One comment on t-mac, even though he wasn't clunking them tonight, he at least would bring the ball to ground most times it went to him in a contest which at least brings koz and co into the game. He wasn't getting consistently beaten by his direct opponent.

Sparrow definitely over melksham for me, sparrow hunts and tackles so much better. 

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Like many I'm a no to Melksham until we see him perform consistently at VFL level. Showed nothing in 2020.

Sure at his best h'es good for two goals a game but I think we have that aspect covered.

Hibberd/Jetta is more a match up question which I will leave to those more knowledgeable on the Geelong structure

I see our first "real" VFL game is Sunday April 18 at Box Hill.

PS.. just noticed our first home Casey game is not until 8 May... so much for practice on an MCG size ground.

It's OK fir the AFL players that's what it's about. 
Casey VFL players are still advantaged to train in that size ground it doesn't s as later any thing. 
ths fixture is a fixture for the season !!!

We don't need to have the same Team members in every game even though we are winning. It's all about fitness shared with the blending of experience.

The thought of Hibberd comming into the side is quite tantalising.

We would have some serious drive comming out of our backline with all of Hibberd, Salem, Hunt, May and Rivers running the ball out and then delivering with long penetrating kicks.

I think Nev has been quite serviceable, but I think we really need to take our game to the next level and we have the players there to assist with that improvement, so should use them.

Similarly, I think Melksham's ball use inside 50 could be quite valuable.  Still thought we weren't as efficient as we could be delivering the ball into our forward line as we could have been last night.  Some noteworthy good passes from Spargo and Nibbler, but still too many bombs to packs.  Our forward line would have looked very average last night if it wasn't for the heroics of Kossie and Fritta actually kicking straight for once.

2 hours ago, siam juntaRus said:

Definetely change the jumper for next weeks big game at the G.  lol

That bright blue red jumper looks awful and tacky.

The royal blue retro isn't exactly my first preference MFC jumper, but it's a vast improvement on any predominantly white jumper the AFL made us wear for way too many seasons, so I'm not going to complain about it.

Next weekend is a MFC home game, so I'm assuming they will wear the traditional red and navey blue and hopefully the following weekend against Hawthorn as well.

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

We have a great opportunity to go 4 wins for the start of the year. The year 1994 was the last time we did it. Geelong have no Dangerfield, Rohan and I don't think Cameron will play. 

Hibberd perhaps over Jetta if fit

cant see why you’d take Sparrow out

TMac needs an 8 mark, 4 goal game to get his confidence going. He’s playing average to poor football for so long his confidence is shot. 

18 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

The thought of Hibberd comming into the side is quite tantalising.

We would have some serious drive comming out of our backline with all of Hibberd, Salem, Hunt, May and Rivers running the ball out and then delivering with long penetrating kicks.

I think Nev has been quite serviceable, but I think we really need to take our game to the next level and we have the players there to assist with that improvement, so should use them.

 

We all love Nev but Hibberd coming in will be a big upgrade.  Would be surprised if it doesn't happen against the Cats, although Hibbo didnt get any game practice this weekend.

15 hours ago, Purple77 said:

I would take Sparrow ahead of Melksham, pretty much every day of the week.

Melksham was amazing in 2018, but he hasn't had the same impact since IMO. He also drove me up the wall in 2020 with his non-chases. Won't have that problem with Sparrow.

This, 100%.

I can't believe people want him back in the team, but at the same time want Nev and Jones out.

Melksham was good for 1.5 years (2017/2018) and 2018 looked a lot better as the whole team was performing and bringing other players up, that otherwise wouldn't have been. He is incredibly past it and shouldn't be played anymore. 

Sparrows place is shaky but 4 tackles means he's contributing to our front half pressure which melky historically doesn't so no change there for mine, 

every other teams key power forward is contributing massively of the scoreboard ours can't even get one mit near it so 

TMac out Majak in

the modern game should suit him and he's got the strength to out muscle his oppo, if it doesn't work out we haven't lost anything from our game to try it

5 minutes ago, Turner said:

TMac out Majak in

now that is left field

I don't see the news the mess with a winning formula an neither will the coaches. Consistency is key. We will have our injuries, there are senior players on the fringe that will certainly play a role this year. As long as players like Sparrow, Jones, Jordan, Jetta and even McDonald understand and execute their roles we will continue to win. 22 players can't all get 3 votes each week.

Brown in for McDonald is about the only unforced change I can foresee and even then, wouldn't it send a message to make even him earn his spot. We scored 80, 90 and 100 points so the foward line is starting to gel.

The team just looks so balanced, they have size when they need size, they have speed when the need speed, they have rotations that are working perfectly.

Of course we are only one loss away from it being an unmitigated disaster, only known cure for MFCSS is in the form of silverware... 

38 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

now that is left field

Left field DJ? Is that a nice way of saying rubbish?

9 minutes ago, Josh said:

I don't see the news the mess with a winning formula an neither will the coaches. Consistency is key. We will have our injuries, there are senior players on the fringe that will certainly play a role this year. As long as players like Sparrow, Jones, Jordan, Jetta and even McDonald understand and execute their roles we will continue to win. 22 players can't all get 3 votes each week.

Brown in for McDonald is about the only unforced change I can foresee and even then, wouldn't it send a message to make even him earn his spot. We scored 80, 90 and 100 points so the foward line is starting to gel.

The team just looks so balanced, they have size when they need size, they have speed when the need speed, they have rotations that are working perfectly.

Of course we are only one loss away from it being an unmitigated disaster, only known cure for MFCSS is in the form of silverware... 

There is no chance of Brown playing next week. He has only started training again a few days ago. Need at least 2 games for Casey before he has any chance. 

No injuries = no change.

Jetta for Hibberd would be the only one for me.

7 minutes ago, old dee said:

There is no chance of Brown playing next week. He has only started training again a few days ago. Need at least 2 games for Casey before he has any chance. 

no real VFL game until Sunday 18 April the same day we play the Hawks.

BB back for Anzac Eve would be a fascinating gamble. The following weekend we play North in windy Hobart

14 minutes ago, old dee said:

No injuries = no change.

Don't agree, we are a team of many options, all frothing at the bit to get a run and prove themselves, after all it's only Cats

5 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

no real VFL game until Sunday 18 April the same day we play the Hawks.

BB back for Anzac Eve would be a fascinating gamble. The following weekend we play North in windy Hobart

Exactly DJ. I reckon we won't see him in the seniors till May at the earliest. The other Brown is a lot better chance.

4 minutes ago, willmoy said:

Don't agree, we are a team of many options, all frothing at the bit to get a run and prove themselves, after all it's only Cats

Who's frothing? The others don't even get a practise match this weekend. No form and match practice. 3 wins in row means the players group deserves to stay in the 22 for the cats. 

18 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

no real VFL game until Sunday 18 April the same day we play the Hawks.

BB back for Anzac Eve would be a fascinating gamble. The following weekend we play North in windy Hobart

We can give BB his first praccy against North and rest May for Majak at the same time. What a hilarious way to debut them together

 

(I'm not serious of course)

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by John Demonic

17 minutes ago, old dee said:

Who's frothing? The others don't even get a practise match this weekend. No form and match practice. 3 wins in row means the players group deserves to stay in the 22 for the cats. 

The blokes who played in the first match didn't have any real match practice either.

2 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

The royal blue retro isn't exactly my first preference MFC jumper, but it's a vast improvement on any predominantly white jumper the AFL made us wear for way too many seasons, so I'm not going to complain about it.

Next weekend is a MFC home game, so I'm assuming they will wear the traditional red and navey blue and hopefully the following weekend against Hawthorn as well.

There is no reason why that should not be the case. We do not clash with either of those jumpers. 

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by old dee

12 hours ago, Chook said:

I recall it was vs the Saints. Our Round 3 win was vs Geelong.

Definitely against the Saints at Docklands.  I was at the game and watched our season go down the gurgler after winning the first three games of the season it looked like we were ready to take off.  We fell pretty hard!

The wide open spaces of the G is no place to be giving Hibbo and Melks their first run-out for the year. And especially against Geelong. They need some proper practice games before i'd consider them. 

Unless someone is carrying a knock no changes for mine.