Changes vs Crows

14 hours ago, Deespicable said:

I still like our chances, even if we blew our game v the Hawks, although obviously a lot will depend on how well the three 19th men play for them. 

Their loss to the Roos means they will make a few changes and I'm expecting Tom Lynch to be out along with long-term injury McGovern - so they aren't as big up forward as last year. But they will again be tough through the middle - remember it was only when Vanders went into the middle that we got a sniff out of centre bounces last year. They also are a fast-breaking side, so I expect we will have to play an extra man down back and hope our forwards can pressure enough, even when outnumbered.

Last year Oscar played largely as the extra at the back, but I'm expecting his brother Tom to do a fair bit of ruck work (Jacobs will be way too good at the taps, but Tom can give us a winner around the ground) and I reckon Hibberd will have to play the loose defender role. That leaves Frosty to pick up Tex and O-Mac (who was sensational after half time last week) to pick up Jerka Jenkins. Even though his form has been a bit up and down, it would be cruel not to play Jetta on Eddie - he has had his measure in the past and deserves the first cab off rank role.

That leaves putting Jayden on the pacy Cameron and means that while we lose drive, they lose dangerous run. It's a marriage made in heaven.

Then I'd like to see us send either Salem or Jones back because I am sick of watching our defenders all fly for the one ball. We need someone to stay down and this might be the game that Jonesy has to play back and take out Douglas, who has a pretty good record against us.

The other player who needs a tag is Sloane - is it Lewis or Vince (circa Danger two years ago). Perhaps they can tandem it a bit. They have the experience and the discipline although they may not be quick enough any more.

Up forward i'd also make one change. The new addition should be Oliver - at least until half time. the reason is that he has to be told that no-one really gives a shi.t how many handballs you get, it's all about score involvements and playing him up forward to start with will hopefully force him to kick it and also stop him worrying about his SuperCoach points - he clearly has himself in his own team and doesn't want a turnover. So let's force him to be the complete superstar that he's becoming. Let him loose on the centre clearances after half time. Up until then here's Goody's chance to rejig his forward set up and send Petracca into the middle for a bit.

Kent will come in for JKH and it's a toss up as to whether Harmes or Kennedy comes in for Hannan - my preference is for Harmes (even despite his eye injury) because he's just such a good one percenter player and I reckon he'll be able to rough up Ottens - just as the Roos did last week. Kennedy might be able to do the same thing mind you. I'd also lobe to see Kent fix up Mackay or Hampton with a couple of burning tackles.

The one other thing I'd like to see is Hogan start at CHB - even just for the first ten minutes. I am yet to see any benefit in him starting in the middle as he did last week and he was a bit freakish as the CHB in the U18 carnival. If we need him to get him into the play, maybe it's time for Goody to switch him with Oscar for a little bit - nothing ventured, nothing gained. I also feel we have a side that is young and likes fresh challenges, so switching them around a bit like the Dons of 84-85 should not be viewed as taboo. It annoys me nowadays that coaches are so caught up in thinking that their strategies are so intricate that they won't move players. It's OK, the Y generation loves short-term gains.

Ultimately, however I see the side as follows.

Out: JKH, Hannan, Bugg

In: Kent, Harmes (or Kennedy), Stretch

And I'd like to see them line up as follows with O-Mac switching back with Hoges after 10 minutes and Oliver being sent into the middle at half time.

To me, when you travel, you have to shock the opposition, just as Ross Lyon did by playing Neale and Mundy forward against us.

B: Jetta (Betts) Frost Hibberd

HB: Jones (Douglas) Hoges Lewis

C: Stretch Vince (Sloane) Hunt (Cameron)

HF: Harmes O-Mac Kent

F: Garlett Oliver Watts 

Ru: T-Mac  Petracca Viney

Int: Tyson, Salem, Pedo, Wagner

I'm up for this game, so I imagine our players will be too. So write us off at your peril.

 

 

  

I agree with Oliver forward. His insane over use of hand ball has infected the entire mid field I reckon with others also doing similar apparently thinking this is a good way to move the ball.  Forward with some time in the middle to remind him that the goals are ahead of him and you need to drive the ball forward quickly (preferrably at least on a one to one kick/handball ratio minimum) if you have the space, in order to give our forwards a one v one chance more often or actually KICK to find a free target or a shot at goal if you are already inside 50. It is football and much of the time you are going to need to kick the damn thing in preference to handball if you are to succeed. Sometimes hand ball is necessary for sure but not at a 0.33 ratio (or thereabouts) most matches.

Goody HAS to make sure that the rediculous and silly over use of hand ball we saw last week never occurs again under his tenure. That's his first major challenge as coach of the MFC, followed very closely by rectifying by whatever means possible, our inherently horrible starts and lack of G&T for long periods within a game to ensure we are in a match big time from start to finish, regardless of what's happening on the scoreboard. He needs to get each player to play their best, most aggressive footy  (in line with his game plan) they can from minute one to 100! No turning or drifting off or assuming "someone else" will do it or accepting anything less than 100% effort for an entire match. If this means going man on man for short stints, FCS just do it. Make everyone responsible and don't allow them the easy "he didn't play his part in the zone the way he was trained" excuse. Man on man for short stints whenever the opp gets a run on will sort out the men from the boys who aren't willing to do the hard stuff running both ways.

Hogan to CHF in a traditional CHF role. This will see him drifting in and out of the middle a little anyway but also ensures he gets more involved when a pressured kick from the middle drops short. Sits too deep out the back far too often for my liking.

Watts to FF obviously pushing up high with the press as required and occasional but very limited chop out for Pedders in the ruck. If the ball gets out the back and you have Watts and Jeffy as the two lone rangers I can't see us stuffing too many opportunities up and it will ensure the opposition keep at least 2 less players honest and away from the wall they're trying to set up with the press and a few less numbers at the drop.

The Ins and outs, other than Stretch/Kent for JKH/Bugg, I really don't think there's much difference with bringing others in and out. We play our matches mostly above the shoulders at the MFC now. There's enough talent to win. We simply have to get our heads right in order to start doing so regularly.

This week there are no expectations that we will win so I suspect we will see a "good", but not great, effort that might see us reduce the losing margin to somewhere between 30 to 50 points. Again it is up to Goody to thrash this lethargic BS attitude out of the playing group (at least those that are displaying it) by whatever means possible.

When we finally start winning the matches we are expected to win then we will have (and most likely Goody would have) exorcised our mental demons and we will be on the the way to something special as a team/club.

Until then the jury will continue to assume, and rightly so, that we are quite a talented up and coming bunch with inherent mental flaws, with those flaws ensuring we will not be considered as a serious AFL outfit by our opposition or the footy fraternity and most likely we will miss finals as a result.

Goody has a big job ahead.

Edited May 11, 20178 yr by Rusty Nails