1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

 

Second, no one rested despite the fresh legs of Laurie, Turner, Harmes and Dunstan. It’s in line with the FD’s general approach to seek consistency but on a 5 day break with a trip to the Gold Coast next week I’m still surprised. 

Similar here... feels like a great opportunity to manage up to two or three seniors was missed.

2 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Similar here... feels like a great opportunity to manage up to two or three seniors was missed.

History says that the coach doesn't " manage" 

Edited April 28, 20231 yr by IRW

I thought they would rest Hibberd given his ongoing Achilles problem.

Perhaps with LD-U out they might do so and bring in Turner from the emergencies even tho they play different roles so they can rest Hibberd.

Edited April 28, 20231 yr by Lucifers Hero

4 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Similar here... feels like a great opportunity to manage up to two or three seniors was missed.

What “ seniors” were you thinking of. Max..May..Hibberd..Viney..Lever..Fritch from the current team have all missed games due to injury & need to keep playing & I def wouldn’t put Oliver & Trac in the “seniors” category? 

 

Is it just me but I feel like all our team does is travel. Has anyone else travelled this much so far? We have Gold coast next week then have to go to Adelaide again in 2 weeks 

17 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Is it just me but I feel like all our team does is travel. Has anyone else travelled this much so far? We have Gold coast next week then have to go to Adelaide again in 2 weeks 

we have a 9 week stretch coming up where we only leave melb once so i guess it all evens out

20 hours ago, CHF said:

Good team with the inclusion of Schache as a forward to support JVR. I expected that there would be more changes to the team given the 5 day break and then the travel the following round. The selectors may have taken into account the situation of North with regard to the travel/schedule that they have had to endure recently.

If Chandler does not come up Then I would bring Laurie into the team and make Harmes the sub.

We have our 7 defenders in Bowey, Lever, May, Hibberd, Rivers, McVee and Brayshaw with Brayshaw able to rotate into the middle as well as the wing if required. Schache can cover a tall loss down back if needed.

On the wings we have Langdon and Hunter with Jordon, ANB and Brayshaw all able to run the wings on rotation. The middle we have well covered with Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow the main drivers with Jordon, ANB, Brayshaw, Rivers and, at times, Pickett all able to effectively move through there. I expect Grundy to take at least 50% of the ruck work and would not be surprised if it was closer to 60% with Max moving in front of the ball or behind it as required.

The forward setup is pretty transparent with Schache, Van, Rooyen and Fristch as the talls and Chandler and Pickett working at the drop of the ball with rotations from ANB, and mids such as Viney, Petracca and Oliver. Could also see Sparrow and Jordon in there at times as well.

Looking forward to see how Schache goes as I believe that he may surprise a few. 

If we settle quickly in the match and work the basics well and let the imagination and game come to us I think we will win well against a young North side. I also believe that with our stronger bodies and better fitness, we will pull away from them in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Go Dees!

Not much point in going after that lot CHF, good summary

8 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

It's a worry that neither tmac or bbb took their chance for a definitive spot in the seniors. Anyone that doesn't think we have a forward line problem is kidding themselves. Thank goodness for Jvr stepping up but he's still a young unknown. Not saying he won't perform but it's not guaranteed and we don't know at what level. He's only got 5 games in fgs. Kozzie is up and down and Fritta though ok isn't where he used to be at. Credit to Goody for trying the Petty option but as much as always hoped for it, he wasn't really up to it. Maybe with Gawn back in he will help out but his kicking still worries me. 

If we are going to win a flag thus year we definitely need either Tmac or Bbb to come good or a long shot in Schache. And it needs to happen soon. 

Our fwd line fell apart last year and it saw us drop out in straight sets.  Any suggestions?

 

Correction the whole team 

 

8 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

It's a worry that neither tmac or bbb took their chance for a definitive spot in the seniors. Anyone that doesn't think we have a forward line problem is kidding themselves. Thank goodness for Jvr stepping up but he's still a young unknown. Not saying he won't perform but it's not guaranteed and we don't know at what level. He's only got 5 games in fgs. Kozzie is up and down and Fritta though ok isn't where he used to be at. Credit to Goody for trying the Petty option but as much as always hoped for it, he wasn't really up to it. Maybe with Gawn back in he will help out but his kicking still worries me. 

If we are going to win a flag thus year we definitely need either Tmac or Bbb to come good or a long shot in Schache. And it needs to happen soon. 

Our fwd line fell apart last year and it saw us drop out in straight sets.  Any suggestions?

 

Wasn't just the forward line was a fair portion of the team unfit, others with niggles and a very overall defensive mindset. 

You should have noticed a lot of changes to personnel, including a more positive game plan and a willingness not to repeat last years fitness errors, this season. Plus Goody's admission that we are a "work in progress" with experiments in the forward line, midfield and even defence. 

There are some challenges no doubt but we are better placed than in 2022 even if 2 losses behind at this stage. 

Our list is stronger more flexible and has more ability and depth this year. In addition our final quarters are promising, winning all so far. 

After the bye our potential best team should be forming and placed in the best positions to give us a real chance to put our best feet forward in the race this year. It's any ones really at this stage and no panic necessary.

LDU out makes our job so much easier. Super player. Larkey NQR either so the only north player that worries me is Cunnington. If we’re on we should win handily unless we take it a little easier given the short turnaround.

18 minutes ago, BDA said:

LDU out makes our job so much easier. Super player. Larkey NQR either so the only north player that worries me is Cunnington. If we’re on we should win handily unless we take it a little easier given the short turnaround.

You’re forgetting young Harry Sheezel. 

1 hour ago, Deestar9 said:

What “ seniors” were you thinking of. Max..May..Hibberd..Viney..Lever..Fritch from the current team have all missed games due to injury & need to keep playing & I def wouldn’t put Oliver & Trac in the “seniors” category? 

 

Seniors probably not the best term in hindsight.  Experienced campaigners!?

Anyone with niggles or who needs a freshen up and/or coming back from a substantial rehab who we can cover off with either like for like (to a certain degree) and/or don't necessarily need two of.

Maxy being the obvious one with the first week after a long layoff supposedly the hardest to recover from in terms of soreness and time..... at least that's what some ex players claim is the hardest week anyway.

Grundy is quite capable of taking Goldy this week.

Maybe Clarke just to freshen him up for the next block of matches and have Dunstan cover his role?

Harmes for Hunter a possibility also?

Im not saying all three either.  Just mooting the options as possibilities to consider.

1 hour ago, IRW said:

History says that the coach doesn't " manage" 

Yes probably a waste of time speculating given that history does say otherwise

13 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

You’re forgetting young Harry Sheezel. 

Looks like being a very good player for sure. But he's a 6 gamer. We shouldn't be worried about facing a 6 gamer.

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

Is it just me but I feel like all our team does is travel. Has anyone else travelled this much so far? We have Gold coast next week then have to go to Adelaide again in 2 weeks 

North have had it worse than us.

Melbourne - Perth - Launceston - Melbourne - Adelaide - Gold Coast.

1 hour ago, 58er said:

Correction the whole team 

 

Wasn't just the forward line was a fair portion of the team unfit, others with niggles and a very overall defensive mindset. 

You should have noticed a lot of changes to personnel, including a more positive game plan and a willingness not to repeat last years fitness errors, this season. Plus Goody's admission that we are a "work in progress" with experiments in the forward line, midfield and even defence. 

There are some challenges no doubt but we are better placed than in 2022 even if 2 losses behind at this stage. 

Our list is stronger more flexible and has more ability and depth this year. In addition our final quarters are promising, winning all so far. 

After the bye our potential best team should be forming and placed in the best positions to give us a real chance to put our best feet forward in the race this year. It's any ones really at this stage and no panic necessary.

I think the seasons a lot tighter too with more teams a chance for the grand prize. Hopefully we have a much better run with less injuries and gather some cohesion along with momentum winning the next 3. At the risk of ire, I still hold hope for Bbb.

2 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Similar here... feels like a great opportunity to manage up to two or three seniors was missed.

Managing players for a game against a supposed lesser opponent smacks of arrogance. We need to bank as many wins as we can over the next few weeks.

9 minutes ago, He de mon said:

Managing players for a game against a supposed lesser opponent smacks of arrogance. We need to bank as many wins as we can over the next few weeks.

I disagree with that.  Its all about timing.  Other clubs do it quite a bit.

Geelong last season managed their seniors beautifully.

Brad Scott openly managing Dyson Heppell this week etc.

It's alao a bit to do with depth and the state of your injury list.  Arrogance is old school thinking imv.

Edited April 28, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

1 minute ago, Demon Dynasty said:

I disagree with that.  Its all about timing.  Other clubs do it quite a bit.

Geelong last season managed their seniors beautifully.

Brad Scott openly managing Dyson Heppell this week etc.

Maybe, but we are hardly setting the world on fire at the moment, and we need to build some momentum.

2 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

I disagree with that.  Its all about timing.  Other clubs do it quite a bit.

Geelong last season managed their seniors beautifully.

Brad Scott openly managing Dyson Heppell this week etc.

Heppell is lucky to get a game - just my opinion obviously but hardly a star of the competition 

Just now, Sydee said:

Heppell is lucky to get a game - just my opinion obviously but hardly a star of the competition 

I never said he was Sydee

 

23 hours ago, Jontee said:

well it was good enough for David neitz 😃

Another wag on here suggested Bailey could probably slot them from there anyway.

2 hours ago, IRW said:

History says that the coach doesn't " manage" 

Lever said in an interview yesterday that the team was"running on the spot" in the finals last year and had learnt from this.

Maybe its too early to rest?  There must be some modelling on this that they are working with.

36 minutes ago, He de mon said:

Managing players for a game against a supposed lesser opponent smacks of arrogance. We need to bank as many wins as we can over the next few weeks.

Absolutely HDM - then look at management of key talent after bye.

This next block of games could see us at 2nd spot after Round 10.  Then worry about finals preparation longer term into the season.

6 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

I'm too scared to ask QD

Besides i will probably end up spending time in the DL dungeon with Igor!

I'm out on parole @Demon Dynasty. Don't worry - I'm as surprised as you.