1 hour ago, JimmyGadson said:

Maybe we are tapering. Maybe it is a loading thing. 

Or maybe it's that we've been top of the ladder for nearly one and a half seasons, have won a flag, been the bench mark team and every top 8 side have dissected our game to the nth degree since then.. Perhaps because of this and the fact that we're a off in some phases has been the opening for two quality sides to beat us. 

Just a thought.. 

I think it's probably a bit of both.

I think M Brown has to stay in this week along side Benny, we have to give them a chance to work in tandem and get some continuity. Somehow we need to start making space in the forward line, I don’t know if it’s slow ball movement or not enough dummy leading but it seems as if every time we go in the it’s congested and the only option to the midfields eyes is to go to the top of the square. 

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I think it's probably a bit of both.

I was kind of being sarcastic. 

I think the loading thing is a stretch. 

I have some background in exercise science and loading at this time of year doesn't make sense to me. 

I'd say it's more to do with lack of consistency with constant ins and outs to best players as well as certain individuals being out of form mixed with the fact that our game plan and system is more scrutinised than any other sides. 

 

When Tomlinson took on the role of CHB we were doing o.k., when he got injured Petty took over. Some supporters wanted Petty to be dropped , fortunately our coaches stuck by him and he proves to be a success. Tomlinson needs to be given a chance to prove once again he will be able to hold down a defensive role . Having said this Petty can play forward and hence becomes our new "swingman". Mitch Brown and Hunt are dropped for May and Rivers. Another change is that B.Brown also gets the chop , Jackson becomes F.F and Weid ( Hate to say it ) or Daw comes in and get to play in the forward pocket which would take the pressure any of those two players. Daw would also get to play in the ruck. My previous selection changes were based on T.Mac being available.

1 hour ago, Pates said:

I think M Brown has to stay in this week along side Benny, we have to give them a chance to work in tandem and get some continuity. Somehow we need to start making space in the forward line, I don’t know if it’s slow ball movement or not enough dummy leading but it seems as if every time we go in the it’s congested and the only option to the midfields eyes is to go to the top of the square. 

I agree with this Pates.  Last season it semmed to take up to maybe Round 20 to get the forward line functioning.  Granted we had Tom McDonald then and the talent pool is now different.

There's not a lot of fans on here for Mitch Brown but last week's first 1/4 showed me he has something to offer. Good in the air, good kick, strong 1 clunk hands. Worth perservering in the face of lesser options. Weid was allowed a few games to test out. Why not MB.

And  if we can get the pressure rating back to where it was or close, at No 1 in the comp, a healthy defence we can make Top 4 for sure then its open slather on the day.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1144624/club-statement-steven-may-and-jake-melksham

 

May suspended 1 match for an altercation with Melksham and drinking alcohol.

On 6/4/2022 at 9:58 PM, Nasher said:

Out: M.Brown, Tomlinson 

In: May, McDonald

Damn - this didn't age well

Petty in the wars - does he get a week off with Turner going in? 

 

In discipline out stupidity 

 

FB - Rivers  Tomlinson Lever

HB -Salem  Petty  Bowey

C - Brayshaw   Viney  Langdon

HF - Harmes  Jackson  ANB

FF - Fritsch  B.Brown  Pickett 

Ruc - Gawn  Oliver  Petracca

Int - Jordon, Sparrow, Spargo, Bedford

Sub - Baker
 

In.  Rivers Bedford 

outs. M.Brown Hunt 

8 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

 

 

FB - Rivers  Tomlinson Lever

HB -Salem  Petty  Bowey

C - Brayshaw   Viney  Langdon

HF - Harmes  Jackson  ANB

FF - Fritsch  B.Brown  Pickett 

Ruc - Gawn  Oliver  Petracca

Int - Jordon, Sparrow, Spargo, Bedford

Sub - Baker
 

In.  Rivers Bedford 

outs. M.Brown Hunt 

Looks too short on paper. If petty goes down mid game again we don't have a single tall to go back. I have bad memories or mason cox kicking three and winning the game a few years back. I don't mind Bedford for Brown. If we're bombing it in at least we have an extra small to try and make something of it. Worth a shot. 

Could be no change this week, while many disagree I think Weid will be the longer term option over M.Brown, but they might want him to dominate in the 2s again, the same as giving Rivers another run through the midfield to get some confidence back up. Hibberd while better in the 2nd half still looked a little off so another week will do him good at Casey. Maybe we could try Bedford in the starting 22 and have M.Brown as the sub, to cover any loss of a tall (either end).

10 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Media all about how badly the Filth got treated by the umps so buckle up kiddos. Monday’s going to be a hoot!

Yep. Ginivan to get three frees in front of goal before the first bounce.  

The injury report sounds like Petty is in serious doubt with an AC joint sprain, unable to train until later in the week. Going to be touch and go. You’d think we’d have to emergency\sub a tall option in case he goes down again

2 hours ago, monoccular said:

Yep. Ginivan to get three frees in front of goal before the first bounce.  

Did laugh at this crack, very funny. He's got that sort of moniker, hasn't he. Love to have a Jakovich out there. Harmes will do.

2 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

The injury report sounds like Petty is in serious doubt with an AC joint sprain, unable to train until later in the week. Going to be touch and go. You’d think we’d have to emergency\sub a tall option in case he goes down again

The question is who? 

I am astounded that no one is mentioning Daw. He is in good form and was put on the list for just such occasions like this where we have injuries etc. If we don't play him now why is he on the list. 

what was wrong with the River last week?

Hibberd will have to play this week.  He can play medium or tall and if Petty ends up getting injured during the game we'll need the extra tall.  Tomlinson is a must as well.  Probably looking at a back 7 of Hibberd, Lever, Petty, Tomlinson, Salem, Brayshaw, Bowey I reckon.  That's still 6 premiership players out of the 7.

4 minutes ago, Swooper1987 said:

Hibberd will have to play this week.  He can play medium or tall and if Petty ends up getting injured during the game we'll need the extra tall.  Tomlinson is a must as well.  Probably looking at a back 7 of Hibberd, Lever, Petty, Tomlinson, Salem, Brayshaw, Bowey I reckon.  That's still 6 premiership players out of the 7.

IMO it ain't the backline that is our problem it is the forwards.

Geez a fully fit Joel Smith would be handy. 

1 minute ago, old dee said:

IMO it ain't the backline that is our problem it is the forwards.

Was referencing our backline minus May.  But agree, finding a tall forward who can mark and kick straight with a degree of regularity would be handy.

I know he probably isn’t ready but I’m just keen to see van rooyen on the big stage!

also would love maybe hibberd/rivers in and Brayshaw play in the mid, Viney forward and maybe rotate 

We need our big forwards to bring the ball down and actually have small forwards at their feet. It’s obvious we aren’t marking anything in the forward line due to our delivery inside 50 so we need our smalls there! We need our pressure game back and Gawn/Jackson outside the 50 waiting for the pressure kick out. Our pressure is really letting us down as we give our oppositions backline to much time to switch sides so they avoid our Ruck waiting for the kick out.

If Petty doesn't get up I wonder if Weideman will be strongly considered to play as a defender...?

10 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If Petty doesn't get up I wonder if Weideman will be strongly considered to play as a defender...?

Turner would play or we would recall Rivers or Hibberd and go smaller.