Lil_red_fire_engine

No. This is a team that I want to play to win not eek out a draw. If you think that would have been the best play to create a goal opportunity then I agree.

Out: Jetta, Weid, Melksham, Too early to call on ins lets see who puts a hand up at Casey today. Reading this weeks pressers Salem expected, Viney not this week. I am torn between do we replace/retain Weid with Brown or bring in another runner and go back to TMac, Jackson, Fritsch surrounded by smalls, particularly on the fast deck of Marvel.

Nothings ever as good or as bad as it seems. We were off but it was not through lack of effort. If anything it came through over trying at times. They played out of their skin and we lost by 1 point with two appalling umpiring decisions that should have gone our way that get 1 of them and we still win. No Salem, May having his worst game of the year and Jetta and Hunt not adding anything defensive or offensive really meant we struggled with the way they moved it forward at all costs and how we countered. Our forward line connection just did not work, too much bombing and limited leading yet we still kicked a strong score. Jordon and Harmes were down on recent weeks which left too much to Trac and Oliver granted Oliver nearly won it on his own. You cant play Melksham and Fritsch in the same forward line and two tall forwards with Jackson and play a forward half game. The season will ebb and flow its what you learn when it ebbs and how you react to it which will have the biggest say over our season in the end.

The lack of pressure from the mids and high half forwards is the problem more than those missing from the backline.

We are a touch off with our defensive effort and just bombing it forward of 50. Crows are up and about and outnumbering us at the ball. All that and its level pegging. Lets see if we come out a different team in the second half.

First game of the year truely at the oppositions interstate home ground. Important to get a strong start unlike most other games we have played and give them no crowd support or confidence. Feels like the type of game where you have one eye on next week already but hope not the case. Hoping we continue our full team defence focus, get some dominance back at the clearances and Weid takes his chance.

I just dont think he’s very good.

Jackson is a better ground ball and pressure player than Melksham who Chandler replaced, Chandler had limited score, ball or pressure impact. I think we get too caught up on height and should be more about what they do. It would be ballsy but I am not against look at Chandler for Jackson and playing LJ as a high half forward, back up ruck and roll him through midfield. He is great below his knees, mobile and adds pressure. We would need to have an approach that keeps him high and the key talls deep to derisk multiple going up in contest but I dont think its out of the question. The more likely assumption will be Weid but I reckon they will be keen to look at the TMac, Weid, Jackson, Fritsch dynamic at some point and would not discount a BBB omission. You would think Brown and Weid were on level par last week so hard to agree that Brown more deserving of the slot.

His execution needed to improve (that patch where he had 3-4 clangers was putrid) but you also noted how many attacks he cut off when he did and didn’t get the ball? Who on our list do you suggest has suddenly worked out how to play the defensive wing position? His role has become critical to why teams cant play quick against us or switch easily.

With our 3 tall forwards Gawn offers more one kick behind the ball and not getting in the way.

Viney has a history of rushing back. He is also has a history of playing a cracking first game back and then tapering. If he needs a run or to gain confidence to check it do at Casey. Then unleash him on the dogs.

Jackson averages 15 pressure acts a games over his last month. Weid had 4. Jackson can play against the primary and secondary ruckman for as long or as short as is needed. Jackson allows us to rest Gawn forward or more on the pine or a kick behind play. There is no question that Jackson is straight back in as soon once he is ready to go, the only question will be who for.

No change unless LJ is cherry ripe. Unleash Viney against the Dogs as he has a habit of having a ripping game first up from injury. If LJ then it needs to be Weid out as a like for like role. Weid was only ok but better than Brown yesterday but for forward dynamic Brown offers something different with his height and tentacles under the high ball and on the lead.

Our defence is immense as both a nullifier and an attacking weapon. I saw enough to know the forward mix wont work. Great to watch our waves of defensive run and run down tackles all the way to the final siren. Still a 9-0 work in progress but we just continue to win with system and effort. Well played number 3, number 8 and number 25.

6. Salem 5. Lever 4. TMac 3. Oliver 2. Jordon 1. ANB

Merrett if we have room should be the priority. I would be keen to get Maynard out of the Pies for the right price or Dawson from Swans as the mature Hibberd replacement as it gives flexibility as to how we use Rivers, D Smith and Bowey as they mature in the future. Daniels from GWS would be a good complement to our small brigade and can pinch hit higher.

They remind me of MFC 2018. Some fab individuals at the top end but they fall away quickly outside their top 12 and they think defence is what a few do inside the oppositions 50. That makes them dangerous on their day or your off day as we were in 2018. Need to fix our clearances, quell their half backs and take our chances when they come (as they can give you plenty of looks). Come on Dees lets continue riding the wave.

Annoying but will also freshen his body for second third of season and also give Weid a look in.

Smashed at the clearances yet won thanks to a water tight defensive set up and two big fella’s clunking the ball and snaffling sausage rolls up front. How good is an ugly hard fought victory. Well played number 25, number 13 and number 1.

Whilst I would love us to add another small forward to the side its no change for me unless players need to be managed with soreness. Even then I would look to wait until the Crows game to freshen up for Dogs and Lions back to back Friday nights. Harmes, particularly early did Harmes things like trying to break multiple tackles in one play, not taking the first option and missing some easy disposals. However he got better as the game wore on, won a ton of ball and led our pressure acts. Brayshaw had a mare with execution but he gets how to play the defensive wing and his work and Oliver’s defensive run positioning were key reasons we limited their switch and flow all game.

6. Tmac 5. Oliver 4. May 3. Salem 2. Hibberd 1. Jordon

Win the stoppages and defend them sling shotting through the centre square and we win. Hibberd to play an important job on Papley. Must maximise the height advantage Brown (200cm) and Tmac (194cm) will have on McCartin (193cm) and Rampe (189cm).

I would have dropped Melksham and also played Sparrow instead of Harmes. I always like to try and understand the difference to my initial reactions and I think at times its more about the overall impact and dynamic (which selection committee consider) rather than the individual (which I usually react with) Melksham is one that does 2-3 things per game that frustrate the hell out of you and are burnt into the memory when you get to the “Changes” thread. Others are are right though his numbers speak for themselves, he is crafty and he connects well forward of centre. We dont really have another who plays his role well. This and there seems to have been a change in his intent to pressure. I can understand why he wasn’t omitted. If he plays purely as a high half forward (where he is best suited) there is more benefit to getting him in high form as he does things not many in the team can do. Sparrow generally plays 65% game time. With Jimmy J also in the midfield who also plays 65% it does leave us thin. Particularly against the Swans who with Kennedy and Parker will create a bruising affair around the stoppage. Whilst Sparrow was clearly BOG in the VFL last week Harmes ability to play harder for longer and more roles probably suggest why this was preferred. Best of luck to both tonight. Shame there is no VFL this week to allow those there to continue to put pressure on selection.

He wasn’t bad, he just wasn’t good and there is better in form and position. His defensive running and positioning is average, his tackles rarely stick, his decision in making is a touch slow and his kicks lack impact. He is an average player who can play a role on occasion when injuries strike but I think what you see now is what you’ll get. We are no longer an average side.

This is where I have settled in my mind as well. We need an all year Tomlinson plan and TMac pre last week was coaches votes as a forward the prior 2. Petty deserves first shot and will look even better with May in the back 7 with him. Sparrow replaces Viney is a no brainer on role and form. This pushes Brayshaw back to the wingers club and Baker out. Chandler for Jones just gives us that increased speed and pressure that I think is needed with TMac and Brown. I would also swap Melksham for Harmes or Bedford but feel that 4 changes may be the tip of too much change.