Jump to content

Where does Gus play when Salem returns?

DemonLad5
DemonLad5
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

In an ideal world, no injuries...

does Brayshaw go back to the wing when Salem returns, or stay at half back where another defender is dropped instead? 
 

who'd be most vulnerable? Keen to hear thoughts 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    8 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

    In an ideal world, no injuries...

    does Brayshaw go back to the wing when Salem returns, or stay at half back where another defender is dropped instead? 
     

    who'd be most vulnerable? Keen to hear thoughts 

    I would leave him at half back at least initially to see how it works with Salo. JJ is holding his own on the wing and Rivers whilst not coasting would be the one in danger if this is the case, 

  • Quote
    • Like 11

    Based on form, Gus remains down back and Salem replaces Rivers. Hunt has done some great jobs on small forwards, and deserves to retain his spot. JJ has also been excellent on the wing.

  • Quote
    • Like 8
     

    I think we have to use Salem at HF - The Lionel Messi of MFC. 

    He can push up to the wings and be the link between our defence and forward line. Using ANB and Salem could allow us to attack from multiple positions and provide an alternative route to goal if Lingers is getting. Tagged.  
     

    Not suggesting we do this now as I’m not sure you can just change a role midway through a season but should be looked at in preseason. 
     

    For this year, hard call but we shouldn’t just drop Rivers - he needs to learn and develop. Maybe Gus moves into the midfield rotation ? 

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Freo?

    Actually, wherever he wants as long as it’s for us. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    26 minutes ago, CYB said:

    I think we have to use Salem at HF - The Lionel Messi of MFC. 

    He can push up to the wings and be the link between our defence and forward line. Using ANB and Salem could allow us to attack from multiple positions and provide an alternative route to goal if Lingers is getting. Tagged.  
     

    Not suggesting we do this now as I’m not sure you can just change a role midway through a season but should be looked at in preseason. 
     

    For this year, hard call but we shouldn’t just drop Rivers - he needs to learn and develop. Maybe Gus moves into the midfield rotation ? 

     

     

    Then who would you drop?

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    For me it’s still Hunt if they want to leave Gus at HBF, Hunt is shutting a player down, but previously Rivs did that and Bowser has too. But if they want them both then JJ is the one who might drop out if Gus goes back to a wing.

  • Quote
    1 hour ago, adonski said:

    Bowza to the wing

    But ultimately I think Riv may come out :'(

    His kicking out of defence is far too valuable for him to be moved alsewhere.

    Agree that Riv has not been at the top of his game recently and may be at risk of a rest.

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Gus 100% stays where he is. It’s a move that has worked way better than anyone thought.
     

    Rivers/Bowey/Hunt will want to keep playing. One of them will come out for Salem imo. If it was 4 weeks it’d be an easy decision as Hunt was playing poorly but he has done very well the last few weeks

    a tough call for sure 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    In Salem out Rivers

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    Just now, loges said:

    In Salem out Rivers

    This. Unfortunately Rivers is the most dispensable down back, although he does do a good shut down role. 
    Gus stays back and Salem replaces Rivers. 
    Depending on form and fitness I wouldn’t be totally against trying Rivers on a wing alternating with JJ as he has good pace and a booming kick. Not sure he has the endurance however. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    It is Jordon vs Rivers, strong arguments for both to stay, and both stiff. I am slightly in favour of Gus stays back, Jordon dropped and Salem to the wing/HF role. I know Gus is a Right foot kick, but he gets a few away with his left, and Salem is a true left footer, so both stacked on one side could be a nice package.

    I really like @CYB idea about HF, I actually think our kick/delivery to inside 50 has been a tiny bit messy (only in comparison to the slick machine we are everywhere else) and think Salem could be the Travis Johnstone 2006 of the Wing/ HF line.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
    8 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

    This. Unfortunately Rivers is the most dispensable down back, although he does do a good shut down role. 
    Gus stays back and Salem replaces Rivers. 
    Depending on form and fitness I wouldn’t be totally against trying Rivers on a wing alternating with JJ as he has good pace and a booming kick. Not sure he has the endurance however. 

    I just had a look at Time On Ground percentages of our small/medium sized defenders, and Rivers is significantly the lowest:

    Hunt 86%

    Bowey 78%

    Rivers 72%

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    35 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

    This. Unfortunately Rivers is the most dispensable down back, although he does do a good shut down role. 
    Gus stays back and Salem replaces Rivers. 
    Depending on form and fitness I wouldn’t be totally against trying Rivers on a wing alternating with JJ as he has good pace and a booming kick. Not sure he has the endurance however. 

    At first it’s seems the obvious choice but I don’t think we need 3 HB flankers in the backline. Rivers is a general shut down defender whilst the other 3 are playing a HB role. 
     

    Not saying it won’t work but it’ll mean another changed role which isn’t necessary as we have Rivers playing his role. 
     

    But the big positive is just how versatile Gus is. I’m now 100% convinced we cannot afford to let him go anywhere , not even when we have passed our window. His footy IQ is just awesome.

    Edited by CYB

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    24 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

    This. Unfortunately Rivers is the most dispensable down back, although he does do a good shut down role. 
    Gus stays back and Salem replaces Rivers. 
    Depending on form and fitness I wouldn’t be totally against trying Rivers on a wing alternating with JJ as he has good pace and a booming kick. Not sure he has the endurance however. 

    I’m a big Rivers fan. His grand final performance was remarkably unheralded. Didn’t make a mistake. I can’t see him being pushed out. JJ the most likely vulnerable.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
     
    2 hours ago, The Stigga said:

    Wherever he wants, one of the highest IQ footballers I've seen

     

     

    Musk was devastated when he chose us over SpaceX.

    He told Elon “ it’s not rocket science mate.”

  • Quote
    • Love 1
    • Haha 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • NON-MFC: Round 05

      Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • 10 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Geelong

      There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Geelong

      I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Essendon

      Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

        • Like
      • 210 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 04

      Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

        • Shocked
        • Like
      • 273 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Geelong

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 7th April @ the all new time of 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect another Demons loss at Kardinia Park to the Cats in the Round 04. 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.

        • Clap
        • Haha
      • 60 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All