Jump to content

Featured Replies

9 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

We haven’t seen enough of the Brown Weideman combo. Personally I want us to give it a go for the next few weeks. 
I know what we get out of the Brown Tmac combo. It’s effective, but can it be better?

There is no way T McD will get dropped.

 
14 hours ago, PaulRB said:

BBB in is a given.

So, how do we assess which of TMac or Weid we should keep and why? Tmas seems to have plateaued at an average level (not bad, not great) and Weid seems to have a higher potential but is struggling to reach or hit it consistently... So in terms of our preparation and build to winning in September, I would give Weid another month alongside Brown, to find his mojo. With a clear understanding that TMac would have time to slot back in should Weids continued elevation go pear shaped.

Weid stays TMac out (for the moment)...

 

 

No way TMc will be dropped. He does enough around the ground to warrant his inclusion.

BBB to play another VFL game at least and The Weid stays put. 

On 4/16/2022 at 10:04 AM, WERRIDEE said:

There is no chance we will make a change after such a dominant performance. Weid was good he will need a drop of form and Brown to play well in the 2's for Brown to get his spot back. Sorry Ben but you are definitely playing in the 2's next week,. A great problem to have.

Well at least someone agrees with my line of thinking.. Thanks for that....

 
On 4/16/2022 at 10:02 AM, Jaded No More said:

Lol we could win by 1000 and Ben Brown would still be getting a game next week. 
 

In: Brown 

Out: Tmac

No way...

15 hours ago, Old Man Rivers said:

Disagree with your first sentence DD. In fact I’ll take it one step further & suggest it’s very old school yesterday thinking. Sure if a young player is attempting to break into the AFL starting 23 then it’s relevant but BBB ‘s circumstance was completely different. The dynamics & personal in the 2 competition’s are completely different. BBB was there to maintain match fitness only. He has plenty of credit’s & runs on the board to return ASAP. The bloke was a critical piece in delivering our Premiership & you want him running around at Casey, getting targeted off the ball by VFL thugs? Extraordinary thinking really. 

Well you are right on one point only.   .In that I am old school lol

Edited by David-Demon


19 hours ago, binman said:

In my opinion tbere is zero doubt Brown will get selected.

I'm also of the opinion tmac should and will will keep his spot, but harder to argue there is zero doubt he will.

Apart from the fact tmac is the incumbent, plays his role and, in my opinion, is the better option  the likely continued selection of Bedford as the menu sub is a factor in his favour.

In the event of Toby being activated he is likely to play as a forward - meaning a forward has to be moved to another position.

If we lose a defender, big or small  tmac can go back as occurred when Salem was injured against the doggies.

If a ruck goes out tmac can take that role.

Hell, if a winger goes out tmac can even play that role.

That flexibility is important and I don't think weed offers it, or at least nor to tbe same degree.

 

 

 

 

Good to see and read common sense here at last. Totally agree. T Mc does the unseen acts around the ground and kicks the needed Goals.. 

1 hour ago, David-Demon said:

Good to see and read common sense here at last. Totally agree. T Mc does the unseen acts around the ground and kicks the needed Goals.. 

DD double down on that! Cast an objective eye over Tom's performance last round, it will show a statistically improving trend and be more fairly adjudged as influential at the key moments. Not quantitatively hitting the scoreboard, but qualitatively embodies the selfless team ethos and always seeks to put the team first by creating opportunities for team mates.

Edited by Tarax Club
never confuse movement with action

 

I can't believe people still think Brown and Weideman will play in the same team. 

The selectors have ample opportunities to try this combination if they think it will work (including when McDonald was injured in late 2021), and we've seen it a grand total of once since Brown came to the club. Even then McDonald still played and it only happened because Jackson missed.

Brown and Weideman are basically the same type of player, playing a very similar role. However one is an elite, proven performer and the other is a highly inconsistent and large unproven player.

McDonald is a very different player who plays a role that is highly complementary to Brown (or Weideman), and that is why he keeps getting selected even if he is not kicking a lot of goals.

The Brown / McDonald combination is clearly our most effective and I expect to see them reunited as soon as Brown as seen as fit enough to play.

 

7 hours ago, David-Demon said:

There is no way T McD will get dropped.

And neither should he be given that at least two of his kicks into the forward hot spot were directed straight to Weid.

I think he dropped them both.


11 minutes ago, IRW said:

And neither should he be given that at least two of his kicks into the forward hot spot were directed straight to Weid.

I think he dropped them both.

We all laude Sparrow's tap to whoever, but TMac does the team thing too : Strong body at stoppages /packs, leads to other side to BBB/SW)  Tmac has taken a gorilla to the other side of the paddock .                                                                                                              If he gets it he will score (high %) but could do this 10 times a game and is ignored (but we say how well Ftitts & BBB have played and then we criticise his lack of stats.

Spargo, Kossie, TMac & last years whipping boys Gus & Sparrow are all examples of our Team !!

I also think it will be Weid out for BB - Tmac despite not being in great form lately still plays with a physical presence that Weid hasnt been able to find yet, and can kick a goal and contribute in general play. The Weid needs to find a few more tricks to his game and ways to win the ball other than clunking a mark, he's a touch one dimensional. 

For those who like to play the guessing game who will make up the interchange bench as announced on Thursday night.

It will be a squad so there'll be 8(?) on the bench

1 hour ago, poita said:

Brown and Weideman are basically the same type of player, playing a very similar role. However one is an elite, proven performer and the other is a highly inconsistent and large unproven player.

I doubt they’ll play together either because it’s a bad defensive combination, but I do think both Weid and Brown have the ability to play higher up the ground in terms of offensive role.

They’ve done that in partnership at Casey. Brown has a big tank and has been reasonably trusty at halving pack contests. Weid isn’t exactly flying around the field but does seem to be moving a little smoother than last year too. 

Might not matter if they can’t pressure and cover ground defensively as Tom does but there’s some reason to try it.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

For those who like to play the guessing game who will make up the interchange bench as announced on Thursday night.

It will be a squad so there'll be 8(?) on the bench

I like guessing games (note: the first four will play).

I'm going with:

  • Harmsey
  • Jacko
  • Rivers
  • Captain Jack Sparrow
  • Toby B - likely to be medi sub again, so has to be on extended bench
  • Weed - chin up big fella, you 're close to being in the best 22 
  • Melksham - 21 possessions and a bit of intensity is what what we want to see Jakey boy
  • Smith  - keep working, oh so close 

Edited by binman


17 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I doubt they’ll play together either because it’s a bad defensive combination, but I do think both Weid and Brown have the ability to play higher up the ground in terms of offensive role.

They’ve done that in partnership at Casey. Brown has a big tank and has been reasonably trusty at halving pack contests. Weid isn’t exactly flying around the field but does seem to be moving a little smoother than last year too. 

Might not matter if they can’t pressure and cover ground defensively as Tom does but there’s some reason to try it.

Yes ! Early last year I thought they worked together really well at Casey. There was a game where Weed got the lion's share of the goals but I thought Brown had much the better, more effective game. The following week their roles reversed & Brown got 7 goals whereas Weed was close to BoG. The caveat here is that both games were thumpings of rubbish opposition.

One of the questions we face is are we looking strictly at the "now" ? If that's the case I think TMac gets the nod. But if we have an eye to the future perhaps Weed gets another game for his development & TMac is "rested".

It's going to be tricky plotting a path where we can continue to develop Weed but we need to. He is 24. Next cab off the rank is JVR at 18 / 19.
When TMac & BBB next unwrap their Xmas presents they're both going to be 30 years old and post 30, the end can come quickly for an AFL player. So we need to be prepared and have a plan around succession planning for our key forwards.

I think BBB / Weed are more a like than either player is compared to TMac. Having both BBB/Weed in the same team in my view probably diminishes our forward line structure as TMac is more athletic and fitter and gives us a bit more impetus in the forward defensive setup.

He also has a bit more skill with the ground ball and is able to setup goals as well as score himself. Using a golfing analogy, If BBB / Weid were the Driver, TMac would be the 3 wood. Unless you Phil Mickelson at the Masters, you wouldn't carry two drivers in your bag. 

 

Edited by CYB

21 minutes ago, binman said:

I like guessing games (note: the first four will play).

I'm going with:

  • Harmsey
  • Jacko
  • Rivers
  • Captain Jack Sparrow
  • Toby B - likely to be medi sub again, so has to be on extended bench
  • Weed - chin up big fella, you 're close to being in the best 22 
  • Melksham - 21 possessions and a bit of intensity is what what we want to see Jakey boy
  • Smith  - keep working, oh so close 
  • Dunstan -  we lose a mid and you're in fella

Is there 9 on the extended bench these days.

I assume Melksham is there as replacement for Harmes and ANB or is he your Fritsch replacement.

No Tomlinson but you have Smith. (Even the extended bench is hard to get a seat on these days)

No vacancy, No change.


22 minutes ago, binman said:

I like guessing games (note: the first four will play).

I'm going with:

  • Harmsey
  • Jacko
  • Rivers
  • Captain Jack Sparrow
  • Toby B - likely to be medi sub again, so has to be on extended bench
  • Weed - chin up big fella, you 're close to being in the best 22 
  • Melksham - 21 possessions and a bit of intensity is what what we want to see Jakey boy
  • Smith  - keep working, oh so close 
  • Dunstan -  we lose a mid and you're in fella

Bedford might break the record for most games in a season this year.

The sub can't play at Casey this week as the VFL is before the AFL but can play two games next week.

4 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

The sub can't play at Casey this week as the VFL is before the AFL but can play two games next week.

That does make it interesting not only for the sub but for the emergencies

PS A Saturday 2:10pm game at Punt Road for the Reserves.... noice

Not much room these days at Punt Rd but may attend

Edited by Diamond_Jim

11 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Is there 9 on the extended bench these days.

I assume Melksham is there as replacement for Harmes and ANB or is he your Fritsch replacement.

No Tomlinson but you have Smith. (Even the extended bench is hard to get a seat on these days)

No, i just can't count. Duly edited 

I see the emergency selections as message sender as much as genuine replacement options. 

But with the latter, Smith can cover wider range of players than Thomo, as you suggest Mlek can cover all small medium forwards and Dunstan can cover any mid.  

 

Good to see Petracca training without knee strapping.

Petracca

Played a very good game vs Giants so can expect more of the same in the coming weeks.

8 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Good to see Petracca training without knee strapping.

Petracca

Played a very good game vs Giants so can expect more of the same in the coming weeks.

He is practising “not raising his arms”


Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: Gold Coast

    The Gold Coast Suns find themselves outside of the top eight for the first time since Round 1 with pressure is mounting on the entire organisation. Their coach Damien Hardwick expressed his frustration at his team’s condition last week by making a middle-finger gesture on television that earned him a fine for his troubles. He showed his desperation by claiming that Fox should pick up the tab.  There’s little doubt the Suns have shown improvement in 2025, and their position on the ladder is influenced to some extent by having played fewer games than their rivals for a playoff role at the end of the season, courtesy of the disruption caused by Cyclone Alfred in March.  However, they are following the same trajectory that hindered the club in past years whenever they appeared to be nearing their potential. As a consequence, that Hardwick gesture should be considered as more than a mere behavioral lapse. It’s a distress signal that does not bode well for the Queenslanders. While the Suns are eager to remain in contention with the top eight, Melbourne faces its own crisis, which is similarly deep-seated but in a much different way. After recovering from a disappointing start to the season and nearing a return to respectability among its peer clubs, the Demons have experienced a decline in status, driven by the fact that while their form has been reasonable (see their performance against the ladder leader in the Kings Birthday match), their conversion in front of goal is poor enough to rank last in the competition. Furthermore, their opponents find them exceptionally easy to score against. As a result, they have effectively eliminated themselves from the finals race and are again positioned to finish in the bottom half of the ladder.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 4 replies
  • NON-MFC: Round 15

    As the Demons head into their Bye Round, it's time to turn our attention to the other matches being played. Which teams are you tipping this week? And which results would be most favourable for the Demons if we can manage to turn our season around? Follow all the non-Melbourne games here and join the conversation as the ladder continues to take shape.

      • Like
    • 287 replies
  • REPORT: Port Adelaide

    Of course, it’s not the backline, you might argue and you would probably be right. It’s the boot studder (do they still have them?), the midfield, the recruiting staff, the forward line, the kicking coach, the Board, the interchange bench, the supporters, the folk at Casey, the head coach and the club psychologist  It’s all of them and all of us for having expectations that were sufficiently high to have believed three weeks ago that a restoration of the Melbourne team to a position where we might still be in contention for a finals berth when the time for the midseason bye arrived. Now let’s look at what happened over the period of time since Melbourne overwhelmed the Sydney Swans at the MCG in late May when it kicked 8.2 to 5.3 in the final quarter (and that was after scoring 3.8 to two straight goals in the second term). 

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 3 replies
  • CASEY: Essendon

    Casey’s unbeaten run was extended for at least another fortnight after the Demons overran a persistent Essendon line up by 29 points at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne last night. After conceding the first goal of the evening, Casey went on a scoring spree from about ten minutes in, with five unanswered majors with its fleet of midsized runners headed by the much improved Paddy Cross who kicked two in quick succession and livewire Ricky Mentha who also kicked an early goal. Leading the charge was recruit of the year, Riley Bonner while Bailey Laurie continued his impressive vein of form. With Tom Campbell missing from the lineup, Will Verrall stepped up to the plate demonstrating his improvement under the veteran ruckman’s tutelage. The Demons were looking comfortable for much of the second quarter and held a 25-point lead until the Bombers struck back with two goals in the shadows of half time. On the other side of the main break their revival continued with first three goals of the half. Harry Sharp, who had been quiet scrambled in the Demons’ first score of the third term to bring the margin back to a single point at the 17 minute mark and the game became an arm-wrestle for the remainder of the quarter and into the final moments of the last.

      • Clap
    • 0 replies
  • PREGAME: Gold Coast

    The Demons have the Bye next week but then are on the road once again when they come up against the Gold Coast Suns on the Gold Coast in what could be a last ditch effort to salvage their season. Who comes in and who comes out?

      • Thanks
    • 372 replies
  • PODCAST: Port Adelaide

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 16th June @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Dees disappointing loss to the Power.
    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.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Thanks
    • 33 replies