1 hour ago, Garbo said:

I’d bring in vanders split the role fritsch played between him and Melksham 

Based on what I saw last week I don’t have much faith in milkshake doing anything. Really hope it was just because it was his first game back but we will see. 

Well so far it is not the dreaded 426.

May and Fritta will play next week.

So typical, he plays a great game, finally kicks accurately and now hurts his hand at training. I hope he's back soon. 

A lot of angst over a player we should be trading, eh Pickett? ("Misses far too many gettable goals No intensity! Trade") 

3 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Bit surprised people are suggesting players like Mitch Brown and Daw. IMO Fritsch is a more rangey type, good on the wide leads and flexible enough to kick a few opportunistic goals. I wouldn't be replacing him with a big lumbering forward.

Put Melksham into Fritsch's role. He's better as a finisher anyway, doesn't do enough higher up the ground.

The problem here is that we’re relying on hope

Milkshake hasn’t played a decent game in 2 years 

Fritch must be spewing! He has really stepped up, found some great form and started kicking straight. May also would be feeling the same. I hope the team lifts for both these guys and really takes it out on the Hawks on Sunday.

Edited April 15, 20214 yr by AC/DeeC

Should’ve traded him. 
 

 

But seriously, as good as he is and as much as I love him. It’s our 2nd injury since the season started. Players around the league have been dropping like flies. We’ve been lucky so far. 
A good team should cover a couple of outs, especially against Hawthorn. Makes it harder v Richmond but it’s basically a free hit. 
 

We’ll be right. 

19 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

A lot of angst over a player we should be trading, eh Pickett? ("Misses far too many gettable goals No intensity! Trade") 

So that's how you say it politely.

26 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

May and Fritta will play next week.

You say that with some authority, friend. Care to extrapolate? 

21 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

A lot of angst over a player we should be trading, eh Pickett? ("Misses far too many gettable goals No intensity! Trade") 

Should be trading.... seriously ffs.

Stiff for Fritta. 
can I please ask anyone if they could give me the low down on if the Dees train tomorrow. In the city, so wouldn’t mind going for a squiz as have never done so before. Thanks

I totally understand the comments regarding Melksham after his extremely poor 2020 (and how he constantly managed to survive the chop), but clearly internally the club rate him very highly and his 2018 was elite. 

If ever there was a chance for redemption and an opportunity to motivate him back towards his best this has to be it. I think Brown will come in for Fritta but I think our plan A will involve Melksham moving into the Fritta role and Brown playing as a connector. Melks had the ability in 2018 to turn the game on it’s head, I’m backing him to have a lightbulb moment this week. If he doesn’t then I think he will see himself get left behind quite quickly with the emergence of other players. 

Majak would be a very left field possibility, and he has had strong pre-season VFL form but I don’t think the like for like is there compared to Brown. 

Hopefully Fritta recovers well, he was well on track to have his best season. 

I agree it might be Mitch Brown. But I’d even seriously be thinking Toby Bedford. He’s a quick goalkicker and with Kozzzy, he’d be a handful!!! 

Melksham had better grasp this opportunity with both hands. 
His lack of intensity and defensive effort is a very poor example from a senior for this rapidly developing young team.

Mitch Brown for Fritsch is most like for like.

Havent seen enough of Hawthorn’s forward line to say whether Hibberd, or the taller but less experienced Petty is the best replacement for May. 

10 minutes ago, Pates said:

 

 

Edited April 15, 20214 yr by monoccular

I thought we were trading him 2 weeks ago.

11 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

I thought we were trading him 2 weeks ago.

I think that was a bump post to prove a point. 

2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

No, no no no no. Dunno why Demonlanders keep on about this.  If you had watched lots of him at Casey as I have you would know he is a natural defender.

I doubt he will ever play forward again.

 

 

2 hours ago, Yung Blood said:

Yeah I don't get this. Is it because he played OK as a forward a few years back in maybe 2-3 games when we were desperate due to injuries? I get that he could probably perform well but he is well and truly a backman first and formost.

Plus the swinging of backs to forwards and visa versa within games isn't very common. You come in with a solid set structure and game plan. Those things only happen when absolutely necessary in dire situations most of the time.

Down back Petty is currently behind May, Lever and Tomlinson, and they are considering Hibberd ahead of him tonight. 

So while I absolutely agree he is a defender first, he is also a quality, developing player stuck in the reserves, and we have 3 of 4 main forward targets out, presenting an opportunity. If we are weighing up the opportunity for exposure and development of Petty (and his ability to probably go ok) vs Mitch Brown playing a game, I'd rather Petty gets the nod.

 

4 hours ago, Hardley Benial said:

And loose the 186 title by a point

I think you’ll find we own 190

And poo. He’d finally started getting his aim straight 

1 hour ago, DemonOX said:

Based on what I saw last week I don’t have much faith in milkshake doing anything. Really hope it was just because it was his first game back but we will see. 

His form seems to have coincided with him signing a contract extension ... co-incidence or complacency ... I'm thinking the later based on the available evidence. Still hopeful he can switch on again however 

One word:system.  If we are going to be a great team then every player is part of our system.  You lose a player and the system still works when replaced with another.  If we cannot play our game with one forward and one back out, we are not ready to move up the ladder.  The replacements may not be as good, but they should still do the job that gets the W.

May: Petty then Hibbard

Fritta: M Brown, Daw.  Or different system: BBB Brown (but i think one week too early).

 

my waters tell me mitch brown ($1.35) and petty ($1.30)

outside chances in hibberd ($2.20) and/or daw ($2.10)

Tracc to kick first goal

Dees by 31 points

Hawthorn look set to play Koschitzke or Emerson Jeka to replace Mitch Lewis. The latter is 197cm, so we’d want to have a tall in to cover him. Koschitzke kicked a bag in the preseason, against North, but also stands 196cm. I reckon that rules out Hibberd. 
 

As for replacing Fritta, the logical option is Mitch Brown. However, despite a strong finish to the 2020, I’ve seen him have zero impact on games. The left-field replacement would be Daw, who could free up Jackson to go forward, while Daw assists Gawn in the ruck and down back.

5 hours ago, Jaded said:

Just blows to have injuries before we face Richmond on the big stage. It’s a golden opportunity to get some prime time exposure but most importantly beat a contender. Gonna be tough to do without our full back and our most productive forward. 

Eh, they should be without Prestia and Vlastuin - we still have the cattle to go with them if we're good enough. A win would be great but if we can fight it out with them I'll be happy. Getting soundly beaten may be a reality check though, let's wait and see.