We're too short and too poor kicking in the backline - Hibberd is the ideal remedy for this.  Vince and Melksham are too similar IMO and Vince is a far better competitor, Melksham needs to be a great kick to be of more value and he isn't - too many turnovers.  I really like what Frost offers - size, incredible closing speed and aggression.  We need Hibberd in for Melksham if they think he has enough game time under his belt.

We're also too short in the forward line.  I think T.Smith was removed far too hastily and just doesn't seem to be figuring in people's "ins".  I wouldn't have replaced him with Bugg last week and would have him straight back in - he's a genuine marking option, a reliable kick despite missing an easy one against St.Kilda and a forward pressure demon who tackles to maim - 11 tackles for Casey.  I'm a Hannan fan, he's clean and skillful in the air and on the ground and is a very nice kick - he just needs more game-time.  I see people have him out too making us even shorter in the forward line!  Weed is just being used as a decoy and that was crazy against Freo when we left Smith out.  I'd replace Weid with Hogan and bring Smith back in.  That gives us a lot more flexibility to use Hogan and Watts up the ground on occasion and still have some marking power deep.  I thought Watts' contested mark to set us alight in the last was one of the best I've seen in years - sure people get higher vertically but he had enormous pack splitting forward motion and height - I haven't seen that in an MFC jumper since Schwarz regularly did it 5 times a week.

I can't see the value in having ANB, Harmes and Bugg in the same 22 and ANB and Harmes currently offer considerably more IMO.

Petracca provided a spark in the centre last week and I'd use him more in there, with Brayshaw out of form we need more midfield classy depth.

There's little chance of it happening but I'd go:

In: Hogan, T.Smith, Hibberd
Out: Weid, Bugg, Melksham

B: Jetta TMac Hibberd
HB: Hunt Frost Vince
C: Stretch Oliver Salem
HF: Hannan Hogan Petracca
F: Garlett T.Smith Watts
R: Spencer Jones Viney
I: Tyson Kent Harmes ANB

1 hour ago, america de cali said:

Yes it is, but maybe he has returned to Perth.  Jones's comments are also a little strange. More info would be helpful.

I think that's the club line that we'll be hearing all year.  It's the 'No one is a walk up start... everyone must perform... no guarentees... etc, etc, etc.'

 

Someone will say it about Lewis next week too.

What was the ANB clanger count?

At the time in the stands I thought he turned it over a lot.

Was that right?

8 minutes ago, dino rover said:

What was the ANB clanger count?

At the time in the stands I thought he turned it over a lot.

Was that right?

goto AFL > Match Centre > Freo vs Melb > Statistics > Extended Statistics  then under "CLG" heading

14 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

goto AFL > Match Centre > Freo vs Melb > Statistics > Extended Statistics  then under "CLG" heading

Thx

17 hours ago, Skuit said:

The last time the Richmond Fountain of Comedy managed to beat us we had the following players on the field:

Magner, M. Jones, Pickle Evans, Jordie, Tapscott, Nicholson, Sellar, Strauss, Bail and Toumpas (among others I won't bring up).

Doesn't matter who we bring in. 

Sheeit that sounds like the equivalent of a Footy Frankenstein blundering into the Abyss!

Up front I wouldn't mind ( if just once ) seeing our 3 marking talls ( aho CAN actually mark ) as  Pedo, Smith and Hogan. Reckon thats a handfull for an opposition.

Id have Jeffy , Kent , Truck and ANB rotating as the ' smalls' 

Play Watts off the wing with carte Blanche licence 

2 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

I think that's the club line that we'll be hearing all year.  It's the 'No one is a walk up start... everyone must perform... no guarentees... etc, etc, etc.'

 

Someone will say it about Lewis next week too.

And it will sound just as silly then 

3 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

In: Hibberd, Pedersen, JKH (smokey), Hogan

Out: Melksham, Weideman, Hannan, Bugg

JKH is no good

5 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Jones: "Next week's game is an opportunity to put our brand on display against a red-hot Richmond".  Huh!!

The club's song book: 'our brand being on display' and our 'system' and 'not relying on specific personnel' is now full of platitudes and is becoming tiresome.  I would like to hear our coach and leaders talk about intent, bringing the right attitude and giving a 4 qtrs effort.  Win or lose but please commit to those 3 things. 

 

I'm sick of the damn platitudes! I want them to talk instead about being hungry, not drinking their own bath-water, respecting the jumper . . .

LH - you just asked for our fresh new platitudes to be dropped in favour of some of the oldest cliches in football. And then underlined them for emphasis, like they were written on a pre-match whiteboard.

Tbh. I never bother listening to players or even coaches.

They all do the REAL talking gameday. I 'listen' to that only.

Just like for mine the only real Stat is the scoreboard.

Hit them hard and early and never let up, and we will win.

The Tigers play Adelaide the week after and you know they are already looking ahead to that game as they already think they are kings due to their 4-0 start.

Richmond are soft, always have been always will be.

17 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Tbh. I never bother listening to players or even coaches.

They all do the REAL talking gameday. I 'listen' to that only.

Just like for mine the only real Stat is the scoreboard.

Well there are at least two of us bb. Me too.

the score is the final decider the rest is just spin.

I'd like to see Hogan and Hibberd in with Weid and Hannan out.

The tigs really only have two talls in the backline in Rance and Astbury so I wouldn't be against Pedo coming in but don't think he will.

I think our forward line is dangerous enough with Trac, Kent, Jeffy, Hoges and Watts/Spencer loitering. Also Hibberd in should release Vince up the ground who can hopefully snag one or two. He needs to be freshened up so it would be good to give him some action upfield. 

I'd keep Melksham in as there backline is quick and we will need some dash back there however he's on extremely thin ice.

Id like to see Bugg straight to Cotchin and Viney to hold Dusty in the midfield. Backing Jones, Vince and Tyson against the Caddys and Prestias in the world

Just now, Bitter but optimistic said:

 

Oh yeah go on.

8 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

Maybe a jolly good flogging BBO?

I like your thinking Rusty.

Just now, Biffen said:

Oh yeah go on.

I think many would agree that that was one of my better posts.

Well if we don't pick Hogan for Monday night it won't be worth going. What's Jones talking about? Hogan must be in team

Good grief.  Did you read the article or just stirring? 
 

Quote

 

Jones added there was “no doubt” in his mind that he would automatically select Hogan for the Richmond clash, but said it was up to the match committee.

 

There is no doubt in his mind that the centre circle would be drawn on the oval, but he added it is up to the grounds staff.

They haven't beaten us since 2013, in one of Neelds last games as coach. They beat us twice in 2012 in Neelds first year, and beat us in Round 22 of 2011 when we had Todd Viney as interim coach after the sacking of Bailey. We beat them the previous three times over 2009-2010 when we showed promise under Bailey.

Translation - Richmond are a joke can only beat us when we are a total rabble.  

If Hogan is not selected then we can forget the MFC for 2017.

Why the [censored] wouldn't he be selected?

1 minute ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Why the [censored] wouldn't he be selected?

An extremely good question Bbo.

9 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

They haven't beaten us since 2013, in one of Neelds last games as coach. They beat us twice in 2012 in Neelds first year, and beat us in Round 22 of 2011 when we had Todd Viney as interim coach after the sacking of Bailey. We beat them the previous three times over 2009-2010 when we showed promise under Bailey.

Translation - Richmond are a joke can only beat us when we are a total rabble.  

They DO currently have good form.

Were sponsored by Russell YoYos

We own them currently. Lets see if that stays

6 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Why the [censored] wouldn't he be selected?

Performance issue.

Apparently couldn't finish a pack of Winnie Reds and a block of VB cans all in one night.