On 12/07/2023 at 09:08, Pennant St Dee said:

Whilst he’s actually playing better than Max, this is the sort of out which forces your hand for the better. Somewhat similar to Fagan having to free Daniher up. Might make us a little more mobile and see us move the ball quicker in transition 

I agree, I think he's been in far better form then Gawn in ruck, so for me, it's a bit of loss to the team. 

With that in mind, it means more minutes for Gawn in the ruck and could make us more mobile as you stated.

Not ideal, but a silver lining being we'll finally get a chance to look at BBB & JVR together

Takes an injury to play our best two forwards together 🙈

What’s actually wrong with Grundy does anyone know his injury?

  On 12/07/2023 at 09:31, sisso said:

What’s actually wrong with Grundy does anyone know his injury?

Weighed down by the size of his contract

No details of an injury, is Grundy just being dropped?

I wouldn't be surprised if he's being managed this week, but what would I know?

I wonder if this opens the door for JVR, despite his VFL performance...?

Would've preferred JVR in at CHF anyway

  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.

 

Yep Sad but true. COOKED but will always have a Premiership Medal to show his Grandkids!😊

Grungy in doubt, saves face as he is not going get dropped. Good i say.

  On 12/07/2023 at 09:14, dazzledavey36 said:

I agree, I think he's been in far better form then Gawn in ruck, so for me, it's a bit of loss to the team. 

With that in mind, it means more minutes for Gawn in the ruck and could make us more mobile as you stated.

I think you forget how they beat us last time with only one ruck.
 

Grundy was beasted by OMac and Fort. 

All for JvR coming back but a poster here said he was taken off at 3/4 time with some kind of knock ?corkie. With a quick turn-around he may not be ready.

Not super keen on this, but if JvRs not right to go then perhaps Schache steps up as the next forward/ruck chop out.

  On 12/07/2023 at 05:58, layzie said:

Would you take 4 goals from BBB and Melksham combined if it were offered right now? 

Yes i would.

  On 12/07/2023 at 09:13, dazzledavey36 said:

How so

I’m not convinced we need 2 rucks. Think I’d prefer JVR or another mid

Critical game for us Friday night will take a mighty effort with Clarry and Fritta sidelined would love to see JVR on the park. I am loving it up here in Nth Qld went and visited a number of very large Saltwater Crocs today at Hartleys Croc Farm and just came to bed to read DL temp here at Trinity Park is still 21oC, so sweet.!!

  On 12/07/2023 at 10:15, loges said:

Would've preferred JVR in at CHF anyway

Aside from struggling to get a small into some ripping form, this has been the other missing structural piece of the puzzle up forward for us throughout the season for mine.

We dump or tumble many balls to true CHF (or thereabouts).

Of course this is sometimes unavoidable due to pressure.  Then there's the ordinary bombs coming off HB or the wing on occasions.

There's either an oppo sitting in the hole taking the intercept or (at CBs) one of Kozzy, Chandler, Spargo, ANB or Harmes trying to clunk a big grab.  Emphasis on 'trying'.

I've only seen one player of late manage to hold his space or go back against the traffic (where angels fear to tread) like you would expect a solid CHF to do here.  And that was our medium sized mid in Sparrow on Friday night.

The definition of insanity in a sporting (team) strategy sense is not playing to your strengths, not trying to take away some of the oppo's (at least the obvious ones) and/or continuing to do the same thing over and over again that hasn't worked in the past.

I'm absolutely astounted that we've continued with the small to small-medium CHF structure for the entire season (so far) with little to no success, at least at CBs anyway.

If some of those smalls / mediums were having some success here, then fair enough.  But so far it's been a conplete and utter failure from where i sit.

The obvious move is BB (or even Schache) out of the square and JVR at CHF.

Macca is also looming and, barring any set backs, will be available in approx three weeks.

However as optimistic as he sounded i'm of the view he would surely need a week or two at Casey to get some match fitness and look to find some decent form before he's ready for a call up.

Edited July 12, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

  On 12/07/2023 at 11:30, Gawndy the Great said:

I think you forget how they beat us last time with only one ruck.
 

Grundy was beasted by OMac and Fort. 

It was also pretty dewy.

On his day Max is also the better tap ruckman imho.

I could be wrong but in first halfs we seem to play Max for a fair chunk of time at CBs.  We often get on top or are well in touch at this point in many games.

We then revert to opening the 3rd quarter with mostly Grundy doing the CBAs.  The oppo then start to get on top, winning a few more clearances and often scoring.

This sees them get a sniff/incentive and start to take back the momentum.  The momentum that we often had in the first half.

This momentum then becomes hard to shut down and guess what, we then revert back to Max at CBs (half way through the third or so) in an attempt to stop the rot.

That's no longer as easy as it may have once been though as we have an aging Maxy coming off a knee recovery plus no Clarry of late .

The second half then becomes a bit of a struggle street with the likes of Max, Viney & Tracc trying to wrestle the lost momentum back our way again.

Ok so maybe Max doesn't have the capability of playing three quarters in a row at full tilt anymore to put a game beyond doubt but i'd still prefer to see him at least open the CBAs straight after the half time break in order to keep the momentum going our way, prior to bringing Grundy in for the chop out later in the third.

The other option is to do the above but drop Grundy for Schache and see how he goes playing as a KF for the first 2.5 quarters (or so) before giving Max a chop out in the ruck for the last quarter and a half.

Edited July 12, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

  On 12/07/2023 at 12:05, Roost it far said:

I’m not convinced we need 2 rucks. Think I’d prefer JVR or another mid

I'm in no way wishing ill on Grundy but i agree with the premise.

IF Max can run out a game at about 80% we will be a much better team with the extra mid and/or KF imv.

I think we want to get a look at what our system and team looks like without two rucks again. We've seen what it looks like when Grundy rucks solo, let's see what it looks like with just Max.

And very good call @george_on_the_outer, you called this on the podders.

  On 12/07/2023 at 03:45, Sydee said:

it is the reason I was always keen to try and make it work with Petty inside F50

You’re on the selection committee or one of the coaching staff? 😉

  On 09/07/2023 at 05:21, old dee said:

Playing in a GF. Other than the first couple of games I don't think it has DJ. Over the last few weeks I think the Bun has played better than Max. Max's hit outs don't seem to go to anyone. IMO the bun is a better tap ruckman. 

He always has been, Max has been an average to slightly above average tap ruck but his value around the ground has been what's made him insane. I don't think he is 100% fit after that injury, an older and giant body doesn't bounce back in 5 weeks though he may be healed. If we look at Tommo's acl he was pretty stiff and average last year but this year he's looked decent when in, obviously not the same person but I think Gawn may need a rest against a North or Hawthorn.

  On 12/07/2023 at 09:34, Roost it far said:

Weighed down by the size of his contract

Hip pocket damage

Games tomorrow and no teams yet really annoys me

Can we just ease up on the Grundy disrespect?

Kind of falling into the self-hating MFC supporter trope.

  On 12/07/2023 at 21:42, rpfc said:

Can we just ease up on the Grundy disrespect?

Kind of falling into the self-hating MFC supporter trope.

Agreed, without Grundy, Gawn would have had to continue to play big TOG% and play through injuries and niggles. We have been effectively managing him, in game, to preserve him long term.