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PREGAME: Rd 10 vs Brisbane

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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Best team we have had on the park all year.

Like the forward line, much better than last week.

No excuses to not be competitive this week.

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    Just now, Vineytime said:

    Best team we have had on the park all year.

    Like the forward line, much better than last week.

    No excuses to not be competitive this week.

    Aging Bon Voyage GIF by Kim's Convenience

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    9 hours ago, Brownie said:

    I think there's a long term problem now with our backline too.

    May is getting sorer and a bit slower every year.

    I don't think Jake's body will last much longer either.

    So, by the end of this year, we could be looking to replace our backbone.

    It's quite a challenge with the likes of Petty going forward to try and prop up our forward line.

    It's great that disco can swing forward or back but for mine, he's better as a forward and should be Fritschs replacement.

    We're lucky Tmacs is having a stellar season. He's really bounced back this year.

    Our young forward line isnt working while our backline is ageing fast.

    It must be incredibly hard for some of the younger blokes to find their rhythm with positional changes and no clear cohesion in game plans right now.

    I feel for the likes of Kolt and JVR going in and out of the side while Fritsch seems to get a free ride.

    Let's hope we can continue to run and tackle hard like last week and lower our eyes and kick straight this week.

    We follow a perplexing team of perplexed players

    I'm on a similar line here Brownie and a fair assessment in general from you.

    My only issue is that we should've taken advantage of such a stalwart backline earlier. Had we got our act together up forward from about the end of 2022 onwards. I'm not sure what this would have meant in terms of progressing beyond semis for two years running but pretty sure we wouldn't have gone out in straight sets in two consecutive years.

    The price we'll pay as you say, will not only be still having to solve the forward issues (including personnel) but then having to find the replacements for some of the aging KDs in the next season or two.

    I too am a huge backer of Turner playing almost always as a forward. Unless we lose the likes of a Petty or need to stack the backline to protect a lead or hold up an oppo on a big momentum run.

    I've been saying this for quite a while now. That's not to say Disco isn't a good defender either. He's very good. But his mobility and marking prowess up forward plus his reasonably accurate set shot kicking, is something we've sorely lacked so far in 2025 and pretty much the last 2.5 seasons post BBB. Add to that the fact that he is also showing some significant signs that it's all starting to click for him in terms of running patterns / forward craft and getting some reward for effort on the scoreboard.

    His pressure is quite reasonable also at ground level without the ball for a taller player. Just guessing on this from what i'm seeing though, i haven't checked the numbers to back that up.

    While i'm not saying he will become a Neita or someone like that as he doesn't have a No.1 KF build or top end forward talent about him, i can see him becoming a very handy 2nd stringer IF we can find someone to put into the No.1 role to help him out.

    Does that No.1 Key Forward come from the existing list? Not for mine. We'll need to go on a serious hunt to grab one imo. It's that or we are going to flounder and flop around for years trying to find home grown NQR solutions through the draft that probably won't do our forward stocks much justice in the short to medium term. Then there's the old adage, top end experienced KFs don't grow on trees and also tend not to find their way to the MFC. So there is that.

    Alot of things AFL look easier from behind the keyboard.

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    7 hours ago, 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.

    Morgan Freeman Applause GIF by The Academy Awards

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    2 hours ago, bing181 said:

    No it hasn't. You're seeing what you want to see.

    No, I see what I see.

    You've got a set of rosy red and blue glasses you've struggled to take off since 2022.


    AJ 2nd ruck bringing some aggression

    Petty stay at home fwd

    Turner intercept backman

    Balance looks better than last week

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    16 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

    T

    I've been saying this for quite a while now. That's not to say Disco isn't a good defender either. He's very good. But his mobility and marking prowess up forward plus his reasonably accurate set shot kicking, is something we've sorely lacked so far in 2025 and pretty much the last 2.5 seasons post BBB. Add to that the fact that he is also showing some significant signs that it's all starting to click for him in terms of running patterns / forward craft and getting some reward for effort on the scoreboard.

    His pressure is quite reasonable also at ground level without the ball for a taller player. Just guessing on this from what i'm seeing though, i haven't checked the numbers to back that up.

    While i'm not saying he will become a Neita or someone like that as he doesn't have a No.1 KF build or top end forward talent about him, i can see him becoming a very handy 2nd stringer IF we can find someone to put into the No.1 role to help him out.

    Your comments are totally fanciful. Turner has played about 3 games in defence & at best is competent.

    Up forward he has sometimes been good & sometimes poor to average.

    You need to be realistic not in la la land.

    25 minutes ago, binman said:

    I can't see rhe logic in bringing in AJ and making him sub given they dropped JVR- who is going to bevtge second ruck?

    Leaving that aside he can only really play forward or on the ruck, so doesn't offer much positional flexibility as a sub.

    Unless he is not the sub? Is there a slim chance that might end up being Fritta?

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    2 hours ago, RedLegs23 said:

    So obviously A. Johnson will be the sub.

    Thoughts?

    Obviously?

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    Sharp or Spargs will be sub this week, I don't think you need to nominate from your extended bench. Plus, we have pretty much ran a half forward as sub the whole year.

    Losing ANB was a huge deal and we massively lack depth at HF. The only clear 22 half forwards are Sparrow, Chandler and Kozzy (who is more of a mid these days).

    Otherwise, Spargo and Fritta are our most senior mature players in this position. We are left to choose from Kolt (limited pre season, not in great form), Sharp (not in great form), Laurie (historically has struggled at HF), Kynan (young and inexperienced) and Henderson (same as Kynan).

    I don't this is is a selection integrity issue, it's just the reality of who is available on the list.

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    2 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

    In: Johnson, Melksham, Petty

    Out: JVR, Jefferson, Tholstrup

    I don’t subscribe to @dazzledavey36 ’s level of criticism of “selection integrity” but I do believe our selection week to week this year has been confusing to say the least, and probably reflects that the club doesn’t know what our best forward set up is. Constantly flipping between the talls, picking them off no form then dropping them after one or two games, going with one tall, then two, now three(?) (Turner, Petty, Johnson). I can’t get around it tbh.

    Turner won't play forward. Petty will play permanent forward with AJ doing the backup rucking it seems.

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    6 minutes ago, DubDee said:

    Okay i agree Fritsch is horribly out of form but can we stop the no tackles name tag?

    last week he actually tackled unlike other weeks.

    he had 4 including 2 inside 50 tackles so if he is finally starting to do what the coaches ask….

    someone is paying attention.

    1 hour ago, Vineytime said:

    Best team we have had on the park all year.

    Like the forward line, much better than last week.

    No excuses to not be competitive this week.

    As named we have at least 2 premiership players on every line and another on the bench. I was pessimistic at the start of the week but I agree if we're not competitive this week, it doesnt look good for the next month.

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    I like that if Petty doesn't work up forward we can swap him with Turner. I think both are better in the backline but we just don't have an in-form forward so that's what we have to work with.

    May is aging quickly but Lever still has a lot of good footy in him. His ankles have always been a problem, no more now than in the past. It will be great to get him back on the park next week, along with Viney (if he can carry on from where he left off).

    I think Spargo is an asset and his worth can't be measured in goals alone. We need players with good disposal efficiency in the team. He may not have a big kick but he hits targets and is creative with his use.

    I don't give us a chance this week but I would love to be surprised!

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    2 hours ago, binman said:

    I can't see rhe logic in bringing in AJ and making him sub given they dropped JVR- who is going to bevtge second ruck?

    Leaving that aside he can only really play forward or on the ruck, so doesn't offer much positional flexibility as a sub.

    My query on AJ is that he's been manhandled whenever he's gone into the ruck. I like work at ground level in the stoppage and in the forward half though. But he doesn't look threatening as a scoreboard option.

    But let's see how he goes. I'm hoping we can lay 10+ forward 50 tackles. Do that and we'll be in the game if we take our chances when they present.

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    15 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

    We’re a chance. Our fitness is the biggest concern for mine

    Our goalkicking is mine.

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    13 minutes ago, Maximum said:

    I like that if Petty doesn't work up forward we can swap him with Turner. I think both are better in the backline but we just don't have an in-form forward so that's what we have to work with.

    May is aging quickly but Lever still has a lot of good footy in him. His ankles have always been a problem, no more now than in the past. It will be great to get him back on the park next week, along with Viney (if he can carry on from where he left off).

    I think Spargo is an asset and his worth can't be measured in goals alone. We need players with good disposal efficiency in the team. He may not have a big kick but he hits targets and is creative with his use.

    I don't give us a chance this week but I would love to be surprised!

    How can a forwards worth not be measured in goals? If it is possessions, fleet of foot, defensive pressure and impact on the game, Spargo does not have that either.

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    9 hours ago, DubDee said:

    I think this is part of the reason we moved Windsor back to HB

    We need some dash and skill off HB.

    Bowey also being used as our primary distibutor off HB

    sadly Salo is way way below his past high standards.

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    2 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

    Unless he is not the sub? Is there a slim chance that might end up being Fritta?

    I don't think AJ will be sub.

    Fritter wouldn't be a crazy choice. Ia also a bit inflexible position wise but not as bad as AJ.

    And he could cover a tall or medium forward.

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    5 hours ago, Adam The God said:

    Turner won't play forward. Petty will play permanent forward with AJ doing the backup rucking it seems.

    They have Hipwood and Morris as tall forwards. Only two right? They’ve dropped Fort. So do we need three tall defenders?

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    Is there any chance that they have planned for a ‘late out’ (no idea who) and that all five currently on the bench will be in the starting 22 and Laurie becomes the sub?

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    23 hours ago, Demonland said:

    Apparently Viney's symptoms didn't appear until the Thursday following the game and its at that point he entered the concussion protocols.

    Surely it from the time he sustains the concussion? Anyone know what the rules are re this?

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    23 hours ago, DubDee said:

    **Positive Post Warning**

    FB Bowey May Salem

    HB McVee McDonald Rivers

    C Windsor Petracca Langdon

    HF Melksham Turner Sparrow

    FF Chandler Petty Pickett

    R Gawn Oliver Langford

    Int Fritsch Spargo Sharp Lindsay sub Laurie

    Actually not a bad starting 18 (*I've selected from the 26 picked)

    Main issues (aside from kicking straight) are McVee out of form and a lack of defensive talls, assuming Turner starts fwd. Rivers could be tried as intercept defender? Or Turner plays back and AJ comes in to ruck to leave Petty fwd. We need a stay at home tall fwd.

    Hopefully Viney, Lever, and in form Kolt and JVR can come in soon to increase the quality of our bench and we won't be an easy game for any team

    McVee at of form,the only small playing defence,maybe this week he should leave Cameron and try and get 30 +

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    6 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    Apparently Viney's symptoms didn't appear until the Thursday following the game and its at that point he entered the concussion protocols.

    Surely it from the time he sustains the concussion? Anyone know what the rules are re this?

    Yes the 10 day protocol started on Thursday as you stated.

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