2 hours ago, DubDee said:

The reason ANB and harmes keep their spot is they run and spread and we have no one that can replace them. Even though they are playing poorly

Assiming fristch, Lewis, spargo in for the three outs, who do we bring in to give us run?

It helps DubDee if you can run and spread BUT get/ have the footy!!. All this crap about being an elite runner does not Gel with me. You actually need to get the footy then run and dispose of it to one of our own. These two might run but the odd time they get the footy they give it back. No good being a runner without the pill.I think it shows that our depth is not that great when we keep these two in the side. Not much out there to replace them. Maybe this week they might get the pill and pass nicely to one of our own even once would be nice!

1 minute ago, DemonOX said:

Famous last words SFebey. 

This is the MFC after all. 

We did lose to their seconds side a few years back............

1 hour ago, Delusional Dee said:

It's going to be painful to watch if ANB plays a 6th consecutive game in a row. I really don't see the reasoning behind picking a player who's only strength is his running capacity at this moment...I would have thought an ability to dispose of the footy would be a higher priority. Times are a changing...

Rinse & repeat DD.  We are learning nothing as a club by continuing to select players who rarely impact at the highest level and wilt/flail under standard AFL pressure.  His inability to cease with brain snaps also, can result in  demotivation and loss of momentum, sometimes at crucial stages of a match when the game is in the balance.

As many have said here already... VFL depth (emergency call up) ....at best!

I would agree that we have a lot of players,mainly half-forwards/midfield types, who are out of form at moment.  Melksham was one of them four days ago, yet turned it all around on Tuesday.  Fingers crossed Gartlett, Harmes, ANB, etc. can follow suit...

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

The reason ANB and harmes keep their spot is they run and spread and we have no one that can replace them. Even though they are playing poorly

Assiming fristch, Lewis, spargo in for the three outs, who do we bring in to give us run?

Harmes hardly runs/spreads. He was caught holding the ball three(?) times against Richmond.

ANB certainly runs/spreads and is good at it. His problem is he isn't good at anything else. He is a terrible decision-maker, routinely picking the wrong option or missing a target. He doesn't have great skills, he isn't kicking goals. It's pointless having him run and spread if he's a liability with the ball in hand.

24 minutes ago, hemingway said:

We are in a bit of trouble.

Players retained who have hardly had a kick.

Players selected who have hardly had a kick at VFL level (exception Spargo)

Players selected who lack a yard (Lewis)

Player overlooked who has been our best at VFL level (Pedo)

What to do?  I really have no idea.

We are in a pickle.

And pickles usually get stuffed

I think they'll go with the following team...

B: Jake Lever, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Bernie Vince, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt
C Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Sam Weideman, James Harmes
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver
I/C: Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Jeff Garlett

Ideally though, I'd prefer to replace Neal-Bullen with Spargo; Harmes with Hannan; and put Fritsch on the bench, but since they're both playing, I don't think we can have all of Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Spargo, Hannan AND Fritsch in the same team.

48 minutes ago, A F said:

I think they'll go with the following team...

B: Jake Lever, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Bernie Vince, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt
C Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Sam Weideman, James Harmes
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver
I/C: Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Jeff Garlett

Ideally though, I'd prefer to replace Neal-Bullen with Spargo; Harmes with Hannan; and put Fritsch on the bench, but since they're both playing, I don't think we can have all of Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Spargo, Hannan AND Fritsch in the same team.

Hannan won't play form not good enough. Fritsch in the side.

6 hours ago, DubDee said:

The reason ANB and harmes keep their spot is they run and spread and we have no one that can replace them. Even though they are playing poorly

Assiming fristch, Lewis, spargo in for the three outs, who do we bring in to give us run?

Who cares if they can run and spread, they are useless footballers and hardy irreplaceable

Edited April 26, 20186 yr by DavidNeitz9

3 hours ago, Delusional Dee said:

The article was dated yesterday...?

They just copied Chaplin's quote when he was on inside Melbourne a couple of weeks ago.

5 hours ago, chook fowler said:

Groan - Harmes and ANB are playing.

feel the same chook, they must have noods of Goody

3 hours ago, jnrmac said:

I actually like Pedo but he hasn't really delivered. And its not just us. He's 31yo and has only played 70ish games at two clubs. North didnt rate him either...

What do you call what he did last year when Gawn went down?  I think most people acknowledge that he was pretty damn good most games.  Pehaps that's part of the problem being that he's just not quite good enough for his size and the position he plays compared to others we have that play the same position.  Asides from that, I think he was one our better players against Geelong and also competed hard and setup some good goals through good field kicking against the Lions in Rd 2, was then dropped but seems to have been in pretty good VFL form since.  As I have stated in another thread I thought there was also a case to get him into the side, just to get some fresh legs in to support Gawn and Hoges off a very short break - hope the fitness department have made the right call there.

I still think he is getting dudded over by Weid.  As much as I really want Weid to do well, he is really yet to have a break out game a senior level that is the equal of what Pedersen produces on a regular basis.  The Weid's best at senior level is about Pedo's worst or average game IMHO and the Weid seems to be the exception to the us selecting based on performance and not gifting games to high draft picks anymore mantra.  That said, now that the Weid has been picked in the senior team, I would also like to see him given a decient block of games there to help find his feet at the top level.

Also acknowledge that T Mac probably has the inside running on Pedo on this occation also.  Assuming T Mac does play, hope the selectors are making the right call here, because as much as I acknowledge T Mac as being an experienced and classy/capable A/B+ player in his position these days, it's a pretty big call to be stepping straight back in after not playing for the best part of 2 months (even then, off the back of an interrupted preseason) and produce at the highest level from the get go.  I really hope he does though, because at his best T Mac is a gun that we have sorely missed.

Edited April 26, 20186 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

6 hours ago, DubDee said:

The reason ANB and harmes keep their spot is they run and spread and we have no one that can replace them. Even though they are playing poorly

Assiming fristch, Lewis, spargo in for the three outs, who do we bring in to give us run?

He may not have the same tank as ANB, but I would have thought Hannan could be better than Harmes in present form.  Hannan has pretty damn good pace and such great/mecurical goal sense, which when we have struggled to convert forward fifty entries, surely that offers something we need at present.  Not sure I buy Hannan and Freitch not being able to be played in the same side off such a small sample size we have to date.

Asides from that, I agree our proven stocks/depth all of a sudden looks pretty thin, which I think in part is due to the team as a whole being down on coheasion, form and confidence and that the form of Harmes and ANB are symptoms of this broader issue.  In this respects I'm not really sure that making bulk changes is really the solution to our problem and that when the side as a whole gets up and about again, guys like Harmes and ANB will get on the end of it and start looking more like world beaters again.

On a similar note, I would agree that ANB is down on form, but I do find it amazing how quickly the vibe of Demonland has turned on him from being 'the next big thing' at the end of last year, to being a talentless NQR bottom six player at present.  Have faith people - ANB and the MFC will get back to playing bigger and better footy sooner or later.

Edited April 26, 20186 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

4 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

And pickles usually get stuffed

I've never had a stuffed pickle in my life.

4 hours ago, praha said:

 

You should Praha!  Especially the baked stuffed cheesy / fish  ones.  Best avoided if you have any reflux issues though 

9 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Harmes hardly runs/spreads. He was caught holding the ball three(?) times against Richmond.

ANB certainly runs/spreads and is good at it. His problem is he isn't good at anything else. He is a terrible decision-maker, routinely picking the wrong option or missing a target. He doesn't have great skills, he isn't kicking goals. It's pointless having him run and spread if he's a liability with the ball in hand.

Something I would like to see more of (particularly from Petracca and Oliver) is players getting the ball and exploding out of the contest. Immediately gets the ball moving forward and our players goal side of their opponents.

Last week Harmes was one of the few players trying to do that. Completely agree he wasn't effective and was caught holding the ball, but I liked what he was trying to do. Petracca is often guilty of just throwing it on the shoe. So I'm ok with Harmes remaining - for a little while longer.

ANB on the other hand, sickened he is in there. Doesn't go when it's his turn.

Make ANB a tagger ala Ben Jacobs and be done with it. At least he is doing something.

I can't recall the last time I opted not to go to a game. I litreally go to every game in Melbourne without doubt all my football life even through the Neeld years I went every week... But for some reason I don't have any desire or want to go on Sunday, I wish I did but the rubbish they dished up Tuesday night leaves me feeling this way. The style of play is frustrating & boring as hell to watch, I don't know where the run & gun style, quick handball, corridor kicks have gone but they need to rediscover it & quickly... Season on the line stuff & at this stage I'll be watching from the couch. 

59 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

Something I would like to see more of (particularly from Petracca and Oliver) is players getting the ball and exploding out of the contest. Immediately gets the ball moving forward and our players goal side of their opponents.

Last week Harmes was one of the few players trying to do that. Completely agree he wasn't effective and was caught holding the ball, but I liked what he was trying to do. Petracca is often guilty of just throwing it on the shoe. So I'm ok with Harmes remaining - for a little while longer.

ANB on the other hand, sickened he is in there. Doesn't go when it's his turn.

Agree with that unfortunately.  Was a fan and thought he was ready to take another step but something has happened.  It is becoming a habit with him.

23 minutes ago, JV7 said:

But for some reason I don't have any desire or want to go on Sunday

I don't think you're the only MFC supporter that doesn't want to go this week.

If last year's game was any indication, there's going to be a very small Demon turnout on Sunday. Hopefully a lot of EFC supporters don't go either and the crowd will be as low as 20K (not out problem, not our home game!).

8 hours ago, A F said:

I think they'll go with the following team...

B: Jake Lever, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Bernie Vince, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt
C Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Sam Weideman, James Harmes
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver
I/C: Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Jeff Garlett

Ideally though, I'd prefer to replace Neal-Bullen with Spargo; Harmes with Hannan; and put Fritsch on the bench, but since they're both playing, I don't think we can have all of Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Spargo, Hannan AND Fritsch in the same team.

Reckon it’ll be Wagner instead of Hannan mate. I thought if they were serious about Hannan coming in, Harmes or ANB would have appeared on the extended bench (final changes always come from the extended bench, don’t care if anyone argues, they are wrong). I don’t see a need to fiddle with the back 6 and I reckon Wagner has been fine.

8 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Reckon it’ll be Wagner instead of Hannan mate. I thought if they were serious about Hannan coming in, Harmes or ANB would have appeared on the extended bench (final changes always come from the extended bench, don’t care if anyone argues, they are wrong). I don’t see a need to fiddle with the back 6 and I reckon Wagner has been fine.

You may well be right, mate. Wagner has been passable.

IMO our game plan (such that it is) requires two dedicated hard runners that run up and down the ground all day. With cameos from others, they also are the extras that run through the square at the bounce. Those two are Harmes and ANB. There are others hard runners who could play that role such as Hunt, Oliver, Viney, even MacDonald and Hogan, but they have other roles to fulfil. At this time, the alternatives to Harmes and ANB are Stretch and Bugg. I believe Stretch is by far the most skilled player of that lot. He also has better vision and decision making but is slightly slower. Unfortunately his confidence is down round his ankles around the moment so he's not really an option.

It would be great if we had better options for that role (Josh Kelly would be perfect thanks) but we don't, so unless the game plan changes, ANB and Harmes will stay. When our injury list improves, we will rely less on those two and I would expect to see others spending more time in this role eg. T Mac and Hogan could alternate in that role at times and I could see Tim Smith in there as well. Stretch with a shred of confidence could be important in that role. Spargo (eventually) may be another. The more options we have, the more players we can swing through that role -  ones with better nous, skill and decision making.

I firmly believe that this team selection for the Essendrug game is highly flawed and that the Dees will get trampled in their own confusion. It is a product of inconsistent and careless team selection once again, retaining 'yet to' performers, long-bombers, statistics gatherers, grossly over-estimated utilities and flexibility dreamers.  

 

B: Hibberd, OMac, Jetta

HB: Lever, Frost, Baker

? Tyson , Oliver, Hunt

HF: Fritsch, Pedersen, Hannan

F: Garlett, Hogan, Spargo

Foll: Gawn, Jones, Weideman

I/C: Melksham, Brayshaw, TMac, Salem

E: Casey's best ....