Heath or Kentfield for TMac.

Rivers or AMW for Salem.

If Melksham is injured, I expect Laurie to get that spot back, although personally I'd go with pretty much anyone else (shame Cross is injured). Jeffo another option but I think we're already too tall, so I'd only be considering him if we decide to drop JVR.

If Rivers is fit, we could bring AMW in for Salem and then Rivers in for, say, Culley, Windsor, Langford or Lindsay, if we feel we need to get one of them to find some form at VFL level for a bit.

Only paying $2.93 against Brisbane. Very short.

Just now, praha said:

Only paying $2.93 against Brisbane. Very short.

Well we are 3-0 in Sunday 3.15pm games at the MCG this year...

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

B: Lever, Turner, Howes

HB: Taylor, van Rooyen, Moniz-Wakefield

C: Windsor, Sparrow, Langford

HF: Chandler, Johnson, L.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Mihocek, Jefferson

FOLL: Gawn, Steele, K.Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Tholstrup, Sharp, Melksham, Kentfield

IN: Taylor, Moniz-Wakefield, Johnson, Jefferson, Kentfield

OUT: Salem (inj), McDonald, Petty, Culley, Langdon

Lurve it werridee

We’re only 5 games in to the King era but he’s already shown, like a lot of coaches, that he’s not one for wholesale changes week to week. So, to posters who are mooting the idea of 5-6 unforced changes, just forget it, it won’t happen. And nor should it.

However,

Tmac is proving to be a liability in season 2026. Just looks like being scored on every time it’s near him. He has been a warrior and what’s happening to him happens all the time, he’s 33 now and probably just can’t keep up anymore. Nothing to be ashamed of and maybe he played on one year too many. Picking him isn’t all that good for the now and it’s certainly not good for the future. So I think he slides out. Perhaps Rivers can be brought in for team balance?

JVR similarly must be on thin ice? All of Jefferson, Kentfield, Heath and AJ staked a claim for promotion last week. Personally, I like the look of Kentfield the most of those guys.

Salem and Milkshake might be in trouble with injuries. But for now I’m going to assume they’re available.

In: Rivers, Kentfield

Out: TMac, JVR

I think we can give Brisbane a scare.

43 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Heath or Kentfield for TMac.

Rivers or AMW for Salem.

If Melksham is injured, I expect Laurie to get that spot back, although personally I'd go with pretty much anyone else (shame Cross is injured). Jeffo another option but I think we're already too tall, so I'd only be considering him if we decide to drop JVR.

If Rivers is fit, we could bring AMW in for Salem and then Rivers in for, say, Culley, Windsor, Langford or Lindsay, if we feel we need to get one of them to find some form at VFL level for a bit.

Jvr is a lame duck , who after 1 great game has played Absolutely SHIZZEN! Time to give Jeffo an extended run

11 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Jvr is a lame duck , who after 1 great game has played Absolutely SHIZZEN! Time to give Jeffo an extended run

He should be tried as a backman to replace Tmac at some point this season. (Should have been tried last year in those meaningless games).

Surprised by those calling for a Jefferson inclusion. The bloke seems to dominate at VFL, but does very little at AFL level. He has not managed to build his body much at all. The Brisbane backs would shred him. Kentfield, on the other hand, is a big unit and had impressed in the preseason. I’d be much more inclined to bring him in. Plus, he is a swing man if needed.

Heath should also be given a shot. He can clunk marks too, so him going deep forward could stretch the opposition.

We are a quality midfielder short and Windsor and Lindsay ain’t it. Rivers was supposed to step up, but there is something fishy going on there

We have to persist with Windsor as a midfielder. His upside is high and his effort can’t be faulted. It’s on the staff and on-field leaders to coach him through increasing his production. Improving running patterns, finding an uncontested touch to get him in the game, taking a step to balance before he kicks.

He has all the tools and has played a couple of strong games in a tough position. I’m backing the kid in 💪

Selection this week will be a real eye opener.

Will King be ruthless in a way that Goodwin rarely was, much to the supporters’ chagrin?

Will he hold firm on most of those that all supporters think have exhausted their use by date?

What message will it send to those who are retained , and those that are dropped , bearing in mind that there’s probably around 7 players we all have expectations of being demoted because of inappropriate form/performance ?

Salem, Mihocek, JVR, LP, TMac, Culley and Windsor must all be seriously considered for demotion… but does the coach bite the bullet now, or keep selecting the ‘nice guys’ to avoid the ripple effect?

1 hour ago, Dannyz said:

We have to persist with Windsor as a midfielder. His upside is high and his effort can’t be faulted. It’s on the staff and on-field leaders to coach him through increasing his production. Improving running patterns, finding an uncontested touch to get him in the game, taking a step to balance before he kicks.

He has all the tools and has played a couple of strong games in a tough position. I’m backing the kid in 💪

This is a valid perspective. But at the same time the club must have a metric or limit where they say, ok we are getting this one wrong. Maybe i have scars from the previous coaching group where stubbornness in a process was very costly. I see the same thing happening with JVR. To be fair, I'd have no idea they dont have such KPI.

Of course, 5 games is too short a sample size but its worrying that he has now had 4 consecutive games of negative or zero ball use. (Admittedly Steele not far behind). We can see what he is trying to do, hit the contest or stoppage at speed, but he's constantly overunning the ball or the player with the ball which is leading to so many one arm sling tackles. So yea, I worry he doesn’t have the hands or lateral movement for a full time midfield gig. I dont deny his effort or ceiling.

13 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yeah well we got rid of CLARRY ........... Just sayin!

Yeah nah

If there isn’t at least 3 changes I’ll spew up 🤮🤮🤮

There is no point dropping players unless you have players to bring in in better form, application or strategic fit.

Heath is the only one banging the door down in a role we dont need to change.

Kentfield and Jefferson may be deserving but who knows with such limited VFL exposure so far.

There is also no point making wholesale changes off one loss when we were so good the 6 quarters before.

Things I do know.

We need to move past TMac back and get Petty in a defensive post.

We need an answer to the second ruck forward role. Can be Petty (back) or JVR (forward or Casey).

We were too immobile forward you cant play Fritsch and Melksham.

You can’t make wholesale midfield changes when you have no mids to bring in.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Lil_red_fire_engine

20 minutes ago, Roy Boy said:

If there isn’t at least 3 changes I’ll spew up 🤮🤮🤮

Try 6!

FWIW - I've watched the Norf/Bears game from yesterday. Norf completely blue it with lack of discipline and appalling kicking for goal by those who should know better (Larkey, Curtis, Zurhar [as usual]). The Bears are beatable IF was bring our one wood and they are a couple of percent down.

35 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Try 6!

Name your starting 23 in position @picket fence.

Out- Tmac Melksham Salem

In- Kentfield Rivers AMW

Move JVR back at this stage, was absolutely useless up forward

Culley on notice along with half the team really

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Demongirl35

@picket fence @Demongirl35

Here’s my moves

Out. JVR (omitted) Melksham (managed) Tmcd (managed) Salem (injured)

Ins. Heath. Kentfield. Moniz-Wakefield. Rivers.

ANW Petty Lever

Howes Turner Rivers

Langdon Steele Windsor

Sharp Kentfield Chandler

Latrelle Mihocek Fritsch

Gawn Sparrow Kozzzzy

Int. Langford Kolt Heath Culley Lindsay

Emerg. Henderson Jefferson X.Taylor

JVR back is a good idea , should have been tried in the reserves last year, especially as Adams is not progressing as well as expected. Kentfield would have played senior's from the start if it was not due to an injury. Perhaps Latrelle in the reserves should be tried as a midfielder. Mathews should be given a go. Onley needs to play the ruck rover role for Casey this will increase he stamina and flexibility otherwise he will end up as surplus stock.

58 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@picket fence @Demongirl35

Here’s my moves

Out. JVR (omitted) Melksham (managed) Tmcd (managed) Salem (injured)

Ins. Heath. Kentfield. Moniz-Wakefield. Rivers.

ANW Petty Lever

Howes Turner Rivers

Langdon Steele Windsor

Sharp Kentfield Chandler

Latrelle Mihocek Fritsch

Gawn Sparrow Kozzzzy

Int. Langford Kolt Heath Culley Lindsay

Emerg. Henderson Jefferson X.Taylor

I like your changes but why say managed with TMac and Melksham unless you are saying they won't play Casey as well and you are bringing them back in the week after.
They were both poor and now that they have deservingly made 250 need to move to being solid back ups if required and nothing more.

Is it true zorko will be missing next week with an injury?

13 hours ago, Bang Bang Bang said:

We’re only 5 games in to the King era but he’s already shown, like a lot of coaches, that he’s not one for wholesale changes week to week. So, to posters who are mooting the idea of 5-6 unforced changes, just forget it, it won’t happen. And nor should it.

However,

Tmac is proving to be a liability in season 2026. Just looks like being scored on every time it’s near him. He has been a warrior and what’s happening to him happens all the time, he’s 33 now and probably just can’t keep up anymore. Nothing to be ashamed of and maybe he played on one year too many. Picking him isn’t all that good for the now and it’s certainly not good for the future. So I think he slides out. Perhaps Rivers can be brought in for team balance?

JVR similarly must be on thin ice? All of Jefferson, Kentfield, Heath and AJ staked a claim for promotion last week. Personally, I like the look of Kentfield the most of those guys.

Salem and Milkshake might be in trouble with injuries. But for now I’m going to assume they’re available.

In: Rivers, Kentfield

Out: TMac, JVR

I think we can give Brisbane a scare.

Agreed wholeheattedly until you suggested Rivers as an in. He is listed as injured tbc so sadly no idea when he'll be back. I'd give Taylor a run at it 😊

Last week - how are we going to find positions in the team for all these available players?

This week - our depth is so lacking.

First big test of Steven King's coaching.

I think the key challenge is to get the group of young guys together and reaffirm the essential efforts and habits required. Make very clear that if they hit the fundamentals as a group then their underlying talent will thrive and they have a real shot at playing regular finals very early in their career alongside some of the greats of the game.

Get them supporting and encouraging and expecting the best of each other and the gather round shemozzle is not a dead loss.