Don't think we'll panic and make too many changes.

Our defence has been pretty solid most of the year, we've been hit with injuries in game where we have had to make do, and that's hurt us. However connection into forward 50 has been horrible. We just bomb it in on Brown's head. I have to admit that is where we are missing TMac, I think he holds our structure up forward, without him, the positioning looks horrible. 

However I will say ANB (who I have loved watching in the last 12 months or so) has absolutely been a momentum killer in the last few weeks. We were 20 odd points up in the 2nd quarter, with momentum and had another centre clearance where I think Trac spotted up ANB 40m out directly in front. They bring up on the TV that he ANB has kicked 1-7 from set shots this year, and all he did was add to his behind tally.  Trac up forward has been similar, set shots are woeful and neither is kicking with confidence.

I watched the VFL team, and Rivers was solid behind the ball but his disposal was just ok... which I think is why he was sent back to the VFL. I thought Bedford competed hard all day. Andy Moniz-Wakefield looked good too, and Van Rooyen can't be too far away from a call up to the VFL, but I don't think we'd bring either in against Brisbane.

In: May, Bedford, Weid

Out: Gawn, ANB, Turner

I don't mind Weid having a little more game time in the ruck, he's done pretty well at Casey when given extra game time there, but will he be able to do it for over 30% of game time at AFL level and still have some sort of impact forward? It could well be the making of him, a known extended time at AFL level.

Often the rucks at VFL level are either developing or undersize, which is why I think Daw sometimes looks like he dominates - he so strong, but he won't have that luxury at AFL level - but I don't think Jackson should be doing anymore that 60 to 70% of the game in the ruck either. 

I think for Brisbane we might go with Weid as the backup ruck, with the extended break and maybe even do that again against Adelaide but Daw might come in as well against the Cats off a much shorter break. 

So this week I'd go, In Weid, May and Bedford while out would be Gawn, Turner and M.Brown. We'd then run a smaller forward set up. 

2 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

I don't mind Weid having a little more game time in the ruck, he's done pretty well at Casey when given extra game time there, but will he be able to do it for over 30% of game time at AFL level and still have some sort of impact forward? It could well be the making of him, a known extended time at AFL level.

Often the rucks at VFL level are either developing or undersize, which is why I think Daw sometimes looks like he dominates - he so strong, but he won't have that luxury at AFL level - but I don't think Jackson should be doing anymore that 60 to 70% of the game in the ruck either. 

I think for Brisbane we might go with Weid as the backup ruck, with the extended break and maybe even do that again against Adelaide but Daw might come in as well against the Cats off a much shorter break. 

So this week I'd go, In Weid, May and Bedford while out would be Gawn, Turner and M.Brown. We'd then run a smaller forward set up. 

If we go small inside F50 and continue to bomb away the way we have been recently I'm tipping Harris Andrews and Marcus Adams to take around 40 marks between them - game over 

We will need to come up with some significantly better connection and carry through the middle to be any chance 

2 minutes ago, Sydee said:

If we go small inside F50 and continue to bomb away the way we have been recently I'm tipping Harris Andrews and Marcus Adams to take around 40 marks between them - game over 

We will need to come up with some significantly better connection and carry through the middle to be any chance 

Hopefully it might even force the issue. We have to lower our eyes, rather than bomb it in. It would be better to have either Kossie or Toby stay back closer to goal all the time as well, all our small/mids forwards seemed to have been sucked up the ground lately, so they don't have to be the main target, but make one of them hang around closer to goal. Neither Andrews or Adams would have the speed to go with them. 

22 minutes ago, Sydee said:

If we go small inside F50 and continue to bomb away the way we have been recently I'm tipping Harris Andrews and Marcus Adams to take around 40 marks between them - game over 

We will need to come up with some significantly better connection and carry through the middle to be any chance 

They’ll take 40 marks between them if we go tall as well!

If we go smaller we’ll get more players leading to space which will then encourage kicking in to that space.

 

I heard a whisper that Majak is injured, upper body and likely to be out for a month. Cannot divulge source, as they are in the playing group and will. break a confidence. Surprised MFC haven't put him on the injury report.

It appears any one tall on our list is I injured

25 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Hopefully it might even force the issue. We have to lower our eyes, rather than bomb it in. It would be better to have either Kossie or Toby stay back closer to goal all the time as well, all our small/mids forwards seemed to have been sucked up the ground lately, so they don't have to be the main target, but make one of them hang around closer to goal. Neither Andrews or Adams would have the speed to go with them. 

In these times there can sometimes be blessings in disguise. A smaller forward line leading up and making options is something I'd certainly like to see more of, need to create a bit more chaos in the 50 again. 

Out: Gawn, Turner, M. Brown, Sparrow

In: Weideman, May, Rivers, Dunstan

Tomlinson as sub for versatile cover.

9 minutes ago, layzie said:

In these times there can sometimes be blessings in disguise. A smaller forward line leading up and making options is something I'd certainly like to see more of, need to create a bit more chaos in the 50 again. 

Maybe they should consider delivering F50 with those NRL style rugby kicks and get the small forwards to hunt the grubber. Do it a few times and the backline will become a little anxious. Every now and then change it up with a dart to the top of the square, right on BBB's head. 

For mine:

Out: Max, Turner, Mitch Brown

In: Tommo, May, Bedford and Weid as Emergency

B: Pig, May, Lever
HB: Bowey, Petty, Salem
C: Brayshaw, Viney, Langdon
HF: Harmes, Tommo, Spargo
F: Kozzy, BBB, Fritta
Foll: LJ, Trac, Oliver
Bench: ANB, Sparrow, JJ, Bedford

Max out for me really makes me feel we need to really change things up. The positive to this is that I feel we have become predictable and obvious in our play, it was working for so long and teams tried to smash through it to beat us but it took time to wear it down (as well as quality opposition). 

With that in mind I WOULD LIKE these changes, although not sure it will happen. Firstly to the obvious, Weid comes in. He comes in for Max as he has been second ruck for extended periods before. His tank is nowhere near as good as Max but he needs to affect contests and work on second/third efforts. If he can 1 goal + then that’s a win, I don’t expect him to win lots of taps but he needs to do his best to break even and our ball winners need to step up and beat their direct opponents. 

Keep Turner in, May comes in, send Petty forward, M brown out. I know we love Petty the defender but there needs to be something new and fresh in the forward line. Something opposition defenders aren’t used to, he also brings a hefty load of mongrel up forward and apart from Pickett (and maybe ANB) there isn’t enough of that in the forward line. 

I would also drop Nibbler for Bedford, time to re-earn your sport Nibbler. 

I would also consider dropping Sparrow but not sure who for. 

I'd love to see Daw get a game but I wouldn't be surprised to see a Jackson/Weideman combo picked. 

I think we'd get more from Jackson rucking in shorter bursts and Daw is worth a crack IMO

29 minutes ago, CYB said:

Maybe they should consider delivering F50 with those NRL style rugby kicks and get the small forwards to hunt the grubber. Do it a few times and the backline will become a little anxious. Every now and then change it up with a dart to the top of the square, right on BBB's head. 

For mine:

Out: Max, Turner, Mitch Brown

In: Tommo, May, Bedford and Weid as Emergency

B: Pig, May, Lever
HB: Bowey, Petty, Salem
C: Brayshaw, Viney, Langdon
HF: Harmes, Tommo, Spargo
F: Kozzy, BBB, Fritta
Foll: LJ, Trac, Oliver
Bench: ANB, Sparrow, JJ, Bedford

Like those real up and under kicks? Could raise some uncertaintly for their defenders and anything that creates chaos up forward is a good thing haha.

Out: Gawn, Turner,M.brown 

In : Weid,May,Rivers.

 

 

 

Wow, hard to believe that we are back to the old days of ringing the changes but certainly there has to be a rethink based on injuries, not to mention the brand being trashed.

In terms of playing style, we have to get back to last year's mix of long and short forward entries - Trac's pass to ANB in second term on MCG was the only short one I can remember.

We also have to work on our centre clearances because we won't be getting the silver service for the next few weeks without Gawny.

I did think getting Hibberd back last week solved our problems with one-on-one work a bit, and May should help this even more. The tricky bit is that finding a match up for Charlie Cameron will not be easy - J.Smith will still be out. I think I'd go Hibbo and just accept that he may get a couple of sly ones over the top. But to me Rivers is the only other option - is two weeks of VFL enough for him to have understood the need for more responsibility? Yep I'd give him the job and let him sink or swim a bit.

I''d also use Tomlinson in the ruck a bit with Jackson. Tommo has a great tank - so I'd prefer him over Mitch Brown.

Finally I also reckon we need to get a spark from someone and Kozzy's the man (as we have to get more out of him) - I'd send him into the middle and rotate up forward with Trac. 

In terms of outs, I'm afraid it may be time to let Bowey and  Sparrow go back and dominate the VFL for a bit. The Sparrow spot opens the door for either Bedford or Lawrie (if we want to give a newcomer a go). Perhaps Lawrie the sub this week.

Finally I think we have to use the tag on their two primary ball winners and users - Viney on Neale and Harmes on McCluggage - for big chunks of the game - not both at same time though as we need our own drive.

Out: Gawn, Turner (inj) Bowey M.Brown Sparrow

in:  Weid, Rivers, Tomlinson, May, Bedford

B: Rivers (Cameron) May (Daniher) A.Brayshaw (Bailey)

HB: Lever Petty (Hipwood) Salem (McCarthy)

C: Langdon Pickett Jordon

HF: Trac Weideman ANB

F: Spargo Fritsch B.Brown

Ru: Jackson Oliver Viney

Int: Bedford, Tomlinson, Harmes, Hibberd

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Tommo is not named, then he needs to be sub. If we have learnt anything the past 3 weeks is that you cannot cover talls with crumbing forwards. 

So May back makes the backline better obviously.. but a 7 of: Hibbo, May, Bowey, Petty, Lever, Salo and Brayshay is excellent.

The midfield doesn't change really: Jacko, Clarry, Trac, Jack, Ed, Jordan and Sparrow is a midfield that won us the GF - so i have confidence in that group.

The FWD line - its a mess. Has to be. Koz, Spargs, ANB, Weid, Fritta and i think its Tomlinson..  has to play Tmac role.. lead up, open the fwd line up, get up the ground and work back. Fritta at FF, rotate Trac trhrough there as well.

Weid and Bedford and have Daw as Sub.

 

I know they wont drop BBB but i think he is awfully out of form.. his timing is worse than a knock on the door from an aunty when you are home alone with your girlfriend.

1 hour ago, DemonWA said:

I'd love to see Daw get a game but I wouldn't be surprised to see a Jackson/Weideman combo picked. 

I think we'd get more from Jackson rucking in shorter bursts and Daw is worth a crack IMO

Not sure what is going on with Daw. He has missed a number of games with no reason given, also never seems to appear on the injured list. A real mystery! 

1 minute ago, old dee said:

Not sure what is going on with Daw. He has missed a number of games with no reason given, also never seems to appear on the injured list. A real mystery! 

One could say it's a sliding Daw moment.

Just now, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One could say it's a sliding Daw moment.

Ha ha! Anyone know what the problem is?

5 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One could say it's a sliding Daw moment.

Max's injury might be a window for Daw.

2 hours ago, Pates said:

Max out for me really makes me feel we need to really change things up. The positive to this is that I feel we have become predictable and obvious in our play, it was working for so long and teams tried to smash through it to beat us but it took time to wear it down (as well as quality opposition). 

With that in mind I WOULD LIKE these changes, although not sure it will happen. Firstly to the obvious, Weid comes in. He comes in for Max as he has been second ruck for extended periods before. His tank is nowhere near as good as Max but he needs to affect contests and work on second/third efforts. If he can 1 goal + then that’s a win, I don’t expect him to win lots of taps but he needs to do his best to break even and our ball winners need to step up and beat their direct opponents. 

Keep Turner in, May comes in, send Petty forward, M brown out. I know we love Petty the defender but there needs to be something new and fresh in the forward line. Something opposition defenders aren’t used to, he also brings a hefty load of mongrel up forward and apart from Pickett (and maybe ANB) there isn’t enough of that in the forward line. 

I would also drop Nibbler for Bedford, time to re-earn your sport Nibbler. 

I would also consider dropping Sparrow but not sure who for. 

Turner's gone for 4 weeks.

3 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Turner's gone for 4 weeks.

How come ?

7 minutes ago, gregdemon said:

How come ?

Facial fracture I believe.

7 minutes ago, gregdemon said:

How come ?

He got a fracture to the face when he got hit. bad blow for him as he was looking good

11 minutes ago, poita said:

Facial fracture I believe.

FMD

Ok, I still want to find a way to get Petty to the forward line so I would be up for Tomlinson coming in for Turner. For what it’s worth I still see long term Petty as a defender but sending him forward could shake things up.