I was walking along the beach this night and the sea was mellow and the staircase came up as the full moon rose and It was an omen perhaps because I was chasing Tom Pettys full moon fever vinyl album on eBay without success and my cheroot was warm in the light of the new world. As the smoke chased the night I thought of Goody and his choices for this week and I knew that the personnel were not in his thoughts because it was the game plan and his only concern was had he got it right. The plan to be successful for the last day in September and he followed my smoke in the ebbing tide and he smiled and I knew he didn't give a diddly squat who came in they had only to be his men and we would win and losing Max was in a way a blessing after the mrp boys as it was clear that individuals were dispensible no matter how tall and we were to become as a wave in the water and the smoke from my cheroot we would be .... irrepressible..........

 

 

 

1 hour ago, ENYAW said:

In Spencer and possibly Brayshaw.Gawn's gone,ANB may get the chop. At this stage no need to push panic button.

ANB out??? He played his best game for the club on Saturday.  

Out:  Gawn(inj), Vince (Inj) and Hannan

In:  Spencer, Frost and Wagner. 

Frost to share ruck duties. We need Watts to stay foward whilst Hogan is out. 

Edited April 10, 20178 yr by Demons11

2 hours ago, Abe said:

Could we go left field and just play watts as the full time ruck and enjoy the extra mid? 

Given Jack's foot skills and decision making, I think I'd prefer to have him as second ruck and play forward most of the time.

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

Does it?  I thought our usage through there, especially in the second and third term, was the catalyst for how often we were able to hit the scoreboard.

The most important characteristic of fearless Goody Footy is our use of half back and even deeper. The backs (and floating mids) are responsible for switching the play or looking for that spot up in the corridor that opens the whole ground up. This is where a great number of our attacks come from. We expect to win the centre clearance with Max Gawn in the ruck, but our plan B is switching the ball quickly, widening the ground and using our half backs to repel from defence to attack as quickly as possible.

Out: Gawn, Wieds

In: Spencer, a smaller forward like benken or tall like peders?

I like the glimpses of what Wieds will provide us in seasons to come. His issue is his engine isn't big enough, his overall intensity is lacking as the game goes on, he isn't getting even close to the ball and once the ball hits the ground he doesn't provide much forward pressure. With Smith, Watts, Peders it will provide more options and both Watts and Peders can give Spencer a rest. Problem is the Peders had shoulder surgery over the preseason so what kind of form is he in. 

I would like to try Frost over Omac. Omac is still very light and gets pushed off the ball and out of the contest too easily. Frost and Omac will both make big clangers coming out of the backline, similar to Tmac but I guess they cancel each other out. 

Melksham is lucky, i don't think he contributed much even though he had 20 disposals on the weekend. Bugg would play a similar role to him? I think when Hibberd comes back both of them will be in trouble though. Would like to see Salem and Vince move into the midfield more though so his position may be safe for now.

If Spencer doesn't get selected this week, with an appointment with the tallest ruckman in the league coming up, he'd be well in his rights to quit the club immediately.

Absolute lunacy if Spencer isn't 100% in the side already.

 

I had us firmly in the eight at the start of the year.

Gawn out is going to be super challenging to overcome. Add to that suspensions to Hogan and Lewis, and injuries to Vince, Hibberd and some others, and my optimism is starting to wane.

We need to win every game in which we have a sniff (eg, last week), because it's getting harder each week given our list of quality  players who are out. Even top 4 teams struggle when their best players are out.

 

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-11/the-stats-files-are-the-demons-gawn-plus-make-your-september-plans

That article shows the impact of Gawn going off.  The Cats thrashed us in hitouts and clearances in the second half.  But we had to adjust to no Gawn and no Spencer on the run, mid game.   

It now makes more sense why we played both ruckman in the JLT games - so the team could practice structures and game plan when rucking to Spencer.   

I don't recall if Gawn was off the field in the JLT games when Spencer rucked but the JLT games show Goodwin has a 'Gawn out' plan ready.  What is even more important is 'Spencer in' structures and game plan have been practiced by the team. 

Bodes well.

Edited April 10, 20178 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Not sure that it bodes well, but it's certainly a relief that we may have a reasonably effective Plan B.

 

I'm backing our midfielders to be able to rove to Spencer and read the taps at the appropriate times, what I think we'll miss most from Gawn will be his presence. He gives confidence that it's a zone that will be won almost every week. With all due respect to Spencer I think 50/50 breaking even is what we can expect. 

I'll be happier when Hogan's back, although he hasn't set the world on fire so far this year he still makes us a better team. 

I don't foresee too many changes, maybe Harmes, Smith, or Weids comes out but Roos was pretty loath to make unforced changes and I think Goody's inherited that thinking. 

I would love nothing more than for us to kick straight this week and have us comfortably in front both at 3 quarter time and full time. 

Why in the world are people suggesting ANB to be dropped? Apart from a couple of brain-fades, he has been one of our best players over the first 3 rounds. Honestly, there are some people on here that have absolutely no clue. A player turns the ball over once or twice which results in a goal and they want them immediately out of the squad. Wouldn't surprise me if you're the type of people that has a go at a cashier because you've been waiting in the line for your soy latte's for too long. Give us a spell.

I have to say I thought their decision come round 1 to pick ANB was bizzare I didn't think he was worth playing, particularly as a forward. But despite my continued doubts, it is undeniable that ANB has been among the best in rounds 1 and 3. I can't help but think he will be on thin ice in a months time with Brayshaw in the 2s who will inevitably demand a spot back, but for the time being ANB has secured his spot, and good on him! Hard earned.

Anyone who ever lost a toe nail would know how damn painful it is! A mighty effort if he plays. No idea how he'd get his boots on. 

 

Heard today that Hibberd is due to play for Casey this weekend.

Doesn't matter who the ruck is, we have Oliver!  he could extract the footy if it was buried 3 feet underground

in all seriousness it is a massive blow.  but it is great that Spencer will get 12 weeks to prove himself. other teams have proven that the ruck position can be not that important eg dogs, hawks so I am sure Goody is all over some new bounce set-ups

I hope I'm not reading too much between the lines but Max mentioned in his presser that Spencer would be ready to take on the ruck against Sandilands this week or the week after against Nankervis. Is there a suggestion he might not come in this week? 

Just now, Demon77 said:

I hope I'm not reading too much between the lines but Max mentioned in his presser that Spencer would be ready to take on the ruck against Sandilands this week or the week after against Nankervis. Is there a suggestion he might not come in this week? 

I think the club wants to all keep the cards close to their chest much like with the "will Watts play round 1" debate. We all knew Watts would play and we all know Spence will play. Max just let slip the blatantly obvious then quickly tried to play it off. I dont really know why they are doing this, Spencer is the obvious option Freo would be preparing for him, no amount of clever/not very clever use of words is going to change that. The only surprise would be not picking him. Which i think one would refer to as shooting themselves in the foot, repeatedly.

31 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

I have to say I thought their decision come round 1 to pick ANB was bizzare I didn't think he was worth playing, particularly as a forward. But despite my continued doubts, it is undeniable that ANB has been among the best in rounds 1 and 3. I can't help but think he will be on thin ice in a months time with Brayshaw in the 2s who will inevitably demand a spot back, but for the time being ANB has secured his spot, and good on him! Hard earned.

Are you sure AW?

Just now, old dee said:

Are you sure AW?

Of course, he is a talent. He is out of form and still picked up 25 in an "ok" performance in the VFL. I'm sure after a longish stint in the VFL he will build up the consistant form to push back into the 22. Not saying it will haven in a couple of weeks, but I expect him to be back in the side later in the year. Idk about you but I'd take Brayshaw's best over ANB's best. Unfortunatly Gus isnt producing his best at the minute.

11 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

1) The logical selection is Spencer for Gawn.  Let's get creative if the logical selection fails.

2) I think Goodwin loves Weideman and wants him developing in the seniors rather than at Casey. I think he could use a week away from the pressure of being the no. 1 forward, but I have a feeling it won't happen.

3) Finally, I'm gonna go left of field and suggest Trengove for Bernie should he not be able to get up for the match. (a match in which his opponents are going to stomp on his toe at every opportunity)

Trengove for Bernie?? You want a slow mid in?? 

4 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Of course, he is a talent. He is out of form and still picked up 25 in an "ok" performance in the VFL. I'm sure after a longish stint in the VFL he will build up the consistant form to push back into the 22. Not saying it will haven in a couple of weeks, but I expect him to be back in the side later in the year. Idk about you but I'd take Brayshaw's best over ANB's best. Unfortunatly Gus isnt producing his best at the minute.

Perhaps what we are seeing is his best.

Is he one of those players that is too good for VFL but just not good enough for the next step up?

6 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Trengove for Bernie?? You want a slow mid in?? 

Is Bernie a quick mid??

1 minute ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Is Bernie a quick mid??

By comparison YES

48 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Anyone who ever lost a toe nail would know how damn painful it is! A mighty effort if he plays. No idea how he'd get his boots on. 

 

Heard today that Hibberd is due to play for Casey this weekend.

 

One of my  old mates had  his   thumb nail bitten  in half in a country grand  final  quite  a few  years ago.

8 minutes ago, old dee said:

Perhaps what we are seeing is his best.

Is he one of those players that is too good for VFL but just not good enough for the next step up?

While the latter may one day turn out be right. There is no way that we saw his best in either of the first to rounds. So until it is proven otherwise, I'll assume his talent will eventually come through. 

56 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Anyone who ever lost a toe nail would know how damn painful it is! A mighty effort if he plays. No idea how he'd get his boots on.

I've lost a toe nail AND had a hairline fracture of the jaw. (Not at the same time.)

I can assure you that the toe nail is by far the more painful and debilitating injury.

Roll on round 16.

PS. Bernie should play. Once the toe nail is off and the swelling goes down, you're good as gold.