Tom McDonald at CHF?

[layzie 34,527]

Nah

[dpositive 1,838]

TMac has been consistent in training apparently and was the best defender at Arden st match.

I am moving to have Petty as the big man interchange as he can fill in both defence or Forward providing a difficult match up for opposition.

[Demons1858 1,820]

Tmac has shown he can play key back or forward. The issue is his body, Playing back allows you a bit more time to change directions, cut off angles and hopefully avoid injury.

Edited February 22 by Demons1858

[Diamond_Jim 12,750]

Can't see a role for both Petty and TMac unless May is injured or we are playing a team with multiple talls up forward.

[Demons1858 1,820]

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Can't see a role for both Petty and TMac unless May is injured or we are playing a team with multiple talls up forward.

There is usually an extra tall on the bench and / or one of the talls forward or back are generally injured at any point in time ... they will both play big roles if they stay fit

[dazzledavey36 56,240]

Played well yesterday. 

Still got some good footy left in those old legs.

[58er 6,870]

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Can't see a role for both Petty and TMac unless May is injured or we are playing a team with multiple talls up forward.

One of is needed as third tall in most games. And is the mix that stood up in 2021 and since then on 95% of our matches. 
Hybrids like Hore or Howes are handy also. 

[Deemania since 56 6,804]

On 16/02/2025 at 12:15, Farmer said:

As everyone picks their starting 22, and Petty, May and Lever fill the key backline positions, I say we play Tom at  CHF. IMV none of the key forward contenders are showing much except JVR who must play FF. Make Turner , Johnson, Jefferson,  etc fight for their spot. At least we know we get a great contest  with Tom who had  an excellent year in 24, admittedly on the backline . Turner shows flashes but, really, how many disposals a match will he get? 8 or 10?  If Tom plays, is told to move around to offer targets from the middle of the ground, I’d rather have him at this stage 

Yes, but at CHB, straight up without latter considerations, one does see Tom (if fit and raring to go) as the best option with the best experience, and afforded the support of Petty; thus, we can also have the extremely valuable 'floating' role performed so well (intercepts, clearances, spoils) by Lever adding further mobility and opportunity to our strong defensive roll call. 

Up forward Tom really only has sporadic success across a season - a credit to his talents - that may well be utilised in defence given that he himself is mobile and might well benefit in his delivery to the more mobile characters from HB and into the Fwd Line. 

Edited February 23 by Deemania since 56

[Farmer 902]

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Yes, but at CHB, straight up without latter considerations, one does see Tom (if fit and raring to go) as the best option with the best experience, and afforded the support of Petty; thus, we can also have the extremely valuable 'floating' role performed so well (intercepts, clearances, spoils) by Lever adding further mobility and opportunity to our strong defensive roll call. 

Up forward Tom really only has sporadic success across a season - a credit to his talents - that may well be utilised in defence given that he himself is mobile and might well benefit in his delivery to the more mobile characters from HB and into the Fwd Line. 

Well, seeing as  I started  this topic, I should indicate  that I have  changed my mind . I appreciate that by Q4 NM  were tired and had their big ruckman off the field. But I thought Johnson was a revelation . I expected him to compete fearlessly without much effect . But I was amazed at his ball getting ability apart from his v adequate ruckwork. I agree, best keep JVR out of the ruck. The best way to achieve this is to have Johnson in the 22, to let him ruck for 5-8 minutes a quarter, and otherwise ,make some mischief. At times at CHF where he played the entire season with Werribee. At other times in the forward pocket alongside JVR, while Turner is at  CHF The big loser yesterday was Jefferson , I just can’t see where, at this stage,  he brings as much to the team as Johnson . And I dunno where this leaves Tom MCD or Petty!

[Deemania since 56 6,804]

2 minutes ago, Farmer said:

Well, seeing as  I started  this topic, I should indicate  that I have  changed my mind . I appreciate that by Q4 NM  were tired and had their big ruckman off the field. But I thought Johnson was a revelation . I expected him to compete fearlessly without much effect . But I was amazed at his ball getting ability apart from his v adequate ruckwork. I agree, best keep JVR out of the ruck. The best way to achieve this is to have Johnson in the 22, to let him ruck for 5-8 minutes a quarter, and otherwise ,make some mischief. At times at CHF where he played the entire season with Werribee. At other times in the forward pocket alongside JVR, while Turner is at  CHF The big loser yesterday was Jefferson , I just can’t see where, at this stage,  he brings as much to the team as Johnson . And I dunno where this leaves Tom MCD or Petty!

I think we are all a little challenged by these matters, at this stage of the season,  with these players who 'might' and those that 'can'. I agree with your early assessment of Johnson, for those very good reasons that you put forward. 

[Nietaphart 87]

9 minutes ago, Farmer said:

Well, seeing as  I started  this topic, I should indicate  that I have  changed my mind . I appreciate that by Q4 NM  were tired and had their big ruckman off the field. But I thought Johnson was a revelation . I expected him to compete fearlessly without much effect . But I was amazed at his ball getting ability apart from his v adequate ruckwork. I agree, best keep JVR out of the ruck. The best way to achieve this is to have Johnson in the 22, to let him ruck for 5-8 minutes a quarter, and otherwise ,make some mischief. At times at CHF where he played the entire season with Werribee. At other times in the forward pocket alongside JVR, while Turner is at  CHF The big loser yesterday was Jefferson , I just can’t see where, at this stage,  he brings as much to the team as Johnson . And I dunno where this leaves Tom MCD or Petty!

I thought Jefferson showed some good signs yesterday against Comben.. Playing on an AFL backmen and having some good moments, whilst being out muscled at same time will give Jeffo an idea on how to improve. Jefferson definitely looked more comfortable playing out of the forward square. Up ground he was found out at times. 
 

Johnson looked good in the fourth quarter, but he was matched up against an 18 year old. I would have liked to see him match up against Xerri 

[Red and Blue realist 2,063]

I'd happily trial may, lever, Petty and TMac in the same team. Have both may and lever play as intercepting/ smaller defenders,  without McVee and now AMW, we've only really got Salem and Bowey but I see both being better at rebounding, with the duke and rivers, maybe Lindsay being the mids who can also support. Howes would be the alternative, but think TMac might be ahead at the moment

Edited February 23 by Red and Blue realist

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,991]

Plugger Mac's turning circle in 2025.