CHANGES: Rd 03 vs Essendon

[Lord Nev 13,512]

1 hour ago, goodwindees said:

My mail is that they really want AVB in, but after last week it is too hard to drop Hunt & they won’t drop Jones & Melksham after one poor game.  So, I’m saying IN: Kossie & Weid. OUT: Jackson, & ANB.

I'm no huge ANB fan, but if they review that game honestly and decide to drop ANB ahead of both Jones and Melksham then I'm officially on the sack Goodwin train as it's clear he's not the 'win, no matter what' coach we need to be successful.

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

FB:  Jetta,  May,  Lever

HB:  Harmes,  Smith,  Rivers

CL:  Tomlinson,  Oliver,  Langdon

HF:  Jones,  Weide,  Bennell

FF:  Melksham,  Hunt,  TMc

Rk:  Gawn,  Petracca,  Viney

 

Int:  Salem,  Fritsch,  Hibbo,  Sparrow

 

Ins:  Weide,  Hibbo,  Sparrow

 

Emer:  OMc,  Brayshaw,  Jackson,  Jordan,  Pickett,  Lockhart

[Satyriconhome 10,879]

1 hour ago, Buzzy said:

I agree.  I like Smith as a forward - or at least half-forward.  With Howe and Pedo departing, we lost our only real marking strengths. Especially now Tmac has suddenly started judging the ball flight about as well his brother.

The poor guy has played next to no footy in the last 3 years.  We have to let him build confidence.  It's pretty obvious he has more in his kit bag than Omac athletically, so we've got to give him a chance to learn the game and develop.

Footy IQ...  Not really our strong suit is it..

 

 

'Footy IQ.....Not really our strong suit is it'

That is one of the harshest but truthful assessments of this forum  I have seen in a long time

[Pates 9,660]

11 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

I'm no huge ANB fan, but if they review that game honestly and decide to drop ANB ahead of both Jones and Melksham then I'm officially on the sack Goodwin train as it's clear he's not the 'win, no matter what' coach we need to be successful.

Might not be on the same extreme as you but I wouldn't disagree, if we're picking with a ruthless attitude than Jones shouldn't be dropped in front of ANB. Jones is another player like any else, and has to contribute or expect to be dropped.

Melksham I think is just ahead of Jones because he provides a little more structurally.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,966]

1 minute ago, Satyriconhome said:

'Footy IQ.....Not really our strong suit is it'

That is one of the harshest but truthful assessments of this forum  I have seen in a long time

Serious question Saty, why do you bother posting here? Every post of yours you’re either having a dig at the forum or a fellow poster. It’s probably about time that you moved on, for the forums sake and yours. 

[WERRIDEE 5,504]

1 hour ago, goodwindees said:

My mail is that they really want AVB in, but after last week it is too hard to drop Hunt & they won’t drop Jones & Melksham after one poor game.  So, I’m saying IN: Kossie & Weid. OUT: Jackson, & ANB.

 

Jones 1 bad game LOL. What about his bad year last year? Deserves to be dropped. I'll be [censored] off if he plays they are gifting him games to get to his 300th. Goodwin praised Jackson so it's hard to see him get dropped especially for the Weid who has a lot to prove. Your mail wasn't very good last time what makes it right this time?

[Beetle 4,673]

4 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Jones 1 bad game LOL. What about his bad year last year? Deserves to be dropped. I'll be [censored] off if he plays they are gifting him games to get to his 300th. Goodwin praised Jackson so it's hard to see him get dropped especially for the Weid who has a lot to prove. Your mail wasn't very good last time what makes it right this time?

Do you honestly believe Goodwin (or any other AFL coach) would do anything but praise a player in their first game, regardless of performance?

”Nah Lukey was disappointing to be honest, we’ll be breaking down his game and pointing out all his mistakes to him on Monday using the video footage..”

C’mon...he was okay. Nothing more. I hold high hopes for him, but he’s not what we need up forward right now.

[Go the Biff 3,440]

Essendon run with a very small forward line. I can't see a matchup for Smith unless you want play him on Stringer. We will need to shut down Tippa - he's very much their talisman. They've also got Devon Smith, Zaka & Townsend running around. Not sure if Fantasia is due back from injury. On that basis I'd recall Hibbo for Smith. If not Pig then Lockhart.

Up the other end they are pretty tall. Hurley, Hooker, Ridley & Francis who plays above his height & has great hands overhead. I'd bring back Weid & retain Jackson (at this stage. I'm still mulling over this). Leave TMac in to start deep & run Hooker up & down the ground. He won't keep up. I can't find a spot for Jones. Pickett in - should be at Melksham's expense but ANB will likely make way. Which I'm ok with. Melksham has more runs on the board but the ice under him grows thinner.

Gawn may well be the most influential player on the ground. Bellchambers does little outside the ruck contest so Max should easily account for him around the ground & cause some havoc with his marking. Clearances will be king. They might be fast on the outside but that doesn't help much if you haven't got the footy
 

[dazzledavey36 55,319]

Can we not derail quality threads like this with politics please?

Bringing this back on Topic, the more I think about the more I think there will be two changes. Weideman has to be a given, these reports suggest he did everything he is asked.

I would like to keep Jackson in, but if he has to make way for Weideman then I'm still happy enough. If McDonald has another poor game then Mitch Brown will be breathing down his neck.

Kossie is an automatic selection for me. Who does he come in for though??

Still want to see Vanders squeezed some how.

[Kent 2,914]

20 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

The Bombers have a small forward line with McKernan and Stringer surrounded by smalls. I would swap Smith forward and switch Jones back. Hopefully this means we get less players jumping up to spoil.

I would also swap Jackson for Weideman, who will give us a better target.

I know Pickett is a talent, but it is unfair to drop Hunt or ANB IMO. Unless we have an injury or Bennell is rested, he will have to earn his way back.

Jones is a shadow of his past IMO

spent the whole game jogging up and down for zero effectiveness.

Tap this guy on the shoulder before he becomes an embarrassment

[PaulRB 6,411]

9 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

Bet you complain about the weather girl when she continually says its gonna ne cold and rain in winter. Tiresome but true.

Meh.

Pointing out the weather is a clear reportage of factual data without emotion or subjective commentary, very different to what goes on here. 

Facts from the weekend

1. We won.

2. Our first 1.5 quarters of play was dynamite and back to 2018 level.

3. Our next 2.5 quarters was poor with tones of 2019.

4. We don’t know what this means in terms of next weeks game.

5. Did I mention, we won...

6. This was our first competitive hit out since Round 1, not including playing ourselves.

7. We included 3 debut players and changed the team a lot from round 1 to round 2, 7 changes.

8. I was going to say “as a result...”, but will just say many players were rusty or performed below our expectations for them, several played really well...

9. So in summary, we won.

Go Dees

 

Edited June 15, 2020 by PaulRB

[Half forward flank 1,022]

28 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

Meh.

Pointing out the weather is a clear reportage of factual data without emotion or subjective commentary, very different to what goes on here. 

Facts from the weekend

1. We won.

2. Our first 1.5 quarters of play was dynamite and back to 2018 level.

3. Our next 2.5 quarters was poor with tones of 2019.

4. We don’t know what this means in terms of next weeks game.

5. Did I mention, we won...

6. This was our first competitive hit out since Round 1, not including playing ourselves.

7. We included 3 debut players and changed the team a lot from round 1 to round 2, 7 changes.

8. I was going to say “as a result...”, but will just say many players were rusty or performed below our expectations for them, several played really well...

9. So in summary, we won.

Go Dees

 

Attempts at humour, not your thing?

[Half forward flank 1,022]

2 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

 

My comment was mostly in jest. But perhaps consider if this forum had run as long as some here have supported the Dees through wet and cold winters, many like myself, in my case 56  then those you say are complainers would have been correct in saying every coach was a failure except Northey and Neil and even those two ultimately failed. They would be correct in saying Board after Board was inept, facilities were second rate and the playing list was substandard. However what it does not mean is that those people who have pointed out the obvious are poor supporters. I and I am sure many others here have been at bleak games until the end, always trying to find a positive with this player or that. Now its 2020 we are a bottom side, with a coach still finding his way, a club pathetically searching for a full sized training ground and a list from which we do not even have a settled spine after a six year coaching transition period.

Edited June 16, 2020 by george_on_the_outer

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,227]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Can we not derail quality threads like this with politics please?

Bringing this back on Topic, the more I think about the more I think there will be two changes. Weideman has to be a given, these reports suggest he did everything he is asked.

I would like to keep Jackson in, but if he has to make way for Weideman then I'm still happy enough. If McDonald has another poor game then Mitch Brown will be breathing down his neck.

Kossie is an automatic selection for me. Who does he come in for though??

Still want to see Vanders squeezed some how.

My view is that Jones should make way, but I doubt that will happen just yet.

Personally I would like Jones off half back and Harmes as midfield tagger and half forward, but also doubt that is going to happen.

My changes would be as follows:

Ins: Weideman (it's now or never in my mind) & Kozzie (to good to leave out)

Out: Jackson (loved his first game but Weid offers more up forward at the moment) & Jones (love him but we need to win and having ANB, Hunt & Kozzie with leg speed is a must against the Bombers)

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,878]

For me, I'd like to see Oscar in for Smith as I think he provides much better structure and predictability within our backline.

Weid in for Jackson - Jackson just isn't ready yet.

I'd also consider bringing in Lockhardt for Nev.

Part of me would also like to bring in Kosi, but I'm honestly torn at who's expense it should be at.  Perhaps I need to watch the game again, but I thought that ANB was actually one of our better players.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

3 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

For me, I'd like to see Oscar in for Smith as I think he provides much better structure and predictability within our backline.

I cant' really justify my feelings here Rod, but I'm hopeful that they persist with Smith.  I think he has more upside in terms of athleticism, strength and pace than Oscar does.  

He made some errors on the weekend, and needs to learn when it is his time to go, but what I saw of his ability to keep up with his opponent on the lead and effect a spoil was excellent and worth persisting with.

I can understand totally why people want him dropped, but I think he deserves a few games to get comfortable down there.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,909]

14 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Have we made the correct call on any of Howe, Dunn, Frost, May or Lever? 

We seem to specialise in trading homonyms.

[Demon Dude 425]

out- Jones, Jackson, ANB

in- Lockhart, Pickett, Weideman

 

B- Jetta May Smith

HB- Harmes Lever Rivers

C- Langdon Petracca Tomlinson

HF- Melksham TMac Fritsch

F- Hunt Weideman Pickett

R- Gawn Oliver Viney

I- Brayshaw Salem Lockhart Bennell

 

sadly Jones is cooked. he's lost his speed, lost his sidestep, and lost the ability to stand up under pressure. at one stage he went into the guts for a centre bounce and just fell straight on his backside. he shouldn't have played on this year.

i'd bring in Lockhart as a defender, and depending on match ups, free up either Salem or Harmes to go up the ground for a bit of mid/HFF instead.

Jackson has had a taste but i'd prefer Weideman down there at this stage. but they'll probably stick with Jackson. 

late inclusion ANB out again for Pickett.

Melksham back to the G this week against his old team. no excuses, perform or he's out next week.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,878]

5 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I cant' really justify my feelings here Rod, but I'm hopeful that they persist with Smith.  I think he has more upside in terms of athleticism, strength and pace than Oscar does.  

He made some errors on the weekend, and needs to learn when it is his time to go, but what I saw of his ability to keep up with his opponent on the lead and effect a spoil was excellent and worth persisting with.

I can understand totally why people want him dropped, but I think he deserves a few games to get comfortable down there.

Totally get the athletic upside associated with Smith, but I've rarely seen a game from him in defense where he has looked like he belonged there.  Doesn't seem to know or play his role well and makes poor decisions.  Oscar may never be a champion, but I think he is also better than people give him credit for and plays a team game.

Will be interested to see how this all plays out, because part of me also wants to see Smith given the oppertunity to settle, find his feet and show us what he can do as well.  It's that balancing act between winning on the day/team balance and providing the stability in which players can develop without fear of being dropped the moment they are bought in.  I get the feeling that Goodwin and our match committee lean heavily towards the stability side of things and Smith will retain his spot in the side.

[Neil Crompton 5,618]

If Weideman is picked - as I hope he will be- he needs to play as a permanent forward, and not a part time ruck. For that reason, and the size of the Dons backs, I’d also retain Jackson. 

id like Smith to be given a couple more games before wiping him as a player. After nearly a year and a half out of the game, it is likely to take a game or two for him to find his feet. As with Wiseblood, I think there is footballer inside the current athlete. 

If there is room, I’d like to also see Lockhart, Kossie and AVB come into our side sooner rather than later.

 

 

[Wiseblood 24,637]

5 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Totally get the athletic upside associated with Smith, but I've rarely seen a game from him in defense where he has looked like he belonged there.  Doesn't seem to know or play his role well and makes poor decisions.  Oscar may never be a champion, but I think he is also better than people give him credit for and plays a team game.

And I agree with that.  It's almost as if he is trying too hard to do the right thing and is therefore not making the right decision often enough.  Oscar does play the team game and he is more proficient as a key backman right now, but I can see the club giving Smith another 2-3 games at the very least to get settled and see how he goes.  If things don't improve then he will be dropped and we'll look at other options.  But I'm holding out hope that, with this game under his belt, that he can continue to improve and learn to work with the other guys down back.

Either way, selection will be very interesting this weekend.

[P-man 13,366]

Jonesy will bounce back against the scum. No need to push the panic button after one bad outing. If he can bring some of his pre-season form to the table he can be a weapon in the forward half.

Koz and Weid to come in for Jacko and, regrettably, Nibbler. He played better than others but was a late call up and has to make way. I don’t think it’s possible for Melksham to play much worse than that.

Will inevitably be another week of T-Mac’s inflatable flailing arm man impression. If he can’t do something I’m hoping the coaches don’t waste a third of the season waiting for it to happen.

[dazzledavey36 55,319]

21 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Totally get the athletic upside associated with Smith, but I've rarely seen a game from him in defense where he has looked like he belonged there.  Doesn't seem to know or play his role well and makes poor decisions.  Oscar may never be a champion, but I think he is also better than people give him credit for and plays a team game.

Will be interested to see how this all plays out, because part of me also wants to see Smith given the oppertunity to settle, find his feet and show us what he can do as well.  It's that balancing act between winning on the day/team balance and providing the stability in which players can develop without fear of being dropped the moment they are bought in.  I get the feeling that Goodwin and our match committee lean heavily towards the stability side of things and Smith will retain his spot in the side.

In fairness to Smith Rod, he has just played his 12th game of AFL. So in a roundabout way you're right we've barely seen him in action. But he deserves time right? Like all players?

To be honest I thought he actually impacted the game far more then Jake Lever. His closing speed on McKay to impact the contest and then win the footy was really exciting to see. 

I understand we are all impatient, but there is something to work with in Smith. He needs continuity and more game experience.

Edited June 15, 2020 by dazzledavey36

[binman 43,762]

44 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I cant' really justify my feelings here Rod, but I'm hopeful that they persist with Smith. 

I agree.

However i think there is an issue connecting Omac and Smith in so far as they don't play the same role.

Smith is never going to be a lock down defender on a big. For one thing a good big forward, say a Kennedy or Darling, would simply have to much footy nous for him. 

If Oscar doesn't play then May has to be the lock down deep defender for their key big. But most teams have two big forwards and neither Smith or Lever are suited to matching up on them.  Then we have a problem.

if they keep him in defence I can see Smith taking Jetta's spot as he has the speed to go with a small, height and strength to go with a medium and leap to give the bigs a hand if a spoil from the second man in is needed. He would also have a bit more licence to take intercept marks. Used this way he would play a very similar role to Howe at the pies.

In that role Omac could come in to play his  full back, sweeper role allowing May to take the second big and be more attacking than if he has to play deep. It would also mean Lever can focus on the intercept role we brought him to the club to play.

Edited June 15, 2020 by binman

[Lord Nev 13,512]

1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

If Weideman is picked - as I hope he will be- he needs to play as a permanent forward, and not a part time ruck.

Agree mate, but heard Malcolm Blight talking the other day about how Chaplin had told him the Dees had spent the summer settling Weid into the role of forward/ruck, so you can pretty much lock it in that if he comes in he'll be the Gawn backup.