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PREGAME: Rd 20 vs Richmond

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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On 7/26/2023 at 10:18 PM, dee-tox said:

Think I'd have Woey or Tomo as sub way before Harmes. Harmes is having a annus horribilis! Can't see him on the list next year.

What's the deal with Dunstan. Is he injured or not performing?

 

 
1 hour ago, Demon Dynasty said:

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.

 

I would've gone Dunstan as well but given Harmes is on the extended bench he may be the replacement for Sparrow.

13 hours ago, IRW said:

Apparently Grundy is so good that  he learnt forward craft in one week at Casey and a practise match.

Put that in ya hat Bucks

 

 

Can we please accept that Grundy will be picked every week between now and the end of the season either as part of the extended squad for Sunday games or as an emergency for Friday/Saturday games. We always need to have a back-up ruckman in the squad to replace Gawn should the unthinkable happen and Gawn has to pull out on game day. 

I assume Petty will replace Brown, although Smith might be wondering what more does he have to do as sub to take that spot. I hope Hibberd plays and Rivers is moved into the midfield to replace Sparrow. We know what Harmes is capable of in that role already. We don't really know if Rivers can do it or not. Now's the time to find out. 

    • Like 2
     
    17 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    Can we please accept that Grundy will be picked every week between now and the end of the season either as part of the extended squad for Sunday games or as an emergency for Friday/Saturday games. We always need to have a back-up ruckman in the squad to replace Gawn should the unthinkable happen and Gawn has to pull out on game day. 

    I assume Petty will replace Brown, although Smith might be wondering what more does he have to do as sub to take that spot. I hope Hibberd plays and Rivers is moved into the midfield to replace Sparrow. We know what Harmes is capable of in that role already. We don't really know if Rivers can do it or not. Now's the time to find out. 

    Most likely Petty for Brown and Harmes for Sparrow though.

    They might select Hibberd and rest McVee, there might be some concern about McVee getting beaten in successive weeks by Rankine then Dusty. It will be interesting to see.

    I'd like to see Smith for Woewodin to add more forward defensive pressure and aerial threat but I doubt we'll see it.

    I think Grundy comes in for a small when Clarrie comes back.

    • Like 1
    14 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Dunstan had a choice between the Dees, Gold Coast and the Bombers.

    So the obvious choice was us.

    Hes already had more success with us than before.

    It's not up to us to red carpet his ascension.... he has to show there's a reason. 

    For some players the Magoos is fertile ground... the Seniors....gets a tad barren. 

    Some sorta exist in that space in between. He is one such. That's  not a slight...just a an 'is' 

    He may yet get another crack. Who knows.

    He's not really a problem...he's a standby fix it.  Kudos to the lad for application. 


    Interesting changes and non-changes again.

    I'm also in the Brown camp that I was hoping he'd come good but obviously a liability. I do think he adds us structure though and you can see that by his leading patterns, a lot of his work is underrated. He may not kick goals but he does draw defenders to vulnerable positions which opens things up for Petracca, Melksham and Pickett and his leads are mostly in that high percentage area in front, not on the boundary.

    Petty forward doesn't excite me and I don't see the hype here, he's a key part of our defence. Desperation stakes trying to turn a key back into a forward when they're so valuable to our defence.

    I thought I'd seen the last of Harmes tbh and Spargo, who is another who is overrated by some. He used to make good decisions but is a rabbit in the headlights this year. Dunstan deserved his chance, he's there to cover a Sparrow or Viney. I guess the writing is on the wall for him.

    Grundy can't have learned "forward craft" in one VFL game. Goodwin just playing the media with naming him each week.

    Anyway, the team selection continue to puzzle weekly. I would not think Hibberd is an automatic selection either.

    Almost see it as some sanity by the FD..

    The backline aint broke....dont fix it ;)

    Sparrow needs replacing...so is...

    Fwd line...still needs to gel

    Brown can play ...make no mistake... but he's fighting his own body..   He'll,  i think, become the go to replacement should things go a bit pear shaped.

    So... Petty in...  needs to cement that spot... finals ARE closing.

    Dees by 3/4 goals... 

    • Like 3
     

    As some previous posters have mentioned , I am in the Petty in forward (wouldn't be upset if it's smith) Hibbo back rivers more midfield minutes.

    • Like 1
    On 7/23/2023 at 7:24 PM, DemonWA said:

    Hunter won't be dropped. Having a brilliant season imo. 

    Hibbo is a good in. But won't be for a tall.  Probably comes in for Bowzer or McVee?  Both stiff. 

    Interested to see if Grundy comes back this week or next. If he does, does Roo come out or BBBB? I think we can only play with 2 of 3 in the team.  

    I have to agree with this. Hunter has been strong this season and we got him for nothing.

    • Like 1

    23 minutes ago, SFebes said:

    Grundy can't have learned "forward craft" in one VFL game. Goodwin just playing the media with naming him each week.

    Anyway, the team selection continue to puzzle weekly. I would not think Hibberd is an automatic selection either.

    As posted above, Grundy is named on the extended bench in case Max gets an injury ahead of the game and he needs to come in.  Are you happy to personally pay the fine if we have to bring in someone not named?

    • Like 1
    16 minutes ago, old55 said:

    As posted above, Grundy is named on the extended bench in case Max gets an injury ahead of the game and he needs to come in.  Are you happy to personally pay the fine if we have to bring in someone not named?

    I'm aware of that. There are also loads of examples where this doesn't happen as well.

    I am hoping to see:

    Hibberd for Sparrow; Rivers play midfield

    Smith for Wowoedin

    Petty for Brown

    Wowoedin sub

    • Like 5
    8 minutes ago, SFebes said:

    I'm aware of that. There are also loads of examples where this doesn't happen as well.

    It's the most straightforward explanation though and is fully consistent with how MFC operates following AFL rules e.g. Jordon not coming on in the 21 GF.  Why say "Goodwin just playing the media with naming him each week." when there's a simpler more obvious explanation?

    • Like 4
    • Love 1

    Gus effectively took what could have been Dunstan's spot in the middle. 

    I've said it before but it must be deflating knowing that no matter how well you perform at VFL level, it will only be an injury or in this case 2 or 3, that would see you promoted.

    I still see major issues with the selection process and integrity. Petty should be made to prove his worth at VFL level. 

    • Like 1

    It's gotta be Petty up forward surely? Looking forward to it. Would be nice to clunk a few. 

    • Like 1
    11 hours 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.

    Think he's been involved in promising moments since his return but any forward not troubling the scoreboard will have an issue keeping their spot. 

    Do love BBB but stylistically he doesn't always gel with the team.

     

     

    2 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

    What's the deal with Dunstan. Is he injured or not performing?

     

    Getting a lot of the ball at Casey.

    • Thanks 1
    11 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

    Gus effectively took what could have been Dunstan's spot in the middle. 

    I've said it before but it must be deflating knowing that no matter how well you perform at VFL level, it will only be an injury or in this case 2 or 3, that would see you promoted.

    I still see major issues with the selection process and integrity. Petty should be made to prove his worth at VFL level. 

    Yeah I'm a little miffed with this one, Dunstan was the logical choice. 

    Eyes will be on Harmsey, hope he can answer the critics. 

    • Like 1
    13 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

    Gus effectively took what could have been Dunstan's spot in the middle. 

    I've said it before but it must be deflating knowing that no matter how well you perform at VFL level, it will only be an injury or in this case 2 or 3, that would see you promoted.

    I still see major issues with the selection process and integrity. Petty should be made to prove his worth at VFL level. 

    Dunstan's is really cover for Viney. I doubt we would want to play both in the same side.

    • Like 3

    Our forward line finally starts scoring with some consistency and we drop Brown. 🙄 If we're judging purely on goals and marks, then clearly he is struggling. If we're judging on how the forward line has been functioning as a unit in the past fortnight, then the decision is just plain dumb. Petty at least is a reasonably straight swap, although his form and fitness are a major concern. Smith for Brown would represent yet another structural change, which is getting ridiculous at this time of year.

    I too would have liked to see Dunstan get a run, even more so now that Sparrow is out. We can't keep asking Viney to carry this midfield each week, and Dunstan can at least share the load. Our midfield looks very light on now, even if Harmes does come in.

    I called for Hibberd to replace McVee earlier in the week, and hope that change happens. I can't see any reason to bring in either Grundy or Spargo, either now or prior to the end of the season.

     

    21 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

    Gus effectively took what could have been Dunstan's spot in the middle. 

    I've said it before but it must be deflating knowing that no matter how well you perform at VFL level, it will only be an injury or in this case 2 or 3, that would see you promoted.

    I still see major issues with the selection process and integrity. Petty should be made to prove his worth at VFL level. 

    We know what Petty can do. What benefit is VFL time going to have? 

    He has been thrown around even more than Gus this season. He’s taken it in his stride and performed well between all the injuries he’s had to deal with. He is best 22, and is underrated. 

    The selection integrity would be even worse if we dropped Tomlinson yet again, when he’s come in and proven he can still perform multiple times, while we scream for a key forward.

    I understand the frustration for Dunstan, but as you say, Gus took over that role, and has performed it very well. 

    I think if Viney was injured Dunstan would play. Simple as that. But Sparrow and Dunstan are very different players, as is Clarry and Dunstan.
    They’re both far more dynamic, they have better acceleration, use the ball better and Sparrow often spends time forward of the contest. Harmes is far more like for like in that regard, even tho Harmes has had an ordinary season, and I would argue is unlikely to be at the club next year. 

    Top 2 is on the line. Now isn’t the time to reward players we feel bad for. Now is the time to play best available and win as many games as possible. I expect Woewodin to make way fairly soon after a taste, likewise Harmes and Melksham. When Clarry, Sparrow and Fritta are available, they’ll get picked even if others are performing well. It’s not always fair, but that’s the downside of being a good team.

    • Like 5
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    1 hour ago, JackVineyNo1Fan said:

    I have to agree with this. Hunter has been strong this season and we got him for nothing.

    I sit on the Lachie Hunter wing - as opposed to the southern stand Ed Langdon wing, so watch him close up.  Some sublime disposals last week,  always thinking steps ahead of oppo. Not afraid of approaching tacklers.  Great pick up. 

    Edited by Demon17

    • Like 6
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    49 minutes ago, layzie said:

    Yeah I'm a little miffed with this one, Dunstan was the logical choice. 

    Eyes will be on Harmsey, hope he can answer the critics. 

    I don't think Harmes will be picked.

    My guess is the interchange bench will be

    Charlie Spargo
    Michael Hibberd
    Harrison Petty
    Judd McVee

    And Smithy will be the sub.

    • Like 4

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