How bad was AJ’s shot at goal. Thankfully Melksham got it to Langdon who tried to miss. There’s a few bottom 6 players who can’t kick under any pressure. I also thought Tracc’s last quarter miss was pretty poor. Still I ain’t complaining tonight.

I think maybe Viney for Spargo.

We are worst team in AFL for set shot goalkicking.

Many shots closer to,out of bounds rather than goals.

They need to practice more.

Spargo out, Viney in

I think Lever needs another run in the twos to get to full form and Disco down back is looking like peak Jake Lever anyway. Not sure what we do once Jake is fully fit, but not next week.

Hope Lindsay is just precautionary, he’s a gun and we need him.

Incredible win, god I wish we’d brought that last quarter against the Hawks. Win next week and we’re back in this season, especially if North, WC and Richmond can steal a couple more off our rivals.

2 hours ago, Stiff Arm said:

AJ must stay in. His aggression on the ball and ruck work set the standard in the last

We look better with AJ in our side relief rucking for Max and that allows Petty and Melk to stay dangerous for us.

Only change I'd contemplate for Sydney is Viney in and Sharp out.

Edited May 18, 2025May 18 by YesitwasaWin4theAges

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Lindsay did take a hand to the face in the last Q

Might be a precautionary eye situation

Hopefully gets looked at. I think it was Rayner with the sloppy spoil attempt.

It would be awesome to keep the same fwd line for 5 weeks +

We are getting to very settled team which leads to consistency and wins

Do not think Lindsay went to hospital

We have to take games one at a time, to make sure we respect our opponents and not get to ahead of ourselves.

...BUT, with the Swans (definitely winnable, although they place us well on the G) and the Saints (super winnable), we could be 6-6 by the time we reach the Pies - who are playing well, but not THAT well. And we could be 6-1 by then (and the Hawks game, for me, was a missed opportunity, we had them on toast for 3 quarters but could not convert), so lots of momentum and belief. We are playing much better and certainly an upward trajectory.

But, for now, the only thing on our minds should be the Swans. We can certainly take them on our home turf, playing like we did today.

23 minutes ago, DubDee said:

It would be awesome to keep the same fwd line for 5 weeks +

We are getting to very settled team which leads to consistency and wins

Yep, a settled forward line is not something we have had for a long, long time. 5 weeks together would do wonders.

Sydney are very up and down from game to game and quarter to quarter, and it depends very much on pressure applied not just to slow their top players but to stimulate the nerves and uncertainty that is creeping through the less celebrated players.

Carlton would absolutely have had Sydney's measure if it was De Konig instead of Pittonet out there. And they got a bit unlucky, too.

Of course, aside from the potent rucks our team is radically different to Carlton. The headline being the key forwards.

All games, ultimately, are decided by the efforts of the lower-rated half of the side, but this game will be a particularly strong example of that. I'm sure Petracca has had a weight taken off his shoulders by the fact that the team is getting it done without requiring him to be his supernatural best. In contrast, Heeney and Warner are simply too important to Sydney - they bring half Sydney's clearances and a third of Sydney's goals.

Unfortunately I don't think either would be a good target for Clayton the super-tagger!

3 hours ago, dees189227 said:

Hopefully the dees fans get to the G next week especially coming off todays great win.

This is Petracca's 200th game right? Hopefully the supporters get down to the G after today's result and also to cheer on one of our modern stars, our only Norm Smith Medallist and the guy who helped bring the cup back home to us after 57 years.

4 hours ago, Demongirl35 said:

Out Sharp Aj

In Viney Lever

move Tuner forward

Spargo as the 2nd ruck?

Vines for Sharp

Brown dawg for Spargo

I'd swap roles between Petty and Turner

Lever needs another week at least imv.

It might be that we just scrape in. Who knows, maybe we storm in. But if we get Lever & Viney back and and we can keep the bulk (say 90%+) of our best 22 on the park from here, our Team Rating (from two weeks ago) suggests we are on track to play finals.

Edited May 18, 2025May 18 by Demon Dynasty

1 hour ago, Oxdee said:

Spargo as the 2nd ruck?

Edited May 18, 2025May 18 by John Demonic

B: Lever, May, McVee

HB: Salem, McDonald, Bowey

C: Windsor, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Sparrow, Turner, Petracca

F: Chandler, Petty, Melksham

FOLL: Gawn, Viney, Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Langford, Rivers, Johnson

SUB: Fritsch

EMERG: Spargo, Sharp, Howes

Easy.

In. Viney and Lever (if fit)

Out. Sharp (if only he’d taken his chances) Spargo (not AFL standard by a long way)

Fritsch stays as sub. @Demonland Fritta seemed energized surprisingly as the super sub. Kicking for goal still got the yips

AJ stays in as he loves the contest. 2nd ruck work was ok and did some good bullicking work.

If Lever is not fit, bring in Kynan Brown

4 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Easy.

In. Viney and Lever (if fit)

Out. Sharp (if only he’d taken his chances) Spargo (not AFL standard by a long way)

Fritsch stays as sub. @Demonland Fritta seemed energized surprisingly as the super sub. Kicking for goal still got the yips

AJ stays in as he loves the contest. 2nd ruck work was ok and did some good bullicking work.

If Lever is not fit, bring in Kynan Brown

Something along these lines.

There's a a trap we can all fall in of leaning towards picking a list of 24 odd players .... as opposed..... picking the better TEAM .

The team yesterday worked. You probably don't want to change it wholesale so asking myself what might tweak it, just improve a few things ? Something along SONS line up.

Viney about the only 100% obvious.

Lever , super handy if fully fit. A smallish ? hangs over him.

Sharp or Spargo comes out.

I feel many are too quick to caste the scythe towards AJ. He actually provides something. It doesn't sparkle or shine that something, it's quite rustic but very affective. I'd hesitate dropping him.

Fritta seemed quite keen and alive when he came on. I'd do this maybe once more. It worked. I quite like things that work. Prefer them to things that ought to... but don't.

Goodwin is a fella that prefers not to change much. Here's a week to do just that imho.

5 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Vines for Sharp

Brown dawg for Spargo

I'd swap roles between Petty and Turner

Lever needs another week at least imv.

It might be that we just scrape in. Who knows, maybe we storm in. But if we get Lever & Viney back and and we can keep the bulk (say 90%+) of our best 22 on the park from here, our Team Rating (from two weeks ago) suggests we are on track to play finals.

Turner was excellent yesterday, stand out good. There’s no way I’m taking him out of defence. In saying that both he and Petty are becoming incredibly versatile. If things aren’t working then you have the ability to change…there goes my “no way I’m taking him out of defence” in just 2 sentences! That’s a record even for me.

I think it's hard to drop anyone from a side that beats a reigning premier on their home turf, but with the possibility of a couple of big ins, i dont admire the job the MC has to do this week.

I think Viney in, Sharp out (unlucky a bit as i dont think he was too bad this week). Let Lever have a full game in the ressies to get match fitness, the back line is looking solid atm, so unless there is an injury back there he will be cherry ripe for the Saints.

Fritta was a good sub, let him have another go at it as he works back toward earning a full game. Although if Melky keeps going on like this he'll keep him on the pine!

Our energy was so great, I'm very reluctant to change anything.

I guess Sharp out for Viney.

11 minutes ago, Yarra Valley Demon said:

I think it's hard to drop anyone from a side that beats a reigning premier on their home turf, but with the possibility of a couple of big ins, i dont admire the job the MC has to do this week.

I think Viney in, Sharp out (unlucky a bit as i dont think he was too bad this week). Let Lever have a full game in the ressies to get match fitness, the back line is looking solid atm, so unless there is an injury back there he will be cherry ripe for the Saints.

Fritta was a good sub, let him have another go at it as he works back toward earning a full game. Although if Melky keeps going on like this he'll keep him on the pine!

Sharp gets himself where he needs to be which is a positive, he’s also quick. The downsides are he’s a deer in the headlights with the ball. I’m sure he trains well but do you want him on GF day?

I’d like to see if Brown can offer more than Spargo. Other than that Viney in for Sharp although I don’t mind Sharp but Vin has to come in. Lever another week away. Hope Lindsay’s ok.

With Viney back who plays the tagging role this week?

2 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

With Viney back who plays the tagging role this week?

Interesting conundrum

There was a few times AJ was able to physically manhandled Hipwood in the ruck when they both got their turns each. Even at centre circle throw ups he managed to actually get clean tap to our mids.

For now, he stays in the team.

Sydney will both have McInerney and Amartey out but Mills and Taylor Adams should return.

Stop Heeney and Warner and it will go a long way to us winning.