2 hours ago, manny100 said:

Might have to give Brayshaw a go at trying to solve our clearance issues. After all he is a born and bred inside mid. 

?

4 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

We see this all the time and it's almost never pinged.  I think the umps must have watched Sam Newman for their understanding of the rule. Like most ex-players, he doesn't know the rules and never did.

For further clarification of what is intended by this rule, the 1944 rules say this:

RUNNING WITH THE BALL.
17. (i) The ball, when in play, may be taken in the hand and held for any length of time, but shall not be carried further than is necessary for a kick, unless the player strikes it against the ground at least once in every ten yards, which need not be in a straight line; that is, he may turn and dodge.

Crazy how much the intention of the rule has changed yeah?

That reads like you were not meant to run with the ball. You were allowed to run to find balance before disposing of it, but not run and carry unless you were constantly bouncing.

Basically while running you had to be constantly either in the action of bouncing or the action of kicking/handballing. 

16 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

He won’t be getting dropped anytime soon. I think you need to watch the game a little closer Doc.  His game has a lot to do with the team rather than gaining a truckload of possessions. The amount of running he does to get back and set-up in our defensive 50 is incredible.

Defensive set up aside, you mention it being a lot to do with the team.

His lack of intensity around the ball including pressure on the opposition and inability to lay tackles is a real concern. 
I watch him closely and Angus is often happy to stand idle as soon as the ball clears his area. That in itself isn’t great for the team. It’s lazy.

I like Gus, but I’m not as impressed with his output as much as you are.

14 minutes ago, deanox said:

Crazy how much the intention of the rule has changed yeah?

That reads like you were not meant to run with the ball. You were allowed to run to find balance before disposing of it, but not run and carry unless you were constantly bouncing.

Basically while running you had to be constantly either in the action of bouncing or the action of kicking/handballing. 

Lucky it is about when the ball is in play. Otherwise Ben Brown would need about three bounces for each set shot at goal ... ?

Think Petracca will be thankful we have an 8 day break instead of a 6 day break

Don't expect much training from Trac this week

On 5/8/2021 at 10:50 PM, Lord Nev said:

24 of his 31 disposals were handballs, yet he had 6 clangers and 5 turnovers.

His first half was very poor. Off the pace, poor decisions, caught trying to do too much.

He lifted in the second half. I don't need to re-watch it just because I disagree with you.

 

On 5/8/2021 at 10:52 PM, titan_uranus said:

His first half was terrible!

His second half was much better though, particularly the fourth quarter, and IMO he keeps his spot after that lift.

 

On 5/8/2021 at 10:58 PM, SPC said:

I’ve been critical of Harmes, didn’t like the decision to bring him in, but I was wrong, if his disposal efficiency was down, it was because he was under pressure. Played well, kept us in it in the end.

We all seemed to watch different games, but I  agree with SPC. 
 

I thought Harmes looked good from the stands, then after just watching on replay, am still convinced that he was a much more solid contributor than the heat he’s drawing on Demonland would suggest. 
 

“Turnovers” are a misleading statistic. There are turnovers that are the result of high-traffic, high-pressure situations where the ball is frantically changing owners, and then there are turnovers that are the results of brain-fades or poor disposal. Harmes’ were safely in the camp of the former, whereas if we’re going to really get stuck into turnovers, Petty, Jordon and Clarry were all guilty of the latter in the first half. 

But what’s so great about the team right now is most of the supporter’s criticism of players is fairly pernickety in the scheme of things. It’s just such a refreshing feeling not becoming infuriated by low-grade efforts, lack of discipline and generally crap decision making from any of our players. I hope it stays that way for a while! 

He had to blow a couple of cobwebs out the other night, but Harmes is a welcome return to this exciting team for my money. 

Edited May 9, 20213 yr by Mel Bourne

I know we are all traumatised after decades of [censored], but we are 8-0 and a different set of players has made the 'best on' list in each victory, all of which have been different. We have system, structure and the special sauce of team-cohesion.

No change.

(Unless injuries and/or massive cork-thighs demand it)

from Fox Sports:

“Welcome back, James Harmes! The midfielder was best on ground, according to the Official AFL Player Ratings, recording 31 disposals, seven tackles and a huge 21 contested possessions. He wasn’t alone starring - Clayton Oliver (35 disposals, 10 clearances) was busy, Christian Petracca (28 disposals and a goal) was damaging, and while the duo of Tom McDonald (four goals) and Ben Brown (three) wasn’t exactly what everyone expected coming into the season, but it worked wonders.”

Not that I think Harmes was BOG, but it’s hard to understand how others could have thought that he should be dropped. Or will they just discredit Fox to support their own poor view of reality?
 

9 hours ago, COOLX said:

We need more fire power , I would bring in the Weid or Daw ( a bit left field ) , Viney ( if avaiable) . T.Mac has been trained to play the wing. Drop Melks and Gus. Possible include Jetta for Hibberd. The weid and Daw can do some of the ruck work.

That would be like making Pat Cummins your fourth change bowler moving Tommy to the wing 
MarK my words He IS NOT a wingman !!

Never has and never will be

He started on a wing In the first quarter fir about 3 minutes in 2018 Just to warm up. 
Neither Weid  Or Daw are needed it's our smalls and Fritsch that will boost our scoring.

8 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.

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.

On 5/9/2021 at 12:00 AM, Nasher said:

Total marks: 

Melksham: 3

Fritsch: 2

Goals from marks:

Melksham: 1

Fritsch: 0

It’s obviously not true that Melksham doesn’t fly for marks. It’s rubbish. The mark he took for a goal was sandwiched in between two players and perfectly judged - taken at the highest point. He very nearly took a speccy where the kick completely favoured his opponent but dropped the slippery ball when he hit the ground. You had decided Melksham sucked before the ball had even been bounced so everything you saw automatically confirmed it. There’s no point in reading anything else from you on this topic. 

You're citing stats from one game?

Season so far Fritsch 18 goals Melksham 5 goals.

Just now, RigidMiddleDigit said:

You're citing stats from one game?

Season so far Fritsch 18 goals Melksham 5 goals.

Try following the context of the conversation.

Did i miss the when the VFL side played? was that a Sydney Covid thing? that surely has to have an influence on changes?

According to Gary Lyon this morning Trac confirmed off-air that no after effects from the corky. He's right to go.

So happy Harmes was selected.

Yea he butchered a few things but overall was very goid.

Also his first game for a long time.

He will be better for it and I hope hes a reguliar.

I am still really keen to see Sw play and maybe he could come in at the expense of Melksham.

Playing a lower side in carlton might be a chance to trial Sw.

If not now than barring injuries and form I guess he wont get called up at all which is a concern.

Bbb was vital and will keep improving.

Petty stays. Watching the replay he did his job and like Harmes will better for the run

 

Sw in.

Jm out.

1 hour ago, Demon3 said:

Did i miss the when the VFL side played? was that a Sydney Covid thing? that surely has to have an influence on changes?

Yeah, the VFL game was postponed. Both Sparrow and Chandler were doing a heap of sprints after the game on the MCG, while I imagine the other VFL guys would have had a pretty big training run on Saturday.

I wonder when they'll be tempted to 'manage' a few of the younger guys, Jordan, Pickett, Rivers and Jackson have all played less than 22 games each, so might be better to have a refresh at some stage rather than tiring and running up some poor performances. Not that any deserve to be dropped, just might need some smart management so they are al performing well all season, and well into the off season. I'd suggest that they could all potentially do with a week or 2 off during the season along with the bye. Both LJ and Kossie were a little down from what they've done for the rest of the season, it could have been the conditions, but we also don't want them burning out. 

53 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

According to Gary Lyon this morning Trac confirmed off-air that no after effects from the corky. He's right to go.

I never thought he was in doubt even when it happened

 

9 hours ago, Beetle said:

Defensive set up aside, you mention it being a lot to do with the team.

His lack of intensity around the ball including pressure on the opposition and inability to lay tackles is a real concern. 
I watch him closely and Angus is often happy to stand idle as soon as the ball clears his area. That in itself isn’t great for the team. It’s lazy.

I like Gus, but I’m not as impressed with his output as much as you are.

No problem Beetle, respect your opinion. He’s close to us as he predominantly plays the members wing and between the arcs. I see him chat a lot and barking instructions. We can only go by what we see and I think he’s playing his role well.

16 hours ago, Nasher said:

I watch most games on TV and would appreciate not being lumped in with numpties with obvious biases. 

Sorry @Nasher. I was trying to make two separate points, although they are obviously related. I certainly didn't mean to imply that you and everyone else who watches games on TV automatically descends into numptiness. 

7 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Yeah, the VFL game was postponed. Both Sparrow and Chandler were doing a heap of sprints after the game on the MCG, while I imagine the other VFL guys would have had a pretty big training run on Saturday.

I wonder when they'll be tempted to 'manage' a few of the younger guys, Jordan, Pickett, Rivers and Jackson have all played less than 22 games each, so might be better to have a refresh at some stage rather than tiring and running up some poor performances. Not that any deserve to be dropped, just might need some smart management so they are al performing well all season, and well into the off season. I'd suggest that they could all potentially do with a week or 2 off during the season along with the bye. Both LJ and Kossie were a little down from what they've done for the rest of the season, it could have been the conditions, but we also don't want them burning out. 

Thanks for that Red & Blue.. not ideal but thats covid life isnt it. Yeah the management will be interesting. I was at the game, i though Kossie looked fine, he had an almost night, no problem with his work ethic or his fitness in my opinion, same with Jacko, but you are right, they are still very young in terms of games. 

It was a very physically demanding match on Saturday night, id imagine there would be some sore bodies but i cant see any changes to be honest unless there is an injury?  Chandler or Sparrow seem like teh next 2 in line though.. its a good problem to have.

5 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Sorry @Nasher. I was trying to make two separate points, although they are obviously related. I certainly didn't mean to imply that you and everyone else who watches games on TV automatically descends into numptiness. 

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

34 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

So happy Harmes was selected.

Yea he butchered a few things but overall was very goid.

Also his first game for a long time.

He will be better for it and I hope hes a reguliar.

I am still really keen to see Sw play and maybe he could come in at the expense of Melksham.

Playing a lower side in carlton might be a chance to trial Sw.

If not now than barring injuries and form I guess he wont get called up at all which is a concern.

Bbb was vital and will keep improving.

Petty stays. Watching the replay he did his job and like Harmes will better for the run

 

Sw in.

Jm out.

Carlton will be right on the money.

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.

Edited May 9, 20213 yr by DubDee

1 minute 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 havily 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.

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.

20 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.

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.