Lil_red_fire_engine

Watching the VFL today suspect we we will go unchanged unless they bring in Melksham for Harmes.

Typical VFL game where the AFL listed players wear down the VFL players and scoot away on the scoreboard. Thought Melksham and Déclassé were the best if needed. Bowey strong first half then quiet second. Would love to see Bedford and Chandler do more to put some pressure on to play a fourth speed forward but they are a long way off it.

6.Trac 5. Tmac 4.May 3.OLiver 2.Salem 1. Petty

At no point did I say we are not trying to move the ball forward. It’s actually being slowed because we look up and our forward line is between half forward and the wing. We are either then forced to slow it or we bomb to their outnumber or we are forced to hold it up until our forwards (and their backs) make their way down there.

In Brown, Melksham, Bedford (but suspect this will be AVB) Out Sparrow, Viney, Spargo It could be Spargo or Pickett but I will still take Picketts 41 pressure acts over the last 2 weeks to Spargos 18. Suspect AVB will find his way in there somehow but we need more. Would not be surprised if we drop Harmes over Viney.

We definitely looked flat today. The game was lost by our inability to win a clearance and then by no forward connection due to no one forward to connect with or stagnant movement that allowed them to also shuffle back. I love our defence first mantra but we have overcorrected and its defence only at the moment. We are saying we are playing a role based game but we have players who are playing in roles that dont exist like midfielders playing 65% or less time with half of it in forward positions. Time to get back to defending hard when they have the ball but hold some forward structure and get some speed and dare back. Whilst we weren’t flying in clearances prior Viney into the side he has not assisted our clearance and stoppage work and we are carrying him to gain touch and fitness at the moment. A short turn around allows us to try some things and “manage” some players as I fear if we dont we will not be able to correct the path we are on and we will just make up the September numbers.

It depends what you see him as, I assume you see him as a key forward considering the Hogan comparison? He is a second year kid who holds his own in the ruck (could argue we look better at stoppage when in there) and is 6th in the comp for forcing turnovers (everyone else in the top 5 is a small forward). He is a freak and when not if the marking comes the sky is the limit. Jordon has had an amazing year but if I was choosing the nominations in a draft its clearly LJ in my book.

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.