Thinking:

Out: McDonald (managed), Sharp (omitted)

In: Lever, Viney

Sub: Fritsch

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yep. Turner played a cracking game in Defence

There is no way i would move him from that role

So tmac then?

5 hours ago, poita said:

What is a score involvement? Does that mean the full back has a score involvement if a kick in travels the length of the field?

Are we that excited about Spargo's score involvements if the ball is touched 3 more times before we score? Or if he jams his teammate in the pocket on an impossible angle?

Footywire lists him as contributing 1 goal 4 behinds and 4 goal assists in 8 games. How is that an acceptable return from a permanent small forward?

A score involvement means his disposal hasn't broken down in a chain that results in a score.

If you go back to my original rebuttal, it was to be debunk the idea that Charlie was a poor kick.

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yep. Turner played a cracking game in Defence

There is no way i would move him from that role

Agreed but he looks great fwd too. 3.0 against WC with 19 touches. One of the very few that kicks straight

I wish we had 2 of him

Zero chance of being dropped

They might rest May. No natural opponent for him

16 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

There are 3 potential ins.... Viney, Fritsch and Lever

Of those 3 Viney is the only definite with Fritsch potentially again as sub.

If Viney comes in you have to wonder who goes out. Sharp perhaps.

If Lever comes in Turner goes forward which probably means AJ out (who relieves Gawn) but it's even more complicated if Fritsch also comes in. Would not be adverse to AJ taking a lot of the ruck in the first half and then being subbed for Fritsch thus allowing a relatively fresh Gawn to be the sole ruck in the second half. Can AJ be trusted though as a primary ruck?

Other than Sharp I don't see anyone immediately pressing for Spargo's spot.

Assuming we have a mid season opening I can see Bonner joining the AFL list. At VFL level he's a connection machine. Not sure about his defensive work but he's deserving of a chance. We would then have Bonner, Spargo Sharp Woey and Brown pushing for one spot

Scoring via Melksham was smart and reminded me of how Collingwood score so often from ordinary forwards. It's all in the delivery.

Incredibly difficult selection week and if we're good enough to win the following week will be even harder

Good write up DJ

It isn't straight forward at all, save Viney.

It will be very interesting as to me it reveals as much about strategies as it does selections.

If ever the notion of " it was won at selection" might apply this may be it.

There's 4 qtrs to be played. Going to be a very interesting game. Look forward to it.

On 20/05/2025 at 08:23, picket fence said:

Agree, but would have either Sharp or Brown as sub. Spargo at Casey where he belongs! Not quick enough, nor kicks enough goals as a small forward!

Have a look at the other work Spargo does, his defensive work is very good.

Viney in Sharp out Spargo out Brown in

i really like Sharp he competes and get into great positons and chases

could have kicked 3 unfortunately a serial offender in front of goals

May and Tmac both excellent but older too, not the worst idea giving one of them a rest, although I'd be nervous not having them in the side. I think May and Lever must be keen to play with each other by now.

Never in my life would I ever imagine seeing Melbourne and Tottenham finally breaking their trophy droughts, but, here we are!

God, imagine if we can knock off Sydney, beat St Kilda going into the King’s Birthday match leveling the ledger. I will start to truly believe again. The players will too and will put up a fight against the Pies.

I am just in a good space of positivity at the moment. Please Melbourne! 🙏

Edited May 21May 21 by VNightCityLegend

Sorry - off Topic

Go Ange! From the A league to a European Trophy winner

He is not a clown!

40 minutes ago, jackaub said:

Viney in Sharp out Spargo out Brown in

i really like Sharp he competes and get into great positons and chases

could have kicked 3 unfortunately a serial offender in front of goals

The thing I don't understand with Sharp is that surely he knows he is a poor kick. He lined up from 50m like he really thought he would score. Didn't have the accuracy to even register a behind or the distance. If he wants to stay in the side he needs to know his limitations and give off a handball or short pass

He does run and pressure well - in the lead up to the crucial 'Clarry tap on' goal his pressure, smother and involvement in a handball chain was great work

32 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Sorry - off Topic

Go Ange! From the A league to a European Trophy winner

He is not a clown!

The only one that will look like a clown is Daniel Levy if he tries to sack Angelos.

Champions League Football✅️

Uefa Cup✅️

Arsenal 0 😂

Swans lose Frances (Concussion), McInerny and Amarty (both suspension) but regain Mills and likely McLean (back from concussion)

Their goalkickers this year are:

• Hayward 14

• Amartey, McLean, Warner 11

• Heeney 10

• Campbell 8

• Hanily, Warner 7

• Blakey 5

• Sheldrick 4

Thats quite a few goals from mids - often the case at the SCG - but no real monster forward.

That says to me one of TMac or May gets rested.

And maybe Chin to take Warner and Viney to Heeney

Sydney will run with Jordon on Petracca

Edited May 21May 21 by jnrmac

If McDonald, May and Turner are all fit when Lever is ready to return, I could see one of May and McDonald being "managed" for one week each. Then, if after that all four key defenders are fit and firing, a tough decision will have to be made (unless one of them needs to play forward to plug a hole there). I cannot see any way against any opponent we should play 4 KPDs.

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Have a look at the other work Spargo does, his defensive work is very good.

You know his response is going to be tackle stats, if it’s not in the stats you need to know what you’re looking at

17 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Spargo is being gifted games. That’s all we can say. Clearly below par in most measurements and not even contributing to any intangibles like smart knockons , shepherds, smothers etc. Compared to other small forwards he’s goal output is extremely underperforming. He’s never been a goalkicker but he know seems too scared to try to kick a goal. Definitely needs to go back to Casey.

Spargo would struggle to get a game at any other club including Richmond, Norf and West Coast!

21 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Spargo would struggle to get a game at any other club including Richmond, Norf and West Coast!

19 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I think one of the things that’s important to remember with Spargo is he’s spent a fair chunk of time out of the game. The club sees his upside and clearly believe he’s worth the investment of time to get him up to his best. If he can string 12-14 solid games together then I think we’ll see continued improvement in his game. I’m a believer that he makes us better. I’m also a believer that his current output is not his ceiling and if it was I think he’d be playing at Casey. He’s a guy who will also benefit hugely from a full preseason.

Yeah Spargo reminds me a bit of Bowery after he came back from injury

Disco is just a more skilful and athletic Lever, Lever should be in the magoos for the 2nd half of the season before being traded to Norf

7 minutes ago, adonski said:

Disco is just a more skilful and athletic Lever, Lever should be in the magoos for the 2nd half of the season before being traded to Norf

14 minutes ago, adonski said:

Disco is just a more skilful and athletic Lever, Lever should be in the magoos for the 2nd half of the season before being traded to Norf

Turner on current form is better than Lever in that role. Will depend on how they play Turner and where.

Lever is still valuable, but his ankles have crippled his footy.

4 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Amartey out is big

Adds to logan McDonald, Melican, Francis all out

They are left with Hamling fwd. Their list is light on talls already

plus no papley and Gulden

We have to win this

Even though they have beaten us at the 'G before, they simply wont be able to tap it from the centre to inside 50 for a 30m kick to goal so easily this week. The SCG really is ridiculous.

If we keep the pressure up and get our overlap game going, we should be fine.

"should"

20 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

The SCG is only 5m shorter than the MCG! And it's only 1m shorter than the Gabba. It ain't that small as far as length goes.

You know how maths works, yeah?

21 hours ago, Demonstone said:

The SCG is 155m from goal line to goal line. The MCG is 160 metres. There's hardly any difference at all, but the myth persists.

You know how dimensions work, yeah?

6 minutes ago, SPC said:

Turner on current form is better than Lever in that role. Will depend on how they play Turner and where.

Lever is still valuable, but his ankles have crippled his footy.

Turner is in career best form and should be in the side for the flexibility he brings. Lever is one of the best intercept markers in the game and crucial to our backline structure, I don't see a reason where we have to pick one or the other.