If the selected 18 is fixed, then I don’t believe TMac will play in the forward line - as per Goodies press conference today where he stated he would not play 3 talls on the forward line. I think TMac will play as the 7th backman.

If the selected 18 is not fixed then I think TMac will be dropped and Tomlinson will come in as the 7th back.

Edited April 21, 20222 yr by Neil Crompton

28 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Only way I see the 3 amigos playing is that Luke Jackson may be a late out potentially?

Why Dazzle??

21 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

Dunstan for Viney, Gus to stick to Salems role, Smith for Lever. 

 

Agree. Dunstan's last game against Richmond saw him get three Brownlow votes!

I suspect Tom Sparrow will be chomping at the bit to take the opportunity to fill Jack Vineys role. 

34 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Only way I see the 3 amigos playing is that Luke Jackson may be a late out potentially?

Have you heard anything or is this pure (or rather impure) speculation?  

2 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Have you heard anything or is this pure (or rather impure) speculation?  

Speco

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

I suspect Tom Sparrow will be chomping at the bit to take the opportunity to fill Jack Vineys role. 

I am hoping that the selectors use either Gus or JJ to fill Vineys role, and not Dunstan. Both deserve that chance on form alone well before Dunstan IMO.

Dunstan is the obvious medical sub. If the mix isn’t working someone will stub their toe and allow the substitution 

2 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Interesting that they have Brown replacing Viney thought Dunstan would get a go. Brown should be in the VFL we are now too tall.

Why would Brown be in the VFL? He’s our best forward by a long bloody way. He was one of the main reasons we broke our drought last year.

 

Tmac and Weid can fight it out for the second spot in the forward line as they’ve both been underwhelming.

Well if we can't work out what the side will look like then good luck in Richmond trying to. I guess we'll all know by the time the VFL game starts. The Tiges haven't been any better than us at centre bounce clearances so Viney being out might hurt less this week than others. 

 

It may be that they adjust the bench to always include a tall. That way you probably don't need to see Brown, Weeds and TMac in the forward line together. TMac could really have to swing on Sunday night, potentially giving a chop out in the back line, forward line and even ruck.

Goodwin said in his presser that all 3 won't play in the forward line so obviously Brown and Weid will play forward. Does that suddenly make our backline too tall? I suppose Smith can play small. May on Riewoldt, Petty on Lynch and McDonald on Balta. Brayshaw may spend more time in the guts leaving Bowey, Rivers, Hunt and Smith as the 7 backman. I can live with that.

Good squad named. Gives us plenty of options, flexibility and direction and does not give anything away to the opposition. So many different ways we could set up.

 

 Love it!

 

9 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Goodwin said in his presser that all 3 won't play in the forward line so obviously Brown and Weid will play forward. Does that suddenly make our backline too tall? I suppose Smith can play small. May on Riewoldt, Petty on Lynch and McDonald on Balta. Brayshaw may spend more time in the guts leaving Bowey, Rivers, Hunt and Smith as the 7 backman. I can live with that.

You've summed it up well. When Salem ( mid small) got injured in round 1, McDonald (a tall) was moved back to cover.  I reckon they count Smith as a hybrid so he in effect becomes the fourth small.  McDonald, May and Petty give us our preferred structure and Brayshaw takes Viney's place in the midfield rotations.  

4 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

You would think Dunstan for Viney, but then I look at the interchange and you can’t drop Harmes, Jackson, Sparrow or JJ 

 

There are two different starting teams named. One on the MFC website and one on the AFL website. Going by both teams, it's Smith for Lever and Brown for Viney. Sparrow, JJ, Harmes and potentially even Brayshaw will pick up Viney's minutes. I'd say JJ will get more minutes as Sparrow has quite high midfield minutes anyway. 

9 minutes ago, A F said:

There are two different starting teams named. One on the MFC website and one on the AFL website. Going by both teams, it's Smith for Lever and Brown for Viney. Sparrow, JJ, Harmes and potentially even Brayshaw will pick up Viney's minutes. I'd say JJ will get more minutes as Sparrow has quite high midfield minutes anyway. 

I can't see us going in with Brown, Weid and Tommy 'A F'...it's just not going (shouldn't) to happen.

No matter what the teams show.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Yeah I'm confused with these selections.

I would have thought McDonald goes back, but then they have already named Smith as well. To see Weid, McDonald and Brown all named in the one forward line after Goody comes out publicly and says this is not even an option is head scratching. 

I honestly have no idea why Melksham is even a consideration. He is well past it and has been for 2 years now. He should be at the stage now where he's only named if we have significant injury list. I seriously he's an emergency and that's it.

I agree with some. I don't think Dunstan will play. They'll bring in the extra runner perhaps in Bedford. If Dunstan could get a gig out with Viney out then makes you wonder if he'll even play at all this year. Like for like swap you'd think.

 

Dunstan was recruited to cover for Viney when he was injured. 
Perfect time to bring in another hard player. Step up. 
cometh the moment 

seize the day

Definitely a welcome selection "headache" with who to choose amongst Sam Weideman, Ben Brown and Tom McDonald.

I would think choosing Ben Brown and Tom McDonald is a no brainer as a more potent forward line.

I am still unconvinced by Sam Weideman. But I am willing to give him a few more chances nevertheless. He just has to impact games and show more consistency!

Losing Jack Viney and Jake Lever are unforeseen blows due to COVID-19. But hopefully Luke Dunstan and Adam Tomlinson (or Joel Smith) can cover them.

 

Will certainly be curious to see how Luke Dunstan performs for the Demons. His disposal and decision-making has been poor from memory of his time at the Saints. Let's hope Mark "Choco" Williams' precision kicking magic has rubbed off on him!

 

Dunstan doth not a Viney replacement maketh!

1 hour ago, Swooper1987 said:

You've summed it up well. When Salem ( mid small) got injured in round 1, McDonald (a tall) was moved back to cover.  I reckon they count Smith as a hybrid so he in effect becomes the fourth small.  McDonald, May and Petty give us our preferred structure and Brayshaw takes Viney's place in the midfield rotations.  

I agree re Brayshaw taking Viney's place. As for the rest of the final line up, well I reckon the Team as announced, including the Emergencies is just a toss up to confuse all.

I think J Smith comes in and will take one of Riewoldt or Lynch which will free up Petty to take on Levers role. He is just ahead of Tommo based on athleticism but Tommo is definitely an alternative option. 

TMac could move into the wing which will allow JJ to rotate through the middle and cover Viney leaving Weid and BBB in the forward line.

But I think the more likely scenario is Dunstan in for Viney as a straight swap and TMac/Weid for BBB. 

Can we stop saying T Mac to the wing?? He has lost any agility he had. Average field kick etc. 

he plays key fwd or back or at Casey

42 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Can we stop saying T Mac to the wing?? He has lost any agility he had. Average field kick etc. 

he plays key fwd or back or at Casey

Agree, would be like the Titanic turning in a bathtub! 

7 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

Weid named in the starting 18. 

So is Smith 

I totally agree that Brayshaw has all the tools to take Viney's place, but disagree (politely) with everyone that he should. Salem's QB role and he is a defender not not a mid, is really crucial, that is why Brayshaw should stay defensive and not go into the middle. Of everyone named Gus is the best to fill in the Salem role. Smith can be a poor man's Lever, and it is a fair time for Dunstan to come in and rotate with Sparrow. I want our defence as stable as possible so with Lever out, keep Gus down back for now.