12 hours ago, Redlagged said:

Sounds like it is the end of the world...our third defensive tall and makeshift foward has gone down for 4 to 6. Thought Melbourne was supposed to be a top team. Currently within an injury list most teams would kill for.

On paper yes but we have been hit by injuries from the get go and our structures have never really had a chance to settle.Notwithstanding our current ones we can include:

Fritta,  May, Tmac, Bbb, 

Max, Spargo , Hibbo and Petty ( earlier).

Edited May 15, 20231 yr by leave it to deever

9 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Think he meant Smith and I tend to agree. The only thing more surprising to me than Smith still being on the senior list is people thinking he can play key forward.

9 hours ago, wizardinoz said:

Premiership FF. Kicked 9 goals in the first 3 games. Seems a logical choice to me.

Yeah was absolutely talking about Smith. 

The morning after.. 

Give me one more day to be completely miserable and then will start to move on. 

Petty hasn't been setting the world on fire this season. We have a choice between Brown, TMac, Schache and Smith to replace him. It's hardly the stuff of nightmares. I'm going to let the FD decide this one as they rarely listen to me anyway.

For some reason I'd like to see Smith play but sheesh that's a risk wrapped up in a dilemma.

Edited May 15, 20231 yr by Roost it far

4 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Petty hasn't been setting the world on fire this season. We have a choice between Brown, TMac, Schache and Smith to replace him. It's hardly the stuff of nightmares. I'm going to let the FD decide this one as they rarely listen to me anyway.

For some reason I'd like to see Smith play but sheesh that's a risk wrapped up in a dilemma.

That is true, the silver lining is that the opportunity has presented itself for someone. Can they take it?

 

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Petty hasn't been setting the world on fire this season. We have a choice between Brown, TMac, Schache and Smith to replace him. It's hardly the stuff of nightmares. I'm going to let the FD decide this one as they rarely listen to me anyway.

For some reason I'd like to see Smith play but sheesh that's a risk wrapped up in a dilemma.

The sad Irony is how good he was playing on Saturday with 6 marks and 2 goals for half a game.

I never like reading 'mid-foot'. It's a complex region that can be minor or serious. Hoping it's the minor end.

I think it's an admirable thing from Petty to take on the challenge of going forward and learning the new role. A selfish player could have just said, 'nope- I'm happy doing my role down back and im not letting anyone take that spot from me'. Instead he's taken the risk, giving it a real go and competing. 

I don't know if it was coincidence that we started to lose momentum when we lost him for the third quarter. His marking and contest was an exceptional out for us on the wings and was stretching the defence. I'd think Mcdonald might be the better contested mark chance, but I really don't know. wouldn't be shocked to see them go for Schache again. 

33 minutes ago, Bringbackbarassi said:

I think it's an admirable thing from Petty to take on the challenge of going forward and learning the new role. A selfish player could have just said, 'nope- I'm happy doing my role down back and im not letting anyone take that spot from me'. Instead he's taken the risk, giving it a real go and competing. 

I don't think it would go down too well with the coach and his teammates if any player did that.

1 hour ago, Bringbackbarassi said:

I never like reading 'mid-foot'. It's a complex region that can be minor or serious. Hoping it's the minor end.

I think it's an admirable thing from Petty to take on the challenge of going forward and learning the new role. A selfish player could have just said, 'nope- I'm happy doing my role down back and im not letting anyone take that spot from me'. Instead he's taken the risk, giving it a real go and competing. 

I don't know if it was coincidence that we started to lose momentum when we lost him for the third quarter. His marking and contest was an exceptional out for us on the wings and was stretching the defence. I'd think Mcdonald might be the better contested mark chance, but I really don't know. wouldn't be shocked to see them go for Schache again. 

Nice post. Yea Petty played a ripper. His marking and ground coverage was as good as it gets . And agreed the Hawks fired up with him absent.

I don't think Schache is the best option. Regardless of who we pick they are going to struggle and our expectations shouldn't be high. It's a big game too. I think Max really has to spend as much time as possible up fwd and Reg there when he's not.

Maybe Harmes in for Sparrow who may be able to pinch hit up forward at times and Tmac or Bbb as our best choices for Petty. Given Tmac was named an emergency last week, I suspect he will get the gig. Some have argued that the positive is this will give them a good block of games to run into some form. Ideally though with our toughest games coming up its probably bad timing. I was really excited by Petty's form against the Hawks but alas I need to let it go. (Footy barracking is a cruel mistress). But obviously worse for the players.

I would also like to see Rivers spend more time in the guts. He's been rotated through before and was very good. His post high goal kicked on the 50 off two steps was remarkable. Maybe Gus some time there as well. We really need to step up and dominate the centre clearances.  Its been an issue and Port will always capitalise on our failings. These 2 rotations could give Viney or Trac a few spells up fwd to maybe sneak in a couple of sge rolls. 

It's set for greaay conditions apparently, so we really just need to get the ball to ground and hope our smalls and Fritta can do the bulk of scoring. Fritta seems on the ascendancy again and I keep thinking Kozzie and Chandler are due to kick quite a few. Jvr is ticking along nicely and I imagine we would be in a deeper pickle ( sorry for the mixed metaphor but the neighbour's dog was barking all 6loddy night) if we didn't challenge his penalty. Well played again Mfc.

Either Jj, Dunstan ( is he injured) or Milk as the sub, the latter being a better option to help our depleted forward line.

Not to take away anything from all our wins but this is a huge challenge against a top four side at their home full of crazy umpire swaying maniacs. A good litmus test for us.

It's always so sweet winning over there. Please footy God's we beseech thee once again .May our feet kick true, the ball always bounce right, the reviews go our way and we take our 4 points and get the hell back home again.

Edited May 16, 20231 yr by leave it to deever

I’d put the onus on Tmac to play as a defensive forward.

with the teams were playing in the next 4-5 games, we want to make sure that the intercept marks are kept to a minimum (ie Aliir, Ryan/Cox, weitering, Moore, Stewart) - so TMac can focus on defensive efforts, with the resting ruckman and JVR in behind him if those guys drop off him when he leads to the wing. Think he can do this better than BBB

5 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Our flag hopes have been challenged by the loss of 2 key fwds in Tmac and bbb. So we use Petty as a successful alternative.  Now he's gone. Make that 3 key fwd options down.  It makes it harder. But maybe depending on Tmac and Bbb was the mistake in the first place or at least a big risk.

It's important to remember that Brown was looking sharp before he was injured. The FD may have him on a modified program to get him cherry ripe for the second half of the season. 

TMac was also (according to reports) looking great in the off-season but it seems like the intensity of games has shown his ankle isn't quite right. Interestingly, the Gabba and Optus grounds were very hard at the respective dates we played there, so that probably hasn't helped. 

It may be that these two players can't influence games anymore, but it's also possible that they will find fitness and form at the right time of year. The great thing is that we're the highest scoring team without these two having much of an influence. While it sucks that Petty has been injured, it gives us a look at how well other combinations and strategies work. 

It's over to TMac, BBB, Schache, or Smith to grab whatever opportunity is given them and cement their place over the next 4 weeks.

6 minutes ago, Stu said:

It's over to TMac, BBB, Schache, or Smith to grab whatever opportunity is given them and cement their place over the next 4 weeks.

Agreed re Bbb being in good form. From memory he started his 2 games very well with 4 goals a piece and one in the tough lions game b4 taken off. Effectively up the around  top of the Coleman despite the small sample. He would be my first choice but maybe still being managed. I still have hope Petty can play forward again but the reality is our season now desperately needs one of your 4 mentioned to take their chances and play to their best. How wonderful if one " gets up"and we even have the luxury of sending Mr Petty down back again. Our talls up fwd our in a real state of flux now, given that Jvr while good is still an unknown quantity so to speak at 8 games. Adds another dimension to an already very interesting game.

Don't know whether this has been mentioned but in today's Herald Sun on page 43, John Ralph's article "On Trac to take on Port" mentions that Harrison Petty is expected to be fit despite a foot issue?? WTF?

57 minutes ago, wizardinoz said:

Don't know whether this has been mentioned but in today's Herald Sun on page 43, John Ralph's article "On Trac to take on Port" mentions that Harrison Petty is expected to be fit despite a foot issue?? WTF?

ralph ... lol

1 hour ago, wizardinoz said:

Don't know whether this has been mentioned but in today's Herald Sun on page 43, John Ralph's article "On Trac to take on Port" mentions that Harrison Petty is expected to be fit despite a foot issue?? WTF?

Ghostwriter must have pressed submit too soon..

4 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

 

Either Jj, Dunstan ( is he injured) or Milk as the sub, the latter being a better option to help our depleted forward line.

 

Dunstan injured, running but not full training yet. 

I think Salem coming back in will release Brayshaw and Rivers will have JJ back in the twos and those two into midfield stints, meaning fwd stints for the trac and likely viney/Oliver. I think the fwd support will be there without Melk in there as well, in saying that, he did get 5 on a slow track in Wonthaggi the other week. Coaches won't have forgotten that.

Edited May 16, 20231 yr by Bringbackbarassi

That's football! Long bombs must be out (as passes to the forwards). We should put Kozzie and Jordan and Chandler to the test as goal sneaks, spread where it hurts. This will give Fritta more space to find his mojo - and we have two rotating talls to get that *&^%  ball down with direction. The Melk has to niggle Allir, all game, and pass by foot to our runners. There ain't no time for static forwards in this game against Port. Clarrie and Tracca will dominate and it is a big test (once again) for Rivers. If Melk is not selected or is on the bench, Joel Smith may well have a considerable responsibility and wouldn't it be a great breakout to have him ready and in form?

The time Scale   4-6 weeks,    that was hell not so long ago,   it was more like 4-forever.  Not sure he is a forward yet but he is big, competes, and hits hard.   A work in progress.   Hope we see 1-2 next to his name this weekend.

10 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

That's football! Long bombs must be out (as passes to the forwards). We should put Kozzie and Jordan and Chandler to the test as goal sneaks, spread where it hurts. This will give Fritta more space to find his mojo - and we have two rotating talls to get that *&^%  ball down with direction. The Melk has to niggle Allir, all game, and pass by foot to our runners. There ain't no time for static forwards in this game against Port. Clarrie and Tracca will dominate and it is a big test (once again) for Rivers. If Melk is not selected or is on the bench, Joel Smith may well have a considerable responsibility and wouldn't it be a great breakout to have him ready and in form?

Oh so you are suggesting we have an open forward line, where have we heard that before? nah that would cause to much angst here.

Assume this is Kye Turner not Daniel? Think Daniel might be handy to call on at some stage in the next 4-6 with Petty going down until after the bye. 

Edited May 16, 20231 yr by Pulp Fritschon

15 hours ago, Bringbackbarassi said:

Dunstan injured, running but not full training yet. 

I think Salem coming back in will release Brayshaw and Rivers will have JJ back in the twos and those two into midfield stints, meaning fwd stints for the trac and likely viney/Oliver. I think the fwd support will be there without Melk in there as well, in saying that, he did get 5 on a slow track in Wonthaggi the other week. Coaches won't have forgotten that.

Thank the other Bbb. Would love to Salo back in but I'm not sure he will come back without any game time at Casey. Maybe you were thinking in the coming weeks. The 5 by Milkshake was pretty good. Maybe he should be the sub again.