PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Fremantle

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

12 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Don't think we'd want Tomlinson and Petty in the same defence.  Both have a lot to offer but both have a little bit of a weakness in leg speed. This is largely made up for by their other attributes and team mates around them ... but this week against Freo I fear they could cut us up if we go too tall and slow.

May, Lever, Tomlinson, Rivers, Salem, Hunt, Jetta - that's our back 7 for mine.

Will be interesting howe use Gawn - often against inexperienced rucks he has a field day with D50 marks - given their forward line I think Freo would be better placed kicking it in along the ground!

My point is that 7 with Jetta is too slow, so I’ll take my chances with a taller slow line up too. If Nev isn’t a defensive weapon I just don’t see what he brings

17 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Let's not forget, that he was recruited as a run all day, taller wingman, not for speed. Langdon is about speed. Tomlinson had a massive disadvantage last year that the quarters were reduced in time so it didn't allow his strengths to show (Hill from St Kilda was another similar player). It does show how highly rated he was that he held his spot as a defender. This year his endurance will be a massive boost for us, plus Langdon's endurance has gone through the roof from when he was at Freo. 

Langdon was a great runner at Freo too. Tomlinson held his spot because the alternative was Oscar and we were paying him a big salary. His endurance helps the backline zone but we’re yet to see him earn games ahead of talented alternatives. There’s a reason the Giants didn’t use him as a key defender and just had him as a utility. 

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,291]

Freo reckon both Darcy and Tabener are right to play. They’ve said they will consider throwing a tall back up forward, clearly realising that Tom McDonald is no threat and Luke Jackson is still a kid. Looks like our selection is playing into their hands. A weak forward line means we will struggle, as we will kick wide to the pockets to Fritsch who will take 9/10 shots from the 3rd row of the pocket. 

[dazzledavey36 52,648]

10 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Freo reckon both Darcy and Tabener are right to play. They’ve said they will consider throwing a tall back up forward, clearly realising that Tom McDonald is no threat and Luke Jackson is still a kid. Looks like our selection is playing into their hands. A weak forward line means we will struggle, as we will kick wide to the pockets to Fritsch who will take 9/10 shots from the 3rd row of the pocket. 

Since when is Darcy a threat up for?

[Ted Lasso 18,721]

11 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Freo reckon both Darcy and Tabener are right to play. They’ve said they will consider throwing a tall back up forward, clearly realising that Tom McDonald is no threat and Luke Jackson is still a kid. Looks like our selection is playing into their hands. A weak forward line means we will struggle, as we will kick wide to the pockets to Fritsch who will take 9/10 shots from the 3rd row of the pocket. 

Backing Steven May over Tabs every day of the week, the real question is going to be if Tommy can clunk a few for us, that'll get their key back, in the backline very quickly. you'd imagine Gawn is going to run the dockers rucks off their feet and drift forward, they'll need all the height that they can get while he's down there

 

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

9 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Freo reckon both Darcy and Tabener are right to play. They’ve said they will consider throwing a tall back up forward, clearly realising that Tom McDonald is no threat and Luke Jackson is still a kid. Looks like our selection is playing into their hands. A weak forward line means we will struggle, as we will kick wide to the pockets to Fritsch who will take 9/10 shots from the 3rd row of the pocket. 

They’ve got 5 good key defenders, no a surprise they’d move one forward. 

Leading forward leads to the pocket, that’s not news. Fritsch missed too many last year from dead in front not the boundary.
 

We have to move the ball faster to open the 50 up. Otherwise it will be using Max at times and then being comfortable slowing tempo and hitting up short leads which is made easier by the man on the mark rules.

[Roost it far 7,331]

I’ve increased my winning margin to 41 points. We’re too good, too strong, too skilled and simply won’t lose this

[chook fowler 19,248]

4 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

I’ve increased my winning margin to 41 points. We’re too good, too strong, too skilled and simply won’t lose this

Being too good on paper as never stopped us losing in the past 

[Red and Blue realist 2,026]

34 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

My point is that 7 with Jetta is too slow, so I’ll take my chances with a taller slow line up too. If Nev isn’t a defensive weapon I just don’t see what he brings

Langdon was a great runner at Freo too. Tomlinson held his spot because the alternative was Oscar and we were paying him a big salary. His endurance helps the backline zone but we’re yet to see him earn games ahead of talented alternatives. There’s a reason the Giants didn’t use him as a key defender and just had him as a utility. 

Langdon was a good runner, but has gotten even better with us. There was an article around his time on ground stats, and I know it was a shortened season but he went from 85% in 2019 to around 92% with us last year and in the pre-season I think it was around 98%. Not insignificant when you look at his role. No doubt Tomlinson is one of those guys who's biggest issue could be his flexibility, at the Giants he played back, forward and wing. I never subscribed to the talk that we only picked him as a wing only, but to imply he's only getting a game because there's no-one else is false, he's no superstar, hence why we we didn't pay him superstar income, he'll do the job week in week out, which is what all teams need. 

[Roost it far 7,331]

5 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Being too good on paper as never stopped us losing in the past 

We’re going to click this year

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

1 minute ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

Backing Steven May over Tabs every day of the week, the real question is going to be if Tommy can clunk a few for us, that'll get their key back, in the backline very quickly. you'd imagine Gawn is going to run the dockers rucks off their feet and drift forward, they'll need all the height that they can get while he's down there

 

May struggled with Taberner last year. He’s one of the few key forwards who has May covered for height and enough strength to not be moved off the ball. If we get the game on our terms it should actually be Tomlinson guardian Tabs up the ground, Lever intercepting and May sitting back guarding the 50. 

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

12 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Langdon was a good runner, but has gotten even better with us. There was an article around his time on ground stats, and I know it was a shortened season but he went from 85% in 2019 to around 92% with us last year and in the pre-season I think it was around 98%. Not insignificant when you look at his role. No doubt Tomlinson is one of those guys who's biggest issue could be his flexibility, at the Giants he played back, forward and wing. I never subscribed to the talk that we only picked him as a wing only, but to imply he's only getting a game because there's no-one else is false, he's no superstar, hence why we we didn't pay him superstar income, he'll do the job week in week out, which is what all teams need. 

That’s not fitness it’s just poor coaching in preseason and a lack of wing options. If he’s playing more than 90% we’re just lessening his impact.

Tomlinson is 0/2 in doing his job in preseason. Bruce and Riewoldt have both made him look ordinary at times and kicked multiple goals on him. We paid him like an established best 15 player. There’s a free agency tax to that but overall it’s an over pay.  Teams find better key defenders in the state leagues. 

[AzzKikA 2,371]

3 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Is yours?

Think that's pretty obvious

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,291]

16 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

That’s not fitness it’s just poor coaching in preseason and a lack of wing options. If he’s playing more than 90% we’re just lessening his impact.

Tomlinson is 0/2 in doing his job in preseason. Bruce and Riewoldt have both made him look ordinary at times and kicked multiple goals on him. We paid him like an established best 15 player. There’s a free agency tax to that but overall it’s an over pay.  Teams find better key defenders in the state leagues. 

Goodwin and Tomlinson are very close mates I’m lead to believe. Similar interests 

[dl4e 5,843]

11 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Goodwin and Tomlinson are very close mates I’m lead to believe. Similar interests 

Tomlinson should not be in the side. And what does that say about Goodwin and the selection process ( if true ).

[DubDee 24,280]

[censored] ridiculous we won’t know the teams until 18 hours before kick off

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

19 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Goodwin and Tomlinson are very close mates I’m lead to believe. Similar interests 

Richmond players like fishing, getting on the beers and winning flags. They’re hard, fast, aggressive and nasty. Goody needs to forget the guys who he can talk stock tips with and remember where he came from.

[John Demonic 5,481]

21 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Goodwin and Tomlinson are very close mates I’m lead to believe. Similar interests 

Has he been invited to Goody's Sunday roast with the Melkshams?

[Wells 11 5,259]

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

Being too good on paper as never stopped us losing in the past 

well goddam it... let’s use our real home ground advantage and play the game on paper! 

[Wells 11 5,259]

15 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Richmond players like fishing, getting on the beers and winning flags. They’re hard, fast, aggressive and nasty. Goody needs to forget the guys who he can talk stock tips with and remember where he came from.

developing rapport with players is important, surely, and imo doesn’t mean being soft on their performances.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

20 minutes ago, DubDee said:

[censored] ridiculous we won’t know the teams until 18 hours before kick off

Is this confirmed?  No more Thursday night teams?

[Lucifers Hero 38,874]

An update:

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed they will be without three key players for their opening match against Fremantle.

Hibberd was pushing for a round one return after being sidelined with an ankle injury during

“We want to pick a fairly fit side,” Goodwin said on 3AW.

“Hibberd played his first game for Casey and Melksham’s playing his first game this week.

“Viney’s also playing his first game for Casey (this week) so those guys won’t be available.

There was good news, however, for Steve May, who suffered a concussion during the AAMI Community Series

“So far he’s passed everything. It’s 12 days of really strict protocols,” Goodwin said.

“He did his contested work today and did full training.

“Now he’s just got to wake up and not feel too bad and he’ll get the all clear to play.”

Forwards Ben Brown and Sam Weideman will also both miss.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-round-1-team-whispers-exiled-cat-brought-in-from-the-cold-demons-massive-triple-blow/news-story/e6c1cabc19f1b937e49156b325e84961

 

Not fussed about Hibberd and Melksham missing - they need match practice.  VFL for them this week.

Great to hear that May will play.  His call by the sound of it.  Can't see him missing if he doesn't have to.

Excellent news and a very pleasant surprise to see Viney is playing VFL this week.  Earlier than expected.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Lucifer's Hero

[loges 6,767]

7 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Is this confirmed?  No more Thursday night teams?

Apparently it's the day before whenever the game is being played

[Little Goffy 13,937]

9 minutes ago, loges said:

Apparently it's the day before whenever the game is being played

I guess the Supercoach administrators forgot to make their brown paper bag delivery to HQ.

[Kent 2,853]

50 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Tomlinson should not be in the side. And what does that say about Goodwin and the selection process ( if true ).

Does that mean Tomlinson likes slow horses?

[Redleg 39,941]

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

Being too good on paper as never stopped us losing in the past 

And most of that paper ends up being used in a little room where the end result is usually a flush.