1 minute ago, Redleg said:

I think Melksham and Bedford go out and Lever might be a wait and see on his shoulder.

If Lever needs the week off, then we give him the week off. 

Simply need everyone cherry ripe for September. 

Brave match committee to drop Fritsch.

I don’t see it happening but I get the frustration with him - getting back to bad habits.

26 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Melksham was horrible. Let others on here fool you into thinking otherwise. He's an immediate out next week.

You have no idea what Goodwin values if you think that. Had 5 forward half tackles including some great run downs.

1 hour ago, adonski said:

Preview of next week here it seems 

 

If Lever comes up, and given Tomlinson’s very solid game in defence today, this (Petty going forward) surely isn’t out of the question.

And IF Petty returns in defence then at very least Tomlinson should be the sub.   When Lever went down today the thought of Dunstan as sub sent shivers down my spine. We have May, Lever and perhaps Petty carrying injuries, and if a mid or a winger went down Tommo is versatile enough to release another wing / flank to fill the mid rôle far more than Dunstan (or Bedford) would be to replace a big man. 

48 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Laughable that people are suggesting Fritsch to be dropped. You don’t drop your leading goal kicker and a guy who has a good record against the Dogs.

Melksham won’t get dropped. He’s going to be a permanent fixture I think in this 2 tall set up. His tackling was great and he usually has good vision.

In: Oliver, Petty

Out: Bedford, Tomlinson (unless Lever is injured)

I really don't think he'll be dropped, and even though a lot of his goals often look like easy out the back, I think he works pretty hard to be in the right position to get them. IF he is dropped, he wouldn't be dropped on form. It would be on a statement regarding team first ethos and defensive efforts, as we are a month out from finals and that is the area we need to lift.

Melksham was better than many of us expected, but still wasn't great.

We don't need all of Pickett, Bedford, Spargo, Melksham and ANB in the side. But we do, IMO, need another tall to help Brown. Jackson/Gawn aren't providing that help right now, and I'd rather Gawn sit a kick behind the play to help intercept than be forced to push forward all the time.

Tomlinson doesn't deserve to be dropped but I'm not sure we're flinging Petty forward after 18 months of him being a really, really good defender. If Lever's not fully fit then that's an easy decision (Petty for Lever) but if Lever's good to go, it's tough but I think Tomlinson goes back out.

Bedford and Melksham to be replaced by Oliver and Weid/JVR.

Probably the only other option is Sparrow for Oliver, sparing Melksham, if the FD wants Melksham in for a defensive forward job next week. I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

4 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

With the possibility of Naughton and Bruce both being available, I hope all of May, Petty and lever are available. I though Tomlinson was wonderful today, but his lack of height will be highlighted against the dogs, especially with English now learning how to float forward. The only option is to perhaps play Petty forward and leave Tomlinson down back. risky though.

OUT: Bedford, Melksham

IN:    Oliver, Chandler.

Fritsch needs an old fashioned spray from the coach for his moments of utter selfishness. 

Sparrow is really frustrating me but probably shouldn't be dropped. Can you teach decision making?

 

R u serious?

You are worried about the height of English so you want to move our tallest defend e r forward?

 

In: Oliver, Petty, Chandler 

Out:  Melksham, Tommy and Bedford 

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If Lever needs the week off, then we give him the week off. 

Simply need everyone cherry ripe for September. 

Agree.  That goes for Oliver as well. 

3 hours ago, Billy said:

Chandler for Lever doesn’t make sense 

In the end Petty would replace lever and Chandler would cover for Bedford or Melksham.

Tommo shouldn’t be dropped as I think Lever will miss.
May >> Naughton, Tommo >> Bruce, Petty >> JUH, Rivers >> Weightman, Brayshaw >> Dunkley are probably the key defensive matchups. Just need to watch out for the Bont and Smith when they push down.

 

1 hour ago, deanox said:

 

I think it will go Oliver and Petty for Bedford and Melksham, the obvious selections. But what I meant to write, before the inexplicable post above was this:

In: Oliver, Petty,

Out: Bedford, Fritsch

 

My reasoning is that

1) I think Melksham brought a level of intensity and effort that we've been lacking (except for the Vineys) and coming into finals that should be rewarded. Leaving him in sets that example.

2) Constrastly, Fritsch isn't hitting scoreboards but not doing those things. The swap for Weid (probably one week only) is part of that example setting above.

3) Bedford is underperforming so is the easy out.

 

But this only works if the coaches are willing to throw Petty forward, so I think unlikely.

 

If Fritta isnt hitting the scoreboard then no one else is. Scored a goal every game and currently sitting on 34

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

Melksham was better than many of us expected, but still wasn't great.

We don't need all of Pickett, Bedford, Spargo, Melksham and ANB in the side. But we do, IMO, need another tall to help Brown. Jackson/Gawn aren't providing that help right now, and I'd rather Gawn sit a kick behind the play to help intercept than be forced to push forward all the time.

Tomlinson doesn't deserve to be dropped but I'm not sure we're flinging Petty forward after 18 months of him being a really, really good defender. If Lever's not fully fit then that's an easy decision (Petty for Lever) but if Lever's good to go, it's tough but I think Tomlinson goes back out.

Bedford and Melksham to be replaced by Oliver and Weid/JVR.

Probably the only other option is Sparrow for Oliver, sparing Melksham, if the FD wants Melksham in for a defensive forward job next week. I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

For mine, Melks played a decent game for once but I just question his ability at his age against a Bulldogs line up. BUT having said that I feel Melks will stay but surely Bedford must go. !!!  Chandler would/should/could be a better option. Oh - and Spargo needs to lift his game in my book. 

4 hours ago, old55 said:

Melksham - 7 tackles including 2 great run downs. Kicked a goal and unselfishly gave one off to Ben Brown.

Still was very ordinary if you ask me. Bedford two poor games in a row, back to Casey! Tomo stays in some capacity!

2 hours ago, bing181 said:

Melksham won't be dropped.

Did enough to earn at least another week.

Nup!! sorry, his one or two good moments wont be enough, for much of the game he was very ordinary. If we are picking him we are really in a spot of bother for forward options!

3 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Thought he had a solid first half

Harmes was fantastic 

Also.... I seem to be the only one awake!?? so I'll ask the Pink Floyd question.....

"Is there anybody out there"??

1 minute ago, picket fence said:

Harmes was fantastic 

Also.... I seem to be the only one awake!?? so I'll ask the Pink Floyd question.....

"Is there anybody out there"??

No...

5 hours ago, old55 said:

Melksham - 7 tackles including 2 great run downs. Kicked a goal and unselfishly gave one off to Ben Brown.

For me melksham was always 1 of our best users going inside 50. 

28 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Harmes was fantastic 

Also.... I seem to be the only one awake!?? so I'll ask the Pink Floyd question.....

"Is there anybody out there"??

Sleep well Pickett

There is always someone here

 

Any update on Clarry?

27 minutes ago, TheWiz said:

Any update on Clarry?

Given us mere mortals would be in a cast for three to six weeks for a broken thumb, I don't quite get the whole he'll back next week malarkey.

 

Petty might not get up after having Covid. It is a 2 week recovery at best. 

27 minutes ago, SPC said:

Petty might not get up after having Covid. It is a 2 week recovery at best. 

The 7 days isolation is a legal mandate.  Our governments are currently considering reducing that based on latest evidence.

Of the scores of people I know that have had it, the symptoms last a few days and then ok.

Not aware of AFL players taking 2 weeks to recover so not sure where that idea comes from...

Edited July 17, 20223 yr by Lucifers Hero

49 minutes ago, SPC said:

Petty might not get up after having Covid. It is a 2 week recovery at best. 

 

22 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

The 7 days isolation is a legal mandate.  Our governments are currently considering reducing that based on latest evidence.

Of the scores of people I know that have had it, the symptoms last a few days and then ok.

Not aware of AFL players taking 2 weeks to recover so not sure where that idea comes from...

Isn't the more relevant issue whether he is out of isolation in time for our main training session?

Edited July 17, 20223 yr by Gouga

Oliver and petty for bedford and tomlinson are the obvious moves. Tomlinson to be retained as medical sub to cover our injury prone talls (gawn, may, lever, petty, jackson are all carrying some niggle).

For those crying out for another tall in our structure, i hear you, but its clear that plan a is for gawn and jackson to find some form forward of the ball.