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Does McDonald go back?

Jhorse
Jhorse
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

Given Tommo's injury today, I think it may be time to move Tom MacDonald into the backline to trial Weid and Brown up forward. He is much better suited to this shut down role then Petty, who is predominately an intercept player in the mould of Lever (all be it much worse). 

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    With the utmost respect to any player that will be mentioned in this thread Tomlinson's role was a basic one. Just lock down the the opposition's best forward. Petty gts first crack, if not McDonald... He'll Saw can play role... Just let Lever and May zone off each other

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    3 minutes ago, Josh said:

    With the utmost respect to any player that will be mentioned in this thread Tomlinson's role was a basic one. Just lock down the the opposition's best forward. Petty gts first crack, if not McDonald... He'll Saw can play role... Just let Lever and May zone off each other

    There was a lot more to Tomlinson's role just just a stopper.  He knew and played to the team's defensive system, he has excellent disposal, he can play on tall and small, and, possibly most importantly, he has such a good tank that he doesn't need to leave the ground.  The last point could have a huge impact on our rotations going forward.

     

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    I don't dislike the idea of McDonald going down back and Weideman coming into the side as a forward. The problem with that is that Weideman and Brown play pretty similarly, that being close to goal where as McDonald adds a different dimension being able to push further up the ground. 

    Petty is good at this stage but there's no evidence to suggest he can play that position better than McDonald. So whether McDonald goes back or goes forward, it seems like we're losing something on whichever end McDonald doesn't play in (with respect to Petty, who I definitely rate highly as a young player with a lot of potential). 

    I'd lean towards McDonald going back and and Weideman coming in because that allows us to play our best key position players in one side at the same time but wouldn't be surprised if Goodwin and the rest of the coaching staff go the other way. Should be interesting to see what happens.

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    3 minutes ago, Seetrollgetttroll said:

    I don't dislike the idea of McDonald going down back and Weideman coming into the side as a forward. The problem with that is that Weideman and Brown play pretty similarly, that being close to goal where as McDonald adds a different dimension being able to push further up the ground. 

    Petty is good at this stage but there's no evidence to suggest he can play that position better than McDonald. So whether McDonald goes back or goes forward, it seems like we're losing something on whichever end McDonald doesn't play in (with respect to Petty, who I definitely rate highly as a young player with a lot of potential). 

    I'd lean towards McDonald going back and and Weideman coming in because that allows us to play our best key position players in one side at the same time but wouldn't be surprised if Goodwin and the rest of the coaching staff go the other way. Should be interesting to see what happens.

    Some thoughtful grown-up commentary. Have I logged on to the wrong site?

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    Hell yes Petty is raw won't handle it like against the Hawks. I told you that McDonald was a great backman. I thought he was superb down back. Didn't get a kick up forward.

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    This comes down to attribute thing. Tomlinson was tall, strong and deceptively quick over 10 yards allowing him to do really well on the bigger lockdown forwards.

    What we saw from Petty, if you forgive his mistakes and say it was rust/inexperience, was a guy who didn't want to get caught on a lead and would rather wrestle.

    McDonald (vs little competition) today showed he has the attributes to cover what Tomlinson brought.

    Now the next point is, bringing Petty in is like for like. Sending McDonald back opens up the door for Weid and keeps him happy. Brown looked a tad slow and immobile today, but it was his first AFL level game in a while and we butchered nearly every pass too him. Weid, is very similar to what we saw from Brown today. Having two of the same player might cause chemistry and balance issues throughout the entire squad.

    I still would rather McDonald back, because i think May and Lever looked a lot more concerned when he didn't drift back. Obviously, it didn't help our midfield got smashed, Gawn was rattled and North couldn't miss a kick even if they tried. We genuinely can't afford Petty having another first half like he did against Hawthorn against any side not named Hawthorn, North Melbourne and possibly the Pies.

    What i want: McDonald back Weid IN

    What i think happens: Petty IN

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    I would have said no, but her he was so much better when he went back today vs his first half 

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    Yes. Got more trust in him than Petty at this stage. 

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    McDonald was good down back when the pressure was off. Against speed and pressure he’s a worry to give up goals. The positive is he should be protected if we play better.

    The most important thing is what happens in the midfield and forward line. 

    Todays mid and forward set up didn’t cut it at all. Sparrow for the mids and one less tall forward are both more important than a Petty/McDonald debate, either can do the job.

     

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    No. But he can be swung there if necessary.

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    Just now, Deestroy All said:

    Yes. Got more trust in him than Petty at this stage. 

    But Petty is on the list for this exact reason and he will never be ready if we don’t make him ready. He did ok when May was out. Replacing Tommo is much easier a task than replacing May. 
    We have to give Petty a real crack at it. He has shown plenty in the VFL and he is the future. If it doesn’t work out we have TMac, but people forget why TMac was taken out of the backline. His deficiencies haven’t changed.  

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    I feel like people are focusing entirely and somewhat unfairly on Petty’s first half against the Hawks. He was much improved in the second. 

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    Just now, P-man said:

    I feel like people are focusing entirely and somewhat unfairly on Petty’s first half against the Hawks. He was much improved in the second. 

    The entire team was very poor that game until the last quarter. Shades of today’s game, but today we were worse. 

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    14 minutes ago, Seetrollgetttroll said:

    The problem with that is that Weideman and Brown play pretty similarly, that being close to goal where as McDonald adds a different dimension being able to push further up the ground

    TMac broke the golden rule of country footy today - never play a good game in the backline.

    Weid mostly played pretty close to goal last year, but I think he can play the high half forward roll pretty well. Can take a grab, good endurance, and underrated defensively. The final against Geelong springs to mind.

    Petty vs TMac in the backline is probably a 50/50 call, but I'm leaning towards sending TMac to CHB. I rate Petty, but I think he's a couple of years away from holding down a key position. Weideman is too good a footballer to not be out of the side, and this is the perfect opportunity to get him in.

     

     

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    Was really strange seeing Tommy Mac kicking some laser kicks out of the backline today, he did very well down there today, I’d like to see him stay in there until Petty over takes him.

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    as long as t-mac continues to kick forward and not across the ground to (change lanes) he can stay in the backline. bring in weid!

     

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    Petty comes in for Thommo. no question in my mind at all

    Brown showed it will take a couple of games to get up to speed. Too risking to bring in the Weid and having both KPFs trying to find form. 

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    TMac played very well in our backline and the forward line went well without him so it's not hard to see him back down there again.

    Still, I think Petty must be given game time and the next few games are an ideal patch to give him just that.

    I'd bring him in for Tommo as a straight swap and then focus on who to replace Viney. That will be a harder choice.

    Jones is hardened and did pretty well today. He's a desperate man now that he's on the fringes and will want to break the games record.

    So he's Jack's replacement and bring back Sparrow or Chandler for Baker. I'm not a fan of Ginger.

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    TMac's around the ground kicking has greatly improved. Wouldn't mind seeing him back.

    Weid can definitely play up the ground, as can Fritta. Jackson is also a good link up player

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    Tommy Mac showed his versatility today after an indifferent first half. Thought his mobility and game involvement were telling. Field kicking has improved and was creative with his handball. A most unGoody like but timely in match call. Restored confidence and stability to the back 6 post half-time. Puts Sam Weidemann very much in the reckoning for a Swans game call up.

    In the great traditional of Aussie Rules the “Utility” is back.

    Edited by Tarax Club
    repetition

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    Haven't read the whole thread. I would send Mitch Brown back, and have full faith in his abilities.    

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