16 hours ago, Brisbanedemonfan said:

My 2 cents in reverse order of disposal count:

Jake Melksham: I was pretty underwhelmed by Melksham's performance yesterday, especially in the final quarter. Looked cooked - no run, no dash, couldn't deliver any of his outside 50 on the run darts I've come to expect from him last year. Looks like he needs to hit the track again. OUT.

Jeff Garlett: Had a bad game, being our leading goal kicker last year, my vote is keep him. Especially up against a Brisbane side full of young defenders with small bodies that he can out manoeuvre and out contest. Zach Tuohy and Harry Taylor are elite, big bodied backmen. IN.

Mitch Hannan: 1 Goal 1 Behind, 9 disposals. A solid warning here, not his best game but still young, has the potential to perform well against a Lions side of youngsters like himself. IN.

Jake Lever: Just a case of noobishness for him - first game with a new team who play completely different to Adelaide. Will find his form again, maybe played off HB where he started last year with Adelaide? IN. 

Bayley Fritsch: Performed exactly how I'd expected him to perform. Young, I think we should rest him this week though, so we don't cook him for round 3. OUT. 

Neville Jetta: Out marked just about every time in the second half. Looks like he's lost his leap and spoiling ability that showed so strong last year. Could just be a poor game for him, stellar performer in just about every game last year, performs are vital role and can lock down some of the best forwards in the game. IN. 1st Warning.

Oscar McDonald: A lot has been said about O Mac, so I'll say this: Still obviously a young player, showed some strong form and looked improved over last year at times, only to disappoint again when its counted. Could excel against a young Lions side, IN for now.

Christian Salem: Laid some solid tackles, but as some others have said, 12 disposals isn't enough footy for a Mid. He can play some beautiful footy, and has a beautiful kick. Needs to start on the bench rather than as a dedicated Centre. Can rotate him out of the Mid and HB. Unlucky OUT. 

Cameron Pederson: Suffered from a case of over utilisation I think. Up forward, down back, at the contest as a Ruck, as a Mid. I know he's a designated utility but when we played him forward last year for a spell I feel like the position clicked for him. A Ruck/HF mix for Cam I think will see him return to form. IN.

Alex Neal-Bullen: 2.0 at games end with 15 disposals. A decent day for a youngster of 35 games against an experienced and bigger side. Whether I'd keep him at HF is another thing though. Like Salem, should start on the bench for depth and rotations until he's more experienced. IN, with a Warning. 

Josh Wagner: So much improvement in this guy - some less than stellar moments but I stopped cringing by the 4th quarter whenever he went near the ball, cause it wasn't the instant turnover I'd come to expect - close to a 60/40 split effective use/turnover ratio which is big for Wagner. Laid some outstanding tackles, and generally used his body well. That being said, playing him in the Mid was a mistake, needs to go down back again. IN, with a warning.

Corey Maynard: Dig a good job for a quarter on Gaz - not bad for a kid in his second game. Ran out of legs in the end I think, but to lay 7 tackles for a game is a solid effort. Should be rested this week though, no need to over-cook him, we have the depth. OUT.

Jesse Hogan: Was it just me or did Jesse appear down back way too often yesterday? Took him away from where he plays best for too long, Jesse was nowhere near goal too many times - he has the body, with the endurance now, to play as a mid/rover but still excels as a Full Forward. Play him as that or don't play him at all. Let's hope he can kick a bag against Brisbane again. IN.

Bernie Vince: STARTING HIM ON THE BENCH!? Anyone else think that was ludicrous? He is a starting C/F if he's playing, end of story. Didn't have the influence on the game as we'd come to expect - may have done a better job as a tagger from the outset - definitely if played as a defender on their talls. Poor game from a solid contributor, we still need his experience. IN.

Jayden Hunt: Had some good run and carries but looked like Geelong were counting on us using that as part of our game plan and planned to limit it accordingly. Just a poor game from a solid contributor. Tough game took it out of him at the end, as we saw last year could've made the torp from outside 50 but tiredness, pressure and being rushed made him fall short. IN.

James Harmes: Poor game from a solid tough nut, who can lob darts at goal most games. Unlucky to be 0.2 at the end of the day - as with the whole team, needs to be able to handle expectation and pressure. IN. 

Max Gawn: Seriously unlucky to miss that goal - but as an article I read today pointed out - Gawn regularly misses shots from that exact position, so he was just true to his form (laughs). Will bounce back, and an obvious IN.

Michael Hibberd: Below par game for him, had some stellar moments especially at the end but I feel like our back line just haven't gelled with Lever yet, but it will come. IN. 

Jordan Lewis: Undisciplined at times, which was poor. Could see him attempting to marshall the defence in the second half but maybe players didn't hear him? IN for now until he cops a suspension, then drop him a few games after the suspension to cool his jets.

Christian Petracca: Missed some crucial goals, but can't really say anything else, obvious IN.

Clayton Oliver: Match high of ten tackles, plus a goal, plus being our second best ball getter. Enough said, IN.

Nathan Jones: I was worried about Jones after watching the JLT series. He looked cooked at the end of both JLT games and I'm aware he was having back spasms during the pre-season. Combine the two and I was worried he was not going to be up to standard - but this is why he is our Captain. Didn't deliver any seriously uplifting plays like he's capable of (back soreness still maybe?) but a solid contributor with no question of retention. IN.

So where does this leave me? Well, this is what my 2 cents worth thinks we should take on Saturday:

B: Hibberd, O-Mac, Lever

HB: Hunt, Wagner, Jetta

C: Jones, Lewis, Tyson

HF: Petracca, Pederson, Hannan,

F: Garlett, Hogan, Bugg/Kent I can't decide who should be given a chance here. zzzzz

FOL: Gawn, Oliver, Vince

I/C: Harmes, Frost, ANB.

 

A couple of points on this  at the ground Hunt was not just outside 50 he was a good 80 metres out with the wind across in the wrong direction he was never going to kick it .

Max was not unlucky to miss the goal he seemed to be thinking too much about the clock and running it down rather than setting up for the shot

I think we were too short and too slow in the backline especially early guys like Lewis and Vince are always going to be slow early and the game pace will come back to them later. Jetta is not quick or Lever  MacDonald has a bit of pace and can mark but was tied up with Hawkins all day. Wagner is sort of inbetween . While Tom MacDonald is out we need another marking player and some more speed Why is Frost on the list if not to fill this role.Salem was good until he was tunnelled and was hardly sighted after. If he is injured rest him ,but if not ,he is a definite in

Harmes again an in between player as is Hannan our forward pressure could have been a lot better maybe Brayshaw for one of them. Tyson should be in  Maynard will get better but shouldn't be in before Tyson at this stage

 

Edited March 27, 20187 yr by deesrule

I'm tempted to bring Frost back as it will make Lever's game better. Lever excelled as the third key defender for Adelaide, but was clearly found wanting as our second key defender V's Geelong. Poor coaching by us, good coaching by them, and a poor performance by someone we paid the farm for.

However, will Frost make us overall better?? The stats will back it up that he loses too many 1-on-1's and some of his disposals are too costly.

How far off is Joel Smith?

I thought he was excellent and really gave us some good drive off half-back in the 3 minutes he played last year prior to injury.

With Casey having a bye round one (seems to happen quite a bit to us) does anyone know what the rest of our players did to compensate for this?  Was there a hard training session on the weeken not make up for the missed match, or would Tyson, Brayshaw, etc be further behind in their preparation should the be called up...

7 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

With Casey having a bye round one (seems to happen quite a bit to us) does anyone know what the rest of our players did to compensate for this?  Was there a hard training session on the weeken not make up for the missed match, or would Tyson, Brayshaw, etc be further behind in their preparation should the be called up...

Not sure, but they're playing a practice match against Frankston midday Good Friday at Casey.

It was going to be played at the Dolphins home ground, but was moved. 

Edited March 27, 20187 yr by ProDee

On 25 March 2018 at 9:17 PM, olisik said:

COuld Salem be an out?

if so bring in bugg.

Had a Barry - yes please.

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I'm tempted to bring Frost back as it will make Lever's game better. Lever excelled as the third key defender for Adelaide, but was clearly found wanting as our second key defender V's Geelong. Poor coaching by us, good coaching by them, and a poor performance by someone we paid the farm for.

However, will Frost make us overall better?? The stats will back it up that he loses too many 1-on-1's and some of his disposals are too costly.

The question is what to do with Frost. I suppose more to the point is he ever going to eliminate his clangers?

He has been in the system for a few years. How much time do you give him?

I suspect that he is what he is and you can't coach the mistakes out of him. 

Do you play him in the ones because he brings height and run despite the turnovers, or continue to play him at Casey and use him as injury back-up.

Normally, you would play him at Casey until  he is knocking the door down, however, we were noticeably short and slow down back on Sunday.

 

On 25/03/2018 at 8:00 PM, chook fowler said:

Brayshaw and Tyson for Hannan and Maynard.

Would love to drop Garlett too.

I wonder if Spargo might be a smoky to debut.

Out: Maynard, OMac, Garlett, Hannan

In: Frosty, Brayshaw, Tyson, Bugg, 

I/change Bench: Spargo

 

3 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Out: Maynard, OMac, Garlett, Hannan

In: Frosty, Brayshaw, Tyson, Bugg, 

I/change Bench: Spargo

 

I think we might go with four players on the bench just quietly.

4 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Out: Maynard, OMac, Garlett, Hannan

In: Frosty, Brayshaw, Tyson, Bugg, 

I/change Bench: Spargo

 

Good plan. We'll have 23 players to Brisbane's 22. 

Drop  OMac after he murdered Hawkins??!!

Duh!

People calling for Oscar to be dropped have absolutely no clue.

Hawkins kicked 5 and 6 the last two times we played them.

He was kept goalless last weekend. 

10 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Good plan. We'll have 23 players to Brisbane's 22. 

Thought it was pretty good, with OMac on the bench, as well. Hey, don't talk too much about this in case the other team finds out. 

12 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

I think we might go with four players on the bench just quietly.

Yep, quietly is the big word. 

Tyson in for Hannan.  I think we played too many small/mid sized forwards.

Perhaps Brayshaw for Maynard 

27 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Out: OMac

Thank you.

It's nice to know who has no clue.

People on here will be heckling Oscar while he's making his Brownlow acceptance speech.

23 hours ago, old dee said:

Because he plays half games?

and because when he does get the ball his decision making and disposal is too suspect

I think Frost needs to come in so Lever can be a third defender. I would even consider moving Lever to the wing rather than let him be dragged to full back.

I thought Maynard did ok, especially in the third quarter on Ablett. In saying this, our midfield needs some pace and better kickers to complement Oliver, Petracca and Jones. For this reason I would favour Brayshaw over Tyson if we made a change here.

I would also play Petracca mostly at full forward. Our midfield can win enough ball without him and he would add significantly to our goal scoring power and forward pressure. 

 

FB: Jetta  Frost  Hibberd
HB: Hunt  Oscar   Lever
centre back:  Lewis
C: Stretch   Oliver  Jones
HF:   Hogan  Hannan
FF: Petracca   Pedersen  Fritsch
Foll: Gawn    Harmes  Tyson
Int: Vince, ANB, Bugg, Brayshaw

Out: Wagner, Garlett, Salem (inj), Maynard, Melksham
In: Frost, Bugg, Stretch, Tyson, Brayshaw

If I was the coach I'd throw out the zone backline and go much more man on man, with match ups that each defender can actually win. Guys like Lever, Hunt, Hibberd and Vince will zone naturally without instruction.

I'd get our fittest guys in the midfield - means Stretch starting on the wing and Petracca predominantly forward, he can do the first 5 minutes of the quarter in the middle and then stints through the quarters. Lewis plays as a midfielder who sits behind play. Not so much as a 7th defender but in between a midfielder and half back. A high half forward starts in the center bounce before rolling forward.

And I'd tell the forwards to lead and create space for each other and then get the smalls front and center.

Now I'm not coach so I think what we really happen is:

They'll continue with Lever as a second tall for another week.
Wagner out, Lewis to half back - where he can't defend - then bring in an extra midfielder - Gus or Dom.
Bugg for Garlett or Hannan maybe.
Salem possibly out for concussion but probably plays when he shouldn't. 
Maynard for another mid.

 

23 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Jetta  Frost  Hibberd
HB: Hunt  Oscar   Lever
centre back:  Lewis
C: Stretch   Oliver  Jones
HF:   Hogan  Hannan
FF: Petracca   Pedersen  Fritsch
Foll: Gawn    Harmes  Tyson
Int: Vince, ANB, Bugg, Brayshaw

Out: Wagner, Garlett, Salem (inj), Maynard, Melksham
In: Frost, Bugg, Stretch, Tyson, Brayshaw

If I was the coach I'd throw out the zone backline and go much more man on man, with match ups that each defender can actually win. Guys like Lever, Hunt, Hibberd and Vince will zone naturally without instruction.

I'd get our fittest guys in the midfield - means Stretch starting on the wing and Petracca predominantly forward, he can do the first 5 minutes of the quarter in the middle and then stints through the quarters. Lewis plays as a midfielder who sits behind play. Not so much as a 7th defender but in between a midfielder and half back. A high half forward starts in the center bounce before rolling forward.

And I'd tell the forwards to lead and create space for each other and then get the smalls front and center.

Now I'm not coach so I think what we really happen is:

They'll continue with Lever as a second tall for another week.
Wagner out, Lewis to half back - where he can't defend - then bring in an extra midfielder - Gus or Dom.
Bugg for Garlett or Hannan maybe.
Salem possibly out for concussion but probably plays when he shouldn't. 
Maynard for another mid.

 

I can’t see wholesale changes being made on the back of a close loss in round 1.

Edited March 27, 20187 yr by chook fowler

38 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Jetta  Frost  Hibberd
HB: Hunt  Oscar   Lever
centre back:  Lewis
C: Stretch   Oliver  Jones
HF:   Hogan  Hannan
FF: Petracca   Pedersen  Fritsch
Foll: Gawn    Harmes  Tyson
Int: Vince, ANB, Bugg, Brayshaw

Out: Wagner, Garlett, Salem (inj), Maynard, Melksham
In: Frost, Bugg, Stretch, Tyson, Brayshaw

 

we got our structures right in the 2nd half (finally) and dominated geelong and you want to change a 1/4 of the team?

1-2 changes max if any

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Jetta  Frost  Hibberd
HB: Hunt  Oscar   Lever
centre back:  Lewis
C: Stretch   Oliver  Jones
HF:   Hogan  Hannan
FF: Petracca   Pedersen  Fritsch
Foll: Gawn    Harmes  Tyson
Int: Vince, ANB, Bugg, Brayshaw

Out: Wagner, Garlett, Salem (inj), Maynard, Melksham
In: Frost, Bugg, Stretch, Tyson, Brayshaw

If I was the coach I'd throw out the zone backline and go much more man on man, with match ups that each defender can actually win. Guys like Lever, Hunt, Hibberd and Vince will zone naturally without instruction.

I'd get our fittest guys in the midfield - means Stretch starting on the wing and Petracca predominantly forward, he can do the first 5 minutes of the quarter in the middle and then stints through the quarters. Lewis plays as a midfielder who sits behind play. Not so much as a 7th defender but in between a midfielder and half back. A high half forward starts in the center bounce before rolling forward.

And I'd tell the forwards to lead and create space for each other and then get the smalls front and center.

Now I'm not coach so I think what we really happen is:

They'll continue with Lever as a second tall for another week.
Wagner out, Lewis to half back - where he can't defend - then bring in an extra midfielder - Gus or Dom.
Bugg for Garlett or Hannan maybe.
Salem possibly out for concussion but probably plays when he shouldn't. 
Maynard for another mid.

 

 Some good things happening there. Some good discussion, too. Think that I would like Melksham to replace Hannan - but this could be the week that Hannan kicks a bag! Salem needs a bit of toughening and is often lost in gatherings around the ball - possibly needs some AFL time to hone his game but skills are excellent. The bench will be critical, again, for success. I must admit, it would be great to see something of Baker or Spargo. I'd think on form shown across the 2nd half against Geelong, that Wagner might be a good bench warmer to come on in a mid/fwd slot when players are tiring. 

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

I can’t see wholesale changes being made on the back of a close loss in round 1.

I like Deespencers team.

That' s why there should be changes.  The loss wasn't close looking at the game and the stats.  We should have won by 6 goals.

Address the problems now, not at the end of round 4 when the team is 1 and 3 (and that's assuming a North win which is no certainty.

 

The most important in this week is Frost. Forget the midfield. Frost is the direct replacement for McDonald. When we drafted our best 22 it would have included McDonald at one end of the ground. There is no way Oscar nor Lever are the tall key backs. I know OMac did well on the weekend, but Lever was awful. He is not designed to play on an opponent 1 on 1. The entire football world knows this. So, get Frost in.  Either Hannan goes out as we have too many of his kind, Wagner...as he was part of the back 6...Salem as he was shot after half time..Maynard. I don't really mind...but not playing frost would be a massive error. Goodwin seems to have marked hi papers. I am not sure why. Happy to have either Tyson or Brayshaw in but not before Frost.