Watts on Kreuzer when he pushes forward. When Watts is resting or manning Kreuzer, Lewis should fill his role down back on a C.Curnow.

I have it on good authority that demonland is read at each selection committee meeting 

Just now, chook fowler said:

I have it on good authority that demonland is read at each selection committee meeting 

Maybe it is, not for any selection decisions, just for a chuckle at our foolish theories XD

3 hours ago, old dee said:

Don't hold your breath LH it is the nature of the beast.

Has gone on  since Adam played full back for Jerusalem

Yes but who would you play on Gary Ablett, Omac of Melbourne or Adam of Jerusalem?

2 minutes ago, ManDee said:

Yes but who would you play on Gary Ablett, Omac of Melbourne or Adam of Jerusalem?

Easy Adam

8 minutes ago, old dee said:

Easy Adam

 His descendants.