I wonder how much selection integrity counts towards team cohesion & confidence in the coaching group.

Most supporters were perplexed when Tom McDonald was dropped despite solid form.

The continued selection of Windsor & Tholstrup despite playing poorly is also mystifying & it looks like Lindsay needs a rest as well.

I'm not a fan of Jack Billiings but after a month of good form at Casey it's hard to understand why he is not selected.

Selection integrity is for losers.

We’ve seen what Billings has done at afl for over a decade.

I’d give it 15 minutes in to any game he plays for everyone to wonder why on earth we’ve picked Billings.

21 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

I wonder how much selection integrity counts towards team cohesion & confidence in the coaching group.

Most supporters were perplexed when Tom McDonald was dropped despite solid form.

The continued selection of Windsor & Tholstrup despite playing poorly is also mystifying & it looks like Lindsay needs a rest as well.

I'm not a fan of Jack Billiings but after a month of good form at Casey it's hard to understand why he is not selected.

There is ZERO selection integrity.

You can throw Laurie into the mix too (no, I don't think his future is at the MFC either), with the juxtaposition of Petty in the ones.

I mentioned this the other day and was met with the usual laugh reacts and vomit reactions from the regulars. How ANYONE can argue there is selection integrity, is beyond me.

2 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

There is ZERO selection integrity.

You can throw Laurie into the mix too (no, I don't think his future is at the MFC either), with the juxtaposition of Petty in the ones.

I mentioned this the other day and was met with the usual laugh reacts and vomit reactions from the regulars. How ANYONE can argue there is selection integrity, is beyond me.

It's your preception. But until an insider blows the whistle and says who has the negatives(*) of the coach and others, I'll reserve judgement. (*)young'uns may not get the reference.

1 minute ago, sue said:

It's your preception. But until an insider blows the whistle and says who has the negatives(*) of the coach and others, I'll reserve judgement. (*)young'uns may not get the reference.

Laugh reacting to this, not your actual post.

Selection integrity means different things to different people. For some, it's about trying to win here and now; for others it's about building a team for the future. In that latter example, players need to be tried to see if they are worth persevering with. They may not be ready yet, but if they show enough potential, then it's also important to give them game experience now, even if they are not yet fully ready.

Hence, I agree with DeeSpencer. I've seen enough to know that Billings is not the answer, even though he might be a better prospect than some others to help us win a game in the short term.

17 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Selection integrity means different things to different people. For some, it's about trying to win here and now; for others it's about building a team for the future. In that latter example, players need to be tried to see if they are worth persevering with. They may not be ready yet, but if they show enough potential, then it's also important to give them game experience now, even if they are not yet fully ready.

Hence, I agree with DeeSpencer. I've seen enough to know that Billings is not the answer, even though he might be a better prospect than some others to help us win a game in the short term.

Completely agree with this. Re dropping TMac: I thought it was terribly sad as he had been playing very well, is a real trier, and has given great service to the Club. However, clearly the Club thought that lever was a better player and that is a reasonable thing to say. You can't have four tall defenders in the one team. Goodwin is very much a believer in developing cohesion which no doubt is why some players remain in the team despite one or several bad games. I think selection integrity is very much a changeable term.

Ps of course, if you want to criticise Goody and the club for anything and everything, then sure, not every selection decision is one that everyone will agree with. BUT let's remember what the DLand view of Melksham was a couple of years ago!

2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

I wonder how much selection integrity counts towards team cohesion & confidence in the coaching group.

Most supporters were perplexed when Tom McDonald was dropped despite solid form.

The continued selection of Windsor & Tholstrup despite playing poorly is also mystifying & it looks like Lindsay needs a rest as well.

I'm not a fan of Jack Billiings but after a month of good form at Casey it's hard to understand why he is not selected.

We are selecting with 2026 list and style in mind and balancing being competitive not just playing kids for kids sake.

TMac going out allowed Turner to go back and he has blossomed. It will be interesting this week to see with Lever out and Petty available what happens with TMac though.

Edited July 16Jul 16 by Lil_red_fire_engine

Shane Wane played 6 state games for Victoria before he was selected for Australia despite his fotm not warranting selection. He was completely out of his depth when he made the Australian side and got belted all over the ground. That turned out pretty well in the end.

Selecting for the future can be wise even if it's not the best for short term outcomes.

Selection is based on who Goody thinks is going to be part of our next flag tilt.

Edited July 16Jul 16 by Ethan Tremblay

Dee-vina Simms it up beautifully.

What actually is “selection integrity” and does it (whatever it is) change as the season consolidates or unravels, as the case may be??

At this stage I suspect it should be planning ahead, thus for example Billings’ good performances at Casey may not be rewarded in the same way as a younger player.

I would also think that the likes of Woewoden, Brown and Laurie should get some senior games, in continuity, unless their cards are marked already as I suspect some have been.

22 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

BUT let's remember what the DLand view of Melksham was a couple of years ago!

Indeed. “Past it”, “Goody’s mate”, too old, too slow etc. I may even be guilty of being part of the baying mob, for which I humbly and deeply apologise.

26 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Selection is based on who Goody thinks is going to be part of our next flag tilt.

Last week Richo came to banner-making and invited questions. On the question of Tmac he said similar to what you said (above) except he didn’t say “Goody,” he said “the club” and added that these decisions based on our future are discussed at length with the individual players. But I’m guessing this will fall on deaf ears because why the hell was Tmac dropped and if Tmac is dropped this week I’ll riot etc.

Selection is a disgrace. They don't put my in my ins and outs every week. It's like Goody doesn't even read demonland.

Demonland: "the season is over - play the kids!"

Also Demonland:

18 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

I wonder how much selection integrity counts towards team cohesion & confidence in the coaching group.

Most supporters were perplexed when Tom McDonald was dropped despite solid form.

The continued selection of Windsor & Tholstrup despite playing poorly is also mystifying & it looks like Lindsay needs a rest as well.

I'm not a fan of Jack Billiings but after a month of good form at Casey it's hard to understand why he is not selected.

Good thread for the Eeyores. Winning solves everything - even MFCSS amazingly. Nah - who am I kidding? Sufferers never get fully over it.

17 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

Completely agree with this. Re dropping TMac: I thought it was terribly sad as he had been playing very well, is a real trier, and has given great service to the Club. However, clearly the Club thought that lever was a better player and that is a reasonable thing to say. You can't have four tall defenders in the one team. Goodwin is very much a believer in developing cohesion which no doubt is why some players remain in the team despite one or several bad games. I think selection integrity is very much a changeable term.

But there's one tall defender most of us have been screaming for to move forward.

I wonder what having Disco given a solid 6 week run up forward earlier in the season may have produced?

I know it's not a silver bullet but it's not just selection that could be questioned but also where some players have been continued to be played.

E.g Petty forward, Windsor off half back

There is no way that you can convince me that Sparrow and Spargo are contributing so much to the team that they are basically undroppable, when there are players at Casey who haven't been given a single opportunity this season.

How do we know that Culley or Brown might not offer something different if we don't try them?

2 minutes ago, poita said:

There is no way that you can convince me that Sparrow and Spargo are contributing so much to the team that they are basically undroppable

I remember the good old days when everyone was like "ANB is terrible how is he getting a game".

Half forward flank is maybe the hardest position to play, as it is often a dead zone where nothing much happens (even more so in a terrible forwardline like ours). It's why I think Kolt is struggling in that position.

It is also the hardest position for fans to judge output on, because we just don't know what role these players are asked to play. It's not an obvious "win clearances, kick goals, defend goals" type situation.

Sparrow could be playing a role that is vital to our ball movement, and doing it exceptionally well, and we would have no idea. Spargo, when fit, is in the side for his elite delivery inside 50, and for being one of the smartest players in terms of creating space inside the forward 50.

Do I think both are beyond criticism? Definitely not. Doesn't mean I understand what role they are being asked to play, and therefore I cannot judge why they aren't dropped.

Selection integrity is a funny thing, because players who are getting games will be happy, and players who are not, will say they deserve to play.

I question why someone like Laurie got an extension, but isn't getting a game, but people who bring up Billings, Woewodin or Brown, and then crack the [censored] during games when we turn the ball over, are kidding themselves.

On 16/07/2025 at 13:19, Cranky Franky said:

I wonder how much selection integrity counts towards team cohesion & confidence in the coaching group.

Most supporters were perplexed when Tom McDonald was dropped despite solid form.

The continued selection of Windsor & Tholstrup despite playing poorly is also mystifying & it looks like Lindsay needs a rest as well.

I'm not a fan of Jack Billiings but after a month of good form at Casey it's hard to understand why he is not selected.

I think in previous years, particularly when we've been winning selection integrity has lacked and there have been some passengers but i think for the most part this year goodwin has got it right.

Fullarton got his go - didnt get it right, Billings has had chances didnt get it right, Lever was rightly dropped when his impact tailed off

Given there are 6 rounds to go and finals are out of the equation i dont think selection integrity is about who is in form in the VFL but is more about who will take this club forward next year. Windsor, Tholstrup, JVR, MJ are the ones we have invested high picks in and have seen mixed results from so lets give them 6 weeks to find their feet at the level and give them a platform to attack preseason in. I wouldn't be surprised if Sestan or Kentfield find themselves a game before years end.

Spargo is the only one i think we have truly mismanaged this year and frankly im glad he's being made to earn his spot now as he has always been one who has been gifted games, likewise i think Sparrows concussion as nasty as it was will be a blessing in disguise for the side. He was not performing to the levels he should have been as a prospective CB midfielder or as a high half forward. I would prefer he came back through the magoos and we let Langford, Langdon and Viney rotate through that HF spot with Sharp and Tholstrup also given opportunities. Sharp for his limitations as a player i think has more consistently performed his role and impacted on the scoreboard as a HF than Sparrow has in '25.

For this week, McDonald, Lever, Sparrow OUT. Petty (DEF), May, Sharp (sub) IN

7 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

Good thread for the Eeyores. Winning solves everything - even MFCSS amazingly. Nah - who am I kidding? Sufferers never get fully over it.

MFCSS is an incurable condition, even though (such as in 2021) there can be remissions.

Relapses sadly are inevitable, though some sufferers are more adversely affected than others.

8 minutes ago, monoccular said:

MFCSS is an incurable condition, even though (such as in 2021) there can be remissions.

Relapses sadly are inevitable, though some sufferers are more adversely affected than others.

And some have never suffered it at all 🙋‍♀️

😃

2 hours ago, Turner said:

Given there are 6 rounds to go and finals are out of the equation i dont think selection integrity is about who is in form in the VFL but is more about who will take this club forward next year.

Still won’t stop some folks’ heads exploding when the selections are announced if Tmac is omitted.

On 16/07/2025 at 15:33, Ollie fan said:

Completely agree with this. Re dropping TMac: I thought it was terribly sad as he had been playing very well, is a real trier, and has given great service to the Club. However, clearly the Club thought that lever was a better player and that is a reasonable thing to say. You can't have four tall defenders in the one team. Goodwin is very much a believer in developing cohesion which no doubt is why some players remain in the team despite one or several bad games. I think selection integrity is very much a changeable term.

Largely Agree Re T Mac Vs Lever. I understood the rationale at the time, but in hindsight, it was a bit of a punt that didn't pay off. Lever has looked underdone and struggled to get back to his best form since he returned. Also at the time T Mac was dropped, we still had a sniff of finals in our season and he just might have made enough difference to get us a few more wins and we'd still be in it. But everything is clear and beautiful in hindsight hey.

The calculation these days is that quality players like Lever, Viney, Trac etc don't usually need a run in the twos to get back in form, but I do wounder if it wouldn't be a prudent move sometimes in marginal circumstances.

It's also somewhat disappointing that T Mac may well not get the opportunity to get to 250 games, when in alot of ways I think he deserves that honour, but will likely fall just a few short.

Conversely I'd also like to see Adams blooded before the season is out.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter