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CHANGES: Rd 13 vs Bulldogs

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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15 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

I think many of us just noted his height or lack thereof and then looked for compensating attributes of agility, explosive pace, uncanny goal sense? I didn’t see these attributes last year. Not fast, couldn’t stick a tackle, not a great kick but a very reliable footy player, yes, but then where does he fit in? But this week it was 10 or so minutes of exceptional, opportunistic small forward play to snag 3 goals and set one up for Brayshaw. I admit that effort has changed my view of Spargo in that he may just have the footy IQ to make it as a small forward. Let’s hope so. 

He definitely has a good footy IQ. More so than some of our experienced players, which is what I suspect has got him this far.

Spargo says his grandfather said to him - " If you're good enough , then you're tall enough"

 

    • Love 2

    After 3 wins in a row by 50 plus and a convincing win over the arch enemy, aside from Gawn, i reckon you stick with the present winning line up.

    About the only other change i would love to see is Harley for Tomlinson but that's more wishful thinking than a possible reality at this point given his apparant defensive issues.

     
    12 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

    In -          Gawn

    Out -      T Mac

    I know T Mac isn't exactly a great athlete at the minute, but at least he has some forward craft.  Big Preussy is really nothing more than a ruckman who will probably just get in Weideman's way.  

    While Jackson is injured, I'd prefer to let Tom play and pinch hit in the ruck.  I think our overall forward line will work better with him there until Jackson returns.

    • Like 7

    Gut feeling that Goody might bring Hunt into the team this week, maybe at the expense of Jones/Sparrow??? Neither have done too much wrong, but an injection of genuine leg speed for this week and next against the Saints might work. Also can't wait to see the battle of the wee men, Daniel v Spargo.

    • Like 2

    2 minutes ago, Demondan75 said:

    Gut feeling that Goody might bring Hunt into the team this week, maybe at the expense of Jones/Sparrow??? Neither have done too much wrong, but an injection of genuine leg speed for this week and next against the Saints might work. Also can't wait to see the battle of the wee men, Daniel v Spargo.

    Hunt in, oh god please no.  VFL player at best.

    Agreed on the battle of the little people, what a great subplot that will be!

    Got to keep AVB. 
    reminds me of Keenan’s joke at Essendon - Andrews would position for the mark, Crackers screaming in behind the pack, “I’ve got him Ronnie!” ?

    17 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

    Bennell is an interesting case. I watched Ross Lyon and Lloyd on Footy Classifieds on Wednesday analysing Brad Hill’s recent poor form. Footage showed him pulling out of contests, not chasing, fumbling and just not getting the ball etc. It was damning stuff but Lyon’s response to Lloyd’s question, should he be dropped was that we know his skill set is not crash and bash but speed and ball use. Ross was adamant the coaching group has to work on strategies for the team to get the ball into his hands. Ross seemed to think that is a no brainer for a good coach. I couldn’t help thinking if we have a similar situation with Bennell. He is still developing confidence in his body and no he won’t be running into packs but should we get a few more games into him and develop strategies to get the ball to him. In a similar vein I thought in our early games we were not using Langdon enough, he was always in position as an option for the ball carrier but we kept banging it up the line to contests. But in the past 4 or 5 games our mids have realised he will always be an option wide if they are in trouble and he has been great for us retaining possession and resetting our inside50’s. The coaching group knows better where Bennell is at fitness wise and if he still has the weapons that made him a great player. 

    @Engorged Onion provided great insights to why Bennell is struggling to play an inside game.  He has come back from a super long out and he realises his football and family future depend on him staying healthy and making it.  I hope our team psychologist is working with him to help him get over that enormous step - he needs to come to understand that won't make it until he can commit his body to the line of the ball.  It's not going to be easy for him.

    I hope it's soon, like I posted in the post-game thread - Kossie is running around like a 6yo with too much red cordial on board.

    • Like 4
     
    14 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

    https://www.afl.com.au/news/486374/dogs-hopeful-on-rising-ruckman-s-late-ankle-scare

     

    Sounds very doubtful to play us.

    If English doesn't get up they'd have to ruck 22yo Jordan Sweet on debut unless they went with Jackson Trengove who is not playing and is not injured AFAIK.

    Edited by Pollyanna

    • Like 1
    35 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

    @Engorged Onion provided great insights to why Bennell is struggling to play an inside game.  He has come back from a super long out and he realises his football and family future depend on him staying healthy and making it.  I hope our team psychologist is working with him to help him get over that enormous step - he needs to come to understand that won't make it until he can commit his body to the line of the ball.  It's not going to be easy for him.

    I hope it's soon, like I posted in the post-game thread - Kossie is running around like a 6yo with too much red cordial on board.

    Aside from the 'existential' stuff - this would be one of my favourite clips of understanding the link between the .brain and the pain experience. It's amusing and insightful. And I suspect that is more of a factor for Harley.

    The notion of 'danger' (real or interpreted)....and most importantly meaning

    Meaning amplifies or reduces the intensity of the pain (or any emotional) experience.

    In relation to Harley (or any athlete) - the anxiety of reinjury is worse than the experience. And it perpetuates safety behaviours... now this is the brain working really well to protect you from uncomfortable experiences.. AND that's not necessarily useful in the context of sport - as it moves you away from task. Task in the present moment on the football field is everything that we talk about on here...and it's often the unseen stuff... going that 'little bit' harder to extend yourself when you're fatigued... etc etc.

    Harley will slowly gather more evidence that his body can hold up to the rigours of the game... and that is done quarter by quarter assessing and reflecting on how his body has held up - which means 'in game' he becomes less internal, less vigilance, or less need to monitor how he is tracking calf wise... and of course, if his attention isn't monitoring THAT stuff.. he's fully on task.

    also, Harley isn't an inside player... and that's ok.. AND what are the non negotiables of playing when you 'don't have the ball. We all (all players) understand it's a contact game, so if contact is going to be there... are you willing to have it... and bit by bit Harley will become a bit more comfortable having the contact.

    Edited by Engorged Onion

    • Like 6

    48 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

    I know T Mac isn't exactly a great athlete at the minute, but at least he has some forward craft.  Big Preussy is really nothing more than a ruckman who will probably just get in Weideman's way.  

    While Jackson is injured, I'd prefer to let Tom play and pinch hit in the ruck.  I think our overall forward line will work better with him there until Jackson returns.

    I recall the big man doing a number on the Swans some time ago although Covid life is turning my brain into mush. (Who is this family Im living with?) I cant remember if it was last year or 2018. He's a big unit that gets propped up fwd (away from SW) that will clunk a few and give Max a chop out at times. 

    He cant be much slower than Tmac. Although Tmac to be fair has presented at many contests, tackled hard and done his job the last few games.

    So if Gawn comes at expense of Preuss, Tommy certainly needs to lift some more and start kicking more than 1.

    Great that there is pretty much a full list with pressure to keep em performing these days.

    16 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

    I recall the big man doing a number on the Swans some time ago although Covid life is turning my brain into mush. (Who is this family Im living with?) I cant remember if it was last year or 2018. He's a big unit that gets propped up fwd (away from SW) that will clunk a few and give Max a chop out at times. 

    He cant be much slower than Tmac. Although Tmac to be fair has presented at many contests, tackled hard and done his job the last few games.

    So if Gawn comes at expense of Preuss, Tommy certainly needs to lift some more and start kicking more than 1.

    Great that there is pretty much a full list with pressure to keep em performing these days.

    Yeah he kicked a couple in the first quarter against the Swans last year.  Clunked a few and looked good.

    But, he is no forward, and if Gawn comes back we will be asking him to play down there more than in the ruck, which isn't the best idea to be honest.  Tom might not be in the greatest form of his life, but he knows how to play forward more than Preuss does, so he should keep his spot over him for that reason.

    And I agree - it is terrific that we have a fit list to pick from and it puts pressure on those in this side to play well consistently or risk losing their spot.

    • Like 2
    26 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

    Aside from the 'existential' stuff - this would be one of my favourite clips of understanding the link between the .brain and the pain experience. It's amusing and insightful. And I suspect that is more of a factor for Harley.

    The notion of 'danger' (real or interpreted)....and most importantly meaning

    Meaning amplifies or reduces the intensity of the pain (or any emotional) experience.

    In relation to Harley (or any athlete) - the anxiety of reinjury is worse than the experience. And it perpetuates safety behaviours... now this is the brain working really well to protect you from uncomfortable experiences.. AND that's not necessarily useful in the context of sport - as it moves you away from task. Task in the present moment on the football field is everything that we talk about on here...and it's often the unseen stuff... going that 'little bit' harder to extend yourself when you're fatigued... etc etc.

    Harley will slowly gather more evidence that his body can hold up to the rigours of the game... and that is done quarter by quarter assessing and reflecting on how his body has held up - which means 'in game' he becomes less internal, less vigilance, or less need to monitor how he is tracking calf wise... and of course, if his attention isn't monitoring THAT stuff.. he's fully on task.

    also, Harley isn't an inside player... and that's ok.. AND what are the non negotiables of playing when you 'don't have the ball. We all (all players) understand it's a contact game, so if contact is going to be there... are you willing to have it... and bit by bit Harley will become a bit more comfortable having the contact.

    Is that you Cam??

    228112039_Screenshot_20200817-133727_SamsungInternet.thumb.jpg.17cdbc3819ab6d604f6970ee7a093b87.jpg

    • Haha 2
    • Shocked 2
    18 hours ago, A F said:

    I think Max needs to improve and I think our mids need to improve. As a collective, they don't take advantage of either's skill enough.

    And you think this would be an easy area to make some improvements that could be massive for us. Max is 60-90% likely to win the tap (dependent upon the nature of the bounce - even higher I'd suggest if it's thrown up). Have a 3 on 5 drill where we have to clear via the three through congestion. 

    • Like 1

    15 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

    I recall the big man doing a number on the Swans some time ago although Covid life is turning my brain into mush. (Who is this family Im living with?) I cant remember if it was last year or 2018. He's a big unit that gets propped up fwd (away from SW) that will clunk a few and give Max a chop out at times. 

    He cant be much slower than Tmac. Although Tmac to be fair has presented at many contests, tackled hard and done his job the last few games.

    So if Gawn comes at expense of Preuss, Tommy certainly needs to lift some more and start kicking more than 1.

    Great that there is pretty much a full list with pressure to keep em performing these days.

    It was Preuss's first game (round 4 last year) and he booted 2.0. Followed it up against the Saints the next week with 2.0. Preuss then didn't play until later in the season, not booting another goal.

    I much prefer Preuss to TMac. The latter gives us nothing in the ruck. I thought Preuss did OK, halving many of the contests with the second best ruckman in the league. 

    Brayden for Max, the only change IMO.

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
    31 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

    I recall the big man doing a number on the Swans some time ago although Covid life is turning my brain into mush. (Who is this family Im living with?) I cant remember if it was last year or 2018. He's a big unit that gets propped up fwd (away from SW) that will clunk a few and give Max a chop out at times. 

    He cant be much slower than Tmac. Although Tmac to be fair has presented at many contests, tackled hard and done his job the last few games.

    So if Gawn comes at expense of Preuss, Tommy certainly needs to lift some more and start kicking more than 1.

    Great that there is pretty much a full list with pressure to keep em performing these days.

    I disagree that TMac (or whoever our number 2 big forward is) should be measured on how many goals he kicks.  In our team, the 2nd tall forwards job is be too dangerous to allow the 2nd defender leave him to double team Weeds, to not ever be outmarked and to do some ruck work. Any goals is a bonus. 

     

    20 minutes ago, Demonland said:

     

    I hope he plays and is fully fit so we play the strongest side possible so when we win no excuses from the peanut gallery are trotted out.

     

     

     

    Jokes.

    • Like 1
    On 8/16/2020 at 12:08 AM, Satyriconhome said:

    What is his role? Any idea?

    The defence is working, all the media pundits and Goodwin agree, now where is Harmes playing?

    i don't think harmsey is having as bad a trot as some say, but any reasonable assessment would be that he is down on his usual form. I wouldn't be dropping him though

    • Like 1
    12 minutes ago, S_T said:

    I disagree that TMac (or whoever our number 2 big forward is) should be measured on how many goals he kicks.  In our team, the 2nd tall forwards job is be too dangerous to allow the 2nd defender leave him to double team Weeds, to not ever be outmarked and to do some ruck work. Any goals is a bonus. 

     

    Disagree. True Tmac is not our key forward anymore and SW has taken on that mantle.

    Yet as a fwrd especially the 2nd, goalscoring certainly is a critical KPI. Yes taking away another class defender and presenting down the ground is part of his role but Weid cant kick a winning score all the time.

    Recall when Tmac was 2nd fiddle to Hogan in 2018 when Tmac kicked more goals than Jesse.  The game has changed so much in the last 10 to 15 years that we wont see forwards kicking in excess of 80 goals a year. Great sides have multiple goal scorers. Sure maybe Fritta or Milk may step up but ultimately If Tmac is not rucking (which he is not great at) if we want final's success ,Tmac needs to kick more than 0.8goals a game as a 2nd key fwd or provide more direct goal assists.

    Although better the last 2 games he has been a shadow of the 2018 Coleman contender he was 2 years ago. Even his marking has dropped off. On a positive, if ever we needed someone to kick accurately and kick the after siren winning goal.....he is our man.

    • Like 1

    For those suggesting Tmac goes out for Gawn, with Preuss to stay in  don't really understand Weidermans role at the moment.  He is playing our deepest forward with either Tmac or Jackson in front of him.  Preuss couldn't play the Tmac/Jackson role he would need to play the Weiderman Role, I not sure we what to change that up.

    • Like 8

    Gawn in for Preuss (harsh, he played pretty well but he has one position only)

    Anyone else sore or not full fit come out for Rivers/Hannan

    • Like 1

    In: Gawn

    Out: Preuss (but very stiff to miss)

    TMac's versatility saving him from the axe.

    • Like 1
     

    THE TEAM

    B: LOCKHART, MAY, LEVER

    HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, HIBBERD

    C : LANGDON, PETRACCA, VANDENBERG

    HF: MELKSHAM, T.MCDONALD, JONES

    F: PICKETT, WEIDEMAN, FRITSCH

    'FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, VINEY

    IC: HARMES, BRAYSHAW, SPARROW, SPARGO

    EMERG: PREUSS, RIVERS, HANNAN, BENNELL

    • Like 2

    Dodge a bit of a bullet weather wise.

    19 and sunny in Surfers on Saturday.

    We're going to be having a bunch of warm games coming up in Alice and Cairns so it's good to avoid yet another heat affected game this weekend. 

    • Like 1

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