PREGAME: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda

[Travy14 1,917]

8 minutes ago, M_9 said:

No Hunter in my team. Has done little at Casey and not part of our future IMO.

Who cares about future, he is a solid AFL standard player.  We have a list that can push for top 4 this year, he is a part of that.

Our midfield is very thin after losing Dunstan, Harmes, Jordan.  Unfortunately our kids are too small, Hunter is a bigger body and has good ball use.  

We need a bit of stability and smarts in the middle of the ground, he is a better option than Billings.

[Young Angus 798]

I happen to agree...bring in Hunter ffs

[Deespicable 2,726]

There is always a game where you realise your side and list is not quite good enough to win a flag and this was it for me.

It was also a game where we all saw why we offered three first rounders (two last year, one this year) for Harley Reid which at the time I thought was exorbitant, but clearly was not given his match winning ability.

Based on Goody's post-game quotes, it appears that even Goody is aware that his list has flaws and he will need to tinker with things to give us a better shot at it. Some of the tinkers will come at the mid-season draft where Tubby Taylor should get two shots at unearthing players who could add something - replacements for Brayshaw and Joel Smith.

The others will be to his line-up for the Saints and while I reckon his conservative approach will see just three changes, he could make a statement and make up to five.

Clearly we missed both Langdon's run and Rooey's competitiveness and they are montes to come back.

And we will lose Lever.

Ben Brown's mobility at 31 means he is also out.

Jack Billings is tricky in that he is set to play his old side and will want to make a point. But I think we again saw when he again missed a set shot from close range that the mental side of his game has been ruined by being at the Saints for so long. Billings is a beautiful kick and has amazing vision, but sadly in front of goals he loses his mojo and he no longer has the line-breaking ability or the presence in tight. He was worth a try and for all those who think we got it wrong, please remember that Collingwood was also into him and could see the potential if he could overcome his mental gremlins.

Blake Howes has taken a huge step forward this year and being a quick defender (yes he was a winger last year) with good height he has the tools to make it. He has also now had a good taste of it and shown that he is almost there. But he now needs to go back for a few weeks and dominate at VFL level and take the game on more. As a medium defender with a long kick, he has to provide instant rebound and so far he's shown us that he can play pretty tight, but he lacks the physicality and the attacking presence.

Tom Sparrow is a goer. He works his butt off and he is genuinely a key member of our midfield grunt team. But he's just not impacting enough in the midfield transition and his link-up work lacks quality. It is time for a new role - some would say in the VFL, but I reckon he's so disciplined that a role down back beckons.

A few of questioned McAdam, but he's only played one game and deserves another shot at it. Complicating things is that Sestan, who can play the similar goal square lead-up role is ready to debut. Sestan's debut will have to wait but at least we have another option.

Chandler is another who needs a rethink. He's too small and not quite quick enough to be an explosive small forward against the good sides, but like Sparrow, he has an incredible attitude and his work ethic is top notch. He is also clever and has good vision and he can kick it a long way for a little bloke - to me he's ideal for our left-side wing.

I's time to try Bowey in a new role - to me he deserves a shot in our midfield or as a small forward, because if he gets it around the 50m mark he can go bang or is clever with his dink kicks. As a defender he's just not quite providing the drive we need and we want the ball in his hands because he can use it.

Finally the Petty situation is also tricky because aside from the Cats game, the switch forward has been a flop. Yet he's the one player who can mark it when he goes the big fly. With Lever out, he's ideal to have a week off forward duties and play the sweeper/intercept role on Owens. Tommo deserves a game but I don't see T.Mac being capable of keeping up with Owens, so he has to play on Caminiti with Maysie on Max King.

Finally there are many who say Windsor needs a break this week and they might be right. But if he plays he will be able to play on Darcy Wilson and that is an ideal match-up for both of them.

As to who comes in aside from JVR and Ed, we do need to see what Fullarton can do. Sure he may not make it, but we recruited him as back-up and he deserves a shot at it. And if he can't win it, then sub him off and flip Petty forward.

The other player that is an obvious sub is Tholstrop.

In terms of Saints, Ross loves tagging and will have a plan for Trac, but I'd start him forward each quarter and give him a run on the ball midway through each quarter.

Apologies to Moniz-Wakefield and Sestan but I'm sure they've been told they are close.

So after all that:

Out: Lever (conc), Howes, B.Brown, Billings

In: JVR, Langdon, Fullarton, Tholstrop.

B: McVee May T.Mac

HB: Sparrow Petty Salem

C: Windsor ANB Chandler

HF: Bowey JVR Langdon  

F: Pickett Petracca Fritsch

Ru:  Gawn Oliver Viney

Int: Rivers (def), Fullarton (fwd), Woewodin (wing/def), McAdam (fwd) Tholstrop (sub)

[Dannyz 2,759]

1 hour ago, Nascent said:

He'd have to play forward because he's decision making and kicking out of defence is less than desirable

Is it any worse than Howes, Rivers (overrated kick), TMac or Billings? 

Worth a look IMO. 

[640MD 3,377]

Another game we can take easy coming up

it would be nice to win again !

[roy11 3,853]

26 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

Based on Goody's post-game quotes, it appears that even Goody is aware that his list has flaws and he will need to tinker with things to give us a better shot at it. Some of the tinkers will come at the mid-season draft where Tubby Taylor should get two shots at unearthing players who could add something - replacements for Brayshaw and Joel Smith.

Are we allowed a replacement for JS?

[Young Angus 798]

Another danger game I reckon, after this one just gone, Saints beating us would be the icing on this rancid cake.

Whatever happens just try something different for god's sake the other stuff obviously isn't working very well...and get that midfield firing properly I mean what the hell is going on there with those guys they are meant to be some of the best going round!!!???

Edited May 20 by Young Angus

[Red But Mostly Blue 4,547]

It's probably my MFCSS, and also PTSD from yesterday, but we should beat the Saints obviously, but they're struggling with many impatient members looking for improvement. Who better to play than... us! The team that plays others into form, takes opponents for granted and doesn't turn up at the first bounce. If I was Ross, I'd say hit us early, then hold with some really boring footy. 

I am having visions of someone like Membrey kicking 5 against us in a monumental, season-turning win... 

[IRW 1,387]

16 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Did anyone watch the Casey game ? Seriously only Sestan and Moniz-Wakefield would be capable.  Both deserve a game. 
 

outs.  Brown again, Petty, Billings, Lever (concussion) Chandler (knee) 

in.  JVR.  Langdon.  Sestan. AMW.  Tomlinson. 

Whoever made the call on Langdon last week  will probably move TMac forward this week!...that's who should go ( I dont mean Tom )

[Damo 3,356]

Rivers shows the desperation and pace we need in the centre. Im not sure about the Sparrow ATM. Doesnt always seem to go and is lacking pace.

[monoccular 17,431]

1 hour ago, roy11 said:

Are we allowed a replacement for JS?

NO

[monoccular 17,431]

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Some of the tinkers will come at the mid-season draft where Tubby Taylor should get two shots at unearthing players who could add something - replacements for Brayshaw and Joel Smith.

I don't believe we get a replacement for a suspended player.  

Justice delayed is justice denied.  Chinese swimmers of course get a very quick hearing.

[FTB 265]

OUT: Lever (inj), Brown

IN: JVR, Langdon

B: McVee, May, Howes

HB: Rivers, McDonald, Bowey

C: Langdon, Petracca, Windsor

HF: ANB, Fritsch, McAdam

F: Pickett, JVR, Chandler

R: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

I: Salem, Billings, Sparrow, Petty, Woewodin

Petty can swing forward or back as required.

[WERRIDEE 5,479]

We should drop Clarry. Form has been terrible.

[Deelectable 1,043]

Surely Tomlinson comes in for Lever. For those wanting Petty to go back and Fullarton to play the latter's form is not deserving of a game. Tomlinson's definitely is but somehow I think his card is marked.   Surely Ben Brown has played his last game for the MFC. Knees gone and so is he.  For me Out: Lever, Brown, Billings   In: JVR, Tomlinson and the ever improving AMW. 30 odd possessions again at Casey. Has been a consistent performer,  good user and basically we have little to lose.

[Jjrogan 1,420]

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

There is always a game where you realise your side and list is not quite good enough to win a flag and this was it for me.

It was also a game where we all saw why we offered three first rounders (two last year, one this year) for Harley Reid which at the time I thought was exorbitant, but clearly was not given his match winning ability.

Based on Goody's post-game quotes, it appears that even Goody is aware that his list has flaws and he will need to tinker with things to give us a better shot at it. Some of the tinkers will come at the mid-season draft where Tubby Taylor should get two shots at unearthing players who could add something - replacements for Brayshaw and Joel Smith.

The others will be to his line-up for the Saints and while I reckon his conservative approach will see just three changes, he could make a statement and make up to five.

Clearly we missed both Langdon's run and Rooey's competitiveness and they are montes to come back.

And we will lose Lever.

Ben Brown's mobility at 31 means he is also out.

Jack Billings is tricky in that he is set to play his old side and will want to make a point. But I think we again saw when he again missed a set shot from close range that the mental side of his game has been ruined by being at the Saints for so long. Billings is a beautiful kick and has amazing vision, but sadly in front of goals he loses his mojo and he no longer has the line-breaking ability or the presence in tight. He was worth a try and for all those who think we got it wrong, please remember that Collingwood was also into him and could see the potential if he could overcome his mental gremlins.

Blake Howes has taken a huge step forward this year and being a quick defender (yes he was a winger last year) with good height he has the tools to make it. He has also now had a good taste of it and shown that he is almost there. But he now needs to go back for a few weeks and dominate at VFL level and take the game on more. As a medium defender with a long kick, he has to provide instant rebound and so far he's shown us that he can play pretty tight, but he lacks the physicality and the attacking presence.

Tom Sparrow is a goer. He works his butt off and he is genuinely a key member of our midfield grunt team. But he's just not impacting enough in the midfield transition and his link-up work lacks quality. It is time for a new role - some would say in the VFL, but I reckon he's so disciplined that a role down back beckons.

A few of questioned McAdam, but he's only played one game and deserves another shot at it. Complicating things is that Sestan, who can play the similar goal square lead-up role is ready to debut. Sestan's debut will have to wait but at least we have another option.

Chandler is another who needs a rethink. He's too small and not quite quick enough to be an explosive small forward against the good sides, but like Sparrow, he has an incredible attitude and his work ethic is top notch. He is also clever and has good vision and he can kick it a long way for a little bloke - to me he's ideal for our left-side wing.

I's time to try Bowey in a new role - to me he deserves a shot in our midfield or as a small forward, because if he gets it around the 50m mark he can go bang or is clever with his dink kicks. As a defender he's just not quite providing the drive we need and we want the ball in his hands because he can use it.

Finally the Petty situation is also tricky because aside from the Cats game, the switch forward has been a flop. Yet he's the one player who can mark it when he goes the big fly. With Lever out, he's ideal to have a week off forward duties and play the sweeper/intercept role on Owens. Tommo deserves a game but I don't see T.Mac being capable of keeping up with Owens, so he has to play on Caminiti with Maysie on Max King.

Finally there are many who say Windsor needs a break this week and they might be right. But if he plays he will be able to play on Darcy Wilson and that is an ideal match-up for both of them.

As to who comes in aside from JVR and Ed, we do need to see what Fullarton can do. Sure he may not make it, but we recruited him as back-up and he deserves a shot at it. And if he can't win it, then sub him off and flip Petty forward.

The other player that is an obvious sub is Tholstrop.

In terms of Saints, Ross loves tagging and will have a plan for Trac, but I'd start him forward each quarter and give him a run on the ball midway through each quarter.

Apologies to Moniz-Wakefield and Sestan but I'm sure they've been told they are close.

So after all that:

Out: Lever (conc), Howes, B.Brown, Billings

In: JVR, Langdon, Fullarton, Tholstrop.

B: McVee May T.Mac

HB: Sparrow Petty Salem

C: Windsor ANB Chandler

HF: Bowey JVR Langdon  

F: Pickett Petracca Fritsch

Ru:  Gawn Oliver Viney

Int: Rivers (def), Fullarton (fwd), Woewodin (wing/def), McAdam (fwd) Tholstrop (sub)

This is an excellent balanced summary.  What would you do with Oliver and Viney this week and beyond?  Imo, both are playing totally unaccountable football post stoppage (maybe instructed to). One week we are watching Cripps leisurely run past Oliver inside 50 then it's Kelly running around by himself yesterday for 40 minutes.   (Promisingly though Oliver really showed some old signs in the 2nd half, he really lifted around the ball). Viney is a liability with ball in hand.  I've been saying for a number of years that we've had issues with disposal (not earth shattering news) but the ONE thing we haven't done is change the players in the midfield.  The term forward 'comnection' implies two nodes. 

Would you be open to my boy Mcvee getting a run or just Bowey?  I think Pickett looks great in the centre square with his pressure but even when he breaks free it's 50/50 he kicks it correctly or makes the right decision.  (Apart from the fact he's really needed forward right now as much as possible. )

 

[Jaded No More 68,921]

36 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

We should drop Clarry. Form has been terrible.

Ok let’s say we drop Clarry. Who at Casey would come in and give you as good, let alone better service? 
 

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

Time to play a dedicated 2nd ruck to chip out for Max. Allows VDR and Petty to play forward without interruptions and hopefully aid their development. None of these two are Luke Jackson types who is Amore capable on ball player. 

[DeeSpencer 25,713]

3 hours ago, Travy14 said:

Who cares about future, he is a solid AFL standard player.  We have a list that can push for top 4 this year, he is a part of that.

Our midfield is very thin after losing Dunstan, Harmes, Jordan.  Unfortunately our kids are too small, Hunter is a bigger body and has good ball use.  

We need a bit of stability and smarts in the middle of the ground, he is a better option than Billings.

Big body? He’s built like Tyrion Lannister with half the physicality.

Assuming Langdon is back we don’t need an experience wing for positioning, especially not one who isn’t winning the contests at Casey and is super slow.

What we need is more hard running, attacking the contest and quick ball use.

Its time to give Woewodin an extended run of games either at half back or as the third winger, rotate all of Windsor, Woey and Langdon across half forward for pace. Or if Woey’s back we use ANB as 3rd wing and play another mid forward.

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

38 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Ok let’s say we drop Clarry. Who at Casey would come in and give you as good, let alone better service? 
 

Unfortunately a second rate Clarry is still better than anyone at Casey. If Brayshaw was still around there would be a window open to put pressure on him or even drop him but now he has to keep playing unless new behaviour issues or injuries crop up. At nowhere near his best he is still good. 

[DeeSpencer 25,713]

43 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Ok let’s say we drop Clarry. Who at Casey would come in and give you as good, let alone better service? 
 

It won’t and probably shouldn’t happen but we could have a midfield of Viney, Tracc, Salem, Sparrow with some ANB and Pickett rotations. 

Oliver has played a lot of bad quarters/halves, so many of his handballs go to no one and his kicks are worse. He’s rarely driving his legs though the contest and taking on tacklers. He’s still a long way from his best 

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

JVR in for Brown seems like a logical one, i'd probably like to see Woewodin start and Billing as the sub.

[Dee*ceiving 1,674]

It was horrible to watch but the Eagles have clearly improved, were/are motivated at home and have two legitimate jets who were easily better than all of our players in Waterman and Reid. Lever's injury severely depleted our ability to negate the former and I suspect we will plan better for Reid in future.

Viney was excellent for the first month, playing injured in my view. Oliver not what he was 12 months ago but still young enough that he can get back to that level. Limited prep and mentally disintegrated by the media (unfairly) for 6 months. 

It's May so we should be picking a team that can beat the Saints, not blooding kids (not yet at least).

Langdon and JVR make us better & Verrall couldn't make us worse based on what we saw from Brown. 

We should persist with McAdam for a week or two more, or at least until Melksham returns or Sestan/Tholstrup bang the door down. 

In the interest of beating the Saints I agree with the poster about putting Petty in Lever's role and letting JVR stay forward. Verrall and Max to spend some time forward as well as Tracc. 

Also agree we should trial Bowey & Rivers in the midfield. 

Out: Lever, Billings, Brown

In: JVR, Langdon, Verrall & 4 points (please!) 

After the Saints we've got Freo at home then Collingwood then the bye. After that we'll have a better view at whether it's time to blood the kids. 

[Shaq K 0]

Agree with Deespicable our list isn't there.

We need an A grade midfielder in addition for a key forward. Viney is 30 now, and Petracca needs to go forward of the ball.

Sparrow isn't the answer, tries hard though. Pickett and Rivers are still young but top draft picks come and have instant impact these days. Apart from Windsor, not much top end draft pick talent in the reserves to base a midfield

And Petty, is almost looking like Weideman all over again. They based his forward ability on one game against a bottom team at that. 

[IRW 1,387]

2 hours ago, FTB said:

OUT: Lever (inj), Brown

IN: JVR, Langdon

B: McVee, May, Howes

HB: Rivers, McDonald, Bowey

C: Langdon, Petracca, Windsor

HF: ANB, Fritsch, McAdam

F: Pickett, JVR, Chandler

R: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

I: Salem, Billings, Sparrow, Petty, Woewodin

Petty can swing forward or back as required.

Looks like a pretty good team ,even without Lever,Wet Toast should be no trouble. 

Then the Saints to secure 2nd spot and pecentage, which will be more important than ever this season...oops  sorry what was I thinking?