Lil_red_fire_engine

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.

I have had a rethink on this and we should not throw out the preferred key forward combo after one game when we were so poor coming inside 50. Nor should we suddenly decide TMac is a backman again. I still think though we want increased speed inside with Tmac and Brown forward. We also need some defensive mid cover and I would like to see Brayshaw back to the wingers club. No disrespect to Jones and Baker who were ok but I just think this gives better balance. Whatever occurs I would prefer to play Tomlinson on crutches than see Melksham again next week. Out Tomlinson, Melksham, Baker, Jones In Petty, Sparrow, Chandler. Harmes

Out Tomlinson Melksham Jones In Weid Sparrow Chandler I saw enough of TMac and Brown to think it won’t work and the Weid with Brown i my preferred combo. Tmac down back was good so try it and see before get to Petty. Jones was ok but we need the extra speed and that splits it with him out over Baker. I would be very surprised if Fritta gets more than a fine being the kid played out the game.

First half our midfield lacked the 2021 effort we expect and we seriously missed having Viney as the defensive stoppage mid. The forwardline was out of kilter which was not unexpected as they rejigger with Big Benny Brown. The backline was off focus and out of kilter seeing one their 7 go down and distraught. We then won the game with 15 minutes of 2021 Demons footy mainly thanks to LJ, Pickett and Langdon. Then Oliver, Lever and May made sure they didn’t open the door back up. Got it done. That’s what good teams do. Interested to see the changes next week to rebalance us and rid ourselves of Melksham who was putrid all game.

6. Fritsch 5. Langdon 4. Jackson 3. Pickett 2. Oliver 1. Lever

Some half time moves and an increase in work rate and we look a lot better. Great to see the kids in Koz and LJ lead the way. Now surely they dont come back out on their heels thinking its done? Surely...

No work ethic or intensity or leadership or structure, Expected to just show up and win just like most on this site expected as well. I will never trust this club.

Injuries you cant control. Work rate and intensity you can. Not much else to be said.

Whilst late outs are disappointing any sign of any level of soreness related or near his foot we need to back Viney off. Hopefully that is all it is. Interesting to select Baker over Jones even with the late out. Hopefully we don’t mess with Brayshaw on the wing just as he is getting it. I would prefer to see Pickett rotated through the pivot more with Melksham and have Baker play half forward and relieve as third winger. This is the challenge with Casey playing Thursday and us Sunday that I suspect if both were today Sparrow would have bee named emergency and been played. Instead he had to play Thursday to avoid missing a week without a full game of conditioning.

Some of their trades mirrors some of our 2009 draft misses. Everything is easier upon reflection. Worth noting Neale wanted out they did not push him.

The MFCSS in me says the cruellest of jokes would be to lose this week with low effort showboating and validate that this team will never be trusted ever. This week will show how well we reset and how ruthless we truly have become. Sometimes its harder to play at high intensity and stick to a plan when the resistance is lower and you drawn down in quality. I have seen us do it to teams many times over the years now the shoe is on the other foot. Hawks game a good example for 3 quarters of what that can look like. Suspect our quality and work rate will get us there in the end but expect some moments of MFCSS to occur at points. Best of luck to Benny Brown on his first of many games for the MFC. I suspect it will take a good month for him and team to connect well but just expect him to work hard and compete until it all clicks. The new rules and our improved ability to hit targets are made for a hard leading 200+cm player.

Assuming he is not named as sub does that not just raise the question of why he does not come straight back in the following week.

Last 2 rounds combined. It’s pretty clear cut. Jones 24 possessions 6 score involvements 13 pressure acts Melksham 22 possessions 11 score involvements 24 pressure acts He was rightly carried to 300 and I doubt he will get back in unless as sub.

I am impatient and find it frustrating having to wait but this was requested by clubst to let them name teams closer to when they play. It would be interesting to see how many less on the day changes have occurred since this was introduced last season vs prior years or whether limited impact.

Sparrow and Chandler excellent. Rosman and Bowey will both be quality players. Weid works hard between contests but needs to do similar for defensive efforts, should have kicked 6-7. No Baker, M Brown, Petty. I would not be surprised if we took all as travelling emergencies.

How about just dropping less impacting players for in form players that might impact in the right role? It is not like we dont have experience across the lines anymore. This is about getting a firing Brown in and I suggest the other player who will best complement. I dont think Harmes is a walk up inclusion off injury but could be wrong.

If C7 rumour is true and Jones and Melksham out then I would suggest its for Brown and a small likely Chandler or Bedford and now is the right time not wait until form wains or wedge it in when injury hits. Melksham has given little other than a few goals and involvements against the Hawks. Jones has been deservedly hanging on for 300 and whilst played his best of the season last week even that was at the low end of impact to others. We need to look to get Brown in and settled and counter balance this with more run and pressure (something Jones and Melksham add little to).