I'm a bit stumped why Joel Smith is now training with the backs. Why would you scrap the forward idea after one preseason game when he kicked 4 goals on one leg? I get that he's a fringe player but, with speed to burn and an excellent leap I see him as a better forward prospect. If he manages to start clunking some of those marks when sailing over packs then lookout. To me, his weaknesses are his kicking and his footy nouse. Without a lot of games, he might get more exposed in the backline.

49 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

I'm a bit stumped why Joel Smith is now training with the backs. Why would you scrap the forward idea after one preseason game when he kicked 4 goals on one leg? I get that he's a fringe player but, with speed to burn and an excellent leap I see him as a better forward prospect. If he manages to start clunking some of those marks when sailing over packs then lookout. To me, his weaknesses are his kicking and his footy nouse. Without a lot of games, he might get more exposed in the backline.

He started as a back got injured... Came back as a fwd... injured... now a back again? Seems like a hodgepodge approach from list management to coaching. 
 

Our inability to score goals seems like the issue and a guy who can (potentially) clunk hangers from our long bombs might be a decent option up fwd.

21 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

I'm a bit stumped why Joel Smith is now training with the backs. Why would you scrap the forward idea after one preseason game when he kicked 4 goals on one leg? I get that he's a fringe player but, with speed to burn and an excellent leap I see him as a better forward prospect. If he manages to start clunking some of those marks when sailing over packs then lookout. To me, his weaknesses are his kicking and his footy nouse. Without a lot of games, he might get more exposed in the backline.

he's been moved back because Frosts departure has left a bit of a hole in our defence, and Fritsch is now preferred as the third tall type forward instead.

6 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

Am I alone in thinking there's a bit of Buddy about Jackson? Give him some time to fill out and what defender is going to be able to outlaw, outrun and outbody him?

OhFFS.    leave the kids alone.!

57 minutes ago, Demon Dude said:

he's been moved back because Frosts departure has left a bit of a hole in our defence, and Fritsch is now preferred as the third tall type forward instead.

Not to mention Brown and Jackson.

6 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

Am I alone in thinking there's a bit of Buddy about Jackson? Give him some time to fill out and what defender is going to be able to outlaw, outrun and outbody him?

Nice avatar/picture thing Grr-owl.

I reckon it’s BOG.

 

5 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Goodwin tries to get too cute.

Instead of addressing the most obvious issues he tries to be clever with these kinds of moves and changes.

Exactly Harmes excelled with a mid field run with role in the main, and now we are trying to turn him into a defender

Nup!!

2 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

I'm a bit stumped why Joel Smith is now training with the backs. Why would you scrap the forward idea after one preseason game when he kicked 4 goals on one leg? I get that he's a fringe player but, with speed to burn and an excellent leap I see him as a better forward prospect. If he manages to start clunking some of those marks when sailing over packs then lookout. To me, his weaknesses are his kicking and his footy nouse. Without a lot of games, he might get more exposed in the backline.

The answer is we do a lot of things on the fly! Another possible reason is that in letting Frost go we have no tall run out of defence!!

Harrison Petty

#35   Melbourne Demons

Age: 20yr 6mth    Games: 11

 

Joel Smith

#44   Melbourne Demons

Age: 24yr 3mth    Games: 11

 

Both coming back from injury.

My tip; much of the forgoing posts are pointless, neither player is coming into the side for a while, baring injury. When/ if they get in the side their position  (forward or back) will be determined by the injured player/s.

Edited June 2, 20204 yr by dworship
context

In todays game, I think its crucial that most players on a list are able to be skilled and professional enough to play in multiple positions if required.  The days of one trick pony's are pretty much gone. 

18 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Goodwin tries to get too cute.

Instead of addressing the most obvious issues he tries to be clever with these kinds of moves and changes.

I think he genuinely believes he is the smartest bloke in the room, and therefore he wastes all his time and effort on low percentage tactical gambles, instead of finding a game plan that suits the players he has at his disposal.

Im surprised the AFL did not increase the bench by at least one more player. I read that other codes were experiencing a high injury rate after comeback. With no reserves playing I thought this was a no-brainer for at least this season.

18 hours ago, It's Time said:

Would love to at least know who of the injured players pre shut down are doing the full training in the main group and are looking fit enough to be picked for the next game.  

If all players are fit enough with possible exception of Bennell and possibly Hannan, will be really interested to see what the team will be. 

We've got 45 on the list and I think only KK and Nietschke are injured,  VDB and Bennell seem to be playing match simulation at training, so that is 43 to select from.

Of that 43 I think only Jackson, Jordon, Rivers and Bradtke have played at AFL level and I think the first 3 are probably ready to go.

So I think we've currently got 42 to choose from.

IMO, much to chagrin from various quarters - OMac, Hibberd and ANB will all play.

It surprises many that Omac is still youngish - 23. We need to keep the investment up IMO.

Hibberd has lost some of his speed and evasive skills but still has his work aptitude. This leads to him kicking round the corner or over his shoulder. he cant hit targets or do much except bang it.To me, finished.

ANB Im conflicted with. His errors are there for all to see, but he is worth it because he makes it to the play. Who else is there waiting on the sidelines that can get to all those contests and butter up again? Hunt, Hannan? Nup.

18 hours ago, MyFavouriteMartian said:

OhFFS.    leave the kids alone.!

No way. 

18 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Nice avatar/picture thing Grr-owl.

I reckon it’s BOG.

 

Cheers, mate. 

19 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Nice avatar/picture thing Grr-owl.

I reckon it’s BOG.

 

I could do one for ya, if you want Just gimme a concept and I'll represent it..... 

2 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

I could do one for ya, if you want Just gimme a concept and I'll represent it..... 

Thanks - it's tempting.

But I think the masses here have come to know Ron Burgundy as being associated with this very basic, and possibly extremely unflattering, self portrait.

I like your work though. It's clean.

 

Anyone know why Oliver and Lever didn’t participate in contact training today?? 
(reported on channel 7)

3 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Anyone know why Oliver and Lever didn’t participate in contact training today?? 
(reported on channel 7)

They have been carrying injuries the last eight weeks and the FD thought they could do with a rest before a big game!,

Sorry jaded could not help myself. 

6 hours ago, Damo said:

It surprises many that Omac is still youngish - 23. We need to keep the investment up IMO.

Hibberd has lost some of his speed and evasive skills but still has his work aptitude. This leads to him kicking round the corner or over his shoulder. he cant hit targets or do much except bang it.To me, finished.

ANB Im conflicted with. His errors are there for all to see, but he is worth it because he makes it to the play. Who else is there waiting on the sidelines that can get to all those contests and butter up again? Hunt, Hannan? Nup.

Oscar should be better this year with a full preseason but I just don't see any reason why he'd suddenly find the aggression and confidence to start taking marks or the quick mind and quick feet to attack the game. He can get back to what he was in 2018 which was a useful plodder to sit on the oppositions weaker key forward (if they have one) but his use then becomes about match ups. If there's a second big bloke who's too tall or strong for Lever or someone like Hibberd or Smith then Oscar gets a game, but if there's not a match up that suits Oscar I'd rather try and finally find out if Smith can get a run of games. 

In terms of repeat efforts to get the ball then Nath Jones is the logical choice at half forward. ANB has a wonderful defensive motor as well but he doesn't stick his tackles against the good teams, with shorter quarters a rotation of young smalls who tackle with more aggression like Pickett, Bedford or Chandler should be trialled. Spargo has the smarts and a pretty decent tank but he's entered the JKH zone of clearly not being comfortable to execute his skills or to mix it physically. 

40 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Anyone know why Oliver and Lever didn’t participate in contact training today?? 
(reported on channel 7)

The write up on the melbournefc website said it was just load management, and they'd be back next session