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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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In; The Weed Out; Mitch

Normally i would say no change unless Injuries after a win, but if by all reports Weed moved well and kicked 7, it simply can't be ignored.

Is May a chance next week with a Phantom of the Opera type facial mask?

Edited by Win4theAges

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    6 minutes ago, Nasher said:

    Non-dilemma. Just pushes further up the ground when Weideman and B.Brown are in. Can’t be dropped in current form.

    There's only so far you can push up until you're on the wing - which means stoppages and congestion - or playing down back.

    I can't see Jackson, T Mc, Weid and B Brown in the same side. In fact I can't see 3 of those without Jackson either unless Tom is a full time wingman and I'm not convinced of that.

    Tom is running his backside off to get the ball and doing a decent enough job defensively, so I can't see him being dropped right now for Weid and Brown who didn't have a tackle between them at Casey. But one of those will come in to the side then it's about Tom playing consistently well enough to keep his spot from the other option.

    I do wonder if we drop Tom relatively early (ie. 2 weeks time not 4 weeks time) to give him more time at Casey to play on the wing. If he dominates on the wing at Casey then he's a different proposition. 

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    What a great dilemma to have, it is going to get really tough for the coaching staff to make the right choices.!!!!

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    Just now, DeeSpencer said:

    There's only so far you can push up until you're on the wing - which means stoppages and congestion - or playing down back.

    I can't see Jackson, T Mc, Weid and B Brown in the same side. In fact I can't see 3 of those without Jackson either unless Tom is a full time wingman and I'm not convinced of that.

    Tom is running his backside off to get the ball and doing a decent enough job defensively, so I can't see him being dropped right now for Weid and Brown who didn't have a tackle between them at Casey. But one of those will come in to the side then it's about Tom playing consistently well enough to keep his spot from the other option.

    I do wonder if we drop Tom relatively early (ie. 2 weeks time not 4 weeks time) to give him more time at Casey to play on the wing. If he dominates on the wing at Casey then he's a different proposition. 

    Yep, I’ve got him on the wing. Forward line of BB, Weid, Fritsch, Kozzy, Melksham and one of ANB or Spargo. As someone in the post match thread said, he takes Brayshaw’s wing, Brayshaw takes Jordon’s mid role and Jordon goes out.

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    1 hour ago, Dee-lusional said:

    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

    I have never seen a player who looks less like a wingman!

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    34 minutes ago, wheaters31 said:

    Ben Brown is not ready to be brought in.

    Goody gave him the all clear in his post game interview. Said both he and the Weid had ticked all the boxes and were available for selection.

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    1 hour ago, KingDingAling said:

    I’d bring Brown and Weideman in, and move McDonald down back for a bit. I thought Petty was a bit lost at times.

    May is a chance to play this week.  I’d just let T Mac play higher up the ground 

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    I could in all seriousness see BBB and Tmac being alternated because of management of previous knee/foot injuries (both seem to have an overuse factor), especially if we are going well. Not yet, and strictly for medical reasons, would nice to get to the end of the season in good shape.

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    If we play BB, TMac, SW, and Fritsch forward we will be too tall and won’t be able to keep the ball in like we have. 

    TMac Jas to go to the wing he trained on in the summer to support Hunt and Superstar.

    If he doesn’t work out there - he might find himself pushed out - that’s footy. He is a tall forward in a top 4 team - he should be getting the ball - it comes in enough; but he is still clanking and not clunking and he is not a natural forward. The other two big boys are.

     

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    TMac at his peak is worth his weight in gold.

    On current form I cant see him out of our best 22.

    Edited by Commissioner Dreyfus

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    2 hours 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.

    Thats probably the reality Tmac is tall quick and can deliver by foot while Brayshaw is just plodding so easy swap there.

    Edited by Big Demon

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    2 minutes ago, Big Demon said:

    Thats probably the reality Tmac is tall quick and can deliver by foot while Brayshaw is just plodding so easy swap there.

    Totally disagree. Brayshaw was brave in the air and has made smart decisions all year. TMac can kick it anywhere and has the turning circle of the Spirit of Tasmania. 

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    3 hours ago, JimmyGadson said:

    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. 

    Sorry which ones?

    He was brilliant today, one of his best games for the club.

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    1 hour ago, Better days ahead said:

    Goody gave him the all clear in his post game interview. Said both he and the Weid had ticked all the boxes and were available for selection.

    Available for selection does not mean good enough for selection. 

    I loved Ben Brown when he was flying for North Melbourne, but now that he's on our list and we're flying I have my doubts about his movement and place within the side...

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    28 minutes ago, homsar said:

    Totally disagree. Brayshaw was brave in the air and has made smart decisions all year. TMac can kick it anywhere and has the turning circle of the Spirit of Tasmania. 

    Honestly Tmac is far better in the air than Brayshaw, far quicker and better by foot - there is no comparison.

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    TMac doesn't get dropped on current form.

    Instead, IMO he goes up the ground into Jones and/or Jordon's role. Melksham and/or Jackson could do the same. Frees up room for Weideman, B Brown and Fritsch.

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    I don't get all the criticism of Gus. I think he's been great the last two weeks pushing back to assist our defenders. 

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    Doesn’t look a threat in front of goal which his role atm, Ben Brown has to come in at his expense. If he has a role on the wing I’m all for it but we probably looking to tall then. Weid will come in for the other Brown

     

     

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    8 hours ago, Dee-lusional said:

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

    The coach had said on more than one occasion - including after today’s match - that Tom is NOT going to play in the back line.

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    11 hours 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.

    Brayshaw played linkman  and defended very well

    I think that he has made that wing his and I wouldn't drop him on that performance

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    Tmac plays his role really well and is in good form, his role is not FF, bringing in B.Brown for M.Brown will not affect his position.
    Tmac is no longer a defender and will not be played back. If you listen to Gus and Gawny they mentioned every player has a 1st role and a 2nd role that they play.  Toms is half forward and wing, he gets up the ground and takes marks connecting with forwards and then runs back into the F50 to be an option when we play our locking it in gamestyle.  


    Weed was good today but kicked 7 on a 20 year old defender whose name I cant remember and he did not perform the week before in the practice game. (3 of his goals came from free kicks) I'd bring BBB in to straighten us up and give us a big target up forward which we will desperately need against the tigers. 

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    6 hours ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

    I don't get all the criticism of Gus. I think he's been great the last two weeks pushing back to assist our defenders. 

    Gus is an absolute A-Grade footballer.  Playing his role and playing it well. 

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