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So Darren Burgess calls all over the world and gets clearance for Max to play with his Lat injury and then he hurts his knee late in the game in a completely unrelated incident and he shouldn’t have played? I’m all for resting players on short breaks and not aggravating existing injuries, but it’s footy, injuries will happen. Max might be fine, if not we’ll give Preuss a run or carry on with the Jackson and T Mc combination

Rubbish! And what has Petracca got to do with this thread. At the risk of diverting this thread I want to put the record straight for Petracca and the claim it has taken 6 years. It hasn't! Year 1 - 2015. Out injured with ACL Year 2 - 2016. Out injured (toe) and debuted in round 6. Played mainly fwd. Kicked 12.11 Year 3 - 2017. Had his first full pre-season.Played mainly fwd. Kicked 22.6 Year 4 - 2018. Played mainly fwd. Had poor goal kicking 19.23 Year 5 - 2019 Played fwd and mid. Leading club goal kicker 22.14. Came 5th in BnF. Year 6 - 2020 A stellar year. Many DL's have mercilessly criticised him prior to this year but the results show 2017 and 2019 were good years. 2020 is no surprise to those who have been paying attention. Progressive improvement over 80 games in 3 - 4 years (2016 to 2019) to reach 'elite' level is outstanding. Still relatively inexperienced in AFL terms. There is no need to to refer back to his first 2 or 3 years. I get the feeling you just don't like him.

My view is that the FD did commit to Weideman, playing him either round 1 or early for 2018 and 2019. In both season starts his form was not great and seemed to deteriorate. I would guess that the FD pursued until they saw him losing confidence. They then allowed him to rebuild his confidence and came good towards the end of each season. This year they changed tack and made sure that he was consistently doin the right things before selecting him. Kudos to the FD and Weideman

Firstly, thanks for quoting the key parts for those of us who can't get behind a paywall. Wallace should check the facts. Sam's development has been interrupted by surgeries and injuries. It has been stop/start development. As for this 'Captain Obvious' comment: I think their best option has been (Luke) Jackson and Weideman … let those two develop. That is exactly what the club is doing!! Jackson has been at the club for only 5 minutes. Couldn't have done it any earlier! Comparing Sam to Hipwood is silly. Totally different builds and have had different roles: haven't seen Hipwood in the ruck. Wallace is amazing at how he can put words together that make little sense. Click baiter extraodinaire!

Melbourne: Ed Langdon Langdon is really starting to get himself settled in Melbourne’s midfield after crossing over from Fremantle at the end of last year. The hard-running wingman is very adept at keeping his width and often gets used in transition. He has a great ability to run and carry the footy and deliver inside 50, which he did on six occasions against the Roos. Langdon had 23 disposals in total and 321m gained.

I could accept that Goodwin and co took a risk with Gawn, but there’s absolutely no way I can accept they took more risk than they otherwise would have purely so Goodwin could save his own bacon. Firstly that’s a low level of integrity I’m not prepared to accuse the coach of when he’s not here to defend himself, and secondly if he was really in that much trouble (which I also don’t accept), then a cheap Gawn-lead win against Adelaide wouldn’t make much difference in the long run. The more logical answer is they did it because they thought he’d be right - ie a calculated risk rather than a reckless one. It’s first grade nonsense to suggest it’s a Goodwin-lead conspiracy.

Strange commentary. Weid finally starts playing well and hitting his straps. Conclusion: we developed him poorly?

After watching the Pies last night I’m not overly concerned about this.

2016: gets a taste at the end of the year for 3 games after a decent enough VFL year. 2017: Plays the first 4 and has another couple of chances at the end of the year. Clearly isn’t ready. 2018: Stuck behind an excellent pairing of Hogan and McDonald. Still gets 4 games early and then gets his chance at the end of the year to breakout in finals. ——————————————————————— Surely no one has major complaints with how much Sam was played in his first 3 years? Last year he played 11 of the first 16 and probably would’ve come back in to play a few more. That’s despite injuries and confidence issues. I understand the argument that he should’ve just played every game he was fit for in 2019 but I don’t really believe it. Getting him back to Casey for a bit of confidence probably helped him more than grinding through 22 games of misery.

I guess the counter-argument is that overplaying a key position when they’re not ready is also counterproductive and can also compromise their long term playing future. In the case of Weideman, this season is the only one where I think there is a legitimate argument where he wasn’t playing when he should have been. In 2018 he was rightfully behind TMac and Hogan, and came in to play a role in finals when Hogan was out. 2019 was a writeoff with poor form and multiple injuries. So maybe he should be on 40 games instead of 37. Big deal. He’s in now and I can’t see him going out again.

Except that a lot of guns have taken time to break out because they couldn't run games out in the midfield. The great and apt comparison between Petracca is Dustin Martin. Martin didn't break out until... his 7th season. Prior to that he was solid like Petracca was the last two years (particularly last year) and then became a gun in 2016. By 2017 he was probably the best player in the game. Not sure what you're a doctor in, but it's not a particularly clever analysis there, Doc.

How good is that! Quote from the article: "Geelong monster Tom Hawkins is clearly the best one-on-one mark inside 50m. From Rounds 6-11 who is the second best? Is it Charlie Dixon? Perhaps Dustin Martin? What about Josh Kennedy? Wrong. It is Melbourne’s Sam Weideman" This year Weideman is averaging an elite three marks inside 50m. Sam came back in round 6. If that doesn't prove Wallace wrong, well... Not marking was a big knock on him last year. Not only is he marking, he is using his body and position well.

And here I thought we have been "historically guilty of gifting young players games when they don't deserve them" - it's very hard to keep up with all the things we're doing wrong.

Pretty sure Egan also said he is "super fit", or words to that effect.. So, who knows??

Surely it is time for Preuss to play a few in a row. Give Max a month off.

Er, being born in 1997 stunted his development. Hawkins, Josh Kennedy, J Reiwoldt, Tom lynch They all debuted 18 or so and all took 4-5 seasons to become 2+ goal a game key forwards. Some played a lot, some didnt. What really matters is the output from here on out and since returning its bang on where its meant to be.

We will find out about Weid and Goodwin in the next 2-3 weeks We play better sides and the stakes are higher

Spargo did everything Harley didn't do against Adelaide which I believe led to HB getting dropped and why Spargo should hold his place. HB looked slow and tentative and I'm wondering if he hasn't got full confidence in his body. For me he's already exceeded any expectations I had of him for 2020. He's shown flashes of HB brilliance but the big win is that he's back playing and can build on that for 2021 and beyond. I'm not knocking him. I'm all aboard the Harley Express but expectations should be tempered. When the rest of the squad were doing the toughest pre-season ever, Harley was doing rehab - with the odd setback. He simply doesn't have the fitness base of the rest of the team. Who knows how many pre-seasons he missed at Freo. You don't get them back and you can't catch up during the season. He played against Carlton on the back of a 3 week block of training All that said, I hope & expect to see him back in the team this season

How dare the clubs media and marketing department try and put forward a positive message about the club...

He should not have played. We were always going to win that game. It was just a silly decision by Max and the coaching staff that allowed him. The moment he ran onto the field he looked banged up and sore. It's now potentially cost him 2 games.

Agreed. Isn't this exactly what we got Mr Preuss for? Insurance for Max. If he's fit, I'd tell him to crash into Grundy all game long. To quote ONJ, 'let's get physical' (within the rules) LJ and Weid are starting to gel in the forward line. For now, let's keep them there as much as possible

Max did not look fit during the Adelaide game I suppose hindsight is a gift but that’s when he should have been rested. These things have a way of bitting you on the nethers

There is always some mystical player at another Club that Demonlanders get obsessed with who will solve all our problems. ATM that player is Zac Williams. A pass from me. He is injury prone. Get games into Rivers instead.

Let’s not forget that Essendon delisted him, we didn’t trade for him. I’m guessing he’d be pretty happy at the moment just to be on an AFL list.

Already one of our best trades in ages. Has pace and endurance, works up and down the ground really hard.

Elaborating on his point, Wallace goes on to argue that gifting games to kids who aren't quite ready is definitely the way to develop their confidence. He contrasted Melbourne's past successes of 2009-2014 exemplified by getting a quick first 50 games into Jack Watts, against their other failures such as the way they constantly held back Max Gawn instead of letting him play regularly while unfit and unprofessional. "Those Schwab era Demons really knew what they were doing, just like me at Richmond."

Whilst I think Wallace neglected to mention the injury issues other than that he is right. As for making little sense, I think Wallace is one of the few that do make sense a lot of the time. Pity he is retiring after this season. We left Sam out in the wilderness for way too long. He needed to play, the FD were way too quick to send him back down on a number of occasions whilst keeping the faith in Tommy Mac who was really struggling. The Jackson Weideman duo is the obvious one now, but still a number on here want to see Tommy in the mix. Let it go. As for the ruck role, it didn't do him any favours particularly in this preseason. I thought it was pretty dumb to play Sam in the ruck (next to no forward time) when we needed him to develop as a KPF... Anyway, he looks on track now. No doubt he will have his down days, still yet to play 50 games but let's hope the FD and Goody keep the faith and don't get too cute.

Wallace's timing is severely off, and he will face punishment from the AFL Media Sub-Committee for Kicking Teams When They Are Down. He's supposed to do this kind of article after we've LOST two games in a row.

Yeah no

“I just think that Melbourne have got to settle down Sam Weideman and just play him week in, week out,” Wallace told SEN’s Dwayne’s World. “They’ve tried three key forwards and they’ve tried two key forwards with (Tom) McDonald being one of those. I think their best option has been (Luke) Jackson and Weideman … let those two develop. “I think personally that Melbourne’s actually stunted Weideman’s development. “Why do I say that? Since that prelim final they’ve been too particular at match committee on whether he is playing well enough to absolutely hold his spot." Australian Football Hall of Famer Wallace urged Melbourne to get games into Weideman like what Brisbane has done with Eric Hipwood. “Have a look at Brisbane with what they did with Eric Hipwood, they just believed that Eric Hipwood was where they are going," Wallace said. “He’s had ups and downs, good games and bad games, but they just played him and played him and played him. “Weideman’s actually older than Hipwood … Weideman’s played 37 games and Hipwood’s played 86 – 49 games difference. "I just think that they’ve actually tried too hard with what they’ve been doing with Weideman. They just need to play him.”

Despite the result I thought that was a good game to watch. If we want to play finals we shouldn’t be hoping results go our way, just keep winning and then other results mean nothing.

It wasn’t just a matter of saving Godwin’s bacon. The Adelaide game was a must win. We lose that and the season is shot, not to mention the draining effect on the playing group and the club. Losing that game was not an option. The decision to play Max sits fine with me. We can handle the pies without him.

Saying you can't have Viney, Petracca, Brayshaw and Oliver in the same side is like saying Brisbane would done better if they got rid of one of Voss, Black, Lappin and Akermanis.

You're getting tiresome.

Don't play Gawn. Get him free of injuries, Jackson and TMAC can cope for another game. Grundy out of form.

Yes.

Melbourne supporters don't say things like that, dazzle. Most here, me included, were packing ourselves that we would somehow lose that game.

Williams is damn close to elite I reckon. He'd be our best flanker by an absolute mile. Moore and De Goey would probably cost more (in picks and salary) and come with higher risk (Moore injury prone, De Goey could be looking at prison time). I think he ticks that box. He's played good footy in the midfield for GWS, but gets pushed out by Kelly, Coniglio, Whitfield, Hopper, Tarranto etc. If Richmond could afford Lynch after winning a premiership, surely we can find space in the cap for Williams.

Finally over 40K!.......40,005

We have already traded out of the 2020 compromised draft to get Pickett. It would be pointless to trade in draft picks this year, particularly since the absence of lower level and under age competitions has made player assessment more of a gamble. We will be looking for player swap type arrangements, plus 2021 draft picks.

I'm already excited to see the Suns (hopefully) smash the Dons. With the Saints, Tigers and us to come after tonight, their season should be done soon! which gives me far too much joy

I Honestly think you’re just taking the [censored] and that you don’t believe half the crap you’re saying. Sacking coaches prematurely? When has that ever worked? That would just send us straight back to the bottom and ruin the culture of the club (see Dean Bailey). It’s well documented that Goodwin has strong relationships with the playing group so I reckon we’d benefit from giving him time this season to get the team setup correct. It’s also been documented that weideman has struggled in contested marking at the start of the season and it’s evidently the reason he wasn’t playing until a month ago. If we [censored] the bed later on in the season then of course we should question whether Goodwin should go but facts are facts and coaches aren’t getting sacked and payed out during this whacky season.

I would now like this form translated into a game against a top 8 team rather than a bottom 2 or 3 team.

He's here now enjoy him for the next 10 years, he has earnt his place now. Hipwood had no competition in his first few years as a lion they were a basketcase. Weideman has had to serve his apprenticeship under Hogan and Tmac also gotten over injuries, he's better for it he's now the main man. Just improve your set shot kicking Weed that's all, we love you.

Agreed, spaceman he certainly can be out there in the loneliness of the wing between hbf and hff. Our team has a distinct preference for the LHS flank - other than the LHS of the midline. As yet, I think that the rest of the 'team' haven't scanned widely to have noticed Tomlinson, his great positioning and his run, and carry skilling out there in the modern game's nowhere land. If they had noticed, there is often a space of 80 or so metres blank and largely unmanned on Tomlinson's flank - what a handy progress of the ball to moving forwards that would be! HIbberd seems to be aware of this, and has on occasion cleared well through him. Langdon is doing a fine job on the other flank so wouldn't it be nice if our backs, in particular, looked and move to activate the other flank just as well? He stays in the side, for mine; it is a team game that we should be taking better advantage of as well as developing 'prongs' of metres to be gained.

now he has to do it against the top sides. Great to see simultaneous improvement with Trac, Viney and Gus. Makes a very potent midfield.

The last two games where I’ve seen him clunking marks, using his body to our-position or crash packs and timing the high point of the ball is wonderful to witness at last. But even his 2018 finals campaign he was luckily the recipient of a few fluke marks and easy goals and of course the salubrious hit on Dangerflop. I think he’s finally starting to evolve into a man of confidence and a real team player. Clearly the club would’ve preferred it to happen faster but alas it hasn’t. Sam is right where he’s needed to be all along his career thus far. Wallace is a gormless media bit player.

"Do not focus on the past, focus on the present and be grateful that Weid has arrived" - Confucius probably

pendlebury unlikely to return this week https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/roughead-concussion-opens-door-for-dunn-20200811-p55ksk.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

Didn't say it was offensive mate. Just think given what this thread is in context of it's more respectful to use his actual name. Referring to him as "Harry O" is a pretty transparent way to try and belittle the subject matter.