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I like bringing both Petty and Hibberd. I was worried that bringing in Petty which sounds deserved defensively does not balance the amount of attack from the back half we get from Maysie as well. Whilst Jetta has not been bad he has just been hanging on and Hibbo coming in reinforces the we need to look at ways to continually get better. Brown for Fritta is like for like but I would based on last week and him not playing the Fritta role push Melksham back to medisub.

So is Jetta training as well?

Fritsch out is frustrating but injuries will occur lets hope they are short term and spread across the season at opportune time. Melksham plays the Fritsch role which he is best suited to, Sparrow stays in (which he should based on showing), Petty for May and Hibberd as sub (or vice versa).

This is to me is THE danger game, The weeks press has turned its focus to how great we are playing and that we are likely the real deal. We would have set ourselves for Geelong and looked pretty cooked when the siren sounded. I am worried that we will have our mind set for Anzac Eve and forget the one in the middle. We are against the craftiest coach in the game and whilst the Hawks are not much on paper they have some quality across the lines particularly midfield that need to be respected.

Trust us the year we have an NGA who appears to be a serious specimen we won’t be able to take him if picked inside 20. Mac Andrew please be good, but not too good.

A Melbourne side with 4 quarter intensity. A Melbourne side who stay with the plan. A Melbourne side who stick their tackles. A Melbourne side who run as hard back as forward, A Melbourne side who adjust roles on the run when things don’t go their way. Just need to start ticking the Melbourne side who take their chances and we will seriously start putting sides away and I will start to believe we are a serious shake. The injuries and soreness in the kids will come at some point but we have some quality depth old and young to replace them with. Always great to put the wins away early certainly better than chasing them late.

In Petty and Hibberd Out May and Jordon Jordon sub.

6. Petracca 5. Lever 4. Viney 3. Fritsch 2. Gawn 1. Langdon

The Melksham/Sparrow change was one of two selections most could see could possibly occur, the other being Jetta out for Hibberd. Most are weighing up their thoughts (as am I) on factors that are hard to judge outside the club. I love the idea of unchanged sides but I dont understand the nuances of below inside the club to have a strong view on this decision. Firstly, where is the line as a mid between getting the ball and what you do without the ball. Sparrows off ball work has been excellent as shown in his pressure stats but surely a mid/half forward needs to get more than 4 touches. Secondly what is the Melksham we are getting in 2021? The one that lacked any offensive or defensive impact in 2020 or the 2018 jet who whilst weak in defensive run played some top negating roles one half backs and was one of the most offensive weapons in the league I believe leading goal assists across the comp. I have noted that the whole team has an improved defensive mindset and the new man on mark rule lends to a guy who can kick darts on the angle off either foot. It really depends what bias you put on any story but as others have mentioned the decision on these two as our 22nd player should not be the difference between a win or loss. I would assume an improved defensive Melksham who with his ability to hit targets forward of centre would be the likely choice.

Hibberd is a better stopper when tasked than given credit.

He was serviceable in the first two rounds but I am unsure who he plays on in Cats front 6? If he does not have the right match up for a game at the G then being he does not add attack or rebound from defence I am unsure how he assists.

I dont want Baker in the side but I dont want a kid to debut as sub (with no game involvment) I also dont want to waste a week of no game time into someone who might add more or be needed soon ie: Melksham or Hibberd. I want someone who offers some medium size flexibility if called upon.

I dont believe we can play the style of game we are well with both Jones and Melksham in the side and Jones for all his faults is getting involved in core chains and lets be honest wont get omitted. Sparrow does need to get more than 4 possessions weekly but his work off the ball and his pressure in structure is extremely high and should be rewarded again regardless of his quiet day with the ball. Jetta is the concern for me, he is hanging on through sheer will and I just dont see the clear match up for him against the Cats. Hibberd for Jetta and Baker or Chandler as sub.

Agree with Sparrow but Jones frustrates me no end. Refuses to chase, refuses to take first option, refuses to play team footy.

Whilst a good win we need a freshen up. I would have Sparrow (no impact), Jetta (cooked) and Jones (selfish and no defensive actions) in the gun. I would have Hibberd and Melksham in for Jetta and Sparrow and have Jones as the sub (for those obsessed with getting him to 300). .

We are winning with structure and fitness rather than talent and performance at present. GWS threw everything at us and took their chances. That was a tough hard fought win and we again fought back and then controlled the game. Lots to work on but I will take double the scoring shots and a 5 goal win which ever way it comes. Hunt is starting to grow in confidence and Pickett is just a joy to watch. Looking forward to us sticking it to the cats on the G next week.

6. Gawn 5, Hunt 4. Pickett 3. Langdon 2. Salem 1. Viney

Gee that was surprising that they came out hard and changed their style. Need to get some goals and put them back in their box. Oliver needs to get on the move to accentuate the holds and blocks. Just need to show some composure, get on their bikes defensively, play with some better spread and make some space in the forward 50.

Right decision to maintain the same 22. There will come times when form wains or injuries occur that will create opportunities for those that are ready to take them. I suggest Milkshake will be sub being he offers the most versatility.

Fritta’s goal kicking needs to get better but its more to do with him leading to low % positions than him missing easy shots in my view. Worth noting before Bailey kicked what was an amazing clutch shot Lyons and Daniher missed. If you want to see the best watch the rejuvenated Tex the purest kick in the game at the moment.

The club should offer a digital concierge that the non tech savvy member can coordinate with via phoning the club and then meet at gate 3. The club could secure their ticket and preload onto a digital device that they use to get them through a special members queue for this purpose. The club would then provide a physical pass that advises their seat allocation once inside the ground so they can get into the relevant bay. It’s not perfect and does not solve those that want to buy some inside for cash purpose but would solve the getting people in. I see plenty of older potentially low tech folk at the footy together or on their own and we need to ensure we provide the relevant support.

I just look at the role a player is playing and whether he is doing his job. I dont look at his dream team points, draft -position or pay packet on the weekend to evaluate it. If we have 22 guys doing the job we need them to do we will be a lot better than 22 guys getting high dream team points and individually playing to their draft pick or pay packet. No excuses from me. Gus has been poor for two seasons other than a game here and there. Gus is learning a role and whilst developing is doing it better than anyone we have seen at MFC in the last 3 years at least. I suggest that makes it well worth persevering with. McIntosh averaged 13 disposals and less then 2 tackles a game last year and finished 5th in Richmonds B&F

I didn’t think I would need to educate you but here it goes. Defensive wingers are about structure and being a step away from the ball and the contest. It’s to stop the oppo doing something quickly or not at all. Kamden McIntosh one of the best in the business had a 13 possession 1 tackle and 8 pressure act game last week. Richmond will probably give him high B&F votes like his top 5 finish last year. Gus is a work in progress in the role but he is doing it a hell of a lot better than people get. This is why we are not even looking to rotate him on ball at all and preferring Sparrow and Jones and others. Carry On.

It amazes me how little people get that Gus is playing the skinny side defensive wing and is actually playing it well and still learning, The right way to continue to reinforce that we are rewarding team footy and role footy wins is to maintain an unchanged side. If there is no VFL practice this week just take Milkshake and he could get time as medisub if needed. Which if you consider he offers good flexibility forward, back and mid if required.

I always find it interesting how uncomfortable Demonlanders find it after a strong, injury free win to be able say “No Change”. We almost go hunting for one coming up with some great reasons why they are required. Teams with stability are always the teams with the best chance come years end. No one outside the team that is injury free is a guaranteed in. I would argue Benny Brown the only one once fit without question. No one inside the side did not play their part in our win. I will admit some like Jones and Jetta I believe may be passed by at some point this year and some like Hunt I dont have full faith in but they all deserve their spot. I will also admit that the good teams have roles that are not defined by Dream Team Points but what it means for the structure or intent see Brayshaw, Sparrow, Spargo and ANB I reckon. It’s no change for me bar the who you choose as medisub. And it should stay that way whilst we win playing team footy knowing there are some strong players and up and comers to take out away from you if you dont.