I think we have a few different styles of play in us now.

 A maturing, team and coaches, have made that possible to develop and execute. 

We haven't used a blitz for a while. Given the capacity of Brissy to blitz, I expect that we will open up the game and forward line on at least one stage Friday night. Used eiither to catch them or put it to bed.

Just an opinion.

Go Dees.

  On 10/07/2023 at 11:27, kev martin said:

I think we have a few different styles of play in us now.

 A maturing, team and coaches, have made that possible to develop and execute. 

We haven't used a blitz for a while. Given the capacity of Brissy to blitz, I expect that we will open up the game and forward line on at least one stage Friday night. Used eiither to catch them or put it to bed.

Just an opinion.

Go Dees.

I’m with you Big Kev, reckon we might put on a show on Friday.

  On 10/07/2023 at 09:47, layzie said:

But they beat us in the greatest finals win of all time!

Apparently so.

I'll just leave this here as a little reminder just in case anyone's forgotten...

 

  On 10/07/2023 at 11:27, kev martin said:

I think we have a few different styles of play in us now.

 A maturing, team and coaches, have made that possible to develop and execute. 

We haven't used a blitz for a while. Given the capacity of Brissy to blitz, I expect that we will open up the game and forward line on at least one stage Friday night. Used eiither to catch them or put it to bed.

Just an opinion.

Go Dees.

Interesting thoughts.

Not sure we have sufficient players able to carry out a successful blitz at present.

Happy to be wrong

I can only suspect our ability to beat the Lions will again fall to our defenders. 

We managed a 'whopping' 12 goals the other night with Trac having a night out..he'll need to repeat that again....and have company.   I expect we'll need to score in viciinity of 16-18 goals Friday..    and so it , to me, beckons.....from whom. 

Fagan will have set up big time for this game.   He needs to banish the hoodoo and get his lads thinking the G aint such a bad place.... ( esp come Sept )

 

Edited July 10, 20231 yr by beelzebub

  On 10/07/2023 at 21:18, beelzebub said:

Fagan will have set up big time for this game.   He needs to banish the hoodoo and get his lads thinking the G aint such a bad place.... ( esp come Sept )

Why would that be different to last time he played (and lost there) whether he 'sets up' or not, he externally has said, it's everyone else's concern and not internally within the club.

Further, should he chose to, he can communicate as much as he wants to the players how important it is to win on the 'g' for a range of valid reasons, they've still got to beat our system, by using their system.

If you're using external motivation (eg: it's Johnno's 200th, or 'we need to win at the 'g' to prove to ourselves that we can win at the 'g') to try to win, then it's problematic longterm psychologically, as it moves the focus (behaviours away) from your own system/method/philosophy.

It's the same retrospective superficial analysis that says, a team wasn't 'up for it' or ' weren't switched on' - that fails to give credit to the other team.

 

Edited July 10, 20231 yr by Engorged Onion

  On 09/07/2023 at 23:31, titan_uranus said:

I don't think we can or should drop Rivers. IMO he offers positional flexibility and should be rotated between the backline and midfield as part of our ongoing attempts to revitalise our midfield. He's also been very good for most of the year and even if he was down this weekend that can't cost him his spot.

 

  On 10/07/2023 at 00:33, Roost it far said:

No one with any football IQ is seriously considering dropping Rivers, it’s absurd.

@Roost it far I don't want Rivers dropped, he has been fantastic all year.

But 8 players don't go into 7 spots. If we want to play 3 talls plus Hibbo down back then we can only have 2 of Salem, Bowey and Rivers.

@titan_uranus it's a good idea about Rivers rotation through the midfield, but even with Oliver out and Track forward Rivers didn't have a single CBA. He has rotated through the midfield only a couple of times this year. 

 

I wish Schache could borrow Clarry's beast mode while he's out injured. It would solve all our tall forward woes, well at least until he had to give it back.

  On 10/07/2023 at 14:14, Demon Dynasty said:

Apparently so.

I'll just leave this here as a little reminder just in case anyone's forgotten...

 

I know it's not really a thing for footy clubs these days to use previous years for motivation but a quick play of this before to the boys couldn't hurt.

  On 09/07/2023 at 01:11, Melb16 said:

Which of the below options do people think Chris Fagan would prefer:

1. Kossie plays for Melbourne this week

2. Kossie plays for Casey this week 

Casey has a bye this week.

  On 10/07/2023 at 21:44, deanox said:

 

@Roost it far I don't want Rivers dropped, he has been fantastic all year.

But 8 players don't go into 7 spots. If we want to play 3 talls plus Hibbo down back then we can only have 2 of Salem, Bowey and Rivers.

@titan_uranus it's a good idea about Rivers rotation through the midfield, but even with Oliver out and Track forward Rivers didn't have a single CBA. He has rotated through the midfield only a couple of times this year. 

 

Hibbo is cooked unfortunately and should be made to earn his spot back.

Love the guy big time but the reality is he's body is simply letting down and his last performance against Gary Rohan was to be quite blunt, was embarrassing as he got exposed for speed and height.

Back 6 is fine as it is. I have zero concerns with them especially as Brayshaw can also come back if need.

 

  On 10/07/2023 at 22:28, dazzledavey36 said:

Hibbo is cooked unfortunately and should be made to earn his spot back.

Love the guy big time but the reality is he's body is simply letting down and his last performance against Gary Rohan was to be quite blunt, was embarrassing as he got exposed for speed and height.

Back 6 is fine as it is. I have zero concerns with them especially as Brayshaw can also come back if need.

 

No chance Hibberd is cooked just yet. He was flying before copping a lacerated kidney. Sure we need to manage his body but he's in out best defensive mix come finals.

The Lipns midfield will scrag ours; applying physical heat (grappling, wrestling, tackling, etc) before we take possession of the ball; particularly at ball ups. This creates a messy disposal, whete thete extra midfield numbers clears it. With no Oliver I expect Viney to be targeted, whilst I don't have faith that Sparrow, Jordan etc can cover this.

  On 10/07/2023 at 22:28, dazzledavey36 said:

Hibbo is cooked unfortunately and should be made to earn his spot back.

Love the guy big time but the reality is he's body is simply letting down and his last performance against Gary Rohan was to be quite blunt, was embarrassing as he got exposed for speed and height.

Back 6 is fine as it is. I have zero concerns with them especially as Brayshaw can also come back if need.

 

Mate he was running around with a lacerated kidney that night. 

His 2023 form before that game has been strong. Whether or not he gets back in depends on our current backline’s ongoing form but IMO he’s far from “cooked”.

  On 10/07/2023 at 23:14, titan_uranus said:

Mate he was running around with a lacerated kidney that night. 

His 2023 form before that game has been strong. Whether or not he gets back in depends on our current backline’s ongoing form but IMO he’s far from “cooked”.

Continues to amaze me.

I wrote him off as far back as 2021. I reckon he just about played his best footy this season. And he seems to have recovered his pace. I won't be writing him off any time soon

  On 10/07/2023 at 23:20, binman said:

Continues to amaze me.

I wrote him off as far back as 2021. I reckon he just about played his best footy this season. And he seems to have recovered his pace. I won't be writing him off any time soon

We need him. 

  On 10/07/2023 at 23:14, titan_uranus said:

Mate he was running around with a lacerated kidney that night. 

His 2023 form before that game has been strong. Whether or not he gets back in depends on our current backline’s ongoing form but IMO he’s far from “cooked”.

Running around with it cost us in the end because Rohan was able to kick two quick goals in the last to put us out of reach.

Probably didn't help also that our sub was a 173cm small forward...

Just to clarify I'm absolutely not putting the blame on Hibbo at all because there were other factors in the game why we lost. 

  On 10/07/2023 at 22:35, Chook said:

No chance Hibberd is cooked just yet. He was flying before copping a lacerated kidney. Sure we need to manage his body but he's in out best defensive mix come finals.

So then who comes out for him?

Our back 6 are keeping opposition sides to a relatively low scores whether we win or lose. They're all executing their roles perfectly imo.

This is my take 

• Rivers is one of our most improved players over the 12 months and its laughable there's mentions of him being dropped.

• Since Bowey has come back in he's completely shut down Dan Butler and Toby Bedford so he absolutely stays.

• Judd McVee is one of tthe most coolest and composed young player I think I've ever seen.  I say that because he's playing in a position where the pressure stakes can be extremely high when opposition teams are generating forward entries. His ability to not only defend first but compose himself with ball in hand will be extremely crucial come finals. He absolutely stays in the team.

• Salem is Salem. A gun. There's no arguments for this one.

Then that leaves us with May, Petty and Lever. All 3 are rock solid and I'm starting to see some good cohesion again with these guys back playing together again.

With all that in mind we're still forgetting that Brayshae will go back once Oliver is back in the team. Another who imo plays his best footy down back.

Hibbo will just need to bide his time unless a spot opens up.

Edited July 10, 20231 yr by dazzledavey36

Currently enjoying a bit of Nth QLD weather in Cairns for a week, fly back to dreary Melb on Saturday. 19 - 26 each day is hard to put up with, did Port Douglas Mon Palm Cove for brunch shortly. The weather is a bit cloudy but very good for the spirits. Watched the Mini and half the game last night on Kayo much to the annoyance of the two grandkids and looking forward to watching the game Friday night. go Dees.!!!

  On 10/07/2023 at 23:04, Ungarieboy said:

The Lipns midfield will scrag ours; applying physical heat (grappling, wrestling, tackling, etc) before we take possession of the ball; particularly at ball ups. This creates a messy disposal, whete thete extra midfield numbers clears it. With no Oliver I expect Viney to be targeted, whilst I don't have faith that Sparrow, Jordan etc can cover this.

No coincidence that Lyon was pointing out Grundy following up after the contest in the middle.

Would be nice to have a little path for Kossie and co to get through. Sparrow also could make a very physical difference in there as could JJ.

Just checked our injury report on the MFC website and its pretty poor TBH.  Fritsch isn't even listed on there?  A lot of the videos go back to the Port game?  Surely someone can update the page and keep things categorised in an understandable way.  First world problems...

...Friday is a massive danger game.  The Lions are looking sharp all over the ground.  We are really going to miss Clarry and Fritta.  The backline are in good form but we need to work out Grundy and Gawn.  Would love for either/both (!) to be more useful up forward but it hasn't happened so far.

Also reckon Smith needs to come back in for Melksham, we need another tall target and you can't have zero-tackle passengers against the Lions.  Maybe we should hypnotise him so he thinks the MCG is a French Restaurant - then we'll get some aggro?

  On 10/07/2023 at 22:28, dazzledavey36 said:

Hibbo is cooked unfortunately and should be made to earn his spot back.

Love the guy big time but the reality is he's body is simply letting down and his last performance against Gary Rohan was to be quite blunt, was embarrassing as he got exposed for speed and height.

nope

could well play on in 2024 with the excellent form he's been in

  On 10/07/2023 at 14:14, Demon Dynasty said:

Apparently so.

I'll just leave this here as a little reminder just in case anyone's forgotten...

 

Far out that is sickening

For some reason, I think we will win, and do it pretty well.

we have played as well as anyone in the top of the ladder,  who else has beaten Collingwood? Relaxed in the last should not have happened.  Same against Geelong should not have happened 

losses to Port Adelaide and Fremantle, I almost put the stubby into the tv at some umpiring decisions,

most sides lose in Brisbane so no real surprise 

Essendon did beat us and IMV could piùtj fo it again

we are in this ( the flag) as much as anyone, could we or should we play better than we are.  Yes definitely 

friday. Night will tell us a hell of a lot !

  On 10/07/2023 at 21:18, beelzebub said:

Not sure we have sufficient players able to carry out a successful blitz at present.

I thought they did well in the earlier part of the season, at scoring. 

I think they can produce that type of process again.

Be good to see them at least give an open game, with taking the central corridors, and some centre bounce dominance, for part of the play on Friday.

  On 11/07/2023 at 03:18, 640MD said:

we have played as well as anyone in the top of the ladder,  who else has beaten Collingwood? 

 

Brisbane

  On 10/07/2023 at 23:47, dazzledavey36 said:

So then who comes out for him?

Our back 6 are keeping opposition sides to a relatively low scores whether we win or lose. They're all executing their roles perfectly imo.

This is my take 

• Rivers is one of our most improved players over the 12 months and its laughable there's mentions of him being dropped.

• Since Bowey has come back in he's completely shut down Dan Butler and Toby Bedford so he absolutely stays.

• Judd McVee is one of tthe most coolest and composed young player I think I've ever seen.  I say that because he's playing in a position where the pressure stakes can be extremely high when opposition teams are generating forward entries. His ability to not only defend first but compose himself with ball in hand will be extremely crucial come finals. He absolutely stays in the team.

• Salem is Salem. A gun. There's no arguments for this one.

Then that leaves us with May, Petty and Lever. All 3 are rock solid and I'm starting to see some good cohesion again with these guys back playing together again.

With all that in mind we're still forgetting that Brayshae will go back once Oliver is back in the team. Another who imo plays his best footy down back.

Hibbo will just need to bide his time unless a spot opens up.

I think there's grey in between here.

Hibberd shouldn't an automatic selection because we have too many good players to fit into that back 7-8, but he will be an automatic selection if fit this year.

Hibberd doesn't make the same mistakes Rivers does either IMO. Mostly, because Hibbo runs and carries the ball. Rivers tries to kick his way out and he's very hit and miss.

There's obviously a difference between what should happen and what will happen, but Goody has indicated that we won't tinker with the three defensive talls anymore, so May, Lever and Petty are locks, injury permitting. That should be the case anyway, but that will be.

And then as you say, you need Salem, Bowey and McVee. So that's 6.

Rivers is playing as the 7th defender and Gus as you say will go back there.

Again, what we should do versus what we will do is the question. I don't think Rivers or Gus should be automatic locks for this team, but they will be and are.

And in a similar fashion, I think Hibbo should be a horses for courses selection. So if he was fit, I'd be playing him on Charlie Cameron this week. However, his injury does give us another chance to look at McVee on him. Cameron kicked two on McVee earlier in the year (with 5 score involvements), so that was probably a draw or maybe Cameron just won that one. Hibbo is the better option on him at this stage IMO.

Vis a vis Rivers and Gus, I'd say with injuries, their flexibility will give us options in filling holes, but at full strength, I'd be saying it should be a horses for courses situation with them as well. I'm sure the DD see this differently.