Changes vs Geelong Rd 2

[Laughing Goat 308]

41 minutes ago, Dame Gaga said:

Please help me out DeeSpencer. I was never good at math, but four players came out of your side and four players came in. Yet I cannot find young Brayshaw. Please explain this anomaly before I organize a search and rescue of the Bermuda Triangle for the poor boy.

Lockhart is also a rookie & can't play seniors 

[Lucifers Hero 39,549]

9 minutes ago, Laughing Goat said:

Lockhart is also a rookie & can't play seniors 

 

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

Chandler is on the rookie list, so he would need to be upgraded.

 

Just to clarify, Rookies can be upgraded without the need for a LTI so its simply lodging the paperwork with AFL House.  Simples.

[hemingway 7,615]

On 3/24/2019 at 11:13 AM, Win4theAges said:

Big Pruessy has to come into the side, its going to be a common theme of Gawny get worked over by a 2 man ruck combo.

Gawn played a shocker on Sat, one not likely to be repeated.

However, you can almost hear the refrain from opposition coaches, players and supporters, "No Gawn No Melbourne""

Beat Gawn and you minimize the opportunities for the Melbourne midfield to control the game. 

Even back in the day, people said the same thing about the great players, No Barassi No Melbourne, No Hudson No Hawthorn, No Hart No Richmond, No Dusty or Rance No Richmond etc etc.

However, subject to injury, great champions have the ability to bounce back and rarely play poor games.

Also great sides and great coaches can come up with ways to minimize the loss or poor form of a champion. 

I have no doubt that Gawn will bounce back but he will need to as Melbourne is not a great side at the moment and we don't have a great coach at the moment. I am not saying that Goodwin is a poor coach but he clearly has a view about the game plan and how he wants his team to play but this appears to limit his creativity and flexibility on game day.

It will be interesting to see if the addition of Preuss will make a difference but I doubt it. The opponents strategy will be to counter Gawn whether Preuss is on the field or not.  He may provide support to Gawn but he this will not stop the focus on Max. 

[grey wolf 226]

Albeit my smoked eyes and watching without sound in the mullumbimby pub could have impacted my judgement but... I thought our two most ineffectual players were the fat boy and little Spargo (and of course Viney who looked sore).

consensus is May will come in for either OMac Hore or Frosty... I’d make it OMac to go to Casey and try and get some steel. Happy for Hore  to get 3 or 4 games to see if he can get up with the speed of the game. I like frosty’s craziness.

billy Stretch has got to have more flexibility than Spargo even if only so Jones or Frittata don’t have to play wing. Spargo can play midfield for Casey and try gain some new tricks.

the fat boy is a worry. I’d like him to play at Casey and he can’t get back until he rips it up there two weeks in a row and he would have a license to be selfish. Keilty starts on the bench and gives Weed and Max spells.

If Lewis is fit I’d bring him in for Viney who can’t come back until he is pain free and fit enough to play at least 80% game time.

4 changes is a lot but we don’t wan to be 0-2 or 0-4 before we move..

TEAM could look like 

Jetta May Hore

Salem Frost Hibberd

Stretch Gus Jones

Melksham Weed ANB

Hunt Tmac Frittata 

Gawn Oliver Harmes

I/C.... Sparrow Keilty Wagner  (Lewis or Viney)

 

 

[DemonLad5 1,642]

In: May, Kolodjasnij?? (We are really lacking choice at the moment)

Out: Viney, Frost

[Deespicable 2,717]

Always tricky for coaches after round 1 to throw your best-laid plans out the door. So while I am pushing for four changes, it would not surprise me to see just two - May and KK in.

We all know that Goody has preferred OMac's precision kicking over Frost's dash and dare, it took six goals from TomaHawk at the Cattery last year before he finally conceded Frosty was better one-on-one than OMac.  Frosty's two big howlers on Saturday will cost him, so unfortunately we are stuck with the slow and steady OMac - 63 games now but has anyone ever really warmed to him for his workrate and intensity. He'll play on Esava and May will take Tom-a-Hawk.

Clearly we were also smashed at the stoppages, but I expect a response from Gawn, Oliver and Viney. If they don't, we won't be playing finals, but they will fire up because they are all competitors.

Our lack of outside run will require at least one change. KK is a cert and Billy must be pretty close to coming straight back in to provide more run. The tricky thing is to find room for them.

Hore was badly beaten a couple of times against Port and I can't recall too many successful intercepts.  The Cats new small forward set up won't really suit him match-up wise and Fritter can play his role anyway. That frees up one wing for KK.

Spargo is yet to show the same crumbing and evasive ability in four games ( 3 pre-season) as last year, so it's time for him to go back and dominate in VFL for a few weeks. Sparrow was handy as the small forward and Wags junior worked his butt off even if he wasn't able to impact much. I'd play Wags Jr as a pressure small with ANB and free up the other wing/midfield rotation for Billy.

The final change is whether we need a protector up forward as well as a better back-up tapman than Weid who conceded two goals through ineffectual work when rucking. Like others I don't quite see why we dropped the Gawn/Preuss experiment so quickly - it worked so well against the Pies. Sure Preuss is slow, but he's a scary body and down at the Cattery we need that. 

Being a night game, I'd have plans two sets of plans according to the weather. If it's still a mild night, then play the three bigs - Weid, T-Mac and Preuss - and leave out Christian Petracca - how many games is he going to get before he has to work on his weaknesses at VFL level. But if it's wet or greasy I'd leave out Weid because his ruck work is so poor that Esava will exploit him.

In: May, KK, Stretch and Preuss

Out: Frost, Hore, Spargo and Petracca (Weid if wet).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DemonLad5 1,642]

We could genuinely be an 0-4... 

[Diamond_Jim 12,529]

Viney was less than stellar yet his form in the Casey practice match was top class.

Was there an injury or was it just a step up too soon.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

35 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

In: May, Kolodjasnij?? (We are really lacking choice at the moment)

Out: Viney, Frost

Agree DL5. I'd like to find a spot for Preuss to support Max, but I think speed is the need. If not KK, maybe Stretch (urghhh!). I want to see Oscar Baker sooner rather than later. Disposal by foot is the problem with Stretch and Baker.

So much for depth....

[GCDee 3,199]

34 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

We could genuinely be an 0-4... 

That is a real "loser" way of thinking. 

How could you have us down for a loss in round 3 against the Dons given their performance on the weekend? They have the ability to bounce back after a poor performance but because we play poorly in round one our season is dead? 

Out of curiosity, round 1 last year did you give up on the season straight away? From memory in that game we didn't play anywhere near our best and some how were still in the game until the final siren. 

We were in the game (on the scoreboard) in the last quarter on the weekend, playing with 3 debutantes and a lot of senior players with limited preseason. Sure, Jones & Viney were likely not ready based on match fitness, however who would come in for those boys? They will be better for the run and I can guarantee they will not play that poorly next week.  

Sure we played poorly on the weekend, I got no doubt we will bounce back and play much closer to our best footy this weekend, have a little faith in your team and the powers in charge at the club. 

Just remember we could also genuinely be 3-1. 

 

 

[Wiseblood 24,637]

13 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Agree DL5. I'd like to find a spot for Preuss to support Max, but I think speed is the need. If not KK, maybe Stretch (urghhh!). I want to see Oscar Baker sooner rather than later. Disposal by foot is the problem with Stretch and Baker.

So much for depth....

Bit harsh when we have J Smith, AVB, Hannan, Lewis, Garlett, Lever, JKH, T Smith and May out of the side for Round 1.  I know some of those aren't best 22, but they add to our depth.  Every team begins to scrape the barrel a little when the injuries mount up a little.  

[Wiseblood 24,637]

6 minutes ago, GCDee said:

That is a real "loser" way of thinking. 

How could you have us down for a loss in round 3 against the Dons given their performance on the weekend? They have the ability to bounce back after a poor performance but because we play poorly in round one our season is dead? 

Out of curiosity, round 1 last year did you give up on the season straight away? From memory in that game we didn't play anywhere near our best and some how were still in the game until the final siren. 

We were in the game (on the scoreboard) in the last quarter on the weekend, playing with 3 debutantes and a lot of senior players with limited preseason. Sure, Jones & Viney were likely not ready based on match fitness, however who would come in for those boys? They will be better for the run and I can guarantee they will not play that poorly next week.  

Sure we played poorly on the weekend, I got no doubt we will bounce back and play much closer to our best footy this weekend, have a little faith in your team and the powers in charge at the club. 

Just remember we could also genuinely be 3-1. 

 

 

Love the positivity, GC.  Back in '06 we started off the year 0-3 and then went on to win 11 of our next 12.  A few early losses doesn't confine us to the bottom 10.  As you say, we could easily go 3-1 if we get back to playing the Melbourne way.  

[GCDee 3,199]

1 minute ago, Wiseblood said:

Love the positivity, GC.  Back in '06 we started off the year 0-3 and then went on to win 11 of our next 12.  A few early losses doesn't confine us to the bottom 10.  As you say, we could easily go 3-1 if we get back to playing the Melbourne way.  

Thanks Wise... I really cannot believe the over reactions on here over a loss, surely we weren't expecting to go 22-0 then 3-0 in finals.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

1 minute ago, GCDee said:

Thanks Wise... I really cannot believe the over reactions on here over a loss, surely we weren't expecting to go 22-0 then 3-0 in finals.

I can understand the reactions - I think we were all going in to this game thinking we would win, and to lose the way we did was a let down.  Higher finishes and a better list means the expectations rise and, therefore, losses like this one are analysed more harshly.

I think we'll be right.  It just might take us some time to get there.

[Brownie 5,969]

1 hour ago, hemingway said:

Gawn played a shocker on Sat, one not likely to be repeated.

However, you can almost hear the refrain from opposition coaches, players and supporters, "No Gawn No Melbourne""

Beat Gawn and you minimize the opportunities for the Melbourne midfield to control the game. 

Even back in the day, people said the same thing about the great players, No Barassi No Melbourne, No Hudson No Hawthorn, No Hart No Richmond, No Dusty or Rance No Richmond etc etc.

However, subject to injury, great champions have the ability to bounce back and rarely play poor games.

Also great sides and great coaches can come up with ways to minimize the loss or poor form of a champion. 

I have no doubt that Gawn will bounce back but he will need to as Melbourne is not a great side at the moment and we don't have a great coach at the moment. I am not saying that Goodwin is a poor coach but he clearly has a view about the game plan and how he wants his team to play but this appears to limit his creativity and flexibility on game day.

It will be interesting to see if the addition of Preuss will make a difference but I doubt it. The opponents strategy will be to counter Gawn whether Preuss is on the field or not.  He may provide support to Gawn but he this will not stop the focus on Max. 

I agree about Preuss. We got beaten by leg speed and contested possessions in the mid field.

He wouldn't have made a difference.

I thought Dec Keilty did alright in JLT and may be better suited to support Gawn while having some more toe than Preuss

[Laughing Goat 308]

18 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Bit harsh when we have J Smith, AVB, Hannan, Lewis, Garlett, Lever, JKH, T Smith and May out of the side for Round 1.  I know some of those aren't best 22, but they add to our depth.  Every team begins to scrape the barrel a little when the injuries mount up a little.  

Yeah I agree......also some are quick to critisize Frosty, O'mac & other players who have had very little senior footy for their disposal inefficiency, when the embarrasment from the weekend came from 2 or 3 of our most senior players.

Coach has to grow some plums!

[Wiseblood 24,637]

1 minute ago, Laughing Goat said:

Yeah I agree......also some are quick to critisize Frosty, O'mac & other players who have had very little senior footy for their disposal inefficiency, when the embarrasment from the weekend came from 2 or 3 of our most senior players.

Coach has to grow some plums!

I've defended both, but Frost and O Mac are clearly depth players for us.  Are they going to improve beyond their current capabilities?  Probably not.  But they are handy depth players.

[Laughing Goat 308]

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I've defended both, but Frost and O Mac are clearly depth players for us.  Are they going to improve beyond their current capabilities?  Probably not.  But they are handy depth players.

I disagree WB.

Depth players don't usually play 70 games in there first 4 years & like Oscar or not (& I do) he is here to stay......or at least will Goodwin is coach.

[Garbo 1,519]

It all started in the middle, gawn, gus, oliver and harmes were all beaten by there direct opponents. Until this is rectified everything else is window dressing. Unfortunately there no easy fix for that as that is our A team for the foreseeable future, Viney and Vanders when fit will help. Maybe we could use Trac in the middle more in the mean time or Salem who seems to be up and about.

May in should help specifically against Hawkins this week, KK, Stretch, and Wagner should all in consideration to come in for 1 or both of Viney and Spargo as both could use a spell

[Wiseblood 24,637]

3 minutes ago, Laughing Goat said:

I disagree WB.

Depth players don't usually play 70 games in there first 4 years & like Oscar or not (& I do) he is here to stay......or at least will Goodwin is coach.

If they weren't depth players, then we wouldn't have gone so hard at recruiting Lever and May.

[WERRIDEE 5,436]

5 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

They are not going to drop those 3 players all at the same time, if you think that the back six were solely responsible for saturday's  loss you are sadly mistaken.

Why not? Kolodjashnij comes in straight replacement for Hore and Petty who played well in the VFL according to Drunkin replaces Oscar the spud and May was always going to replace Frost. Any of those 3 stay in and spud up the side watch a belting. The midfield and forward line can improve those 3 can't.

[DeeSpencer 25,442]

3 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

Please help me out DeeSpencer. I was never good at math, but four players came out of your side and four players came in. Yet I cannot find young Brayshaw. Please explain this anomaly before I organize a search and rescue of the Bermuda Triangle for the poor boy.

2 Clayton's, 0 Brayshaw's.

After hearing the Casey reviews and reflecting on the game some more I'm actually more likely to stick with Hore and hope he can pick up the tempo. Change both the key defenders. And make at least one change to the half forwards.

The other thought I keep coming back to is what to do with Viney. If he isn't 100% cherry ripe I'd rather he miss a couple of weeks. There's just too great a difference between his best football and when he's not healthy.

[The Chazz 4,077]

23 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

If vandenBerg is out for the season then suddenly the loss of Kent hurts even more.

Is that because Kent would generally keep him company during rehab?

My issue with Goodwin is that he continually picks his project players.  Last year it was the likes of Maynard and Joel Smith getting picked, this year it already seems that it could be the likes of Hore and Wagner that will get games even though they perform quite poorly.  There are absolutely times where we can carry a couple of those types of players, so their individual performance goes unnoticed, but on the weekend, just like Round 1 last year vs Geelong, I just felt he (Goody) puts too much faith in to players that he has brought in to the club.

I mentioned it on Thursday night when the teams were released that our 19-22 players were poor, and when Lewis was a late out, it meant we were carrying 4 or 5 players that I don't think really justified a senior selection.  Add to that the likes of Jones, Viney and Melksham being underdone, it had all the ingredients for a disaster, which is what duly eventuated.  I do acknowledge that the cupboard would've been quite bare when names of available players were thrown around during Match Committee meeting.

 

[Laughing Goat 308]

1 hour ago, Wiseblood said:

If they weren't depth players, then we wouldn't have gone so hard at recruiting Lever and May.

I agree with Frost being a depth player, but I haven't seen any evidence thus far that suggests that Oscar is a depth player.......the proof will be when Lever returns in the later half of the year when May is also in the side.

We all know he's one of Goodwin's fav's so let's not dance around that fact either. 

He wont be dropped.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

I highly, highly doubt Goody and the FD see Omac as 'depth'. More likely they see him as a key back for us for the next 8 years, barring major injury.

May and Omac will be our kpd's, Lever 3rd tall, Frost depth.