OUT - Laurie- He's a bit stiff to be honest, he gets omitted because Sharp has proven to be a much better super sub than he is a starting player, and will likely go back into that role with Vineys inclusion. If Viney doesn't pull up, my guess is either Laurie gets a full game or we bring in Tholstrup, who had a strong second half on the weekend and applies good on-ball pressure, which Melbourne completely lack in against St. Kilda.
Lever - Very out of form. He isn't anywhere near it physically and is currently a defensive liability while both reading the play poorly and struggling to be accountable for his man. He was rushed back and needs to find form at Casey.
Johnson - Is getting suspended. Needs to channel that aggression better. I thought he was decent at times, his impact does seem to go beyond disposal, in part because he of his physicality, but he needs to clean his game up and take his chances. Should have kicked a couple.


IN - Viney - Straight back if healthy. Goody does have a habit of rushing his senior players back after lay-offs, so the fact Viney has missed the last month adds more concern. My guess is he'll rotate between midfield and half-forward but what do I know. All the best to Jack.
Van Rooyen - He's had two really good weeks at VFL level. He's been outplayed by Jefferson in both games, but I think the best thing for Jeffos development is being allowed to continue his phenomenal form at Casey while he continues to build his body for AFL level. There'll almost certainly be a chance for him very soon if he keeps up his form. JVR has taken 8 contested marks in the last few weeks and seems to be playing with more aggression and confidence so a straight swap for AJ makes sense. We desperately need Roo at his best, so here's hoping he can deliver.
McDonald - He should never have been omitted if I'm being frank, he's been Melbourne's most consistent and reliable key defender for the past season and a half and has been dealt the short straw because May and Lever are bigger names. This should honestly be a no-brainer, but I'm not sure Goody has it in him to swing the axe.

I think we need to play the team that gives us the best chance of winning

Out Laurie

In Viney

If AJ goes then JVR gets another shot

If Viney doesn’t get up I’d play Culley over Laurie. Big body tell him to shut down Pendles

Edited Monday at 01:302 days by Roost it far

1 hour ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Marty has been unlucky as hell with injuries.

Yes, he has, and to refer to him as a NQR player is disrespectful because NQR in this context has nothing to do with injuries, rather it’s a reference to a lack of ability/talent.

13 minutes ago, burnthefushias said:

OUT - Laurie- He's a bit stiff to be honest, he gets omitted because Sharp has proven to be a much better super sub than he is a starting player, and will likely go back into that role with Vineys inclusion. If Viney doesn't pull up, my guess is either Laurie gets a full game or we bring in Tholstrup, who had a strong second half on the weekend and applies good on-ball pressure, which Melbourne completely lack in against St. Kilda.
Lever - Very out of form. He isn't anywhere near it physically and is currently a defensive liability while both reading the play poorly and struggling to be accountable for his man. He was rushed back and needs to find form at Casey.
Johnson - Is getting suspended. Needs to channel that aggression better. I thought he was decent at times, his impact does seem to go beyond disposal, in part because he of his physicality, but he needs to clean his game up and take his chances. Should have kicked a couple.


IN - Viney - Straight back if healthy. Goody does have a habit of rushing his senior players back after lay-offs, so the fact Viney has missed the last month adds more concern. My guess is he'll rotate between midfield and half-forward but what do I know. All the best to Jack.
Van Rooyen - He's had two really good weeks at VFL level. He's been outplayed by Jefferson in both games, but I think the best thing for Jeffos development is being allowed to continue his phenomenal form at Casey while he continues to build his body for AFL level. There'll almost certainly be a chance for him very soon if he keeps up his form. JVR has taken 8 contested marks in the last few weeks and seems to be playing with more aggression and confidence so a straight swap for AJ makes sense. We desperately need Roo at his best, so here's hoping he can deliver.
McDonald - He should never have been omitted if I'm being frank, he's been Melbourne's most consistent and reliable key defender for the past season and a half and has been dealt the short straw because May and Lever are bigger names. This should honestly be a no-brainer, but I'm not sure Goody has it in him to swing the axe.

I'll tell you now he won't. Id make 4 to 5 changes and put a few on notice!

Is there a case for TMac to come into the side at the expense of AJ, and either play forward or go back and allow Disco to move forward? His form was far superior to that of JVR. Moore will work JVR under the ball all day. We've seen it before. JVR does not have the nouse to keep Moore accountable. I know TMac has trained all year as a defender, but he is experienced as a forward and could impose himself physically.

I trhought the move to throw Disco forward on Sunday was a massive mistake. He was dominant in the backline. Almost our best defender. We then sub AJ and he is forced to go forwaed, to little effect - although he had chances.

32 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Yes, he has, and to refer to him as a NQR player is disrespectful because NQR in this context has nothing to do with injuries, rather it’s a reference to a lack of ability/talent.

100% x infinity.

If we can contain the Pies matchwinners, Daicos, Daicos, Elliot, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Micohek, Hill, Crisp amd maybe one or two others we are every chance this week!

This goes a few ways. We clog things up, slow it down and keep it 'manageable' or we roll the dice and meet them head on which would either see an unlikely season defining victory/humilating 12-15 goal loss. Pick your poison.

3 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

If we can contain the Pies matchwinners, Daicos, Daicos, Elliot, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Micohek, Hill, Crisp amd maybe one or two others we are every chance this week!

......

So in other words ... not a snowflakes chance in hell

14 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

So in other words ... not a snowflakes chance in hell

The funny thing is we’re no more or less likely to beat Collingwood than we were last week. If we play our best we’re a chance, if we play like yesterday again we’ll get destroyed. Personally my confidence took a whack yesterday, It was a terrible performance. I’m really hoping we respond.

Maybe the answer is to aim for behinds next week against the Pies, small problem might be kicking it out on the full.

We'll be fine.... it's our Grand Final after all....

4.00 on Sportsbet - just got meself some

Win by 11

53 minutes ago, Trident22 said:

Is there a case for TMac to come into the side at the expense of AJ, and either play forward or go back and allow Disco to move forward? His form was far superior to that of JVR. Moore will work JVR under the ball all day. We've seen it before. JVR does not have the nouse to keep Moore accountable.

Our forward line with go back to Rounds 1 to 5 if JVR is selected. His so-called ‘good form’ in the seconds has been against the weakest sides. I saw nothing of those performances that would tell me he can cope with the Collingwood backline. So it will be another fail - wandering around lost, dropping marks or, rather, not even getting near the position required to drop them.

Jefferson has been superior at Casey in recent weeks and deserves another go. He couldn’t be worse than JVR would be. So all upside in giving him a chance.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Yes, he has, and to refer to him as a NQR player is disrespectful because NQR in this context has nothing to do with injuries, rather it’s a reference to a lack of ability/talent.

Even without injuries he's borderline AFL level.

15 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Petty has to be dropped, he is completely ineffective as a big body up forward. For a guy his size to get outbodied again and again is a joke, he is just too soft. Drop him to the VFL.

I thought the same last week but took the word of other posters that he "did a job" on McCartin. Not this week, he was horrible. Had enough of his pea heart efforts, he can go.

No he shouldnt. We should stop kicking the ball to his disadvantage and give him a chance to contest. When he has the ability to run and jump he is very effective. Where he has to stop, prop and push back into the defender... name me a KPF in the comp that is effective at contested marking in that situation.

He takes the front position all the time so, lets make use of that.

5 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

No he shouldnt. We should stop kicking the ball to his disadvantage and give him a chance to contest. When he has the ability to run and jump he is very effective. Where he has to stop, prop and push back into the defender... name me a KPF in the comp that is effective at contested marking in that situation.

He takes the front position all the time so, lets make use of that.

Agree 100% here. We have been so much better structurally since Petty went forward. We can't make yesterday the barometer of the season.

Our revival has been based on better running and pressure, forcing turnovers, moving the ball fast and creating opportunity.

We need to get back to that pressure.

AJ was in the side for bringing it, but it looks like he is going to miss. JVR has definitely had more intent in the twos the last 2 weeks; effort stands out even against poor opposition. He deserves another chance.

I agree with the earlier post that Jeffo needs an extended go at knocking the door down. 10 goals in 2 games is good, but he still isn't applying much pressure.

I'm genuinely worried about Viney. 3 weeks with a concussion speaks to something really bad. He'd come straight back in if OK. I dont think Laurie is up to it but perhaps deserves another go - else, Kolt.

3 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Marty doesn’t belong on that list.

Correct, he was playing VFL the second time we added him and has shown some form, but again was recruited more for depth.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

It would be so lovely to find ourselves in a financial position where we no longer need the $1mil pay check that comes with this game.

But when we are 20k down in memberships, that seems far fetched.

We want a home base that will cost millions, but we don't want to sell games that make us more money than any home game does (except for perhaps KB).

There is no easy way to say this, but the ground is not the problem, the playing group is. We would have lost at the MCG yesterday kicking 7.21 as well, and we would have made peanuts with a crowd of maybe 35k.

Think of what you could be buying ( getting ) instead!

Ins.

Lockdown tackles to stop handballs out

Hard overlap running

Quick ball movement (a must in)

Accuracy in front of goal

Lower eyes entering 50

Transition through the corridor with bravery

Outs

Missed tackles

Start stop wide start stop go wide

Guarding grass and pointing fingers

High dump kicks inside 50

Nervous anxious goal kicking

Loose low handballs to teammates feet

Petty is so poor at drawing the footy. It’s a hugely underrated part of being a forward.

I’ve said it many times on here, he’s an excellent 3rd man up type pack marker. He was borderline elite at it in 2021. Teams realised this and took his run and made him more accountable.

Now we are trying to turn him into a forward (again) as he has size and a massive catch radius. He shows little nous or craft but due to a complete lack of options, we persist. Not to mention his goal kicking and awful ruckwork. 🤮

As much as I hate to say this, as I love the fella, but maybe Petty needs to go back in place of Lever? Lever may need to reinvent himself. Not sure what to. A defensive forward?

Any thought of moving Disco forward again should be a sackable offence. He’s a much better back man than forward. Disco is so good that he could help extend May’s career down there. Allowing May to take lesser forwards and zoning off. May’s voice and kicking are still required.

Is it time to have a look at Sestan, to recognise his very good / consistent form at Casey? He has excellent dIsposal.

Windsor, who I isn’t really cutting it at half back, could be used to replace Laurie / Sharp as sub.

Viney (if fit) replaces the other one in the 23.

JVR seems the only logical replacement for AJ.

3 minutes ago, Deeoldfart said:

Is it time to have a look at Sestan, to recognise his very good / consistent form at Casey? He has excellent dIsposal.

Windsor, who I isn’t really cutting it at half back, could be used to replace Laurie / Sharp as sub.

Viney (if fit) replaces the other one in the 23.

JVR seems the only logical replacement for AJ.

I would love them to release Windsor up the ground a bit.

Viney to come in and perform a shutdown role on a Daicos?

8 minutes ago, JJJ said:

I would love them to release Windsor up the ground a bit.

Viney to come in and perform a shutdown role on a Daicos?

No way. Daicos is way too quick for him. Be ready for 40 touches, 3 goals and a best on from him.

8 minutes ago, JJJ said:

Petty is so poor at drawing the footy. It’s a hugely underrated part of being a forward.

I’ve said it many times on here, he’s an excellent 3rd man up type pack marker. He was borderline elite at it in 2021. Teams realised this and took his run and made him more accountable.

Yep. Although I'd say over the borderline of elite in 2021.

8 minutes ago, JJJ said:

Now we are trying to turn him into a forward (again) as he has size and a massive catch radius. He shows little nous or craft but due to a complete lack of options, we persist. Not to mention his goal kicking and awful ruckwork. 🤮

This is a really good summary. I like Petty a lot, but pretty much strictly as a key defender now. He has some of the raw skills forwards need, but as you say, not the craft. In a game like yetserday when we returned to blasting it in with little thought, we needed someone to just bring the ball to ground. It's far more difficult than it seems and we need to keep looking for someone who can do it regularly. Van Rooyen? Jefferson? Johnson? Kentfield? Derksen if we can get him next year? Another mature player traded in?

8 minutes ago, JJJ said:

As much as I hate to say this, as I love the fella, but maybe Petty needs to go back in place of Lever? Lever may need to reinvent himself. Not sure what to. A defensive forward?

8 minutes ago, JJJ said:

Any thought of moving Disco forward again should be a sackable offence. He’s a much better back man than forward. Disco is so good that he could help extend May’s career down there. Allowing May to take lesser forwards and zoning off. May’s voice and kicking are still required.

I'm not quite ready to give up on Lever but I definitely want to see Disco and Petty in combination as defenders. Unless Petty has his eyes on a free agency move to SA, this is the future.