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Let’s test optimal team structures against weaker sides over the next couple

Dees2014
in Melbourne Demons

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All of us on here have debated our optimal team for 2021 given our embarrassment of riches. We need to know what works best in various environments. Given our advantageous position on the ladder, we should have the flexibility to experiment with what is optimal in various conditions come September.

Specifically, the one that is debated the most is how tall should we go? I am one that thinks in September we should consider playing Gawn, Jackson, Weideman, Brown, McDonald in the same team, playing Jackson on the wing to start. In the good weather in September, that could be deadly, but we need to test it to find out. I suggest the best game begin to experiment with this could be Queens Birthday against the Pies. Obviously it would not work in wet grounds, but a fine June day could tell us a lot. Subsequent weeks we could test in other combinations in other weather conditions. 
 

Let’s start with a team which looks like this:

 

FB       Hibberd          May         Petty

HB:     Hunt              Lever        Salem

CC:    Langdon       Petracca    Jackson

HF:   Spargo        Weideman   Pickett

FF:     McDonald      Brown   Neil-Bullen

FOLL:   Gawn   Oliver     Viney   

INTER: Jordon   Brayshaw  Rivers  Harmes

Sub:  Melsham
 

Pretty good side l reckon.  What do others think?

 

 

 

 

Edited by Dees2014

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    I reckon we just keep plugging along each week and don't get ahead of ourselves testing "theories".   We have a good game plan that holds up in finals. Let's keep it simple

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    • Thanks 1
    1 hour ago, ucanchoose said:

    I reckon we just keep plugging along each week and don't get ahead of ourselves testing "theories".   We have a good game plan that holds up in finals. Let's keep it simple

    Don't get ahead of ourselves?  we havent played a final yet.

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    I mean, the OP can't be suggesting we muck around against Brisbane, then the next three are Collingwood, GWS and Essendon.

    Essendon just beat West Coast and are in the top 8 tonight with a percentage over 100%.

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    What is this? We're half way through the season. Why the hell would you tinker with stuff right now with 3 massive games coming up.

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    • Like 1
     
    2 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

    All of us on here have debated our optimal team for 2021 given our embarrassment of riches. We need to know what works best in various environments. Given our advantageous position on the ladder, we should have the flexibility to experiment with what is optimal in various conditions come September.

    Specifically, the one that is debated the most is how tall should we go? I am one that thinks in September we should consider playing Gawn, Jackson, Weideman, Brown, McDonald in the same team, playing Jackson on the wing to start. In the good weather in September, that could be deadly, but we need to test it to find out. I suggest the best game begin to experiment with this could be Queens Birthday against the Pies. Obviously it would not work in wet grounds, but a fine June day could tell us a lot. Subsequent weeks we could test in other combinations in other weather conditions. 
     

    Let’s start with a team which looks like this:

     

    FB       Hibberd          May         Petty

    HB:     Hunt              Lever        Salem

    CC:    Langdon       Petracca    Jackson

    HF:   Spargo        Weideman   Pickett

    FF:     McDonald      Brown   Neil-Bullen

    FOLL:   Gawn   Oliver     Viney   

    INTER: Jordon   Brayshaw  Rivers  Harmes

    Sub:  Melsham
     

    Pretty good side l reckon.  What do others think?

     

     

     

     

    I like the team, but not the sentiment.

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    In under 14s we once bowled a team out for 20. We reversed the batting order to give some other guys a go. We were 6/14 before the 'top 4' had to get the job done. Moral of the story - don't [censored] with what works 

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    • Like 3

    There are no easy games in the AFL, play and prepare and play the best available team every week. Take nothing for granted. 

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    There's a couple of areas we are having to experiment with anyway because it isn't quite working for us right now.  Don't see much point tinkering with the rest which is operating so well. Not beyond the basic factor of selection pressure and demanding standards.

    Of course, thinking further I realise that those couple of areas are our forward line and our forward line!

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    5 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

    All of us on here have debated our optimal team for 2021 given our embarrassment of riches. We need to know what works best in various environments. Given our advantageous position on the ladder, we should have the flexibility to experiment with what is optimal in various conditions come September.

    Specifically, the one that is debated the most is how tall should we go? I am one that thinks in September we should consider playing Gawn, Jackson, Weideman, Brown, McDonald in the same team, playing Jackson on the wing to start. In the good weather in September, that could be deadly, but we need to test it to find out. I suggest the best game begin to experiment with this could be Queens Birthday against the Pies. Obviously it would not work in wet grounds, but a fine June day could tell us a lot. Subsequent weeks we could test in other combinations in other weather conditions. 
     

    Let’s start with a team which looks like this:

     

    FB       Hibberd          May         Petty

    HB:     Hunt              Lever        Salem

    CC:    Langdon       Petracca    Jackson

    HF:   Spargo        Weideman   Pickett

    FF:     McDonald      Brown   Neil-Bullen

    FOLL:   Gawn   Oliver     Viney   

    INTER: Jordon   Brayshaw  Rivers  Harmes

    Sub:  Melsham
     

    Pretty good side l reckon.  What do others think?

     

     

     

     

    First of all we don't need to invent situations Playing against any team in the AFL is fraught with danger and beating Cwood Suns or Bombers with ALL THE TALLS does not prove that will work against the Tigers or Dogs or Cats on the big stage of Finals  in September in wet or dry conditions.

    I have no doubt that we could win with them all on some occasions but we will be far better balanced with 2 or 3 talls plus Jacko in the forward line.

    Form is always the best guide and whether it's BBB or Weid or Melky with the figures that Sam got today you can't carry two or  three players who fail to contribute to the team. That's not to say Sam was not ok in his role but somewhere he isn't playing a complete game. His clangers in the last quarter following a brilliant third quarter show how flaky he can be.

    BBB also needs some real form consistently and Jacko could play wing but why upset Angus who is playing his most consistent form team and personal wise. He is now a strength with his defensive role smart intercepting and invaluable support to the half backs and half forwards.

    Players like Chandler Lockhart Baker and Sparrow all have cases for inclusion in our best team at times given form and injury and probably add far more flexibility than another tall unless that/those talls are in irresistible form and can't be left out. 
     

    Agree  the beauty of Jacko can play medium roles as his versitility and skill but he now enables Max to dominate the forward  or back lines as needed.

    One day Jacko will grab his marks and this more talls won't even be discussion point. Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.

    Also leave Tmac as our premium Tall KPF as he brings all other forwards into play and is our most reliable goal kicker in all conditions. 
     

    Fritsch can be our third or fourth tall with Jacko in the picture also if we go that way. Depending upon circumstances but you have either forgotten Bayley or have a bias against a very highly skilled near A grader who always finds  a way to contribute goals and more to the team and us almost impossible to match up for the opposition.

    No not the wisest  move placing all the talls just as it isn't playing all the smalls.

    if it ain't broken don't try and fix it! 

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    • Like 1

    20 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

    All of us on here have debated our optimal team for 2021 given our embarrassment of riches. We need to know what works best in various environments. Given our advantageous position on the ladder, we should have the flexibility to experiment with what is optimal in various conditions come September.

    Specifically, the one that is debated the most is how tall should we go? I am one that thinks in September we should consider playing Gawn, Jackson, Weideman, Brown, McDonald in the same team, playing Jackson on the wing to start. In the good weather in September, that could be deadly, but we need to test it to find out. I suggest the best game begin to experiment with this could be Queens Birthday against the Pies. Obviously it would not work in wet grounds, but a fine June day could tell us a lot. Subsequent weeks we could test in other combinations in other weather conditions. 
     

    Let’s start with a team which looks like this:

     

    FB       Hibberd          May         Petty

    HB:     Hunt              Lever        Salem

    CC:    Langdon       Petracca    Jackson

    HF:   Spargo        Weideman   Pickett

    FF:     McDonald      Brown   Neil-Bullen

    FOLL:   Gawn   Oliver     Viney   

    INTER: Jordon   Brayshaw  Rivers  Harmes

    Sub:  Melsham
     

    Pretty good side l reckon.  What do others think?

     

     

     

     

    You obviously aren't aware what happens to athletes and teams who experiment and don't treat the opposition with the respect that is required.

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    I don't entirely disagree with the sentiment - I think it's a case of small tweaks each week.  Mostly because injuries will happen in the second half of the year and we need the side to be able to adapt to them.  An example this week was giving Harmes and Jordon important run with roles.  Harmes has done it before to good effect although it was a bit of a surprise he went to Libba.  We learnt some things that can be up our sleeve in big games in future.

    This week (assuming it goes ahead) will be interesting because Langdon is such an important player - I don't think we have anyone who can play his role.  Do we fill his spot with Baker who is prob the next winger?  I don't think he is really up to it (but would love to be proven wrong).  Or do we go for something left field like TMac / Fritsch / Jackson or a combination?  Or is there someone else that could have a go eg Bedford, Chandler, Bowey?

    I'm almost certain Baker will get the gig (and its safer against a good side) but will be interesting.  Brisbane have great wingers so it will be a focus for us this week.

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    20 hours ago, Dees2014 said:

    FB       Hibberd          May         Petty

    HB:     Hunt              Lever        Salem

    CC:    Langdon       Petracca    Jackson

    HF:   Spargo        Weideman   Pickett

    FF:     McDonald      Brown   Neil-Bullen

    FOLL:   Gawn   Oliver     Viney   

    INTER: Jordon   Brayshaw  Rivers  Harmes

    Sub:  Melsham
     

    Jackson on a wing?

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