1 hour ago, Spit Demon said:

This team should be the most feared team in the comp, and they have the talented players to be exactly that

Oh no we don't. Not past the top half dozen or so in any case.

It's one of the problems here, supporters are constantly over-rating the quality of the team. We're a long way off it at the moment, and each week we're playing a handful of players who would not get picked up by other clubs if we delisted them.

Just now, bing181 said:

Oh no we don't. Not past the top half dozen or so in any case.

It's one of the problems here, supporters are constantly over-rating the quality of the team. We're a long way off it at the moment, and each week we're playing a handful of players who would not get picked up by other clubs if we delisted them.

Spot on bing. Wether we finish 8th or 9th that accurately reflects our list talent level.

1 hour ago, Coq au vin said:

You’ve been cooked in red wine foul chicken. LJ isn’t ready. Leave the team alone. They won last week. No need for changes unless there are injuries.

Mais oui , old coq 

9 hours ago, Kent said:

Hmm ok agree to disagree. LJ not ready Wied out of form T Mac COOKED 

WE HAVE FEW OPTIONS

WITH BROWN YOU GET A COMPETITOR AND HOPEFULLY A COUPLE OF GOALS

This game is not about the future Ham  its about picking a team that will win and win big on Friday ie not the future

We're not much of a team if we couldn't get a big win on Friday (with our opposition not fronting until 2:10pm Sat).
Sorry to be a pedant.

8 hours ago, Jack7 said:

Just bought tickets,anyone else going to the game,lets meet for Beers.

 

Forecast is 24 and little wind,hopefully not as bad as the Bulldogs game,i could barely walk into Metricon,we don't play well in wind and Rain-Bulldogs,Swans,Freo.

 

 

Have a beer for us Jack!

The forecast sounds great. We need to smash Essendon, which isn't out of the question unless we spend  three quarters dithering, like we did against Sydney and Heave ho.

LJ is our future but I see no need to rush him back, I say we give Brown a run against his former side. A chance to prove his spot on the list for 2021.

2 hours ago, bing181 said:

Oh no we don't. Not past the top half dozen or so in any case.

It's one of the problems here, supporters are constantly over-rating the quality of the team. We're a long way off it at the moment, and each week we're playing a handful of players who would not get picked up by other clubs if we delisted them.

Some truth in that, but even top 4 sides put out some absolute duds on any given weekend

19 minutes ago, adonski said:

Some truth in that, but even top 4 sides put out some absolute duds on any given weekend

So much of it is down to attitude and instructions, also down to having those one or two players that can lift a team. Look at West Coast, they were decimated by injury but they had enough quality out on the park and those that came in just did their role.

Jeez I'd love to see a Melbourne FC that could do that!

11 hours ago, Spit Demon said:

Should a team that is simply not good enough to challenge the top teams in the comp be playing finals (any team, not just MFC (unless perhaps it is a young team on the rise))??? I am only saying it like it is. If time and time again a team isn't good enough and consistently inconsistent, supporters will be venting and yes it's likely to be negative. If you can take positives from stuffing up a pretty damn good run to the finals you are better than I am, the time for excuses has long past.  This team should be the most feared team in the comp, and they have the talented players to be exactly that, yet they are not...

Yes Spit Dee it's disappointing but it's still reality that we have a better chance than Dr D is giving us and we have no idea how a Finals campaign might go beyond a bit of wishing and hoping.

BUT we did lose by 3,pts vs Lions and Cats so I can dream a little and have beaten Saints Pies and GWS!

Short of flag Potential Yes but nit as short as many think despite your assertion we should be the most feared in yheCompetition. (Or did you mean The Tigers !!)

On 9/13/2020 at 10:59 AM, Deespicable said:

Five potential ins - Hibberd, Harmes, Lockhart, Sparrow and Jackson with three of them facing fitness test.

Four potential outs with only one a gimme - Jetta (injured). Hibberd will be first cab in if fit and if not it is a question of Lockhart v Harmes.

The other three potential outs that I don't think will happen are: 

Smith - tough call given he plays so tight, but ultimately with Thommo playing the third tall and Hibberd back, we can afford a second small defender and Lockhart gives us the extra offense. If Hibberd doesn't get up I'd expect Smith to stay.

Removal of a small up forward - I've said it before but having three mega-smalls is unsustainable in finals or against good sides. We got away with it against the Giants but whilst I get Goody wants pressure like Richmond, the Tigers only play two tiny's and significantly dropped their third one (Higgins) when it counted against Cats. If by chance we make finals and head to Perth, then Jackson as our mobile tall third forward is a must.

Baker - even tougher call than Smith given his contribution goalwise against Giants, but Vanders was preferred on wing when it counted and if Harmes is fit, he has to play and given that coach has figured out that playing Petracca from goalsquare at times is not such a bad thing, then Harmes can even come back to a midfield role and tag Merrett.

No way Baker gets dropped, U have no idea.

In...a reliable forward that can kick 4 or 5.

Someone.

Anyone.

 

13 hours ago, bing181 said:

Oh no we don't. Not past the top half dozen or so in any case.

It's one of the problems here, supporters are constantly over-rating the quality of the team. We're a long way off it at the moment, and each week we're playing a handful of players who would not get picked up by other clubs if we delisted them.

I agreed with your comment when I read it.

Now I am trying to reconcile how 2 seasons ago we were 1 win away from a Gf.

Yes we got thumped in the pf but we were well above this uear and especially last years standard.

If we are really only a 8 or 9 spot team how did we finish 2 two years ago?

This is a genuine question.

It really is pretty much the same team as 2018 so I think its reasonabke to assume they are better than our present ladder situation.

 

7 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I agreed with your comment when I read it.

Now I am trying to reconcile how 2 seasons ago we were 1 win away from a Gf.

Yes we got thumped in the pf but we were well above this uear and especially last years standard.

If we are really only a 8 or 9 spot team how did we finish 2 two years ago?

This is a genuine question.

It really is pretty much the same team as 2018 so I think its reasonabke to assume they are better than our present ladder situation.

 

Answer : Roosy

5 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I agreed with your comment when I read it.

Now I am trying to reconcile how 2 seasons ago we were 1 win away from a Gf.

Yes we got thumped in the pf but we were well above this uear and especially last years standard.

If we are really only a 8 or 9 spot team how did we finish 2 two years ago?

This is a genuine question.

It really is pretty much the same team as 2018 so I think its reasonabke to assume they are better than our present ladder situation.

 

At the time of finals in 2018 we beat Hawks and Cats who were both rebuilding and not in scathing form.

Hawks since have gone down further, whereas the Cats rebuild turned out a success.

We were good but still young and raw and not the team we are now with May , Lever and Petracca  mk2.

The whole competition has improved  as well and other sides have developed, like Saints, Lions, Freo, Suns and Port.

42 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

In...a reliable forward that can kick 4 or 5.

Someone.

Anyone.

 

We don't have that player unless we play Trac forward.. or clone him.

46 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

In...a reliable forward that can kick 4 or 5.

Someone.

Anyone.

 

Agree. Need Weid or Fritsch or Kozzy to light it up and kick a bag. (ie. In modern day footy in 2020, 4 goals or more is a bag). 

11 hours ago, Pates said:

LJ is our future but I see no need to rush him back, I say we give Brown a run against his former side. A chance to prove his spot on the list for 2021.

Agree totally.

LJ and Weid are future and showed already they worked well together. Weid is young and has been overworked could do with a rest.

Brown with his incentive and T Mac playing for survival should be told to work had and kick straight. Team told that they must win by 150  or it's a fail. Rest of the team selected from squad for reasons of survival or rested for future long term or short term.

If the Bradbury happens LJ and Weid bought in for finals experience with other young squad. Anything can happen in finals and selection and game plans are critical. We have got it wrong all season despite having the best opportunities for years.

This has been an abysmal season of lost opportunities and the coach is a real problem as he has ultimate responsibility.We have had a fitter and better credentialed squad with a better mix of age and experience which should form a base for next ten years. Failure to use the flexibility of the squad rests with the coach. He needs to explain his season to the members through a transparent external review process.

 

Jackson, Harmes, Hibberd all tests 

18 minutes ago, adonski said:

Jackson, Harmes, Hibberd all tests 

don't risk them before finals

?

Bombers would be crazy to win this one.  Gold Coast will likely win and Blues/Freo will probably lose.  So winning could see the bombers 3 spots in the ladder higher.  what pick would you trade to move up 3 places in the top 10?

they'll try in the first Q and then ease off

Demons paying $5.50 over 39pts FYI

Injury List

James Harmes

Hamstring | Test

Michael Hibberd

Ankle | Test

Luke Jackson

Hamstring | Test

Nathan Jones

Quad | 1 Week

Angus Brayshaw

Foot | Season

James Jordon

Finger | Season

Harry Petty

Groin | Season

Kade Kolodjashnij

Head | Indefinite

Aaron Nietschke

Knee | Season

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

don't risk them before finals

?

Stupid have make Finals first!!!

4 minutes ago, 58er said:

Stupid have make Finals first!!!

I think Dub is taking the Mickey!!

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Bombers would be crazy to win this one.  Gold Coast will likely win and Blues/Freo will probably lose.  So winning could see the bombers 3 spots in the ladder higher.  what pick would you trade to move up 3 places in the top 10?

they'll try in the first Q and then ease off

Demons paying $5.50 over 39pts FYI

Wonder what the Bombers 1-39 is, could have some fair juice to it!

18 hours ago, Pates said:

So much of it is down to attitude and instructions

The logical extension of this is that you could put out a VFL-level side with great "attitude and instructions" and have them compete.

Sooner or later you need good players, and to go deep into finals you need a lot of them.