On 4/12/2019 at 8:50 AM, Redleg said:

Did you notice Bruce gushing over the Swans and actually barracking for them?

Yep everything Sydney did was brilliant or special while we got a comment that was good. Totally bias commentary. 

56 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Gotta be OMac for Petty, Keilty, anyone else? 

Unless due to concussion, Omac will not be dropped. Bank on it.

20 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Over his career, both with us and the Blues, he has played St. Kilda 15 times and kicked 23.12.

Edit - he has kicked 8 goals in 6 games against the Saints for us.  Not terrific numbers.

Thanks bro - then that’s a no..

Lockhart played really well the first few weeks, small and quick, and makes his presence known. Assuming he's OK, he should come in for Spargo. I'd like to see Petty get another go, maybe that will come now with Oscar getting a knock? Jeffy played well in the resies from what I read, just don't know whether he will need another good game or two. If he comes in, would have thought to replace Stretch. Leave Lewis for the Tiges, make sure he's right.

According to Misson, Omac has no issues after the concussion, and will be available for selection this week. Lewis is looking to make himself available with a normal training session this week. Preuss will be subject to a test, but the hope is he will be available. May is still 2-4 weeks away. 

Out OMac. In a deck chair or witches hat.

On 4/14/2019 at 5:50 PM, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

There are 168 hours in a week* of which game time is about 2.5. You'd think that the remaining 165.5 hours would be sufficient time for any player to rest. But, clubs "rest" players all the time, so clearly the effects of a single game are significant. However, I can't see how any player should need a "rest" after only four games. If he's injured, don't play him; if he's just out of form, decide whether he needs more game time to recover touch or whether he needs to drop back to Casey for a while. For what it's worth, in my view he's playing OK. Not AA form that he's capable of, but not worthy of demoting, either.  

 

*Note: 168 hours is a normal week. Six day breaks, etc, stuff up the maths. 

Does playing Fortnite constitute 'rest' 

OUT: Spargo, J Wagner, Stretch

IN: Lockhart, Lewis, Jetta

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Out OMac. In a deck chair or witches hat.

You mean the dunce hat right?

Oh and finally, with an ordinary ruck, expect Saints to shark Gawn and lead the centre clearances until half-time. Their midfield is also very potent as seen last week. It will be a battle in the middle - if we win that we’ll go a long way in giving us a chance to take the chocolates.

Edited April 15, 20196 yr by DeezNuts

15 minutes ago, DeezNuts said:

Oh and finally, with an ordinary ruck, expect Saints to shark Gawn and lead the centre clearances until half-time. Their midfield is also very potent as seen last week. It will be a battle in the middle - if we win that we’ll go a long way in giving us a chance to take the chocolates.

While their  midfield has the type of players that can hurt us, like florent for sydney, they run into the contest with pace and dash away, they were made to look better by a hawthorn midfield missing mitchell and o'meara, and copping injuries didnt help. we need to structure up right, when we dont win the clearance we cant leave clear avenues like we did in rounds 1 to 3 and florent took advantage of as well until we tightened up.

9 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Unless due to concussion, Omac will not be dropped. Bank on it.

Very risky decision if that is the case. 

6 hours ago, DeezNuts said:

Oh and finally, with an ordinary ruck, expect Saints to shark Gawn and lead the centre clearances until half-time. Their midfield is also very potent as seen last week. It will be a battle in the middle - if we win that we’ll go a long way in giving us a chance to take the chocolates.

Sharking is their key to forward clearances, and the Saints are good at it this year. For them, the alternative is to be knocked out of the way by our midfielders, so I would expect two of their players will be roving to Gawn, and three on the outside from there. If we can 'bullock' them then there might be resistance and drive against them so Viney and Clarrie must expect a tough game. 

6 hours ago, DeezNuts said:

You mean the dunce hat right?

Nicely posited - calling a spade a bloody useless spade - he is not a good inclusion for our team. As finally noticed last week, we are a better team and far more potent/resisting/rebounding/resourceful without OMac. Put in a younger and mobile player with skills and endeavour to blend with the rest of the backline.

9 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

According to Misson, Omac has no issues after the concussion, and will be available for selection this week. Lewis is looking to make himself available with a normal training session this week. Preuss will be subject to a test, but the hope is he will be available. May is still 2-4 weeks away. 

Lewis in hbflank, OMac out, in Keilty/Petty. Preuss in. Maybe retain Stretch for clearances. 

9 hours ago, DemonOX said:

Yep everything Sydney did was brilliant or special while we got a comment that was good. Totally bias commentary. 

Noted. Star-struck. Sensationalism fed and anticipated. Didn't happen in the end. Sorry Bruce. So often it made for 'exciting' commentary but not this time, 

20 hours ago, willmoy said:

Good comment buck. At some point, and maybe coming soon, there is going to have to be a decision on whether to play Oliver. The midfields are going to have to be ready with plans B C and D especially outside Mids.

Problem solved We don't have any outside mids!!!

I watched the replay for the first time in yonks - and I'm afraid I have to agree with a few of the disagreeable folk on here; we were mostly [censored] and Jones was actually horrible despite providing on-field inspiration for the first time that I can recall. Omac on the other hand wasn't as bad as I thought, although him spending a massive chunk of time off the ground probably helped as to this perception.

This however is possibly what you want most from a third-string defender - simply to not see them during the match, and maybe Oscar has found his true calling as a bench-warmer. Stretch, in a similar sense, was a revelation, in largely going unnoticed rather than getting in the way and [censored] it up a la ANB. (Please note: I love ANB, in the same way I loved Fitzy).

Otherwise, I'll be first to admit that I have no real idea of which Wagner is which when the ball is in play - especially when one or more of them share a Hitler youth haircut with Spargo - but the most [censored] of them can give way for Jetta, while the other less [censored] one of them can come out for Garlett, although I suspect one of them had a relatively decent game.

Out: the entire Wagner family

In: Garlett and Jetta.

Lucky: Jones and Omac and Hibberd and Stretch and Spargo (the new Pedo with a 75% W/L record)

Not lucky but needs a rev-up: Melksham and still Tmac

Unlucky: Keilty and Lockhart

Not unlucky: ANB and Petty

Can wait: Lewis and May

22 minutes ago, Skuit said:

I watched the replay for the first time in yonks - and I'm afraid I have to agree with a few of the disagreeable folk on here; we were mostly [censored] and Jones was actually horrible despite providing on-field inspiration for the first time that I can recall. Omac on the other hand wasn't as bad as I thought, although him spending a massive chunk of time off the ground probably helped as to this perception.

This however is possibly what you want most from a third-string defender - simply to not see them during the match, and maybe Oscar has found his true calling as a bench-warmer. Stretch, in a similar sense, was a revelation, in largely going unnoticed rather than getting in the way and [censored] it up a la ANB. (Please note: I love ANB, in the same way I loved Fitzy).

Otherwise, I'll be first to admit that I have no real idea of which Wagner is which when the ball is in play - especially when one or more of them share a Hitler youth haircut with Spargo - but the most [censored] of them can give way for Jetta, while the other less [censored] one of them can come out for Garlett, although I suspect one of them had a relatively decent game.

Out: the entire Wagner family

In: Garlett and Jetta.

Lucky: Jones and Omac and Hibberd and Stretch and Spargo (the new Pedo with a 75% W/L record)

Not lucky but needs a rev-up: Melksham and still Tmac

Unlucky: Keilty and Lockhart

Not unlucky: ANB and Petty

Can wait: Lewis and May

I reckon Melksham (or Melsham if you're Bruce) has been one of our best this year. So dangerous whenever he's in the play.

Reckon Lewis has to come straight back in, we've so desperately missed his leadership/direction this year. I can't believe he wouldn't be a better option than Josh Wagner at this point (who was fine on Thursday).

I'm on the fence with Spargo, I think he's a smart footballer, just not athletic.. Was C Wagner playing forward this week? If so than its a choice between those two for Lockhart, because I've loved what he's done this year. A firing Garlett and Lockhart (based on exposed form) is very appealing.

Agree that its about time Petty got given another chance (but my opinion is still tainted by his horrific debut). I think we are getting too many changes at this point in any case given Jetta should come straight back in too.

Out: Wagner, Wagner, Stretch, Spargo

In: Lewis, Jetta, Lockhart, Garlett

Guess Spargo had to go in the end...

To think, we've still got May and Lever to come...

 

The biggest problem this week is going to be the ground itself. We need fit runners for the MCG or St Kilda will have a field day.

Having Preuss in the forward line makes it easier for the ball to come straight back out again so hopefully he's giving the Saints too much grief for them to capitalise on his slow defensive pressure. 

Stretch didn't have a huge impact on the game but I was heartened to see him sprint off to spread and present after a free kick was awarded, when other players stood there or jogged away. I'm inclined to keep him in for just that reason and hope for some incremental improvement and impact.

The Wagners are similar in that they offer good run and pressure at a time when we most need it. J Wagner was the better of the two this week. If Lewis comes in Josh will go out.

Spargo, while not troubling the statistician too often, uses the ball very well often resulting in goals at a time when we're struggling. I think he's got a fair way to go with his tank.

Oscar was fine at least in the first quarter. Not sure when his concussion occurred but I'm happy for him to stay if it was before those appalling attempts to spoil.

Hibberd isn't offering much at the moment but I doubt he'll be dropped. They'll continue to attempt to play him into form.

Happy for Lockhart to come back in.

Keen for Garlett to get back in if his pressure is on.

I'd like Lewis back in as we need his leadership but we already know he's slow and he's probably not going to cover as much ground as we need him to, until he's match conditioned. I want him to play at least one of the two (Richmond may be the better option)

Jetta if his knee is recovered, but against Essendon he was struggling to move.

 

Just now, watchtheeyes said:

I reckon Melksham (or Melsham if you're Bruce) has been one of our best this year. So dangerous whenever he's in the play.

Reckon Lewis has to come straight back in, we've so desperately missed his leadership/direction this year. I can't believe he wouldn't be a better option than Josh Wagner at this point (who was fine on Thursday).

Agree that its about time Petty got given another chance (but my opinion is still tainted by his horrific debut). I think we are getting too many changes at this point in any case given Jetta should come straight back in too.

Out: Wagner, Wagner, Stretch, Spargo

In: Lewis, Jetta, Lockhart, Garlett

Guess Spargo had to go in the end...

To think, we've still got May and Lever to come...

 

Melksham to me has been lucky over the MFC journey with respect to frees, and in my opinion is now looking to engage one-on-one contact to draw such frees rather than going to meet the ball - in which marking respect he's been incredibly fumbly this year as well. He still contributes, but is not playing with the intensity and running he should. Also, in no way whatsoever did I say Petty should come in.  Putting him back in the Saints would amount to mental cruelty, as he was pretty much the difference in our loss against that mob last year. Lewis I cared about before last week - but we showed last week that our defence can stand up with midfield leadership.

1 minute ago, Skuit said:

Melksham to me has been lucky over the MFC journey with respect to frees, and in my opinion is now looking to engage one-on-one contact to draw such frees rather than going to meet the ball - in which marking respect he's been incredibly fumbly this year as well. He still contributes, but is not playing with the intensity and running he should. Also, in no way whatsoever did I say Petty should come in.  Putting him back in the Saints would amount to mental cruelty, as he was pretty much the difference in our loss against that mob last year. Lewis I cared about before last week - but we showed last week that our defence can stand up with midfield leadership.

We clearly see his performance differently. I have seen three of the four games (missed Geelong) and on the basis of that sample, I couldn't disagree with you more.

12 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Melksham to me has been lucky over the MFC journey with respect to frees, and in my opinion is now looking to engage one-on-one contact to draw such frees rather than going to meet the ball - in which marking respect he's been incredibly fumbly this year as well. He still contributes, but is not playing with the intensity and running he should. Also, in no way whatsoever did I say Petty should come in.  Putting him back in the Saints would amount to mental cruelty, as he was pretty much the difference in our loss against that mob last year. Lewis I cared about before last week - but we showed last week that our defence can stand up with midfield leadership.

It always looks like a player is playing for the free when the ball is kicked to the top of their heads. Teammates don’t kick to advantage. That’s happened a lot with Melksham. He has to stand there and grapple with opponents that apply octopus interference. His threat makes him an obvious target for very close checking. He is never allowed space. Melksham has been unlucky to not get some very obvious frees. He could try to lead up and lose his marker  a little more though. 

Edited April 15, 20196 yr by america de cali

1 minute ago, america de cali said:

It always looks like a player is playing for the free when the ball is kicked to the top of their heads. Teammates don’t kick to advantage. That’s happened a lot with Melksham. He has to stand there and grapple with opponents that apply octopus interference. Melksham has been unlucky to not get some very obvious frees. He could try to lead up a little more though. 

Such as when Hurley hit him in the head (accidentally) when spoiling a marking attempt, followed by grabbing him over the shoulder and finally pushing him in the back. All in the same contest, but in separate, clearly visible movements. Play on called as the ball went over the boundary line.

(That game had the worst umpiring of any game I have seen in the last 5 years. And it wasn't just Melbourne supporters who thought so. The media also spoke about it during and after the game.)

Just now, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

We clearly see his performance differently. I have seen three of the four games (missed Geelong) and on the basis of that sample, I couldn't disagree with you more.

I'm happy to be corrected. As a statistical average he's taken around five marks per week average with us and above four across his career. The last two weeks have produced four marks. There's of course a lot more to it than that. But my point, as it was, is that he is too busy trying to draw contact/frees atm rather than meeting the ball, and his contested marking is way way down. We can continue to discuss with footage if either of us could be bothered.