19 minutes ago, Kit Walker said:

We are a team that was one poor umpiring decision from being 10 straight. Absolute maximum of three changes and those depend a lot on fitness - Jetta for Salem is the obvious first one and Viney is an automatic inclusion if fit.

Can't understand how you could mount a case to drop Fritsch ahead of Weideman, though BBB may not have done enough to come back (stiff to be dropped in the first place and matches up well against dogs) and Mitch Brown would be a retrograde step.

As for the idea of dropping Max, save me Jebus...

I also can’t understand the calls for dropping Fritsch. He’s our top goal kicker in 2019, 2020 and is our leading goal kicker this year.  Sure, he didn’t have a great game but he has a clear record. 
 

Given today’s Casey game, it’s hard to see any changes to the forward line. Perhaps there was some arrangement that BB and Weidemen would each get a three game run. BB managed 2, 3 and 0 goals, the last in a very crowded forward line. Weidemen is 0 and 1 thus far. That means Weidemen would need 4 goals next week to equal BB’s contribution. 

57 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

It's human nature to be reactionary, and supporters are number one at this when it's such an emotional investment.

We've lost a game by a point... 

By a team that has also beaten Geelong (a top 4 contender).

Now if I was a Bulldogs supporter looking at the form line between the two, then it's lineball.

But if I was an emotional supporter of the Dog's I'd be shirting bricks...

Bulldogs Supporter Stream of Consciousness

"Streuth, we've got the Dee's  - they've just lost to Adelaide, they're off the boil and we have them on our home deck", but heck we're going alright...aren't we? I mean,  our tails are up, we've dismantled the Saints, but only two weeks ago, we've proven we can't handle intense long term pressure, when we lost to the Tigers, with 4 of their best midfield out by 4 goals. We only kicked 2 goals after half time" 

"Actually, we only just snuck in against Carlton, after they dropped their guard in the final quarter"

"If I was a Melbourne supporter, I'd say we're ripe for the picking after a stroll in the park against a weak St Kilda side".

But..I'm an emotional Melbourne supporter - and I'll wonder out a loud and say things like

• Is Goodwin the right guy? Mmmm perhaps I'll start a thread on that one.
• Weideman has had too many chances, 6 years in the system and STILL has no presence
• Fritsch...yeah he's silk, but he is selfish and doesn't tackle and we need everyone to tackle, even if they're silk
• Gawn isn't captain material when he drops marks like that
• Lever and May are lazy/arrogant...heck they're both!
• Petty, should have been delisted
• Petracca just showboats
• We don't have depth
• Our issues haven't been fixed in all the time that Goodwin has been on as coach
• Did I mention Melksham should be dropped
• And if we have to bring in Jones from the two's then we have no depth.

Like any match - it's essentially about the pressure that is brought... time and time and time again....and the odd call or non call from an umpire.

That line just made me feel better thanks ?

Just now, Garbo said:

Looking at the Casey game maybe baker comes in for hunt, if Ben Brown is a no go then maybe the other brown wouldn’t be the worst idea. He is still a tall but brings a bit more than either when it goes to ground like pedo back in the day

No not Baker please, not when we are playing the dogs

Mitch Brown would be a big chance or a call up

Left field (and not saying to do this) but Daw for Weid perhaps? Sam really disappointed me last night and while I’m not ready to cut him completely that was his opportunity to shine and he failed massively. 

I only mentioned Daw because he is something completely different to what we currently have. 

@Kit Walker totally agree, you can argue who deserved to win/lose but we were dudded out of the opportunity to get something from the game. I’m expecting 2 changes, 3 maximum.

Salem if fit will come in for Jetta and it’s time the club started making preparations to have someone above him. Nev’s been a warrior for us but he just doesn’t cut it anymore. 

People keep saying Viney, I thought he’d been ruled out for a couple more weeks. 

Fritta won’t get dropped but boy he needs to be given a massive rocket up his bum. He looks way too casual at times and he actually stuffs up our zoning system with his lazy efforts. 

BBB playing poor May have saved Weid, but then again we actually looked more dangerous earlier in the year with the 2 tall (TMac, Jacko)/2 mid (Fritta, Melk)/2 small set up (Kozzie/Spargo/ANB). I’m wondering whether we return to that. 

1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

Well, Ben Brown won't be coming in....

OUT: Jetta, Melksham

IN: Salem, Viney (if they're not ready, swap for Lockhart and Sparrow)

Fritsch better get a rocket this week.

This is the wrap for me. Fingers crossed that Salem and Viney are fit.   

Weid keeps his place but with no certainty and has to perform v Dogs. 

I don’t think we will make too many changes. Goodwin will give the players this game to redeem themselves. 
Salem and Viney automatic ins but otherwise everyone at Casey seems to have had an average day. 

Disappointed that Brown barely touched it.

That changes my ins and outs..

In hindsight, the Brown out was a bad decision. He went to the two's and did the less then Weid did against the Crows.

Lockhart for Jetta is the only one up for grabs, just hope Viney and Salem are fit.

42 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Read the Casey thread.

Yep... I watched the Casey game from the second quarter onwards, and Ben Brown barely got near the ball, scoring zero goals... not exactly a good audition for a place in next week's team.   Mitch Brown however, scored something like 2.5 and while inaccurate, showed that he can get the ball and put scores on the board (you'd have to think he would not be so inaccurate too often). 

However, having said that, I'm not averse to us going back to a forward line with just Fritsch, Jackson and McDonald, which worked well for us in the first few weeks. Possibly Sparrow or Chandler could come in for the Weid.

9 hours ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Out: Jetta, Weid, Melksham,   

Too early to call on ins lets see who puts a hand up at Casey today. Reading this weeks pressers Salem expected, Viney not this week. 

I am torn between do we replace/retain Weid with Brown or bring in another runner and go back to TMac, Jackson, Fritsch surrounded by smalls, particularly on the fast deck of Marvel. 

 

After watching the VFL (Thanks Swans YouTube) there is no way Weid should be omitted for 4 touch Benny Brown.  In saying that whilst the delivery was not great I thought his game on the weekend was poor in application. I would actually go smaller this week regardless, similar to the set up we had early in the season. I know he can be sketchy with his kicking but I really like the speed and pressure that Bedford brings and this would be the week to try it if we go smaller. Sparrow was serviceable  today (not as good as he has been) but gives us more depth this week through the middle. 

Out Jetta, Melksham, Weid

In: Salem, Sparrow, Bedford. 

Edited May 23, 20213 yr by big_red_fire_engine

I’ll say it again - Mitch brown is crafty and ranges around taking marks and IIRC tacklrs

I am fairly peeved at the breakdown in basic skills, and many players looked flat, but we are 9-1. Yep, we had a bad one, but I hope Goodwin shows faith where it is due.

 

Is there a case this round for considering specific match-ups with the ladder leader's backline? Does this tend towards the 'less tall / more hold-in-defensive' forward line of earlier this year? 

I see it mentioned that our forwardline was best with Dogga and TMAC as the 2 talls. This makes sense as our Forward 50 pressure has dropped. Might be worth dropping Weid for Sparrow, Jetta for Salem. 

48 minutes ago, Pates said:

Left field (and not saying to do this) but Daw for Weid perhaps? Sam really disappointed me last night and while I’m not ready to cut him completely that was his opportunity to shine and he failed massively. 

I only mentioned Daw because he is something completely different to what we currently have. 

@Kit Walker totally agree, you can argue who deserved to win/lose but we were dudded out of the opportunity to get something from the game. I’m expecting 2 changes, 3 maximum.

Salem if fit will come in for Jetta and it’s time the club started making preparations to have someone above him. Nev’s been a warrior for us but he just doesn’t cut it anymore. 

People keep saying Viney, I thought he’d been ruled out for a couple more weeks. 

Fritta won’t get dropped but boy he needs to be given a massive rocket up his bum. He looks way too casual at times and he actually stuffs up our zoning system with his lazy efforts. 

BBB playing poor May have saved Weid, but then again we actually looked more dangerous earlier in the year with the 2 tall (TMac, Jacko)/2 mid (Fritta, Melk)/2 small set up (Kozzie/Spargo/ANB). I’m wondering whether we return to that. 

It was a reversion to the night of the long bombs. Perhaps it was Adelaide's set up - and it has to be acknowledged they played bloody well - but how many times did we watch player after player, Petracca included, just bomb it in. It made life hard for Tom Mc, Weidemann, and because the bloody bombs were flying over their heads, the crumbers like Spargo, NB and Kozzie. Melksham had a very good first quarter but the long bombs were the winners overall.

1 hour ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Would actually prefer M Brown over Weid right now. Through the was ok against the Hawks a few weeks ago. Took his chances.

Agree. Couldn't do worse than Weid or BBB at the moment. He leads well and has greater versatility and agility.  Even can play in defence if required.

We're not dropping/resting Jordon, Jesus H Christ. Young player has one less than stellar game - stop the presses! He's been great this year and even yesterday was still applying pressure through the middle, laid a good tackle early and was rewarded with a free.

1 hour ago, Turner said:

wake up DS, lockhart is a defender and certainly not a league level onballer in a premiership contenders side, and also isn't a forward especially when we have forwards in form in the twos

Which forwards are in form in the 2's? 

Mitch Brown - not up to AFL standard. Does nothing defensively and doesn't contest. Doesn't jump at the ball in the air. The VFL has always been his level. He's the most flat track player going around, if that's what we need I'd keep Melksham.

Bedford - has good pace but isn't smart enough for AFL level. Chandler - has the smarts but lacks speed to get out of trouble and doesn't have the size or strength to hold up in the contest.

Harmes, JJ, Sparrow and Petracca can all rotate through the forward line for a bit of size and strength.

Sometimes you need to get creative with the 22nd player and mix and match them in a little bit.

12 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Which forwards are in form in the 2's? 

Mitch Brown - not up to AFL standard. Does nothing defensively and doesn't contest. Doesn't jump at the ball in the air. The VFL has always been his level. He's the most flat track player going around, if that's what we need I'd keep Melksham.

Bedford - has good pace but isn't smart enough for AFL level. Chandler - has the smarts but lacks speed to get out of trouble and doesn't have the size or strength to hold up in the contest.

Harmes, JJ, Sparrow and Petracca can all rotate through the forward line for a bit of size and strength.

Sometimes you need to get creative with the 22nd player and mix and match them in a little bit.

Mitch was right up to AFL standard in his last two games last season. Brownlow votes v Essendon. How does that equate to not up to AFL standards? 

7 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

That's wrong too. He's played as a defender all year I should know I've seen everyone of his games.

He has played most of his junior years as a midfielder/forward. Its common for talented juniors to come in and have to learn defence.

I think they see Bowey in the Caleb Daniel mould given his laser kicking. But he could certainly go forward.

 

4 minutes ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

Mitch was right up to AFL standard in his last two games last season. Brownlow votes v Essendon. How does that equate to not up to AFL standards? 

And his last game he took two clunking marks... But people will believe what they want ?

We might as well play Weid and find out for once and for all if he can play. He has had more chances than most and after 5 years in the system he looks a bust. No matter how much we want him to be a success.

Has all the attributes but just can't get enough of the footy.

If he fails againtst the Dogs we should go with BB who is a proven forward - for the rest of the year.

 

Footscray had the highest rating of all teams all year on the pressure gauge, 306...

We have to beat that to win.

14 minutes ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

Mitch was right up to AFL standard in his last two games last season. Brownlow votes v Essendon. How does that equate to not up to AFL standards? 

Essendon weren’t up to AFL standard. They played the worst 3 quarters you’ll ever see.

Brown spent years at Essendon getting some cheap kicks against bad teams then not touching it against good sides. He was hopeless against Hawthorn for 3/4’s before a late cameo when the Hawks had run out of legs. 

I love his heart and application but boy does he butcher it and make the wrong decision almost every time, harmes, time to go.