On 5/2/2021 at 4:44 PM, MurDoc516 said:

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

You have not thought this through!

Looking for a quick fix and not looking at the long term. Petty deserves his chance and was getting his confidence vs Hawks in the second half.

Tommy was great on Sat but fir a better team balance we need Tmac up forward.

Where this leaves Sam I am not sure but I am convinced the above is the first solution for us to try. 
 

OurTeam  balance is crucial and Tommy does so much more than either Sam  or BBB Fir the other forwards and can muscle his way to a mark or kick. 

 

4 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

At this point i think Brown ...just and i mean by a bees you know what...due to his marginally better defensive / pressure work and ground ball gets / uncontested (work rate?) possessions once the ball hits the ground.

Brown & Brown key forwards;  the speculative man's choice. These guys could also be handy at next week's AFL tribunal.

 

 

It might be best to maintain our structure with a simple swap for Petty. Same applies with Viney remaining unavailable, meaning Sparrow should come in for Baker. No other changes are likely this week…

2015: Tomald on track for AA until destroyed by Cloke. Noted for closing speed and spoiling. 

2016: Roos gives Tomald licence as our primary distributor off half-back. Widespread hair-loss. 

2017: Half-back clangers climb and climb until Tomald is swung forward and shows some promise. 

2018: Premiere season - as a forward. Strong straight-line lead and mark. Can't miss. 50+ goals for the season. 

2019/2020 - complete write-offs. Can't get near it, looks like his body is shot beyond repair. 

2021: Somewhat restored agility and contested marking, the latter mostly in space up the wing.  

What now? Tommy has always wanted to be better than what he is. He seeks impact from his possessions, and as such is slow to move it on and frequently turns it over. Agility is still lacking. Can he be a lock-down defender with a do-nothing-else mandate? 

Man a space/body - spoil/intercept - give the ball to Salem or Hunt? We always talk about players playing within their limits. Restrained Viney this year for me had been a revelation and major component. Is TMac capable of the same? 

31 minutes ago, Skuit said:

2015: Tomald on track for AA until destroyed by Cloke. Noted for closing speed and spoiling. 

2016: Roos gives Tomald licence as our primary distributor off half-back. Widespread hair-loss. 

2017: Half-back clangers climb and climb until Tomald is swung forward and shows some promise. 

2018: Premiere season - as a forward. Strong straight-line lead and mark. Can't miss. 50+ goals for the season. 

2019/2020 - complete write-offs. Can't get near it, looks like his body is shot beyond repair. 

2021: Somewhat restored agility and contested marking, the latter mostly in space up the wing.  

What now? Tommy has always wanted to be better than what he is. He seeks impact from his possessions, and as such is slow to move it on and frequently turns it over. Agility is still lacking. Can he be a lock-down defender with a do-nothing-else mandate? 

Man a space/body - spoil/intercept - give the ball to Salem or Hunt? We always talk about players playing within their limits. Restrained Viney this year for me had been a revelation and major component. Is TMac capable of the same? 

Not only that, but do we get the most benefit out of him and our other players if he is.

I think ….
Tom McDonald the lockdown defender and Wiedeman/Brown up forward is better than
Harrison Petty the lockdown defender and any 1 or 2 (please god not 3) of Brown/McDonald/Wiedeman up forward

After last night, Tommy mcd stays forward.  Was clearly our best forward and 4 straight was a good result.
 

 Interesting interview post match.  Clearly he recognized he was a little overweight and needed more short metre speed and agility.  Worked on “Zig zag running over 20 metres at speed”.  Turning and burst speed required. This has given him a new edge. Aerobically he was all fine.  
 

I also think one grab marking has improved. He fumbled a lot last year and I thought his eyes needed checking. Last night his ball handling in the wet was excellent.  

7 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

After last night, Tommy mcd stays forward.  Was clearly our best forward and 4 straight was a good result.
 

 Interesting interview post match.  Clearly he recognized he was a little overweight and needed more short metre speed and agility.  Worked on “Zig zag running over 20 metres at speed”.  Turning and burst speed required. This has given him a new edge. Aerobically he was all fine.  
 

I also think one grab marking has improved. He fumbled a lot last year and I thought his eyes needed checking. Last night his ball handling in the wet was excellent.  

If you followed TMac on Instagram last year his work over Summer was inspirational. 
i am not at all suprised he has turned his career around and is marking the ball like a CLAMP!!

Thought he may have to go back in defence last night and help out. 
Glad i was wrong. He is a serious forward now 

The Weid’s job just got harder

Debate over. TMac plays forward.

Close thread

6 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

Debate over. TMac plays forward.

Close thread

You have my vote BDA. It was a silly idea from day one.

No way. No way.

I thought it was a great idea after Tomlinson went down so Sw could play

I forgot that Tom up fwd is just a gun. Great at pack marks and the most accurate kick from any angle.

Has won six games for us with his stellar efforts.

It is Tom at his best snd we were lucky to not lose him as well as Sw being injured so as to play him.

He is back better than ever and if this form continues will lead the way to our flag success.

 

7 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

No way. No way.

I thought it was a great idea after Tomlinson went down so Sw could play

I forgot that Tom up fwd is just a gun. Great at pack marks and the most accurate kick from any angle.

Has won six games for us with his stellar efforts.

It is Tom at his best snd we were lucky to not lose him as well as Sw being injured so as to play him.

He is back better than ever and if this form continues will lead the way to our flag success.

 

Under rare circumstances like when we need to cover a key defender injury, he’s not getting the ball and others are kicking goals like what happened last week it’s appropriate. He got back into touch and performed very well covering for Tomlinson. He can be a seriously good defender but his current upside is as a forward. It’s great we are blessed with his flexibility.

Edited May 9, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

On 5/2/2021 at 4:19 PM, 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

Hhhmmmm basic yet so difficult to do well…

On 5/4/2021 at 9:49 PM, 58er said:

You have not thought this through!

Looking for a quick fix and not looking at the long term. Petty deserves his chance and was getting his confidence vs Hawks in the second half.

Tommy was great on Sat but fir a better team balance we need Tmac up forward.

Where this leaves Sam I am not sure but I am convinced the above is the first solution for us to try. 
 

OurTeam  balance is crucial and Tommy does so much more than either Sam  or BBB Fir the other forwards and can muscle his way to a mark or kick. 

Stay with Petty

people that even suggested mcdonald go back need to think twice before posting. it was a mind boggling idea. 

41 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

people that even suggested mcdonald go back need to think twice before posting. it was a mind boggling idea. 

Not sure who said it, but they suggested Tom go back....to Casey regardless of performance against North to get Weid in. 

He’s in close to career best form, and his resurgence is an absolute credit to his character. 

6 hours ago, John Crow Batty said:

Under rare circumstances like when we need to cover a key defender injury, he’s not getting the ball and others are kicking goals like what happened last week it’s appropriate. He got back into touch and performed very well covering for Tomlinson. He can be a seriously good defender but his current upside is as a forward. It’s great we are blessed with his flexibility.

I really reckon hes a confidence player.

Last night he was in the action early and dominated all night.

Last week he was very quiet but when moved back really go involved so what you say has merit.

Hes been a big difference.

 

I remember an interview with Tmac a few years ago when he had been moved forward and was doing well, about how he was liking it up forward. He said he was relishing in it.Who wouldn't after the years spent down back in a side that was being beat regularly.Run off your feet defending would not be a good position to be playing in week after week in a mediocre team under avalanche.

15 hours ago, Dr.D said:

people that even suggested mcdonald go back need to think twice before posting. it was a mind boggling idea. 

We are indeed fortunate to have someone so strong, and adaptable, with quality defence experience, who was able to cover after last week’s injury, but who can also slot straight back in as a dominant forward. 
So glad he wasn’t traded out last off season.  

Anyone have a link to the interview Tom did pre game?  I was at the game so didn't see it.  I spent mothers day evening enjoying the replay & the commentators made reference to it a few times.  Can't seem to find a link to it???  Thanks in advance & enjoy this foreign ride all!

Love everything about Tmac. 

The only thing I would try and get out of his game is when he tries to break through a tackler and attempts to take the ball over the tackers arms with one hand (I'm sure others have seen/posted it in here before) and often gets caught HTB. 

Needs to either get both hands up or try bust through the tackler. I'm probably being too critical but I see it often and only rarely does it come off. 

Well done to Tmac and ANB.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/05/09/christian-petracca-loves-that-tom-mcdonald-stuck-it-back-up-the-club/