10 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Depends on how we move the ball and who he plays on.  If they stick a smaller/mid size back on him and we give him some space then he'll create havoc.  If we just bomb it on his head with Lonergan on him?  It won't go well.

If we were to give him the space to lead, run and jump at the footy then he'll take his share of marks.  I like the idea, but I'm not actually sure how Trac will go with it.

You're becoming obsessed, Steve.  You bring the poor kid up in every thread.  

I get really frustrated with Oscar but he was good last week. Couldn't fault him one bit. I feel that when he keeps his game simple he plays well and that gives him confidence. We are going to get games where he will be shaky and cost us goals but i have no doubt Goody and Macca would not be worried in the slightest as he is doing his job nullifying his opponent and sticking to his task.

Im use to him now being in our best 22 and i think some need to realize that as well.

isn't he in the top 10 in the AFL  for 1%??

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play.

Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80%

That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time.

If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off..

Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off..

Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

52 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Oscar vs T Hawkins.

Reminiscent of a scene from David Attenborough's 'Africa'. 

 

I doubt he would go to Tomahawk for much of the game Steve. T-Mac surely with some chop outs from others on occasions. Hawk won't be able to go with T-Mac on the rebound but of course likely to win most of the one on ones if the Cats can get it to him quickly. Bit of a 50/50 if T-Mac can punish on the rebound effectively I reckon.

11 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I get really frustrated with Oscar but he was good last week. Couldn't fault him one bit. I feel that when he keeps his game simple he plays well and that gives him confidence. We are going to get games where he will be shaky and cost us goals but i have no doubt Goody and Macca would not be worried in the slightest as he is doing his job nullifying his opponent and sticking to his task.

Im use to him now being in our best 22 and i think some need to realize that as well.

isn't he in the top 10 in the AFL  for 1%??

Correct sitting at equal 8th. Brother at  equal 11th. Tom also sitting at equal 6th for rebounds and Salem at equal 12th. Early days of course.

In one of the few publicly available stats that I think has some meaning, clearances, Clarry is our leader here at equal 16th. Pretty amazing for someone who is still in his teens (age and games played)

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Oscar vs T Hawkins.

Reminiscent of a scene from David Attenborough's 'Africa'. 

 

Criticise in haste, repent at leisure.

You're going to have 10 years of making lame excuses why you never backed Oscar.

I'll prime them now for you: "Oh I only said he wasn't ready, not that he was no good"

How did your man Nathan Brown go against Josh Kennedy last week?

That last quarter by Harmes was some of the best football I've seen him play. His disposal efficiency was amazing (best on the day? Nev might have bettered him) for his first game as was his attack and intensity on the ball. Was involved in a number of scoring chains also. Let's hope he can continue that form into the Cats game.

23 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play.

Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80%

That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time.

If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off..

Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off..

Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

Shame Vandenberg isnt available.

Mostly our talls with the exception of Hogan, only succeed in bringing the ball to ground from long bombs for our smalls anyway. They dont stick marks yet (Watts never has). Ball to ground has been enough for us in the first 2 rounds, because our mediums/smalls have made hay.

My worry is the "medium" inside 50 entry, as they are the ones in todays congested space that can be easily cut off by taller opponents. Petracca is our best hope of winning one on 1 contested marking in this type of entry, or Garlett if he is completely isolated close to goal, and can take some sort of run at it, as his judgement and body positioning is very good.

Otherwise, our forwards are gather and shoot types, who are not pack markers, and as such, I cant see our style of play changing too much against the Cats, provided Watts and Weids can at least halve the contest at the long bomb.

If we win this one, it will be a coming of age.

1 minute ago, Rusty Nails said:

That last quarter by Harmes was some of the best football I've seen him play. His disposal efficiency was amazing (best on the day? Nev might have bettered him) for his first game as was his attack and intensity on the ball. Was involved in a number of scoring chains also. Let's hope he can continue that form into the Cats game.

And it showed that perhaps he's a better forward than a defender.

1 minute ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And it showed that perhaps he's a better forward than a defender.

I think you might be right LDC.

Although if my memory serves me correctly I seem to recall his accuracy in front (when he gets the chance) has a bit of a question mark over it? But if he is helping others to score who are better at it than him and giving it off most of the time instead of shooting himself then I guess it's not a major black mark. Can always work on his goal shooting skills as well. I could be wrong here though as I haven't checked his accuracy record vs other medium small forwards. Happy to stand corrected.

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Oscar vs T Hawkins.

Reminiscent of a scene from David Attenborough's 'Africa'. 

 

We play a zone defence...

The zone does its job and Hawkins doesn't get a look in.

4 hours ago, ProDee said:

I don't think taking the AA ruckman out of the ruck is a great move.  Although Geelong would be laughing.

I also don't think Gawn or Spencer are great 4 quarter key forward options.

Plus gawns kicking is rubbish

46 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play.

Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80%

That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time.

If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off..

Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off..

Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

I don't think we need Smith or Pedersen. Surely, we saw how well the fleet of foot smalls worked for us against St Kilda and how we've been mauled in the past by playing too many big guys.

Watts, Weideman and even Petracca are mobile talls. Kent, Hannan, Jeffy are on the deck and hopefully we elasticise the ground like we did against the Saints and get lots of one on ones. If we can get separation on our Geelong opponents, they won't be able to go with that forward line. They're very slow in the back half, Geelong. And if we make Harry Taylor have to play down back, that's one less forward option the Cats have.

3 minutes ago, A F said:

I don't think we need Smith or Pedersen. Surely, we saw how well the fleet of foot smalls worked for us against St Kilda and how we've been mauled in the past by playing too many big guys.

 

Against St.Kilda we had 3 190+ talls.

11 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

Against St.Kilda we had 3 190+ talls.

Indeed, but one was Jesse Hogan. An incredibly talented and smart KPP. Pedersen and Smith (in his first AFL game) would not provide what Hogan could provide, which included bursts in the midfield. It's apples and oranges for mine. 

We have to try and run an aging Geelong off their feet IMO.

OUT: Lewis, Hogan, Brayshaw

IN: Vince, Smith, Kent

Lewis and Hogan out is definitely a given. Bernie will come back in and after reading some of the VFL reports, it seems that Tim Smith could in line for selection this week. We still haven't upgraded a rookie to the senior list after Garland's injury so it is certainly a possibility.  

The problem with Brayshaw (aside from what could be some very problematic concussion issues) is that he is playing that 'doomed' defensive half forward position that Magner, Tapscott and Vandenberg (who to his credit has been ok in this position) have played over the last few years. As its been proven, its very hard to get a touch there and probably harder to actually hit the scoreboard. I'd give him a run in the VFL for a few weeks where he can actually apply his trade and actually play in the guts. Let him gain some confidence and then bring him into the team as a starting mid when we need him. Let Kent come in who is a far more lively type of forward (has pace and is a better kick). 

1 hour ago, Fifty-5 said:

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play.

Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80%

That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time.

If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off..

Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off..

Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

My head is spinning 

 

5 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

1 hour ago, Fifty-5 said:

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play.

Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80%

That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time.

If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off..

Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off..

Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

My head is spinning 

Long story short:
Pick Another Key Forward! 

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I get really frustrated with Oscar but he was good last week. Couldn't fault him one bit. I feel that when he keeps his game simple he plays well and that gives him confidence. We are going to get games where he will be shaky and cost us goals but i have no doubt Goody and Macca would not be worried in the slightest as he is doing his job nullifying his opponent and sticking to his task.

Im use to him now being in our best 22 and i think some need to realize that as well.

isn't he in the top 10 in the AFL  for 1%??

I do too, dazzle.  I won't argue with anyone that he doesn't give reason for regular 'heart in mouth' stuff during a game.  I feel like he gets caught with the footy at least once a game.

But, as you say, you really couldn't fault him on the weekend and he was part of a back line that kept us in the game and continues to show some development - enough that we don't need to talk down about him in every thread.

Gawn : R R R R R R R R X X - Ruck=80% Bench=20%
Watts: F F F F F X X X R R - Forward=50% Bench=30% Ruck=20%
Weed : X X F F F F F F F F - Bench=20% Forward=80%
TallF: 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 - 2TallFwds=30% 1TallFwd=70%

Gawn : R R R R R R R R X X - Ruck=80% Bench=20%
Watts: F F F F F X X X R R - Forward=50% Bench=30% Ruck=20%
Weed : X X F F F F F F F F - Bench=20% Forward=80%
Smith: F F X X X F F F F F - Forward=70% Bench=30%
TallF: 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 - 2TallFwds=100%

 

On 04/04/2017 at 11:10 AM, billy2803 said:

A lot of talk on here of ANB getting dropped.  He was one of a handful named in Goody's press conference for his performance in the last quarter.  It's pretty clear that he, and a couple of others ,are playing a specific role around that half forward line, and when he plays it, we are a better team for it (as can be seen in the last quarter against Carlton).

For the first 3 quarters, there were a number of players that were down.  ANB was one of the ones that stood up when it counted, and I'm sure that will be part of the reason why Goody won't have him dropped.  Also worth not in he laid 5 tackles for the game, so he'll be asked to continue that half forward pressure, as this will translate in to greater opportunities for not only himself, but for those around him.

Brayshaw for Kent in my book.

On 04/04/2017 at 11:13 AM, mo64 said:

Webber, You are seriously overrating Spencer as a footballer. His skill level doesn't warrant any club recruiting him as a no.1 ruckman. If you watched the VFL finals, he was barely VFL level, and got touched up by Minson and Campbell in the GF.

As far as the Geelong game goes, Geelong stopped competing in the ruck against North, which left them with an additional player at stoppages. They'll do the same if Gawn dominates, so it's pointless picking Spencer as an additional ruckman.

If Geeling try that trick of not competing in the ruck this week then there is an easy solution - have Max thump the ball 40 meters down field and set our runners up for such an eventuality. After we kick three or four goals from their smartarse stupidity, they will soon change back, when Max can go back to dominating them. 

I hope Max is practising it! As well as our runners.

2 hours ago, dino rover said:

Plus gawns kicking is rubbish

Um what ?

He is pretty reliable around goal when shooting from 30m & his field kicking is better than any ruck of his size in recent memory... 

40 meter punch! Some players struggle to kick 40

1 hour ago, Dees2014 said:

If Geeling try that trick of not competing in the ruck this week then there is an easy solution - have Max thump the ball 40 meters down field and set our runners up for such an eventuality. After we kick three or four goals from their smartarse stupidity, they will soon change back, when Max can go back to dominating them. 

I hope Max is practising it! As well as our runners.

40m or 4m I dont care as long as we end up with the ball 

4 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And it showed that perhaps he's a better forward than a defender.

Not perhaps, definitely.