21 minutes ago, Clayton spirit said:

Gawn/Jackson resting is good enough as the 2nd tall, if we can't get Tmac in. Don't think M.Brown is up to scratch, Weid/BB combo hasn't really worked either

For the first 6 or 7 games last year we did this and it worked well.  However we had Tom Mac playing like a big man, marking or bringing the ball to ground and the Jackson/Gawn combo changing forward.  Fritsch was the hybrid and then the smalls.  Who takes the McDonald role?  At this stage I don't think Brown can do what Tom was doing back then.  Having said that I reckon it's worth a go.  Pickett, Spargo, ANB and Harmes/Viney as the smalls.  Why not?

20 hours ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Play Tommo at Ff next week

I’d play Petty forward before Tomlinson 

29 minutes ago, Clayton spirit said:

Gawn/Jackson resting is good enough as the 2nd tall, if we can't get Tmac in. Don't think M.Brown is up to scratch, Weid/BB combo hasn't really worked either

good point.

It would be interesting to see how Gawn would go playing 80% fwd even.  he is so dominant in the air

1 hour ago, binman said:

I should have said every team who is going to make finals do load. Those out of contention, or on the bubble, can't afford to lose games they would otherwise won if not for fatigue.

Other contenders do struggle at this exact point in tbe season.

As an example, in the last two weeks,  Brisbane, the second favourite for the flag were beaten by the hawks and almost got rolled by the giants.

Geelong, a perennial contender, famously struggle after the bye.

The tigers hit a flat spot in each of their premiership years, just as we did last year.

 

Out of curiosity I did some quick research on this point. Putting aside 2020, which was a shortened season, the Tigers did have a slump in 2019, losing rounds 11-13. In 2018 the Eagles also lost three in a row from rounds 13-15 after starting the year 10-1. The Tigers in 2017 lost 4 in a row from rounds 6-9, but not sure that counts as mid-season loading? 

1 hour ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

Last 2 weeks Turner has looked outstanding in the VFL...actually looks a bit like a May clone,...Sure hands in marking, outbodies opponents, great spoil when behind.  I would be swapping Tomlinson for him this week.  Deserves a chance sooner rather than later imo...you can't have enough good big guys.  He is a very neat disposal of the ball also, definitely one to keep an eye on! Looks ready.

I’d give him a go, Tomlinson was horrible last night 

Out hunt, m brown, Tomlinson,  Sparrow

In Hiddard, May, Weiderman, Rivers

Brayshaw back onto the wing.

26 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

I’d play Petty forward before Tomlinson 

Except the 3 injuries he's carrying 

2 hours ago, Dwight Schrute said:

I would suggest really strongly that the number 1 KPI for key forwards in a team like ours is to simply not get outmarked, and the stats you've supplied really show that the other stuff is pretty close between the two, so it's a fairly easy decision to persist with the forward who doesn't get outmarked, and clearly has upside as his form returns.

The same forward who hasn't hit the scoreboard for 3 weeks? Nah, drop him to find form, he's not finding it at senior level atm.

3 hours ago, CYB said:

A statless act is competing and bringing the ball to ground. BBB at least does that whereas Weid is pushed under for an oppo mark or spoiled over the line. Moore will brutalise him if he even plays on him. My guess (if he plays) is Weid will take the 2nd tall and still be outplayed. 

I don’t hate the guy but I’m no longer blinded through my Demon goggles. I had high hopes for this kid but im a realist and cannot see where and how he is going to change in 1 month if he hasn’t changed in 4 years. Not sure where you are getting your faith from Nev but I am no longer drinking that Weid coolaid.  

TBH just basing the decision on form, rather than faith. Brown deserves to be dropped, Weid deserves a shot. Just that simple for mine.

4 hours ago, Dwight Schrute said:

The biggest difference for me LN is that even with Brown this out of form he doesn't appear to get outmarked nearly as often as SW does, which is a huge concern for him. 

I suspect if we're going to win the flag we will need one, but probably both of them to find some serious form heading into finals

100% need an in form Ben Brown for finals, even more so now with TMac likely out. That's my reasoning behind dropping him though, not as punishment, but as a way to find form. He's not finding it at AFL level atm.

Interesting comments by Goody.. maybe it's not as simple as Brown out for Weideman?

Seems like Weideman has been given things to work. These comments were especially after seeing his VFL performance. 

I highlighted some key points that stood out the most for me.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/774791/-he-ll-be-sorely-missed-foot-injury-fears-for-big-demon

Ben Brown struggled through his third-straight match goalless but Goodwin is backing the premiership hero to return to his best.

In a bold move, Melbourne preferred to recall veteran utility Mitch Brown over promising tall forward Sam Weideman when McDonald was ruled out.

 

"I don't think anyone's guaranteed a run in the AFL, everyone earns their position," Goodwin said.

"There's no doubt it's competitive with our key forwards for spots.

"Ben's not at his best at the moment but he's a very good player. Our challenge as a coaching group is to get him back into form.

"(Weideman's) got to keep working hard on his game, continually be working on playing a big man's type of footy.

"He'll have a good look at opportunities throughout the year but at the moment Mitch Brown is just playing better."

5 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Interesting comments by Goody.. maybe it's not as simple as Brown out for Weideman?

Seems like Weideman has been given things to work. These comments were especially after seeing his VFL performance. 

I highlighted some key points that stood out the most for me.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/774791/-he-ll-be-sorely-missed-foot-injury-fears-for-big-demon

Ben Brown struggled through his third-straight match goalless but Goodwin is backing the premiership hero to return to his best.

In a bold move, Melbourne preferred to recall veteran utility Mitch Brown over promising tall forward Sam Weideman when McDonald was ruled out.

 

"I don't think anyone's guaranteed a run in the AFL, everyone earns their position," Goodwin said.

"There's no doubt it's competitive with our key forwards for spots.

"Ben's not at his best at the moment but he's a very good player. Our challenge as a coaching group is to get him back into form.

"(Weideman's) got to keep working hard on his game, continually be working on playing a big man's type of footy.

"He'll have a good look at opportunities throughout the year but at the moment Mitch Brown is just playing better."

Makes sense to me; BBB is a proven player who has established himself. Sam has played 5 good games. Selection integrity is important. I hope M Brown gets a few more opportunities.

1 hour ago, adonski said:

Why? Jordon's 2022 has been far superior to Gus' 2021

Not sure many would agree with you on that. 

Gus has been a natural moving into the backline and Jordan has simply seen more ball due to more game time. But I'd hardly say he's been killing it. He certainly doesn't damage opposition with his run or disposal. He's been okay. 

Gus has been solid, still makes mistakes but has had some really strong defensive games. 

However, I don't think his move back there has helped with cohesion. We seem all over the joint back there and I prefer Gus working back as a wingman and having some better users/runners on the flank. 

Salem and Hibberd/Rivers need to get back to their best. Asap. 

Jordan full time on the wing doesn't excite me. 

Edited June 5, 20223 yr by JimmyGadson

22 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Makes sense to me; BBB is a proven player who has established himself. Sam has played 5 good games. Selection integrity is important. I hope M Brown gets a few more opportunities.

Wonder whether they'll give BB one last shot with the bye coming up to give the coaching staff a better time to assess some options moving into the 2nd half of the year.

People writing off Tomlinson and Hunt after a bad game, take a minute.

Please don't play Tommo on the wing or fwd, his only position is in the backline.  Read the posts from round 7 last year if you don't think he can play back.  Was seen as a big issue losing him for the year.  Not saying he is amazing but in a functioning backline he is a good backman

Hunt for me is up and down. But over the past 4-5 weeks he has proven he can play and sacrifice his attacking game to lockdown.  Let's not make too many changes if we can help it.

I'm predicting 2 changes max

Out <> In

B.Brown <> either JVR/Daw

Hibberd <> Hunt

May <> Tomlinson

(M.Brown for Petty, and Tomlinson stays - he is probably not ready to be the FB either to be fair, is a lot expecting him to be like for like with May)

Positions:

Pickett on the ball for 10 min each quarter, he is a great disruptor in the center 

Petty up forward (only if fit) could he replace Tmac as the Swingman

On Notice:

Sparrow (Bedford has done enough to have a go, alt ) / Bowey (he has dropped a little I would take a fit Rivers over him at the moment especially after the Casey game) 

Chandler as an alt to Bedford as well.

Reading this thread I'm a bit confused. Apparently their is an All Australian quality full forward available at the end of the year and people on here don't want him.

All of our supposed AFL level key forwards are either long in the tooth, long term injured, or just not up to the job.

 

For now I prefer persisting with Ben Brown while leaving Weideman exactly where his skillset belongs. VFL. 

2 hours ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

Patent nonsense.

Petracca received coaches votes in rounds 7, 8, 9, and 10, including the most votes in round 9 and the second most in round 10.

I'm all for pointing out deficiencies in a players game, but I prefer stuff isn't made up.

 You’re right. I was disappointed in the loss and went too hard on him. I was bitterly disappointed in his two way running yesterday. I know he got votes in the Eagles and North game but I reckon he did a few things, particularly against North, that we’re very low percentage.

I just think his best is blindingly good, so I probably hold him to a standard that might be unachievable. 👍

17 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

 You’re right. I was disappointed in the loss and went too hard on him. I was bitterly disappointed in his two way running yesterday. I know he got votes in the Eagles and North game but I reckon he did a few things, particularly against North, that we’re very low percentage.

I just think his best is blindingly good, so I probably hold him to a standard that might be unachievable. 👍

I think you're right to expect more from him.  He got coaches votes against Richmond when nearly everyone else thought he was just average.  He is a wonderful player but he has been very up and down this season.  His defensive efforts (never a strength but much improved in the last two seasons) have largely disappeared.  His lack of impact in the past two games has contributed to our overall result.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

"(Weideman's) got to keep working hard on his game, continually be working on playing a big man's type of footy.

I think that's the key 'dazzle', he's just not hitting the packs hard enough and until he does he stays at Casey.

The Weid plays bruise free footy. I never want to see him play again sorry. Too many squandered chances. 

2 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

TBH just basing the decision on form, rather than faith. Brown deserves to be dropped, Weid deserves a shot. Just that simple for mine.

See the thing is, Brown does deserve to be dropped, but I'm just not sure Weid deserves to be recalled.

Goodwin's comments on Weid in the presser suggest he's not particularly enamoured with Weid's form either.

Reality is that we currently have no in-form fit tall forward on our list. Whoever gets a game next week, whether it's B Brown, M Brown or Weid, is getting a game more out of necessity than out of form or "deserving" it.

6 hours ago, one_demon said:

You really want to play Tomlinson in defence ahead of Petty after yesterday's performance?

Tomo might be ok.  It was his first game back for some time and was effectively playing the May role.  Let's see how he goes on the 2nd forward with May back this week.

Reckon Goody will back him in from here.

2 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Tomo might be ok.  It was his first game back for some time and was effectively playing the May role.  Let's see how he goes on the 2nd forward with May back this week.

Reckon Goody will back him in from here.

Or maybe Petracca plays forward more, Hibberd plays Gus’s role and Gus plays in the middle. I believe we have options and versatility…just need to hope for no more injuries 

May to replace Tomlinson

Hibberd to replace either Hunt or Bowey ( both seem to be low on confidence) 

Petty to go forward and create a contest - BBB Casey 

Daniel Turner to take Petty’s back position

M Brown probably stays because we have nobody better atm