But surprised Tmac not tried  before the finals… 

I think we can find out what TMac offers at Casey. It's about his mobility and ability to jump. We know what he can do at AFL level if these are up to scratch.

We also know what Tomlinson gives at AFL level and it's not ideal. Now is the time to see if D.Turner can give more, we can't find that out playing him more at Casey. We need to see him at AFL level.

We're going for a tall Fritsch for a small Laurie - so the sub will be a small.

9 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

Melbourne hadn’t won a flag for quite a while before ‘21. Do you think they were “worried” about the other teams going into those finals  

We’re talking about elite athletes in professional organisations here, not “The Karate Kid”. All the contenders know that on the right day, it’s theirs to win. 
 

 

No other team knows what its like to win a flag.  We do. 

That's a big advantage in the big dance. 

If we played Richmond in 21 that would have changed the players minds and whether they could win or not. 

It's called human nature. You may not be familiar with it. 

 

And any mental edge we can get we should drive it home.  Finals me with teams' heads. 

 

Imagine playing the Lions on GF day. We would have an edge

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by jnrmac

26 minutes ago, Demonsone said:

But surprised Tmac not tried  before the finals… 

Think be good to see a fwd line with one tall and melksham, fritsch and smith playing more mobile, question is if Gawn goes off jvr needs to ruck and we have no tall fwd 

1 minute ago, old55 said:

I think we can find out what TMac offers at Casey. It's about his mobility and ability to jump. We know what he can do at AFL level if these are up to scratch.

We also know what Tomlinson gives at AFL level and it's not ideal. Now is the time to see if D.Turner can give more, we can't find that out playing him more at Casey. We need to see him at AFL level.

We're going for a tall Fritsch for a small Laurie - so the sub will be a small.

I suggest that Schache will again be sub. This gives versatility as we can then move Smith back iif need be.

1 hour ago, deelusions from afar said:

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.

 

I'll admit to being pro Thommo - that said even though he lost a pace or two post ACL recovery, I reckon it's beyond harsh to equate his lack of speed to that of BBB - and what Thommo lacks iin agility is more than compensated for  by his high end reading of the play IQ. Hope he's rewarded with a finals berth.

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by Diamond Tim

T Mac needs another full game. if he performs at casey he is a genuine chance for the QF. 

Tommo will come in for May. late change. surely 

3 minutes ago, DubDee said:

T Mac needs another full game. if he performs at casey he is a genuine chance for the QF. 

Tommo will come in for May. late change. surely 

If the game has no consequence on where we finish there could be 4-5 more chances 

l hope so anyway 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

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.

TOTALLY DISAGREE played 1 game last year, I haven't noticed him at all at Casey and he replaces Tomlinson in round 24??? THIS WILL BE A DISASTER! Mark my words🫣

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by picket fence

3 minutes ago, Billy said:

If the game has no consequence on where we finish there could be 4-5 more chances 

l hope so anyway 

if no pre finals bye yes but you don’t too many having 3 weeks between games

13 minutes ago, Cyclops said:

I suggest that Schache will again be sub.

He's not among the four emergencies, of whom one will be the sub.

Turner has been tried twice and failed both times. I think he will make it eventually but IMV this should NOT be tried at this stage. I wish Tommo was in - the defence just functions better when he is in the side.

And i really hope -and expect - that we will be trying our absolute hardest on Sunday, regardless of other results. Winning form is good form and you want that coming into the finals. And i want our players to truly believe the mantra: any team, any time, anywhere.

7 minutes ago, picket fence said:

TOTALLY DISAGREE played 1 game last year, I haven't noticed him at all at Casey and he replaces Tomlinson in round 24??? THIS WILL BE A DISASTER! Mark my words🫣

Not sure how a 22nd man selected can be the difference between disaster and not regardless of what you think of either of them.

IN :  The Apprenticeship... !

 

 

 

(Fritta & Turner)

Maybe a few players might get ‘awareness’ that needs to be managed….that is, awareness of other results….

11 minutes ago, picket fence said:

TOTALLY DISAGREE played 1 game last year, I haven't noticed him at all at Casey and he replaces Tomlinson in round 24??? THIS WILL BE A DISASTER! Mark my words🫣

Yeah coming from a guy who made a similar prediction re Petty as a forward. 

17 minutes ago, picket fence said:

TOTALLY DISAGREE played 1 game last year, I haven't noticed him at all at Casey and he replaces Tomlinson in round 24??? THIS WILL BE A DISASTER! Mark my words🫣

Is this because you have had your head stuck somewhere?

1 hour 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.

 

He is slow and has no speed off the mark or any lateral movement left. FD doesn’t like it as it makes him a liability when he can’t outmark his opponent, and is easily exposed by the opposition. 
 

I personally really like Tommo and I think he has a role to play and more than likely will still play finals if we meet the likes of Port or Brisbane who have a plethora of tall forwards. 
 

I feel really bad for him because he works so hard and tries his guts out when he plays, and we generally look good defensively when he is in the side (as your stats prove). But I guess we have to back the FD in their judgement.
 

And good luck to Turner. He has had a serious baptism of fire in his first 3 games. I think the note on Casboult is unfair. That was a shocking match up in terms of weight/strength. Turner will be better suited to the leaner Sydney talls than Casboult who is just a massive crash and bash forward. 

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by Jaded No More

34 minutes ago, Cyclops said:

I suggest that Schache will again be sub. This gives versatility as we can then move Smith back iif need be.

Except he's not in the 26 so it's going to be tricky for him.

@Demonstone miles ahead of me ...

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by old55

I’m going to channel Binman here and give a positive spin.

Perhaps Turner can be our Bowey of ‘23 and go on a winning streak to the flag? Goody and co must see something in him and I’ve never really been sold on Tomlinson this year.

Tmac to be the sub.

In better news, the Sydney weather has done a 180 and the weather looks perfect for Sunday!

29 minutes ago, picket fence said:

TOTALLY DISAGREE played 1 game last year, I haven't noticed him at all at Casey and he replaces Tomlinson in round 24??? THIS WILL BE A DISASTER! Mark my words🫣

I think we know how this ends 

He’ll get 24 touches at 75%, take 8 marks and gain 400 metres

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by Roost it far

This is a team designed not for this week, but the QF most likely vs Pies. 
I like it.

Go Demons..!

Edited August 25, 20231 yr by PaulRB

25 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

Turner has been tried twice and failed both times.

I'm pretty sure he was injured during his first game and concussed in his second. I suspect the club may have tried him earlier had he not broken his wrist/arm/hand. It's a little surprising, but he gives us more speed and mobility than Tommo.

You guys got to stop overrating Tommo.

I got my ins right great move to drop Tommo and bring in Disco he's a lot better player. Surprised McDonald didn't get a go and Smith sub but I suppose it's Laurie's turn to be sub.