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PREGAME: Rd 24 vs Sydney

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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35 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

I like Turner and know nothing of him. What’s to like? For those in the know, what are his best attributes?

FWIW, May has looked proppy on and off throughout the last 4 months… good to have a week without collisions for him.

I’d say he’s already an elite reader of the play, has strong hands, serviceable kick. As said, he’s not May’s replacement,  I think that role goes to Tomlinson. He’s a best 22 player but we have a stacked defence. We are likely seeing our next Lever but I think Turner’s a better mark. Must keep.

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    If May doesn't get up then a good 1 weeks rest for a 31 year old will have him cherry ripe for finals.

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    Can someone with far better footy knowledge than I explain why Tomlinson keeps getting dropped.

    We haven't lost a game with the May/Lever/Tomlinson combo since since September 2020 and further to that, we have a  21-4 record since round 17 2020 when Tomlinson plays in the side.

    Are the above stats an anomaly and he's therefore a complete liability in the side, or is he getting harshly treated at selection?

    Do I need to get over it and accept that he's a BOG ordinary footballer, not withstanding that he allows Lever to be an intercept king.

    I note that his replacement for this side got towelled up by Levi Casboult of all people in his one and only appearance this year. Hopefully he makes a better fist of it this weekend.

     

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    9 minutes ago, demoncat said:

    Fritsch and Disco in

    Laurie and Tomlinson out

    Inside intel, or is your server just quicker?... asking for a friend.

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    6 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

    Inside intel, or is your server just quicker?... asking for a friend.

    Up on the AFL app

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    4 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    Can someone with far better footy knowledge than I explain why Tomlinson keeps getting dropped.

    We haven't lost a game with the May/Lever/Tomlinson combo since since September 2020 and further to that, we have a  21-4 record since round 17 2020 when Tomlinson plays in the side.

    Are the above stats an anomaly and he's therefore a complete liability in the side, or is he getting harshly treated at selection?

    Do I need to get over it and accept that he's a BOG ordinary footballer, not withstanding that he allows Lever to be an intercept king.

    I note that his replacement for this side got towelled up by Levi Casboult of all people in his one and only appearance this year. Hopefully he makes a better fist of it this weekend.

     

    Not because I have better knowledge or anything but I’m guessing maybe Tomlinson is needed at Casey this weekend for the wild card. Not much need in Sydney. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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    8 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    Can someone with far better footy knowledge than I explain why Tomlinson keeps getting dropped.

    We haven't lost a game with the May/Lever/Tomlinson combo since since September 2020 and further to that, we have a  21-4 record since round 17 2020 when Tomlinson plays in the side.

    Are the above stats an anomaly and he's therefore a complete liability in the side, or is he getting harshly treated at selection?

    Do I need to get over it and accept that he's a BOG ordinary footballer, not withstanding that he allows Lever to be an intercept king.

    I note that his replacement for this side got towelled up by Levi Casboult of all people in his one and only appearance this year. Hopefully he makes a better fist of it this weekend.

     

    His role allows Lever to be Lever and May to be May. The problem though is he is only ok in his direct role. He gives what he has but plays in straight lines and is reactionary so is led to the ball by his player. Turner can play the same role on more players unless they have serious bulk advantage (like Casboult did and like McKay would have). Turner same height, has speed and better natural read but is lighter. Turner has dominated at VFL level pre and post injury not just in stats but impact. In my view for the teams we are likely to play in September I would think Disco gives us more options. Granted it is a risk to bring someone new into the system this late in the year. 

    Edited by Lil_red_fire_engine

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    5 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    Can someone with far better footy knowledge than I explain why Tomlinson keeps getting dropped.

    We haven't lost a game with the May/Lever/Tomlinson combo since since September 2020 and further to that, we have a  21-4 record since round 17 2020 when Tomlinson plays in the side.

    Are the above stats an anomaly and he's therefore a complete liability in the side, or is he getting harshly treated at selection?

    Do I need to get over it and accept that he's a BOG ordinary footballer, not withstanding that he allows Lever to be an intercept king.

    I note that his replacement for this side got towelled up by Levi Casboult of all people in his one and only appearance this year. Hopefully he makes a better fist of it this weekend.

     

    Agree it seems harsh - I think it's because he can get exposed for pace / agility?  Like BBB he's a monty to get subbed out when we need run in the second half... but that creates problems if someone else goes down before then.

    Part of me wonders whether this role will be played in finals by Tomlinson / Turner depending on matchups.  

    They could also have Tmac as the sub if they wanted to give him a go as well - though I would have thought they'd like to see him forward moreso than back?  Still a lot of questions

    • Like 1

    Cripps and Docherty out for Carlton.

    If Carlton loses by about 4 goals, St.Kilda loses and Sydney wins by about 4 goals - Sydney can leapfrog both into 5th.

    Expect Sydney to be motivated.

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    1 minute ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

    In my view for the teams we are likely to play in September I would think Disco gives us more options. Granted it is a risk to bring someone new into the system this late in the year. 

    Agree !

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    TMac as sub?!? More versatile as he can play back and forward but no speed there…

    irdk …

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    Keen for the sko 

    My guess is that this is almost our finals line up.

    TMac v Smith and to a lesser degree Tomlinson v Turner are still open

    Laurie, Spargo, Smith with the outlier of Taj W fighting for the role of sub

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    7 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

    Disco Disco 

    Bold move at this stage of the season, but I like it. 

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    Assume Laurie will be sub, perhaps Woewodin. Can't see McDonald or Tomlinson filling the role but we did have Schache last week so you never know.

    McDonald would be better off getting a solid game under his belt at Casey.

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    Well the “Goodwin is too conservative at selection” club haven’t had much to bond over lately. 

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    8 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

    Bold move at this stage of the season, but I like it. 

    I’m a fan of it also. I don’t think Tomlinson will be at the Dees next year, so get Disco up to speed.  

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    Did not see the Disco selection coming this late in the season, but kudos. Goodwin I guess signalled it with Tomo being subbed twice. Disco is far superior in the air and quicker. Courageous call.

     

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    I think it's clear that the the tall defender set up is preferred to allow May and Lever to maximise their skill set. Tomlinson has been played out of necessity to maintain that after Petty went down. Smith hasn't got fantastic footy IQ and seems to get lost in defence unless trailling a specific opponent. 

    Obviously there is something in Tomlinson that the footy department doesn't like that potentially exposes us. @Nudge suggested it was speed off the mark and I agree that his overall athleticism can leave him exposed, particularly on transition.

    Keen to see what Turner can do, reads the play as well as anyone in our team at VFL level. Only concern is his overall strength in a 1v1 contest for mine and his ability to adapt to AFL pace.

     

    Edited by Nascent

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