Jump to content

CHANGES: GF vs Bulldogs

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

26 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

We'd potentially have to move McDonald down back. 

He was moved there when they subbed May off so it's definitely in the back of the coaches mind.

He only moved there when Lever was taken off in the last to rest. 
Tmac down back is last resort stuff. 
 

This is the grand final. We have worked all year to have a settled team and game plan. And now people want to throw random positional moves? No chance. 

    • Like 12
     
    50 minutes ago, Jaded said:

    This is the grand final. We have worked all year to have a settled team and game plan. And now people want to throw random positional moves? No chance. 

    So what you're saying is there's a chance we borrow Frosty for a week from the Hawks to replace May?

    I like it. 😁:laugh:

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
     
    1 hour ago, Jaded said:

    He only moved there when Lever was taken off in the last to rest. 
    Tmac down back is last resort stuff. 
     

    This is the grand final. We have worked all year to have a settled team and game plan. And now people want to throw random positional moves? No chance. 

    You've missed the point of the post.

    This is a suggestion only if for some unfortunate reason May doesn't get up with his Hammy.

    If May does his hammy say 2nd quarter of the AFL grand final then you'd be kidding yourself if the coaches don't seriously consider moving McDonald back. It would leave us a tall short, especially coming up against English, Schache and Naughton who are all good in the air and can all take good contested marks.

    They did it against North Melbourne when Tomlinson went down and again over the weekend. So yeah they'll potentially consider it if May does go down.

    Edited by dazzledavey36

    • Like 6
    3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    You've missed the point of the post.

    This is a suggestion only if for some unfortunate reason May doesn't get up with his Hammy.

    If May does his hammy say 2nd quarter of the AFL grand final then you'd be kidding yourself if the coaches don't seriously consider moving McDonald back. It would leave us a tall short, especially coming up against English, Schache and Naughton who are all good in the air and can all take good contested marks.

    They did it against North Melbourne when Tomlinson went down and again over the weekend. So yeah they'll potentially consider it if May does go down.

    Spot on. They absolutely will

    • Like 1

    2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    We'd potentially have to move McDonald down back. 

    He was moved there when they subbed May off so it's definitely in the back of the coaches mind.

    I just don't trust him, mate. His kicking between the arcs is still very hit and miss.

    14 minutes ago, A F said:

    I just don't trust him, mate. His kicking between the arcs is still very hit and miss.

    Who are our other potential options?

    Barring Stephen May not getting up I think No Change, Hunty is really stiff. If May doesn’t get up I would feel really exposed down back and we don’t have a like for like replacement?

    Im sure the coaching team already have this covered so I am not going to fret about it.!!!

     
    3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Who are our other potential options?

    I'd be tempted to play Smith as medi sub. Then if a forward or a back goes down he could step in. Not a great option though, I'll admit. I don't trust either of them.

    We may actually not need the extra tall if May goes down. Petty to Naughton, Lever on Schache or even Hibbo on Schache or Gawn in slow plays.

    Not ideal of course, but you roll with the punches.

    • Like 2
    5 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Who are our other potential options?

    The option would be to chuck Gawn down back and if May is anything other than 100% going in, have a defender as the sub. 
    Tmac will only go down back in a real emergency. He didn’t go back on Friday night until the very last quarter when they pulled Lever off. May was off halfway through the third and we adjusted. Tmac was still forward. And yes of course it helped that were never going to lose at that point. 
    But Tmac down back would be last resort. We would take a defender as the sub in either Smith or Hunt if we are worried about May blowing up. 
     

    Btw Channel 7 reporter the club hasn’t even bothered with scans for May. He must have pulled up well. 


    2 minutes ago, A F said:

    I'd be tempted to play Smith as medi sub. Then if a forward or a back goes down he could step in. Not a great option though, I'll admit. I don't trust either of them.

    We may actually not need the extra tall if May goes down. Petty to Naughton, Lever on Schache or even Hibbo on Schache or Gawn in slow plays.

    Not ideal of course, but you roll with the punches.

    I also agree with this. We don’t need an extra tall against the Dogs. In fact I would put Petty on Naughton (not sure May has the athleticism to go with him) and have May take Schace so he can’t try to take out Lever. Which of course will mean Lever can chop off Naughton. 
    Unsure who takes Weightman. I would have Rivers on Hannan. Hibbo on Weightman is a serious worry. Hunt? 

    • Like 3
    11 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

    If fit I would bring in Joel Smith to play on Naughton.  He is the only one with the athleticism to go with him.  It's a perfect match up   I would bring him in for Hibberd who has been solid but he is clearly slowing down and is now limited athletically.

    Absolutely agree. Smith is the perfect matchup for Naughton. 

    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

    Absolutely agree. Smith is the perfect matchup for Naughton. 

    I think you'll find that Naughton is a bit  like TMac and Weid - needs a clear run at it to cause damage in the air.  From memory May has been very effective at stopping him getting a run at it in our previous matches.  I rate Smith but he's not the right one for Naughton

    9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    You've missed the point of the post.

    This is a suggestion only if for some unfortunate reason May doesn't get up with his Hammy.

    If May does his hammy say 2nd quarter of the AFL grand final then you'd be kidding yourself if the coaches don't seriously consider moving McDonald back. It would leave us a tall short, especially coming up against English, Schache and Naughton who are all good in the air and can all take good contested marks.

    They did it against North Melbourne when Tomlinson went down and again over the weekend. So yeah they'll potentially consider it if May does go down.

    Yes in which case we might need some forward class...just in case.MELKSHAM?? as potential medi sub? I think it all depends on the integrity or not of Mays hammy. Would still be looking to play Hunt for his run.

    • Like 1

    11 minutes ago, picket fence said:

    Yes in which case we might need some forward class...just in case.MELKSHAM?? as potential medi sub? I think it all depends on the integrity or not of Mays hammy. Would still be looking to play Hunt for his run.

    Been also thinking where is Melksham out of all this but I think is the ideal option.

    His speed could really become important if needed when he's fresh compared to others in the game.

    • Like 2

    Petty on Naughton ...

    Hibberd on Hannan. (Weightman would be too quick for Hibbo.)

    Probably Rivers on Weightman? Or Bowey?

    • Like 1

    @bingers I think bowey would be a better match up for weightman the little *censored* he can go with him and can match the pace, I am just worried about Weightman's aerial ability, I am pretty sure May said in an interview earlier this year that he finds weightman was the hardest player for him to match up on.

    29 minutes ago, bingers said:

    Petty on Naughton ...

    Hibberd on Hannan. (Weightman would be too quick for Hibbo.)

    Probably Rivers on Weightman? Or Bowey?

    Bowey!! Yes please

     

    • Like 2

    Hey fellow dees

    any chance someone could send me a priority 2 bar code please. I have mine but I would like my partner to come and so if anyone if feeling Generous this morning could you please send me a code. It's exciting times for us and it sucks you guys can't travel over 😞 

    Edited by Crustybrown50


    Assuming May is 100% fit - he plays on Naughton. He's beaten him before and will do it again. Wouldn't consider bringing in Smith to play on Naughton and would only consider Petty as a backup. Petty goes to English, Hibberd to Hannan, Rivers to Weightman, Lever to Schache and Salem and Bowey dominate the ground balls. I'm a big fan of Hunt but can't see them dropping any of the back 7. Would like Hunt as sub though. 

    14 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    We'd potentially have to move McDonald down back. 

    He was moved there when they subbed May off so it's definitely in the back of the coaches mind.

    Played a half down back against Norf too.

    7 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

    I think you'll find that Naughton is a bit  like TMac and Weid - needs a clear run at it to cause damage in the air.  From memory May has been very effective at stopping him getting a run at it in our previous matches.  I rate Smith but he's not the right one for Naughton

    Naughton’s game dropped off when Bruce went down. He looked good on Sat  (& he is good), because they played English a fair amount of time in the forward line and used Scache  to isolate Allir. They could use English that way because Lycett & Ladhams are def no Gawn & Jackson (find it amazing that media continually reference Gawn & the opposing ruckmen but don’t mention Jackson). I think our ruck combo is a massive headache for them.  Hibberd would def match up on Hannan & the combo of May..Lever & Petty with Gawn  dropping back  should be able to handle basically Naughton & Scache with English thrown in. If we play & Bulldogs play similar to the PF’s …we win .

     

    I reckon May plays.  The club said the hamstring is related to his back.  This is consistent with May missing a game late in the season for back issues.  He missed one week.  He now has two weeks to rest up.  

    When Hibberd was dropped post Bulldgos, Bowey came in and has cemented his spot and the team included Hunt.  The only changes we've had since were for injuries utilising Smith then Hibberd when Smith went out.. 

    Based on that recent history I think our selection order is Hunt, Smith then Hibberd.

    Our 'settled' team is with Hunt and if fit I think he will come in for Hibberd.  Hunt's speed will be an asset vs the fast wbd mid sized wds.

    I don't envy selectors.  Some worthy players will miss out on a dream to have a chance at a premiership.

    Edited by Lucifer's Hero

    • Like 6
    12 hours ago, A F said:

    I'd be tempted to play Smith as medi sub. Then if a forward or a back goes down he could step in. Not a great option though, I'll admit. I don't trust either of them.

    We may actually not need the extra tall if May goes down. Petty to Naughton, Lever on Schache or even Hibbo on Schache or Gawn in slow plays.

    Not ideal of course, but you roll with the punches.

    Sadly for Jordan, I think this is an option to consider. Smith can play tall, good engine and pinch hit in a number of positions, but mainly an important insurance for the premiership defence set up that will win us the game.

    • Like 1

    Guest
    This topic is now closed to further replies.
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 55 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 445 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Richmond

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 28th April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons 2nd win for the year against the Tigers.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/
      Call: 03 9016 3666
      Skype: Demonland31

        • Thanks
      • 29 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All