CHANGES: Rd 07 vs Hawthorn

[drysdale demon 4,837]

8 hours ago, Sam ARBER said:

Thought NEAL-BULLEN had lots of disposals but most were useless.

poor game by him.

maybe Dunstall for him next week.

No

[gOLLy 401]

Smith must stay. Even if in a different position. Maybe his dads position.

Kozzi needs a rest and find consistently.

I'd drop Bullen but keep Dunstan

[Jaded No More 68,974]

11 minutes ago, gOLLy said:

Smith must stay. Even if in a different position. Maybe his dads position.

Kozzi needs a rest and find consistently.

I'd drop Bullen but keep Dunstan

0% of those things are gonna happen

[drysdale demon 4,837]

23 minutes ago, gOLLy said:

Smith must stay. Even if in a different position. Maybe his dads position.

Kozzi needs a rest and find consistently.

I'd drop Bullen but keep Dunstan

No Thanks Gomer

[Crompton's the man 659]

If the Match Committee is minded to have players available to slot in to cover absences later in the year might they go 

Tom McDonald for Weideman (not because he’s lacking form - he is improving every week) 

Is Melksham gone the way of Nathan Jones and we won’t be seeing him again?
Smith would appear to be a work in progress  (as has SW been)

 

We are so fortunate to have a choice of riches
 

[FritschyBusiness 1,478]

4 minutes ago, Crompton's the man said:

Is Melksham gone the way of Nathan Jones and we won’t be seeing him again?
 

It was between Dunstan and Milkshake to come in for Viney so he wasn't far off. 

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

Man. Smith gives me nightmares. It's not even that one howler in the third. 

He's just such a liability defensively. It's 50/50 whether or not he kills a contest or let's it go through and his positioning defensively is all over the shop. He is just so Frost-like at times. 

Goodwin seemed to talk him up at the presser but maybe that's cause it was a direct question on Smith rather than Goody going out of his way to talk him up. If Lever is fit next week I'm not sure who else they're dropping. 

I think I like the idea of keeping Dunstan in while we can afford to. Personally I wouldn't even mind dropping Harmes for Viney after last night (especially if injured) but I also thought he was poor. Jack could play a bit more half forward swapping with Sparrow and Dunstan on and off the bench for time in middle. 

Doubt it'll happen but I'd like to see Dunstan gel with the team a bit and see what he can deliver after a handful of games. 

[Fritta and Turner 4,541]

11 hours ago, Return to Glory said:

I'd like to get 'Bill' Laurie in as sub if we are looking to ease some young talent in. Thought he had some very good moments today.

Nice goal but I think he is a long way off.  Rosman is closer on yesterdays form.

 

Anyway, Viney and lever in, Smith and Dunstan out.  Both unlucky.

[leave it to deever 17,521]

So it seems Weid goes through to the Hawks game.

 

I didnt think he did heaps but he was the leading goal scorer and by far our most accurate.

 

Maybe his confidence will increase as a result and he continues to improve.

[Redleg 41,483]

4 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

So it seems Weid goes through to the Hawks game.

 

I didnt think he did heaps but he was the leading goal scorer and by far our most accurate.

 

Maybe his confidence will increase as a result and he continues to improve.

He needs a block of games to get his confidence up and not feel like he will be dropped if he spills the next mark.

Players play with a bit more freedom and instinct when they feel they are part of the side. 

He has the attributes and I think he is one breakout game away from being an automatic selection and playing good consistent football.

[Maldonboy38 6,406]

Bedford to Casey. Dunstan to sub. 

Viney in.

Lever in. Smith out. His 85% is actually really good but the other 15% gives me the shivers. The decision making by many of our players was dodgy last night, but Smith leads the pack.

Harmes is a watch and see.

And Kozzie is simply not getting enough ball. His defensive stuff is brilliant and when he gets the ball, look out. Not sure what to do because he isn't exactly a liability.

 

[radar 1,865]

2 hours ago, Mr Steve said:

I'm just glad this is the selection committees problem and not mine. Lot of players in our VFL side who would get a game at just about any other club. When your chance comes you grab it or it's straight back. 

Can not remember a team where being a good player was not enough to get a game. 

So much better than suffering another 100 pointer.
Replacing Bail, Strauss and Terlich with Petterd, Blease and Tapscott

[sydneydee 689]

I would like to continue giving players a block of games to build confidence in our systems in case they are forced inclusions in September. I would bring Lever and Viney back and manage 2 players who have niggles. 
 

In: Viney and Lever

Out: May and Harmes (both managed)

 

 

[David-Demon 568]

1 hour ago, gOLLy said:

Smith must stay. Even if in a different position. Maybe his dads position.

Kozzi needs a rest and find consistently.

I'd drop Bullen but keep Dunstan

No way that will happen . Neal Bullen one of the best tacklers in the MFC Jumper and in fact was one of our besties.

 

[one_demon 826]

isn't Harmes the better option for inside mid?

[deejammin' 2,373]

Ins: Lever, Viney

Outs: Smith, Bedford (Dunstan to sub)

Its easy to underestimate how good we’ve been without Lever these first 4/6 weeks. The conventional wisdom last year was that if you can stop Lever, either by making him accountable with a dangerous forward, or by tagging him (see Schache in the GF) then you go a long way to stopping MFC. Smith and Tomlinson have battled manfully to cover him but the reality is with Petty going to a whole new level this year they will be replaced by Lever anytime the three (Lever, May, Petty) are available. 

Dunstan very stiff but Viney has been exceptional this year, has added great ball use and goal kicking to his incredible contested stuff and while Dunstan was good Viney’s exceptional tackling puts the fear of god in our opposition in a way few players do. 
 

May has a corkie, but given he can play with half a hamstring I’d hate the be the medical staffer who tried to get him to have a week off. Interested in what happened to Harmes, hope he’s ok, if he’s hurt some kind of reshuffle with Dunstan staying in is the go. 
 

Rivers looks sore/out of form, with Brayshaw absolutely starting at HB I wonder if a move to the wing/midfield beckons for Riv in the future. His kicking through the middle would be an absolute asset and getting some touches might help his confidence. Only if Harmes is injured or JJ dropped off though. What a great dilemma to have. 

Edited April 25, 2022 by deejammin'

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

TMacs time at Casey will do him no harm. He dominated yesterday.

The level of competition is an issue but that can't be fixed. Box Hill next week should be a good test for him though looking at the ladder they're not flying.

Allowing for the competition level I think TMac's game at Casey just shaded Weid's game  but let's see what the next 2 weeks bring

Edited April 25, 2022 by Diamond_Jim

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Every week this thread has some wild predictions. 
Have supporters not learnt yet that we will always make minimal changes, even if forced, it will always be like for like and we will NEVER drop players who play their role well even if you think Kosi and Spargo should be kicking 4 goals a game or Neal Bullen should be going at 100% DE. 

Just because you personally don’t see the value our lesser lights bring to the side, doesn’t mean you swing the axe wildly for absolutely no reason. 
Cohesion and continuity is one of the most important things required to win a flag. By backing our system and our players we have become a team so high in confidence and belief. You don’t throw that out the window because you think someone at Casey would do better than Kosi for a mere moment. 

[dworship 3,342]

10 hours ago, Sam ARBER said:

Thought NEAL-BULLEN had lots of disposals but most were useless.

poor game by him.

maybe Dunstall for him next week.

While ANB's disposal efficiency was down a little bit, his pressure acts (65) and score involvement (11) numbers were at game high levels. I'd think the selection commitee might find a way to keep him in the side.

[dimmy 1,308]

15 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Every week this thread has some wild predictions. 
Have supporters not learnt yet that we will always make minimal changes, even if forced, it will always be like for like and we will NEVER drop players who play their role well even if you think Kosi and Spargo should be kicking 4 goals a game or Neal Bullen should be going at 100% DE. 

Just because you personally don’t see the value our lesser lights bring to the side, doesn’t mean you swing the axe wildly for absolutely no reason. 
Cohesion and continuity is one of the most important things required to win a flag. By backing our system and our players we have become a team so high in confidence and belief. You don’t throw that out the window because you think someone at Casey would do better than Kosi for a mere moment. 

Yes, too often we are chasing a "Whipping Boy" e.g. Oscar MCD, TMac, Gus, ANB & now Smith. Oliver & petracca make some real howlers, but do a lot (soory nomous) amount of good stuff. Lakewiase with any of our players. However these "cogs" on the machine ar what keeps it purring along. As Trac said after round 2, that a lot of the team acts make it easier for team to really shine !!! Unfortunate fact of life when we have 28 players but only 22(1/2) spots.

[He de mon 942]

8 minutes ago, dworship said:

While ANB's disposal efficiency was down a little bit, his pressure acts (65) and score involvement (11) numbers were at game high levels. I'd think the selection commitee might find a way to keep him in the side.

it wasn't one of ANB's better games last night, but he has been solid for most of the year. he will not get dropped for one off night.

As for those advocating for TMac to replace Weid - TMac 5 games (4 goals), Weid 4 games (8 goals). 

[Deestar9 1,649]

14 hours ago, Nasher said:

Yep. I thought Dunstan was fine, even good, but that’s the pecking order.

I thought Smith was okay too other than that one Very Joel Smith moment that we won’t talk about any further.

Was it a similar moment to when May’s handball was smothered resulting in a Tigers goal 🤔😏

[Deestar9 1,649]

55 minutes ago, deejammin' said:

Ins: Lever, Viney

Outs: Smith, Bedford (Dunstan to sub)

Its easy to underestimate how good we’ve been without Lever these first 4/6 weeks. The conventional wisdom last year was that if you can stop Lever, either by making him accountable with a dangerous forward, or by tagging him (see Schache in the GF) then you go a long way to stopping MFC. Smith and Tomlinson have battled manfully to cover him but the reality is with Petty going to a whole new level this year they will be replaced by Lever anytime the three (Lever, May, Petty) are available. 

Dunstan very stiff but Viney has been exceptional this year, has added great ball use and goal kicking to his incredible contested stuff and while Dunstan was good Viney’s exceptional tackling puts the fear of god in our opposition in a way few players do. 
 

May has a corkie, but given he can play with half a hamstring I’d hate the be the medical staffer who tried to get him to have a week off. Interested in what happened to Harmes, hope he’s ok, if he’s hurt some kind of reshuffle with Dunstan staying in is the go. 
 

Rivers looks sore/out of form, with Brayshaw absolutely starting at HB I wonder if a move to the wing/midfield beckons for Riv in the future. His kicking through the middle would be an absolute asset and getting some touches might help his confidence. Only if Harmes is injured or JJ dropped off though. What a great dilemma to have. 

Agree re Rivers. May did say he came back through necessity & wasn’t 100% so maybe a rest could be good as he does look a little sore …

[demon3165 2,805]

Oliver's disposal last night was not flash either get ball and just booting it, as for Harmes well how to run into an open goal and kick it out of bounds is beyond me he is also getting into a habit of Viney of old where he is now trying to take all everyone on instead of dishing it off.

Forward line needs a bit of work to much bombing it in needed to go shorter to break it up, but they will sort it out.

 

[chook fowler 19,551]

4 hours ago, David-Demon said:

AF scores are an AFL bench mark - each to his own with respect.

BEST  
Richmond: Vlastuin, Short, Graham, Prestia, Gibcus, Rioli
Melbourne: Oliver, Langdon, Neal-Bullen, Sparrow, Petracca, Weideman

From the Club Website.

Hard on Max - he was excellent again