Personally I'm hoping we start next season with a revamped forward line.

Let B.Brown get some rest into his knee and aim to play 8 games leading into finals having him as in form as possible.

We took a risk and it helped us get a flag so therefore was worth it. He will be a Demon for life. But we need to replace him right now.

I could have put this in the game plan thread too, but it'll be fascinating to see the ramifications of tonight's loss on list management and game plan.

It's very easy to panic at the list management table and throw the baby out with the bath water vis a vis the game plan, but I do wonder how the end to our season will influence how we view say our forward line for 2023.

It would appear having Max as a forward and Grundy as our main ruck is a terrible idea  based on Max's influence forward in the last few weeks, but if Grundy and Max were fit, maybe they'd form a super dangerous partnership?

Then we have Petty the forward, who outside of Max is our best contested mark. 2019 is evidence enough that he'd be a capable forward. So does the season ending in the way it did mean we actually go Petty forward instead of Max, or does it mean both go forward and Grundy comes in?

I think it's interesting that Goodwin and co admitted last week they should have played Gawn in the ruck more. That to me suggests they're not completely sold on Max as the 80% forward / 20% ruckman.

Then there's JVR and whoever we get back for LJ (if he goes). 

As for how these things influence game plan changes, does Petty and/or Gawn going forward allow us to move the ball more centrally? Kicking to the pocket means slingshot is harder against, but kicking centrally puts more pressure on the opposition and leaves more space for our crumbers.

Have we also seen the last of Melksham, Hibberd, Hunt and ANB in Melbourne jumpers?

Edited September 9, 20223 yr by A F

9 minutes ago, A F said:

It would appear having Max as a forward and Grundy as our main ruck is a terrible idea  based on Max's influence forward in the last few weeks, but if Grundy and Max were fit, maybe they'd form a super dangerous partnership?

I rate Grundy as a player but I am in it’s a terrible idea camp of getting him. I just don’t think either player is good enough in another position and pressure and tackling in the forward fifty area is already a weakness and will only be made worse. 
 

It’s staggering to think we didn’t try Petty as a forward for at least one full game. 

I’d love to see a Petty, JVR and T Mc forward line. Rotate all of them through the ruck as needed.

But my guess is Petty is still seen as a vital defender and the future post May as well. Struggling to see Turner (has upside), Tomlinson or Joel Smith being trusted as the 2nd tall defender.

Could Petty be a swing man for McDonald or JVR? I think it’s entirely reasonable. Start with a defensive game plan, as the game opens up throw Petty forward to capitalise. Maybe even a trump card that we use at unexpected moments.

 

 

Wrong thread

 

Edited September 10, 20223 yr by Lucifers Hero

So in 2 finals we've lost to a team with a journeyman ruckman in Hickey, and a team missing their regular ruck combination of McInerney and Daniher. 

If we give up cap space for 5 years, and a decent pick for Grundy, we have seriously lost the plot.

Wrong thread.  Again!!

 

Edited September 10, 20223 yr by Lucifers Hero

Kane Cornes on SEN this morning reckons there's some talk from SA clubs that Pickett is a bit of a watch this space.

 

3 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Kane Cornes on SEN this morning reckons there's some talk from SA clubs that Pickett is a bit of a watch this space.

 

Adelaide have Rachelle and now Rankine. Fail to see how or why the Crows could get him this year. I'm sure Port are putting out the feelers, but I'd refuse to trade him. 

Just now, Lord Nev said:

Kane Cornes on SEN this morning reckons there's some talk from SA clubs that Pickett is a bit of a watch this space.

 

Simply must keep him. 

There are always ‘replacement’ players that are inflated after a flag win, their future is deigned as they are so close to stars they are artificially illuminated - Sparrow, Spargo, JJ - they have ceilings much lower than what their market speculated. They can go.

Pickett, LJ, Petty - these are our only bonafide star players under 22. We can’t lose two of them.

12 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Kane Cornes on SEN this morning reckons there's some talk from SA clubs that Pickett is a bit of a watch this space.

 

Crows going after Rankine and Port going for Jnr Burger suggests otherwise.
 

Port’s the club that makes the most sense and apart from saving Hinkley’s job you’d think you’d prioritise Pickett over Rioli 

 

6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

That’s just about the opposite of ‘big news’ but Port and Adelaide sure aren’t operating like he’s available any time soon. Kos has family in Perth and Adelaide right? West Coast might be the one to watch next year if they lose Rioli.
 

So far I’m not seeing anything more than the usual interstate player trade speculation. 

Tmacs form and fitness next year seems vital to our chances because I can't see any trade options that could fix our tall forward issues. 

Wouldn't be surprised to see Petty and Joel Smith do a preseason with the forward groups, with Disco and Thommo likley able to provide enough cover on the back 6. 

Shut the joint down if we lose Pickett 

11 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

Tmacs form and fitness next year seems vital to our chances because I can't see any trade options that could fix our tall forward issues. 

Wouldn't be surprised to see Petty and Joel Smith do a preseason with the forward groups, with Disco and Thommo likley able to provide enough cover on the back 6. 

I'm amazed we never tried Tomlinson forward to replace TMc. He has similar strengths in his running ability, so was shocked it wasn't tried even once.

11 hours ago, ANG13 said:

 pressure and tackling in the forward fifty area is already a weakness

It’s interesting that we have 2-3 players who are solely in the forward half for defensive reasons, yet we still can’t seem to lock the ball in.

We need some more leg speed across the ground but particularly across the centre and half forward line. Kossie can’t do the defensive work alone

Should the club go big on Harry McKay?

He's out of contract next year I believe.

He could have been ours, but instead we used our draft pick on Weideman... 😩

39 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

Tmacs form and fitness next year seems vital to our chances because I can't see any trade options that could fix our tall forward issues. 

Wouldn't be surprised to see Petty and Joel Smith do a preseason with the forward groups, with Disco and Thommo likley able to provide enough cover on the back 6. 

Not likely. Possible, but unlikely. Turner’s on the shorter side and Tomlinson can’t move, both have physical impairments to being as good as Petty has been.

 

Missed an opportunity not going hard after Hogan. Sure there were risks but the upside could have been enormous

Have no idea what will happen with Jake Melksham from a contract point of view.

But Corowa Rutherglen Football Club have pretty much a senior coaching role for him to walk into if he is delisted.

Brother Darcy plays senior footy here for the Roos and his dad Dave is a development coach.

44 minutes ago, MadAsHell said:

I'm amazed we never tried Tomlinson forward to replace TMc. He has similar strengths in his running ability, so was shocked it wasn't tried even once.

We didnt try it because it wouldnt work. We complain at times about the lack of mobility of Tmac but then suggest trying Tomlinson. I know we were desperate but couldnt think of a worse player to be even think of playing in that half of the ground.

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Have no idea what will happen with Jake Melksham from a contract point of view.

But Corowa Rutherglen Football Club have pretty much a senior coaching role for him to walk into if he is delisted.

Brother Darcy plays senior footy here for the Roos and his dad Dave is a development coach.

I love Melky and what hes done for our club when he came over, unfortunately hes done now and surely wont get another year.

2 minutes ago, RedLegs23 said:

We didnt try it because it wouldnt work. We complain at times about the lack of mobility of Tmac but then suggest trying Tomlinson. I know we were desperate but couldnt think of a worse player to be even think of playing in that half of the ground.

Could’ve played a 2m tall bath tub at chf and got similar results to Tomlinson. Surprised we didn’t try that 

4 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Could’ve played a 2m tall bath tub at chf and got similar results to Tomlinson. Surprised we didn’t try that 

no need!!

 

we have this guy!! 

 

Edited September 10, 20223 yr by Tracca