1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

His capability and potential is not under question from me in any way Tarax.  And i'm all for the younger guys getting the occasional look at the big league and see how it  and they roll.

But IMHO the body also needs to be built over a few pre-seasons before it will begin to stand up to the knocks and rigour against the big frames and fully developed athletes he'll be up against each week.  That takes time and along with that development comes confidence in body and ability to play at the highest level.  Too early and the reverse could happen if the FD isn't careful.  The next level from there is to start holding down a position or role on a regular basis, which for most takes a little more work in progress and time.

Bring him in by all means on occasions but not sure he needs to be in this early on a regular basis is all i'm saying when there are two alternatives with more experience and bigger frames also sitting in the McGoos.  One of which i thought we picked for the very role that's being asked of LJ atm.

Rusty,

Its encouraging to read a number of posts here that exhibit enthusiasm and passion for all things red and blue. Particularly if framed in a considered, intelligent and positive way. As it has indubitably been expressed here previously by other posters, that Demonland at its best is a 'broad church' that encompasses a wide spectrum of views and opinions from MFC supporters 'somewhat tolerably' (but not on all instances).

As an insider one can understand the almost near universal angst here, over what may appear to an untutored outsider, that the club barely escaped a near death experience with last week's result. Simon Goodwin from all reports addressed that immediately after the final siren, by emphasizing to the team, the four points were in the bank despite Carlton's late heroics. Singing the team song twice or thrice? initially without Captain Max. As Steven May stated "a non-issue".

As the unique circumstances of the 2020 season have and will unfold, teams, coaches and players best adapted to post Covid-19 changes will survive and eventually flourish. Successful evolution doesn't happen overnight or at the drop of a hat. Those championing a more revolutionary approach, by pillorying the FD, calling for the removal the coach, dropping, retiring or trading out players perceived as under performing, (without fair opportunity) tread a more dangerous path.

In response to your post, many here seem to be already invested in the contributions, that a youthful Kysaiah Pickett and Trent Rivers can and will make to the team's success this season. Luke Jackson is also no shrinking violet, physically he appears to be well prepared for the rigours of AFL footy. Which is testament to the training, mentoring and development of young players in the elite pathway to AFL footy. Indeed your statement 'The shortened quarters means much less game time and more than likely favours the player who has a significant athletic burst edge.' nails it.

ps. Fully support your call concerning our former captain 'give chunk one more run given it was his first game back > age factor.'

Edited June 19, 20205 yr by Tarax Club
at or on?

18 hours ago, Demons11 said:

He kicked 5 goals in 15 a side game, I wouldn’t be reading to much into it. 
The ins are brilliant and Lockhart is a fringe player.

Lockhart is far from a fringe player. He has the potential to be a star player. 
 

Jones is taking up his spot in the team these days. 

35 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

Lockhart is far from a fringe player. He has the potential to be a star player. 
 

Jones is taking up his spot in the team these days. 

These two sentences arn't mutualy exclusive. He does have potential but for now he is still a fringe player

Just now, ArtificialWisdom said:

These two sentences arn't mutualy exclusive. He does have potential but for now he is still a fringe player

Agreed, they aren’t. 
 

But he’s not going to become that star by watching from the sidelines. 

https://twitter.com/stevo7afl/status/1273829428712189955?s=21

4 hours ago, Redleg said:

That is becoming a major problem.

Have you noticed that most Coaches have a headset or telephone to use during the game.

You never see Goodwin with either.

Maybe I am nitpicking, but we do seem to have a record of run ons against us, where we apparently do nothing to stop them, unless the line coaches of which there are now fewer, make the calls.

Red,  I can honestly only think of 1 instance in Goodwin's tenure where he made an effective change when a team had a run on,  and that was Omac off/ Frost on to Hawkins at 3/4 time at the cattery ,  2 years ago from memory. Problem was it was too late and we still lost the game. 

I'd be interested to know if anyone can recollect any other change mid match that had an impact! 

The lack of mid match positional changes has cost us many games. 

 

10 minutes ago, Megatron said:

 

Oh gee thats a shame

I look at that side, at near full strength and even knowing my own team, for the life of me I cannot fathom how we can't put ordinary sides away.

 

Imagine Clarkson with a team of  May, Lever, Jetta down back, a midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, Langdon, Thomlinson and Bennell for cameos, then a forward line of Tmac, Kozzie, AVB, Melksham, Jackson/Weid, Hannan to choose from.

We have the talent, we have the balance.

The only concession is the limited experience together for our backline and forward line, but if we can't put it together this season at full strength then we are doomed.

 

 

Edited June 19, 20205 yr by Bay Riffin

My team this week:

B: Hibbard May Salem

HB: Harmes  Lever Rivers

C : Langdon Oliver Tomlinson 

HF: Melk  Tmac  AVB

FF: ANB  Fritz Hunt

FOL: Gawn Viney  CP

inter: Bennell, Jetta, Gus & Pickett

E: Smith, Jackson, Jones & Hannan

38 minutes ago, Hell Bent said:

Red,  I can honestly only think of 1 instance in Goodwin's tenure where he made an effective change when a team had a run on,  and that was Omac off/ Frost on to Hawkins at 3/4 time at the cattery ,  2 years ago from memory. Problem was it was too late and we still lost the game. 

I'd be interested to know if anyone can recollect any other change mid match that had an impact! 

The lack of mid match positional changes has cost us many games. 

 

No ur wrong HB

That night he didn't change Oscar off Hawkins till about 15/17 mins in after Tommy Hawkins has kicked 2  or 3 goals.

Dont think he got Any more but Frosty closed on him and punched the ball away on the lead.

As we all know we lost that game after the siren BUT I will always blame Goody for that LOSS which Cost us a  top 4 Spot that year.

Yes it's heartbreaking to see other Coaches tweak Their teams and win during games and we seem to be brain dead o  the Coaches box! Thought Alan Richardson would have some input at least in this area!

1 hour ago, Mel Bourne said:

Lockhart is far from a fringe player. He has the potential to be a star player. 
 

Jones is taking up his spot in the team these days. 

No wrong it's Jets or Hibbo under pressure or Smith.

if Jay played up forward then Jonesy might but he will lift on Sunday last week was as poor a game as he has ever played. 

 

39 minutes ago, TheKozzieExperience said:

Oh gee thats a shame

That tweet can no longer be seen. Or at least i cant see it. Strange

37 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

I look at that side, at near full strength and even knowing my own team, for the life of me I cannot fathom how we can't put ordinary sides away.

 

Imagine Clarkson with a team of  May, Lever, Jetta down back, a midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, Langdon, Thomlinson and Bennell for cameos, then a forward line of Tmac, Kozzie, AVB, Melksham, Jackson/Weid, Hannan to choose from.

We have the talent, we have the balance.

The only concession is the limited experience together for our backline and forward line, but if we can't put it together this season at full strength then we are doomed.

 

 

So true.. If we can't put it together this season at full strength the coach simply MUST go

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/06/19/essendon-skipper-set-for-stint-on-sidelines/

Broken bone in ankle being reported for Heppell ? - unlucky. 

3 minutes ago, Wunders said:

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/06/19/essendon-skipper-set-for-stint-on-sidelines/

Broken bone in ankle being reported for Heppell ? - unlucky. 

Diddums!

2 hours ago, sue said:

Yes, there has been more use of shots from behind the goals. As someone who has whinged for years about the lack of wide shots and the over-use of close-ups, presumably because of the directors' fascination with how well players have shaved, I am glad about this. Maybe long continue and expand.

Sue we can see better on TV than Stephan May did last week when kicking out!

Could see the players end gaps etc.

But he couldn't see Tomlinsons  wing and that he is taller than his opponent and may well be an sdvantage to kick to!!

Indtead of the ball coming back most of the time through inaccurate passing or poor judgement by our players !

Heppell out. 

Didn't have too much of an impact for them last week but had 10 contested touches so no excuses this week to really get ahead in this area this week

Heppell's a good out for them. He's a good presence in the middle of the ground.

FYI - Gareth Lyon on SEN this morning - "I've got a feeling the Dees will get up and you know I hardly ever tip them"

that's terrible luck for heppell - likely to miss the rest of the season*

*whatever the season entails

4 hours ago, sue said:

Yes, there has been more use of shots from behind the goals. As someone who has whinged for years about the lack of wide shots and the over-use of close-ups, presumably because of the directors' fascination with how well players have shaved, I am glad about this. Maybe long continue and expand.

More to avoid showing empty stands which the down the ground doesnt do.

56 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Heppell's a good out for them. He's a good presence in the middle of the ground.

FYI - Gareth Lyon on SEN this morning - "I've got a feeling the Dees will get up and you know I hardly ever tip them"

The old fence sitter has jump on our side who would have thought

Interesting discussion coming up.

Jones, Jackson, ANB dropped

 

Love the inclusions!!!