Brown being dropped 5 weeks prior to finals is not a good sign for him. I'm disappointed - I really hoped he could get himself going and be the key forward we really need. 

Either Petty or Smith gets his spot, presumably Petty. IMO, Petty has to make it as a forward because Tomlinson deserves to hold his spot over Petty in the backline.

I'm also disappointed that Dunstan can't get a game over Harmes. I feel like we've seen enough of Harmes in 2023 and we had moved past what he had to offer. I hope he proves me wrong, and I can understand the FD being reluctant to bring in Dunstan who hasn't played all year, but I just feel this isn't the right move.

Would Hibbo come in and Riv play midfield minutes? Petty for Brown. Not sure how, but love to see Smith in the 22. 

15 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Brown being dropped 5 weeks prior to finals is not a good sign for him. I'm disappointed - I really hoped he could get himself going and be the key forward we really need. 

Either Petty or Smith gets his spot, presumably Petty. IMO, Petty has to make it as a forward because Tomlinson deserves to hold his spot over Petty in the backline.

I'm also disappointed that Dunstan can't get a game over Harmes. I feel like we've seen enough of Harmes in 2023 and we had moved past what he had to offer. I hope he proves me wrong, and I can understand the FD being reluctant to bring in Dunstan who hasn't played all year, but I just feel this isn't the right move.

Completely agree regards Harmes and Dunstan. 
Harmes is a bit too Hollywood with his intent. Is there an instruction for him to take on the tackler as much as he does?
Only to lose the ball due to incorrect disposal?

is it that Dunstan is just another inside bull that we already have surplus of? And for that reason he can’t get a game? 

13 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Remember the 98 game both had to win to make the 8, we were in good form and we’re just to good. We ended the round 4th on the ladder and steamrolled the eventual premiers Adelaide in the first final the following week 

Was that the Jeff Farmer huge mark atop Gary Lyon's head? ❤️💙

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

We need someone who can take marks and kick goals, that is the job of a key fwd. Can anyone remember how many games he played as a fwd this year? I can’t but he’s only kicked the 4 goals. People like Smith as the sub because he can play fwd or back, so can Petty. I’d like to see Smith get a full game up fwd with JVR and Petty can be the sub.

JVR, essentially a single position player, as sub???   Petty maybe, though, if he has recovered from his chest injury he needs game time, not bench warming.

I've been hoping to see Tomlinson in defence and Petty forward since last year. I know many already regard Petty forward as a fail but I'm very interested to see how it plays out. 

Out of all the KPFs we've tried over the past 2 years - the combinations of M Brown, Ben Brown, Wiedemann, McDonald, Gawn, Jackson, Grundy - very little seems to have worked but Petty and Van Rooyen gave me the most confidence and just seemed like a really exciting, young combination.

Forward connection has improved in recent weeks with ANB, Pickett and Chandler all returning to some good form.

Hopefully this is the week we solidify our forward structure moving into the finals.

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

And we STILL experiment not far from Finals PAARK ME!

10 minutes ago, picket fence said:

And we STILL experiment not far from Finals PAARK ME!

So you’ve been happy with Browns output since he has come back in?

Seriously???

3 minutes ago, Billy said:

So you’ve been happy with Browns output since he has come back in?

Seriously???

Billy - he has done a bit good stuff particularly early in games and up the field, but sadly his body does not allow him to run out a game, which means our sub has to be someone who an play his forward rôle.

And that in itself is not a viable option going forward.

Edited July 27, 20231 yr by monoccular

22 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Completely agree regards Harmes and Dunstan. 
Harmes is a bit too Hollywood with his intent. Is there an instruction for him to take on the tackler as much as he does?
Only to lose the ball due to incorrect disposal?

is it that Dunstan is just another inside bull that we already have surplus of? And for that reason he can’t get a game? 

I don't see that as Hollywood.  Maybe a reflection of some lost speed in the last few years and is therefore looking to use brute strength to try and evade more often.  More through necessity?  Gets caught out alot trying the fend off now, even at VFL level.

13 minutes ago, Billy said:

So you’ve been happy with Browns output since he has come back in?

Seriously???

Yep adds structure !

3 hours ago, Damo said:

I have lost faith in Petty this year. Im not surprised its just me BTW. But after one half of good football so far this whole year, why does he again get picked?

Agree overated player!

19 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

I don't see that as Hollywood.  Maybe a reflection of some lost speed in the last few years and is therefore looking to use brute strength to try and evade more often.  More through necessity?  Gets caught out alot trying the fend off now, even at VFL level.

A very valid observation. 

30 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Billy - he has done a bit good stuff particularly early in games and up the field, but sadly his body does not allow him to run out a game, which means our sub has to be someone who an play his forward rôle.

And that in itself is not a viable option going forward.

Agree

If he can’t run out a full game he doesn’t deserve a game in a team that’s in the premiership race

6 hours ago, monoccular said:

Was that the Jeff Farmer huge mark atop Gary Lyon's head? ❤️💙

JVR, essentially a single position player, as sub???   Petty maybe, though, if he has recovered from his chest injury he needs game time, not bench warming.

I think you have misread what I wrote, Smith to get a full game up fwd with JVR and Petty can be the sub.

7 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

I don't see that as Hollywood.  Maybe a reflection of some lost speed in the last few years and is therefore looking to use brute strength to try and evade more often.  More through necessity?  Gets caught out alot trying the fend off now, even at VFL level.

Of course it's hollywood.

He's 27, in the prime of his career. You think he's lost speed?! What on earth.

Since he began playing AFL footy, he has always looked to fend off before giving first option which has been a bugbear of mine and many Melbourne supporters as more often than not, he gets caught. He also loves to try and pick a ball off the ground one handed instead of two far too often. Another trait that sees him lose contests regularly.

He's a player who should just do the basics well and understand the importance of that, but doesn't. Which is why he's not in the best 22 when everyone is fit and firing. 

8 hours ago, McQueen said:

Completely agree regards Harmes and Dunstan. 
Harmes is a bit too Hollywood with his intent. Is there an instruction for him to take on the tackler as much as he does?
Only to lose the ball due to incorrect disposal?

is it that Dunstan is just another inside bull that we already have surplus of? And for that reason he can’t get a game? 

Replacing Sparrow who is an inside mid and Viney needs help in there he has carried the midfield d on his own for 4 weeks cant keep doing it in my view

 

I would have rested Sparrow anyway has is output has dropped over the last few weeks

Harmes is not a reliable replacement in my view Too loose too slow not inside enough 

As I said elsewhere Viney needs help at the moment Dunstan in good form is ideal

Hope the midfield doesn’t miss Sparrow too much. We’ve lost the only game he’s missed V Port.
Harmes to replace him if we’re going like for like, although his senior appearances have been terrible this year. But as they say if you throw a bunch of darts at a board, one is eventually going to land.

Glad Tomlinson got another game. We’ve won our last 14 games in a row with the May/Lever/Tomo combo dating back to the last 2 games of 2020. I know the boys on the DL podcast say that May and Lever prefer Petty over Tomo but the raw win/loss stat suggests that this combo works.

Edited July 27, 20231 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

10 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I want us to do them slowly

I’d prefer to crush them early and have a procession through to the final siren. Much better for my heart.

13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Hope the midfield doesn’t miss Sparrow too much. We’ve lost the only game he’s missed V Port.
Harmes to replace him if we’re going like for like, although his senior appearances have been terrible this year. But as they say if you throw a bunch of darts at a board, one is eventually going to land.

Glad Tomlinson got another game. We’ve won our last 14 games in a row with the May/Lever/Tomo combo dating back to the last 2 games of 2020. I know the boys on the DL podcast say that May and Lever prefer Petty over Tomo but the raw win/loss stat suggests that this combo works.

Dunstan by a fair way on form atm BBP.  Also goes pretty well inside, especially at distributing to players well outside the inner ring by hand which opens up the lanes and looks coming inisde 50.

Nice pick up on the May / Lever / Tomo combo.

Prior to his knee going against North in 21 that was the go to line up.  Just got unlucky imv.

Is now back to career best form.

12 hours ago, Damo said:

I have lost faith in Petty this year. Im not surprised its just me BTW. But after one half of good football so far this whole year, why does he again get picked?

Yes, he should be under more scrutiny 

3 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I think you have misread what I wrote, Smith to get a full game up fwd with JVR and Petty can be the sub.

Can't see how Smith can contimue to be a dynamic sub if he doesn't get the occasional full game to maintain touch, form, match fitness & confidence in them.

Edited July 27, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

10 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Brown being dropped 5 weeks prior to finals is not a good sign for him. I'm disappointed - I really hoped he could get himself going and be the key forward we really need. 

Either Petty or Smith gets his spot, presumably Petty. IMO, Petty has to make it as a forward because Tomlinson deserves to hold his spot over Petty in the backline.

I'm also disappointed that Dunstan can't get a game over Harmes. I feel like we've seen enough of Harmes in 2023 and we had moved past what he had to offer. I hope he proves me wrong, and I can understand the FD being reluctant to bring in Dunstan who hasn't played all year, but I just feel this isn't the right move.

Me too. Have been holding a lot of hope that he would finally get going after showing some really signs before the Crows games. He didn't seem to be moving well in his last match.

It's definitely not the time of the year one wants to get dropped.  Not unreasonable to assume his season is finished. 

But is great to see Tommo rewarded for his hard work. Has done well to fight back ( again) after being dropped from the team that beat Collingwood.

Interesting that Hibbo is back in. Have no idea who would make way for him. Clearly Harmes comes in  for Sparrow. Spargo too is interesting as it's not like Chandler and Kozzie are on thin ice anymore.

Which leaves us with with Petty and Grundy. Does the inclusion of Petty with Tommo mean Petty is back forward? And then what does Grundy do....spend time in the ruck again?

Hard to figure what will happen with these new soldiers.

I do feel bad for Bbb. He looks somewhat hampered by injuries. Also at this stage of the season I don't think we will see Tmac again. In fact given his last two seasons, I would not be surprised if Tom hung up his boots.

 

 

Edited July 27, 20231 yr by leave it to deever

9 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yep adds structure !

I don't say this often Picket but I'm with you. I think having Brown has straightened us up and I felt like the goals were coming. I'm not sold on Petty forward, but Tommo has been in ripper form and deserves his spot so I can see from the POV of the selection committee that they want Petty in the 22.

But we need Petty to become a consistent 1-2 goal a game player if we're sacrificing the forward craft experience that we get from Brown.

I'm willing to back this move and turning a negative into a positive at least we have players to come in and out that we know can do a job if needs be. Plus Melksham has been turning back the clock with this late season run, if Fritta gets fit prior to finals and we throw him in I personally have the mix as follows:

Chandler Petracca Melk

Fritta JVR Kozzie

Obviously the spots will change, I then have Petty/Brown coming off the bench to rotate with JVR. I have a bad feeling for Tommo that the selection committee are waiting for one bad game and then he's back to Casey. It's so harsh and I hope that it isn't that black and white, but Petty is a natural defender, I think that where they want him for finals.

Also just an aside, Smith has become the super sub. Two weeks in a row he has come on and made an immediate impact (though he needed to celebrate that "touched" goal harder, if the soft call had been on our side it would've been given!).

10 hours ago, SPC said:

Would Hibbo come in and Riv play midfield minutes? Petty for Brown. Not sure how, but love to see Smith in the 22. 

The Rivers in the midfield would make the Hibbo selection understandable. Hope it happens. Petty forward would account for him in the same team as Tommo. I don't get where Spargo would fit in and Grundy not forward brings everything back to square one. Although Gawn needs some relief.