Jump to content

Featured Replies

 

If you reckon the ruck position is overrated imagine what would happen to our game plan, largely built on contest and stoppage, if we had no ruck?

It’s not just about the 2 players, it’s about the way we play. We set up to play this way based on a dominant ruck (Gawn), or at worst a ruck that can compete and change the way we look (Jackson). When Jackson left we backed in our system to stay the same and to make us competitive, and got the best replacement. We are 4th, even though we’ve missed our best stoppage (and most important) player the last 5 weeks.

Theres so much upside to getting Brodie - to the consistency of our game style, extending Max’s career, and providing coverage.

Also Brodie is a quality, knowledgeable footballer, and that offers us a lot behind closed doors.

 
57 minutes ago, Wells 11 said:

If he was playing as a pure fwd as is suggested I’d say that is pretty decent isn’t it? 

I may be reading it wrong but i got the impression whilst doing his 'apprenticeship' he'll play solely as a forward... 

When back on deck he play predominantly as a forward...but not solely. 


3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I think Grundy is good enough to be a useful forward 50%, ruck 30%, bench 20%

I suspect that's around what they're looking for. Reading between the lines, I think they're ok with what Max brings when he goes forward but they need Brodie to be at least at that level, when he's resting forward, otherwise he becomes a liability.

He's been great as a ruckman and imo, has exceeded expectations but the issue was always going to be where we hide him when Max is rucking.

 

Brodie Grundy is too good an AFL footballer to languish in the VFL for more than a week or two and I back our FD to utilise his skills in a way that maximises the benefits for our Club. Barrett & Co the talking heads focus on negative divisive issues, they love failures it sells papers and headlines. Brodie Grundy will help prolong Max’s longevity and get enough game time to keep him interested until he takes over from the great man. In the mean time we can focus on recruiting that Key forward, silky tough midfielder and tall tough defender to keep us up with the pack.!!!

3 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Given what we all had to endure from Tom Morris last year I’m still shocked anyone wants him on their payroll.


13 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

This is the way we stir the pot....stir the pot..

This is the way we stir the pot.....on a Sunday arvo........

What an absolute  [censored]

37 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Hyperbole from these cretins as usual

He knew he wasn’t going to be #1 ruck at MFC and must have felt that a reasonable time as a forward was always how it was going to be required to stay in the team when Max was playing and fit 

The fact is both Max and Brodie need to get better as forwards if this arrangement is ever going to deliver what was promised / expected 

Both have the football IQ to make that happen 

Suggesting someone can’t be a capable forward if they have played ruck before is insulting - there are some pretty lazy dumb forwards floating around and I think these guys have what it takes to make it work with some good coaching Lloyd loves to think bring a forward is impossible because he never played elsewhere 

 

On the ‘G’ on a nice warm dry September day l reckon he could be rather useful up forward.

10 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Hyperbole from these cretins as usual

He knew he wasn’t going to be #1 ruck at MFC and must have felt that a reasonable time as a forward was always how it was going to be required to stay in the team when Max was playing and fit 

The fact is both Max and Brodie need to get better as forwards if this arrangement is ever going to deliver what was promised / expected 

Both have the football IQ to make that happen 

Suggesting someone can’t be a capable forward if they have played ruck before is insulting - there are some pretty lazy dumb forwards floating around and I think these guys have what it takes to make it work with some good coaching Lloyd loves to think bring a forward is impossible because he never played elsewhere 

 

Peter Wright says hello to all the doubters that say ruckmen can’t play forward. The Pies Cox also gives a big hi. Charlie Dixon also sends greetings. Luke Jackson joins in.

Ben McEvoy often played forward scoring goals.

Just as a few examples.

But then Damien Barrett says it can’t happen and Sunday panel agree, so it can’t then.

Edited by Redleg

On 7/15/2023 at 3:16 PM, FritschyBusiness said:

The talk has come from GW bringing it up on Crunch time today and to put it in his words "Sure, Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant tag teamed sometimes but they are better opponents"

It's not happening, we are not trading him. 

We need him. As much as we may ponder if the experience has worked or not, Grundy was instrumental in keeping our season alive when Max was out for a good chunk of change. Not a bad reserve ruck at a minimum. Truth be told we really have no serious spare in development so keeping Grundy is a must. Also we can't afford to play Max exclusively on the ruck role without running him into the ground. Grundy certainly has a part to play. It's simply a question of how much and where. 

 


2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Peter Wright says hello to all the doubters that say ruckmen can’t play forward. The Pies Cox also gives a big hi. Charlie Dixon also sends greetings. Luke Jackson joins in.

Just as a few examples.

It is the most ridiculous presumption isn't it..

No such thing as swing players..  mids playing tall or small or both..  the whole notion of resting forward ..... high forwards all but playing as a winger..  you can go on and on where player A has added another arrow to his quiver,  string to his bow etc.

Tbh.. i think it's insulting, to say nothing of utter stupidity to suggest Brodie is limited in ability. ...in scope.

He may or may not develop into a "star forward" ..but im sure he's fully capable of filling a role there and being far more that a back up ruck.

Im looking forward to seeing what he can bring.

I am not too worried. I have faith that Brodie Grundy can adapt.

I think it is fair enough for Brodie Grundy to learn to play forward a bit more.

He has to be flexible and be a ruckman-forward and not just a pure ruckman.

That's always the challenge when you play two ruckmen in a team. One or both of them must be goal kickers for it to work.

It worked in that pre-seaon game a few months ago against St. Kilda down at Moorabbin. Both Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy kicked a few goals each in that game.

I also think Brodie Grundy's bigger challenge is taking more contested marks! That's probably the most frustrating aspect of his game I would like to see improve. Fix that and the goals will come.

27 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Peter Wright says hello to all the doubters that say ruckmen can’t play forward. The Pies Cox also gives a big hi. Charlie Dixon also sends greetings. Luke Jackson joins in.

Ben McEvoy often played forward scoring goals.

Just as a few examples.

But then Damien Barrett says it can’t happen and Sunday panel agree, so it can’t then.

There was also Hale at Hawthorn who was crucial to their premiership as a forward.

...also forgotten is that Grundy did play a bit forward as a junior.

I don't expect Damian to know this...

There's absolutely no reason a guy with his ability can't become an effective 50% game time forward. If he can kick 1-2 goals a week and free up space for our smalls then lets roll.


45 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

It is the most ridiculous presumption isn't it..

No such thing as swing players..  mids playing tall or small or both..  the whole notion of resting forward ..... high forwards all but playing as a winger..  you can go on and on where player A has added another arrow to his quiver,  string to his bow etc.

Tbh.. i think it's insulting, to say nothing of utter stupidity to suggest Brodie is limited in ability. ...in scope.

He may or may not develop into a "star forward" ..but im sure he's fully capable of filling a role there and being far more that a back up ruck.

Im looking forward to seeing what he can bring.

Richo 199cms played wing for a lot of games late in his career. Where was the outcry for Tigers greatest forward playing wing.

Barassi once moved Flower to full back.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Richo 199cms played wing for a lot of games late in his career. Where was the outcry for Tigers greatest forward playing wing.

Barassi once moved Flower to full back.

That last one was a disaster Mr. Leg.

2 minutes ago, old dee said:

That last one was a disaster Mr. Leg.

Agree. It was purely Barassi trying to prove a point, which backfired badly.

 

This is not about him taking contested marks and kicking the odd goal - this is about him leading to the right spots, exploiting spaces, being in the right places to contest and bring the ball down - that is the forward craft we have missed recently. It is selfless moving and leading, and mids and rucks struggle because they want to be where the ball either is or will be rather than move to where the ball may not go just to open up the ground for teammates.

Its not easy to learn and it takes discipline to be consistent.


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...

Featured Content

  • PODCAST: Essendon

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th 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.

    • 28 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Fremantle

    The Demons return home to the MCG in search of their first win for the 2025 Premiership season when they take on the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday afternoon. Who comes in and who goes out?

    • 60 replies
    Demonland
  • VOTES: Essendon

    Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year ahead of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler and Jake Bowey. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

    • 22 replies
    Demonland
  • POSTGAME: Essendon

    Despite a spirited third quarter surge, the Demons have slumped to their worst start to a season since 2012, remaining winless and second last on the ladder after a 39-point defeat to Essendon at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round.

    • 252 replies
    Demonland
  • GAMEDAY: Essendon

    It’s Game Day, and the Demons are staring down the barrel of an 0-5 start for the first time since 2012 as they take on Essendon at Adelaide Oval for Gather Round. In that forgettable season, Melbourne finally broke their drought by toppling the Bombers. Can lightning strike twice? Will the Dees turn their nightmare start around and breathe life back into 2025?

    • 723 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: Essendon

    As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland