Another issue with the lad is, he's not tall enough to be a KPF and he's not small, quick enough to be a small forward, he's stuck in no mans land. He needs a big pre season and push into the midfield next year I think

One of Petracca's best games that I can recall was vs Ess 2017.  He took Hurley out of play by leading him away from the corridor then doubling back.  Far too smart for Hurley and kicked 4 goals.

Like others have said play him deep in the forward line, make the opp put a good defender or he roams free if they don't.  If he can beat Hurley, he can beat anyone.  Right now he isn't fit or fast enough to play as a mid so play to his strengths as a forward at least for a few games.

Edited July 5, 20186 yr by Lucifer's Hero

  On 05/07/2018 at 01:06, SFebey said:

Another issue with the lad is, he's not tall enough to be a KPF and he's not small, quick enough to be a small forward, he's stuck in no mans land. He needs a big pre season and push into the midfield next year I think

not KP..for sure...but , maybe just me , I see the makings of a very lethal  forward flanker... By nature thats a player that moves into the fwd line...and though the guts. If hes not quick enough to be a small fwd then he isnt likely  imho to be quick enough to play as a mid either...( I presume an outside player )

  On 05/07/2018 at 01:09, beelzebub said:

not KP..for sure...but , maybe just me , I see the makings of a very lethal  forward flanker... By nature thats a player that moves into the fwd line...and though the guts. If hes not quick enough to be a small fwd then he isnt likely  imho to be quick enough to play as a mid either...( I presume an outside player )

Agree, either way, he needs to get fitter

IMO he is a half forward and he could be a champion across half forward. He does not have the tank to play in the mid field. So why can't we use him at what he does best?

  On 05/07/2018 at 03:16, old dee said:

IMO he is a half forward and he could be a champion across half forward. He does not have the tank to play in the mid field. So why can't we use him at what he does best?

Is he even fit enough to play high HF? Seems to always be blowing up. I just hope he makes it

  On 05/07/2018 at 00:25, DubDee said:

He is an interesting one.  I do think he needs to stand up though. He has the talent and big body to be having a greater influence, Doesn't have to be all game if he doesnt have the tank but he should be providing moment of magic to spark us.  And providing a threat in the F50 that the oppo have to worry about that would stretch their defence.

I think he is trying hard at the moment but it is just not coming

Yes...he does need to lift...to stand up...to actually impact the game for 4/4. Most certainly.

Has a busload of mates who might join in.

Strangely some need to take the foot off the pedal a tad and concentrate more on the steering.

Whatever's ailing Trac he either needs to put it aside or get over it.

Am I the only one who thinks his form (or lack of) is being overplayed? He's not going that badly.  Not great, but not badly. 

He's just a victim of excessive expectations in my opinion.

  On 05/07/2018 at 12:29, Nasher said:

Am I the only one who thinks his form (or lack of) is being overplayed? He's not going that badly.  Not great, but not badly. 

He's just a victim of excessive expectations in my opinion.

Said that in this thread a couple of times

He is consistently a 15-25, 4-6 mark, 1-3 goal a game player - not sure he’s ever going to be anything else 

When he’s at the upper end of that he looks outstanding, but even at the lower end he’s still contributing 

  On 05/07/2018 at 12:29, Nasher said:

Am I the only one who thinks his form (or lack of) is being overplayed? He's not going that badly.  Not great, but not badly. 

He's just a victim of excessive expectations in my opinion.

That he's majorly contributed to himself. His stats aren't much better than last year, and even then aren't much better than his first year. Talks a big game, tackle count is poor and rarely hits the scoreboard. He looks lazy, just plodding along but is better than the rest of the B graders we have in Hannan and ANB etc.

I think he survived the chop this week by the hair on his chiny, chin chin

Stay deep, no further than 30m out, but chase hard when we don't have the ball

Footy's easy, isn't it?

He is not an accurate kick by any means.

He has a lot of bulk to bustle through packs.

I remember him when he first came to training. He was kicking beautifully. That of course was before he did his ACL.

I am just wondering if he is still carrying something post surgery.

  On 10/07/2018 at 11:06, Barney Rubble said:

I remember him when he first came to training. He was kicking beautifully. That of course was before he did his ACL.

He was kicking well last year

He kicks around the ball not through it.  

He is still a great kick, ball spins correctly,  just not going through, not shanking or doing the Hogan stttuttterr, a simple alignment issue.

  On 10/07/2018 at 11:43, hells bells said:

He kicks around the ball not through it.  

and he tries to kick the ball too hard and fast. needs better rhythm in his kicking

He’s 3 years away from his best football. He’s going to be an absolute champion. You’re impatient that’s all. His size just means it’s a long road developing his tank 

  On 10/07/2018 at 11:43, hells bells said:

He kicks around the ball not through it.  

I agree. Players who do that give me no confidence in their accuracy. Having said that  Dusty and Danger do as well. Both of them obviously kick well most of the the time, but ever now and again they miss their targets unexpectedly.

  On 10/07/2018 at 13:19, Roost It said:

He’s 3 years away from his best football. He’s going to be an absolute champion. You’re impatient that’s all. His size just means it’s a long road developing his tank 

Hallelujah!! That's the attitude; an actual supporter! Good on you Roost, he will be a champion as long as we the people of Melbourne support him.

  On 10/07/2018 at 14:29, red&blue1982 said:

I agree. Players who do that give me no confidence in their accuracy. Having said that  Dusty and Danger do as well. Both of them obviously kick well most of the the time, but ever now and again they miss their targets unexpectedly.

Dangerfield is one of the most overrated butchers of the ball in the comp, ask Geelong and Crows fans. 

  On 10/07/2018 at 17:09, SFebey said:

Dangerfield is one of the most overrated butchers of the ball in the comp, ask Geelong and Crows fans. 

Fyfe & Judd could also butcher the ball with the best of them but I think you would still take their abilities to turn a match with their individual brilliance despite this weakness don't you 'S'?

  On 10/07/2018 at 17:44, rjay said:

Fyfe & Judd could also butcher the ball with the best of them but I think you would still take their abilities to turn a match with their individual brilliance despite this weakness don't you 'S'?

Yep I do agree. Danger is a poor kick, it was suggested he was good. However his will to win and freakish goals make him a match winner 

Edited July 10, 20186 yr by SFebey

  On 10/07/2018 at 14:34, red&blue1982 said:

Hallelujah!! That's the attitude; an actual supporter! Good on you Roost, he will be a champion as long as we the people of Melbourne support him.

No he’ll become a Champion because he has all the attributes of one. We have nothing to do with it

  On 25/06/2018 at 06:18, Marco said:

His demeanor is what concerns me.He thinks being professional footballer is all a bit of fun. Anyone seen him get angry on the field at any stage?

He has gone way downhill since appearing on the Footy Show with mindless Sam and Creepy Eddie. He is immature and considers himself 'a cut above' whilst producing nothing exceptional for so long - a typical case of ego-mania - when potential is not released from hard work and training, and purposeful execution on the field. A hard and severe Casey workout is required to quell his impressions of grandeur for a firm focus on fitness, core skills improvements and his role for the team. Disappointing season that so easily could be rectified - and in a very short period of time. 

  On 25/06/2018 at 07:59, Rusty Nails said:

SF aside from Salem / Melk at times and Fritsch probably more consistently, can you name me a player or more (especially another who runs through mid field) who is capable of hitting targets fairly often? Or at least kick it to their favoured / fat side?

Some of our entries and work inside 50 by foot was abysmal on Friday night.  I think Big M was about the only one i can recall, aside from Jones to Gus (which should have bee  paid), who managed to show some poise and foot skills coming inside 50 when he found Smith.

Contrast this with T-Mac's set shot goal accuracy.

We need our mids to start kicking a few goals also.  This bombing business just plays into our opponent's hands and makes us too predictable / easy to defend.

Separation of key forwards would help also as we were doing when T-Mac first returned.  What the hec happened to the fluidity up forward we were having after the Bulldogs game?

Absolutely! Your emphasis on 'separation' of players up forward is so terribly important not only to create targets but to provide mulitiple options from where scoring shots can be taken.