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Tom McDonald

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6 hours ago, binman said:

The swans present an interesting challenge defensively with the two mccartin boys.

Both are key to their structure, and their intercept marking is key to their defensive system.

Melksham has been playing the defensive forward role brilliantly. And almost always goes to their most damaging interceptor (curiously he went to payne against the lions rather than Andrews - it's worth noting payne is taller and heavier than both mccartin boys).

So melksham would be perfect on say paddy, who averaged more intercepts than his bro. 

Adding tmac to a forward line that has bb in it, and max or jack resting forward, would then make sure Tom McCartin would have to be accountable and would limit his ability to intercept.

But tmac would also drag his opponent up the ground and out of the back line. That will mess with their defensive structure. They could hand off, but that has risks too - nor least of which being tmac clunking marks at hb or up on the wing

It's that part of tmac's game we have missed the most. You only have to watch how hard bb has had to work in the last 3-4 weeks to get a sense of that.

So, both tmac and melksham could work. But then a forward has to come out. 

No idea who though, because nibbler, spargo, fritter and kozzie are all locks. Sparrow could be the unlucky one in that scenario.

 

6 hours ago, Webber said:

He’s the only one I can imagine coming out too. Melky is simply playing his best footy, which is pure and elite X-factor, AND with new-found defensive mojo. No way he’s coming out. I’m already grieving with and for James Jordon, he’s been outstanding this year. Tommy Sparrow exiting would be just as cruel. A fit list means harshly felt absences. 

Except that Sparrow adds / ensures continuity of midfield grunt hardness pressure when JV or Clarrie are resting.

 

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    On 8/24/2022 at 12:34 PM, #11-TonyAnderson said:

    If TMac is fit enough it will allow BBB to stay at FF and potentially clunk a few or get a free or two for interference.

    People underestimate how much running BBB does. His knee is clearly giving him problems but he used to run 10-12 kms a game

     

    Here is a piece from the AFLs website during 2020 (when at Nth Melb)

    Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2020
    Will Walker, 13.7km v Geelong, round 10
    Ben Brown, 13.3km v Essendon, round 6
    Trent Dumont, 13.2km v Essendon, round 6
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v GWS Giants, round 2
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v Hawthorn, round 4 

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    3 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    People underestimate how much running BBB does. His knee is clearly giving him problems but he used to run 10-12 kms a game

     

    Here is a piece from the AFLs website during 2020 (when at Nth Melb)

    Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2020
    Will Walker, 13.7km v Geelong, round 10
    Ben Brown, 13.3km v Essendon, round 6
    Trent Dumont, 13.2km v Essendon, round 6
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v GWS Giants, round 2
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v Hawthorn, round 4 

    Yep. How often is Ben up on the wing, always on the move. 
    his knee is crucial for another month. 

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    6 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    People underestimate how much running BBB does. His knee is clearly giving him problems but he used to run 10-12 kms a game

     

    Here is a piece from the AFLs website during 2020 (when at Nth Melb)

    Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2020
    Will Walker, 13.7km v Geelong, round 10
    Ben Brown, 13.3km v Essendon, round 6
    Trent Dumont, 13.2km v Essendon, round 6
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v GWS Giants, round 2
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v Hawthorn, round 4 

    Take out his run ups and it's about 3km per game... ;)

     

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    On 8/24/2022 at 9:52 AM, jnrmac said:

    I have seen this written a few times now and curious as to how you arrive at this conclusion?

    • 2012 played 20 games
    • 2013 player 17 games
    • 2014 played 21 games
    • 2015 played 22 games
    • 2016 played 22 games
    • 2017 played 22 games
    • 2018 played 20 games (starting at rd 6 - next games he had 2, 2, 5, 4, 2, 4, 6 goals)
    • 2019 played 15 games (didn't play after rd 16)
    • 2020 played 9 games (covid year - he had a poor year along with the club)
    • 2021 played 23 games

    I think its complete BS frankly.

    He has had one poor year and now it is set in stone that TMac takes a long time to get back up to speed. "a stumbling block to his career" you say. "Diabolically once he reaches a patch of his best form he gets injured again"

    2018 he didn't start till rd 6 and played well out of the blocks

     

    Tom will be fine.

    Tom - Mr Fitness - will be fine. Just imagine how 'hungry' he must be to get the job done for us. He's our leading forward and will run the legs off opponents across a game. 

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    31 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    People underestimate how much running BBB does. His knee is clearly giving him problems but he used to run 10-12 kms a game

     

    Here is a piece from the AFLs website during 2020 (when at Nth Melb)

    Top-five most distance covered in a game in 2020
    Will Walker, 13.7km v Geelong, round 10
    Ben Brown, 13.3km v Essendon, round 6
    Trent Dumont, 13.2km v Essendon, round 6
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v GWS Giants, round 2
    Ben Brown, 13.1km v Hawthorn, round 4 

    Considering that that was in 2020 with 25% less game time he actually runs a lot more than 13.3km.. Very impressive.

    Edited by Deenooos_

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    30 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    or get a free or two for interference.

    It's finals time. I am wondering if the umpires will finally acknowledge the amount of interference endured by Max, Clarrie, Harmes, Jackson, ANB, amongst others?

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    On 8/24/2022 at 7:43 AM, Webber said:

    It is a serious injury, and I admit to doubting the optimistic timeline of his rehab. BUT, it’s also an injury that can be objectively signed off as fully healed - X-ray, MRI, bone-scan. If this aligns with subjective reportage, fitness, etc, then the risk is frankly minimal, at least of recurrence or aggravation. There can be compensating issues of course, but these will be ironed out through rehab, then with match-play, which he’s getting this weekend. Will be very interesting to see what transpires with Tmac. 

    It was reported on afl.com.au he has returned to play with the metal plates and screws still in.  Is this normal and how common would it be?  

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    18 minutes ago, Watson11 said:

    It was reported on afl.com.au he has returned to play with the metal plates and screws still in.  Is this normal and how common would it be?  

    They could be removed but it could take a couple of months more for his foot to settle down and normalise without the hardware support.

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    1 hour ago, Watson11 said:

    It was reported on afl.com.au he has returned to play with the metal plates and screws still in.  Is this normal and how common would it be?  

    Normal and common. Only removed if they cause problems. Some metalwork works its way out of the bone, which usually presents as surface discomfort, i.e. rubs on stuff, like shoes, or starts to blanch the skin, in which case they whip it out. On the type of metal - screw, plate, wire, the recovery from removal is firstly just the incision wound, then loading caution depending on which bone it is and how big a hole it leaves, which then naturally fills in. As an example, I had a couple of small-gauge wires (externally visible ends) holding some wrist bones in place. When they were pulled out I could do what I like. 

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    4 minutes ago, layzie said:

    What percentage of T-mac's best is worth having back in the team? I'm landing on 72%

    Depends what how some of the other lads are trending. 

    If we're carrying a lot of sore players bringing in an undercooked player a bigger risk.

    Wouldn't bring him in this week.

     

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    3 minutes ago, roy11 said:

    Depends what how some of the other lads are trending. 

    If we're carrying a lot of sore players bringing in an undercooked player a bigger risk.

    Wouldn't bring him in this week.

     

    That's it. It's really a week by week proposition at the moment. 

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    16 minutes ago, layzie said:

    What percentage of T-mac's best is worth having back in the team? I'm landing on 72%

    42

    It was also the number Jackie Robinson wore. The only number in sport to be retired across a whole competition

    *

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    4 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

    42

    It was also the number Jackie Robinson wore. The only number in sport to be retired across a whole competition

    *

    Very true, think Mariano Rivera was one of the last ones. 

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    i think tmac is a less than 50% for this friday

    and unfortunately casey not playing this weekend so tmac doesn't have a chance to workout more cobwebs and match fitness.

    i'd also agree with other posters that tmac comes back after a lay-off a bit rusty

    so, much that i'd like the romanticism of a great tmac come-back it's not looking too likely at this stage and the clock is fast running down (barring injury to key tall forwards)

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    1 hour ago, layzie said:

    What percentage of T-mac's best is worth having back in the team? I'm landing on 72%

    100%...Tommy has to be able to give everything to be of value at AFL level.

    He doesn't have the class or skill to come in underdone.

    What he is, is a total effort player...if he can't bring that then we can't afford him in the team.

    He can get by on 72% or less at Casey where his ability and experience will carry him through.

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    16 minutes ago, Nasher said:

    No way TMac plays before at least another Casey game IMO. If I were him I’d be mentally preparing for a tilt at a Casey flag and treat anything else as a bonus.

    For sure Nasher. I probably meant it more for if he features at some point this finals series, I definitely wouldn't be picking him this week. 

    Edited by layzie

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    7 minutes ago, rjay said:

    100%...Tommy has to be able to give everything to be of value at AFL level.

    He doesn't have the class or skill to come in underdone.

    What he is, is a total effort player...if he can't bring that then we can't afford him in the team.

    He can get by on 72% or less at Casey where his ability and experience will carry him through.

    I give him some wriggle room Rjay purely because he would need an opposition defender if even in half decent condition.

    He would need to be able to contribute something of course but if he's at least got some capacity then there won't be as much laying into Brown from the other side.

    Edited by layzie

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    I feel if TMac comes in, it's this week.

    We have a double chance so the risk of carrying an unconditioned player is lower than the next 2 weeks. It also gives us more games to adjust tactically.

    I couldn't see us bringing him in cold for a preliminary final if we win comfortably this week without him, for example.

    Edited by deanox

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    As others have mentioned, T-Mac as the medi-sub could be a good fit (if he is fit enough)

    His versatility means that he can cover in a number of positions

    However, Jordon probably stays as the sub or they may install T-Mac (20% chance?) if the MC are looking for more versatility

    Jordon is also quite versatile but can't play as a key back or as a key forward

    I can't see Tom getting into the 22 on Friday unless there's an injury.  As it stands, Salem is an inclusion for someone anyway

    Edited by Macca

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    5 hours ago, Macca said:

    As others have mentioned, T-Mac as the medi-sub could be a good fit (if he is fit enough)

    His versatility means that he can cover in a number of positions

    However, Jordon probably stays as the sub or they may install T-Mac (20% chance?) if the MC are looking for more versatility

    Jordon is also quite versatile but can't play as a key back or as a key forward

    I can't see Tom getting into the 22 on Friday unless there's an injury.  As it stands, Salem is an inclusion for someone anyway

    In a way, TMac as medi sub is having a bit each way, which is a great outcome.

    If he isn't used, it doesn't matter who the sub is.

    If he is used, it's probably for a shorter period of time and let's him adapt to the pace a bit and get some real match conditioning. Given he can play multiple positions, I don't think his height/size vs being a runner as sub will matter.

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