Lil_red_fire_engine

I have always thought once nominated the winner of the rising star should be a player that has played 10+ games in the season and if you were redrafting those nominated with 10+ Games what order would you take them in. Jackson for me.

Unless you’re dropping LJ he is not playing a roaming role as a an undersized ruck or high CHF in the AFL. When in 50 he dropped marks and missed the changes he got (bar one). One of the reasons I want Brown in the side is we will kick the ball into 50 deeper and more central. One of the reasons I think we have poor set shot accuracy is the shots inside 50 are wide or shallow. Brown will assist that. Jones played a great VFL game in a role he wont play at AFL. Sparrow had significant impact in his 50% game time offensively and defensively. Pickett is not offensively kicking goals but I believe he had double the amount of repeat sprints than the next player. The only option I see to trial Brown is Fritsch who has been ok but not great in the last month. I would prefer a dynamic of true talls and true smalls than tweeners. Its Brown in for Fritsch for mine but I reckon they will go Sparrow if they make the move.

I am a massive Bedford fan but he hardly impacted today (had 8 touches). Brown and Jones are the only two today that should be seriously considered for playing the Giants, Definitely something to work with in both Turner and Declase.

Our team defence was back to its miserly best, watching Essendon kick it to May and Lever continually was a thing of beauty. If anything it felt like we over corrected on team defence to stifle their run leaving us with no one inside 50 on counter on numerous occasions and on the worst occasions kicking it on the head of smalls surrounded by Bombers. Our wingers really showed them how its done but our mids have some worrying signs. Too much bees to the honey pot and hollywood handballs. We are at our best when one attacks the stoppage, one holds their width outside and one defends the back. Time for this to rectified. Viney was rusty but energy important (34 pressure acts). Forwardline and connection still a worry. If I was asked to force prioritise our team into order based on 5 week form it would be tough but I suggest most of the bottom positions would be forwards. Also felt our inside 50 pressure was poor particularly first half. Well played number 1, number 8 and number 10.

ANB with 30 pressure acts will not be going anywhere. With Viney back who whilst rusty had 34 pressure acts I feel if it’s about roles, you cant play all three of Harmes, Jordon and Sparrow. Jordon ain’t going anywhere so toss of the coin on the other two. If Brown looks ready today, Brown must come in. Granted if we want to play a forward half with no one inside 50 like we did yesterday it makes no difference. Pickett would want to lift his output and strip back to basics if Chandler or Bedford show strong form today as he has been poor-ok the last few.

6. May 5. Lever 4. Brayshaw 3. Hunt 2 Trac 1. Langdon

The same people who were kicking them for the first 6 rounds maybe?

How is his exposed form? No VFL has certainly made it hard for him to prove he is fit and ready to go.

I think its worth considering why he is not getting a game at the Cats aside their many 30+ age players. I think he is showy but possibly does not do the things you need to when you don’t have the ball ie: 2 way run. Someone particularly a WA side will pay overs for him being he is in contract. If we are looking to take a punt on a player to add pace and dynamics that might reach potential but wont cost the earth I would look at Petrevski Seton. Played out of position and poorly developed at Carlton, has shown impact at times, out of contract and at 23 fits with our list profile. Also dont disagree with Ed Richards at the right price.

Once and if BBB looks to have gained some speed on the lead and repeat running patterns when VFL returns then we should have a look at him. Until then we should return to when our forward line and forward pressure looked best which was without either Weid or BBB. I am not against 3 tall forwards but I am against it just for the sake of it.

Out Weid, Sparrow In Chandler, Viney I still think our forward line has looked at its best with TMac and Jackson with Fritsch as the third early in the year. Time to get back to that until BBB is banging the door down to force us to consider something taller.

Anyone watch today and think he is not worth bringing to our back 7? 32 possessions @ 90% and had Fritsch under control. Throw a rug over Pendles, DeGoey and him for BOG today.

Whilst not the reason for the loss but suburban footy should not be played on a ground as short as the SCG let alone AFL. We struggled to hit a kick and could not stretch them with run. Please lets not play there again.

6. Jackson Then it starts to get tough.

Things are never as good or as bad as they seem. We looked flat and they were expectedly up and about. Rather than our midfield leaders fixing it with brilliant basics and hard defensive work they attempted to play millionaire footy. Review that hard and call out everything that was wrong and then reset for a big second half of the season. Call out to Jackson who was immense. Look forward to seeing Benny Brown get a good run at it after the bye.

At least the tempo was up that quarter but a few trying to do too much and a few who may as well not be out there, Just need to read the front of their MND Beanie and follow what it says on the front and we should still sneak home. Please play Jackson in ruck for the majority this quarter we just look better with him in there today,

Melbourne has a recognisable brand that we as supporters love. This is the exact opposite of that. Second to the ball. Outnumbered at the contest. Players trailing their player when in transition. No creativity, run or dare when in possession. Feels like a team that was ready to absorb an emotional start rather than take charge and not give them a sniff.

Hibbo is having a great year and deserving of another contract. However he is getting to the end (for some its hard to see it coming at that age) and will not always be injury free. If Hibberd goes down we have no one to play on those mid/forwards unless you want to shift May from his role. I am also not convinced how set Hunt will be in our best 22. There is a spot there for the right player.in the right age bracket if opportunity allows.

Maynard would not cost the earth in trade or coin. Is the perfect Hibberd/Jetta replacement. Is the right age bracket and style of player we like. Like Hibbo has some attacking bent but is a good not great kick but can play a serious lock down role something that we have lost with Jetta and will lose with Hibbo. Also gives us flex for Rivers to develop and possibly play midfield in stints in future years.

If they mean does he come in without VFL to build confidence and fitness no. If he does not have a VFL to build confidence and fitness then yes but with further proof at training. If that is meant to mean is he even in our best 22 it does not even deserve a response. We have the luxury of doing whatever is the best path to having Viney cherry ripe and champing at the bit to hit finals and everyone in them hard and fast. However when he comes in he needs to spend less time in middle and rotate through half forward with Sparrow, and Jordon (and take Melkshams slot).

Those that say. Melksham wont get dropped should consider he has been once this season already. Goody’s comments on radio confirmed he is not in form and had a quiet game. There is also no way we dont bring Lingers in. I do wonder on the postage stamp ground that is Sydney whether we consider playing one less tall. I cant see anyway that Lingers does not play and the omission is not one of Melksham or Weid for the one change.

We were beaten in the first half by a very good team who we will likely meet when the whips are cracking. However these demons have a resilience and determination of a rare team that hates to lose rather than loves to win. Some of the best hard nose attacking footy you will see in the second half typified by the TMac snap in the last and the chain of running handballs that led to it. We are giving ourselves every chance at the pointy end. More importantly we have a list balanced with mature quality, elites coming into their prime and exciting youth across every line giving ourselves every chance over the next 3-5 years. Well played number 5, number 11 and number 9.

Melksham out for Lingers. I would persevere with Weid as whilst he is not having the expected direct impact our forwardline seems to function better. I also think the SCG is not the ground to bring BBB in as I suggest him and T will get in each other’s way.

TMac has returned to his best footy. The three mini maestro’s in Pickett, Spargo and ANB are it for mine being they were in the side but not playing at this level.

6.Trac 5. Gawn 4.Oliver 3. TMac 2. Spargo 1. Harmes