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Team heading into finals



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30 minutes ago, old55 said:

Yes very impressed with what JVR has done but I just feel that a tall forward set of JVR, Smith and Gawndy is a stretch for the flag, even with Fritsch there.

TMac just gives some experience and forward craft, but I acknowledge it's going to be hard for him to get back and get firing by finals' time, he does start slow after injury. Maybe it's impossible. I don't think BBB can deliver for us.

If not TMac then like I said, JVR. I had him in my line-up until I made a final edit for the reasons above.  

I’d like to see us try Melk and Fritsch in the same side. I think of the Hawks with Bruest and Gunston, both players hard to match up on and can be very dangerous around goals.

I agree regarding BBB, can’t fault his team first attitude and endeavour but unfortunately his body isn’t moving like it used to.

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  • Demonland changed the title to Looking into the dees 3/4 into the season.

11 hours ago, Smokey said:

I have Woey ahead of Spargo. 

Spargo's mind is as slow as mud when he takes a mark and his kick penetration is liabilty. Woey showing enough signs, and can kick a footy further than 30 metres. 

Woey currently gets lost in the zone and doesn't have the running power/capacity of Charlie.

I still like Charlie's game sense and ball use, but Woey's game sense and ball use has surprised me.

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Demonland has made the difficult decision to not to permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials.

We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.

Curious as to what everyone wants or how they think it should look come September -

 

All i know for certain is i want Fritsch and Oliver back which i am sure 100% do. 

 

Going out sadly is Taj unless he hits a rich vein of form between now and then.

 

Spargo V Chandler i am not sure about but i want ANB in there.

 

Benny Brown probably goes out unless he can get his fitness levels up

 

Smith as the substitute

 

JJ probably holds his place.

 

Not sure who else.

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Assuming a full squad to pick from, and no inury concerns, this is my best guess at the team Goody will run with come finals (as opposed to what i think should be the lineup):

 

FB 

Lever      May     McVee

HB

Rivers      Petty     Salem

Centre

Hunter    Oliver    Langdon

HFF

Neale-Bullen    Brown       Spargo

FF

Pickett       Fritsch     Chandler  

 FOLL

Gawn     Viney     Petracca

INT

Grundy  Bowey   Sparrow  Brayshaw

SUB

Smith


The obvious players missing out in that line up are Hibbo and JVR.

Hibbo is an interesting one.

On one hand his toughness, work rate and leadership would be super important in finals. But his short kicking to a target is a weakness, and turnovers in the back half are killers. May is a lock, but with him in the side we already have one sketchy short kicker - can we have two? 

And if Hibbo is selected, who comes out of the 23 listed above?

I reckon Hibbo is competing with Mcvee for the lock down defender on the oppo's best medium forward.

Mcvee has hibbo covered for kicking skills. Hibbo has Mcvee covered for strength, experience and leadership.

I put a lot of stock in the importance of kicking skills, particularly in the back half. Perhaps it will come down to who we are playing and the likely match up. 

It would be a big call not to play JVR, but atm, for all the excitement he brings, he is not impacting games enough and he's still a fair way off being able to hold down a key tall forward role in the heat of, say, a prelim final.

Which by the way is perfectly fine - he has only just turned 20 and he is at least 3 or 4 seasons away from being the finished product.  

If Brown isn't where he needs to be come finals in terms of fitness, strength etc then JVR comes in.

Edited by binman
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Hibberd has been instrumental this year, we are better with him in the side.

Probably too late to be throwing magnets around but with Bowey, Salem and Witness Protection in the backline already it is hard to fit him in.

But as @dazzledavey36 suggested (I think) Bowey in the forward line would be delightful and add much needed composure.

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8 minutes ago, binman said:

Assuming a full squad to pick, this is my best guess at the team Goody will run with come finals (as opposed to what i think should be the lineup):

 

FB 

Lever      May     McVee

HB

Rivers      Petty     Salem

Centre

Hunter    Oliver    Langdon

HFF

Neale-Bullen    Brown       Spargo

FF

Pickett       Fritsch     Chandler  

 FOLL

Gawn     Viney     Petracca

INT

Grundy  Bowey   Sparrow  Brayshaw

SUB

Smith


The obvious players missing out in that line up are Hibbo and JVR.

Hibbo is an interesting one.

On one hand his toughness, work rate and leadership would be super important in finals. But his short kicking to a target is a weakness, and turnovers in the back half are killers. May is a lock, but with him in the side we already have one sketchy short kicker - can we have two? 

And if Hibbo is selected, who comes out of the 23 listed above?

I reckon Hibbo is competing with Mcvee for the lock down defender on the oppo's best medium forward.

Mcvee has hibbo covered for kicking skills. Hibbo has Mcvee covered for strength, experience and leadership.

I put a lot of stock in the importance of kicking skills, particularly in the back half. Perhaps it will come down to who we are playing and the likely match up. 

It would be a big call not to play JVR, but atm, for all the excitement he brings, he is not impacting games enough and he's still a fair way off being able to hold down a key tall forward role in the heat of, say, a prelim final.

Which by the way is perfectly fine - he has only just turned 20 and he is at least 3 or 4 seasons away from being the finished product.  

If Brown isn't where he needs to be come finals in terms of fitness, strength etc then JVR comes in.

Im surprised Binman you have not considered Melksham in the best 22.

I like the flexibility he brings to the forward line and ability to hit the scoreboard. I know you're a fan of Spargo (and perhaps Goodwin as well) but I would find it hard to fathom Melksham having to make way for him (on current form).

 

Edited by Jibroni
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JVR showed more signs on Sunday than he has for weeks: he's more valuable than Brown.

I'd prefer Melksham to Spargo, much as I love Spargo: he's simply one small too many at the moment. 

The really unlucky Miss Out would be Tomlinson. He hasn't played a bad game, played more good ones than Petty.

Then again, these are decisions good teams are forced to make when it counts.

Edited by Monbon
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Too early

Chandler for example.. needs to have a good run of form

Will Fritsch be fit?

Melksham could have say 3 games of 3 goals or more... is he dropped

Smith?? Jordon? both possibles depending on form

JVR.... needs to show a little more in the next 5 games

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  • Grapeviney changed the title to Team heading into finals

What will our team look like in the matches heading into finals, if we already know we are playing Collingwood at the G by round 22-24. Do we approach the games differently and rest players or does the pre-finals bye already take care of that?

Edited by John Demonic
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32 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Hibberd has been instrumental this year, we are better with him in the side.

Probably too late to be throwing magnets around but with Bowey, Salem and Witness Protection in the backline already it is hard to fit him in.

But as @dazzledavey36 suggested (I think) Bowey in the forward line would be delightful and add much needed composure.

I might’ve missed it, but who is witness protection?

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32 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

Im surprised Binman you have not considered Melksham in the best 22.

I like the flexibility he brings to the forward line and ability to hit the scoreboard. I know you're a fan of Spargo (and perhaps Goodwin as well) but I would find it hard to fathom Melksham having to make way for him (on current form).

 

Completey different roles.

But if they want melk in, and spargs is the out they could rejig things to cover off elements of spargs role - for example use the utility types like sparrow to help cover the defensive, up and down the ground clicks spargo has to cover.

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38 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

Im surprised Binman you have not considered Melksham in the best 22.

I like the flexibility he brings to the forward line and ability to hit the scoreboard. I know you're a fan of Spargo (and perhaps Goodwin as well) but I would find it hard to fathom Melksham having to make way for him (on current form).

 

Where melk might have an edge is his ability to play as a defensive forward and negate key oppo intercept defenders like Moore/Murphy or even Quaynor (who is so important for the pies) at the pies, Andrews at the lions and Alir at Port.

That intercepting defender role has never been more important. So you're right melk must have a shot.

If goody does go with melk, I reckon spargs will be the unlucky one as we need a small, crumbing forward who can apply good pressure and kick goals.

And on that front, Chandler has spargs covered.

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15 minutes ago, binman said:

Where melk might have an edge is his ability to play as a defensive forward and negate key oppo intercept defenders like Moore/Murphy or even Quaynor (who is so important for the pies) at the pies, Andrews at the lions and Alir at Port.

That intercepting defender role has never been more important. So you're right melk must have a shot.

If goody does go with melk, I reckon spargs will be the unlucky one as we need a small, crumbing forward who can apply good pressure and kick goals.

And on that front, Chandler has spargs covered.

Yes Chandler for Spargo makes more sense particularly if we a play a small forward line. Melksham offers a point of difference which cant be taken for granted.

Edited by Jibroni
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23 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Not impressed by what JVR has done this year?

Sunday's game was probably his best. He ricked well when Gawn took a break and he took a few contested marks. The lad will be good....

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22 hours ago, old55 said:

TMac just gives some experience and forward craft, but I acknowledge it's going to be hard for him to get back and get firing by finals' time, he does start slow after injury. Maybe it's impossible. I don't think BBB can deliver for us.

If not TMac then like I said, JVR. I had him in my line-up until I made a final edit for the reasons above.  

Very difficult.

Should be ready for a run with Casey from Saturday week but unfortunately they have another bye which means the earliest he'll get on the park is Sunday 13th August vs the Blues at Ikon.

Maybe a slim chance provided he has no setbacks from there.

Edited by Demon Dynasty
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2 hours ago, binman said:

Assuming a full squad to pick from, and no inury concerns, this is my best guess at the team Goody will run with come finals (as opposed to what i think should be the lineup):

 

FB 

Lever      May     McVee

HB

Rivers      Petty     Salem

Centre

Hunter    Oliver    Langdon

HFF

Neale-Bullen    Brown       Spargo

FF

Pickett       Fritsch     Chandler  

 FOLL

Gawn     Viney     Petracca

INT

Grundy  Bowey   Sparrow  Brayshaw

SUB

Smith


The obvious players missing out in that line up are Hibbo and JVR.

Hibbo is an interesting one.

On one hand his toughness, work rate and leadership would be super important in finals. But his short kicking to a target is a weakness, and turnovers in the back half are killers. May is a lock, but with him in the side we already have one sketchy short kicker - can we have two? 

And if Hibbo is selected, who comes out of the 23 listed above?

I reckon Hibbo is competing with Mcvee for the lock down defender on the oppo's best medium forward.

Mcvee has hibbo covered for kicking skills. Hibbo has Mcvee covered for strength, experience and leadership.

I put a lot of stock in the importance of kicking skills, particularly in the back half. Perhaps it will come down to who we are playing and the likely match up. 

It would be a big call not to play JVR, but atm, for all the excitement he brings, he is not impacting games enough and he's still a fair way off being able to hold down a key tall forward role in the heat of, say, a prelim final.

Which by the way is perfectly fine - he has only just turned 20 and he is at least 3 or 4 seasons away from being the finished product.  

If Brown isn't where he needs to be come finals in terms of fitness, strength etc then JVR comes in.

Yep, that is probably the team.

Personally, I would pick Hibbo for Charlie Cameron, Rozee and Rankine.  McVee was slow to get up on the far wing and the ball stayed in for an Adelaide forward thrust.  He trailed his man in for one of their late goals; should have lit the afterburners; (yet still a player most teams would love have).  Bowey let Rozee run past him into the 50 for an easy mark (but again a player most teams would cherish) .  Both are drawn to the pack leaving their man to goal.

I would pick JVR for BBrown.  He is more of a marking threat than BBrown when he doesn't have a long run-up.

Based on how foot injuries have gone this year, Fritsch will probably miss.  So Melksham should stay with a greater scope to run not minding the CHB/3rd tall.

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3 hours ago, binman said:

Completey different roles.

But if they want melk in, and spargs is the out they could rejig things to cover off elements of spargs role - for example use the utility types like sparrow to help cover the defensive, up and down the ground clicks spargo has to cover.

I was about to say. Completely different roles. May as well say Lever is competing with Fritta.

Melksham is a medium forward who plays defensive forward role, while Spargo is a high half forward with good endurance and ball use.

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On 7/24/2023 at 10:27 PM, WERRIDEE said:

Seniors

B: McVee, May, Lever

HB: Salem, Petty, Rivers

C: Langdon, Oliver, Hunter

HF: Petracca, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, Grundy, Pickett

FOLL: Gawn, Brayshaw, Viney

IC: Bowey, Sparrow, Woewodin, Chandler

SUB: Melksham

 

Reserves

B: D.Smith, Tomlinson, Adams

HB: Howes, D.Turner, Hibberd

C: Laurie, Dunstan, Sestan

HF: Melksham, McDonald, J.Smith

F: Schache, Brown, Spargo

FOLL: Verrall, Harmes, Jordon

IC: Moniz-Wakefield, Farris-White, K.Turner, Jefferson

 

Brown is really struggling I think it's only a matter of time before Grundy takes his spot. Chandler cemented his spot with 3 goals.

 

 

 

If picked on merit, I think there are a handful of Casey unlisted players that would sneak into Reserves team.

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My finals side (pending fitness) would be:

Back.                  Bowey.         May.            McVee

Half back.          Rivers.          Lever           Salem

Centre.              Hunter.         Oliver.          Langdon

Half forward.    Petracca       Grundy.       Pickett

Forward.           Van Rooyen  Fritsch.       Neal Bullen

Followers.         Gawn.           Brayshaw.   Viney

Interchange:     Petty            Sparrow.       Hibbert.       McDonald.       Sub.   Melksham

Emergency from:     Smith.        Woewodin.     Harmes.           Spargo.         Jordan.       Chandler.     Brown.     Tomlinson 

 

I'm not convinced TMac will be fit, if he's not, then Brown would be my in.  

Interesting problem to have, a fit list with so many that could be counted as best 22.  I feel bad for the ones not in......

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17 hours ago, Bystander said:

I would say mellksham before Spargo every day.

Many would no doubt agree.

But the key question is where goody stands on that front. 

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23 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

My finals side (pending fitness) would be:

Back.                  Bowey.         May.            McVee

Half back.          Rivers.          Lever           Salem

Centre.              Hunter.         Oliver.          Langdon

Half forward.    Petracca       Grundy.       Pickett

Forward.           Van Rooyen  Fritsch.       Neal Bullen

Followers.         Gawn.           Brayshaw.   Viney

Interchange:     Petty            Sparrow.       Hibbert.       McDonald.       Sub.   Melksham

Emergency from:     Smith.        Woewodin.     Harmes.           Spargo.         Jordan.       Chandler.     Brown.     Tomlinson 

 

I'm not convinced TMac will be fit, if he's not, then Brown would be my in.  

Interesting problem to have, a fit list with so many that could be counted as best 22.  I feel bad for the ones not in......

Do you think the team goody will pick, assuming no injuries, would be different to your team?

And if yes, who comes in and who goes out?

(Note: I'm not trying to be cute, it's just that they are two different questions ie who I would pick versus who I think goody will pick).

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39 minutes ago, binman said:

Do you think the team goody will pick, assuming no injuries, would be different to your team?

And if yes, who comes in and who goes out?

(Note: I'm not trying to be cute, it's just that they are two different questions ie who I would pick versus who I think goody will pick).

You've got a point.  I've put forward what I would select though.  Spargo last few games has been a bit off the boil, whereas Melksham has been on fire last couple of games.  I can't speak for Goodie, though, as I'm not him!

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