Lil_red_fire_engine

We still lack outside polish and another pressure forward. They can be found later in the draft or hopefully with astute trades for players lacking opportunity/go home factor. I cant see us going big at a name even if we had the picks to offer.

There is no disputing Trac, Oliver and Brayshaw is the best midfield combo, particularly now all of them realise they have legs and can accelerate away. This is no knock on Viney its about how the three complement each other. Viney is perfectly suited to a high half forward who plays as another midfielder at the contest and can offer more to retain the ball in the forward half. For the best of the team which he is clearly worth a starting 18 spot this should be his role. We did what we had to do but I hope we dont sit back and think that 22 can match it with the top 4 this year or next. We cant carry all of Jones, AVB and Harmes lack of skill, we need some more dash or polish halfback/wing. We cant carry the inconsistent brilliance of all three of Fritsch, Hannan and Melksham. We need to decide who is the third tall defender, still up for grabs between OMac, Tomlinson and Smith (Shame Petty is not about as an option). We’ve given ourselves a shot at finals in the back half of the year but I hope we dont rest on our laurels.

Harmes was poor and has been for weeks. He cant play half back and we refuse to tag him. If we send him to Sidebottom next week he gets a reprieve but otherwise needs to go. Hannan was non impactful bar other than a period where he took 2 nice grabs.

In typical Hannan fashion was engaged in the game for a quarter and then hardly seen otherwise. I think even if Gawn plays they won’t want to run him in ruck as hard as normal. If we we play with two true smalls , with LJ playing 65% game time and Gawn more like 80% than normal I would play TMac as well as was serviceable. I would like to see us have 2 tall forwards at all times.

In Gawn, Viney, Lockhart Out Hannan, Jones, Harmes Would say Melksham over Hannan but wont happen. I am willing to have a good look at the three talls when LJ moves like he does IF we play two true smalls in Pickett and Spargo.

Spargo was quality effort and connection all game.

6. Petracca 5. Lever 4. Oliver 3,Weideman 2. Brayshaw 1. Pickett

Our work rate is good we need to settle more with the ball and show better composure with the first option. Just need to start taking our chances and break the game open. Weid, Lever, Trac are really leading the way in playing aggressive.Team who tires the most on a 4 day break will lose.

Whilst I personally would have played Preuss against Goldy they are clearly backing in LJ and TMac from a mobility POV over Preuss from a strength POV. LJ is smart enough as he showed against OBrien when rucking to not get in a body on body but I worry that North will target him physically at every opportunity. Viney out will allow us to get our best midfield dynamic together with Brayshaw more in the pivot to build on his second half. I also hope that Harmes goes to Higgins in a hard tag whether that be midfield or half forward. Hoping that Oliver (full game) and Brayshaw (second half) build back into their 2018 form, May and Lever continue their improvement together and that Kozzie, Spargo and Rivers bring the youthful energy we will need off a 4 day break. Bring strong effort and good connection and the result will look after itself.

The kid is in his third year after rightfully maintaining his place in our 2018 side for most of his first year. He allegedly is one of our hardest trainers and workers and whilst small is willing with high footy iQ. We desperately need to land a second pressure forward to partner with Kozzie. Whilst I personally prefer the attributes of Bedford I will assume that Spargo has put in the work and he is the one who has been mentioned as performing in a variety of the scratch matches. Outside of that we dont have many options. People will point to Hannan and Hunt but they are more mid size leading forwards and we have enough of those. He is the role we need for our forwardline to best function. Even on his viewed output in 2018 and potential to improve I would choose Spargo over ANB at any point pre suspension. I would pick him this week over the current lack of defensive ethic and confidence that Bennell has in his body. He may not set the world on fire today, he may miss a tackle or not kick a goal from 40 but he will give his all. All I am looking for is high pressure acts and connecting with the ball well when he gets his hands on it. He will do that and I suspect if others play with a similar frame of mind today the result will look after itself. The selection decision is made, how about we back the kid in.

My favourite part is he mentions Salem as one of 4 quality players we have. Then says we traded the pick Kelly went for for Dom Tyson but no mention of Salem. The article cant decide whether it wants to trash our lack of culture, historical recruiting and trading or the coach and game plan. So why not a little bit from all three columns

Assuming Gawn Viney and ANB are the only outs I would go with Preuss. Rivers and Pickett. I suspect one of AVB or Bennell may also miss (guess not based on info) so would suspect Spargo (who is there) and Hannan the next ones up if the case. I hope they dont get too carried away and go LJ first ruck. Preuss can play less time and bash n crash and soften Goldy to make it easier for LJ who will get more exposure in there than he normally would with Max.

I am amazed some of the names being thrown up to replace when Goody is on record as saying we only took 29 players to Adelaide for the week. That makes the only potential ins as emergencies from last game which I am pretty sure were The Macs, Rivers and Spargo, Kozzie is also definitely there, so that means only two others, one of which I suggest is Hannan. If Gawn is not playing then I doubt but hope we took Preuss and if not I suggest TMac will play and LJ will ruck. If Viney as rumoured is also not playing I suggest Rivers will play back and Harmes into the rotation but with Angus getting more midfield time. Would love to know who the other option we took was though.

His ability to mark and carry the ball and a decent balance of defence and attack should make him the most likely to succeed on a wing. His kicking being not great should not hurt as much in that role which can be more metres gained than accuracy in success. The challenge for me is I dont know if he can get up and down the ground well enough and whether he has the discipline to hold position and not chase the ball. There is a wing there for the taking for someone. I do worry that his kicking paired with Hibberd in the back half will hurt us. I think you can only have one there.

Completely agree that’s the right mix with Bennell as the 7th off bench if he progresses. Unfortunately I dont know if the club think Toby’s ready or up to it and dont believe they took him to Adelaide as part of the 29. I would like to see Viney play more % forward whilst we find a second fiddle to allow more of Trac, Oliver, Brayshaw together in the pivot which I think is the best balanced combo.

22 played and we had 4 emergencies in Spargo, the Macs and Rivers. We have only taken 29 to Adelaide I believe. Pickett is one who would be the other other 2. Clearly the changes must come from this group. ANB for Kozzie is s given. Would be good to know the other 2 but I doubt it is some of the names being cast..

Should confidence in his calves stop him from putting his body on the line? There were a few one hand in efforts last night that a calf should not excuse.

You did note he was an emergency last week and the week before yeah? You did note that ANB will be missing, AVB and I would suggest Bennell on a weak game and short turnaround. Look forward to your excitement when he is named.

Out: ANB, AVB, Bennell, Jones In: Spargo, Jordon, Pickett, Rivers

6. Oliver 5. May 4. Petracca 3. Viney 2. Weid 1, Jackson

The MFC knowledge in me says these are the games where we mentally beat ourselves. Come on Dees prove me wrong.

Based on what he asks and his before the bounce analysis he should also double up as our game day strategy coach.

Thinking this through more I am starting to turn to the side more that the coach does not know what he is doing. We started the season with 1 tall forward, then 2 and it was working but then went to 3. We started the season with Omac as third tall, then Smith, then Omac then it was working but one week under mass pressure so we are Now using only 2 tall backs. Everyone can clearly see we have a predominantly one paced inside midfield with limited defensive run yet we continue to play the same players in and out position and hope for a better result. We dont try and resolve the problem with any positional changes or difference from outside the core group. There is no stability when we have found the potential mix in a component and there is no change at all in the one area that seems to continue have the biggest opportunity for improvement.

But with Trac, Viney, Oliver playing as well whose minutes do you think he will take? I am conscious Sparrow was in there as well but he needs to find another role that works to rotate through. It certainly isn’t the wing.

Forward line already looks better on paper., Backline we had just got some balance and we drop Omac after one so so week. The midfield is the problem but we persist with playing too many like types who cant run and cant hit a kick. My problem is though when I look at those not playing I dont know who plays in the midfield ahead of them To fix that problem?