17 minutes ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

with you, we've been spoilt by the tremendous year Tommlinson was having. considering the supply the Swans got, Petty and the entire back 6 stood up incredibly well. considering his opponent mclean dominated the week before i was really happy with Petty 

McLean is a good young player and has 7kgs on Petty.

Fritsch's third quarter wasn't that great.

 

On 5/9/2021 at 2:03 PM, DeeSpencer said:

Looked every bit of 15+ to me, but is was worth penalising for burning the free running Jackson alone. Harmes needs to remember he’s a tagger not Dustin Martin. 

It wasn't. I counted it on the replay. I counted 11 steps.

On 5/9/2021 at 4:43 PM, dee-tox said:

Didn't help when he was double teamed all night.

Then again when he did get clear he wasn't his usual clean self.

Was he though? Watching live, Rampe certainly didn't go to him or double team him and watching the replay, I didn't notice it either. 

Harmes had similar stats the million dollar Man. 

Brayshaw is the after party band leader. Both say in!

 

 

24 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Fritsch's third quarter wasn't that great.

 

He was a shocker for the whole 4 quarters 

19 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Fritsch's third quarter wasn't that great.

 

Fritta’s entire game was useless, he’s had a great year but he was bloody awful against Sydney. I’m backing him to return to form against the Blues though. 

I’m going to throw out a left field idea, Max was big in the last quarter but mostly his two weeks have been off. I’m wondering if he’s carrying something and whether perhaps he would benefit from a week off, give Dogga number one rucking role and bring in Weid as 2nd ruck/forward.

Possibly also rotate TMac between forward and wing with Gus having a bit of time in the guts. 

The other reason I’m suggesting this is that there could come a time this year where Max is injured/burnt out and Jacko needs to be our main ruck. Give him a crack at the role this week to give him some experience at it, the flip side is that we also potentially do the same with giving Jacko a rest against Adelaide. 

This gets games into Weid as another bonus. 

15 minutes ago, A F said:

It wasn't. I counted it on the replay. I counted 11 steps.

I counted 14, I thought the ump was very quick to call it. I can only imagine it was because he took the ball from the contest he “felt” like he had the ball for a long time. 

I have to say Harmes was A LOT better than I expected him to be, a couple of issues but he looked more like 2018 Harmes. I wonder whether he has a clearer role when Viney isn’t in the team with him. 

On 5/10/2021 at 7:25 AM, 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.

Could be. Interesting idea. It's not like Fritsch brings great ground level intensity. In fact, I'd argue that when Weideman is really switched on, he's actually a pretty ferocious tackler.

It may well be Weideman for Fritsch if he has another down game. Fritsch could then get back in the side if a Melksham struggles in the high half forward role.

That said, Melksham had limited midfield minutes, but did bring some reasonable ground level pressure that Fritsch couldn't, so Fritsch really needs to ensure his offence is so strong that it papers over his defensive and contested deficiencies. 

On 5/10/2021 at 7:58 AM, Nasher said:

Try following the context of the conversation.

I'm enjoying your sass in this thread, Nash.

On 5/10/2021 at 11:58 AM, jnrmac said:

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.

Longmire said in his press conference yesterday that he thinks statistically, it was the highest pressure game for the year. I'm so proud that our football team is involved in a heated contest like that. 

I think we probably should have won by a bit more. Gawn and Kozzie kick those goals near each other and I think we build a bit of steam up and Sydney potentially fold. We kept them in it and their pressure probably ramped up going into the last. 

We struggled in the first few minutes of the 4th, but got the game going back our way with that important Spargo goal.

This year we have a knack of being able to answer with important goals later in games.

On 5/10/2021 at 3:08 PM, rpfc said:

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. 

I think he can play a role and really add an extra attacking dimension to our forwardline as a high half forward that plays between the arcs and then rotates deep occasionally. The only problem is I don't think we can have two of similar types, in Fritsch and Melksham, both playing high half forward if we want to maintain our frenetic forward defensive pressure that is so vital to stifling the opposition transition out of our forward half.

On 5/10/2021 at 4:50 PM, DubDee said:

It is ridiculous to drop our best and highest scoring forward after one poor game. 

That wasn't the suggestion. If he has another poor game, Weideman could well be the guy that replaces him. 

I don't think Fritsch will have another poor game this week though. He'll get his 2 or 3 goals.

On 5/10/2021 at 7:41 PM, Patches O’houlihan said:

We haven't really smashed a team this year outside the Hawks in the last quarter. 

mark my words, this week will be different. the way Carlton play is going to play right into our hands. they'll attack, make mistakes, bomb it long, May and Lever will have a field day, 

Tipping us by 70 

 

Hope you're right mate. This is the game I've had pencilled in for a while as the concern. I think they match up very well on us. Historically, Gawn has struggled in this game, Cripps has got ahold of us and they've got us on the outside. I don't think they'll get us on the outside unless we're 'off', but our lack of midfield connection, Gawn struggling, Walsh, Cripps and McKay, and I think it'll be closer. But I'd love nothing more than to smash Carlton and grind them into the dirt this weekend.

It is tough for our depth to break into the team.

Sparrow, Jetts, Weids, Lockhart, Chandler, Jones, Bedford, Majak and Baker. Soon with Viney, J Smith and Vanders.

Twelve that could play a role.

Are they going to rest a few before the bye, gets some games into some fresh legs and set us up for the second half?

If our depth is to be valuable when injuries strike, then some of them need AFL games so they know the system and structures. 

Jetts and Jones are good with our way, as is Viney (no need to rush). I would get more games into Sparrow and Chandler, Weids, Bedford and Lockhart. 

Melksham and ANB  know their roles well, omit, and bring in Chandler and Sparrow, this week.

Jones the med sub.

Edited May 11, 20213 yr by kev martin

2 hours ago, A F said:

It wasn't. I counted it on the replay. I counted 11 steps.

Was he though? Watching live, Rampe certainly didn't go to him or double team him and watching the replay, I didn't notice it either. 

Anytime I saw the ball kicked in his direction he had Fox and someone else hanging off him...

21 hours ago, D4Life said:

and think some people want to make changes for the sake of making changes.

Can't agree with this observation. Changes, however subtle, are necessary to keep the highest possible player familiarity and conditioning at the AFL level - particularly with talented newbies and youthful potentials - such as quite a few of our recent recruits. Having depth such as ours, at present, is something that requires an appropriate staging ground to be maintained. It sets up achieveable standards and understanding of the expected performance levels.

Predicting football crowds may be scrapped for this weekend.

Shame because AFL members is pretty much allocation exhausted which generally leads to a crowd of 50k+. Gonna be a million dollar hit to the club I reckon.

Fritsch's performance was that bad that I'd drop him. 

If we're a team that now prides itself on playing selfless, team oriented football, then he simply has to be dropped. 

It's fine for a forward to have a down day as far as goals, marks and touches go, but if you refuse to work off the ball, provide half arsed efforts and chases, what msg does that send to the rest of the group? 

Honestly, he was that bad off the ball that I would drop him. Those kinds of efforts can't be accepted if we want to be a ruthless football side as Goody preaches. 

3 minutes ago, praha said:

Shame because AFL members is pretty much allocation exhausted

not really

level 4 is closed which means that is less than half full at best

Just now, Diamond_Jim said:

not really

level 4 is closed which means that is less than half full at best

How do you know it's closed? Isn't it ultimately dictated by sale rates? ie. once a cap is reached on lower levels they open up level 4? Normally you can still select level 4 but it says "can't find tickets". I just got tickets: you couldn't select level 4 at all and it says "allocation exhausted". Same as other sections. Level 1 open has seats but I couldn't get 5 together. Had to split them by 2 and 3. 

11 minutes ago, JimmyGadson said:

Fritsch's performance was that bad that I'd drop him. 

If we're a team that now prides itself on playing selfless, team oriented football, then he simply has to be dropped. 

It's fine for a forward to have a down day as far as goals, marks and touches go, but if you refuse to work off the ball, provide half arsed efforts and chases, what msg does that send to the rest of the group? 

Honestly, he was that bad off the ball that I would drop him. Those kinds of efforts can't be accepted if we want to be a ruthless football side as Goody preaches. 

He was poor. When the game was in the balance in the last quarter, his weak attempt at tackle nearly cost us the game. We were lucky they didn’t score when they burst forward. After his weak tackle attempt, he just dropped his head and gave up on the contest. Didn’t run and chase and they rebounded with no pressure. Was team killing stuff. I’d almost drop him for that poor effort alone. 

Will be interesting to see how the match committee handled selection this week with so many banging down the door in the VFL.

17 minutes ago, JimmyGadson said:

Fritsch's performance was that bad that I'd drop him. 

If we're a team that now prides itself on playing selfless, team oriented football, then he simply has to be dropped. 

It's fine for a forward to have a down day as far as goals, marks and touches go, but if you refuse to work off the ball, provide half arsed efforts and chases, what msg does that send to the rest of the group? 

Honestly, he was that bad off the ball that I would drop him. Those kinds of efforts can't be accepted if we want to be a ruthless football side as Goody preaches. 

He's got credits in the bank for just on this year alone.

By bloody hell if he puts in another performance like that then I'd also seriously considering dropping him as well to send a message, because that was as lazy as a performance I've seen from a Melbourne player in a long time.

5 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He's got credits in the bank for just on this year alone.

By bloody hell if he puts in another performance like that then I'd also seriously considering dropping him as well to send a message, because that was as lazy as a performance I've seen from a Melbourne player in a long time.

Agree - he certainly was standout in terms of lack of contribution vs the Swans

He has been good so far this year - if there is any real weakness in his game its lack of consistent effort/pressure when he doesn't have the ball (or at least that what it looks like) and his iffy conversion/kicking for goal

The latter seems to be on track atm but his ability to drop off and not do the crucial team things is a concern - particularly after a good performance the week earlier - complacency perhaps / feeling safe in the team ?

6 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Agree - he certainly was standout in terms of lack of contribution vs the Swans

He has been good so far this year - if there is any real weakness in his game its lack of consistent effort/pressure when he doesn't have the ball (or at least that what it looks like) and his iffy conversion/kicking for goal

The latter seems to be on track atm but his ability to drop off and not do the crucial team things is a concern - particularly after a good performance the week earlier - complacency perhaps / feeling safe in the team ?

Before we assume complacency or laziness (as stated by others), perhaps we should consider that Fritsch might have been unwell, may have been injured early in the game, came up against a player better than him, played his role which allowed McDonald to kick 4 and Brown 3 or just had an off night. 

On 5/8/2021 at 11:26 PM, BLWNBA said:

Harmes for Sparrow. 
 

Unfortunately for Harmes he’s a liability. He mad some atrocious errors at some pivotal times in the game and how he was rewarded ahead of Sparrow is beyond me. 
 

I’d rather Jones out there, he offers more and his form has overwhelming been better. 
 

I understand it won’t happen, but that’s what I’d like to see. 

What “atrocious errors” are you talking about? I watched the game twice, and saw nothing from him that could be described as such. The only player who made “atrocious” errors was Clayton Oliver, who on two occasions kicked horribly from free kicks and caused a turnover each time. Having said that, he was also incredibly good in many other ways. 

But people need to stop ragging on Harmes. It was his first game back after injury, and he played bloody well. Disagree? Watch the game again, but this time without the obvious prejudice you brought with you the first time. 

58 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Before we assume complacency or laziness (as stated by others), perhaps we should consider that Fritsch might have been unwell, may have been injured early in the game, came up against a player better than him, played his role which allowed McDonald to kick 4 and Brown 3 or just had an off night. 

Fair call - I wasn't necessarily accusing him of being complacent or lazy simply asking the question and trying to find the reason for his poor performance

However
If he was ill - he should not have played
If any opposition player can completely shut him out of the game - that is a serious concern
TMac and BB playing together the week before didn't seem to remove him from the game

Maybe he did just have an off night - lets hope so - he wouldn't want to back it up again with another as there is strong competition for spots which is great for this team and something that's been missing for a very long time 

Seems to me a disposal efficiency somewhere above 70% and a couple of critical errors per game is league average or better. But some on here think only 100% DE and zero CE is acceptable, even in a game that was very high pressure, with showers and a slippery ball that was not conducive to great skiils or totally avoiding errors.

Can we give some leeway from perfection without perjoratives such as "putrid" and "atrocious"?

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He's got credits in the bank for just on this year alone.

By bloody hell if he puts in another performance like that then I'd also seriously considering dropping him as well to send a message, because that was as lazy as a performance I've seen from a Melbourne player in a long time.

I don't think that's the way to handle it though.

There are certain non-negotiables that every player has to adhere to in a team when not in possession of the ball. Fritsch failed at that so badly I can't even begin to spit out the examples. It completely negates any prior credits he has. 

If his offensive game, goal kicking, marking and possession count were down but his off the ball game was strong, then obviously he shouldn't be dropped. Case in point is ANB over the years. 

But you cannot excuse that sort of effort off the ball. It's culture killing and sends the wrong msg to the playing group and those working their arses off in the VFL just to get a look in. 

If I was Goody, I'd drop him for a week and tell the media that to play in our side, there are certain non-negotiables and standards we live by. We play a full team defence when the opposition has the ball and that means full buy-in from all players. Fritsch needs to show the same appetite for  defence as he does for the party stuff. 

I can forgive one bad effort. But not a game full of them. 

It's not on. 

Edited May 12, 20213 yr by JimmyGadson