Lil_red_fire_engine

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.

I just want a W and no injuries this week and next. We need to continue to stick fat with our defensive first stylings and not deviate and start playing Hollywood footy the next 2 weeks.

I think as inside bulls they are close to on par with each other with possibly Brayshaw shading Viney offensively and Viney shading Gus defensively. However Viney complements Oliver and Trac better than Brayshaw would. Brayshaw as he has shown offers high quality versatility in role both wing and half back that Viney does not possess. My read on Gus is he cares more about winning, legacy and team culture than being the man and/or $$$ in a middling group. As long as he is fairly compensated I reckon post new CBA this will sort itself out. If he chooses to go elsewhere for whatever reason then best of luck to him. He has given his all for the MFC, been through dark times individually and collectively and will always be known as a key reason we were 2021 premiers.

I would leave him at half back at least initially to see how it works with Salo. JJ is holding his own on the wing and Rivers whilst not coasting would be the one in danger if this is the case,

Whilst I did not put him in my 6 great to see Hunt called out for another great nullifying role on a dangerous small.

6. Brayshaw 5. Langdon 4. Oliver 3. May 2. Trac 1. Pickett

6. Gawn 5. Oliver 4. Bowey 3. Trac 2. Viney 1. Brown

Great structure and game plan, the quality of your best 6 players and the depth of your bottom 6 is usually what wins games. Unless we lose more today we are still in a good position particularly if it stays dry.

Let me know if I have this wrong but is he not out of contract this year? Is it not the team courting him the one firmly sitting with what would be first pick and unlikely to move much higher than second pick? If he goes this year we possibly get next to nothing or significantly under market value, you can kiss 2 top 10 picks or the like good bye. I still dont have concern yet as any player with worth currently out of contract would wait until the CBA is done, as would the club but if this happens now it will not be pretty.

Agree, it was predominantly where we took the shots from and a lack of settling and rushing some kicks. We seemed obsessed with kicking to contests deep and tight in the pocket. Particularly first half too many times where our forwards did not separate and therefore the only space was deep and wide or no one leading at the kicker for an easier set shot. Part of that is the way the Richmond backs set up and block you centrally but most of it was just not thinking it through.

Hunt has been less about the eye catching run and more about quietly doing his job on some quality small forwards this year. Whilst still weeks away I would suggest Rivers is the more likely casualty when Salo returns at this point. This assumes we choose to leave Gus back and JJ on a wing which is a fair chance I suggest.

6 Oliver 5 Gawn 4 May 3 Langdon 2 Petty 1 Sparrow

Goody has already said we wont play 3 key forwards. I wont put any thought into the 18 named on field and just absorb the outs and wait until the final 22 is announced tomorrow. Shame about the 2 out for protocols but it is what it is. Will be interesting to see how they cover Viney’s midfield time.