1 hour ago, ProperDee said:

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

I did. didn't see it. I saw him drop 4 or 5 marks but he may have had the sun in his eyes as they were all up the Punt Rd end.. Didn't see him squib anything per se..

On 4/7/2018 at 7:19 PM, Bitter but optimistic said:

I reckon we missed Pedo today.

With Hogan up the ground / midfield we, particularly early, didn't know where to kick. Pedo, or even Weid, if he is up to it, would give us a focus and someone for the crumbers to feed off.

We cant rely on the likes of Kent, Bugge and Garlett to be major goalkickers every week. 

Yep with Jesse all over the ground marking his own kicks another tall would have been handy.

2 hours 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.

The AFL has been very accommodative because ANZAC Day falls on a Wednesday

We play Tuesday night and then on the following Sunday. Coll and Ess play on the Wed and then the four teams involved in ANZAC day/Eve games switch over and play each other on the Sunday.

Pretty fair solution and one that allows us to cement the ANZAC eve game into our fixture.

11 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

The AFL has been very accommodative because ANZAC Day falls on a Wednesday

We play Tuesday night and then on the following Sunday. Coll and Ess play on the Wed and then the four teams involved in ANZAC day/Eve games switch over and play each other on the Sunday.

Pretty fair solution and one that allows us to cement the ANZAC eve game into our fixture.

Smartest/fairest thing the AFL have ever done fixture wise is the 4 Anzac teams playing each other that coming Sunday.

On 4/8/2018 at 12:36 AM, Leoncelli_36 said:

I not seen it mentioned. ..but Alex Neale Bullen should be an out this week he pulled out of multiple contests today. Not good enough.  I'd take brayshaw 

When did this happen? Not doubting you per se but I didn't see it and was at the game and have watched the replay twice.

We are definitely considering channelling Richmond's manic forward line pressure - all sides are, it's also a question of whether we have similar strengths and manpower available and whether conditions favour hard-tackling smallish forwards - night football is the ideal format for it, particularly when it is greasy or wet.

I think it's fair to say that we decided to trial it last week - Harmes was given a hitout on ball in preparation for Grigg on Anzac Eve. Similarly Bernie was recalled into his tagging role (Higgins) in preparation for ... Tom Mitchell and then Dusty.

Whether conditions this Sunday arvo suit such a small set up is questionable, but having the extra tall down back frees up Goody's options anyway.

I'd expect one of Pedo or Weid to be listed in our squad of 26 for the game on Friday and most likely miss out.

The other three inclusions I'd expect in the squad would be Brayshaw, Hannan and Stretch - the latter of whom would play VFL Sat night.

The only player IMO opinion who should miss out from last week is Bailey Fritsch. Like many of you I am so excited by the way he plays - that early mark against Geelong and that disallowed gem versus North are season highlights so far, but against North he provided zero tackles and was unable to lock the ball in with the same degree of ease as Trac or Bugg or Kent or even Oliver in the last term. I have him pencilled in for the Essendon game after a couple of development games in VFL, just as I have Jayden pencilled in for a return against Richmond.

Hannan was majorly stiff to be dropped after Rd 1 and is an obvious like for like, but my heart still hopes Angus will get the gig - although clearly he has been playing mid and would require another major omission decision to get him a game. Or would Goody be willing to start Oliver at full-forward with a view to negating any tags and then summoning him for midfield work as the game progresses?

Either way, unless we have perfect conditions on Sunday, I can't see another tall forward getting a gig until the Essendon Etihad game - where height can be a factor.

 

Frosty fined for the sling tackle and nothing to see here for Nev’s bump on Brown. Happy days, both available for Sunday

i also notice that the MRP didn’t cite Umpire 26 for bringing the game into disrepute

Edited April 9, 20187 yr by small but forward

Based on Casey yesterday and the weekend's performance I would suggest it will be Melksham for either Weideman/Pedersen (if we need a tall) or Brayshaw (if we go an extra runner). I would love to see us back in Weid and give him a good run at it whilst Hogan plays high and we await the return of T-Mac.

If there is two changes I would suggest it will be Fritsch. When he is in the play he is sublime but he drops in and out as expected for a young forward and no tackles on the weekend (after 5 round 1 and 3 round 2) indicates a potential drop in work rate. 

I suspect one of ANB or Harmes will take Smith on a wing and whilst they are untidy 10 tackles between them last week I cant see them missing out. 

We really do need another small back with speed against Hawthorn but Hunt not getting in bests makes that unlikely.

23 hours ago, D4Life said:

Go close to an unchanged team, unless team structure needs to change against the Hawks.

ANB and Melksham both on shaky ground, but would give both another game.

Wagner, Bugg, Kent & Frost all played pretty well so deserve to stay in.

Good to see pressure from Balic,, Weideman, Brayshaw and Pedersen from commentary on the Casey game!

completely agree. ANB needs to get those marks and get more involved and more physical if possible. melksham just needs to get more involved. he had some nice touches especially in the last qtr after his head knock. also a goal or two a game would be nice..

On 07/04/2018 at 6:49 PM, Bitter but optimistic said:

I reckon we missed Pedo today.

With Hogan up the ground / midfield we, particularly early, didn't know where to kick. Pedo, or even Weid, if he is up to it, would give us a focus and someone for the crumbers to feed off.

We cant rely on the likes of Kent, Bugge and Garlett to be major goalkickers every week. 

Just missed Pedo from the team...he serves us well, earnestly and to the best of his ability. He is a focus and often, he stops a good deal of rot with the opposition/umpires.

If Goody is true to his mantra, picking a team on form rather than on reputation, there should be at least one change this week.

-----

Inform from the 22:

Wagner, Lewis, Frost, Vince, Jones, Clarry, Gawn, Trac, Kent, Hogan, Garlett, Bugg, Salem

Neither Inform/Out of form from the 22:

Oscar, Jetta, Hibberd, Lewis, Tyson, Fritsch, Harmes, 

Out of form from the 22:

Lever, Melksham, ANB, 

----

Inform from Casey:

Balic (6 goals), Pedo (26 + 15 marks), Weid (5 goals), Hannan (25 + 3 goals), Brayshaw (22)

-------

My 22 vs Hawks:

FB: Jetta - Oscar - Hibberd

HB: Wagner - Frost - Lewis

C: Harmes - Jones - Vince

HF: Trac - Hogan - Kent

FF: Garlett - Fritsch - Bugg

R: Gawn - Clarry - Salem

Int from :Tyson, Lever, Melksham, ANB, Balic, Pedo, Weid, Hannan, Brayshaw
My choice: Tyson, Lever, Melksham, Pedo

18 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

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

And what a shocking game that was...

In: Pedersen, Brayshaw

Out: Pick from Melksham, Neal-Bullen, Fritsch, Vince, Jetta (looks injured to me)

Lever and Frost both lucky, but I think we need three talls against Hawthorn. One will go for Richmond.

Melksham is just a better player than Weid at present. If the Weid comes in, you need to play him for a consistent period. 3 weeks or so,  potentially carrying him as he comes up to speed. There may be better time to bring him in; say round 7/8/9 against Saints/Suns/Blues.  Id keep Melksham at least against the Hawks.

I watched the reply last night. Harmes and ANB were much better than I noticed watching in live. It would be surprising if they were to miss. 

Pedo to come in. PLayed a good game and we would be cactus if Max went down. Clarkson would know how to exploit the one ruck situation very well.

I would bring back Hunt this week. I know he hasn't been great so far this year, but I feel we need his speed to combat the likes of Smith, Rioli, Breust and Puopolo. Finding an omission is difficult because our lesser players had good games i.e. Kent, Bugg, Tyson, Salem.

My only change would be In: Hunt, Out: Bugg. (Yes I watched the game, but I think we need to be forward looking.) 

1 minute ago, Fat Tony said:

I would bring back Hunt this week. I know he hasn't been great so far this year, but I feel we need his speed to combat the likes of Smith, Rioli, Breust and Puopolo. Finding an omission is difficult because our lesser players had good games i.e. Kent, Bugg, Tyson, Salem.

My only change would be In: Hunt, Out: Bugg. (Yes I watched the game, but I think we need to be forward looking.) 

Bugg won't get dropped. Did ervything he was supposed to except kick that goal on half time. IMO ANB or Melksham are the two that are vulnerable on form.

 

1 hour ago, Fat Tony said:

I would bring back Hunt this week. I know he hasn't been great so far this year, but I feel we need his speed to combat the likes of Smith, Rioli, Breust and Puopolo. Finding an omission is difficult because our lesser players had good games i.e. Kent, Bugg, Tyson, Salem.

My only change would be In: Hunt, Out: Bugg. (Yes I watched the game, but I think we need to be forward looking.) 

Was just about to post something similar but not for Bugg.

After watching Casey on the weekend, Hunt’s game didn’t scream out of automatic inclusion  but the pleasing thing was he was willing to do the team things. With ball in hand he wasn’t influential but his tackling and chases were first rate. If we want speed he’s the man this week. 

Gus is another that should be very close, much better in the second half and his ability to stay focused and break the tag ( a very heavy one mind you) was impressive. His class on both sides of the body was evident in the second half. 

In saying that, I still have no clue who to omit. Melksham if anyone.

 

Edited April 10, 20187 yr by Demon77

Not many teams could leave players the calibre of Brayshaw, Hunt and Hannan in the reserves when they still had 2 of their best 10 out. 

(I say that now of course until the next stinker when we call for half the team to be dropped)

17 hours ago, small but forward said:

Frosty fined for the sling tackle and nothing to see here for Nev’s bump on Brown. Happy days, both available for Sunday

i also notice that the MRP didn’t cite Umpire 26 for bringing the game into disrepute

From the way the media were bagging the umpires, they (MRP) would probably have to have rubbed them all out......

16 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Bugg won't get dropped. Did ervything he was supposed to except kick that goal on half time. IMO ANB or Melksham are the two that are vulnerable on form.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Demon77 said:

Was just about to post something similar but not for Bugg.

After watching Casey on the weekend, Hunt’s game didn’t scream out of automatic inclusion  but the pleasing this was he was willing to do the team things. With ball in hand he wasn’t influential but his tackling and chases were first rate. If we want speed he’s the man this week. 

Gus is another that should be very close, much better in the second half and his ability to stay focused and break the tag ( a very heavy one mind you) was impressive. His class on both sides of the body was evident in the second half. 

In saying that, I still have no clue who to omit. Melksham if anyone.

 

Melksham has gained enough credits from last year and his preseason IMO. This year has been a bit of a slow start and he has (just) missed a few goals but he hasn't been terrible. I would stick with him as he clearly looks an AFL class player to me.

ANB has been ordinary as well this year and missed several marks going back with the flight of the ball on Saturday.

Still, I think the best omission to maximise our chance of winning against Hawthorn is Bugg, with Hunt coming in.

The only other change I would consider would be Brayshaw for ANB, but I can't read much into the VFL form against Coburg given the strength of the opposition.

17 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

 

Melksham has gained enough credits from last year and his preseason IMO. This year has been a bit of a slow start and he has (just) missed a few goals but he hasn't been terrible. I would stick with him as he clearly looks an AFL class player to me.

ANB has been ordinary as well this year and missed several marks going back with the flight of the ball on Saturday.

Still, I think the best omission to maximise our chance of winning against Hawthorn is Bugg, with Hunt coming in.

The only other change I would consider would be Brayshaw for ANB, but I can't read much into the VFL form against Coburg given the strength of the opposition.

Good points on Melksham, he’s been far from terrible.

It’s all a guessing game at the moment, Coburg was very weak and maybe Goody walked away with some more headaches in regards to selection. The senior players did what they should be doing to a team like that. 

1 hour ago, poita said:

In: Pedersen, Brayshaw

Out: Pick from Melksham, Neal-Bullen, Fritsch, Vince, Jetta (looks injured to me)

Lever and Frost both lucky, but I think we need three talls against Hawthorn. One will go for Richmond.

Bernie had a great game and I don't believe he deserves to be dropped

Plus, he's too handsome to be playing out in the sticks somewhere

13 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

Bernie had a great game and I don't believe he deserves to be dropped

Plus, he's too handsome to be playing out in the sticks somewhere

Bernie may get to go on Mitchell.