Lil_red_fire_engine

Petty just cant take a trick this year.

I expect he would be 2-3 years from having the engine to play the role.

I wonder how much of our Amon interest is linked to plan B if Brayshaw goes. JJ has been quality and growing into role but if JJ or Langdon were injured who is next up??? I also sense longer term JJ makes his way into the mid rotation. Our game styles requires quality post to post running wingers. Other than a 21-25 year old key forward (which dont grow on trees) I see a mature wing as our most required position still.

No ruck no worries. No quality key forward taking marks no worries. 3 free kicks for in the last 3 quarters no worries. Crows gave great effort Walker challenges most backlines but we were just too hard and classy around the ball. Great see Trac back being Trac and Langdon back being Langdon. Take the 4 points and keep a space on the pack. We will need it with our run home.

6. Trac 5. Oliver 4. Langdon 3. Lever 2. Viney 1. Harmes

We should still be fresh and after last year surely wont take them lightly. Big job for Weid to halve the ruck contests and our mids to shift to sharking their taps. Looking forward to seeing another week of ANB, Spargo, Koz and TBed swarm the forward pressure.

Best 23 maybe but not 22 in my view. At least not 2022 Rivers. The best of Salem, Gus, Hibbo, Bowey has him covered this year and I dont see another defensive rotation. A full preseason and another year in his body he will back in our best.

You can if you dont bomb it in. I actually think it also works just as well if not better with Gawn resting forward as the second tall. The 4 smalls meant ANB and Spargo could continue to play higher almost mainly wing/back half connectors and Pickett and Toby could play more mid to forward 50.

I love it how everyone knows there should be no change but everyone loves to change things. The only best 22 player outside that side that could be available at any point soon is Gawn. Whilst his ankle may be better sooner than expected he was already carrying a dodgy back. We should be doing all we can to freshen him up until he is cherry ripe and champing at the bit for the rest of the run home and finals.

6. Viney 5. Lever 4. Oliver 3. Hibberd 2. Jackson 1. Harmes

That and they already have the best young first ruck in the game in the 24 year old Darcy. So you are basically selling the farm for your second ruck who will play most of his time forward or in midfield bursts. If Jackson does want to go home surely you would choose the team you will be the future main man for not the second ruck? He has been pretty clear that he loves being around the ball more so than as a forward.

What makes the Jackson situation so interesting is his value over the next years is true speculating. In most sides a third year ruck/forward, even high end draft, would just be finding their feet in a senior side or have played 15-25 being in and out as they find any consistency and their body adjusts to the rigours. Jackson’s impact has been quality enough that he is on target to play his 50th at the back end of this year. Secondly I still don't think anyone knows whether you are buying a ruck/forward, forward/ruck, tall midfielder, heck he could make a quality centre half back. How far you think he can go and what role that is must certainly play into what you see his worth to be. I hope we are reasonable in what we believe he can become and where it fits in our sustained success. If he decides he does not answer the call for home we should just stick to how we see his worth and if not maximise what we make of it.

The more Gus plays at half back as filler he has gone from a stop gap whilst Salo out, to a quality half back to recent games where he is playing at a level I would consider All Australian and significantly impacting the flow of games. I do wonder what games like last week have done to both his value inside and outside the club but also in his mind the role he wants to play whichever club he is at. For the record I know what I get with Gus and we gain nothing but cap room and a token pick to bargain with (or has that changed) if he leaves. With Dogga (who I want to stay if he chooses to at fair $$) we still dont know what he is and how far he will take it. If he chooses to go home, as long as Freo and Eagles are both pushing hard we need to leverage the draft/trade position to solve our longer term elite key forward gap and maximise our ability to address shorter term needs whilst we are in the window. So if given choice Gus over Dogga would be my current thinking.

Out: M Brown, Turner, Sparrow In: Bedford, May, Dunstan I would prefer us to play one less tall forward and get some more pressure, movement and separation.

What a great opportunity for JVR., AMW, Laurie and the like to get to ply their wares at the coliseum that is the G vs a windswept suburban ground.

Agree with he has some great footy attributes. Super clean, a good step and polished disposal. He still though looks like a talented kid used to being fed the ball in junior footy who just needs more time playing against men and learning the Melbourne way. Is progressing well in my view considering the type his and disruptions last year.

No May after quarter time. No Langdon. No TMac. Trac was clearly ill (may as well not been there). Freo played well, were clean, brought the heat and transitioned with speed but we were clearly unbalanced and lacked energy (not effort). Forward line remains a concern both in connection into 50, ability to take a mark and hold the ball in. Learn from it. Reset and off we go again.

Last game aside he is possibly the form half back of the comp over the last month. Goodwin in last weeks presser said we would be loathe to move him on Salems return. Obviously that did not consider if Langdon misses games but I dont think we will. The other option when if Salem returns and if Langdon is out is Bowey. I just dont know if he has the kilometres in the legs yet to do it. I

I would assume Salem requires a game for match fitness for Casey when ready to go. Viney for Dunstan as like for like. Melksham at best should be sub was underwhelming in both offensive and defensive impact today. If Langdon not right to go Spargo to play more wing time and Bedford into the forward mix. If not we are light for players who understand the wing running patterns and may need to go next in role which would be Baker. His skills at times let him down but has shown good speed on the offensive and defensive spread at Casey this year which is what we miss without Lingers. I am curious once we think he is ready to see what Laurie can do a level up. He has some serious game but I dont think he shows the defensive mechanisms we demand yet.

6. OIiver 5. Lever 4. May 3. Sparrow 2. TMac 1. Trac

With Harmes now confirmed out for 2-3 it is clearly a choice of Bedford or Dunstan I suggest. The other item I think that goes this week in Bedfords favour is the fast deck at Marvel.

Well done Charlie and well deserved. An integral part of our team and the best inside 50 kick in the side in my view. Will be great to see his next levels of development as he further builds his strength and stamina.

If Harmes is out then I would look to Bedford in with ANB/Sparrow more midfield rotation time.

6. Viney 5. Pickett 4. May 3. Brayshaw 2. Trac 1. Jordon

Strong first quarter. JVR, Dunstan and Disco Turner all good and all amongst the goals.