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The Tom McDonald dilemma

david_neitz_is_my_dad
david_neitz_is_my_dad
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

Tom McDonald had a great game vs Hawthorn, so much so he cannot be dropped. However Sam Weideman played a superb game in the VFL (7 goals), Then there is Ben Brown who kicked 3 goals in the VFL and cannot be left to mold in the VFL as he is a proven AFL goal scorer.

Does Tom McDonald swing back and fill the void of Steven May?

Playing all 3 in the forward half would be a massive risk especially given the next game vs Richmond is a night game which brings potential for dewy conditions. Sam Weideman would have to get the nod ahead of Ben Brown at this stage if picking one of the two but leaving Ben Brown in the VFL isnt ideal.

Edited by david_neitz_is_my_dad

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    almost consider managing jackson this week and playing tmac, bbrown and weid and then next week assuming tmac might struggle against the tiges drop him for jacko and i think thats our ideal tall set up

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    He did some good things. 

    He also killed us with some brain fades which I'm not sure can be overlooked. 

    His form had been up and down so I won't be surprised to see him go. Unless Jackson needs a rest which is possible. 

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    I think the conservative thing to do is:

    Wiedeman in, M. Brown out.

    The high-risk, high-reward thing is:

    Wiedeman in, M Brown out
    Ben Brown in, McDonald to wing, Melksham/Spargo out.

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    • Like 6
    Just now, chook fowler said:

    No dilemma- he plays

    Yep he’s not getting dropped on that performance. Finally clunking his marks. Can’t wait for Dogga to do the same 

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    9 minutes ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

    Tom McDonald had a great game vs Hawthorn, so much so he cannot be dropped. However Sam Weideman played a superb game in the VFL (7 goals), Then there is Ben Brown who kicked 3 goals in the VFL and cannot be left to mold in the VFL as he is a proven AFL goal scorer.

    Does Tom McDonald swing back and fill the void of Steven May?

    Playing all 3 in the forward half would be a massive risk especially given the next game vs Richmond is a night game which brings potential for dewy conditions. Sam Weideman would have to get the nod ahead of Ben Brown at this stage if picking one of the two but leaving Ben Brown in the VFL isnt ideal.

    Just my opinion

    BB Full Forward

    Weid CHF

    TMac Wing (he trained for this position all off season) We still get his marks and drive  

     

    Weid is full of confidence after 7 goals and BB is moving well

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    Just now, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

    Will also add that Mitch Brown was good in the last quarter but didnt have much impact for the whole match.

    Yeah agreed. As great as it was to see him on the lead and taking marks and kicking goals, you can’t only do that in the last quarter against tired opposition. He makes way unfortunately. 

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    I'd play TMac against the Tiges. BB to come in for M Brown. I think the Weid has to bide his time. We can't fit the 3 of them in the same side

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    2 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

    BB to come in for M Brown. I think the Weid has to bide his time. We can't fit the 3 of them in the same side

    Thats a brave move, i thought Weid was the better player today compared to Ben Brown but Ben Brown does have runs on the board.

    Edited by david_neitz_is_my_dad

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    We shouldn’t risk Brown too soon and you can’t not reward a player who kicked 7 goals. 
    We must protect Ben Brown and make sure he’s ready to go and cherry ripe heading into September. Yes I said the S word. 

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    I'd bring Weed in for Mitch Brown only.

    The following week v North we will probably need to find room for both Ben Brown and Fritsch, which will mean T-Mac and Fritsch alternating on the wing and will push out a mid-fielder.

    I think Luke Jackson has to play, he adds so much versatility to being able to move Gawn forward or back and is improving every week.

    Alternatively T-Mac would make an excellent option as a super sub.

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    Mbrown for weed this week

    melksham for BBrown next week

    Jones for Fritta when he’s back

    Petty for May when ready

     

    simples ..... 

     

     

     

     

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    Mentioned in another thread but I’d play all of BBB, Weideman, McDonald and Fritsch when fit.

    McDonald to play up the ground more.

    It would be the ultimate dilemma for opposition defenders.

     

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    • Like 5

    Whilst it can be said for the majority of the team today, Brayshaw was bog ordinary for the first 3 quarters (and i don’t like him as a winger).

    Maybe try TMac on a wing as a link up tall (Max can’t continually be relied upon to be that link man and will need time to rest either up forward or on the bench) and then have Langdon patrol the ‘quiet’ wing, as his pace and endurance is first rate, as is his unwavering effort.

    The question then turns to what we do with Gus, but I’d definitely have TMac in ahead of him atm.

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    TMac is not the dilemma. Whether Weideman will replicate VFL form in the AFL is the dilemma.

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    5 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

    Whilst it can be said for the majority of the team today, Brayshaw was bog ordinary for the first 3 quarters (and i don’t like him as a winger).

    Maybe try TMac on a wing as a link up tall (Max can’t continually be relied upon to be that link man and will need time to rest either up forward or on the bench) and then have Langdon patrol the ‘quiet’ wing, as his pace and endurance is first rate, as is his unwavering effort.

    The question then turns to what we do with Gus, but I’d definitely have TMac in ahead of him atm.

    Replace Jordan in the midfield for Gus. As good as Jordan has been, he hasn’t been great, and hasn’t been to a level Brawshaw has gotten to. I think it’s a no brainer.

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    1 hour ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

    Will also add that Mitch Brown was good in the last quarter but didnt have much impact for the whole match.

    Mitch struggled with leading patterns/angles. More than once I saw him lead to a dead spot on the wrong foot of the player trying to kick into 50 and get angrily waved/pointed at where he should be going. They weren't decoy leads, they were the main ones.

    Did better in the last but, we all did and Hawthorn really fell away.

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    4 minutes ago, loges said:

    TMac is not the dilemma. Whether Weideman will replicate VFL form in the AFL is the dilemma.

    True and against richmond he wont but he will have a game under his belt and may help straighten us up. We need a tallish leading full forward. Bring him in.

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