12 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Was it Mark Twain who penned "Lies, Dammed Lies and Statistics"? Had the distinct impression Bayley Fritsch tackled James Sicily, received a free kick for holding the ball and missed a very gettable goal after the half-time siren. In the corresponding game last season Fritta pantsed Sicily, this time around he's doing it to himself.

No. It was British Prime Minister, Benjamin D'Isreali.

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I have no idea why he was rushed into the seniors after a very long stint on the sidelines.

You're giving his development an absolute disservice and he should have been given a month at Casey.

Its called selection integrity. Something this club hasn't got and has been since Goodwin was coach.

Sillyof me to think that this was the year I would hopefully see a big change in that regard, but how wrong was i.

11 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

How many on match selection committee are scratching their heads wondering why the younger players aren’t developing as well as they used to?

Apologies for the stupid question here, but who is on the selection committee?

I have been confounded by selection this season. The continual picking of poor efforts (e.g. Fritta), as well as some very surprise and inconsistent selections (e.g. JVR in and out).

Then there are the players that have gone backwards - Spargo, Oliver, Sparrow, May etc

A lot of the second tier players and young players need the senior and established players to fire to take the heat off them and show them the standard needed. We can get away with a couple not firing against the lesser teams, but not against anyone above us. It really speaks to a lack of desire from a lot of the players, which is a coach killer - as is our lack of fitness.

1 hour ago, BLWNBA said:

Club website has Lever as likely to return for the Sydney game. 🙄

We apparently dont need dont need Viney as Oliver is a great tagger and Vine y can come back in great condition

25 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

British Prime Minister, Benjamin D'Isreali.

Disraeli? Tom Fullarton is on record mentioning his gears.

Ten internet points if you get that obscure reference!

1 hour ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

80s/90s-style banner snark. Love it.

I know right?! We were surprised the Club allowed it.

2 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I know right?! We were surprised the Club allowed it.

Do they veto much?

8 minutes ago, Demonland said:

No issues with Lever having multiple weeks in the VFL. I assume a half this week, a full game next week and then back for the Alice Springs game V St Kilda.

We seem to rush some players back (Tholstrup and Spargo and they don't perform well) while we're correctly patient with others (McVee and Lever).

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

We don't have a big bodied white line fever backman to replace May that is honing his craft at Casey. That's a poor recruiting position to be in as we will have to pay up to get one.

Agreed. The issue will be money.

We have an unbalanced amount of our cap portioned out to May, Petracca, Viney, Lever, Brayshaw, Gawn, Oliver and Kozzy. That would be ok if we were top 4 with premiership credentials. It’s not ok when we are slowly drifting off the back of the peloton. The rubber band has snapped!! May is a general down back but athletically challenged. Trac is a very good player but no longer elite. Viney the same. Lever has trouble staying on the park. Brayshaw isn’t even on the list. Gawn is a club great and is still a top 10 player in the league. Oliver is a role player at the moment. Kozzy is in career best form.

So out of the top 8, two and playing to their contact.

We are a mess.

13 hours ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

This is my biggest problem with our list, too many leprechauns.

Can’t have Spargo, Laurie, Bowey, Chandler, Sharp in the same side, you just can’t compete with that many undersized players

(Koz is the same size but he’s a level above)

The modern game is full of runners and smaller players.

Here is a comparison to recent premier Brisbane and Collingwood, the likely Grand Finalists this year...

Melbourne: Spargo (172cm), Laurie (179cm - not often in the 22), Bowey (175cm), Chandler (175cm), Sharp (182cm - often a sub)

Brisbane: Ah Chee (182cm), Will Ashcroft (182cm), Neale (177cm), Levi Ashcroft (181cm), McCarthy (176cm), Zorko (175cm), Coleman (182cm), Cameron (180cm), Bailey (181cm), Answerth (182cm).

Collingwood: Quaynor (180cm), Elliott (177cm), Mitchell (181cm), Josh Daicos (178cm), Schultz (178cm), Hill (175cm).

In fact, you'll note, some of the better ball users in the league are sub 180cm.

Along with Kozzy, you've missed Viney from our 22, they are both sub 180cm, but we actually have one of the taller best 22s in the game.

The problem is less height and more impact on the game. But I'd argue you're directing your ire in the wrong direction as Bowey and Chandler have been great this year, and Sharp has had limited opportunity. You can question Spargo, but at his best, he's best 22 IMV.

31 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I know right?! We were surprised the Club allowed it.

Brilliant! Of course the AFL will find some way of punishing us for it.

16 hours ago, Wells 11 said:

Good to get another look at Laurie. Maybe he’ll surprise a few.

This will be his last chance imo. Wasted so so many. What does Kynan have to do to get a game. His effort and pressure is off the charts

28 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

The modern game is full of runners and smaller players.

Here is a comparison to recent premier Brisbane and Collingwood, the likely Grand Finalists this year...

Melbourne: Spargo (172cm), Laurie (179cm - not often in the 22), Bowey (175cm), Chandler (175cm), Sharp (182cm - often a sub)

Brisbane: Ah Chee (182cm), Will Ashcroft (182cm), Neale (177cm), Levi Ashcroft (181cm), McCarthy (176cm), Zorko (175cm), Coleman (182cm), Cameron (180cm), Bailey (181cm), Answerth (182cm).

Collingwood: Quaynor (180cm), Elliott (177cm), Mitchell (181cm), Josh Daicos (178cm), Schultz (178cm), Hill (175cm).

In fact, you'll note, some of the better ball users in the league are sub 180cm.

Along with Kozzy, you've missed Viney from our 22, they are both sub 180cm, but we actually have one of the taller best 22s in the game.

The problem is less height and more impact on the game. But I'd argue you're directing your ire in the wrong direction as Bowey and Chandler have been great this year, and Sharp has had limited opportunity. You can question Spargo, but at his best, he's best 22 IMV.

When we bomb it in tho...

15 hours ago, Pickettup said:

Can anyone please confirm which end is the away end at the Gabba? Cheers. Go Dees.

... umm. .... both ?? 😆

36 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

The modern game is full of runners and smaller players.

Here is a comparison to recent premier Brisbane and Collingwood, the likely Grand Finalists this year...

Melbourne: Spargo (172cm), Laurie (179cm - not often in the 22), Bowey (175cm), Chandler (175cm), Sharp (182cm - often a sub)

Brisbane: Ah Chee (182cm), Will Ashcroft (182cm), Neale (177cm), Levi Ashcroft (181cm), McCarthy (176cm), Zorko (175cm), Coleman (182cm), Cameron (180cm), Bailey (181cm), Answerth (182cm).

Collingwood: Quaynor (180cm), Elliott (177cm), Mitchell (181cm), Josh Daicos (178cm), Schultz (178cm), Hill (175cm).

In fact, you'll note, some of the better ball users in the league are sub 180cm.

Along with Kozzy, you've missed Viney from our 22, they are both sub 180cm, but we actually have one of the taller best 22s in the game.

The problem is less height and more impact on the game. But I'd argue you're directing your ire in the wrong direction as Bowey and Chandler have been great this year, and Sharp has had limited opportunity. You can question Spargo, but at his best, he's best 22 IMV.

Fair, I hadn’t realised brisbane were so short, but their shorties are mostly A-grade.

Their mosquito fleet has kicked 50 goals, average of 6.25 between those that have played this year, pies shortarses have kicked 43 (avg of 8.6) and ours have kicked 33 (avg of 4.7).

Bris average 17.8 disposals and 4.5 marks (career avg used for McCarthy and Coleman), Pies 18.9 disposals 4.2 marks (added N Daicos 184cm). Ours 14.5 disposals, 3.1 marks (incl Viney).

Fine to be short if you are good, Bowey, Chandler, Pickett & Viney are good. Spargo, Laurie, Sharp, Henderson should only play if one of the good shorties is out.

Admission: at 178 I’m also a shortarse in AFL terms so no bias here

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

Disraeli? Tom Fullarton is on record mentioning his gears.

Ten internet points if you get that obscure reference!

This would be a lot more fun if that ginger Baker was still on our list.

Edited May 16May 16 by La Dee-vina Comedia

13 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

If only …

McVee. May. Turner.

Salem. Tmcd. Bowey.

Langdon. Rivers. Windsor.

Chandler. Petty. Langford.

Kozzzzzy. AJ.  Melksham.

Gawn. Petracca.  Oliver.

Sparrow. Sharp. Lindsay.  Howes

Sub. Laurie.

Ins. Petty. Melksham. Howes. AJ. Laurie.

Outs. JVR. Jeffo. Kolt. Spargo. Fritsch.

makes me drool

This year the half back flanks are match winners

where are ours

eg nasiah, whitfeild, richards, etc

29 minutes ago, clarrypetracca135 said:

When we bomb it in tho...

I don't agree with the bombing, but if it goes in there to at least 1 of our talls, our smalls need to get it done on the ground.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Its called selection integrity. Something this club hasn't got and has been since Goodwin was coach.

Sillyof me to think that this was the year I would hopefully see a big change in that regard, but how wrong was i.

When the match committee doesn't make changes Goodwin is stubborn, and has favourites.

When the match committee makes changes, Goodwin is trying to save his career instead of letting players develop.

When the match committee doesn't pick kids, Goodwin is letting them languish at VFL and is the reason they leave.

When the match committee picks kids and they don't perform, Goodwin isn't developing kids properly.

When the match committee doesn't drop senior players to play afringe, Goodwin doesn't have selection integrity and plays favourites

When the match committee drops senior players and fringe players who aren't AFL standard, then Goodwin has no idea and keeps selecting duds.

We aren't winning games, so there is critism no matter what happens.

I personally don't think they've got the selection right this week. The side is unbalanced. But the constant slagging of "selection integrity" is ridiculous.

Just now, deanox said:

When the match committee doesn't make changes Goodwin is stubborn, and has favourites.

When the match committee makes changes, Goodwin is trying to save his career instead of letting players develop.

When the match committee doesn't pick kids, Goodwin is letting them languish at VFL and is the reason they leave.

When the match committee picks kids and they don't perform, Goodwin isn't developing kids properly.

When the match committee doesn't drop senior players to play afringe, Goodwin doesn't have selection integrity and plays favourites

When the match committee drops senior players and fringe players who aren't AFL standard, then Goodwin has no idea and keeps selecting duds.

We aren't winning games, so there is critism no matter what happens.

I personally don't think they've got the selection right this week. The side is unbalanced. But the constant slagging of "selection integrity" is ridiculous.

No it's not.

It's been consistent theme for a long time whether we are winning or not.

36 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

This would be a lot more fun if that ginger Baker was still on our list.

Bruce could also play an important part.

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

The modern game is full of runners and smaller players.

Here is a comparison to recent premier Brisbane and Collingwood, the likely Grand Finalists this year...

Melbourne: Spargo (172cm), Laurie (179cm - not often in the 22), Bowey (175cm), Chandler (175cm), Sharp (182cm - often a sub)

Brisbane: Ah Chee (182cm), Will Ashcroft (182cm), Neale (177cm), Levi Ashcroft (181cm), McCarthy (176cm), Zorko (175cm), Coleman (182cm), Cameron (180cm), Bailey (181cm), Answerth (182cm).

Collingwood: Quaynor (180cm), Elliott (177cm), Mitchell (181cm), Josh Daicos (178cm), Schultz (178cm), Hill (175cm).

In fact, you'll note, some of the better ball users in the league are sub 180cm.

Along with Kozzy, you've missed Viney from our 22, they are both sub 180cm, but we actually have one of the taller best 22s in the game.

The problem is less height and more impact on the game. But I'd argue you're directing your ire in the wrong direction as Bowey and Chandler have been great this year, and Sharp has had limited opportunity. You can question Spargo, but at his best, he's best 22 IMV.

I agree but they also have a number of 200+cm players. We just have Max.

Collingwood Moore Frampton Cox Cameron

Brisbane Hipwood Andrews Fort McInerney

They also have some taller midfielders such as Berry Pendlebury

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

The modern game is full of runners and smaller players.

Here is a comparison to recent premier Brisbane and Collingwood, the likely Grand Finalists this year...

Melbourne: Spargo (172cm), Laurie (179cm - not often in the 22), Bowey (175cm), Chandler (175cm), Sharp (182cm - often a sub)

Brisbane: Ah Chee (182cm), Will Ashcroft (182cm), Neale (177cm), Levi Ashcroft (181cm), McCarthy (176cm), Zorko (175cm), Coleman (182cm), Cameron (180cm), Bailey (181cm), Answerth (182cm).

Collingwood: Quaynor (180cm), Elliott (177cm), Mitchell (181cm), Josh Daicos (178cm), Schultz (178cm), Hill (175cm).

In fact, you'll note, some of the better ball users in the league are sub 180cm.

Along with Kozzy, you've missed Viney from our 22, they are both sub 180cm, but we actually have one of the taller best 22s in the game.

The problem is less height and more impact on the game. But I'd argue you're directing your ire in the wrong direction as Bowey and Chandler have been great this year, and Sharp has had limited opportunity. You can question Spargo, but at his best, he's best 22 IMV.

Think it’s a bit of the case that smaller players need to be excellent at other areas of the game like ball use just to make it at afl level, while bigger players are drafted with the idea that you can teach skills but you can’t teach someone to grow 10-20cm. I know for a fact there is many players that can’t get on afl lists simply because of there height, hopefully times are changing