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CHANGES: Rd 08 vs Sydney

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in Melbourne Demons

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With wet weather possible, would think weids stays out for this one.  Don’t think we want to go too tall unless conditions are ideal.  
 

sparrow in for Baker.

petty in for Tomo

jones medical sub

    • Like 3
     

    70% chance of rain in the afternoon/evening.

    Looking forward to some more A+ wet weather footy like the Richmond game.  Still cant believe how well we moved the ball in that one.

    I can understand why we went for Brayshaw in the middle last week, with Viney out we've got a young midfield:

    https://www.afl.com.au/news/607621/secrets-to-success-every-club-s-cbas-kick-ins-for-r7

    Petracca, Oliver, Jordon and we used Brayshaw and Jones

    If we go back to Brayshaw on the wing and Jones to sub (because Petty replaces Tomlinson) and bring Sparrow into the middle then we have a pretty young core set-up:

    Petracca, Oliver, Jordon, Sparrow ...

    I could see Harmes coming in for this reason.

    • Like 4
     
    On 5/5/2021 at 5:16 PM, Turner said:

    i'd still have harmes in ahead of sparrow especially with viney out we really need a presence tackling and speed out of the stoppage and a week in the twos should be plenty for a broken wrist so for me

    IN: Petty, Harmes, Chandler

    OUT: Tomlinson, Baker, ANB (lay a tackle son its what you're there for)

    ANB won't be dropped fir his first real bad one. Fail this game and he is on skid row. 
    Sparrow must get a game on form .

    Harmes needs to play another Casey game or maybe med iCal sub. 

    Petty for Tomlinson is obvious. We need to have a long term solution in that role and Petty needs time to prove he is the man. Aerially he is an upgrade on Tomlinson and he is good by foot. He is not as strong and will need time to understand the role and how to play alongside Lever and May. The criticism of his first half against Hawthorn is a bit unfair given it was his first game in two years and it was only a handful of errors. (Tomlinson was actually worse in that game, being beaten twice in one on one marking contests by O'Brien.)

    Brayshaw has been much better on the other wing than any other option over recent years and needs to go back to the role. Baker doesn't make good decisions and his ball use is average and he should be omitted.

    This leaves a one starting spot in the midfield for Jones, Sparrow or Harmes and one other spot as the sub. Jones only played around 50% game time last week so I don't think he needs a rest. I would go for Jones to start but can see arguments for the other two and it is pretty even.

    Personally I would go for Weideman ahead of Brown but we need to see how Brown goes on the MCG. My biggest concern with Brown is that he gives little when the ball isn't kicked to him one on one. Also, Max has been playing more time at full forward this year and they cannot both sit there.

    One other thing I would like to see us trial is Jackson as a midfielder and Max in the ruck. Jackson is great in the contest and this would open up our forward line.

    • Like 1

    It’ll be Harmes and Petty in

    Thommo and Jones out

    Chandler the sub 

    • Like 1
    2 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

    It’ll be Harmes and Petty in

    Thommo and Jones out

    Chandler the sub 

    Opinion or inside word?

    1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Opinion or inside word?

    Going by today’s training with the main  group.

    I popped by this morning.

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 1
     

    just need to find a way to get Weid in.  I'd rather invest and support Weid and find a spot elsewhere for TMac (wing or CHB).  I know it wont happen but I think they have played the wrong card here.  Weid in, TMac back, Harmes in for Jones.  perfect opportunity to bring in the Weid.

     

    Harmes ahead of Sparrow is not rewarding current form, but hoping Harmes can capture his form from 3 years ago. 

    I would be disappointed if that is the call they make. Especially as Sparrow is a much more like for like replacement for Viney.

    Baker medical sub to avoid dropping him after 1 game? 

    • Like 5

    10 minutes ago, Jaded said:

    Harmes ahead of Sparrow is not rewarding current form, but hoping Harmes can capture his form from 3 years ago. 

    I would be disappointed if that is the call they make. Especially as Sparrow is a much more like for like replacement for Viney.

    Baker medical sub to avoid dropping him after 1 game? 

    I believe Sparrow has gone past Harmes, would be disappointed if Harmes comes in

    • Like 7

    Harmes was playing well before he got injured and since playing as a mid is a much better player than last year in defense.

    Also has the runs on the board as a tagging mid who can run with Parker or Kennedy.

    • Like 1

    Harmes averaged 24.5 possessions a game in 2019. (His last season as an onballer/tagger.)

    Sparrow's best AFL game was 17 possessions.

    I am not saying possessions are everything, Harmes does not need to improve his disposal, or Sparrow has not improved, but the numbers are pretty clear cut and so I can understand if Harmes gets the nod.

    • Like 2
    2 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

    Harmes was playing well before he got injured and since playing as a mid is a much better player than last year in defense.

    Also has the runs on the board as a tagging mid who can run with Parker or Kennedy.

    No he wasn't.  He was poor all pre season and poor again against Fremantle.  Not only that his game against North last week selfish, lazy and poor.

    I'm disappointed to hear that Sparrow has been left out in the expense of Harmes. Sparrow was a CLEAR best on ground by an absolute mile.

    • Like 7

    It’s also about experience over youth.

    We already have some good young players in the team like Kozzie, Jacko and Rivers.

    The more senior player that’s been there done that is being picked ahead of more youth.

    Ben Brown ahead of Weed

    Harmes ahead of Sparrow.

    Unfortunately we can’t fit them all in, and it just underlines our depth of talent.

    • Like 3

    3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    No he wasn't.  He was poor all pre season and poor again against Fremantle.  Not only that his game against North last week selfish, lazy and poor.

    I'm disappointed to hear that Sparrow has been left out in the expense of Harmes. Sparrow was a CLEAR best on ground by an absolute mile.

    Sides haven't been listed yet, according to the AFL site.

    1 minute ago, ManDee said:

    Sides haven't been listed yet, according to the AFL site.

    Captains run is usually a good indication though mate..

    • Like 2

    Harmes throws our midfield balance off and he cant play any other position . Sparrow can play as a pressure forward and go in the midfield when needed and dominated the VFL last week.

    Sparrow in before Harmes, surely.

    Sydney midfield last week was Kennedy, Parker, Rowbottom (20), Warner (19), Florent (22)

    https://www.afl.com.au/news/607621/secrets-to-success-every-club-s-cbas-kick-ins-for-r7

    We'll have Petracca, Oliver, Jordon (20) - then you can add in your 2 preferred from Brayshaw, Jones, Harmes, Sparrow but note only 1 of those 4 were in the starting 22 last week.  Someone has to go out and that could be Baker but then you've got to fill his wing spot so you're still only left with 4 primary mids in the rotation.  Melksham, Pickett and ANB did cameos in there.

    I'd be going with Harmes and Brayshaw back to the wing. I could go with a midfield rotation of Petracca, Oliver, Jordon and Harmes.

    I'm just not comfortable with a midfield rotation of Petracca, Oliver, Jordon and Sparrow - there needs to be one more because of the inexperience and that would mean someone else has to miss. There'll be a significant number of combos where Jordon and Sparrow both have to be in there.

    Edited by Pollyanna

    • Like 3

    30 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    I'm disappointed to hear that Sparrow has been left out in the expense of Harmes. Sparrow was a CLEAR best on ground by an absolute mile.

    As much as I like James Harmes circa 2018, and want him to get back those levels, I agree with @dazzledavey36's assessment of last weeks game - Sparrow more deserving of a call-up.

    • Like 3
    3 minutes ago, TRIGON said:

    As much as I like James Harmes circa 2018, and want him to get back those levels, I agree with @dazzledavey36's assessment of last weeks game - Sparrow more deserving of a call-up.

    Me too

    • Like 2
     
    1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    No he wasn't.  He was poor all pre season and poor again against Fremantle.  Not only that his game against North last week selfish, lazy and poor.

    I'm disappointed to hear that Sparrow has been left out in the expense of Harmes. Sparrow was a CLEAR best on ground by an absolute mile.

    Jeez don't like Harmes do you ? Actually last week he started off a bit rusty & tentative but finished the game pretty well & was one of Casey's better players.

    I’m not bothered with hand wringing about changes whilst the winning formula continues. Once we lose a game or further injuries others will get their chance. 

    Edited by John Crow Batty


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