4 hours ago, Deespicable said:

As I said on the game-day thread, what was most pleasing was that Goody, for the first time in his career as coach, did not rush in his first-year men, and stuck with his senior men over raw kids who all showed glimpses pre-season, but are not seasoned footballers yet!

The choice of Sparrow, Jordan, Chandler and Baker - all third-year men - over these first year excitement machines was totally appropriate and ensures that they don't get disenchanted with their coach and let's face it, as good as Bowey, Laurie and Rozman have looked at training - these four have done their apprenticeship and deserve a chance.

All four may ultimately not be quite good enough, but at least now they will know and we will know.

Even better was the decision to give Jones and Jetta a chance before these kids. Both may be too old ... and now too slow, but they still have the smarts and do the team role player things with strong bodies hardened from years of weights.

There were heaps missing with at least six players likely to press for Rd 1 selection injury permitting - Brayshaw, Melky, J.Smith, Viney, VDB and Kossie - I think Hibbo, B.Brown and Weid are all confirmed non-Rd 1 starters - but the nucleus of the side is still there and we have at least two more players in the twos who are ready when called - Petty and Lockhart.

Both Gale and Balme made mention of our pace in transition. We have been slow in the past and now have a better balance with our outside/inside run. Richmond, of course, is getting older and they were missing Rioli who is mega quick.

But the one player who has transformed the pace issue is the move of Jayden Hunt back to defence. He was beaten badly a couple of times over the back by Castagna in the second term, but kept providing line-breaking dash and against Richmond who zone and peel off and block with precision, such players are vital. Rivers also did it a couple of times, his baulk and bounce and 50m kick from a kick-in one of the highlights.

The other thing that  surprised me was that we played four small up forward crumbing Jackson and T.Mac and Fritta and Gawn (when there) as well as providing the short option which is now more likely under the man on mark rule. All four - Spargo, Jones, Chandler and ANB - pressured hard all game. And our best small forward - Kossie - wasn't out there. The decision for Goody now is whether he continues to back in the four small forward set up or tries to solve his problems when everyone is fit by slotting Trac or Melky and Sparrow into the forward mix to accommodate Viney and Brayshaw.

The other pleasing thing is that it looks like we will use Gawn and Jackson as more of a tandem ruck-forward weapon this year which is great. 

Onwards and upwards.

This is a worthy of not as Bob Murphy on radio today was applying the American college system to AFL teams. The college system has a player at college for 3 years before he becomes a pro.. They get 3 years to mature and support locally the thought that the draft age is too young. Bob looked at several lists and when players had their so called breakout year and it is often that 4th year. Names such as Franklin, Riewoldt (Nick) all announced themselves in their 4th year. In 2021 the team with the most upside was Brisbane with several players entering their 4th year. Spargo, Lockhart & Fritsch are now entering their 4th season and the 3 mentioned above can I hope all have breakout seasons in 21 and 22

3 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

The game is now posted on the MFC website, quarter by quarter

Q1: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/868677/q1-practice-match-a-melbourne-v-richmond?videoId=868677&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614299401001

Q2: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/868672/q2-practice-match-a-melbourne-v-richmond?videoId=868672&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614301200001

Q3: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/868683/q3-practice-match-a-melbourne-v-richmond?videoId=868683&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614303000001

Q4: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/868503/q4-practice-match-a-melbourne-v-richmond?videoId=868503&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614305148001

 

Thanks IHW

I got to see the first three quarters streamed live (multitasking whilst working ?‍♂️) 

looking forward to watching the last quarter with a nice glass of wine!

Was pleased to see TMacs form and the kid Chandler, could give us something up forward if he keeps that form going into the season

24 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Was pleased to see TMacs form and the kid Chandler, could give us something up forward if he keeps that form going into the season

Yep

The kid stays in the picture (Chandler)

Sam Weideman in the Q1 commentary suggested he’d be running in about a weeks time. Good news.

8 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

Don't read the gameday thread. I accidentally did after a long offseason but immediately regretted it. It's an awful place purely designed for people to let off steam whilst not flooding the main board. You could almost call it Demonland 'quarantine'.

Spot on Bob, I normally don't go near the Game Day thread, I stopped today at page 7. The thread is always overtaken by either "premature celebrator's" or "premature flagellator's". I felt like posting a link to the Alphamaleclinic.

5 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

That was a really good stream this morning. 
well done to the Camera and Sound Crews

Commentary was great. Wish more AFL games were like that. 

Good quality control comments from the TV industry expert!

Just watched the replay.

Plenty of positives and I thought a pretty even contribution across the board. Our big guns look reasonably sharp, showing some nice touches and link play. Good to see some peripheral players like Chandler Jordon and Sparrow getting involved and making a case for Rd 1 selection.

Harmes and Baker nearly but not quite.  Hunt good going forward but defensively I think he’s a liability.

Still not sure whether the forward mix will work. TMac looked ok. Looks like Maxy will push forward more rotating with Dogga. Delivery at times was aimless, particularly in that 2^nd quarter. Good to score 90+ so can't complain too much.

Defence looked solid other than those 2 over the top goals in the second quarter. We really need to stamp those out. Lever very good and hopefully can replicate the intercept marking role in the season proper.

All in all a good hit-out. Looking forward to seeing the boys in the flesh against the doggies next weekend.  

It looks like Richmond are seeking a soccer style with regrouping across half back, shifting it then advancing the attack from there.  We tried to take riskier options on the 45 and this got us unstuck early.  Lever in particular turned it over on exit far too easily early, but cleaned it up later.  Q2 the Richmond system got us and we didn’t execute.  After half time, we ramped up our contests and managed to connect the run better.  Think if we can get confidence, the game style can work with the pieces that we have.

Jones showed class.  Bit worried about Baker and Harmes based upon that performance. Would like to have seen what Weid and Sideshow would have added out there.

Likes: Lever, Jordon, Chandler, Max, Oliver, Langdon, Petracca. Jones in last quarter.

Dislikes: Hunts tackling, Baker's second half, Harmes' free kicks, Nev going with 195cm forwards!

10 hours ago, Doug Reemer said:

You're right. The water bottle is half-full.

Chandler's check side kick for goal in the last quarter was a gem. Kicked three goals and had a great game. Looking forward to seeing him playing in Round 1- in person!?

Even though it's a practice game against Richmond (reigning Premiers no less), don't think I've seen a better game from Jake Lever.

Solid in defence, intercepting and holding his marks. He had a big influence in the win. 

I'll go out on a limb and say Max and Jake were our two best players. 

Don't tell me the Tigers weren't trying. 

1 minute ago, Dame Gaga said:

Even though it's a practice game against Richmond (reigning Premiers no less), don't think I've seen a better game from Jake Lever.

Solid in defence, intercepting and holding his marks. He had a big influence in the win. 

I'll go out on a limb and say Max and Jake were our two best players. 

Don't tell me the Tigers weren't trying. 

 

Lever was awesome.  Thats the player we envisioned when we poached him from the Crows.   As the commentators were saying people can easily forget hes only 24, seems like hes been around forever.

He also did his ACL a couple of years ago which seems to get glossed over too.  This could be his year.

 

9 hours ago, Altona-demon said:

Positives for me:

1. Hunt able to execute the clear game plan to use his speed off half back - looked good. HOWEVER, his lack of tackling ability was clearly exposed on a number of occasions - and I am not sure whether we should be carrying him in that way.

2. Tom McDonald - took a number of contested marks, and managed to create space on the lead twice (once leading to a goal). Was a good performance from TMac.

3. The speed of transition play and general play was a noticeable step up from last year.  I'm not sure why - but we looked quicker and cleaner.  Still some sloppy disposals - ones that I can remember from Nathan Jones - back into the corridor.

4. Petracca picked up where he left off. 

5. Agree Chandler, and Jordon both look likely.  I also think that Jackson looked OK today.

6. Jake Lever had a very strong game - and along with May that combination is starting to look very good.  I got nervous the way May was throwing his body around, but I understand that that is the way he plays the game. He did a good job on Lynch for me.  

Negatives

1. Oscar Baker experiment was OK - I counted two goals which were directly linked to defensive mishaps from him - he's not a strong defender - and also didn't see much to justify the "he has pace to play that position".

2. Trent Rivers - seemed a bit quiet, but I guess not everyone can be dynamic. 

3. Forward line lacked something - can't put my finger on it.  But wouldn't be against Mitch Brown coming in - Jackson didn't really threaten...

i think you've hit alot of nails on the head here, on your hunt point i think his performance today was nothing to write home about and was more of what a bang average performance for a running defender should look like, i still think he's not the answer and he must watch out because bowey looked fantastic. 

agree re baker that that second wing is still really problematic for us. agree re rivers, chandler and jordon. didn't see as much from sparrow as i anticipated, reckon jordon has passed him in that midfield queue

9 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

The overall broadcast for TV/Net was terrific quality; the vision crystal clear and camera work was spot on for the electronic audience. Well done, folks. Commentary was honest, enlightening and appropriate.

i was only listening to audio as i was working, so would have benefitted from more play-by-play like we got in the first quarter particularly and less interview-style which could have been saved for the breaks, but it was still informative and enjoyable to hear, did mean i didn't get a perfect read on how each player performed

6 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Our talls drop marks or spoil ineffectively which doesn't help the little guys. Rivers and Hunt probably get first crack because they have the speed and if he's in form Nev provides the strength in the air even if his legs aren't the same but it's far from a perfect group. I expect Petty and Bowey will be in contention for round 1 spots, even if they aren't lock down defenders. We might see Hibberd, Joel Smith and even Deakyn Smith early in the season too. 

petty is so much better than tomlinson, wake up goody! 

i think tim lamb gave away most of his plans in that third quarter. was very stern on saying we have two spots and hore has not been made inactive and that we will carry one over. he also said that deakyn was only allowed 1 session a week unless he was officially added to the SSP program so i think it was meant to just be work experience for him and he'll play overage TAC cup this season, with farmer and maj to get the spots and hore's place going to the MSD.

also did we hear anything re neitschke's knee? i know he went off and was getting it looked at... no news is good news? just a jar?

2 hours ago, dee-tox said:

Likes: Lever, Jordon, Chandler, Max, Oliver, Langdon, Petracca. Jones in last quarter.

Dislikes: Hunts tackling, Baker's second half, Harmes' free kicks, Nev going with 195cm forwards!

Likes: his coathanger/ear massage on lynch in the first quarter!

jetta was pretty okay i thought

1 hour ago, Turner said:

petty is so much better than tomlinson, wake up goody! 

i think tim lamb gave away most of his plans in that third quarter. was very stern on saying we have two spots and hore has not been made inactive and that we will carry one over. he also said that deakyn was only allowed 1 session a week unless he was officially added to the SSP program so i think it was meant to just be work experience for him and he'll play overage TAC cup this season, with farmer and maj to get the spots and hore's place going to the MSD.

Alan Richardson was on to start the B game and he said Petty is one of Goodwin's favourite players, I don't think Goody or probably any of the coaches are the reason he isn't in the A side. He missed all of last year and had a slow start to preseason.

It was hard to get a read on what Lamb was thinking apart from the plan to save at least the potential Hore spot for a mid season addition.

Just from hearing a few comments I think Deakyn might be ahead of Farmer and as much as we could send Deakyn back to the Stingrays we could do the same with Farmer to Casey. 

4 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

Even though it's a practice game against Richmond (reigning Premiers no less), don't think I've seen a better game from Jake Lever.

Solid in defence, intercepting and holding his marks. He had a big influence in the win. 

I'll go out on a limb and say Max and Jake were our two best players. 

Don't tell me the Tigers weren't trying. 

They were trying. The start of the 3rd they tried to fight us. It had the reverse effect. We kept playing footy and took hold of the game.

Typical Hardwick tactics.

votes

6  Gawn

5  Oliver

4 Langdon

3 Petracca

2 Lever

1 Chandler

Just watched 2nd qtr of b game Farmer is long way off afl level

1 hour ago, forever demons said:

Just watched 2nd qtr of b game Farmer is long way off afl level

If he wasn't the Wiz's son I doubt that there would be much interest in him.

19 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Good win by the dees especially against an all full premiership side. Chandler a real surprise packet. Gawn, Lever and Petracca fantastic.

 

ROUND 1 TEAM

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, CHANDLER

F: FRITSCH, JACKSON, SPARGO

FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, VINEY

IC: BRAYSHAW, HARMES, JONES, JETTA

EMERG: SPARROW, JORDON, NEAL-BULLEN, VANDENBERG

In Sparrow Bowey Out Harmes Jetta

 

15 hours ago, Altona-demon said:

Yeah I couldn't put my finger on it - but I think you are bang on.  The times when he got exposed in defensive 50 was when he was kinda out of position.  But that dash of halfback (loved when he ran around Lynch...d**khead) really helped us transition so well. 

I see Hunt nearly in the same way a lot saw Frost, the only difference is when Hunt makes a mistake I don't think it will cost us as much and he's got a higher footy IQ so when he's got the confidence to fully commit to all contests is less likely to end up in the middle of nowhere. Plus he's not playing on a key position forward, so the damage on a mistake should be less, he's just got to work on his positioning on the high ball

8 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

I see Hunt nearly in the same way a lot saw Frost, the only difference is when Hunt makes a mistake I don't think it will cost us as much and he's got a higher footy IQ so when he's got the confidence to fully commit to all contests is less likely to end up in the middle of nowhere. Plus he's not playing on a key position forward, so the damage on a mistake should be less, he's just got to work on his positioning on the high ball

But Frost could defend his man.Hunt at this stage loses his man at the contest which cost us 2 possibly 3 goals. 

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

But Frost could defend his man.Hunt at this stage loses his man at the contest which cost us 2 possibly 3 goals. 

Yes, but it was Frost's job to man a key forward, and he still cost us at least 2-3 goals per game getting caught in between defending and attack. Hunt should have more licensee to actually do that, one of the things that was obvious from yesterday we that he got his positioning wrong, he got caught in y the side of high packs a few times, he needs to move towards the back or the goal side if he's next to his man