We should be aiming for a top 2 finish and the danger is a Preliminary Final in Adelaide vs Port.

In saying that, we need to keep healthy and should only be fielding 22 fully fit players at this stage.

The sub is a way to give players a mini rest.

  On 10/05/2021 at 10:08, Gorgoroth said:

No where near close to resting players. But, 8-0 means that a slight niggle vs say Adelaide etc might turn into a week injury.

Back 1/3 of the season if you have top 2 locked up then sure.

Good observations G . And I agree with David King.

We're in uncharted waters here as a supporter base. usually  - in my entire lifetime, its been a case of how many games to make the 8.

Now its a paradigm shift for everyone. We need to win only 3 of the next 14, so the 8's a lock.

The key issue now is how many do we need to win for Top 4, then how many for Top 2.?

As hardwick correctlty says (and the great jack Dyer said it first)  Flags are won in September, not April. And that means hitting GF Day at peak . This was also Malcolm Blight's mantra, execpet he used a clock, and likened GF day to 1 minute to Midnight, or peak time. This was demonsrated by the Crows NOT being the best overall team in 97 and 98, but trained to reach peak at GF time.

Goodwin emphasisied the holistic team apporach at his presser on Suunday when discussiing Weideman, by reiterating its a team game and a team approach to player selection and management.

This comment gave me great confidnece in player management this year, especcially as there is good quualaity depth and options, to ensure late season peaking. I'm sure match cttee are on top of this. 

  On 10/05/2021 at 17:20, Skuit said:

Little Charlie Spargo looks like he could do with a rest. 

Just because he's short doesn't mean he's tired.

I love his quote from his grandfather that he's menitioned:

 

"...Charlie, If you good enough, your'e big enough.."

He's big enough in my book.

I think Burgo has this covered. Jog on David King

Half of Demonland call for Melksham to be rested every week.

The AFL have for once gifted Melbourne a great mid-year break.  

We play Brisbane in Alice Springs on Friday 4 June.

We next play on QB, 14 June against Collingwood.

We have a bye the following weekend.  

That gives us nearly 10 day break after our NT trip.  Then we do not have to roll up the following Saturday after QB.  

I think this is a great spread of games over the three weeks.

  On 10/05/2021 at 10:35, I'va Worn Smith said:

So, are you saying, we play the best 22 week in week out, even at the cost of long term injury?

I would not advocate that, I agree with David King!

Our situation this year is very different to previously.  Yes there is still plenty to do to position ourselves on the laddter, but we can do that without the same sort of pressure that exists when teams are just scambling to hopefully squeeze into the 8.

I am all for becoming more conservative with leaving players out that are carrying things that rest will help (rest doesn't help every niggle) or resting players that are feeling the mental pinch as well.

8-0 is beginning to afford us a luxury that shouldn't be wasted.  

If you think the media will have plenty to say if we drop a game mid season because we rest a few players, just imagine what they'll say if we finish the year two games clear on top of the ladder and go out in straight sets because our players are all cooked becasue we mis-managed them mid season? 

We are in the enviable position of having Weid, Sparrow, Chandler, Bedford & Bowery ready in the wings as well as a core of mature players in Jetta, Jones, Brown & Daw who can readily fill any gaps that may open up due to injury or drop in form and as Bimbo has pointed out we have a break between the Lions game and again after Queens Birthday game. What a great position to be in.

  On 11/05/2021 at 00:28, Bimbo said:

The AFL have for once gifted Melbourne a great mid-year break.  

We play Brisbane in Alice Springs on Friday 4 June.

We next play on QB, 14 June against Collingwood.

We have a bye the following weekend.  

That gives us nearly 10 day break after our NT trip.  Then we do not have to roll up the following Saturday after QB.  

I think this is a great spread of games over the three weeks.

Thanks for pointing this out Bimbo very relevant to this discussion.

Who would have thought we'd be in a position to even contemplate resting players at any stage this season... Amazing.

Richmond have been excellent at player management over the last few years and its been clearly evident in how strongly they finished each season. Even this year with the large amount of injuries to key players they're still not being written off because of the culture and management style with injuries they have a reputation for.

It probably is too early yes. But we do have the depth. It looks like its already happening with Viney being more conservative with his injury management. Because of guys like JordOn, Harmes, Brayshaw and Sparrow (and rotational mids like Kozzy, ANB, Jones etc.) we can afford to cover his role as a predominantly defensive mid.

Resting Max is tricky as he provides us with so much balance. As noted in the latest 'On The Couch' he's doing less, sacrificing Brownlow points as a defensive ruckman playing more in the back half with the other three talls pushing forward. That being said I can't imagine the coaching staff wouldn't consider managing him on weeks where we're playing a bottom half side and they have a B grade ruckman that Dogga could handle.

Edited May 11, 20213 yr by Yung Blood

I'd be having this conversation at the Bye, when ideally we are sitting 12-14 wins and can clearly plan into finals (and holding a top 2 spot) without the prospect of it going sideways.

Until then it's play our best 22 each week, and win them all. 

Surreal position for us to be in.

Go Demons

Our form reminds me of Port last season. Dominant, and then....???

There's no resting on laurels in AFL. Burgo and the HPM team are monitoring everyone. You play the best team every week cause you have to if you're going to make it to a GF. Every other team is in the same boat....

If you’re in this side at the moment there’s no way you want to rested.

  On 11/05/2021 at 05:17, Pennant St Dee said:

If you’re in this side at the moment there’s no way you want to rested.

I think if you are fringe 22, you don't.

If you are Gawn, or Trac, or Oliver and you are beaten up and sore, I don't think you are worried about having a rest and not getting back into the side. 

However I think it is just as important to win the 'winnable' games right now, as it is to be beating Port or the Dogs or Brisbane.

For as long  as we have minimal injuries, and a good run of games we need to secure as many wins as possible, to ensure that if/when injuries hit or our form drops, it is not a disaster. 

I recall seeing that clubs that won grand finals often had the fewest injuries and players who played most games.

cohesion and confidence with a consistent squad may well overcome what would appear to be the management option.

i should say I have always suggested resting and managing players on the basis of matching up against the opposition.

I am obviously confused 

Perhaps winning has affected me. As Titus O Reilly said Melbourne are in no 1spot "Didn't know the ladder went that high"

  On 10/05/2021 at 13:02, jnrmac said:

One of the world's great bands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bitQbTiLva4

  On 11/05/2021 at 01:55, S_T said:

Our situation this year is very different to previously.  Yes there is still plenty to do to position ourselves on the laddter, but we can do that without the same sort of pressure that exists when teams are just scambling to hopefully squeeze into the 8.

I am all for becoming more conservative with leaving players out that are carrying things that rest will help (rest doesn't help every niggle) or resting players that are feeling the mental pinch as well.

8-0 is beginning to afford us a luxury that shouldn't be wasted.  

If you think the media will have plenty to say if we drop a game mid season because we rest a few players, just imagine what they'll say if we finish the year two games clear on top of the ladder and go out in straight sets because our players are all cooked becasue we mis-managed them mid season? 

Ding Ding Ding.

We need to if possible mete out a couple of big wins to shore up our %. Not sure who it will be against, not Carlton. Perhaps Radelaide at the G, though matter of stats has us a 4 goal win at next round. Maybe Collingwood. Maybe GWS.

Although having said that 1-2 big wins then consistent 4-6 goal wins would be equally handy.

I don't have a problem with some losses - should galvanise the playing group to realise nothing should be taken for granted though no doubt that is being drummed into them

  On 10/05/2021 at 23:21, old dee said:

Trouble with players in the seconds is they don’t play much. We are at game 9 in the seniors and our Casey side has play 2 games. As a back up competition it is crap and proves very little about wether a player is ready for senior action. 

Wish the AFL would just bring back the old reserves team format.  Really don't understand the supposed cost savings/cost-benifit to having this whole separate second tier comp garbage.

  On 11/05/2021 at 00:28, Bimbo said:

The AFL have for once gifted Melbourne a great mid-year break.  

We play Brisbane in Alice Springs on Friday 4 June.

We next play on QB, 14 June against Collingwood.

We have a bye the following weekend.  

That gives us nearly 10 day break after our NT trip.  Then we do not have to roll up the following Saturday after QB.  

I think this is a great spread of games over the three weeks.

As others have mentioned, great point.

...not just a pretty face! ?

  On 11/05/2021 at 08:12, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Wish the AFL would just bring back the old reserves team format.  Really don't understand the supposed cost savings/cost-benifit to having this whole separate second tier comp garbage.

That flys up and down the east coast in a pandemic era. Complete nonsense. 

  On 10/05/2021 at 11:26, Dr. Gonzo said:

I read that as Paul Salmon originally and thought "I didn't realise the big Fish was so eloquent"

I did also. As an aside, I ran into the Fish at a bar in the Dam a few years ago and ended up having a few with him. He is actually extremely eloquent, bright and friendly. Wouldn't put a few Simo-Garfunkian pearls of wisdom past him.

  On 11/05/2021 at 05:33, Jaded said:

I think if you are fringe 22, you don't.

If you are Gawn, or Trac, or Oliver and you are beaten up and sore, I don't think you are worried about having a rest and not getting back into the side. 

However I think it is just as important to win the 'winnable' games right now, as it is to be beating Port or the Dogs or Brisbane.

For as long  as we have minimal injuries, and a good run of games we need to secure as many wins as possible, to ensure that if/when injuries hit or our form drops, it is not a disaster. 

I agree it's good for them and the best for the club, just think the type of platers they are, they will want to play every week and not want to miss any of the journey 

  On 11/05/2021 at 08:12, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Wish the AFL would just bring back the old reserves team format.  Really don't understand the supposed cost savings/cost-benifit to having this whole separate second tier comp garbage.

Couldn’t agree more, the current format of the second tier competition gives very little opportunities to players pushing for selection. Even worse is when both the seniors and Casey have a bye. It happens too often it’s embarrassing. 

  On 11/05/2021 at 00:28, Bimbo said:

The AFL have for once gifted Melbourne a great mid-year break.  

We play Brisbane in Alice Springs on Friday 4 June.

We next play on QB, 14 June against Collingwood.

We have a bye the following weekend.  

That gives us nearly 10 day break after our NT trip.  Then we do not have to roll up the following Saturday after QB.  

I think this is a great spread of games over the three weeks.

Excellent point.

I had not registered that spread. Perfect opportunity to optimise recovery. 

For example, rivers is running out of gas and needs a freshen up. Don't pick him for the lions or pies game. Tbst would give him a four week break.

Probably too much I guess for most. So even resting a player for the pies game gives them a 3 week break