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PREGAME: Rd 21 vs North Melbourne

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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Reckon we need to get Smith a full game, he's a fantastic sub and think he's nailed that role and will do that very well in finals, but in the last 4 weeks he's played 17%, 32%, 21% and 40% game time. I hate for this to continue and then he's called upon very early in a final and isn't able to run out a full game. 

I also think now would be a good time to give McVee a week off, it's a lot for a first year player to get through a full season, and better to rest him now right for finals.

So no wholesale changes (barring injury), but maybe McVee (rest) for Hibbo, Harmes for Sparrow and Smith full game and Melk (for resting purposes) to sub (then swing either Smith or Petty back when he comes on - just to practice this scenario). I know Melk has been great over the last 4 games but he's the 2nd oldest on the list and could do with a freshen up. Tempted to rest May or bring Smith in for Tomlinson, but I think the May/Lever/Tomo combo needs as much time together as possible. 

    • Like 7
     
    4 hours ago, Nasher said:

    Everyone aged between 32 and 40 just went “oof”.

    39 represent ;)

    You young people haven't got a ........

    ....... what was the question? 🤔 

    • Haha 3
     

    I'm thinking possibly no change but if ready to go Sparrow for Woey.

    I was at that game. Dont recall it being a massacre.   arghhhh

    I do remember Norff were kicking goals from every angle.

    In the GF they couldnt hit the side of a barn. Crows fell into the premiership.  Total farce of a finals series. Crows thrashed in Elimination final by us and won the flag.

    • Like 2

    6 minutes ago, Deebauched said:

    I was at that game. Dont recall it being a massacre.   arghhhh

    I do remember Norff were kicking goals from every angle.

    In the GF they couldnt hit the side of a barn. Crows fell into the premiership.  Total farce of a finals series. Crows thrashed in Elimination final by us and won the flag.

    Nah that scoreline was from the good old days of 2013 at Dockland when we got splifflicated. 

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

    I think this is the week to rest Max and Viney, but I get it probably won’t happen. The Burgess/Griffith method appears to be to manage players via training loads primarily and have them play as many games as they’re not actually injured for. 

    I’d still think sticking Max on a return flight to Hobart to play one of the worst 2 teams in the comp is unnecessary. Viney I think should still have a week, he’s had to come to the bench for attention to his right shoulder in multiple games and I wouldn’t want to see it get worse, admittedly I don’t know what the damage is so maybe there’s nothing for it and he might as well play. 

    Would be good week to give Smith a full game, imo for Tomlinson who wasn’t great in the second half of the Crows game and not good for much of the Tiges game either. See if Smith has 4 quarters of concentration in him. 

    • Like 1

    Max has put in 2 fantastic performances. Why on earth would you rest him and jeopardise his form. If he was in bad form and looked tired, fair enough, but that’s not the case at all. 

     
    29 minutes ago, BDA said:

    Max has put in 2 fantastic performances. Why on earth would you rest him and jeopardise his form. If he was in bad form and looked tired, fair enough, but that’s not the case at all. 

    “Jeopardise his form”? Please, he’s the best ruckman in the comp. What’s he going to get out of playing potatoes in freezing Hobart that he can’t get running around at Casey. Admittedly Goldy isn’t a spud but let the mids earn their kicks for a week and bring him back for the last 3 into finals. 

    We need him firing for a month from the QF onwards, we don’t need him firing against Norf in August. What absolutely must be avoided is a repeat of 2022 when he couldn’t run or get off the ground and we got rolled in straight sets. 

    • Like 3
    8 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

    “Jeopardise his form”? Please, he’s the best ruckman in the comp. What’s he going to get out of playing potatoes in freezing Hobart that he can’t get running around at Casey. Admittedly Goldy isn’t a spud but let the mids earn their kicks for a week and bring him back for the last 3 into finals. 

    We need him firing for a month from the QF onwards, we don’t need him firing against Norf in August. What absolutely must be avoided is a repeat of 2022 when he couldn’t run or get off the ground and we got rolled in straight sets. 

    I know all that Einstein. why give him a break when he obviously doesn't need one is my point. 

    So big brain, why do you think he needs a break after playing his 2 best games of the year? 


    11 minutes ago, BDA said:

    I know all that Einstein. why give him a break when he obviously doesn't need one is my point. 

    So big brain, why do you think he needs a break after playing his 2 best games of the year? 

    Feel free to read my last 2 posts on the matter, unless you’re hard of braining it should be pretty clear why I think this is the week to rest him.

    I also said I don’t think the club is going to do it because that’s not the performance philosophy but your big brain might’ve skipped that bit. 

    3 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

    Feel free to read my last 2 posts on the matter, unless you’re hard of braining it should be pretty clear why I think this is the week to rest him.

    I also said I don’t think the club is going to do it because that’s not the performance philosophy but your big brain might’ve skipped that bit. 

    You think he can't handle a return flight to Tassy. 

    Righteo 

    2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    This thread is starting to get a tad nasty. Let's keep it positive. After all, we seem to be coming good at the right time

    Someone give me a knife to cut through all this tostesterone! 

     

    Deliberate misspell, don't call police. 

     

    • Haha 2

    Come on lads lets leave the infighting to the Collingwoods and Carltons

    Max might rest or he might play. Both can be good outcomes. Lets just see how it plays out :)

    Edited by Young Blood

    • Like 2

    18 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

    Tom Morris reporting that Oliver could be back!!!!! Giddy up!!!!

    Interesting! He has excellent sources so may be some truth in it!

    I wouldn't be believing anything about Oliver returning unless it comes from the club...... oh wait 😜

    Edited by Young Blood

    • Haha 2
    29 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

    Tom Morris reporting that Oliver could be back!!!!! Giddy up!!!!

    Didn't Goody say in his presser that he's still another week away?

    • Like 1

    For all the talk of "resting", AFL players rarely get rested unless they have niggles or specific set of circumstances (lynch rarely flew to perth iirc, Geelong's geriatrics). Maybe I'm naive or not paying enough attention but they almost never get rested because they are young or for cotton wool purposes.  They typically get 'rested' thorough managed game time.   Goody also mentioned Gawn is fresher this year in his presser. Be shocked if the captain didn't play.

    • Like 1

    Goody just said Oliver is doubtful for this week but should be right the week after.

    • Thanks 1
    14 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Goody just said Oliver is doubtful for this week but should be right the week after.

    I learnt the hard way not to believe Goodwin when he tells me Oliver should be right in week x 😂

     

    Another poster mentioned resting Mcvee. Imo he's a lock for defence in finals but needs careful management till then. It's been a big year for him. Hopefully FD are looking out for him in this regard.

    4 hours ago, OhMyDees said:

    Nah that scoreline was from the good old days of 2013 at Dockland when we got splifflicated. 

    The date is a giveaway as was the Rnd 18. 27 Jul was a Saturday in 2013.

    For me what first looked suspect was 3G. Telstra launched 3G in 2005….


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