Match Preview and Team Selection - Round 1

[chook fowler 19,444]

2 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

On reflection and acquiescing to the odd idea the Goody and the MC know more about footy and our team than I do, the selection hit me as aggressive and position us to march and hurt Geelong around the ball, rebound well and put the Cats to the sword when the opportunity arises. 

If Maynard and Wagner are in its because they complement our game plan/style more than those left out.

Assuming Maynard brings the endeavour and skills that the above review of his last VFL game indicate, to AFL level, we may have another big bullocking agile midfielder. That would be a big win.

Wagner has hit me as a player who’s nature is to defend to create and build his game upon efforts to have us rebound, efforts which sometimes fail, but he doesn’t drop his head or deviate from his role, and thus will only improve. 

Reckon, the Cats are in for a tough day at the office on Sunday, and Goody’s selections seem less odd in the context of developing the players for the roles he sees us needing to building a great team for September.

I trust his plan.

 

 

Having Wagner may release Hunt to play on the ball

[Demons11 6,915]

2 hours ago, Hot as Hell said:

Agree 100% Redleg. 

Frosty's big,  fast and mature body in defence to play on a big mature forward seemed to be a no brainer. 

Frost can’t set up play and he doesn’t have the skill set to do it 

[Monocology 1,109]

Just emerged from cave 'n shaking dust off.

Any 'land birth, death, marriage, romances' missed 'n why'd no one wake me earlier?

My pin-up boys' foot injury very sobering 'n haven't even reached bar yet.

[Redleg 40,839]

1 hour ago, Satyriconhome said:

Just a note on Maynard, Goodwin stated it is everything, training included, that is taken into consideration 

Thursday, last training before 1st gane, let's ease thru it and not get hurt

Not Maynard, he attacked the whole session, including one contested possession followed by a flat out 70 metre sprint into the 50 to be on the end of the chain he started

Coaches do love that.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,115]

32 minutes ago, Hot as Hell said:

I did my lid to you big red. 

You have indeed mastered the art of self serving narrative. 

Your commentary on Wagner is at the very least arguable. 

I prefer to challenge the inflammatory assessment of Frost superbly summarised under the catch all and shut up statement "watch how the backline functioned when O Mac was off and Frost came on". 

I hope you watched the JLT replay, sir to wit any impartial observer would have noted in the period O Mac was on, the ball barely went into our defence.

Both on the field and the scoreboard we were dominating and centre clearances went all our way. 

Now sir,  contrast that with the 3rd quarter where indeed you were correct in that O Mac was off the ground. St Kilda dominated clearances and fired both precise and chaos balls incessantly into their forward line. Our whole backline was under the pump becuase we had lost control at the mid field. 

Are you suggesting sir, that St Kilda's 6 goal 3rd qtr dominance be attributed to the absence of O Mac? The player who conceded 2 poor frees 1 of which that led to 1 of the Saints early goals.  Is Frost now supposedly single handedly,  responsible for the entire defence. 

I respectfully suggest you take the patch off your bad eye and try watching the game from a wider perspective. 

Neither of these players will be our panacea but to excuse the accountable lapses of one to pass off responsibility to the other smacks of narrowed vision. 

We will miss a big, strong, fast and courageous body against the Cats. That is all. 

In my view the MFC would have been better served with both O Mac and Frost rather than O Mac and Wags. Nothing more. 

I hope the 22 we have selected perform to their best. If that be good enough we will all enjoy the game. If not, we can decide whether the fame was lost on Sunday the  25th or Friday the 23rd.

No doubt there will be much boisterous discussion, either way. 

Good debate. I am not suggesting neither OMac or Wagner is a superstar and I am not saying Frost does not have great attributes and wont contribute during the season. What I am saying is our overall defence and general game plan is best served by OMac and Wagner. My view is Wagner is no where near the dud based on exposed form that people make out and Frost is nowhere near the power forward taming brute with great rebound ability that others make him out to be. I suspect back end of year if we are at decent strength neither is in our starting 22 but we certainly look more balanced over the JLT with Wagner/Omac than on Frosts exposed limited form.

[Redleg 40,839]

1 hour ago, McQueen said:

Have you seen how agro he was on a basketball ball court?

From the limited vision I’ve seen of him at Casey he was very physical.

You can also if possible go back to the video of the final for Casey at port melbourne, where he was simply unstoppable, even with Steven Morris belting him illegally several times. He was a beast, a possession beast that day and so far best on the ground, that I thought wow we have another very good tough mid. His only AFL game was good and he was unlucky to be dropped.

I would imagine this weather would also suit him.

Advice: don't stand between him and the ball, same as with the smaller Viney.

[Redleg 40,839]

18 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Frost can’t set up play and he doesn’t have the skill set to do it 

Maybe I should have said "create scoring opportunities" rather than set up play.

While he is not the best kick he is also not a turnover merchant.

He is a big guy who has real pace and can create opportunities with his play, as he has done in the past.

Hawkins is a beast and might need one to play on him. With Frost, he is strong enough to go body on body with Hawkins and if he can effect a spoil, he has the pace to get the ball and run away from him and also the pace to beat him on a lead. I don't see Oscar having that yet.

[rumpole 515]

On 3/22/2018 at 7:14 AM, Demonland said:

OUT OF THE SHADOWS by Whispering Jack

The shadow of injuries to key players looms heavily over this game with the Cats missing one of the jewels of their midfield triumvirate in Paddy Dangerfield and coming in with underdone veteran Gary Ablett back for the first time since leaving the Suns while the Demons have been rocked by the news that Jack Viney and Tom McDonald will miss six-to-eight weeks and the surprise omission from the final team of Andrew Brayshaw and Dom Tyson.

This is however, not the time to dwell on injuries. We are on the cusp of a new season and this is the exact time of year for clubs not only to make statements about the year ahead but to stake their early claims for finals places. As Melbourne learned to their pain in 2017, every game and every quarter of football counts. The shortfall of two goals that cost it a place last year could just as easily have been made up in the opening quarter of its first game against St Kilda as it could in the last quarter against Collingwood in Round 23. And with that in mind, I’m tipping the Demons who have lived and breathed with this thought for the past six months.

Even though pre season form is not necessarily a guide to anything much in particular, it was the way they impressed in their unbeaten two game JLT Community Series that sways my thinking. They outclassed North Melbourne and dominated St Kilda for all but a quarter but it was the way they did it, without relying on dominant individuals in any part of the ground that resonated with me. 

The fact that they had multiple goal kickers in both games and generally dominated the opposition midfields in a total team effort that is thematic of today’s game. It’s how the Tigers came out of the pack in the latter part of last year with their high pressure game that made the difference in the end. That is why losing a Viney or a T McDonald might be inconvenient in the short term but it won’t make a difference against Geelong.

The Cats are now heavily dependent on their midfield which was below par in the JLT series and without Dangerfield they look to be highly exposed. It would take a superhuman effort from G Ablett (the “G” standing for “Grandfather”) or a substantial amount of successful head ducking from Joel Selwood to get them across the line this week.

Sunday’s game is the first MCG clash between these teams since 2014. I can’t remember the last time Melbourne beat Geelong on their home ground but the time has come. It will happen in game one with Demons coming out of the shadows to win by 10 points.

Selwood is the unbackable favourite with my bookmaker for the most free kicks of the round, slightly ahead of that jackass for Brisbane.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Maynard's last game was a final for Casey. Justin Plapp's report:

Corey Maynard: Corey had 35 disposals, including 27 contested possessions, five marks, 18 clearances, nine inside 50s and five tackles. I can simply say that Corey’s game on the weekend was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever seen at VFL level – in any game. The way he willed himself to generate something from his team – and through critical contests – was outstanding. He also showed his ability to win the contested ball and get the ball going forward for us, highlighted by his clearance work. He had huge numbers – and he was huge for us. He’s a great young leader that’s finding his way. He dug in and did everything he could for his team. I thought he was best-on-ground by a mile.

If anyone is wondering why Maynard has been selected I think hardness is one of his key attributes.

 

Wow that is a fair write up. “Corey’s game was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever seen at VFL level - in any game”. Bring that sort of intensity to Rnd 23 and we play finals. 

On reflection I’m pretty happy that Tyson, a player that most of us believe is best 22, has been dropped. Like many of our players their difference between Dom’s best and worst is vast. He will need to work hard to get back in and won’t be taking selection for granted. Hopefully our increased depth will keep everyone on their toes. 

[Hot as Hell 466]

30 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Frost can’t set up play and he doesn’t have the skill set to do it 

How about stopping a player capable of kicking many goals on a younger lighter opponent?

For posters to assume we can just dictate the game, at our pleasure with forward "set ups" and Geelong to just watch without reaction, is inane. 

Don't think for a minute the Cats have not sized up their strengths and weaknesses AND ours. Strangely, they may think they can outmuscle us in their forward line and will be trying to exploit that. 

There are 2 teams on the ground, not one. 

[rjay 24,885]

3 minutes ago, Hot as Hell said:

How about stopping a player capable of kicking many goals on a younger lighter opponent?

For posters to assume we can just dictate the game, at our pleasure with forward "set ups" and Geelong to just watch without reaction, is inane. 

Don't think for a minute the Cats have not sized up their strengths and weaknesses AND ours. Strangely, they may think they can outmuscle us in their forward line and will be trying to exploit that. 

There are 2 teams on the ground, not one. 

Frost may have the build (muscle) but he doesn't have the footy smarts to use it unfortunately.

He's often out positioned in marking contests by smarter footballers.

His build is worth Jack if he can't use it to advantage...

[Dee Zephyr 19,267]

1 minute ago, Hot as Hell said:

How about stopping a player capable of kicking many goals on a younger lighter opponent?

 

It doesn’t matter which player takes the task on Hawkins if we allow teams to rebound easily and score out the back. We don’t want to see a Jetta or Vince type left 1 out with opposition  talls like we did last year.

If you listened to the Demonland podcast a few weeks ago when @Drunkn167 was a special guest, he stated that OMac possesses a lot of body strength, might have even stated he’s one of the strongest that Dec has competed against at training. 

[D4Life 2,445]

19 hours ago, Hot as Hell said:

Wags must certainly be impressing someone down there. 

Not in my best 25 or a particularly powerful fast or skilful defender. I will trust the club that see him every day, more than l trust myself. 

We'll soon all be able to assess his on field performance. I really really hope he has a strong game, as do the other 21 players. 

As for Dom and Gus, what would any supporter know? 

I feel somewhat misled on both Jack and Tom by the club's public statements prior to this week. 

"Cloak and dagger"  has never been a strength of our player management and it appears not much has changed in 2018. 

Looking at everyone’s interchange bench before the final four were selected, not one person on Demonland had Wagner in.

Hope he has a great game and proves me wrong, but from my seat he turns the ball over to often and generally just takes the wrong option.

would love to know why they pick Wagner, I’d rather have Tyson, Brayshaw or Bugg, even Frost ahead of him.

[Watts the matter 1,235]

2 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

Just a note on Maynard, Goodwin stated it is everything, training included, that is taken into consideration 

Thursday, last training before 1st gane, let's ease thru it and not get hurt

Not Maynard, he attacked the whole session, including one contested possession followed by a flat out 70 metre sprint into the 50 to be on the end of the chain he started

Saty, after JLT 1 when I said Brayshaw would not be in our round 1 team based on merit, you said I was wrong and said Goodwin loved his game etc. 

What do you believe the reason is for his exclusion. Form or wisdom teeth?

[CityDee 738]

Are the emergency’s a genuine next in line to play ? why would they be given a game if undedone or sore from a wisdom tooth extraction . Surely the emergency will be 100% ready to go . 

[D4Life 2,445]

17 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

Buffalo sorry but there's a fair degree of difference in some of those that has Nev a fair way (albeit not miles) ahead at this point

Stats are one indicator, but watching the player gives you a clearer indication. Jetta rock solid usually picks right option. Wagner turnover are usually really bad and he often seems to pick wrong option. Ocassionally he just goes and gets it right.

But these two are chalk & cheese!

[buck_nekkid 5,847]

Think of the pressure to perform on Wags and Maynard.  A hungry queue waiting behind them.  Can only lead to good things...

[D4Life 2,445]

13 hours ago, Demon77 said:

Goodwin stated he will field the fittest 22 and judging by all the training reports over the summer Bugg was labelled as the fittest player, yet he misses out. That’s probably more a case of being down the pecking order behind, Fritch, Hannan, ANB and Melksham. 

In regards to Brayshaw, is it as simple as his mouth/teeth issue the reason for naming him  as an emergency? Why not name him and if it’s still a problem on Sunday just withdraw him. 

Is Tyson really underdone? He’s had a full summer until the calf niggle, missed a couple of weeks and has played well in two consecutive weeks since. Lewis has played one quarter of football in the pre season. Maynard before Tyson is perplexing.

I agree, Maynard doesn’t get it enough and isn’t clean, at least Tyson gets s lot of the ball, his disposal needs to improve, must be his calf and Goodwin being cautious.

[pineapple dee 2,892]

On 23/03/2018 at 12:18 PM, brendan said:

Geelong have confirmed they will play 3 debutants

Just don't wear the long white gloves girls  !!!!

[Kumamoto_Ken 1,531]

3 hours ago, McQueen said:

Have you seen how agro he was on a basketball ball court?

From the limited vision I’ve seen of him at Casey he was very physical.

I'd love to see him run through Selwood. That's not really Maynard-specific though, I'd love to see anyone run through Selwood.

[McQueen 17,864]

11 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

Think of the pressure to perform on Wags and Maynard.  A hungry queue waiting behind them.  Can only lead to good things...

The pressure isn’t only on a couple of blokes though is it. As Goody mentioned in his presser, 30 players were in the frame to get a game this weekend and then we’re without Viney and Tmac.

[McQueen 17,864]

Just now, Kumamoto_Ken said:

I'd love to see him run through Selwood. That's not really Maynard-specific though, I'd love to see anyone run through Selwood.

I was thinking the same thing.

It will be nothing short of glorious if it comes to fruition!

[Redleg 40,839]

TBH, after our pathetic last round in 2017 and the Camp crap in the media, we should be extremely ruthless in our attack on the ball.

That would bode well for a good start and result.

[DV8 2,271]

4 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Best 17 picked. Minus Viney t.mcd Tyson Brayshaw Frost.

ANB and Pedersen cover well for mid and tall fwd due to Viney and Mcd  

not sure why Maynard Hannan Wagner are better than Brayshaw Tyson Frost

Frost on Hawkins was obvious ... tomahawk could monster o.mcd or lever

need Lever as floating defender not a full back on Hawkins 

I'm wondering if the Rucks, including Pedo, are to help out down back this week?

[ding 5,126]

10 minutes ago, DV8 said:

I'm wondering if the Rucks, including Pedo, are to help out down back this week?

I think Gawny is WAYYYYY too important to our plans to have him filling a hole in front of a leading Hawkins. (if thats what you meant?) He would snap like a twig at his current weight if Hawko crashed into his back.  Pedo especially has lost some serious beef. We will need tag teaming++ if Geelong get on a clearance run as we dont have to size down back to stop them if delivery is clean. My hope is that we will be a bit agile for them and that Lever/Hibbos intercepts do the job for us.

Actually i think my post just agreed with you after all...................