Anyhow.. thats my little rant done 🙃

We win by 13 points.

You have to wonder if Laurie will ever get another opportunity in the midfield rotation. JVR stiff.

14 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I dont see those traits in Sharp at all so we'll agree to disagree.

Also, this last paragraph is in my kind opinion, pretty irrelevant on any footy related discussion regardless on what level of footy I've played at.

My views on footy should be seen as equal to yours and every other footy head on here Dub.

I did after he laid 5 tackles and kicked 2 goals against Essendon.

I thought finally he was heading on the right track until Goodwin said he needed to work on his defensive side of the game in a press game interview against Freo.. confusing, but okay..

Thats why each week selection becomes confusing. I then watch him against GWS in the VFL and he barely got out of second gear and laid 1 tackle for the whole game.

You then can't tell me his selection was justified off the back of that performance compared to JVR's 5 goal effort against Richmond.

Once again this also shows the complete lack of support for Max Gawn regardless of how well he's playing. Matthew Lloyd was correct last week, the fact that we are still heavily relying on a 33 year champ who's got no back up whatsoeveris a huge concern.

Petty is not a ruckman at all and we saw that last year when he got absolutely monstered by Darcy, so I have no idea what plan B is when Gawn needs a spell or heavin forbid he gets injured.

The Eagles don’t have Darcy as their first ruck let alone their second and as we know Fritsch only came in because Melk got injured against Freo.

Based on as you’ll say the exposed form in the seniors vs Essendon, Fritsch’s form had improved whilst JVR was still underperforming and devoid of confidence

Surely you understand the potential for Melk to play a defensive forward role on McGovern or Reid along with Sparrow. Which is probably why he came in

JVR may still come in the way the weather forecast has changed for Saturday night and I’m still not convinced on Mays fitness

2 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

JVR may still come in the way the weather forecast has changed for Saturday night and I’m still not convinced on Mays fitness

And maybe Turner goes back then. Otherwise, as it stands, Turner plays forward.

6 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

The Eagles don’t have Darcy as their first ruck let alone their second and as we know Fritsch only came in because Melk got injured against Freo.

Based on as you’ll say the exposed form in the seniors vs Essendon, Fritsch’s form had improved whilst JVR was still underperforming and devoid of confidence

Surely you understand the potential for Melk to play a defensive forward role on McGovern or Reid along with Sparrow. Which is probably why he came in

JVR may still come in the way the weather forecast has changed for Saturday night and I’m still not convinced on Mays fitness

I'm talking about Sean Darcy from Freo last year when we went into that game with Petty as our number 1 ruckman. He got badly smashed around stoppages and one on ones ruck contests. Matt Flynn is a big lad too mind you.

I'm not sure why you've added Melk to this discussion? I haven't questioned him once and understand why he was brought in. After last week's effort i had Fritsch out for Melksham. You either play one or the other really. Having them both simply doesn't work anymore imo.

I also don't know why we need two defensive forwards in Sparrow and Melksham?. Honestly, the whole off season change of the game plan was not too be too defensive minded and focus more on our offence and attack. Yes there is an element staying true to our defensive strength but not to the point where we've got multiple forwards having to tag away. Let them off the leash a little but show their opponent the respect when it comes into our forward line or when they have possession of the footy in our D50.

If May goes out then similar to pre Freo game, Howes comes in.

I’m far from sold on the changes.

Yet another different look forward of the ball. The worst second-ruck option yet, whoever it is. Have we all forgotten how awful Petty was at that last year? And why would we subject him to that when he seems to be building form as a forward?

Meanwhile Turner plays back, right? Given his form down there against Freo was good? Or does he get put forward, where he’s been as underwhelming this year as JVR but JVR at least kicked 5 last week.

And yeah I don’t know if our forward half really needs both Fritsch and Melksham in it.

Fully support the Clarry decision though. It’s a sign of maturity from both the club and Clarry, IMO.

3 hours ago, Go Lordie said:

THE KISS. Am I the only Demonlander who spotted the influence of the Kolt Kiss? There is no way the Kolt can be dropped. He dispersed his kisses sparingly last week, but now every Demon forward will be vying to earn a Kolt Kiss, and I believe that will encourage them to tackle harder, lead more often and - important, this - kick straighter. THE KOLT MUST STAY IN THE TEAM.

I wrote about it previously...I don't like it!!!

If he got the ball 14+ times a match I might accept it and someone might want to kiss him .

Until then he needs to focus on why he's there IN THE FORWARD LINE...

i.e. SEE BALL , GET BALL!!!

He's an OUT for mine until he really turns it on in the twos...the whole cult figure thing is BS!!

21 minutes ago, DeeBlood said:

I wrote about it previously...I don't like it!!!

If he got the ball 14+ times a match I might accept it and someone might want to kiss him .

Until then he needs to focus on why he's there IN THE FORWARD LINE...

i.e. SEE BALL , GET BALL!!!

He's an OUT for mine until he really turns it on in the twos...the whole cult figure thing is BS!!

Cruel, DeeBlood, but fair.

3 hours ago, Adam The God said:

And maybe Turner goes back then. Otherwise, as it stands, Turner plays forward.

Think rivers goes and mid to cover Oliver, Turner back in his place. Melk comes in for Fullerton and Petty backs up ruck.

So, we are off to Perf to play the Weagles. One of those classic no win matches. Win it and people will shrug and say “So you should have.” Lose and they will jump on us as a rabble.

Don’t mind the selections. Where Petty and Turner line up will keep the opposition guessing as will who will line up at the bounce. Petracca, Viney and Pickett for mine with Rivers lining up on the edge of the square on a wing at the bounce.

Viney to Reid… wear him like a glove and be a pest.

Small forwards our key to scoring. Swamming at the drop of the ball with insane pressure. Dees to break the game open in the third and ease to a 5 goal win…… (says the heart…. Head not far behind)

Go Dee!

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Bizarre.

We are so incredibly reliant on Gawn that its not funny.

Also, someone please explain to me how on earth Harry Sharp continues to get a game? He adds nothing to the team even as a sub or when he's playing full time.

Give us something different at least.. Brown, Laurie, heck even Sestan who's been in excellent form.

Selection integrity is at an all time low.

I’d be curious to see Sestan. I’ve not thought much of our other subs ie; Laurie/Woewodin or others.

My thought is that Sharp is only getting game time due to his speed and the gameplay turning to speed and running through the middle, like other teams are doing.

22 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

They’ll be the first things I pack. I noticed a little hole in one of them the other day. I mentioned it to my son and he said I should darn them and we both fell about laughing our heads off

A small little hole,come on harden up girl,take one for the team.You should see my lucky game day jocks,not washed them since our last GF win

10 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Max shouldn’t be expected to work this hard against WC. JVR was the obvious selection. Turner can play at Casey. I’m presuming Melksham will be sub? I’d have played one of Culley, Brown or Sestan.

I agree Max is being used to carry the team load again (and as we have seen in the past, he can breakdown late in the season without a rest.) Speaking to Tom Campbell at the game last week, he is fully prepared and ready to assist Max (acknowledges that is why he was brought on board to help with Max's fatigue) which suggests the club is aware but are still waiting until he breaks down to put in the assistance he needs to see him at his best through the entire season.
I think AJ would be the better fit based on form - I know Roo kicked 5, is younger and seen as the key pillar going into the future, but from what I watched AJ was harder at the ball, rucks moderately well, and provides a solid defensive effort as well - things Roo needs to get better at.
Turner in isnt terrible, but without a solid forward line means he will likely go forward (which I dont think is his position at all). I would have preferred Sestan to come in off half back and let Rivers go mid most of the game

27 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

He’ll play as a defensive forward on either McGovern to prevent intercepts or on Reid who has been playing off half back

PSD - what's the talk on Reid over in the west?

If I was an Eagles fan I'd be very unimpressed. Doesn't look fit, unsurprising given he cake back from his break in [censored] condition.

And his head seems all over the shop.

8 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

The Eagles don’t have Darcy as their first ruck let alone their second and as we know Fritsch only came in because Melk got injured against Freo.

Based on as you’ll say the exposed form in the seniors vs Essendon, Fritsch’s form had improved whilst JVR was still underperforming and devoid of confidence

Surely you understand the potential for Melk to play a defensive forward role on McGovern or Reid along with Sparrow. Which is probably why he came in

JVR may still come in the way the weather forecast has changed for Saturday night and I’m still not convinced on Mays fitness

I have a feeling JVR will end up playing

11 hours ago, DeeZee said:

JVR wasn’t selected because they probably want him to produce a strong block of form in the twos , build some confidence and work on a few things then come in if he shows consistency.

It’s the best way to handle an out of form player.

Had a decent game last week , let’s see it again.

Isn't there a bye at Casey again?

Hard to find form if that's the case

Who’s the relief ruck? It can only be Turner. Petty, who on occasion still seems to have foot discomfort, surely wouldn’t be risked outside of the 50. The non selection of JVR or AJ feels like a mistake.

While it does seem a little strange that JVR has been left out, the coaches votes for the Casey game last week may tell a different story.

Richmond 3.7 (25) def by Casey Demons 21.17 (143)
10 Riley Bonner (CAS)
7 Bailey Laurie (CAS)
6 Mitch Hardie (CAS)
4 Riley Baldi (CAS)
2 Tom Campbell (CAS)
1 Aidan Johnson (CAS)

Reckon we will miss Gawn's marking field more than his ruck work. But Petty did a fine job of around the field marking last year when Gawn didn't play.

This time we need back up for only 10 min a quarter and it will probably be shared: TMc in d50, Turner/Petty in fwd50 and Petty around the ground

Just thinking out loud (or at least on keyboard..)

I wonder if JVR non selection is actually about teaching and consolidation of ball movement for our mids and HF line.

With JVR a focal point we are in the habit of the long bomb and have no vision of lateral/other options. Making it very easy for the loose sweeper to dominate

We have been way better at this over the past couple of weeks while playing more small ball. When JVR comes back they should be in the habit of finding the best option instead of just heading his way.

15 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

Really hope that all the keyboard heroes on this site who enjoy calling Clarry fat, lazy, unmotivated and so forth when they know absolutely stuff all, sit the [censored] down and shut the [censored] up.

Long time no see/read Jaded. Welcome back! Love that you're rightly protecting the redheads.

It's a happy hunting ground for Melk, regularly kicks goals there.

I reckon he'll be on again, chalk him in for 2.

14 hours ago, Heart Beats True said:

Goodwin has his favourites.

He chooses Melksham as if he's some James McDonald-esque ultra-consistent team player.

11 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I thought the aim of sending a player to Casey to try to recapture their form involved keeping them there for a substantial amount of time, even if they kick a bag in one game.

As for Melk, “coming back from injury” doesn’t really apply here. He had a gash in his skin, not a soft tissue or muscle injury. They kept him out for a week so as not to run the risk of infection.

Sure, but that logic didn't apply for fritter who came back into the seniors on the back of one, at best, average game at Casey - a game in which he didn't sem to address his issues with defensive intensity.

And that decision has a cascading effect - he comes in, kicks two goals and who knows perhaps gets somewhere close to the defensive kpis they no doubt gave him. So they don't want to drop him after one game back in (hopefully fritter repays the faith, has a blinder, gets back to his best and is once again a best 22 lock).

As fans we don't have all the information that feeds into selection. For that reason I don't get too worked up about them.

But that doesn't preclude me being perplexed about some decisions.

I don't mind melk's selection - most teams run with a defensive forward who have a focus on negating the opppo's best intercepting tall defender, and he'll likely go to McGovern who is a critical player for them. He is arguably the best kick in the team and provides important leadership in our forward half.

Bur the non selection of JVR, particularly given they dropped fullarton and didn't select a back up ruck, is flat our strange imo.

JVR has had two games now at Casey, the second of which was a cracking five goal game where he was hard at it and was back to leading up to ball carrier. And now Casey have a bye.

As a fan I'd love it goody is asked about the logic behind his non selection.

By the by, I'm tipping JVR will end up coming into the team - perhaps as someone has suggested in place of May.

Edited May 1May 1 by binman

With Turner coming in effectively for Oliver I think he definitely goes back, Rivers to replace Oliver’s midfield minutes and play predominantly in the guts this week.

Like many I’m mystified by Melksham’s selection, not because his form is bad, but because I don’t see how our forward line functions with both Melk and Fritsch there, too short for contested marks, too tall for extra pressure and crumbing. Also Petty has finally had a couple of decent weeks as a forward and we throw him into backup ruck changing his whole role? Also if the logic is JVR needs a few more weeks at VFL to gain form I could see that, but there’s a bye and he’s in WA so it feels a bit like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

If as many are alluding to there’s a mystery injury of the week in the forward line and JVR plays forward ruck with one of Melksham/Fritsch playing sub that makes far more sense to me. Use Sharp’s athletic ability for more of the game against an unfit WC and have a utility type to sub in.

Edited May 1May 1 by deejammin'

35 minutes ago, Maxie said:

While it does seem a little strange that JVR has been left out, the coaches votes for the Casey game last week may tell a different story.

Richmond 3.7 (25) def by Casey Demons 21.17 (143)
10 Riley Bonner (CAS)
7 Bailey Laurie (CAS)
6 Mitch Hardie (CAS)
4 Riley Baldi (CAS)
2 Tom Campbell (CAS)
1 Aidan Johnson (CAS)

Based on this and watching the game, I think AJ would have been a good selection. Can ruck, can (normally) kick straight, has some defensive drive and lays a solid tackle. Campbell is still to run out a game since his injury return so he'll be a couple more away while they get him to full fitness before he gives Max a spell