If Harmes and Melksham haven’t made us pull our hair out chances are we’ve won the game

I’ve reached the point where I trust the selectors. They have their reasons.

It will be matchups, or keeping Casey alive knowing anyone of you can get a game next week if you play your role, or fitness issues we aren’t aware of. What do we know?

Harmes will be challenged, and we will know more about him and where we stand with him come finals 

Melksham will be in our GF side (I think) and he does a job on certain types of players. We need him I think

So the changes? No idea . But I trust 

First  time in a long time. Strange feeling 

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

Sparrow has not shown enough when playing seniors to be picked above Harmes. Harmes offer so much more as on baller / tagged / forward.

I think Sparrow brings more of what we miss with Viney out - Tackles, one percenters, clearances, contested possessions etc - than Harmes does. Sure, Harmes provides a little more forward of the ball, but with Melksham, Petracca, Kozzy, ANB and Jordon in; what do we need more from a balance perspective? I would argue we missed the Viney 'tough stuff' in the first half last week than we did half forward types.

Also not sure this is the week we're desperately crying out for a specialist tagger.

Wanted Sparrow in, but all good with Harmes.

8-0   -  lets do it I say I say lets do it.

Tried to tell yas ...

1 hour ago, Caligula's cohort said:

I would like to see Harmes do a tagging job on Parker. By all reports, Parker has been their most damaging midfielder this year. Stop him and we'll go along way in getting first touch from clearances. 

Absolutely nailed it.  Must stop Parker.  He’s the danger man. 

Ffs.

Chompers, you better play like you have earned that spot.

Mid morning DeeZee said:

"It’ll be Harmes and Petty in

Thommo and Jones out

Chandler the sub"

and a bit later

"Going by today’s training with the main  group.

I popped by this morning."

Great work DeeZee.  Thanks!

2 hours ago, Bigred said:

I’ve reached the point where I trust the selectors. They have their reasons.

It will be matchups, or keeping Casey alive knowing anyone of you can get a game next week if you play your role, or fitness issues we aren’t aware of. What do we know?

Harmes will be challenged, and we will know more about him and where we stand with him come finals 

Melksham will be in our GF side (I think) and he does a job on certain types of players. We need him I think

So the changes? No idea . But I trust 

First  time in a long time. Strange feeling 

Melksham in our GF side?? Hnmm two presumptions which might seem speculative. OKAY  but only if Melksham is BOG in the Prelim !! Assuming he lasts beyond this week!

Edited May 7, 20214 yr by picket fence

We have to remember the MC has a plan that we’re not involved in. They also have the benefit of watching training performances. Further, all players are given aspects of their game to work on and maybe some aren’t making sufficient progress in those things.

4 hours ago, SPC said:

James Harmes does not make us a better side.. he is good for a few 50 meter penalties and slow chases.

Don't forget the dumb free kicks!

The names of Harmes, Melksham and Sparrow aren’t going to decide this game,. They’re simply role players.

The big 3 of Gawn, Petracca and Oliver all playing high quality games will decide the game.

A functioning forward line of BBB, T Mac, and our 3 smaller fwds in Kozzie, Spargo and ANB will decide the game.

And the best 1-2 defensive combo in the league of May and Lever being able to successfully cover the loss of Tomlinson (and guiding Petty) and thus continuing their respective brilliant seasons will decide this game.

Edited May 7, 20214 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

5 hours ago, Nasher said:

Good to see the Melksham haters out in force. The most obvious case of groupthink I’ve seen on this forum I reckon.

He’s the best deliverer of the ball in to the 50 we have. For the same reason you all argued (rightfully) with me until you went blue that Spargo’s job isn’t about getting heaps of the ball, Melksham’s job isn’t to lay stacks of tackles. It’s to link up at half forward, win contests when needed and make sure we get meaningful delivery. 

Many seem to be assessing Melksham’s performance against Spargo’s role. 

Unfortunately last week and Games before Jake fumbled the ball and chances were lost because he doesnt put  his body on the line.

He needs to  make every chance count as he dues my get many. 

4 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

The names of Harmes, Melksham and Sparrow aren’t going to decide this game,. They’re simply role players.

The big 3 of Gawn, Petracca and Oliver all playing high quality games will decide the game.

A functioning forward line of BBB, T Mac, and our 3 smaller fwds in Kozzie, Spargo and ANB will decide the game.

And the best 1-2 defensive combo in the league of May and Lever being able to successfully cover the loss of Tomlinson (and guiding Petty) and thus continuing their respective brilliant seasons will decide this game.

How could you leave our best forward over 6 foot in Fritta!!

He has an uncanny knack to be in the right place at the right time.

Ladt week he showed he is developing into a champion forward with great skill and ball sense. 
Very hard to match up on as we have many different forward options!! 
 

Hope  they all are in their game vs Swans . 

Harmes to Parker?

Melksham to Lloyd?

Harmes must play on the ball. He has shown he cannot play other positions very well so if the plan is for him to take Vineys actual role then I’m ok with this. 

 

I’m not a Harmes fan. He’s a wannabe Dusty complete with tatts, straight arm fend offs and even his number. Tries to take MOTY and break too many tackles too often. His biggest fan is himself. BUT....if he can just play his part as a lockdown player and pack all the other stuff away, he can be valuable. Straight to Parker for mine.  As I said earlier in the week, tag Parker and keep Lloyd and Rampe out wide and away from the contest if possible.

Be very interested to see how a BBB, T Mac, Fritta, resting ruckman forward line functions.

Edited May 7, 20214 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

I would have dropped Melksham and also played Sparrow instead of Harmes. I always like to try and understand the difference to my initial reactions and I think at times its more about the overall impact and dynamic (which selection committee consider) rather than the individual (which I usually react with)

Melksham is one that does 2-3 things per game that frustrate the hell out of you and are burnt into the memory when you get to the “Changes” thread. Others are are right though his numbers speak for themselves, he is crafty and he connects well forward of centre. We dont really have another who plays his role well. This and there seems to have been a change in his intent to pressure. I can understand why he wasn’t omitted. If he plays purely as a high half forward (where he is best suited) there is more benefit to getting him in high form as he does things not many in the team can do.

Sparrow generally plays 65% game time. With Jimmy J also in the midfield who also plays 65% it does leave us thin. Particularly against the Swans who with Kennedy and Parker will create a bruising affair around the stoppage. Whilst Sparrow was clearly BOG in the VFL last week Harmes ability to play harder for longer and more roles probably suggest why this was preferred. 

Best of luck to both tonight. Shame there is no VFL this week to allow those there to continue to put pressure on selection.

 

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

Harmes must play on the ball. He has shown he cannot play other positions very well so if the plan is for him to take Vineys actual role then I’m ok with this. 

 

Yep, the loss of Viney in a defensive sense is all important and Harmes is surely the best option in that place. 

14 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

100% Harmes is in for a specific shut down job. It's the only logical conclusion looking from the outside in. A hardened body to compete with Kennedy.

If Viney was fit, he would be 'languishing' in the two's.

Who will he run with ?

Edited May 7, 20214 yr by Kent

Big difference between dominating against a weak North VFL team and playing the Swans tonight.

Harmes has finished top 5 in our B&F, proven he can do it at the level, play him in the right position and he will find form. Sparrow looks promising, but needs to earn it - ANB dominated at VFL a number of seasons back, and has taken quite a while to become a solid player.

Petty like for like - tick!

Melksham highly skilled, uses ball exceptionally well into forward 50, three tackles last week is probably all FD are looking  for from him. He is frustrating at times, but his good is quality!

3 hours ago, ProperDee said:

I’m not a Harmes fan. He’s a wannabe Dusty complete with tatts, straight arm fend offs and even his number. Tries to take MOTY and break too many tackles too often. His biggest fan is himself. BUT....if he can just play his part as a lockdown player and pack all the other stuff away, he can be valuable. Straight to Parker for mine.  As I said earlier in the week, tag Parker and keep Lloyd and Rampe out wide and away from the contest if possible.

Agree with all this. I'm not a huge Harmes fan but despite serviceable games from Jones we are better with Harmes taking his spot. 

Shutting down Parker will be critical,  been in good form. 

Anyone else thinking Buddy may not play?

Could they bring in Blakey, listed as an emergency, instead? 

Or bring in their master tagger, George Hewitt, who seems to be a late inclusion on their list of emergencies. 

I like the thought of that LH. Buddy worries me. Still a champion and can tear a team to shreds.