8 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

So based on Lever’s write up, Goodwin is backing the midget forward line to get the job done. He mentioned Weid and TMac playing high HF roles and relying on Melky Fritta and Kozzie. This may work on transition once in a while, but given that we often win the midfield battle and bomb forward, the disconnect will continue. Any coach, who had 3 months to review any of the tapes from rd 1, would be able to pick that up. 
 

Then you have McDonald’s interview, which was less than convincing. He suggests that supporters may still feel frustrated by the forward structure. That sounded more like he was frustrated. Probably because he is again being played out of position. 
 

hate to sound pessimistic, but the script seems written. Dominate the midfield, win clearances, have good defence but cannot convert inside 50s to goals. A losing formula. And when we get outnumbered on the rebound, sides cut ya up and score easily. 
 

happy to be proven wrong, but I don’t think this side is going anywhere under Goodwin. He seems stubborn and talks a lot, but we never see the action. A real salesman

Wait and see how we go against the Blues. If we can't score against them we are in big trouble their backline is ordinary. Goodwin has 1 last chance a failure against the Blues then he's gone.

Was Harmes played down back most of the game? 

1 minute ago, JTR said:

Was Harmes played down back most of the game? 

I saw him in the centre square in the highlights. He was needed down back against West Coast but with Salem coming in I think he will play his customary role in the midfield with only patches down back.

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

With Hannan playing so poorly you would think Bennell would be in the box seat to take the last spot as the 7th forward. I am really interested in what Lever says.

I'm thinking he might be in line to replace Bedford, who was quite good in Round 1.

On talent, Bennell could replace anyone in the team, it's more a matter of whether he is fit and match conditioned.

 

West Coast have put a 7 minute video of their game up, hoping for a similar video from us but probably dreaming! Liam Ryan looking amazing. 

2 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

I'm thinking he might be in line to replace Bedford, who was quite good in Round 1.

On talent, Bennell could replace anyone in the team, it's more a matter of whether he is fit and match conditioned.

 

I think Bedford is a certainty to be dropped along with Brown, Spargo and ANB. He only showed something in the last 5 minutes of the West Coast game when he smothered the ball and handpassed it to Kossie. I thought Hannan was a chance but reading Lever's comments I think it's slim. It will be a great story to see Bennell line up for the Dees.

16 minutes ago, JTR said:

Was Harmes played down back most of the game? 

The reports I’ve seen said he was down back all game

39 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

We have a plethora of defenders.

We have very few forwards.

Smith is a better forward than defender.

We are playing Smith as a defender.

We never learn.

And Harmes down back who is a goal kicking mid and a great tagger. 

26 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

So based on Lever’s write up, Goodwin is backing the midget forward line to get the job done. He mentioned Weid and TMac playing high HF roles and relying on Melky Fritta and Kozzie. This may work on transition once in a while, but given that we often win the midfield battle and bomb forward, the disconnect will continue. Any coach, who had 3 months to review any of the tapes from rd 1, would be able to pick that up. 
 

Then you have McDonald’s interview, which was less than convincing. He suggests that supporters may still feel frustrated by the forward structure. That sounded more like he was frustrated. Probably because he is again being played out of position. 
 

hate to sound pessimistic, but the script seems written. Dominate the midfield, win clearances, have good defence but cannot convert inside 50s to goals. A losing formula. And when we get outnumbered on the rebound, sides cut ya up and score easily. 
 

happy to be proven wrong, but I don’t think this side is going anywhere under Goodwin. He seems stubborn and talks a lot, but we never see the action. A real salesman

Careful with the criticism of Goodwin.

Apparently he’s untouchable according to a few around here, despite guiding us to second last and overseeing one of the worst seasons in modern day MFC history.

I agree with you in that our forward line structure and personnel down there is probably going to hold us back from winning too many games this year.

The club is now unrecognisable to the one that won 6 in a row in 2018 while scoring 100 points without fail.

 

2 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Careful with the criticism of Goodwin.

Apparently he’s untouchable according to a few around here, despite guiding us to second last and overseeing one of the worst seasons in modern day MFC history.

I agree with you in that our forward line structure and personnel down there is probably going to hold us back from winning too many games this year.

The club is now unrecognisable to the one that won 6 in a row in 2018 while scoring 100 points without fail.

Sort of like his decision to play Harmes, one of our most attacking mids in 2018, in the backline. It boggles my mind.

3 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

The reports I’ve seen said he was down back all game

The report said he was a defender it didn't mention him spending the entire game there. According to Chaplin we play 7 backs. Jetta, May, Lever, Salem, Smith, Hibberd and Lockhart make 7 allowing Harmes to spend more time in the midfield you would think. I hope we don't go too defensive with Harmes down back as well and considering O.Mac will be stiff to miss out.

5 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

Sort of like his decision to play Harmes, one of our most attacking mids in 2018, in the backline. It boggles my mind.

Spot on.

Harmes sniffs the goals more than the likes of our regular mids in Viney, Brayshaw and particularly Oliver. Yet the coach of the second most impotent attacking side in the league deploys him down back, hence robbing us of a goal kicking option.

It's looking like they are trying to turn Harmes I to the Jack Crisp type player off the the half back with some run and dash.

My issue is Harmes is also one of our best lock down midfielders. Harmes turning into a tagger in 2018 was one of the big reasons we played finals. He shut down some big names that really benefited the team heading into the back end of that year.

I personally don't agree with him down back. 

But I am also not the coach. 

Midfield is stacked. Harmes is in the backline to break the lines. Which we don’t have anyone for. I think it’s a great idea.

Especially if Petracca steps up.

4 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Midfield is stacked. Harmes is in the backline to break the lines. Which we don’t have anyone for. I think it’s a great idea.

Especially if Petracca steps up.

Yep, I get the logic.

So far he hasn't really stepped up in the role but it's very early days.

Let's see how he reads the play, he's good around the ball & in the contest when taken to it.

...but does he have the footy smarts to make the play off half back.

Limited viewing in preseason & the WC game throw some doubt but time will tell.

Harmes 2020 = Fritsch 2019

Need one say more

1 hour ago, rpfc said:

Midfield is stacked. Harmes is in the backline to break the lines. Which we don’t have anyone for. I think it’s a great idea.

Especially if Petracca steps up.

Think that Lockhart and when given the opportunity Rivers  will provide that Run and line break

Also if in the team Smith will contribute as well as May and Lever.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

It's looking like they are trying to turn Harmes I to the Jack Crisp type player off the the half back with some run and dash.

My issue is Harmes is also one of our best lock down midfielders. Harmes turning into a tagger in 2018 was one of the big reasons we played finals. He shut down some big names that really benefited the team heading into the back end of that year.

I personally don't agree with him down back. 

But I am also not the coach. 

Agree Harmsey should be in a positive tag role or up forward when resting 

He can  find the ball and is not a bad kick or converter at least by our standards!

44 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Harmes 2020 = Fritsch 2019

Need one say more

Ultimately the jury is out, we won’t know until the end of the year. If we have less injuries then the midfield is stacked with his style, although I think for certain matches we could see him moved back into a run with role. It was something we did with Vince so don’t be surprised if Harmes does it as well. 

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Other great news was Vanders out on the Park.

Many  doomsayers Have mis read his injury and just assumed it was on top of the 2018 one and written him off and summarily retired him.

Yes it could be another false dawn but it's been good to watch him in many of the matches on TV recall and other Demons matches while  in lockdown. We won most that I have watched also.

Jonesy  will give our half Howard spot a boost at about 2 goals a game of course with Kossie so it's the mids and talls of the forward line that need to simulate with the ball coming down for us to score at a sufficient rate From our chances to win.

Harley and  revitalised kicking star in Trac should assist no doubt also.

With Tommy Melk  and Fritta   plus Weid And Petty  I reckon their is enough ability to gel together,

Let's see  any way It's against the top 4 or5 that we may be less proficient!

 

 

Anyone know how Kyle Dunkley is travelling? Noticed him a fair bit in Marc McGowan highlights that he posted. Looked clean.

10 hours ago, rpfc said:

Midfield is stacked. 

It’s not.

12 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Goodwin has 1 last chance a failure against the Blues then he's gone.

Total rot, Goodwin will at least see his contract out.

Edited June 7, 20205 yr by drysdale demon
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12 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

Total rot, Goodwin will at least see his contract out.

Well he had better start getting us into finals. This team is pretty much his selections. No finals no Goodwin IMO. He has till the end of 2021. Not one game longer.