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The Adelaide Oval

I was going to suggest bringing Melksham for Chandler in but was legit afraid of the Demonland lynch mob. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind Melksham would have offered a lot more than Chandler on the weekend. Didn’t see the Brown change coming though, but I’m pleasantly surprised. Thought they’d prefer him over Weideman, but I’m stoked to see the young bloke get another look at it. Can’t wait for this game now. Both changes make the side stronger.

And 1-2 decades behind in maturity.

It’s a dangerous thing to assume supporters of any club know what they’re talking about though. You only have to look at some of the garbage that gets posted on here. For example, you might actually work with the Geelong equivalent of Dr.D.

Just as long as no one points at the scoreboard... then Jack Riewoldt will have to take them aside for a quiet word.

Last week I liked Chandler in for Melksham given we had two tall forwards with less skill at ground level than Jackson. With Brown out and Jackson back, we effectively get a tall player who is very good when the ball is on the deck. Chandler has less value. Melksham’s marking ability comes back into play with Brown out and Jackson not being a stay at home forward. I also didn’t think Melksham’s form was terrible before he was dropped. Chandler was far worse. Sparrow is showing promise, but isn’t a forward. That’s about the only way I can see Melk back in. Brown has not looked particularly fit, whereas I thought the Weid covered the ground well and looked in good condition. Let BB know he’s not an automatic selection, might get the best out of him. We suddenly go from looking a bit tall and immobile to really flexible and better balanced. We still don’t have the mix quite right but in an amazing position to keep tweaking before the hard road begins.

He touched the ball 4 times. That doesn't get you a game at Melbourne even Melksham has never been that quiet.

We're still experimenting to find our best side. No complaints here.

Brown needs to come back next week. He’s a Marvel specialist and the Dogs biggest weakness is their backline. Especially now they’ve lost Wood as well.

Argh.. How the [censored] does Melksham get in based on being a medical [censored] sub.

Maybe the FD are using this trip to Adelaide and what is a 5.5 to 6 day break both to give Weid a go at it with Tmac & Jackson, but also to rest Ben Brown with his knee recovery, which might still be an ongoing load management issue over the full season.

In my opinion, based on performances this year and the way we've won our games based on our defence, the MFC's most important player right now is Christian Salem.

I think we're winning through system, not talent at the moment and I'm not sure Brown fits that well into our system. Sure if TMac didn't regain his form he'd be a decent combo with Weid but with TMac playing out of his skin it means we have the luxury of being able to pick and choose our preferred combo. We're not going to alter our structure to clear out the 50 and create space for Brown especially not with the form we're in. With regards to Weid I think he came on pretty well last year and would've kept improving had he not had to be the lone man up forward for the second half of the season. With TMac injured/out of form and Jackson injured Weid struggled being the only one up there and being double teamed, especially with the way we were playing and bombing it on top of his head. I thought he showed great intent last week attacking marking contests even though he let a couple slip through his hands. He missed two shots for goal but they were both from 50 out on the boundary. Brown was playing deep last week forcing Weid further up the ground (when he wasn't backup ruck) so I'd like to see him having a run at it as the deep forward with TMac and Jackson playing higher/rotating into the ruck. Weid's numbers last year for a key forward were pretty good and it's easy to forget he's only 23 (24 next month). I still believe that with a decent run of games, support around him, maturity and development he can grow in confidence and become our key forward target for the next 10 years. Look at Hawkins, he was much maligned his first few seasons and it wasn't really until 2010/11 he started playing with consistency (and that was in one of the all time great sides). Now he is considered one of the best key forwards of the last 5-10 years.

I believe Chandler developed lactose intolerance after the song.

Ben Brown is pretty stiff i reckon. considering the two rounds before last round he was averaging 2.5 goals a game which is consistent with the elite forwards of the comp, and was really just building back into it. not sure Weid did enough to dislodge him in my opinion. and Chandler is stiff to not get another week, but it's difficult to assess the impact Melksham has in a leadership capacity out there, because if it's not something like that, i genuinely doesn't make sense

Probably on the basis that he offers more than Chandler at the moment, but he obviously knows that he's on notice.

I predicted Brown out but I didn't think they would have the balls to do it. Good changes We look very dangerous with Jacko/Weed and T Mac

We have the example of the importance of one player to both a team and their success rate. We accept that to win flags you need a champion team over a team of champions. However, you cannot under estimate the importance of one player. Currently, his name is Dusty. But when you think back, it has always been so. It was often said during the Demons great days, “no Barassi, no Melbourne”. And the facts are that Melbourne was often vulnerable when RDB was not playing. Arguably we missed out winning the flag in 63 when Ron was suspended for hitting Roger Dean just before the finals. Ron provided the leadership, the spark that inspired others. Norm Smith knew this and it was the reason he was always so tough on him and would provoke an angry and aggressive response from Ron on the field. There are plenty of examples. Hawthorn without Hudson, Geelong without Ablett Snr, South without Skilton, the Tigers without Hart or Stewart. The Blues without Jezza. The list goes on and on. Is it the Demons without Oliver or Gawn or Petracca or May? At times the absence of one key player can make a difference to winning games. Whatever the answer, it is the reason we need to remain circumspect about the ultimate success this season. We need a full fit list to push for glory. In my view, the key player to our fortunes is probably Max. For his leadership and influence on the ground. As a current AFL player said to me recently, if you put Max in the Bulldogs team, they would be unstoppable. Anyway, let’s keep our fingers crossed in regard to our very best whether it be Gawn, Clarry , Petracca, May etc.

I guess at 9-zip you have to give the selection committee the nod. When they start losing games you can arc up.

Weed and Jacko worked well together last year, before Jacko was injured. This will be their first game together since then.

Happy with the changes and happy to keep trusting the selectors and coaching staff.

Disappointed for Chandler as he was on a hiding to nothing playing seniors last week. He'd had very little match time at any level in the month preceding. I'd have like to see Melksham actually play at Casey. IIRC last time he played in the twos he came back with a vengeance. He might need another shake-up. A fit, firing & committed Melksham is an asset forward of centre.

Melksham in? On what basis?

Langdon is the player i could see us struggling most to replace structurally....there is no player on our list with similar attributes.

I like the idea that we're elitists who enjoy skiing but would still shop at Aldi.

My son’s basketball team (second on the ladder) played their arch rivals (top of the ladder) on Tuesday. Having lost both recent clashes narrowly, they found said rival team had turned up without their best player. My son’s team we went on to deliver one of the biggest beltings they’ve ever been part of. Obviously u12s basketball isn’t AFL football but I think the principle still stands. For all we bang on about depth, top players are completely irreplaceable. Our 23rd best player can’t cover Petracca. Majak Daw can’t cover Max Gawn. Richmond are much weaker without Dusty. Best players are irreplaceable. Depth is an illusion. A couple of key injuries to crucial players and we will be right back to mid pack. Any premiership coach will tell you that one of the key ingredients to a premiership is luck. It’s been on our side so far this year. Let’s hope it continues.

Joffa will get to wear the prison bar jumper now.

No CAPS W’DEE? We must be going alright.

Cmon Pickett we have more than enough grunt, Chandler was waay out of his depth last week Melksham although lucky offers more icing on the cake with his disposal & l would take him before Chandler atm

I think they are rotating the bigs to see the best combo

Weed was much better than Brown against Carlscum.

Lynch is a dirty sniper and a sook

Wow. Melksham must have had a killer week on the bench.

Sparrow sub plz.

Can't have too many fortresses

The fact that even deciding who Melbourne's most important player is, is so difficult is an indication of our depth and hopefully resilience to cope if one of them was absent.

I feel for Brown, it could have easily have been Weid dropped this week - but it'd be stiff to drop Weid after only one game given his Casey form and potential (much of it known based on some good work last year). Weid is young, has a lot of positives, but has been stunted by injury and a severe lack of delivery from the 'bomb it in' crew of 2019-2020. Our structure and delivery is much, much better this year, and he should benefit from that, especially with Jacko back in the team. This leads to the Melksham call-up. Look, is he the 'gruntiest', most visible stat gatherer on the ground? Nope. Not by a long shot. He sometimes looks a little indifferent and casual. BUT he is also one of the best marks and creative kicks in the team - so even if he only gets 10 touches a game, but creates a few goals from those, I'll take that. That makes a difference in tight games. We have enough ball winner types. What we also need is some creativity. It won't always work, but then again the FF types don't always kick bags or have much of a presence either. Good, but tough changes today - would love to see Sparrow get a gig at some point, and very much looking for Viney to return as he really does make a difference. But only when he is 100%. How good is this? We have depth - and our selection issue is that good players miss out, rather than having to continually rotate and recall spuds because nothing is working. What a time to be alive!

I think Weideman is a marginally better option than Brown at the moment and Tmac and Jackson are automatic selections. Weideman is a bit more mobile and offers more flexibility than Brown. And Fritsch will get a bit more space inside 50 without Brown. That said, it’s a long year and Brown will get more opportunities. Melksham is our best kick inside 50 and our offensive play can still improve. We will be a better side if he can return to form. I like Chandler but I can’t complain with either change. Sparrow will be sub to see his family.

The vision was appalling. Lynch is an absolute dog. They also had footage that other incident when he casually whacked a player that was prostrate on the ground in the back of the head, without even blinking. Deliberate acts felling a defender during a centre bounce puts the forwards in a huge advantage if they win a centre clearance. Hate to be clichéd, but it is far outside the spirit of the game.

What a load of rubbish. I didn’t see you kick up a stink when Chandler played after being the sub the week before.

BBB is a proven forward and way ahead of Weed right now. Melksham should never have been dropped, Chandler is nowhere near ready for this level and Melks ball use is superb yet we carry others like Brayshaw. We are a chance this year but the club needs to get serious.

Sure. But lets say he plays well against an inexperienced, young backline? What does that prove in terms of his ability to play say the dogs the following week. He better lay some inside 50 tackles and apply elite pressure. If he doesn't and he stays in I'm just not sure what message that sends to the rest of the squad.

Who would have thought that at the end of the trade period last year when we just picked up BBB that we would be 9-0 and he would not be in the side... not due to injury but due to the form of TMac! Wow! Feel a bit sorry for Chandler - reckon he's a player and will offer more than Melkshem.. but clearly the coaches are hoping Melkshem can find his 2018 form. Who knows, maybe realising his spot is not safe anymore might be enough to kick him into action!

How the fuurg does Melksham get a game??? Brown has been a Matchwinner in the past. Melksham in is absolute Garbage player management!! Weeds has done nothing !! Brown has kicked 60 plus goals in 3 seasons out of 4 . Ill say this, unless weeds Dominates and kicks 4 or 5 he goes! MUCH rather a oroven BB

I'm happy to give Weid another go and because Jackson is in, someone had to make way. Pressure's on Weid to hold that spot though. Same with Melksham, with Viney yet to return.

Looking forward to seeing Weid get a whole game at FF this week. Grab it Sam.

Love that they dropped BBB Lets go Weid!

I like it. Not going to change our game to accomdate Brown, next man up.

I've noticed that a lot of the Dees podcast/media material focusses on Melbourne's own strengths/weaknesses etc. Was wondering what the appetite might be for a thread on "opposition" analysis. I've been tossing up the merits of doing a video podcast focussing specifically on our main opposition (Bulldogs, Richmond, Port etc) with an angle of their strengths/weaknesses vis a vis the Demons. What do people think? Is there enough even to start a small space on DL for this sort of discussion. The reason I've become interested in this sort of thing, as i've noticed that there are some popular narratives around certain teams and the way they play and I want to see whether that stacks up when we look at footage and statistics. And, if it is true, what does it mean for our system and the way that we like to play?

Well, since 2000, 8 teams (other than Melb) have started with a 9-0 record. 4 or 50% became premiers (Ess in 2000, Haw in 08 and Geel in 09 and 11), 1 got runner up (StK in 09), 2 bowed out in prelims (StK 04 and Freo 15) and 1 finished 8th (NM in 16). I like these odds. We’re in it up to our eyeballs.