Regardless of anything else, ANB has got to go.  Players putting in the short steps on several occasions during a match are not worthy of being in the team. It wouldn't be condoned in country footy let alone the AFL.

Have seen the game and though he won’t be dropped after kicking four goals, Buggy made quite a few simple skill errors that could’ve been costly against a greater opponent. I say that as a Bugg fan and I believe they are things he is capable of tidying up. But he needs to do so, otherwise it sounds like a bloke called Harley Balic is putting his hand up in the twos.

Still, our record with Bugg in the side this season is two from two 

Rest the Fritter  for Pederson  Frit looks weary

out ANB  in Balic or stretch whoever can tackle the most chase and win contested footy

 

20 hours ago, Micksdemons said:

Barring injuries - The sensible change is no change ! If it's not broken don't fix it because change for changes sake is absurd ! 

But some things are broken and we need to keep improving. We have good capable players knocking the door down at VFL level. The beauty of actually having some depth is that we can and should tweak with the side as necessary for form and match ups. 

We need another tall forward. I would like Weids in and I think Melksham needs to go back and find some form (I prefer to drop Bugg but it won’t happen). Likewise Brayshaw in and ANB out.

In: Weids, Brayshaw

Out: Melksham, ANB

 

Like others I'm worried about Gawn rucking too long during games and getting burnt out or injured.

Harmes (!!) was the only other player to win a hit out on the weekend.  We need Peedo or Weed in to ruck some decent minutes.  Also has the advantage of Gawn spending some time forward.  My preference is Pedo as he took 15 marks and played well and I want Weed to play 3-4 good games before we bring him in.

Before you push for the inclusion of another tall in the forward line you have to consider the game plan.

If we are channeling Richmond which we seem to be you limit yourself to one tall in the form of Riewodlt who if you think about is the proto type for how we are playing Hogan.

At least we have Gawn which gives us dominance by comparison to the Richmond set up where they play a competent but not starring ruck.

Personally I'm not sure. If the VFL players were starring against hard opposition then the case becomes stronger for those guys but they aren't there yet. On the other hand are our scrambling forwards worthy of our reliance. On Saturday they showed their worth so I expect they may get another go this weekend.

Melksham showed last year that he is an efficient forward.

Brayshaw for ANB .. I am comfortable to leave that to the selectors but I would be thrilled to see Gus kill it on the big stage.

13 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

I have a feeling that both Jetta (bump on Brown) and Frost (sling tackle on Anderson) will be suspended.

Only if the MRC reads the umps Melbourne vs North coaching manual.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Like others I'm worried about Gawn rucking too long during games and getting burnt out or injured.

Harmes (!!) was the only other player to win a hit out on the weekend.  We need Peedo or Weed in to ruck some decent minutes.  Also has the advantage of Gawn spending some time forward.  My preference is Pedo as he took 15 marks and played well and I want Weed to play 3-4 good games before we bring him in.

No reason we can't rotate other mids in to the ruck and spell Max slightly longer. I don't think his game time was impacted all that much by the change from Pedersen to Harmes. I'd be using Melksham in the ruck as well if he stays in the team and if he's replaced by Balic I'd use him.

The function of the forward line and defensive pressure is more important than winning hit outs for the time Gawn is off the ground.

8 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

No reason we can't rotate other mids in to the ruck and spell Max slightly longer. I don't think his game time was impacted all that much by the change from Pedersen to Harmes. I'd be using Melksham in the ruck as well if he stays in the team and if he's replaced by Balic I'd use him.

The function of the forward line and defensive pressure is more important than winning hit outs for the time Gawn is off the ground.

like I said my concern is Gawn getting burnt out not winning hit outs.  He'll have McEvoy jumping into him all game on sunday

2 hours ago, ProperDee said:

Regardless of anything else, ANB has got to go.  Players putting in the short steps on several occasions during a match are not worthy of being in the team. It wouldn't be condoned in country footy let alone the AFL.

When was that?

14 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

I have a feeling that both Jetta (bump on Brown) and Frost (sling tackle on Anderson) will be suspended.

The tackle on Anderson wasn't that bad. Anderson just wanted to have Zeibell take the kick for goal. Anderson jogged off miraculously as soon as Zeibell kicked the pill.

Jetta shouldn't have a charge to answer. He was attacking the ball and a 100kgm 200cm player is barrelling towards him. Whats he supposed to do? jump out of the way or brace. Its a split second thing.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Before you push for the inclusion of another tall in the forward line you have to consider the game plan.

If we are channeling Richmond which we seem to be you limit yourself to one tall in the form of Riewodlt who if you think about is the proto type for how we are playing Hogan.

At least we have Gawn which gives us dominance by comparison to the Richmond set up where they play a competent but not starring ruck.

Personally I'm not sure. If the VFL players were starring against hard opposition then the case becomes stronger for those guys but they aren't there yet. On the other hand are our scrambling forwards worthy of our reliance. On Saturday they showed their worth so I expect they may get another go this weekend.

Melksham showed last year that he is an efficient forward.

Brayshaw for ANB .. I am comfortable to leave that to the selectors but I would be thrilled to see Gus kill it on the big stage.

Hawthorn aren't that tall.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

If we are channeling Richmond which we seem to be you limit yourself to one tall in the form of Riewodlt who if you think about is the proto type for how we are playing Hogan.

We're not channeling Richmond.

If Tom McDonald was fit we'd be playing with two talls.  If Weideman was match fit and ready we'd be playing with two talls.

I heard Hardwicke before the season say ideally he'd like two to play talls.  They just don't have a competent second tall.

It's very kneejerk to assume we're "channeling Richmond".

5 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

The tackle on Anderson wasn't that bad. Anderson just wanted to have Zeibell take the kick for goal. Anderson jogged off miraculously as soon as Zeibell kicked the pill.

Jetta shouldn't have a charge to answer. He was attacking the ball and a 100kgm 200cm player is barrelling towards him. Whats he supposed to do? jump out of the way or brace. Its a split second thing.

I don't disagree, it's more skepticism of the AFL and the MRO that I worry about.

when do the incidents  from Saturday's game get announced.?

I thought it was 24 hours or similar with the one person MRP

 

27 minutes ago, DubDee said:

like I said my concern is Gawn getting burnt out not winning hit outs.  He'll have McEvoy jumping into him all game on sunday

Sure, but the issue is can Gawn do 80% in the ruck or 70-75% right? If Harmes can do 20% and they want to drop Gawn down 5% more then use Melksham/Balic to contest the centre square hit outs and then have Hogan or Petracca as the tall on baller to follow the ruck.

41 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

When was that?

Watch the replay. Two quite obvious, one borderline. Leoncelli_36' comments on page 2 of this thread indicate he noticed it too. 

IMHO selections will be all about 'match-ups' for short/tall forward lines and for player management as we play 3 critical games in just 8 days: 

• Sunday aft: Hawks (MCG)
• Tuesday night (Anzac Eve):  Tigers (MCG)
• Sunday aft: Bombers (EH)

I wouldn't be surprised if some on-ballers are rotated in/out for those games.  Will be a fascinating week of football.  A real test for selectors and players.

11 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

IMHO selections will be all about 'match-ups' for short/tall forward lines and for player management as we play 3 critical games in just 8 days: 

• Sunday aft: Hawks (MCG)
• Tuesday night (Anzac Eve):  Tigers (MCG)
• Sunday aft: Bombers (EH)

I wouldn't be surprised if some on-ballers are rotated in/out for those games.  Will be a fascinating week of football.  A real test for selectors and players.

There will be some management going on, but 3 games in 8 days is pushing it. We have 9 days between our Round 4 and 5 before playing the next Sunday. So 3 games in 14 days, with the one against Ess being our 5 day break vs their 4 1/2 day break. 

It's what we signed up for in order to get the Anzac Eve match. Hopefully the footy department have learnt from last year when we played 3 games in 12 days

8 minutes ago, DemonWorshipper said:

There will be some management going on, but 3 games in 8 days is pushing it. We have 9 days between our Round 4 and 5 before playing the next Sunday. So 3 games in 14 days, with the one against Ess being our 5 day break vs their 4 1/2 day break. 

It's what we signed up for in order to get the Anzac Eve match. 

Yep, my bad...I missed the extra days between Hawks and Tigers games.

So selections will be business as usual.

9 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Hey, I'm not complaining about the 8 days - I love that we have Anzac Eve.

Rich, Dees, Ess and Pies are in the same boat so as I said no advantage to anyone for rest between games. 

Just saying we don't want to run out of legs on the 8th day vs Essendon.  The game 9 days later is vs the Saints and isn't really relevant to my point of fresh legs vs Hawks, Rich and Bombers

I don't want to get into semantics, LH, but I don't know where you are getting the 8 days from? We play the Dawks this Sunday April 15, Anzac Eve on April 24 and Bombres on April 29th, thats 3 games in 2 full weeks with a 9 days break in the middle. We do need to manage this better than last years horrid 3 x 6 day breaks to have a chance to consolidate our spot early. 

I suspect we will see more rotation through the midfield, barring injuries, and more changes between VFL and seniors, depending on form. The MC under Goodwin does not seem likely to change for the sake of change but I agree, player management should be paramount over the next 3 rounds.  Looking at the VFL yesterday and over the next 2 weeks, there will be plenty pushing there claims if form warrants.

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Before you push for the inclusion of another tall in the forward line you have to consider the game plan.

If we are channeling Richmond which we seem to be you limit yourself to one tall in the form of Riewodlt who if you think about is the proto type for how we are playing Hogan.

At least we have Gawn which gives us dominance by comparison to the Richmond set up where they play a competent but not starring ruck.

Personally I'm not sure. If the VFL players were starring against hard opposition then the case becomes stronger for those guys but they aren't there yet. On the other hand are our scrambling forwards worthy of our reliance. On Saturday they showed their worth so I expect they may get another go this weekend.

Melksham showed last year that he is an efficient forward.

Brayshaw for ANB .. I am comfortable to leave that to the selectors but I would be thrilled to see Gus kill it on the big stage.

The beauty of Jack Riewoldt IMO,  is as key forward, he plays a small style key forward.  Quick with reactions, and to get boot to ball or hand-pass.

Am I alone imagining it, or does anyone else imagine Lever playing similar as Riewoldt, if he forward ?

 

Dion has been taught to work hard defensively for the past few seasons.  I get the feeling that this might be the correct time for him to come in and be educated up close, by Cyril or Poppy.

We need the reactions & speed over the ground, to counter these smalls of the Hawks.

28 minutes ago, DemonWorshipper said:

I don't want to get into semantics, LH, but I don't know where you are getting the 8 days from? We play the Dawks this Sunday April 15, Anzac Eve on April 24 and Bombres on April 29th, thats 3 games in 2 full weeks with a 9 days break in the middle. We do need to manage this better than last years horrid 3 x 6 day breaks to have a chance to consolidate our spot early. 

I suspect we will see more rotation through the midfield, barring injuries, and more changes between VFL and seniors, depending on form. The MC under Goodwin does not seem likely to change for the sake of change but I agree, player management should be paramount over the next 3 rounds.  Looking at the VFL yesterday and over the next 2 weeks, there will be plenty pushing there claims if form warrants.

You were quick to see that post before I realised I had miscounted the days and edited it all out!  I need to learn to count.

I think we on the same page re player selections/management.  Will be an interesting few weeks.

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

IMHO selections will be all about 'match-ups' for short/tall forward lines and for player management as we play 3 critical games in just 8 days: 

• Sunday aft: Hawks (MCG)
• Tuesday night (Anzac Eve):  Tigers (MCG)
• Sunday aft: Bombers (EH)

I wouldn't be surprised if some on-ballers are rotated in/out for those games.  Will be a fascinating week of football.  A real test for selectors and players.

Including the Hawks game there is pointless. Both Richmond and Melbourne get a lengthy break, and Essendon has one less day rest than us. From a management perspective it's important, but if you're factoring in the opposition, we are evenly if not better placed.

16 minutes ago, praha said:

 Essendon has one less day rest than us. From a management perspective it's important, but if you're factoring in the opposition, we are evenly if not better placed.

Same as last season when we rolled them comfortably at Etihad.