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Changes v Hawthorn - Semi Final

The Great Pretender
The Great Pretender
in Melbourne Demons

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I suspect we will go no change but I would tempted to bring in more speed with Smith/Hunt or JKH/Kent if he recovers. Would give us more flex as to where we play Fritsch. Tyson and Spargo the most likely if one goes. The thought of Tyson or Jones on a wing against Isaac Smith makes my skin crawl. 

Edited by big_red_fire_engine

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    Agree no change. 

    But Spargo was overawed and the heat will rise up next week. Not sure if any replacement stands out.  

    Garlett not in form but has the pace to worry the dawks

    and Jkh didn’t fully take his chance. Jkh  tackles do stick more than Spargo. 

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    Spargo's a little gun but I think he's puffed out.

    The funny thing is, only a few years back, he would have been captain, and first picked! Oh we have come a long way.

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    I believe that Melksham is carrying a groin injury. 

    Not enough to force him out, but they will have to manage it for rest of season.

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    I haven’t seen the replay yet but I thought Spargo was quiet and missed a couple he should have got. He wasn’t terrible though and he is always trying. Vanders dropped some he should have taken and fumbled a bit but brought serious physical pressure and intensity. 

    I would have loved to have had the Garlett of last year out there but he has not demonstrated consistent form all year, not sure that he would be better than Spargo. I’d like to see Fritsch up in the forward line, so I would consider dropping Spargo for Joel Smith and swinging Fritsch forward. I’m glad I’m not on the selection committee. 

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    5 hours ago, Jaded said:

    Tyson and Spargo were our poorest performers but Tyson did break his arm like two weeks ago, so let’s keep that in mind. I think in highly contested finals he is important as he is very good at extracting the footy, and he allows us to rotate other mids between the Centre and the wing (eg- Brayshaw). 

    I don’t think they’ll drop anyone. However if they did I would be tempted to drop Spargo, push Fritsch up forward and bring in Smith (Joel) or Hunt to play off half back. But it’s quite a big structural change and could be risky. 

    Don’t mess with a winning formula I say. No change. 

    I like the way u think. I'd like 2 c Smith in.

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    3 hours ago, Mr Steve said:

    Charlie Spargo – 5
    The first-year youngster was not overawed in his first final, but as you would expect he did not have a lot of impact on the game. What he did best was dish the ball to teammates, ending the night with three score assists – the most of any player on the ground. 

    That 5 is low imo and for the reasons they mentioned: when Spargo gets the ball he adds value by improving our position.  His disposal is always to advantage which means with only afew touches he can have significant impact.  3 direct score assists is evidence of that, and he also was involved in another scoring chain,  mean 4 of 9 disposals were part of a score. Only 8 players had more score involvements than him, and they all had 15+ disposals (4 had 20+).

    I think he'll stay because he creates. 

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    3 hours ago, bringbackthebiff said:

    No change, including Ronald Dale Barassi Jr in the grandstand 

    Agree the only change that may be considered could be JKH for Spartacus, though I don''t really think so.

    AND since you raise the issue, how about RDB sitting with his old arch rival, Murray Weideman cheering on young Sam to even greater heights.

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    Spargo gave us what he's been giving us for the last 4-6 weeks, so I'd be surprised if he gets dropped now. I don't like forwards that have no goal nous and can't kick over a jam jar, but with no VFL game this week I reckon it's hard for potential ins to change the selectors' minds.

    I think Fritsch is being played out of position, so - sans Lever - Joel Smith releasing Fritsch to play further up the ground is attractive. Fritsch would give us a good link between the arcs and some class in our forward half. It's worth nothing that Fritsch came second in the VFL's 'Coleman' last year. I really think this could be a significant change.

    On Garlett, at anywhere from 80%+ of his best form he would add polish that we desperately need to convert our chances. However, he's been so ordinary at times - including in Casey's final 'home and away' game, the week after he was most recently dropped - that I don't know we can trust him to deliver. I've been a fan, but surely one decent game in Casey's first final is in no way enough to demand a spot.

    I think we'll go in unchanged and defeat the Hawks, but I also think there are guys in the VFL who will have a realistic chance of playing in a prelim final. The fact we're playing on the Friday night is a bonus, since it means we don't need to have anyone sit out the Casey game in case of an AFL call-up. Can't wait for Friday night!

    Edited by Rogue

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    Tom Mitchell won't be getting much sleep this week!!

    viney, vanders, gus and Clarry will be waiting my little friend

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    Spargo remains so long as he is not an outright liability. 

    I was in the 'rest Spargo' camp for a while but it really is about playing your role. We don't need him kicking 3 a game and being Jeff Farmer like. We need him to pressure and hit up blokes leading out from fifty.

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    Absolutely no change

    Spargo provides running options and stays with direct opponents, which with our defensive team structure shows why he's preferred by the FD to Garlett and why JKH is ahead of Garlett

    Tyson imo was good in close when the heat was on in the first half

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    10 minutes ago, DubDee said:

    Tom Mitchell won't be getting much sleep this week!!

    viney, vanders, gus and Clarry will be waiting my little friend

    And H A R M E S

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    11 minutes ago, DubDee said:

    Tom Mitchell won't be getting much sleep this week!!

    viney, vanders, gus and Clarry will be waiting my little friend

    In our last two grand final appearances, we had bugger all chance because our opponents were masters of physical intimidation.

    Now the shoe is on the other foot and it's beautiful.

    GO DEMONS!!!

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    There were no charges laid from the Match Review of last night’s Elimination Final so we are all clear on that front.

    One matter was explained further.

    Aaron Vandenberg cleared contact JMurdoch, 2nd term. It was ruled Vandenberg made a genuine attempt to tackle and his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances

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    2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    But Spargo was overawed and the heat will rise up next week.

    Spargo showed no signs of being overawed.

    He didn't fumble and used the ball well when he had it.

    He's a smart footballer

    I think his only problem last night was he didn't get a lot of the ball, and lacks penetration in his kicking. That's not being overawed that's just a kid developing.

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    I thought Spargo had a very poor game - clearly overawed.  I would have Garlett in the side in a heartbeat - he creates panic in the opposition because he is quick & mercurial however Goodwin loves Spargo so probably no change.

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    22 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

    There were no charges laid from the Match Review of last night’s Elimination Final so we are all clear on that front.

    One matter was explained further.

    Aaron Vandenberg cleared contact JMurdoch, 2nd term. It was ruled Vandenberg made a genuine attempt to tackle and his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances

    What about Dangerfields backward elbow to Jetta's face?? Jetta is like a punching bag. Gets no support from the MRP........

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    Unless there is a medical reason, dont mess with a winning team.

    God the boys were on last night. Played for that jumper like never before.

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    Was thinking about team changes before the game even started. lol

    On the day, I remember thinking Spargo seemed out of his depth. Too young and small, and too early if you're serious about winning a final. After watching the replay, he obviously didn't get a lot of the ball, but when he did his inside fifties were good. Something we lacked pretty badly. And on further reflection, even if he plays pretty badly, he HAS to be there. These starting 22 players need to get finals experience.

    Tyson was fine. Particularly as the game wore on. Anyone suggesting Smith or Hunt come in have forgotten that neither has played a good game in the seniors this year.

    No change for me.

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    2 hours ago, Rogue said:

    Spargo gave us what he's been giving us for the last 4-6 weeks, so I'd be surprised if he gets dropped now. I don't like forwards that have no goal nous and can't kick over a jam jar, but with no VFL game this week I reckon it's hard for potential ins to change the selectors' minds.

    I think Fritsch is being played out of position, so - sans Lever - Joel Smith releasing Fritsch to play further up the ground is attractive. Fritsch would give us a good link between the arcs and some class in our forward half. It's worth nothing that Fritsch came second in the VFL's 'Coleman' last year. I really think this could be a significant change.

    On Garlett, at anywhere from 80%+ of his best form he would add polish that we desperately need to convert our chances. However, he's been so ordinary at times - including in Casey's final 'home and away' game, the week after he was most recently dropped - that I don't know we can trust him to deliver. I've been a fan, but surely one decent game in Casey's first final is in no way enough to demand a spot.

    I think we'll go in unchanged and defeat the Hawks, but I also think there are guys in the VFL who will have a realistic chance of playing in a prelim final. The fact we're playing on the Friday night is a bonus, since it means we don't need to have anyone sit out the Casey game in case of an AFL call-up. Can't wait for Friday night!

     

     

    8 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

    Was thinking about team changes before the game even started. lol

    On the day, I remember thinking Spargo seemed out of his depth. Too young and small, and too early if you're serious about winning a final. After watching the replay, he obviously didn't get a lot of the ball, but when he did his inside fifties were good. Something we lacked pretty badly. And on further reflection, even if he plays pretty badly, he HAS to be there. These starting 22 players need to get finals experience.

    Tyson was fine. Particularly as the game wore on. Anyone suggesting Smith or Hunt come in have forgotten that neither has played a good game in the seniors this year.

    No change for me.

    I honestly don't understand anyone suggesting Garlett or Hunt. Neither have shown anything at AFL or VFL this year, and although they add an offensive weapon in speed and Garlett offers the potential for high quality goal sneak finishing, their worst drags us down terribly as they leave gaping holes in our structure.

     

     

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