Lil_red_fire_engine

I agree with the TMac inclusion but feel we are too short back with Hibberd there. It does not allow May and Lever to play to their strengths. I hope Laurie is the sub.

Do you think we should invest $650-700k annually and 5-6 years in him? Where would you rate him against our starting midfield of Oliver, Trac and Viney. Would you even put him ahead of Brayshaw or what other role would he play for us?

I watch alot of Essendon as the wife barracks for them. He is a high quality accumulator but that is all. Does not get them in damaging positions. Does not have great execution. Has no better than average pace. I could not see how you would play him and Brayshaw in the same midfield mix. The investment in $$$ and tenure I doubt would fit our needs.

When we play brute force footy like we did at times in that second half no one can touch us. Bring on finals. We are ready.

Sorry Kent it may be your observation but the stats dont support your first sentence at all. Agree when someone plays in that role Lever plays better but it doesn’t need to be Tomo. Lever was great all game last week but was best in the last when Smith was down there. I agree its a risky move to bring Turner in at this time of year but I can see why the selectors aren’t confident that Tomo is the answer.

Tomlinson VFL stats are bloated by the fact he takes the kick outs and they switch back through him. I would not put much direct comparison into their stats. Both have had quality VFL seasons. Experience aside, Turner offers us more defensive flexibility on who he can defend at AFL level. The only time I would defer to Tomlinson is if he is to be match on a heavier less mobile tall ie: McKay.

He reads like a Nibbler role succession plan.

His role allows Lever to be Lever and May to be May. The problem though is he is only ok in his direct role. He gives what he has but plays in straight lines and is reactionary so is led to the ball by his player. Turner can play the same role on more players unless they have serious bulk advantage (like Casboult did and like McKay would have). Turner same height, has speed and better natural read but is lighter. Turner has dominated at VFL level pre and post injury not just in stats but impact. In my view for the teams we are likely to play in September I would think Disco gives us more options. Granted it is a risk to bring someone new into the system this late in the year.

Good news but who wouldn’t be keen on joining the Dees though?

Dazzle, I know he is making his name as a backman but what's he like as a forward?

6 Lever 5 Melksham 4 Rivers 3 Viney 2. Langdon 1 Gawn

Mitch Lewis was the one went for and didnt land,

His last 3 weeks have been mediocre. Not comparing the two players as they play different roles and would also have different values in market. Not saying I would trade him but he is not “Heart and Soul” and is tradeable at the right price.

How many heart and soul players does a team have? I dont class Salem as one of them and his 2023 has been poor after a middling injury impacted 2022. We have others for the role on lesser $$$. I would not say he cant be traded at the right price.

It’s hard to do anything right or wrong if you cant run to a contest or jump at the ball. There is no way he plays his week.

Based on today our best options of not many is to play Tomlinson back, Smith forward and bring one of Spargo, Woey or Laurie in for Jordon. Anyone who looks at the stats and see they are led by Dunstan and Harmes need to recognise their games dont translate to anything that solves our problems at AFL level.

Not giving him credit, although I would back him to contest TDK better than Lever did for goal 2. Its more so that I dont recall a single thing he did in the 20 q1 inside 50s that would support him not being a good backline option.

Its interesting how we all see it differently. We gave up 20 inside 50s in the first quarter yet a backline with Smith in it repelled them to maintain the damage to one goal. We gave up ascendency for the first 8 minutes of the last to Carlton and they kicked 3 goals in a Smithless backline. Martin had next to no impact prior to Hibbo's entry into the game. Not saying Hibberd shouldnt be in the 22 but we defended much better with Smith in the back 6.

Even if Clarry’s not ready please get Harmes out of our side. I suggest we may see the Grundy forward experiment. In Oliver Grundy Out Harmes Petty

6 Petracca 5. Pickett 4. Nibbler 3. Brayshaw 2. Viney 1. Hunter

Did Tom Sparrows poorly executed kick to the leading Petty just massively impact our premiership chances? That ankle did not look good.

Salem just throws it on his boot. Lever outbodied by someone half his size. It’s going to be one of those days.

I would be angry if I was actually surprised. Too easily get ahead of themselves and/or cant handle expectation.

Did not come out with any pressure against a lower ranked side. May and Lever make amateur errors early to give the Roos a sniff. Players unable to execute a kick forward of centre.

One of the greatest players and showman the game has ever seen. How he could be that good at his size/role and not be a decent contested mark is insane.