TEAM: Rd 03 vs Essendon

[Demon Jack 6,272]

In: Hannan, VDB, Pickett

Out: Jones, Jackson, ANB

[GCDee 3,004]

Interesting changes. Like all the players coming in, that would have to be one of the fastest MFC teams to grace the MCG. 

 

[brendan 3,380]

Yep great inclusions hardness and speed 

[jnrmac 18,914]

They have used some common sense...

[Grimes Times 1,278]

Small Ball

[trac5665 32]

article on club website says jones has had injuries which affected his training performance as the reason why he was dropped

[jnrmac 18,914]

As much as I like Hannan he needs to lift big time. Averaged 5 kicks and 3 marks in his 6 games last year. 4 goals in total..

[Demon Dynasty 15,205]

4 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

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.'

Well Tarax you've covered much ground here.  Ty for your feedback.  Agreed it's encouraging to read some solid content on here along with so many mixed views, opinions and wit.

Im in agreement about giving the coach & FD a fair go as is the aussie way.  At the same time however, i am also of the view that the final score tells the tale.  Unfortunately from that side we haven't exaxtly set the world on fire, other than a short stint at the end of 2018.

2020 results, especially early, probably shouldnt be judged too harshly given the SARS Cov2 nonsense.  At the same time all clubs are "in this together" and the horror that was 2019 needs to be erased and fully buried by a fairly stellar season from the boys if Goody is to avoid a severe flogging....and possibly worse imv.

Edited June 19, 2020 by Rusty Nails

[whatwhat say what 18,790]

Wow small ball 

Not sure how I feel about that on the wide surfaces of the G

[Redleg 37,474]

So Tom Mac is only chop out for Gawn and need him as only key forward as well, who BTW is totally out of form. 
I find the team selection bewildering.
We have a stack of half forwards though, bewildering. 
 

Edited June 19, 2020 by Redleg

[WA Demon Boy 966]

Smith forward? Surely can't play back this week? 

[george_on_the_outer 6,944]

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

So Tom Mac is only chop out for Gawn and need him as only key forward as well, who BTW is totally out of form. 
I find the team selection bewildering.
We have a stack of half forwards though, bewildering. 
 

Could be part of your sneaky and devious plan to get Harmes back into the middle....... as a replacement ruck?

[Young Blood 1,975]

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

So Tom Mac is only chop out for Gawn and need him as only key forward as well, who BTW is totally out of form. 
I find the team selection bewildering.
We have a stack of half forwards though, bewildering.

Yeah this is pretty baffling. I was fine with Weid not coming in due to the fact that Jackson is actually a decent ruck option interchanging with Gawn. I thought that the club would have thought that too valuable to bring Weid back in just yet. But now they're dropped him...

Never like seeing T-Mac in the ruck but maybe they see it as more game involvement from him.

[Redleg 37,474]

1 minute ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Could be part of your sneaky and devious plan to get Harmes back into the middle....... as a replacement ruck?

Yes of course.

[Cards13 9,117]

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.

It’s funny, as I’ve gotten older I’ve wanted to see more of the “ahead of the play” view, as in what was he thinking/why did he kick it there/that was a chit kick type thinking. When they have the tried to show that I’ve found it pretty jarring as the only way we’ve ever watched the game is from side on, but this last night I certainly enjoyed it. 

[TheKozzieExperience 258]

Big statement from Goody dropping Nathan Jones.

I like it.  

All three ins are in our best 22, its just a matter of AVB and Hannan staying  fit now which has never happened.

[sue 8,411]

31 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

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

damn, you may be right and we will only be able to enjoy the wider views for a short while.  (I hate to debunk a good conspiracy, but I recall we still saw a lot of empty stands.)

[Vineytime 783]

Is that 9 changes since Rd 1? A settled team is something we haven’t had for a long time..

 

[Young Blood 1,975]

I'd say AVB will spend time predominantly forward. He will slide deeper when T-Mac chops out in the ruck

[John Demonic 4,782]

18 hours ago, bing181 said:

On the surface, yes - but those changes could only be at the expense of Jackson, and the selectors have already shown that if they select someone for their first game they'll back them for at least a couple of games, no matter what.

Petty dropped after 1 game. Corey Maynard. Just from memory. And now Luke Jackson. I don't think there is any 2 game directive, and each player has earnt their 2nd. Even Keilty earnt his.

Edited June 19, 2020 by John Demonic

[spirit of norm smith 12,839]

Is it predicted to rain on Sunday?

 Tmcd as only tall forward and he’s underperforming.  

Gawn will be exhausted again. No wonder he tired last week in the last quarter. 

Hurley and Hooker will control the “air” within back 50. 
 

We will need to move the ball quickly. 

[Dees2014 2,377]

5 hours ago, Watts the matter said:

Fritsch kicked 1.4 and an out on the full from 20 meters out. He should have kicked 5 and then you probably wouldn't be saying this. I'm happy to stick with him playing deep if he can kick straight.

Good point. Previously, he has been a bit of a “dead eye [censored]” so that kicking record last week was a bit of an aberration. I hope he regains his previous form quick smart as l suspect this game is going to be a slug feast in difficult conditions. 

Edited June 19, 2020 by Dees2014

[manny100 1,001]

Well if we win this week the only thing we will remember about last week is that we won.

Going for pace plus a bit of toughness with VB.  Good as we need to keep searching for that formula that produces results.

[Bates Mate 3,816]

Hurley and hooker will own our Back 50.

Avb defensive forward role on Hurley ?

I'm very worried about this game as usual

[Young Blood 1,975]

2 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Is it predicted to rain on Sunday?

 Tmcd as only tall forward and he’s underperforming.  

Gawn will be exhausted again. No wonder he tired last week in the last quarter. 

Hurley and Hooker will control the “air” within back 50. 
 

We will need to move the ball quickly. 

Or just bring the ball to ground for Hunt, Kozzy, Harley, Melk and Bayley.

I reckon AVB will be tasked with throwing his weight around the forward line and competing in the air.

Edited June 19, 2020 by Yung Blood