CHANGES: Rd 06 vs Richmond

[deelusions from afar 1,810]

3 minutes ago, demoniac said:

May if fit replaces Tomlinson. Petty a genuine key defender who can free May up. Tomlinson more 3rd tall/utility.

Weed for M Brown.

If B Brown comes in then its Tommy Mac out.

Sparrow to full game in VFL after being medical sub  replaced by Toby Bedford who should be in the 22  instead of Jones but fair play I guess to get Jones to 300 given what the club put him through with its deep dive into mediocrity during his footballing prime.

I'm a big Petty fan and think he doesn't deserve to be dropped but no way Tomlinson goes out ahead of him.

Tommy Mac stays in - he is in very good form.  Whether he can keep it up and stay in the team once the others are back will be interesting.  But with the longer quarters and our home ground as the MCG, there's a lot of reasons why he will.

[Grr-owl 1,219]

15 hours ago, MadAsHell said:

IN: B. Brown, Fritsch, May, Weideman

OUT: M. Brown, Jordan, Melksham, Petty

FB: Lever, May, Salem

HB: Hunt, Tomlinson, Hibberd

C: McDonald, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Neal-Bullen, Weideman, Spargo

FF: Fritsch, B. Brown, Pickett

FOLL: Gawn,  Oliver, Viney

INT: Brayshaw, Jackson, Jones, Rivers

SUB: Melksham

McDonald to the wing and Jackson to play as part of the midfield rotation and forward if Brown, Weideman or Fritsch ever come off.

Jones and Melksham to start rotating the sub role each week.

This is a very strong combination.

[Adam The God 30,221]

56 minutes ago, No Plan B said:

I'm no medical expert but that has to be some kind of modern miracle for May to only miss one match. Absolutely delighted. 

Wouldn't be surprised if he wears a facial shield. Or at least strapping.

[Adam The God 30,221]

37 minutes ago, Grr-owl said:

This is a very strong combination.

That's the side I'd go with too, @MadAsHell.

I reckon we set Weideman and Brown for this game some weeks ago. Both are back much earlier than we thought and I suspect to temper expectations around this.

In that team, Viney has to play 70% forward, 30% midfield. 

[dino rover 714]

On 4/18/2021 at 6:43 PM, bing181 said:

Would like to think that one of May or Fritsch could be ready again - though the shorter turnaround doesn't help.

You can't not put Weideman in, but Ben Brown was playing more up the ground apparently, so goals not everything. Hard to see us having Jackson, Tom Mac, Weideman and Ben Brown in the same team, especially as you'd have to drop a smaller forward to do so. But ...?

I note that BB covers some territory...a marathon man apparently

"Ben Brown, 11.6km" https://www.afl.com.au/news/511202/marathon-men-telstra-tracker-reveals-your-club-s-endurance-kings c/f

Top-five most distance covered per game in 2020
Ed Langdon, 12.3km
Christian Salem, 11.9km
Adam Tomlinson, 11.5km
Clayton Oliver, 11.3km
Sam Weideman, 11.3km

So presumably when he plays if wont necessarily be out of the goal square.

To have 2 times 2m mobile marking targets / assets (plus LJ) both for interceptions and transition - something to look forward to.

 

[old dee 23,787]

21 hours ago, P-man said:

If Fritta is ready, he becomes a straight swap for Melksham.

They surely won’t drop T Mac when he’s showing this kind of form. Jackson is performing his role well and also stays.

Even if we move T Mac to the wing, a team with Gawn, Jackson, T Mac, Weid, BB and possibly Fritta tips the balance too far out of whack IMO. So just one of BB or Weid to replace M Brown.

On paper you would go BB. That said, seven goals is seven goals. If memory serves, Weid has generally translated his VFL form across to AFL in the very next game he plays. So if picked I would back him in to play well.

My gut says go with Weid but it’s a coin toss. Brown debuting in Jones’ 300th on Anzac eve would be quite the event.

I have a feeling they will go Brown for Brown with Weid just unlucky that T Mac is in form.

You can bet your house on milkshake being in the team. After 3 goals last week there is no way Goodwin will drop him. 

[Grr-owl 1,219]

8 minutes ago, A F said:

That's the side I'd go with too, @MadAsHell.

I reckon we set Weideman and Brown for this game some weeks ago. Both are back much earlier than we thought and I suspect to temper expectations around this.

In that team, Viney has to play 70% forward, 30% midfield. 

We're tall, but mobile too. Going to be very hard for any team to get through our defense with Gawn, TMac and Jackson all there for kick outs and Hunt, Hibberd and Pickett with speed for the crumbs, Viney's tackling et cetera...

TMac on the wing is the big unknown, but given they trained it, there must be a rationale.....

[deelusions from afar 1,810]

9 minutes ago, dino rover said:

I note that BB covers some territory...a marathon man apparently

"Ben Brown, 11.6km" https://www.afl.com.au/news/511202/marathon-men-telstra-tracker-reveals-your-club-s-endurance-kings c/f

Top-five most distance covered per game in 2020
Ed Langdon, 12.3km
Christian Salem, 11.9km
Adam Tomlinson, 11.5km
Clayton Oliver, 11.3km
Sam Weideman, 11.3km

So presumably when he plays if wont necessarily be out of the goal square.

To have 2 times 2m mobile marking targets / assets (plus LJ) both for interceptions and transition - something to look forward to.

 

That's quite amazing isn't it - it goes against the stereotype or myth around Brown playing out of the goalsquare - unless on that day he had 20 shots on goal and half of it was covered in his runnup!

I remember in 2018 Goodwin was wanting to use the tanks of Hogan and TMac to exploit teams - the fact that Weid, TMac and Brown can run those numbers makes me think he will try it again.  Certainly worth a shot.

[deelusions from afar 1,810]

7 minutes ago, old dee said:

You can bet your house on milkshake being in the team. After 3 goals last week there is no way Goodwin will drop him. 

Agree.  Goody loves Melksham and given he kicked 3 and did a number of passes to setup shots on goal that probably no one else in the team could execute to me says he'll stay in.

It's all good problems to have - just don't know how we will keep the manic forward pressure if we don't keep all of ANB, Kozzie and Spargo (or Bedford, Chandler if there's injuries) in the team.

On form it seems likely that Jones won't stay in the team much longer - but if Tmac is moved to the wing then Brayshaw takes the spot...and then we still have most of Jordon, Sparrow, Harmes etc (players that rotate mid / forward) out of the team.

I think much of this year will be about trying to find the best combination - and injuries will occur as well.  It'll be an interesting ride and I suspect we might lose some games almost at the selection table - but the luxury of starting 5-0 is we get to experiment a bit to find our best mix that is capable of troubling the best in the comp.

[DeeSpencer 25,679]

I've thought about Gus to half back and taking out Hunt or Rivers but I doubt they'll mess with the backline set up, especially with speed vital against the Tigers. May for Petty the only change to the back 7.

Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Langdon, Gus seem locks. As is Tom McDonald at CHF I think.

I can't see them disrupting the ANB, Spargo, Pickett trio that's been so responsible for our pressure.

Jones is locked in.

So it comes down to 4 spots for Jackson JJ, Melksham, Fritsch and maybe a key forward in Weid/Brown. 

I think Jackson is in against Richmond. He gives us an advantage in the second ruck minutes and we can manipulate when Max rests and what role Max plays. That said, I don't want to see much at all of Max forward this week if we bring in a true full forward target.

JJ brings elite endurance and team orientated midfield play. Richmond's success is based on getting it to the outside and having guys like Graham and Lambert run all over sides. I think he stays in as the 4th on baller that allows Petracca to go forward more.

Probably time to get Weid in to the side because we know we'll have 1 big forward playing every week assuming things go to plan. After that I lean Fritsch over Melksham but it's a matter of Fritsch being 100% fit and confident and ready to play a more up the ground role rather than his undersized full forward spot. If there's any doubt on Fritsch's hand then give him 1 more week.

[Deemania since 56 6,634]

1 hour ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

In  -       Weid,  May,  Fritta

Out  -     Petty,  M Brown,  ?

 

Gifting Jones a game this week really makes selection hard.  He would have been first out otherwise.

300 games is a terrific marque, but it can wait when it affects the team.

[Fat Tony 5,228]

16 hours ago, MadAsHell said:

IN: B. Brown, Fritsch, May, Weideman

OUT: M. Brown, Jordan, Melksham, Petty

FB: Lever, May, Salem

HB: Hunt, Tomlinson, Hibberd

C: McDonald, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Neal-Bullen, Weideman, Spargo

FF: Fritsch, B. Brown, Pickett

FOLL: Gawn,  Oliver, Viney

INT: Brayshaw, Jackson, Jones, Rivers

SUB: Melksham

McDonald to the wing and Jackson to play as part of the midfield rotation and forward if Brown, Weideman or Fritsch ever come off.

Jones and Melksham to start rotating the sub role each week.

This team is intriguing. I think Fritsch on the wing and TMac as a high half forward actually works better, but this is one way to juggle our best players into the 22. 

[DubDee 25,847]

The beauty of having Weed some in to play with T Mac, LJ and Fristch is that Gawn can drift back on HB and repel so many attacks.

His marking on the weekend was astounding. 8 contested. Handball it off to Hunt/Rivers/Hibbo and we are away

If May comes back in and with Gawn floating back, I think we have a genuine chance of winning

[The Stigga 1,094]

Be bold Demons,

In: B Brown, Weid, Fritsch, May

Out: M Brown, Melksham, Petty, Sparrow/Jordon

[Accepting Mediocrity 1,418]

12 minutes ago, The Stigga said:

Be bold Demons,

In: B Brown, Weid, Fritsch, May

Out: M Brown, Melksham, Petty, Sparrow/Jordon

Our forwardline has been functioning well, mostly because each player has a clearly defined role that they understand and suits their skillset. Replacing half the personnel in the space of one week is asking for trouble IMO.

Like most, I've been a Melksham critic, but the fact is that he can do things in our forwardline that no one else can. Plus he's probably the best set shot in the team. He stays for mine. 

Fritsch for M Brown, and May for Petty are obvious changes. Having said that, I loved Brown's effort against the hawks - he's a limited footballer, but he put his body on the line for us and got absolutely crunched a couple of times. Can't ask for more from a fringe player.

I'd bring in the Weid, play TMac on a wing and move Brayshaw to a flank. In practice, TMac has been spending a fair bit of time up the ground anyway so it's not such a drastic change.

In: Weideman, Fritsch, May

Out: M Brown, Petty, Jordon

No idea who goes out for Ben Brown next week.

[Pipefitter 2,159]

1 hour ago, dino rover said:

I note that BB covers some territory...a marathon man apparently

"Ben Brown, 11.6km" https://www.afl.com.au/news/511202/marathon-men-telstra-tracker-reveals-your-club-s-endurance-kings c/f

Top-five most distance covered per game in 2020
Ed Langdon, 12.3km
Christian Salem, 11.9km
Adam Tomlinson, 11.5km
Clayton Oliver, 11.3km
Sam Weideman, 11.3km

So presumably when he plays if wont necessarily be out of the goal square.

To have 2 times 2m mobile marking targets / assets (plus LJ) both for interceptions and transition - something to look forward to.

 

It’s all in ben browns run up though.

[Young Blood 2,620]

I know others are super keen to see us try out this extra tall attack but I'm pretty skeptical.

Regarding Tmac on a wing, as much as the guy can run all day and presents a mismatch with marking contests I worry about his mobility/agility when the ball hits the ground or the opposition win the ball especially in wet conditions. His tackling in close has been great this year as seen in his forward 50 tackling and pressure numbers. But on the large wings of the MCG I think he could really get burnt but some of Richmond's wing/mids.

My only concern with this side this year has been the Russian roulette we play with allowing the opposition move the ball freely through the corridor. It was apparent at times against the Saints and especially against Geelong where we allow fairly free movement through the middle and really work hard to get numbers back set up behind the ball. The mids and wings simply need to put enough pressure on the kicker to warrant a poor inside 50 sending it down the throat of any of our intercepters (Lever, May, Gawn, Rivers, Brayshaw). I don't see a formula where Tmac can do enough defensively as a predominant wingman.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

17 minutes ago, Yung Blood said:

I know others are super keen to see us try out this extra tall attack but I'm pretty skeptical.

Regarding Tmac on a wing, as much as the guy can run all day and presents a mismatch with marking contests I worry about his mobility/agility when the ball hits the ground or the opposition win the ball especially in wet conditions. His tackling in close has been great this year as seen in his forward 50 tackling and pressure numbers. But on the large wings of the MCG I think he could really get burnt but some of Richmond's wing/mids.

My only concern with this side this year has been the Russian roulette we play with allowing the opposition move the ball freely through the corridor. It was apparent at times against the Saints and especially against Geelong where we allow fairly free movement through the middle and really work hard to get numbers back set up behind the ball. The mids and wings simply need to put enough pressure on the kicker to warrant a poor inside 50 sending it down the throat of any of our intercepters (Lever, May, Gawn, Rivers, Brayshaw). I don't see a formula where Tmac can do enough defensively as a predominant wingman.

 

T Mac as a lead up forward is a good thing, but the wing experiment wont work.  They will try it though.

[demoniac 1,333]

2 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

I'm a big Petty fan and think he doesn't deserve to be dropped but no way Tomlinson goes out ahead of him.

Tommy Mac stays in - he is in very good form.  Whether he can keep it up and stay in the team once the others are back will be interesting.  But with the longer quarters and our home ground as the MCG, there's a lot of reasons why he will.

Petty at 197cm a better match for 199cm  Lynch, and a far more natural overhead player than Tomlinson who at 194cm concedes 5 cm to Lynch. Frees  May for Riewoldt which allows him to be more attacking with Lever's cover a support.

Can't see room for Tommy Mac if Brown, Weed and resting ruck in forward line.Still good to see him back in reasonable form.

 

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

I know Goodwin has made mention to the media that we're functioning well without Brown and Weed but behind closed doors I imagine they can't wait to get one of them in, maybe even both.

Brown's leading as a key forward is being completely overlooked by many. One of our knocks so far is our inaccuracy and wastefulness in front of goal. Brown will straighten us up to no end with his leading patterns and lanes and he will constantly make space because of this. Gawn continued to lead to deep pockets against Hawthorn which was ineffective, as did T Mac when when he was playing deep.

B Brown and Weed might be too much but I hope it's one of them plus Fritsch. That at least gives us one strong leading forward plus another aerieal threat in Fritsch who is smart with his leads.

Hard to know who to opt for after the VFL game. Yeh Weed had a day out, but I just love what Brown will be able to do for us off the ball. His leading patterns are simply elite and he'll constantly have either Balta or Astbury on the move, leaving Jackson, T Mac and Fritsch to get dangerous.

We're not an amazing kicking side and our use inside 50 is still poor at the best of times. Against Richmond, we'll need strong leading players, a lot of movement and a heap of pressure at the drop of the ball.

One of Brown and Weed as well as Fritsch. If no Fritsch, I'd bring Brown and Weed in. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,739]

A strategy that Sydney used very effectively vs Tigers was to 'divide and conquer' their defenders.  Several Sydney forwards would lead in different directions so the Tiger defenders couldn't get across to intercept.  If we have two of Weideman/Brown/Fritsch we can very effectively use this strategy.  Even with one of them and TMac we can still make it work.

[Dee Zephyr 19,267]

6 hours ago, praha said:

Richmond has beaten Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda. The average ladder position of teams they've beaten is 14th. Ours is 11th. Geelong and Saints both in the top 8 when we beat them. Tigers have played well once this season and everyone is talking about them ... they beat up an injury ravage St Kilda that was on a 5-day break. And yet we're the team that "hasn't beaten anyone yet". Let's not forget Richmond's 5-0 start to the year in 2017...

Not to understate them as a team because I think they're great, but seriously, I am very much looking forward to beating them comfortably on Saturday.

Yeah, the ‘haven’t beaten anyone’ tag is starting to frustrate me especially when other teams fans throw it out there in a conversation. 
Most ‘experts’ and footy followers had us missing finals preseason and probably would have pencilled us in for at least a couple of losses in the first five rounds. We beat the teams people thought would beat us and “ oh... but you’ve beaten bottom teams”. 
 

Definitely sterner tests to come but so far the signs are promising.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Dee Zephyr

[Willmoy1947 4,085]

2 hours ago, old dee said:

You can bet your house on milkshake being in the team. After 3 goals last week there is no way Goodwin will drop him. 

That's the spirit OD.

[kev martin 9,886]

2 hours ago, dino rover said:

 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by kev martin

[Willmoy1947 4,085]

Vandenberg in. why not.