Round 1 AFL Team of the Week

[In Harmes Way 7,767]

Clearance and Max included in this week's team of the week. Nate Jones unlucky to miss out.

What odds would you get that Max will make the team every week this year?

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/team-of-the-week-round-one?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News

[Demonland 72,170]

Congratulations to Max and Clarry.

[Red and Blue realist 2,051]

Thought it was Chunks best game for a long time, besides 1 howler, his disposal looked to improve about 50% over the summer. Might be Lewis's influence or just a bit of maturity in his game but he looked fantastic, maybe he's annoyed he's missed out on the BnF the last couple of years after having a mortgage on it!

[Adam The God 30,222]

31 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Thought it was Chunks best game for a long time, besides 1 howler, his disposal looked to improve about 50% over the summer. Might be Lewis's influence or just a bit of maturity in his game but he looked fantastic, maybe he's annoyed he's missed out on the BnF the last couple of years after having a mortgage on it!

Jonesy also played a vital role in pinging off our zone defence, being in the right spot and offering an outlet for our defenders to utilise.

[Demonland 72,170]

It could be argued that Hogan was stiff to not get Buddy's spot in the team but this is an AFL produced team of the week and well Sydney .....

[Demon Jack 6,908]

Jones and Hogan very unlucky. 

EDIT: Just realised I passed 2000 posts on Demonland. Thanks to everyone who makes this website possible!

Edited March 27, 2017 by Demon Jack

[Skuit 10,031]

Big Max's beard and the red yoke behind his head make him look like Count Dracula or some strange Elizabethan courtier with a jabot. Heppel just looks like a mop. That one you've been keeping in case something spills one day that you don't want to use the good mop for. 

Edited March 28, 2017 by Skuit

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

Agreed Jones unlucky and you have to wonder what more Clarrie Chew Chew had to do to get in the starting line up.

Jeez, think back to how many times over the past few years we wouldn't get anyone in that team.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

What I noticed about Jones more than anything from that game; he looked quick.

He had some serious acceleration a few times and burned opponents off.

[What 18,810]

Hogan > Franklin

[monoccular 17,426]

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

It could be argued that Hogan was stiff to not get Buddy's spot in the team but this is an AFL produced team of the week and well Sydney .....

So true.....Sydney teams must be promoted by AFL at all times.  

[Lucifers Hero 39,747]

45 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Agreed Jones unlucky and you have to wonder what more Clarrie Chew Chew had to do to get in the starting line up.

Jeez, think back to how many times over the past few years we wouldn't get anyone in that team.

Where red and black!

Going on the AFLCA votes, Clarrie gets BOG in his own right.  The 3 in red and black get shared honours. 

3 in TOTW is probably the AFL at work helping promote that poor club.  (I fully admit my anti AFL/anti Ess bias).

It gives them something else to brag about!  Such is their arrogance they do not even show the whole team on their website - just the lines in which they have a rep!  http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2017-03-28/team-of-the-week-rd-1  Nauseating!

Edited March 28, 2017 by Lucifer's Hero

[binman 42,903]

40 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

What I noticed about Jones more than anything from that game; he looked quick.

He had some serious acceleration a few times and burned opponents off.

Agree, sort of. i think he has really enhanced his ability to move laterally and side step. And perhaps is more explosive from a standing start. He is also an excellent left foot kick now. Full respect to him as he has continuously improved his game through his career, something few players do really (at least as much as he has).

Some credit must go to roosy in this regard as he challenged jonesy a couple of years ago to go to another level - something Jonesy initially resented i think but then took on board. I always rated Jones as a solid B grade player but he is really pushing A grade level now i reckon.  

[What 18,810]

6 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Where red and black!

Going on the AFLCA votes, Clarrie gets BOG in his own right.  The 3 in red and black get shared honours.

3 in TOTW  gives them something else for them to brag about!  Such is their arrogance they do not even show the whole team on their website - just the lines in which they have a rep!  http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2017-03-28/team-of-the-week-rd-1  Nauseating!

Drug cheats.

[Red and Blue realist 2,051]

2 hours ago, A F said:

Jonesy also played a vital role in pinging off our zone defence, being in the right spot and offering an outlet for our defenders to utilise.

I though it was just going to be the likes of Stretch, Clarry and Tyson who got a big lift from Lewis, but I think Jones got nearly as much. They seemed to work nearly in tandem to make sure there was that outlet for the defenders and directing them where to go. I wonder if this was noticeable to anyone close to the ground on Saturday - if they could hear Jones and Lewis instructing (nearly coaching) the ball movement on the ground?

[DeeSpencer 25,680]

2 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

What I noticed about Jones more than anything from that game; he looked quick.

He had some serious acceleration a few times and burned opponents off.

I reckon he's way faster and more skilled than he gets credit for. His decision making can be a bit questionable but overall he's got good balance to his game. I think the damage he did on Saturday with impact touches is due to a couple of important factors:

1. Not having to crash in for a full game giving him more run. Oliver, Viney, Lewis etc shared the load.

2. Doing a full preseason after neck surgery last year and carrying the neck injury in 2015.

[nutbean 8,838]

4 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

What I noticed about Jones more than anything from that game; he looked quick.

He had some serious acceleration a few times and burned opponents off.

Jones is not lightning quick -  what Jones does is hit the contest at top speed . Viney does that too.

I think what has really improved with both of these guys is the reading of the play  - it means you can go at the contest at full pace with some confidence knowing that the ball is going to be there. It also helps first and foremost that Gawn will put it exactly where he promises he will. But if you look at the goal he kicked from the Oliver handball - he just took off past Oliver knowing he would gather the ball and give it to him. Weidman looked quicker than he has because he took off knowing he was going to  end up the end user of the handball chain. Confidence in your teammates abilities is a glorious thing. 

They talk about "quick sides" - but it is not always about leg speed - it is about confidence that your teammate is going to get the ball and give it to you so you feel right about going hard to get yourself in a good position.

Edited March 28, 2017 by nutbean

[Robbie57 2,020]

Jones is always underrated, I think he had a better game than Clarrie as he stood up as a leader and was instrumental in the momentum shift in the game. On that basis he should be in before Clarrie (who had a great game). Funny how people become favorites of the commentators, the umpires and fans such that they have to do less to impress. That said I think Gawnie is a favorite of the umps and is getting a good run from the umps. (someone will find a stat to prove me wrong).

 

[Pates 9,660]

Jones might be a touch unlucky but it was a superb performance from Clarry and it probably won't be the last time he gets into TOTW. 

[Deestroy All 14,265]

Oliver should be in the 18. Wines on the bench.

Toumpas captain.

[Adam The God 30,222]

I have a feeling Jones will keep doing it this season and take his game to another level. I reckon he can average 30 touches this year. He averaged 28 last year. With Lewis by his side, I reckon they'll both propel and elevate each other.

I'm happy for our midfield to keep flying under the radar this season, but if Oliver keeps dominating as I think he will, it'll only make the job of Jones, Lewis and Viney all that more achievable. In essence, we won't be flying under the radar for long.

Those four really could be the fab four this year though. I can't see teams wanting to tag any of them for fear of losing their own attack, but if they do, who do you tag? If I'm an opposition coach, I have someone minding Oliver at stoppages, but I can't do anything about Viney, Lewis or Jones. I have to back that my other midfielders can deal with them and curve their influence.

But if Viney can recapture his early 2016 form, we will have a formidable midfield capable of destroying any opposition this season. Particularly, with a dominant ruckman like Maxy giving our mids the silver service.

EDIT. And this isn't even counting arguably our second best extractor (behind Oliver) in Tyson.

Edited March 28, 2017 by A F

[Deestroy All 14,265]

1 minute ago, A F said:

I have a feeling Jones will keep doing it this season and take his game to another level. I reckon he can average 30 touches this year. He averaged 28 last year. With Lewis by his side, I reckon they'll both propel and elevate each other.

I'm happy for our midfield to keep flying under the radar this season, but if Oliver keeps dominating as I think he will, it'll only make the job of Jones, Lewis and Viney all that more achievable. In essence, we won't be flying under the radar for long.

Those four really could be the fab four this year though. I can't see teams wanting to tag any of them for fear of losing their own attack, but if they do, who do you tag? If I'm an opposition coach, I have someone minding Oliver at stoppages, but I can't do anything about Viney, Lewis or Jones. I have to back that my other midfielders can deal with them and curve their influence.

But if Viney can recapture his early 2016 form, we will have a formidable midfield capable of destroying any opposition this season. Particularly, with a dominant ruckman like Maxy giving our mids the silver service.

The radar has gone ballistic. People everywhere are talking up our midfield. Plenty of "one of the best" comments flying around. 

Under the radar or not, I think we've got too many driven competitors, with skill, to stop. It'll take a massive effort and strategy to stop our mids for 4 quarters. 

[Adam The God 30,222]

8 minutes ago, Deestroy All said:

The radar has gone ballistic. People everywhere are talking up our midfield. Plenty of "one of the best" comments flying around. 

Under the radar or not, I think we've got too many driven competitors, with skill, to stop. It'll take a massive effort and strategy to stop our mids for 4 quarters. 

Where did you hear that? Good stuff.

And the Eagles managed to do it in Perth in the JLT. Only Oliver really shone. I hope we can rectify that in the season proper.

[Lucifers Hero 39,747]

6 hours ago, Deestroy All said:

The radar has gone ballistic. People everywhere are talking up our midfield. Plenty of "one of the best" comments flying around. 

Under the radar or not, I think we've got too many driven competitors, with skill, to stop. It'll take a massive effort and strategy to stop our mids for 4 quarters. 

 

6 hours ago, A F said:

Where did you hear that? Good stuff.

And the Eagles managed to do it in Perth in the JLT. Only Oliver really shone. I hope we can rectify that in the season proper.

Yep, our midfield is well and truly on the radar courtesy of one Jordan Lewis:   http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-03-28/we-can-follow-hawks-footsteps-lewis

MELBOURNE is building a potent midfield capable of challenging the best sides in the competition, according to four-time premiership Hawk and new Demon Jordan Lewis..."I can't see why not," Lewis said when asked if Melbourne's midfield can follow in the footsteps of the Hawks".

For mine I would have preferred Lewis to wait a while before likening our midfield to the Hawks.  We are full of potential but not really achieved anything yet.  Just hope he makes sure the players have their feet on the ground on Sunday.  Carlton is just the team to catch us napping.

Our mids will be hunted from now on.  I expect them to get much rougher treatment than what some posters are complaining that Bernie dished out last week. 

[P-man 13,366]

13 hours ago, A F said:

I have a feeling Jones will keep doing it this season and take his game to another level. I reckon he can average 30 touches this year. He averaged 28 last year. With Lewis by his side, I reckon they'll both propel and elevate each other.

I'm happy for our midfield to keep flying under the radar this season, but if Oliver keeps dominating as I think he will, it'll only make the job of Jones, Lewis and Viney all that more achievable. In essence, we won't be flying under the radar for long.

Those four really could be the fab four this year though. I can't see teams wanting to tag any of them for fear of losing their own attack, but if they do, who do you tag? If I'm an opposition coach, I have someone minding Oliver at stoppages, but I can't do anything about Viney, Lewis or Jones. I have to back that my other midfielders can deal with them and curve their influence.

But if Viney can recapture his early 2016 form, we will have a formidable midfield capable of destroying any opposition this season. Particularly, with a dominant ruckman like Maxy giving our mids the silver service.

EDIT. And this isn't even counting arguably our second best extractor (behind Oliver) in Tyson.

Glad you added that edit. Tyson was poor in his JLT game which I think has left some a little jaded, but we know what he's capable of at his best. Him hitting some form makes that Fab Four a Fab Five.