Since TMac returned for the Essendon game, he and Jesse have combined for ...

v Essendon: 4 goals, 24 disposals, 10 marks

v St Kilda: 5 goals, 37 disposals, 14 marks

v Gold Coast: 8 goals, 39 disposals, 15 marks

v Carlton: 5 goals, 35 disposals, 11 marks

v Adelaide: 7 goals, 38 disposals, 18 marks

v Bulldogs: 9 goals, 43 disposals, 21 marks

That's 38 goals between them in just six games. And given those stats are on a generally upward swing, just how good can they get?

(If anyone has access to the 'kilometres covered' stat, I'd be interested to include those numbers too … I just don't know where to find that info!)

I'll admit, I thought TMac's forward line form last year was likely to be a bit of a mirage (like Colin Garland being swung forward and winning us that game against Essendon that one time), but he's been in close to All-Australian form since he's returned. The way the two of them work together has given our forward line a real point of difference, and it seems like no opposition defence is able to set up to properly counter them.

Another stat I would be interested in is their inside 50 delivery to a target.  Not only are they kicking scores, they are setting them up.  TMac had 12 score involvements vs the Dogs.  Incredible stuff

10 minutes ago, bananas said:

Since TMac returned for the Essendon game, he and Jesse have combined for ...

v Essendon: 4 goals, 24 disposals, 10 marks

v St Kilda: 5 goals, 37 disposals, 14 marks

v Gold Coast: 8 goals, 39 disposals, 15 marks

v Carlton: 5 goals, 35 disposals, 11 marks

v Adelaide: 7 goals, 38 disposals, 18 marks

v Bulldogs: 9 goals, 43 disposals, 21 marks

That's 38 goals between them in just six games. And given those stats are on a generally upward swing, just how good can they get?

(If anyone has access to the 'kilometres covered' stat, I'd be interested to include those numbers too … I just don't know where to find that info!)

I'll admit, I thought TMac's forward line form last year was likely to be a bit of a mirage (like Colin Garland being swung forward and winning us that game against Essendon that one time), but he's been in close to All-Australian form since he's returned. The way the two of them work together has given our forward line a real point of difference, and it seems like no opposition defence is able to set up to properly counter them.

And with Pedo in there, with them, bloody frightening!

Their workrates are off the charts for talls. Amazing endurance athletes, rare to see two in the same team. Makes it a hard day out for tall defenders.

I can’t remember such strong contested marking especially in the front half form a MFC player for a very long time.  Firstly from Tommy, but also Jesse.

A fantastic combination..

And I can’t remember such athleticism by a big MFC player since maybe Ox pre knee, and now we have two! ??

Edited June 3, 20186 yr by monoccular

I think one of the great things is that we have been innovators on this front rather than followers.

I can't think of a team who had tried this tactic before.

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

I can’t remember such strong contested marking especially in the front half form a MFC player for a very long time.  Firstly from Tommy, but also Jesse.

A fantastic combination..

That was something I loved about yesterday, when play allowed oppo to get numbers back (which we didn't  allow in previous games) you backed those two to clamp it. 

How do you match up on them?  You would need TWO tall backs with massive tanks just to stick with them.

The problem then becomes actually stopping them.. they are elite footballers who both average 3 goals per game... they are superb in the air and on the ground.. ...  they are match winners.

A devastating combo.

Edited June 3, 20186 yr by Petraccattack

7 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

A devastating combo.

We need a name for this combo. I’ll set the bar low.

Dee-Volt. 

11 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

We need a name for this combo. I’ll set the bar low.

Dee-Volt. 

Hulk-mac

14 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

We need a name for this combo. I’ll set the bar low.

Dee-Volt. 

 

1 minute ago, don't make me angry said:

Hulk-mac

McHoganald

pending how he goes at Casey today I'd like to see pedo come in for Smith and sit in the goalsquare. then we would have 3 nice talls in the forward line.

27 minutes ago, Elegt said:

pending how he goes at Casey today I'd like to see pedo come in for Smith and sit in the goalsquare. then we would have 3 nice talls in the forward line.

It won't be pedo, pedo is gone at seasons end, weed will get a go ahead of cam.

23 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

It won't be pedo, pedo is gone at seasons end, weed will get a go ahead of cam.

Yep - Pedo ain't even insurance anymore

 

hulk-plugger 

Hugger?

1 hour ago, don't make me angry said:

It won't be pedo, pedo is gone at seasons end, weed will get a go ahead of cam.

not saying pedo is the saviour or anything but he is so far ahead of the weed right now 

The scary part is Reiwoldt had games where he done that on his own. Dead set legend.

The Neitas

3 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

It won't be pedo, pedo is gone at seasons end, weed will get a go ahead of cam.

I know who I'd rather have if we had a grand final this weekend - Pedo by a mile.

Pedo might be on his last legs, but he's still likely to give you more up forward and in the ruck than Weid can at this stage of Weid's career.

Weid gets games of footy once he's knocking the door down at Casey. No more gimme games for guys just because they're young and have potential.

Who will get the job from Collingwood on Jesse and T Mac?

29 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Who will get the job from Collingwood on Jesse and T Mac?

It won't be that simple given the way we rotate talls through our forward system, however I expect Dunn and Howe (if fit) to rotate between them both.

its has helped Jesse too , seeing he not getting the best backman as often and not as double teamed as they have to man them both up and they both run all day. let them click more and yes together they will lead us to premiership glory hopefully 

50 minutes ago, A F said:

It won't be that simple given the way we rotate talls through our forward system, however I expect Dunn and Howe (if fit) to rotate between them both.

Howe would be a logical choice as he is an endurance athlete. We may be able to expose Dunn late in the game though (if he is a match up), because there is no way he runs with Hogan and McDonald all day, and if he tries he will be blowing in the last half. That match up looks like something we should be able to expose. Because Dunn is their main key back, even if they rotate him (if he can't keep up) they are then vulnerable in the air.

Makes you wonder how good Tom would be if he’d been a forward right from the start. (In a good team that is, never went down there in his early years with us.)

It is a dynamic duo, and both have become so reliable. 

If Jesse doesn’t kick a bag he’s up the field creating chances for Tom, Hannan and Melksham to impact the scoreboard. 

It’s a beautiful mix at the moment. The only way to stop it is to smash us in the middle all day. Where Tom and Jesse can go and have a say in that, too. 

The 1st time TMac went forward last year i thought he was a natural. I know it is easy to say now, but i am glad that it has worked out. TMac is the X Factor of this juggernaut

Lever going down requires a restructure, yes. But with TMac and The Colonel up forward we can still give the Flag a good crack this year