27 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Would love to know what is up with Gawn. Has he just played 2 average games (by his standards) or is he sore and carrying significant injuries/knocks. I've noticed especially since the Tigers game he has been targeted heavily and is constantly coping hits off the ball and in marking contests.  with 4 games to go to the bye I would consider giving him a break.  We need him fit and firing in 3 months time.  It would also be good to test run our 'without Gawn' game plan for when it is needed

Bring in Weed for Gawn, play Jacko first ruck?  not sure if that would work.

23 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Something seems to be up with him....possibly just fatigue creeping in as he goes so very hard? He sure is getting targeted as are a few others..

Interesting suggestion.

Fellas, 

Gawn had 43 HO's on the weekend along with 16 touches. I don't thing anything is 'up' with Gawn. It wasn't his best game and neither was last week, but he's just not having to carry such a heavy load anymore which is great to see.

I think it just goes to show how well rounded our team is.

The biggest knock on Gawn that I can agree with is his set shots. Really hope he's putting some time into it. 

4.6 for the year could look a lot prettier 

14 hours ago, Jaded said:

Watched the replay. Trac was suffering. He has a lot of thigh. Could take a week to come good. Lucky it’s a 7 day break, but if he’s not 100% a week off could be 

Doesnt sound good. Medico's will know what to do. Wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt play next week. 7days maybe not enough for a serious corky at this level of footy.

Thats OK, Dees have depth.

Edited May 10, 20214 yr by siam juntaRus

It's a long season and Melbourne winters make the training and games cycle just that little tougher.

Not time for resting anyone now but post bye game management for a few players will become important.

I wonder if Gawn has just dialled back his ruck effort this season to get that edge around the grounds. If he has that is smart management.

We are also likely to see more man on man tactics being used against us which tends to put more stress on the body.

We have to keep looking at ways to get better and I think Melksham's role is definitely one role that we should look hard at.  

Chandler, Sparrow and Bedford should all be given a look in at some stage.

Would Weed offer more or less to the team than Melksham at the moment?  

It is really hard to make changes to a winning side when none of the possible replacements (other than Jones & Baker) will have played a game for 17 days by the time next Sunday rolls around.

That said, I don't think we played particularly well on Saturday and there are a few players who look in need of a rest or a couple of weeks at Casey. Jordon and Melksham would be the prime candidates.

36 minutes ago, poita said:

It is really hard to make changes to a winning side when none of the possible replacements (other than Jones & Baker) will have played a game for 17 days by the time next Sunday rolls around.

That said, I don't think we played particularly well on Saturday and there are a few players who look in need of a rest or a couple of weeks at Casey. Jordon and Melksham would be the prime candidates.

Sydney and Melbourne have the 2 highest pressure ratings apparently, so a slog was expected and thats what we got.

Aside from centre clearances we played well in the conditions.

13 hours ago, Chook said:

McDonald probably hasn't trained for the wing in about 10 weeks now, given he's been killing it as a forward.

Given Weitering's form - he will likely negate which ever forward he takes. Need to make him accountable or at least have a 2nd and 3rd tall option to counterpunch. Could this be reason enough to have our own '3 headed monster' in the forward line (TMac - BBB - Weid) ? 

2 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

LDC, in my experience , the descent to “numptiness” is in direct proportion to the decreasing amount of Shiraz in the magnum.

Well what is one to do when the venerable Romsey pub continues to remain idle.

Having watched the Car Vs Bul game, one of the things the Dogs did well was subdue the influence of Williams and Saad and hence Carlton's running power.

• Zac Williams - 9 Disposals
• Adam Saad - 12 Disposals

For those of you who have watched a lot of Chandler at Casey, is he well suited to playing a negating role on either of these two?

4 minutes ago, TRIGON said:

Having watched the Car Vs Bul game, one of the things the Dogs did well was subdue the influence of Williams and Saad and hence Carlton's running power.

• Zac Williams - 9 Disposals
• Adam Saad - 12 Disposals

For those of you who have watched a lot of Chandler at Casey, is he well suited to playing a negating role on either of these two?

Spargo to put the clamps on Saad’s rebound and then try to expose him when attacking opportunities come.

Williams tends to float through the middle now, so as long as our midfield is on their game I don’t think his influence will be huge. Could even run Harmes with him if needed. Always easier to tag running players than inside mids.

No changes

Stop McKay.  May ✅

Stop Cripps/Walsh.  Trac oliver harmes ✅ (Jordon might tag Walsh) 

Stop Betts  Hibberd gets the job ✅

The worries 

Stop the half backs Docherty, Williams and Saad rebound   Melksham , Spargo, ANB, have to be on their game this week  

Curnow will tag Oliver. Need to give him support. 
 

 

i know weather forecasts can be dicey especially 7 days out......

but they are currently predicting similar weather next sunday as we had against the swans

could be a factor in how we should structure up

 

16 hours ago, Jaded said:

Watched the replay. Trac was suffering. He has a lot of thigh. Could take a week to come good. Lucky it’s a 7 day break, but if he’s not 100% a week off could be good. 

Possibly needs a feed of pasta, does our Tracca. That will get him right quickly in seven days. Particularly if Nonna or Mamma make it for him to his favourite recipe. 

 

Maybe look to rest 1 or 2 against Adelaide as we have back to back 6 day breaks after Carlton.

6 hours ago, rpfc said:

After that performance I think TMac should be left in the forward line. I am thinking Fritsch is the player Weideman should be eyeing off. 

People say we can’t play three talls - however, when one of your ‘mediums’ doesn’t chase, tackle, link up, etc - what’s the difference? The added benefit of playing a tall is the match up is harder for the opponent. Rampe could be given something to think about if he was made to play taller.

Something to consider anyway.

Are you insinuating Fritsch doesn't tackle chase etc?  Well we can't do without him And his average 2/3 goals per week.

its ridiculous to even think off this move.

Melksham  clearly Is under pressure. 

It's hard to see any changes, but there's at least four players who they need to get a game into - Chandler, Sparrow, Weid and Bowey.

Hard part is figuring a way to do it when you are winning.

As to those who started the drop Harmesy jibber, you seriously need to understand football. His best game since 2018 finals. 

I think we need to seriously consider dropping Gus. He needs to seriously lift and I don't think he's working hard enough to be able to fulfil his potential. 

In: Sparrow, Chandler

Out: Brayshaw, Melksham

1 hour ago, 58er said:

Are you insinuating Fritsch doesn't tackle chase etc?  Well we can't do without him And his average 2/3 goals per week.

its ridiculous to even think off this move.

Melksham  clearly Is under pressure. 

I think those 2 or 3 could be kicked by Weideman or by other players. It’s hardly ridiculous; I have suspicions that Bayley is a front runner and that he can’t continue to have too many more games like last week if he wants to ply finals in this team.

He was nowhere. 

For those advocating for Harmes to be dropped, the coaches essentially voted him the fourth of fifth best player of the night.

He won't be dropped. 

8 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

For those advocating for Harmes to be dropped, the coaches essentially voted him the fourth of fifth best player of the night.

He won't be dropped. 

Maybe one of them did

7 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Maybe one of them did

no maybe, only 1 did

5 hours ago, hells bells said:

Would Weed offer more or less to the team than Melksham at the moment?  

Would rather see Chandler get a run at it for Melk vs Weid ...mostly for team balance up forward and see how he goes in general, especially with pressure inside 50.

2 hours ago, Deespicable said:

It's hard to see any changes, but there's at least four players who they need to get a game into - Chandler, Sparrow, Weid and Bowey.

As to those who started the drop Harmesy jibber...

Edited May 10, 20214 yr by Rusty Nails

6 hours ago, Demon3 said:

I think he is allowed to have non dominant games. I think he was pretty poor against North, Goldy seems to play very well against him. He worked his way into teh game on Saturday. Tom Hickey is in great form, is a physical ruckman, it was a battle, i think Max got on top in the last qtr and would claim a close victory. That's going to happen against similar ruckman, what we want with Max is to dominate the lesser likes. 

He smashed McEvoy, he beat Nankervis, had his way with the saints without Marshall and Ryder, Beat Stanley. That's what he needs to do. Max is fine. 

That is what I was woindering. has he just been average/ok for the past 2 weeks or is he sore/carrying something.  if the latter he might benefit from a week off. I am not doubting how good he has been previously