MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - ROUND 21

[watchtheeyes 1,210]

1 minute ago, McQueen said:

Watts should've had double those stats.

Arguable given the ball use, but perhaps. But those numbers then take me back to a previous point, it's a statement. Which is an unbelievably risky thing to do in such a game.

He may be in bad form, but out of the options at our disposal, he's the 'most' in-form... and has the greatest game winning potential/Weidemans set shot has been awful.

[jackaub 1,402]

1 minute ago, Deemented Are Go! said:

We're still at $1.60. How we're firm favorites is beyond me...

 

Betting is a funny caper Deemented who can figure

Last week big big money to mid eastern book maker who offered $6+ for 39 points against Essendon

When I say late it was very late

[Biffen 12,323]

1 hour ago, WAGSLEFTFOOT said:

Just on Watts, He has had a bulging disc in his back the last few weeks, which has severely hampered him (as it would anyone).

Hence why he isn't covering the ground as well and therefore playing like shizen.

 

I agree he is not at full pace or range of movement.

I believe you may have the real reason for this but people here like to imagine Jacks just had enough of footy and will be joining a band.

[beelzebub 22,225]

Im not sure why he's playing tbh. He's not 100% . Not doing anyone a favour here imho .

[w00dy 146]

I think Watts is out with the Weld to come in as the second tall in a small forward line. Reason why - forward pressure.

Go in small in the forward line, and make sure the ball doesn't leave the forward 50 once we get it in there. We often played with that type of setup earlier in the year when Hogan and Gawn weren't playing. Remember Weid against the crows, didn't get much of it, but he laid some big tackles. 

Setup will be TMac/Pedo, Weid, Garlett, Trac, Hannan, ANB. Once the mids get it in there, it doesn't come out.

[jackaub 1,402]

Hannan to kick 4 Garlett 3 in a comfortable win

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

51 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

I just can't let this one go...

Watts had 1g, 10d, 3m and 2t last week.

Pedersen had 1g, 8d, 3m, and 2t

Weideman had 1g, 9d, 3m, and 3t IN THE VFL.

Watts has played some big roles in AFL, this year. Just a few months ago. While Weideman has shown signs, but never consistent and often awol.

How can anyone justify Watts being dropped, for effectively a final. He must be carrying and injury, because it just makes no bloody sense to me.

Agree.  We could add Petracca's: 

• - GWS: 3 kicks, 13 handballs.  DE% 43.8.  1 tackle.
• - NM: 2 kicks, 15 handballs. DE% 76.5.  1 tackle

Our forward line looks woeful! 

If Jack is injured I want the club to say that and not just 'omit' him and leave him out on a limb to become a target for all his haters.  Ditto for Salem. 

I get it if Watts/Salem are rested but I don't see the logic of them finding form at Casey. 

Conventional wisdom is that clubs use the last 3 to 5 rounds before finals settling their team.  We are turning our team upside down.  Don't like it!

 

[JV7 2,339]

How do you delete posts on this new set up...

Edited August 10, 2017 by JV7

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

29 minutes ago, w00dy said:

I think Watts is out with the Weld to come in as the second tall in a small forward line. Reason why - forward pressure.

Go in small in the forward line, and make sure the ball doesn't leave the forward 50 once we get it in there. We often played with that type of setup earlier in the year when Hogan and Gawn weren't playing. Remember Weid against the crows, didn't get much of it, but he laid some big tackles. 

Setup will be TMac/Pedo, Weid, Garlett, Trac, Hannan, ANB. Once the mids get it in there, it doesn't come out.

Nice theory.  The problem is our mids can't get it in there cleanly!  And, we have the worst scoring shots/i50 in the league and last week was abysmal.  The ball just ricochets out. 

Its been a problem for a few months and I can't see how bringing in Weid or just leaving our Watts will fix that overnight.  The fix has to be around the game plan!

Look forward to seeing the final team tonight and seeing what ideas the coaches have to fix our lack of scoring problem. 

It may be MFCSS but I fear the coaches have run out of ideas and playing with deckchairs.

Edited August 10, 2017 by Lucifer's Hero

[JV7 2,339]

Obviously we are a better side with Watts up and firing, I'd be reluctant to leave him out but on current form you can see why Goodwin & the match committee have lost patience... Petracca has to play permenant forward, out of necessity he has had to play 70% midfield the past month and we have missed his disposal across half forward & delivery inside 50 not to mention he's goal kicking power.. I wouldn't bring Weidemen in unless Tmac was going back.

HF: ANB Pedersen Petracca

FF: Garlett McDonald Hannan 

Edited August 10, 2017 by JV7

[Dee Zephyr 17,426]

Will anyone attend training this morning?

Any observations will be greatly appreciated.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

1 hour ago, watchtheeyes said:

I just can't let this one go...

Watts had 1g, 10d, 3m and 2t last week.

Pedersen had 1g, 8d, 3m, and 2t

Weideman had 1g, 9d, 3m, and 3t IN THE VFL.

Watts has played some big roles in AFL, this year. Just a few months ago. While Weideman has shown signs, but never consistent and often awol.

How can anyone justify Watts being dropped, for effectively a final. He must be carrying and injury, because it just makes no bloody sense to me.

 

 

Because it has nothing to do with the stats. It's about his effort or lack thereof.

As I said in another thread, people who defend Watts do not understand why he gets criticised, thank you for succinctly highlighting this point.

[Stretch Johnson 2,568]

1 minute ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Because it has nothing to do with the stats. It's about his effort or lack thereof.

As I said in another thread, people who defend Watts do not understand why he gets criticised, thank you for succinctly highlighting this point.

We have been losing.

It should be of no surprise that players who are off in those areas under thier control, ie the non-negotiables when they are omitted.

 

[w00dy 146]

39 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Nice theory.  The problem is our mids can't get it in there cleanly!  And, we have the worst scoring shots/i50 in the league and last week was abysmal.  The ball just ricochets out. 

Increase the forward pressure and even if the entry is bad, you lock it in and have a stoppage. No forward pressure and it bounces straight out.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

If Watts is dropped, and it's still an if at this stage, it will be because he hasn't been hitting enough of the KPI's that have been set for him.  

I would rather see him dropped and Goodwin reward others while also continuing to set the tone for what is expected when you play for the Melbourne Football Club.  If Watts isn't doing this, and you could argue that he isn't, then he needs to be treated like anyone else, regardless of the 'class' he may bring to the side.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,579]

1 hour ago, watchtheeyes said:

I just can't let this one go...

Watts had 1g, 10d, 3m and 2t last week.

Pedersen had 1g, 8d, 3m, and 2t

Weideman had 1g, 9d, 3m, and 3t IN THE VFL.

Watts has played some big roles in AFL, this year. Just a few months ago. While Weideman has shown signs, but never consistent and often awol.

How can anyone justify Watts being dropped, for effectively a final. He must be carrying and injury, because it just makes no bloody sense to me.

 

 

You left out the two or three clever goal assists the Watts had as well.  I actually think Watts's endevor was ok.

On numerous times last week he was double teamed and whilst that's generally the lot of a key forward, our disposal going into the foward line last week (directionless high bombs) was an utter shambles.  Bar small bursts and passages of play, our ball movement and the game in general represented a moving rugby maul.

If the team can better execute, take risks and find space around the ground back at the MCG we should dominate the Saints.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

One of the biggest frustrations with Watts is he will often get himself into a one-on-one situation where he and his opponent are chasing a loose ball and far more often than not Watts will lose the contest because he falls over or simply doesn't go in hard enough for the ball.

[old55 21,272]

11 hours ago, binman said:

Yeah you are probably right. Perhaps having him on the extended IC is a shot across the bow

Drunkn says he thinks Watts is playing in VFL tomorrow in the Casey v NB thread - if anyone here knows, he does.There would be team meetings ...

[Moonshadow 16,162]

1 hour ago, Biffen said:

I agree he is not at full pace or range of movement.

I believe you may have the real reason for this but people here like to imagine Jacks just had enough of footy and will be joining a band.

I heard Jack was going off watching stuie's Nickelback cover band.

Just sayin'....

[poita 3,573]

I can't believe what I am reading here. We need to win the next three games to play finals, and people would rather have Weideman in the side than Watts?

Have any of you seen Weideman play, or are just looking at his draft number? The guy is an irregular contributor at VFL level, and is probably two years off being able to have an impact at AFL level. He doesn't chase, doesn't tackle, doesn't contest on the ground. His one trick is marking, and the chance of him receiving decent delivery, based on the past two weeks, is negligible. 

Watts, on the other hand, is the best kick at the club, and has the best football brain at the club. He is about the only player in that forward line I have any confidence in with ball in hand.

Frost & Salem have both been bitterly disappointing in the past month, and it is hard to argue with their demotion. That said, we haven't replaced Frost which leads to yet another highly unbalanced team. Goodwin's selection and coaching has gotten worse as the season has progressed, and is probably our biggest issue at the moment.

I hope Brayshaw plays, because at least you know he can kick properly. Not sure why Wagner is anywhere near this team - he is not AFL standard. Maynard probably gets a second game, but I don't see the point of difference that he offers in a midfield full of plodders who would rather handball than kick.

[picket fence 15,103]

Watts is definitely playing injured! The club would be managing his injury and if he gets through training today and is Ok I would expect him to play. Weeds in also to stretch the St Kilda Forward line.

Final bench if Watts Plays  Weeds, Watts, Gus, Maynard

[watchtheeyes 1,210]

Julian de Stoop just tweeted that there was no sign of Watts at training...

I guess that provides confirmation that he's carrying an injury??

[DemonLad5 1,637]

1 minute ago, watchtheeyes said:

Julian de Stoop just tweeted that there was no sign of Watts at training...

I guess that provides confirmation that he's carrying an injury??

No. That would confirm he's playing Casey

[In Harmes Way 7,492]

If we've got 22 blokes giving a red hot crack, then we're in with a strong chance. I'm pleased Goodwin is not just picking names, but looking at blokes who are busting a gut at the moment. I'm also delighted he's not scared to back himself in. If we think this is the biggest game we've had in the last 10 years (as I think it is), and Goody's making changes dropping talent now; then we've got somebody who will do the same thing in a prelim and not just hope that selecting talent that is not in form prevails. 

FYI - goody is on the SEN "coaches box" extended interview segment tonight at 6pm Melbourne time. For those interstate, you'd be able to pick this up on the SEN app, or probably (not sure) will be podcast tomorrow. 

[watchtheeyes 1,210]

1 minute ago, DemonLad5 said:

No. That would confirm he's playing Casey

Right... I assumed Casey boys would still be at training, even if just for skills.

Sigh..