IN: Hibberd, Melksham, Kent

OUT: Pederson, Kennedy-Harris, Spargo 

We’ve really missed Hibberd down back as an organiser, interceptor and reliable, cool head.

Melkshams delivery inside 50, physicality, pace and accurate set shot will be essential in the next two weeks.

Kent is in form and kicking goals.  He has a mature body and demonstrated earlier in the season that his work-ethic is much better this year than in years gone by.

 

Spargo has a big future at the club and I’ve seen enough to suggest he has the skills, awareness and attitude to succeed at this level.  However at the moment, he looks fatigued and doesn’t yet have the strength and body to compete against the mature sides.

Pederson is an undersized ruck/ruck-rover- anywhere else at senior level and he is lost.  JKH simply doesn’t do enough for someone who doesn’t get a lot of the ball- he needs to hurt the opposition, but doesn’t have the weaponary at senior level.

The prospect of Hunt finding form is too much to ignore.  If he can start to get some run and carry and apply his old pressure and physicality, we’ll go to the next level.  He gets another week to find this form.

AVB is kicking goals and moving better each week.  I don’t blame him for Aliir’s dominance in the first half as none of the kicks were put anywhere near AVB’s advantage; most sailed meters over his head, straight to his opponent.

10 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

IN: Hibberd, Melksham, Kent

OUT: Pederson, Kennedy-Harris, Spargo 

We’ve really missed Hibberd down back as an organiser, interceptor and reliable, cool head.

Melkshams delivery inside 50, physicality, pace and accurate set shot will be essential in the next two weeks.

Kent is in form and kicking goals.  He has a mature body and demonstrated earlier in the season that his work-ethic is much better this year than in years gone by.

 

Spargo has a big future at the club and I’ve seen enough to suggest he has the skills, awareness and attitude to succeed at this level.  However at the moment, he looks fatigued and doesn’t yet have the strength and body to compete against the mature sides.

Pederson is an undersized ruck/ruck-rover- anywhere else at senior level and he is lost.  JKH simply doesn’t do enough for someone who doesn’t get a lot of the ball- he needs to hurt the opposition, but doesn’t have the weaponary at senior level.

The prospect of Hunt finding form is too much to ignore.  If he can start to get some run and carry and apply his old pressure and physicality, we’ll go to the next level.  He gets another week to find this form.

AVB is kicking goals and moving better each week.  I don’t blame him for Aliir’s dominance in the first half as none of the kicks were put anywhere near AVB’s advantage; most sailed meters over his head, straight to his opponent.

If one of Hibberd or Melksham had played, this website would be stagnant 

5 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

In the same way our record against top teams has been woeful, I’d love to know Hogan’s record against top and bottom teams.

Well said Clint. Please DL nerds provide stats on this.

My suspicion is that he has been abysmal in every one of our recent losses and very good in every one of our wins - downhill skier (smoker).

The two exceptions that I can recall are that he was pretty handy against Richmond at night - even snagging one from 50m out.

He also beat two players to get the key matchwinning handball against Adelaide three weeks ago - after a pretty quiet night mind you.

He made a great start to year, but has fallen away and his lack of second efforts are becoming the norm. I've said a few times that he probably needs a stint down back just to give him perspective and remind him how important it is to keep contesting. But now it seems he has a bit of a niggle anyway so there may be more to his loss of form.

One of my biggest disappointment yesterday was in third term on members wing and he and his opponent (think it was Aliir) were coming to fly for a mark and Lloyd was in front and backing in courageously and Hoges didn't even hammer Lloyd with a knee up fly - which would have been a fair tactic and the expected tactic.

 

13 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

Does it really matter. Other than Viney and Hibberd the rest of possible ins are not much better than the 6 or so we want out. I believe we have only 15 AFL players and the rest just good , ordinary VFL players. If our top 15 don't play at their best then we are done like today.

So you didn't spot Melky this season - he leads league in goal assists - a pretty handy stat I reckon.

Sounding like Josh Kennedy may actually play if you believe the West Coast forum on Bigfooty.

Hunt and Pedersen ins this week didn't help us.  They looked like a compromise solution - Pedersen - what was his role?  Swing man because Max could not play his usual ruck minutes (only played 80%) and we wanted an extra tall forward to stretch Sydney's defence?  That's a pretty defensive approach.  And then Hunt to add pace for Smith because we're bring in slow Pedersen?  But I don't think my suggested alternatives, Wagner and one of Hannan/Kent would have made a difference on the day anyway.

Hibberd and Melksham definitely would and I'd have them in for Hunt and Pedersen.  If they had played I think we win against Sydney.

Then it will be fascinating to see what the football department think about the rest of the fringe: AVB, Spargo, Garlett, JKH.  FWIW I thought JKH was pretty good - composed and used it well and stuck his tackles.  Kent and Hannan are the alternatives again - one of them for Spargo IMO.

How many games do people think we have lost in the last two years at the selection table? I see it mentioned a fair bit, curious to peoples thoughts. 5-10?

Hunt has re-injured his ankle and in extreme doubt and Hogan will have his injured foot scanned. If fit, Melksham and Hibberd return

JKH is doing his role and was far from our worst on the weekend. Depending on injuries Hunt, Hogam out Pederson omitted for Melksham, Hibberd and Weid the only additional option is replace Spargo with Kent or Bugg (both in best for Casey) 

13 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

So you didn't spot Melky this season - he leads league in goal assists - a pretty handy stat I reckon.

OK I'll give you that one.

I do not understand how Hannan and Kent aren't in the team every week.. fair enough if they have like 4 bad weeks in a row but they are natural footballers and composed under pressure with great goal sense..Neal Bullen has to go he is a great flat track bully but has not much natural football awareness in him and butchers it too often... I really think we need to persist with Hunt but he is likely out with injury yes?? Also think Bugg is much more value to the team than JKH.. at least he will give us some aggro and spunk and produce at least as much as JKH at worst! the coaching staff obviously have darlings and Kent isn't one of them obviously because every time I see him play he is good for 1-2 goals a game at least and is dangerous? I think you have to persist with Jeffy Garlett.. dropping him back to VFL isn't going to do any good, he did try and ignite yesterday.. if that 2nd goal goes through no one is talking about him being dropped.. I think a mix of Kent/VANDERS/Hannan/Melksham/Garlett is a great smal fwd mix, one will always be on bench so have the other 4 on with TMAC and Hogan, l I love the guy but Pedo is only good as permanent ruck where he excelled last year when Gawn was out.. If Gawn needs a weeks rest to get him Cherry ripe for Gws I say do it... we only need to win one... top 4 is basically cooked as I think Hawks win out from here.... Pederson will more than hold his own vs Lycett/Vardy.. Spargo needs a spell he should of been rested with Hogan for gold coast. Not sure what to make of Wagner... probably won't come in with Hibberd due back... we don't often make 5 changes but i think the lineup will look so much better if we make the below changes. Get Gawn Cherry ripe for GWS... long travel surely means he is at even worse by the final round... play Pedo Ruck all day... even if Kennedy is back in i Think we go Frost on Darling, OMAC kennedy and Hibberd on the resting ruckman?

IN: Kent, Melksham, Hibberd,Hannan Bugg, (if hunt and maxy are injured)

out: Neal Bullen, Kennedy Harris, Spargo, Hunt,Gawn (if injured)

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by demon_fanatic

15 hours ago, scarlett said:

I think i have one.

Out

Night out at injured team mates engagement party.

In

Professional attitude and staying in.

(I dont know all the details, perhaps they went had dinner a couple of lemon squashes and went home, but not the best preparation)

I'm prepared to give our players the benefit of the doubt on this story.  If there's one area where our Club has come a long way in recent years, its professionalism.

8 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

How many games do people think we have lost in the last two years at the selection table? I see it mentioned a fair bit, curious to peoples thoughts. 5-10?

The only game you can categorically say we lost because of selection is the St Kilda game this year.

Frost instead of Petty and we win. 

That selection reeked of arrogance and lack of respect for the opposition, and it probably cost us finals. 

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by Jaded

16 hours ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Out: Ped, Spargo, Hunt (inj) 

In: Hibberd, Melksham, Kent 

Seconded

In: Kent, Melksham, Hibberd

Out: Garlett, Hunt, Spargo

 

JKH needs to go, unsighted all day apart from 1 kick to Hogan. It's like playing with a man down. Kent would offer so much more.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by TheoX

17 minutes ago, Jaded said:

The only game you can categorically say we lost because of selection is the St Kilda game this year.

Frost instead of Petty and we win. 

That selection reeked of arrogance and lack of respect for the opposition, and it probably cost us finals. 

The midfield and forward line defend with any kind of intensity and Petty holds his first two intercept marks that he dropped and I bet he keeps going and plays a great game which we win by 10 goals. They also picked Petty a week late, he should've played against Port, after he had his best game in the VFL and had the match up on young Todd Marshall, and in turn freed up Joel Smith to shut down Westhoff, not the week after when he was quiet and probably doubting his confidence going in to the game. The whole backline was exposed by the poor up field pressure and space on the MCG. Lewis, Salem, Oscar were all shredded by the Saints that day not just Petty. It was a diabolical defensive performance that followed the diabolical offensive performance against Port. And it all stemmed from the overreaction to a bad day against the Pies and concern on how to replace Lever.

2 minutes ago, TheoX said:

JKH needs to go, unsighted all day apart from 1 kick to Hogan. It's like playing with a man down. Kent would offer so much more.

Hes played 5 games and I am pretty sure hes not had more than 15 touches in any of them.

This was a guy who had 25 possessions and kicked 3 goals in a win over Adelaide his debut season way back in 2015.

Hes made zero progress at AFL level and has even gone backwards.

32 minutes ago, Jaded said:

The only game you can categorically say we lost because of selection is the St Kilda game this year.

Frost instead of Petty and we win. 

That selection reeked of arrogance and lack of respect for the opposition, and it probably cost us finals. 

What about the Round 1 selection debacle?

Playing 3 key forwards?

No Frost when Lever went down, how many games?

There's a few in there, last year was worse.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by MSFebey

Something to think about:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-13/demon-hogan-set-for-scans-on-foot-injury

Hogan injury?:

• Apparently went in to the game ok. 
• Noticed a problem in the second quarter. 
• Played out the match. 
• Scans today. 
• Hoping for the best.

He did well to play out the match - no wonder he couldn't kick straight or very far.

Based on prior week reports he was carrying some sort of injury anyway. 

And,

"Ruckman Max Gawn was one of several players who arrived for recovery, admitting he had completed extra rehab overnight as he battles a lingering calf complaint".

"Defender Jayden Hunt was also sent for scans after he re-injured the same right ankle he damaged while playing in the VFL in June".  

Do we have anyone that can ruck!  Did someone say we have good depth?  Maybe but is it in the right places.

Selections this week may be a case of 'rob Peter, to pay Paul'!

10 minutes ago, TheoX said:

JKH needs to go, unsighted all day apart from 1 kick to Hogan. It's like playing with a man down.

14 disposals at 100% efficiency, ran hard all day, mostly nailed his tackles, wasn't beaten in too many contests, was quiet in the 2nd and 3rd - guess what wing/flankers often are - but was one of the better players in the last term.

 

26 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Something to think about:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-13/demon-hogan-set-for-scans-on-foot-injury

Hogan injury?:

• Apparently went in to the game ok. 
• Noticed a problem in the second quarter. 
• Played out the match. 
• Scans today. 
• Hoping for the best.

He did well to play out the match - no wonder he couldn't kick straight or very far.

Based on prior week reports he was carrying some sort of injury anyway. 

And,

"Ruckman Max Gawn was one of several players who arrived for recovery, admitting he had completed extra rehab overnight as he battles a lingering calf complaint".

"Defender Jayden Hunt was also sent for scans after he re-injured the same right ankle he damaged while playing in the VFL in June".  

Do we have anyone that can ruck!  Did someone say we have good depth?  Maybe but is it in the right places.

Selections this week may be a case of 'rob Peter, to pay Paul'!

Hogan with a foot injury? Great, we all know how that goes at Melbourne. 

29 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Something to think about:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-13/demon-hogan-set-for-scans-on-foot-injury

Hogan injury?:

• Apparently went in to the game ok. 
• Noticed a problem in the second quarter. 
• Played out the match. 
• Scans today. 
• Hoping for the best.

He did well to play out the match - no wonder he couldn't kick straight or very far.

Based on prior week reports he was carrying some sort of injury anyway. 

And,

"Ruckman Max Gawn was one of several players who arrived for recovery, admitting he had completed extra rehab overnight as he battles a lingering calf complaint".

"Defender Jayden Hunt was also sent for scans after he re-injured the same right ankle he damaged while playing in the VFL in June".  

Do we have anyone that can ruck!  Did someone say we have good depth?  Maybe but is it in the right places.

Selections this week may be a case of 'rob Peter, to pay Paul'!

Time for the Weed to step up?

7 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Hogan with a foot injury? Great, we all know how that goes at Melbourne. 

Shame that Weideman isn't coming along as we had all hoped.  Talls take longer than other plalyres but most of the other 'Talls' in his draft year have made or starting to make an impact.  Even McKay (Carlton) and Francis (Ess) are getting regular games. 

So I'm getting a bit worried about whether he will get there to replace McD or Hogan when needed.

Edit: Just saw 'chook fowler's' post on Weideman.  Totally agree but he doesn't seem ready.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by Lucifer's Hero

3 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

FWIW I thought JKH was pretty good - composed and used it well and stuck his tackles.  Kent and Hannan are the alternatives again - one of them for Spargo IMO. 

Interesting. I reckon I'm normally on the same page as you but JKH made me want to vomit.

 

3 hours ago, Jaded said:

The only game you can categorically say we lost because of selection is the St Kilda game this year.

Frost instead of Petty and we win. 

That selection reeked of arrogance and lack of respect for the opposition, and it probably cost us finals. 

If we'd defeated St Kilda we would be a lock for the top eight ATM (unless the Cats made a gain of 13+% on us in the last two weeks).