13 minutes ago, monoccular said:

I guess the “independent” (I would say inept and clueless) MRO may see Sparrow as a “soft target” to make a point about head high (even neck high) contact, though I thought it was all in the contest. 
If he is cited then we should appeal it. 

Bye the following week, and a 9day break before that.  NO

Langdon an obvious IN  - out would be Hunt if injured, Sparrow IF suspended ??, other use Melksham though that is unlikely. 
Weed IS playing a role in the forward structure and IMVHO he should stay. 

With regards to weed. He is creating a target, contesting and almost holding his marks. Frustrating, that he doesn't seem to be laying tackles and pressuring the exit from our forward line. I would keep him in for another few games, if we don't and Brown comes in we may never know what he's capable of. If weed hasn't hit his straps with 6 games to go in the home and away, BBB has to come in, find form and prepare for finals footy. Areas that way if BBB goes down with injury during that period, weed would have a good chunk of afl footy behind him this year. Thoughts?

Watching the game I thought Melksham was terrible, again. But it's hard to assess off the TV.

He had our fifth most pressure acts, with 16 (for context, ANB had 26, Harmes 23, Pickett 22, Oliver 20 and Petracca 17. 

Assuming no injuries, someone has to go to bring Langdon back. I'd have no issue with it being Melksham, but I suspect he's playing a role the coaches want.

I really, really don't want Sparrow to be dropped. Each time he's been given a game this year he's played really well IMO and I think he deserves to hold his spot.

So honestly, if Hunt isn't injured and we need to drop someone...I don't know who makes way.

As to Weid v Brown, my personal view is Brown never should have been dropped and whilst he hasn't done anything at VFL level to warrant re-selection, Weideman's not doing enough. I'd make the switch, but it's line ball.

Langdon in which unfortunately pushes 'yung sparra' to the medical sub.

Much talk about Melksham but he is only getting about 60mins on the ground each game so I suspect he has a specific role to play, which the coach is happy about.

In - Langdon 

Out - Melksham 

 

Would love Jones in for Big Freeze game, but probably fanciful.

12 hours ago, Josh said:

Rightly... Just

Why "Rightly ... Just? He has had 5 and a half years to develop and apart from a cameo or so he hasn't. Time to make the change Get Side show IN!

1 hour ago, Jontee said:

Langdon in which unfortunately pushes 'yung sparra' to the medical sub.

Much talk about Melksham but he is only getting about 60mins on the ground each game so I suspect he has a specific role to play, which the coach is happy about.

I think Sparrow might be suspended. 

We need to ensure that we bring in players to give them some exposure to the big time. Don't want to get caught out close to finals with injuries and our depth players have not had any exposure. Need to sneak a game here and there into these players.

We have Brown in 'reserve'. Chandler has had a run. Viney to come in at some stage. Salem probably needs another rest.

Its likely Declase will get a game at some stage for some exposure. Likely Laurey and Bowey will serve an apprenticeship before getting a run unless form is unreal in the VFL when it resumes.

Fingers crossed no injuries.

Assuming that there are no hidden injuries I would rest Salem he looks to be carrying an injury and there are a lot of games to go yet. Sparrow will probably be suspended and I would drop Weidman for brown. In Brown, Langdon and ? 

3 hours ago, Demons11 said:

On what basis are you bringing Bowey in? 
 

We just beat the 3rd place with a 40 pt turnaround and you want to make 3 changes - spare me.  Langdon the only change for either Melksham or Sparrow. 

The logic of what Turner is suggesting is fine - at some point we need to bring Bowey in so he gets a taste and the longer he and Ben Brown go without games is a worry and will make it that much harder for them.

The other thing is that I suspect Salem will have the Pies game off to give him a chance to get over his injury and it's time either Bowey or Lockhart got a game instead of Nev. If Hunt's injury is more serious than I suspect then both could play.

As to the other changes, Ben Brown should come in for Weid. It's been frustrating watching how close Weid has gone to really nailing his marks and he should be brought back in again in a few weeks, but big Ben needs another shot - that's why we recruited him.

Finally Langdon has to play and there's only one underperforming player - so Melky has to go. As with Weid, Melky should come back in down the track, but he needs to go back and lay some tackles when VFL comp resumes hopefully the week after next.

1 minute ago, Deespicable said:

The logic of what Turner is suggesting is fine - at some point we need to bring Bowey in so he gets a taste and the longer he and Ben Brown go without games is a worry and will make it that much harder for them.

The other thing is that I suspect Salem will have the Pies game off to give him a chance to get over his injury and it's time either Bowey or Lockhart got a game instead of Nev. If Hunt's injury is more serious than I suspect then both could play.

As to the other changes, Ben Brown should come in for Weid. It's been frustrating watching how close Weid has gone to really nailing his marks and he should be brought back in again in a few weeks, but big Ben needs another shot - that's why we recruited him.

Finally Langdon has to play and there's only one underperforming player - so Melky has to go. As with Weid, Melky should come back in down the track, but he needs to go back and lay some tackles when VFL comp resumes hopefully the week after next.

Have you forgotten that Sparrow may be suspended.

Yep and if so Melky either plays or we bring back Chandler as well and ANB becomes and even higher half-forward.

8 hours ago, Kit Walker said:

He's in some strife. Steps past the ball, elects to bump and gets him high with shoulder. Fine if he's lucky but wouldn't be surprised if he gets a week.

So should Zorko btw too.

It's not conclusive that he hits him high and the force is minimal. That said, Sparrow's is closer to a week than Zorko's. Yes, he hit TMac with an elbow but the force was almost negligible.

Both would have to be rubbed out on intention not impact, which is unlikely.

Out: Petracca, Oliver

In: Decase, Turner

 

Melksham was very poor. He’s got to go.

weidemann, trying so hard. One more week he gets. But Mark the f ing ball Weids and kick straight ffs.

Reading between the lines with Goody's interview on the radio a bit earlier I'd say:

Weid will stay - Goody mentioned something along the lines of we're starting to see what happens when we have the same players playing together in developing chemistry.

Melksham is on the edge.  Goody was asked whether Melksham was playing a specific role last night which explained why he wasn't involved so much.  Goody said he wasn't and that he had a quiet game... and then went on to say that he had been building his performances prior to last night.

Given Jordon mostly played on Langdon's wing, I'd say with Langdon back, he'll go back to the role that was largely filled by Sparrow last night.  Sparrow was good last night but I think Jordon's got more runs on the board - the fact that they were able to ask him to play the wing shows he's got a bit more versatility.

So I'd say Sparrow out for Langdon.  If Viney is fit then Melksham might be next (can't see them dropping Harmes or Jordon)

13 hours ago, volders said:

IN: Langdon, B.Brown

OUT: Melk, Weid

?: Is Viney Ready? Think he is an automatic inclusion, but tough to find an OUT. Hunt maybe, but the defensive unit has been good, think her keeps his spot for now. Sparrow as the last one in, but he was good tonight. Jordan, maybe due for a rest?

Think Jordan can have another week, then have a break with the rest of the team at the bye 

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

In: Langdon 

Out: Sparrow 

I don’t want to drop Sparrow but I’m in a state where I don’t want to see any new configurations. What we’re doing works, leave it alone.

I agree in part, however I believe it's also important for our depth players to understand the system at afl level and, just as importantly, up-skill them in other areas of the ground in case of unforeseen injury.

So for me I would do this.

Weideman to CHB

Petty to CHF

Rivers to a Wing

Brayshaw back on ball where he does his best work.

I don't want to complicate this too much but we should also look at the following for next weeks clash as well.

Bowey in for Hunt

Salem to replace spargo in the forward half for his finishing in front of goal

Spargo to run on ball all game. All can now see his high iq and decision making. Time to put them on display where it should be.

Oliver out - have a good two weeks rest son, it's only Collingwood. 

Lockhart in for hibberd - old hammys are surely going to pop soon.

Turner looks a player, reckon we should ease him in against a celler dweller.

Ben Brown in, see what Jackson, McDonald, Petty, Brown, fritsch combo looks like. Stuff it, let's throw Mitch Brown in there and see Collingwood deal with all dem talls.

Bradtke as emergency sub for game day experience and the lols.

Sorry langdon, no spot for you this week. Try not to get hit in the head next time.

Jordon out, you've won too many games and it's time to give another kid a go. 

And Melksham out I guess, because reasons.

 

3 minutes ago, Nascent said:

I agree in part, however I believe it's also important for our depth players to understand the system at afl level and, just as importantly, up-skill them in other areas of the ground in case of unforeseen injury.

So for me I would do this.

Weideman to CHB

Petty to CHF

Rivers to a Wing

Brayshaw back on ball where he does his best work.

I don't want to complicate this too much but we should also look at the following for next weeks clash as well.

Bowey in for Hunt

Salem to replace spargo in the forward half for his finishing in front of goal

Spargo to run on ball all game. All can now see his high iq and decision making. Time to put them on display where it should be.

Oliver out - have a good two weeks rest son, it's only Collingwood. 

Lockhart in for hibberd - old hammys are surely going to pop soon.

Turner looks a player, reckon we should ease him in against a celler dweller.

Ben Brown in, see what Jackson, McDonald, Petty, Brown, fritsch combo looks like. Stuff it, let's throw Mitch Brown in there and see Collingwood deal with all dem talls.

Bradtke as emergency sub for game day experience and the lols.

Sorry langdon, no spot for you this week. Try not to get hit in the head next time.

Jordon out, you've won too many games and it's time to give another kid a go. 

And Melksham out I guess, because reasons.

 

this is all insane and will, thankfully, not happen while we are 11-1 and playing well

Hard to see on TV at times but I think the thing that bugs me about Weid is that he jogs when he needs to RUN to apply pressure to the player who is invariably in front of him attacking the ball. I went back and watched some of the second half of the game again and was just trying to find out what weid was doing when not in the direct marking contest, and it seems he spends a lot of time not running particularly hard to do something, even if it’s just keeping a little pressure on his opponent 

17 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

Reading between the lines with Goody's interview on the radio a bit earlier I'd say:

Weid will stay - Goody mentioned something along the lines of we're starting to see what happens when we have the same players playing together in developing chemistry.

Melksham is on the edge.  Goody was asked whether Melksham was playing a specific role last night which explained why he wasn't involved so much.  Goody said he wasn't and that he had a quiet game... and then went on to say that he had been building his performances prior to last night.

Given Jordon mostly played on Langdon's wing, I'd say with Langdon back, he'll go back to the role that was largely filled by Sparrow last night.  Sparrow was good last night but I think Jordon's got more runs on the board - the fact that they were able to ask him to play the wing shows he's got a bit more versatility.

So I'd say Sparrow out for Langdon.  If Viney is fit then Melksham might be next (can't see them dropping Harmes or Jordon)

I was really impressed with JJ's tank playing on the wing. He ran the game out well, I do wonder if there might be a more permanent role on one of the wings?

I imagine Ben Brown is putting in some serious work right now to get himself right, now that a GF appearance is a very real possibility. It’s going to be tough for him or any of us to see how he’s travelling though, given no Casey games for the time being. 
 

Personally, I really hope he does get himself right. When he’s on, he’s a far better player than Weideman, and has the receipts to prove it. 
 

 

Edited June 5, 20213 yr by Mel Bourne

47 minutes ago, —coach— said:

Hard to see on TV at times but I think the thing that bugs me about Weid is that he jogs when he needs to RUN to apply pressure to the player who is invariably in front of him attacking the ball. I went back and watched some of the second half of the game again and was just trying to find out what weid was doing when not in the direct marking contest, and it seems he spends a lot of time not running particularly hard to do something, even if it’s just keeping a little pressure on his opponent 

This is exactly the area that he needs to correct. I constantly call out at my TV (and at games sometimes) ‘Who’s Next?’.
 

Pressure becomes Implied Pressure when every opposition player in a sequence is being aggressively hunted, and then clean possession turns into a mess or you simply force a 50:50 contest on the wing instead of in the D50. 
 

Only works if every player is hunting and corralling their opponent with the ball.

Weed can be guilty of the ‘run alongside the ball carrier around the boundary line’ game plan rather than ‘target the ball carrier and force a disposal’ game plan at times.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

The logic of what Turner is suggesting is fine - at some point we need to bring Bowey in so he gets a taste and the longer he and Ben Brown go without games is a worry and will make it that much harder for them.

The other thing is that I suspect Salem will have the Pies game off to give him a chance to get over his injury and it's time either Bowey or Lockhart got a game instead of Nev. If Hunt's injury is more serious than I suspect then both could play.

As to the other changes, Ben Brown should come in for Weid. It's been frustrating watching how close Weid has gone to really nailing his marks and he should be brought back in again in a few weeks, but big Ben needs another shot - that's why we recruited him.

Finally Langdon has to play and there's only one underperforming player - so Melky has to go. As with Weid, Melky should come back in down the track, but he needs to go back and lay some tackles when VFL comp resumes hopefully the week after next.

What a load of rubbish, we are not a bottom 4 team.  Players learn their craft in the 2’s and when they are ready they play.  You don’t just play them because they need a taste.  Jordan is a perfect example, 2 years developing in the 2’s. 

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Not only that Sparrows adds great forward pressure in our front half. Melksham is non existent. In fact he didn't lay a single tackle for the past 3 games in a row.

Let that sink in.

Make that 5 Dazzle.  His last tackle inside fifty was against the Tigers in Rnd 6.

Here is a ranking of average tackles inside fifty up to and including last night so far this season.  It includes most players one would expect to be making a least a few occasional appearances (ruckman / wingman / mids / defenders pushing forward etc) inside fifty this season as part of their role.  Obviously some more so than others and some alot more than others who are playing a genuine forward role.  Note: probably should have excluded Salem who plays mostly behind the ball now so viewer discretion needed in select cases such as this...

Player	T i50
Mitch Brown*	3.000
K Pickett	1.750
T McDonald	1.500
Alex N-Bullen	1.417
Jack Viney	1.200
J Jordan	1.182
C Spargo	1.000
K Chandler*	1.000
L Jackson	0.909
T Sparrow	0.842
J Harmes	0.833
Ben Brown	0.667
C Oliver	0.583
B Fritsch	0.545
J Melksham	0.375
C Petracca	0.333
S Weideman	0.250
C Salem	0.182
Ed Langdon	0.182
Max Gawn	0.167
N Jones	0.143

* Only played one match not an average score

Stats courtesy of footywire.com

3 hours ago, Nasher said:

Melksham might go out and it would be understandable if he did. I already said in my OP that the main basis of my selection is keeping the structure of the side as stable as possible. 

The bias against Melksham on here frustrates and me fuels my bias towards him. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. I guess we’ll see.

To not lay a single tackle in 3 weeks is appalling for a medium forward who has also not put any real score board pressure. Yesterday he played a more defensive wing game and did ok. But Jesus he just doesn’t love the hard stuff does he? 
He won’t get dropped, but he is absolutely not bringing enough to justify being an automatic selection in the best team in the competition and therefore will get talked about every week as we try to bring in changes, forced or otherwise. 
Hunt was awful and hurt his shoulder. I would drop him and bring in Langdon and reshuffle JJ to Hunt’s role. 
I would try to keep Sparrow in until Viney is back. He deserves a run of games and played really well yesterday. 

Edited June 5, 20213 yr by Jaded