4 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Who takes Papley?

Why not May? In great form, he's quick and can play small. That said May isn't that tall (only 190cm)

5 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Who takes Papley?

Rivers, he got the job on Butler and I'd back him in against Papley. 

1 minute ago, Demons11 said:

I understand that but Sydney’s forward line is considerably smaller.  I do see your point though and let’s just hope it works as well again 

So do I. The other reason that they might have retained him is because of the short tun around to the next game. they may be looking to ensure we keep the key defenders as fresh as possible by rotating them and resting them as much as possible during the game.

I worry that we’re going too tall in defence, I would’ve brought in either Lockhart or Nev for Oscar. 

Comfortable with the outs though. AvB has been playing poorly for a while now and Hannan was the obvious one to make way for Fritta. Managing Pickett this a good move, hopefully a rest will have him right for Freo. 

Nibbler back after his suspension, it’s an interesting thing to think that if they hadn’t allowed suspended players to play in the scratch matches then he wouldn’t have got this chance. Hope he does his role and tackles well, this time perhaps in a way that won’t give him a suspension. 

Harmes named in the forward line, we’ve been calling for this change for a while. Hopefully it gives him confidence. 

Hope to see ANB tasked with a specific role, while a fan of the man and his attitude, and believing he was lynched for that tackle, I think he needs to develop more of a tagging role and make his tackles stick (but not as much as the last one). I don't think Lockhart is right yet, would back him over Smith. Pleased AVB is rested, have only see one truly effective disposal in last 4 games, (was a score assist). Harmes I have faith in him getting it right soon, and Fritsch too.

5 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

He's a good shut down player for ball getter types, but I don't rate him as a stopper for crafty small forwards like Papley.

Harmes to play as a defensive forward and shut down Lloyd?

14 minutes ago, CHF said:

No problem from me with any of the outs.

Giving Smith another run might work but it is not the way I would have gone. Would have brought in Lockhart instead.

Harmes I will be watching closely a I think he has been playing well blow his best form and with a lack of confidence. I hope he turns it around in this game.

Good to see Omac and Wagner retain their spots.

Smith will get the job on Papley I suspect. Has the speed and did well on Danger when he was forward earlier in the year. Smarts...?

ANB defensive role on Lloyd I reckon

2 minutes ago, DaisyDeeciple said:

Hope to see ANB tasked with a specific role, while a fan of the man and his attitude, and believing he was lynched for that tackle, I think he needs to develop more of a tagging role and make his tackles stick (but not as much as the last one). I don't think Lockhart is right yet, would back him over Smith. Pleased AVB is rested, have only see one truly effective disposal in last 4 games, (was a score assist). Harmes I have faith in him getting it right soon, and Fritsch too.

Maybe it is a fitness thing.

Jetta's been named as an emergency, but Lockhart hasn't. So if it's not fitness, Lockhart's gone from best 22 to behind Jetta (and Rivers).

I find it slightly interesting that Vanders was omitted rather than managed.

Didn't play exactly the same role last week as he has done for most of the year with Tomlinson playing the wing position (the one he was traded in to play). Maybe a sign that Tomlinson has improved in his defensive positioning to assist with our zone enough that Vanders is on the outer.

Also only played 62% game time last week which is obviously super low.

2 minutes ago, Stevienic23 said:

Harmes to play as a defensive forward and shut down Lloyd?

Can't see where we fit him in forward with Fritsch and ANB coming in.

5 minutes ago, Stevienic23 said:

Harmes to play as a defensive forward and shut down Lloyd?

Melksham often does the shut down role, right?

3 minutes ago, godees said:

Smith will get the job on Papley I suspect. Has the speed and did well on Danger when he was forward earlier in the year. Smarts...?

Possibly Rivers gets first crack at Papley and Smith to try and fill Hibberd's position with run out of the back half. 

7 minutes ago, Stevienic23 said:

Why not May? In great form, he's quick and can play small. That said May isn't that tall (only 190cm)

He's 193cm on MFC website and I'd even question that being correct. Having met him I was surprised of how big a bloke he is. Man is a beast and ridiculously quick for his size. 

Outside fritsch, the other 3 we know what we get poor disposal and decision making.

Bedford, Chandler, bennell, hunt seem to be on the outer, Lockhart has been ok, not sure why he is out.  Jetta I understand looks like a player that went on 1 year to many.

13 minutes ago, Ham said:

Rivers, he got the job on Butler and I'd back him in against Papley. 

Very good point this... Spent most of the game on Butler, so no reason he can't handle Papley. Shows how much faith they must have in the kid.  

Presumably he'll get first crack. 

Joel Smith? Yuck. He's just not up to AFL standard. Hopefully will be delisted at years end. 

7 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

Melksham often does the shut down role, right?

When we were going alright in 2018 he did. Can't recall too much success of him doing it since

21 minutes ago, CHF said:

Why? He was part of a defensive unit that put on the best display for the season. May may not have been able to perform the way he did if OMac was not there.

May and Lever have performed really well when he was out for those couple of weeks.

The whole Omac makes them better players is a giant myth. Even Lever scoffed at that suggestion during his press conference. 

not a huge fan of the changes but as long as we win, that's the priority

2 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

May and Lever have performed really well when he was out for those couple of weeks.

The whole Omac makes them better players is a giant myth. Even Lever scoffed at that suggestion during his press conference. 

Fair enough. I have a different opinion on Omac's worth.

So much of what I see in the criticism of him on this site just looks like a knee jerk reaction that is not based  on evidence. he generally positions himself well and has excellent disposal efficiency.

Yep, I understand he will get beaten at times either on a one on one or a lead but so will lever and May at times.

Outs make sense. I'm not a Smith or ANB fan but hope they do well, it's a good opportunity for them to show their value.

they brought in ex-bear lewis taylor as a small pressure forward

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

May and Lever have performed really well when he was out for those couple of weeks.

The whole Omac makes them better players is a giant myth. Even Lever scoffed at that suggestion during his press conference. 

Mate, I know you hate OMac, but you're stretching the truth a fair bit there.

Paraphrasing here:

'When Oscar comes in the side it definitely relieves me of having to play on that 2nd or 1st tall...'

'Don't want to have to keep Oscar out there for me to play well...'

'I definitely enjoy when Oscar is in the side, but don't want to have to rely on that to play well...'

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/804633/media-conference-jake-lever?videoId=804633&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1598855500001

26 minutes ago, Ham said:

Rivers, he got the job on Butler and I'd back him in against Papley. 

Beat me to it Ham.  Great opportunity for Rivers to earn a top- line scalp.