Gawn mentioned he thought one area Carlton got on top of us was tall contested marks/representation down the wings when the ball was kicked down the line. Interesting that we've gone with one less tall and nil support for the ruck and key forward positions. We're going to have some less than ideal set ups throughout the game. Instruction must be to run and carry as much as possible +/- hope for wet conditions to bring our smalls into the game.

They've obviously gone for mobility.

15 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. 
 

Thoughts on Essendon forwardline?

18 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. 
 

Tomlinson

I think we can expect a huge emphasis on pressure in this one. We've gone smaller and faster. I'm looking for us to win the tackle count in the wet hopefully.

Don’t be surprised to see Tomlinson chop out Gawny instead of T-Mac 

Heppell is a big out.

I like the side. Would prefer Jackson over Hannan but it's suppose to be wet so we have gone small and I understand that. McDonald needs a big game. Good to see Jones not gifted games. Good ins in Vanders and Kossie.

How many minutes did Gawn not ruck for last week? I can recall no more than one small portion but TOG stats on AFL suite aren’t populating? Tomlinson could chop out for the very small portion if required or TMac or Smith or you could go completely unconventional with AVB or Harmes. 

18 hours ago, Dee-Nee said:

Max may well get the lion's share of the hit outs like last week. But the opposition soon starts roving to him and get the clearances.

Our mid fielders and Max need to adjust to this to take advantage of his hit out domination.

It'll be interesting to see if Essendon has the wisdom and humility to just accept that Bellchambers is so entirely outclassed in the ruck (as well as his usual being out-competed around the ground) that they should focus on sharking off Gawn.  It actually makes it a curiosity to select Bellchambers at all, "We're playing on the assumption that this guy will be beaten all day, but he's in anyway."

Heppell is now out, person to person with the exception of Viney our main midfielders now stand a full 5-10cm higher than the Bombers. Vanderberg in... Hannan in...

Except for our FF line vs their FB line the height difference across the ground is astonishing.

No Fantasia, no Heppell for Johnnie Weasel and his injectors, with our full list, some good in's with AVB, Hanna and Wilson Pickett, it is basically a must win now!

Last chance for Smith I guess to prove  his worth. Must play somewhere on the forward line  or warm the bench all day. 

I guess he keeps his spot because of team balance or because he is needed to bash into the opposition or maybe injurer the opposition by .accidentally falling on them. Maybe team moral. or Goody forgot to drop him. or l don't know.      I give up.

13 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

Don’t be surprised to see Tomlinson chop out Gawny instead of T-Mac 

Yes l noticed on the latest MFC podcast where they interviewed both the wingers, when they were asked their favourite positions to play apart from the Wing, he nominated the Ruck. Apparently when the Giants played the WCE previously, when the giant’s ruck an was injured in warmup he stepped in and Rucked all day quite successfully. Could have a hidden talent which could come in handy. 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Dees2014

11 minutes ago, buck_nekkid said:

Tomlinson

Yep. Surely he will be the one to give maxy a chop out.

Like the changes 

Gawn can ruck pretty much all day with the reduced quarters

Lacking a 2nd tall forward might mean we will actually lower our eyes going forward. Less bombing in. Scored 4 out of our 5 first quarter goals last week from marks - one of one marks pretty much. 

Pleased Smith has been continued with and great to see Hannan come in

1 minute ago, Dees2014 said:

Yes l noticed on the latest MFC podcast where they interviewed both the wingers, when they were asked their favourite positions to play apart from the Wing, he nominated the Ruck. Apparently when the Giants played the WCE previously, when the giant’s ruck an was injured in warmup he stepped in and Rucked all day quite successfully. Could have a hidden talent which could come in handy. 

I thought the recollection was that Brogan did his back getting his boots out of his bag, so Tomlinson had to ruck against cox and Nic Nat all day. My impression was he didn't enjoy it that much 

I hope they’ve planned for the potential of Hooker and Hurley to take a bunch of intercept marks.

Hope they’ve also factored in playing a bunch of undercooked blokes in Bennell, VDB and Hannan.

With Heppel’s demise and Ambrose and Fantasia not selected, I’m more confident that Melbourne will win. I originally tipped us to win by a point but now, it’s 2 points.

Risky strategy IMO.

Maybe Smith to the forward line to replace Jackson? But if Smith goes forward, who takes his spot in the back six? If Smith doesn't go forward, I guess we will need to back Fritsch, Hannan and vandenBerg to contest with Hooker and Hurley. That is a big risk IMO.

Tomlinson to provide ruck relief (which is only a limited amount of time with shorter quarters)?

Jones being dropped is the correct call. I suspect the comments about his minor injuries are designed to help soften the blow.

I feel for ANB who has lost his spot despite kicking 2 and starting well, but the reality is there is more upside in Pickett, Melksham, Bennell, Hannan, vandenBerg and Hunt than there is in ANB. We know this from the past few years of evidence. So I'm comfortable with it.

I’d love to see us send Trac forward for longer periods in this one, predominantly as the deepest especially if we are struggling up there. Remember Trac taking Hurley apart a few years ago at the dome with 4 snags. 

Hannan 189cm

VDB 188cm

Fritsch 188cm

+/- Smith 191cm

Not tall but not exactly short either. I figure that’s how they think we will compete.

The team looks good on paper to me, despite the lack of height. Hard running and using the space of the MCG will hold us in good stead.

 

21 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

It'll be interesting to see if Essendon has the wisdom and humility to just accept that Bellchambers is so entirely outclassed in the ruck (as well as his usual being out-competed around the ground) that they should focus on sharking off Gawn.  It actually makes it a curiosity to select Bellchambers at all, "We're playing on the assumption that this guy will be beaten all day, but he's in anyway."

Heppell is now out, person to person with the exception of Viney our main midfielders now stand a full 5-10cm higher than the Bombers. Vanderberg in... Hannan in...

Except for our FF line vs their FB line the height difference across the ground is astonishing.

One of the major shifts that the Carlton ruckman did following the first quarter onslaught was he just made absolutely sure that Gawn didn't have a clean run at it. He put body on body which meant Max couldn't get his deft taps away as easily. I would imagine that is that way all coaches will look to play against Max (except the gun rucks in the comp like Grundy).

It really disappointed me seeing our ball winners fail when the heat rose and they no longer had Gawn tapping it down their throat. Really hope that if that happens again this match they know how to better handle it. 

Nibbler stiff to be dropped. Good to see Jones and Jackson out though, as neither warned a game this week. Decent ins this week, there may be hope yet.

3 minutes ago, godees said:

Hannan 189cm

VDB 188cm

Fritsch 188cm

+/- Smith 191cm

Not tall but not exactly short either. I figure that’s how they think we will compete.

The team looks good on paper to me, despite the lack of height. Hard running and using the space of the MCG will hold us in good stead.

Requires Fritsch, Hannan and vandenBerg to compete in the air. Critical that they are fit enough that they don't need to rest on the bench for long periods, and they are able to compete with Hurley and Hooker. And also that they are fit and willing enough to crack in on defence.

Also requires our mids to continue their improvement from last week in terms of delivery inside 50. Long bombs without thought will most likely be ineffectual.

There is the scope for positive improvement on last week with this team, though

The weather will definitely be a factor on Sunday.

 

23 minutes ago, binman said:

Yep. Surely he will be the one to give maxy a chop out.

If Smith is doing SFA down back, I’d be throwing him in the ruck with his athleticism.