Just now, TRIGON said:

I'm pretty sure this will go down like a lead balloon with some posters, however if the club is fair dinkum about winning games and building a premiership winning team then we should put sentiment aside and drop Jones for this week; against the Tigers his lack of leg speed would be a liability. 

Agreed Trig

He has the whole season to get to 300 What's the rush?

Jones must play and it's great that Goodwin has confirmed he will.  The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

I'd be fine with "no change" but I'd also be OK if one of Fritsch, BB or Weid came in for Mitch Brown.

I'd love to see May take on Dusty in the forward line but maybe we can save that for the PF.

Just now, Pollyanna said:

Jones must play and it's great that Goodwin has confirmed he will.  The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

I'd be fine with "no change" but I'd also be OK if one of Fritsch, BB or Weid came in for Mitch Brown.

I'd love to see May take on Dusty in the forward line but maybe we can save that for the PF.

Sorry Polly I have just watched a replay and I couldn't discern or understand what his specific role might be 

Please elucidate

3 minutes ago, Kent said:

Sorry Polly I have just watched a replay and I couldn't discern or understand what his specific role might be 

Please elucidate

The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

You may be one of those people who believes they understand how AFL football works under the hood.  I realised that I don't really know anything about that quite a few years ago.

Edited April 19, 20213 yr by Pollyanna

The last time Melbourne were 6-0

-   Robert Menzies was prime Minister
-    Henry Bolte was premier of Victoria
-   The still unsolved Wanda Beach murders occur
-   The  Royal Australian Mint opened in Canberra by Prince Philip
-   Margaret Court wins the Australian women's tennis singles title for the sixth consecutive year
-  The Seekers single I'll Never Find Another You reaches No. 1 in the UK charts. It becomes the first recording by an Australian act to sell more than 1 million copies
-   Australian sends troops to South Vietnam, officially entering the Vietnam War
- @old dee celebrated his 56th birthday

 

The year was 1965.

Edited April 19, 20213 yr by Pickett2Jackson

3 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

Jones must play and it's great that Goodwin has confirmed he will.  The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

I'd be fine with "no change" but I'd also be OK if one of Fritsch, BB or Weid came in for Mitch Brown.

I'd love to see May take on Dusty in the forward line but maybe we can save that for the PF.

Jones’s specific role is to successfully get his slowing body to 300 games. With such competition for spots I think he may struggle for senior games after next week 

4 hours ago, Spargonicus said:

It’s a shame that the recovery time for each team is so different heading into a marquee game like this. 

Richmond played on Thursday and we played late Sunday. We saw last year the difference an extra day can make in leg fatigue. This is 4 days difference.

It would have been nice to see the Dees up against the Tiges with a similar recovery time, just to see what the difference is between the teams at this point. I’m not saying we’ll definitely lose, not by any stretch, but it’s a tall ask.

I heard a few of the players saying last year that one short break doesn't really affect them, it's wen you start getting 2+ short breaks in a row that you really start to feel it.

2 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

You may be one of those people who believes they understand how AFL football works under the hood.  I realised that I don't really know anything about that quite a few years ago.

Well that explains everything!!

The fact that nobody can see what the expected role is means its hidden from view. May be boot polisher for all I know

How does anybody measure the outcome of that specific role. Its a nonsense! 

1 minute ago, Kent said:

Well that explains everything!!

The fact that nobody can see what the expected role is means its hidden from view. May be boot polisher for all I know

How does anybody measure the outcome of that specific role. Its a nonsense! 

The MFC Football Department know but Demonland punters don't.  I don't think you understand how complex modern football structures are.  The best analysts here like @Axis of Bob are smart enough to realise that they are only scratching the surface.  I'm will to bet you've called out "just kick the bloody thing!"

One of BBrown or Weideman have to come in.  We won't get away with that forward line against Richmond.

3 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

Jones’s specific role is to successfully get his slowing body to 300 games. With such competition for spots I think he may struggle for senior games after next week 

I agree with you and unfortunately I think that will put an asterisk next to his 300 games. No doubt he is an absolute legend of our club but if they drop him after game 300 then it diminishes the prestige of the 300 club and is an insult David Neitz.

18 hours ago, Demonland said:

Jordon had a great game. Would be very stiff. 

Please don't keep endorsing this utter crap and get some perspective.

James Jordon is a kid who works hard and has learnt his craft from a very strong midfield group for three years now.

Because he is a kid, the expectations are not as high and the coach is only going to say nice things about him at a press conference.

But Jordon is yet to do anything that stands out - anyone who saw what Hibberd brought first up knows what I mean - and while his work ethic is high, there is no guarantee yet that he will make it because he is not quick and he is not an exceptional kick and as a kid he is not yet ready to take the game on and invariable goes the safe option.

He may yet develop into a serviceable hard-working tagging-type mid of the Matt de Boer or Levi Greenwood variety, but he ain't going to be a star and he is a long way off having a great game ... yet.

So if you are going to use the Demonland moniker as the voice of reason, please don't come out with inflated-hype that a marketing man would use. 

11 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

The MFC Football Department know but Demonland punters don't.  I don't think you understand how complex modern football structures are.  The best analysts here like @Axis of Bob are smart enough to realise that they are only scratching the surface.  I'm will to bet you've called out "just kick the bloody thing!"

No not really Polly not in my vocab fortunately. So i really hope Jones continues to play this important role while he is jogging between contests in the next round. Who I wonde rwill continue this vital role after Jonesy leaves?

If one of Weideman and B Brown comes in, then M Brown goes out. If both Weideman and B Brown come in, does McDonald go to the wing? If so, what happens to Brayshaw? I assume he takes the spot of one of Sparrow or Jordon. On the basis of yesterday's game, I think Jordon did enough to remain unless he needs a rest. 

So, my best guess is Weideman, B Brown in for M Brown and Sparrow with Jordon as sub. If May is ready, he'll come in for Petty. And if Fritsch is ready...he'll be given another week off and take Jones' spot the following week.

11 minutes ago, Kent said:

Well that explains everything!!

The fact that nobody can see what the expected role is means its hidden from view. May be boot polisher for all I know

How does anybody measure the outcome of that specific role. Its a nonsense! 

He's a universal cog, he fits wherever we need him. In 5 rounds He's spent time at half forward, in the centre, on the wing, and behind the ball. Chunk is basically an on field coach. No offence to the potential replacements bit I think they're a long way off on field coach. He had an average first half but a solid second. Had he kicked that goal his game would have been perfectly fine.

Throughout the year Chunk will get his fair share of sub starts. Harmes will likely be the one to take his spot, but he's not fit.  I like Sparrow and Jordan, and hopefully Chandler and Bedford get their chances soon. But anyone who thinks that a young fringe player is going to have a bigger influence than Chunk this week is crazy. Just his presence Saturday will have a huge influence. He plays, end of story.

Call it a gift if it makes you feel better. But even if it is, No-one deserves it more.

34 minutes ago, Kent said:

No not really Polly not in my vocab fortunately. So i really hope Jones continues to play this important role while he is jogging between contests in the next round. Who I wonde rwill continue this vital role after Jonesy leaves?

Lucky for us we have has a fantastic start to the season. If we had lost a couple then for sure he would have been dropped and it would have taken the whole season for him to scrape up the required games. I guess the logic is we can afford to carry him whilst we are running hot. If we win against the tigers it won’t matter if he has an ordinary game. He will be rightfully honoured. But the game has the potential to leave a bad taste if we lose and he has a shocker. I guess he will play limited time and no where near where he might be exposed. As with yourself I can’t fathom out what his role is other than to guard space. 
It will be interesting if Jones is put to pasture after his 300 and we make the GF. Will fans expect him to be recalled to play the GF though clearly nowhere near best 22? That will be a conundrum.

Edited April 19, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

26 minutes ago, tincan said:

I agree with you and unfortunately I think that will put an asterisk next to his 300 games. No doubt he is an absolute legend of our club but if they drop him after game 300 then it diminishes the prestige of the 300 club and is an insult David Neitz.

Do you remember Neitz’s last season?

Jones wasn’t gifted games in year 1, he fought through a period under Bailey then became a star up until his role shifted. Probably got some easy games in 2019 when everyone was injured but they made him work for his spot last year. Has earned his spot until probably this week. 

I reckon he’s deserving of 300 easily as much as any player to get to that milestone. He’s not Sam Newman riding the pine at Geelong. Whether he finishes on 300 or 315 doesn’t change the milestone. 

It was great to see the impact Hibberd had down back - and as I said last week, it was critical he played in place of Jetta because he provides the left-side attack that we were going to miss with May out and Petty doesn't get involved in as much offence and we couldn't afford having two dour negaters in our back six. So thankfully Goody and MC didn't go through with the "we won't change a winning line up" plan.

As to this week.

Firstly on Petty. Yes I get that he didn't have a great game but historically he has shown he gets very nervy and takes a while to settle into his new role. But he is a beautiful mark (when relaxed) and well and truly up to the level and will be way better should he end up on Riewoldt this week. But that said, should May be fit, Petty is the one that should be left out - Tomlinson is in great form and Petty will get more chances later in the season.

The forward issue is an extremely tricky one for Goody, especially if Fritter gets up. I can't see him go away from playing three small forwards providing tackle pressure in his seven-man forward mix so all of Spargo/ANB and Kossie will play. Obviously Mitch Brown as last cab in, will be first one out to make way for Fritter (if fit) or one of the two talls. But should Fritter be available, will Goody bite the bullet and add another big boy to our mix. Is it the right game to trial a whole new look? If he does then I'd expect Melky's experience to mean that he will be sent into the midfield at Jordon's expense. 

7 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Just his presence Saturday will have a huge influence. He plays, end of story.

This!  If Jones plays his 300th game on the big stage, as well as Jones himself, it WILL lift the entire team, who I am certain will be 100% behind his taking the field. 

And for it to be suggested that it will "diminish the prestige of the 300 club" and be "an insult to David Neitz", absolute nonsense!!  I think you will find that Neitz will be ecstatic for Jones having reached his 300 games and I seriously doubt that any of the current 300 club 'members' would consider Jones unworthy of membership, or that his inclusion somehow cheapens the honour.

13 hours ago, rjay said:

I think Fritsch & Melk are vying for the same position & Fritsch wins that one...

Melk doesn't do enough these days to give the team coverage that Jordon & ANB do.

M Brown might be the unlucky one but I can see us going in unchanged.

There's very little chance we go in unchanged in the forward line. If any of Weideman, B Brown or Fritsch are ready for AFL football, they all replace M Brown. Mitch wasn't terrible yesterday but he wasn't that good.

11 hours ago, Jjrogan said:

ok, Weid had a day out today, but from all reports did not get near it last week.  I dont see how he has enough runs or consistency on the board to merit selection over a coleman medalist playing against the men of Richmond.  No one would suggest he is the better player or have more upside. If both are fully fit, he cant be picked first imo. 

Agree, this is a fair issue to raise.

When we're in form and winning, is the right play to bring players back after one good game in the VFL? I know 7 goals is a super performance, and I'm not suggesting Weid isn't necessarily ready, but I think we need to be careful about picking players off one good VFL game.

Same goes for Bedford, who I've seen popping up in some posters' ins for this week. There's no way he gets a game over Spargo or ANB until he strings consistent performances together at Casey whilst Spargo/ANB put repeated sub-standard games together.

54 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

Jones must play and it's great that Goodwin has confirmed he will.  The coach said he has a very specific role and he's performing it - none of us here know what that is - but our 5-0 results speak for themselves.

I'd be fine with "no change" but I'd also be OK if one of Fritsch, BB or Weid came in for Mitch Brown.

I'd love to see May take on Dusty in the forward line but maybe we can save that for the PF.

Whilst I'm 100% in favour of Jones playing and accept he's likely contributing in ways we as spectators can't know, the bolded bit is an argument I can't accept.

It is not a fait accompli that because we're winning, all 22 each week are ticking the boxes being set for them by the FD. 

After a win, it is possible to make our 22 better, and right now with the depth not in the side (B Brown, Weid, May, Fritsch), pressure is on the 22 who played yesterday.

18 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

Yeah. Fair point

I worry he'll be exposed badly v the tiges

There is no 'i' in TEAM. The draw says that we play the Tigers next; in so far as this is the case, Jones' 300 games will have to wait. He is not up to running against the run of the Tigers. Simple. Footy is more than one 10seconds sprint. We will need legs, legs and more legs to overcome the Tigers' game.

Can't seen us dropping Jones for the Tiges game, nor would I endorse it. The bloke has the heart and soul of the team for so long and robbing him of this milestone on such a night would be an absolute culture killer. Players will walk taller for him on Saturday and that is worth an extra man. 

19 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Do you remember Neitz’s last season?

No I don't, but Neitz reached his 300 in his second last season anyway.

I'd just hate it if Jones got an extra season just to get to 300. He is a superstar and will be cheering him on regardless on Saturday night!

59 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

The last time Melbourne were 6-0

-   Robert Menzies was prime Minister
-    Henry Bolte was premier of Victoria
-   The still unsolved Wanda Beach murders occur
-   The  Royal Australian Mint opened in Canberra by Prince Philip
-   Margaret Court wins the Australian women's tennis singles title for the sixth consecutive year
-  The Seekers single I'll Never Find Another You reaches No. 1 in the UK charts. It becomes the first recording by an Australian act to sell more than 1 million copies
-   Australian sends troops to South Vietnam, officially entering the Vietnam War
- @old dee celebrated his 56th birthday

 

The year was 1965.

My Dad bought a new Holden Premier, blue with white sidewall-tyres. 1965, the year that I discovered girls and found them to be quite fascinating and exciting. As for football, the Dees were hot-to-trot, the team to beat, tough as nails, and football was not overly commercialised with thousands of 'hangers-on' profiteers.

 

Let me preface this by saying I have a depressive-personality disorder and am currently trying to wean myself off one type of medication to swap to another, so maybe shouldn’t be on Internet forums lol...

It’s possibly down to some deficiency, or perhaps ascribed to just a different way of seeing things, but I’ve never found myself particularly moved by individual milestones in AFL. Further to this, have always viewed the particular importance humans attach to having a zero or two at the end of an amount or age as somewhat overstated. It’s not how we measure the actual worth of a life or career, so why the hullabaloo? Every year we live (and every game they play) is just as important as the last - basically it’s just a number. And in a team sport, the importance of an individual’s effort to keep themselves on the oval for x amount of years is, though highly commendable, nothing to get into a lather over (I’m unable to anyway)  

I’d be far more excited about a win over the Tigers without NJ in the team, than a loss with him in it. But sure, both would be particularly nice.

I’m sure plenty of folks here will think I’m a bit crazy or miserable for saying such a thing. The first paragraph was merely to let you know that indeed I officially am, yuk yuk yuk. 
 

Anyway back to the couch...

Ps. I also found it pretty odd that Goodwin effectively named him in next weekend’s squad straight after the match. Is there not a selection process to follow? 
 

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 20213 yr by Mel Bourne