3 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Didn't obviously, though we absolutely should've beaten Geelong and Freo despite having several key 'outs'. It's a pity we lost those games obviously but we were up to our neck in both of them. So much so, we should really be 4-0.

It's therefore possible that you need to find some positives ENYAW - perhaps you're over-reacting a litte.

 

Agree a agree in part Ron, but going missing for a quarter a game in virtually all 4 we've played (q1 stk, q3 carl, q4 heel, q3 fre) is definitely concerning. Geelong result only explainable of these given the injury to Maxy and subsequent lack of depth in the fwd line. Other 3 games like we've come out of the sheds and decided to start playing after giving them a head start (and gifting a few right on half time doesn't help either).

what is pleasing however is our performance in the other 3 qtrs. My 11yo boy actually wants to go to the footy now - BIG step up from 2-3 yrs ago.

29 touches at VFL?

It's Pedo time!!!

47 minutes ago, rjay said:

 

Funny thing about the pic with that song....it's not the lineup that recorded it.

Mike and Bill were there of course but the Strange Fantastic Dream album was recorded by the first version of Ariel...not this one.

...by the way Glynn (behind Mike on the right) is also still around.

I can tie this musical thing with this thread quite neatly. One of Bill's best mates was Mal Logan. (Oz music legend.) Mal is a good mate of mine, who now lives in Qld. He is flying down especially for this match!! (Unfortunately a Tigers supporter though.)  How's that for quality name dropping!!  

29 minutes ago, monoccular said:

It is clear that our players did drink their own bath water at half time Saturday. 

It reminded me of a game v Hawks a few years ago when we had a great second quarter, and they strutted off the ground at half time as if they had just won a flag, then just lay down and died in the third.

Leadership, both on and off the field, should have anticipated this and stopped it from happening.  A mature well lead team would  

 

Well, I personally think they should be drinking more. Petracca said that they 're-set' the scores to 0-0 at the half, as they do in every match. I think this is a mistake (especially as we've been slow starters) and I would rather they focused on their domination and rammed it home with outrageous confidence. Forget about winning halves of football, and concentrate on winning wholes. We're 22.12 v 10.12 for second quarters and 12.10 v 17.7 for third quarters. Something at half-time isn't working.

28 minutes ago, bingers said:

I can tie this musical thing with this thread quite neatly. One of Bill's best mates was Mal Logan. (Oz music legend.) Mal is a good mate of mine, who now lives in Qld. He is flying down especially for this match!! (Unfortunately a Tigers supporter though.)  How's that for quality name dropping!!  

Golden Miles...still a favourite of mine.

13 hours ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Tearing games apart at VFL level isn't a numbers game. As we've seen in the past with plenty of players getting insane leather poisoning. Magner, Valenti etc etc.

I didn't watch the game yesterday so I can't comment on his performance. But considering those who have already made mention that he was targeted heavily by the opposition, is it not obvious that the FD would have been looking for signs other than how much ball he got? Things like the quality of his touch, his ability to work hard, compete etc etc?

Seriously, I would wager possession count at VFL level is not even half of what coaches look for when considering who to bring in to an AFL side. 

Another thing to consider would be that due to Gus being so heavily targeted and tagged meant that Trengove was able to have a field day. Did those watching consider this?

I think we need Gus on Monday night. And I'd have him ahead of Tyson for that midfield spot. 

 

 

I agree on all but your selection here, Steve. I'd go Gus in for Hannan.

10 hours ago, Deespicable said:

Like Deeko and most of us, the two obvious ins are Hoges and Hibberd (not sure why one or two think he needs another week - he played the full game, he's in unless he pulled up sore. If Jones was coming back off injury would you expect him to play two games in the VFL to prove his fitness?)

 

I hope Hibberd is ready to play but I can understand if he isn't.  He missed a year, had an interrupted preseason and has played what? Less than 2 full games?

IN: Hogan, Pedersen

OUT: Hannan, Weideman 

Hibberd needs another week. Will be an automatic inclusion with Lewis.

9 hours ago, monoccular said:

It is clear that our players did drink their own bath water at half time Saturday. 

It reminded me of a game v Hawks a few years ago when we had a great second quarter, and they strutted off the ground at half time as if they had just won a flag, then just lay down and died in the third.

Leadership, both on and off the field, should have anticipated this and stopped it from happening.  A mature well lead team would  

 

That was mentioned on SEN. Someone went into the rooms at half time and the players were happy and relaxed. He thought; oh oh!

9 hours ago, small but forward said:

Agree a agree in part Ron, but going missing for a quarter a game in virtually all 4 we've played (q1 stk, q3 carl, q4 heel, q3 fre) is definitely concerning. Geelong result only explainable of these given the injury to Maxy and subsequent lack of depth in the fwd line. Other 3 games like we've come out of the sheds and decided to start playing after giving them a head start (and gifting a few right on half time doesn't help either).

what is pleasing however is our performance in the other 3 qtrs. My 11yo boy actually wants to go to the footy now - BIG step up from 2-3 yrs ago.

We can blame the Freo loss squarely at the feet of Carlton's doctor and the MRP process.

We absolutely missed Lewis in the third quarter. Relevantly, Cripps has played the last two games, including playing out the game against us in full.

I'm surprised it's not getting more commentary.

 

17 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

We can blame the Freo loss squarely at the feet of Carlton's doctor and the MRP process.

We absolutely missed Lewis in the third quarter. Relevantly, Cripps has played the last two games, including playing out the game against us in full.

I'm surprised it's not getting more commentary.

 

Robbo mentioned this on afl360 last night said something needs to change, got the feeling he was trying to bait Lewis a bit on the subject but conversation went in a different direction pretty quickly 

2 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

We can blame the Freo loss squarely at the feet of Carlton's doctor and the MRP process.

We absolutely missed Lewis in the third quarter. Relevantly, Cripps has played the last two games, including playing out the game against us in full.

I'm surprised it's not getting more commentary.

 

Slobbo pushed it pretty hard on 360 last night.  Lewis also acknowledged that the full implication of him being missing had hit hard whilst watching the last few minutes against Freo.  One aspect of selection is that Casey play on Saturday night ie a full 2 days prior.  And then the Essendon game is a less than 6 day turnaround (it's 5 for them!).  I forget who lambasted me for mentioning this aspect previously, but it will be a factor.  I flagged in another thread that in my view Pedersen needs to come in so as to afford us the possibility of a) leaving Watts forward; b) rotating Hogan through the midfield whilst still getting a contest.   Weideman offers neither currently.   It will be interesting to see if Goodwin rethinks things or persists - clearly an element of the Watts ruck chop-out has been to increase his exposure to contested footy.  Question is, does it have a use by date.  In my view it does, others I know have a different opinion.

Depends on conditions, but Weed and Hannan out.

Hogan and Pedo/Smith in.

Would like to see Brayshaw, BenKen and Hibberd come in soon but not yet.

2 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

We can blame the Freo loss squarely at the feet of Carlton's doctor and the MRP process.

We absolutely missed Lewis in the third quarter. Relevantly, Cripps has played the last two games, including playing out the game against us in full.

I'm surprised it's not getting more commentary.

 

I think you should blame Hogan and Lewis. If those two think that it's the Carlton doctor and the MRP process which is the problem, they will have learned nothing and we'll have the same problem repeating itself.

OUT: Weeds, Hannan

IN: Hogan, Hibberd.

38 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I think you should blame Hogan and Lewis. If those two think that it's the Carlton doctor and the MRP process which is the problem, they will have learned nothing and we'll have the same problem repeating itself.

LDVC I have to disagree.

There are two elements. The misdemeanor, and the application of penalty.

Yes, easier not to get pinged but many do.

There is no way on Earth that adjudication and calculation of penalty was either balanced or appropriate.

When is the team/squad announced for this game?

4 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

When is the team/squad announced for this game?

not sure BBO...inclined to think Thursday still but the extended bench wont be trimmed til close to game  ( just my guess ) 

Im interested to see how the FD  now approach things. There is in my view two  options.. You persevere with most players changing out as few as 'required"

OR

The  no man is a walk up start approach  and therefore  adapt your lineup to suit the racecourse. I.e  Bring your strongest selection possible ( For mine the only EVER option ..i mean ffs you;re out there to win )

There will either be just 2 changes..or 4-5

Lets see what we've realy learnt

25 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

LDVC I have to disagree.

There are two elements. The misdemeanor, and the application of penalty.

Yes, easier not to get pinged but many do.

There is no way on Earth that adjudication and calculation of penalty was either balanced or appropriate.

BB, I don't disagree with the point you are making. But I would be disappointed if Hogan and Lewis chose to blame the MRP as the sole reason for their absence.  

36 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

When is the team/squad announced for this game?

Squad of 25 on Thursday night.

Final 22 on Saturday at 5pm.

10 hours ago, A F said:

I agree on all but your selection here, Steve. I'd go Gus in for Hannan.

I'm not so sure Gus is ready yet AF.  His early entre' games looked like he could be anything but has only ever shown glimpses of that since. I don't think continuous VFL appearances will necessarily help him here either. Seems to me it's more of a mental issue probably related to some of the concussion related outcomes and having the confidence physically to attack the contest the way he did early in his career. He should be tracking ahead of or along the lines of the likes of Trac, Kent and Harmes but it seems he has plateaud behind those types right now.

Hannan has shown something but maybe not quite AFL ready. Do we risk more games hoping for gradual improvement? Love his attack in the marking contests and his work rate generally. Would love to see more of him in patches if we are performing well later In the season and have the luxury for a return visit if showing good form at Casey or injuries force another look.

Any team that includes both Melks and Weids sitting at either end (as they stand right now) will win very few matches, with the exception of maybe the bottom 4 to 6 clubs on occasions. Weids might come on and perform in a year or two but is a long way off regular 22 at this point. You can't carry or hide players who aren't up to AFL level against the better teams if you want to be a serious genuine contender for the finals and a shot at the flag. I'm not convinced on Hibberd yet either but after his performance on the weekend it's worth rolling the die. Hopefully a better competitive/attacking option than his ex bomber partner, but we won't know till we try.

For me if we want our best chance of winning the next 3 matches and a chance at our first finals appearance in a decade then it's...

In:  Hibberd, Pedders and Hogan

Out:  Weids, Hannan and Melk.

I would also put Tyson on notice and if Trenners puts in another performance at Casey or a better one than the weekend I would bring in Trenners for the Hawks IF Dom puts in another ordinary one. Brayshaw the preferred option of these three if he ever gets back to his best.

A bit off topic, but WTF??

Just looked at MFC website for any new news and saw the following headline for an article about Hibberd::

 

STRONG RETURN

Melbourne Is Saddened By The Passing Of Sporting Great Max Walker

 

This is some seriously amateurish editing/site management. Apart from the obvious muddle of stories and the fact its out of date, it reads as though Maxy Walker is rising again like Jesus!? 

How embarrassing.

16 minutes ago, Deemented Are Go! said:

A bit off topic, but WTF??

Just looked at MFC website for any new news and saw the following headline for an article about Hibberd::

 

STRONG RETURN

Melbourne Is Saddened By The Passing Of Sporting Great Max Walker

 

This is some seriously amateurish editing/site management. Apart from the obvious muddle of stories and the fact its out of date, it reads as though Maxy Walker is rising again like Jesus!? 

How embarrassing.

Lol saw that too.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Lol saw that too.

Maybe Max Walker could play as first ruck next Monday allowing Spencil to rest up forward?!