Deespicable

Great to see the two best teams at the minute going head-to-head.

Since McKay's been out, Blues have gone shorter and on Sunday just had Curnow and resting ruck - TDK or Pittonet resting as they use a version of Pagan's Paddock for Charlie. May will take Charlie, but trick is deciding if Lever, Hibberd (or Smith) can cope with the ruckman. But it would be a ballsy call to bring back Tomlinson. Can't see it as Blues have so many smallish runners up there. The good thing is that with Smith back as the sub, we have options of bringing him on - even to Curnow - if we have to.

Bowey (injury) is the only defender in doubt with Hibberd back in 22 and Smith the sub.

Grundy has to play for Petty as we looked lost when going down line in last quarter minus Petty and it's too much to expect JVR and Melky to cope - Weitering, Kemp and Marchbank would have a field day. 

Then it's a case of who is out for Oliver. Sparrow, Jordon and Harmes all made howlers at times but also kept persisting against a Roos side that was majorly committed, but I suspect Harmes is the most likely to go of that three. But if Bowey's out, then it would be easier just to send Angus back to cover.  

As with several others, this is the week to rest players as other tops sides have done when playing against West Coast or North.

The game against Hawthorn (Rd 22) is too close to our finals bye, so this is our chance to rest old or sore legs - yes we finally have an ageing list - certainly we are not passed our window, but we do have 3-4 30yos or close to that number.

To me the two who need a break more than anyone are Viney and May.

Viney keeps having a pinched shoulder in collisions and a week of hard running should get him cherry ripe for finals.

 May has carried our defence and he's now well past 30 - he needs a breather before finals.

Gawn can be rested, but surely it's better to just rest his workload during the game by bringing back Grundy to work in tandem with him for a week. We will need two rucks this week as North plays Goldy and Xerri.

Woey unfortunately slips out as well, but the good thing is that he now has four games at AFL under his belt for him to work on for next year.

Hibberd just has to play after his effort last week in VFL.

So for me it's Out: Viney, May and Woewodin. In: Grundy, Sparrow and Hibberd.

Tomlinson also should be out after last week, but with May rested, he has to remain in side this week.

The Petty as a forward experiment is back on - apparently he is a way quicker learner than Grundy in the patterns forwards need to run.

Even though he's been injured much of the year, he continues to be rushed back in like he's the messiah - last time it was to show Cameron up down at Geelong, this time it is to show Vlastuin or Grimes or Balta how clever we are with our match-ups. 

As someone who spent most of last year wanting to see Petty tried as a forward, I saw enough in his early games this season to confirm to me that he actually is a defender - he does not have the peripheral vision, nor the quickness in transition to make it up forward.

I am happy to have egg on my face on this one. But please everyone, watch and see what clever plays he makes when he marks or gathers the ball outside the 50m arc and decide for yourself whether he is suited to such link-up work. Unfortunately he is a defender. Love to have seen him get back into form via Casey.

The good thing is that Richmond is a small side like us, so we don't have to alter our small structure.

Still I'd be a little disappointed if Hibberd didn't come back in for his traditional Dusty match-up and given Chandler's impressive game on return, then the most likely omission is Woey with Rivers getting a little more time on the ball. 

As to Petty coming back in, I hope if he passes a fitness test, he gets to find 2021 form against Williamstown. 

Smith should still be the sub with Grundy recalled for BBB.

We already have the smallest starting 22 in the comp and it was patently obvious against the Crows, who without Laird, Rachele and McHenry and only had Murray under 6 foot.

That's why the efforts of Lever and May and Tomlinson to get the ball to ground was impressive because we were undersized everywhere except in the ruck.

Watson may very well be a livewire and have a great career, but it better not be at Melbourne or Lamb is hellbent on destroying our list.

Adelaide will be dangerous given they must pick off one of their next three - us, Power or Lions at Gabba - to stay in the race.

Assuming they go with their three-pronged attack of Walker, Fogarty and Thilthorpe, then we need a tall defender - so welcome back Tommo. As an aside, selectors decided for the Cats game that Petty's past form on Cameron was more important than Tomlinson's previous win on Hawkins two years earlier before his knee injury - that ultimately forced Tommo out. But Petty's form and injuries mean that this time he not only needs a couple of weeks off to rest his ribs/shoulders, he also needs to find form and confidence in the reserves before coming back just before the finals.

Smith is another good option for Fogarty, but I reckon he's more important as the sub because he can now play either end.

It's been great to see Jordon get a good run the past two games and he deserves to stay until Olly returns and even then he might stay if we can restructure by sending Sparrow or Bowey forward and Angus back.

Ben Brown was handy early last week but looked sore as he ran around in final term. If he's injured, then we can't rush Grundy back in without some form up forward for Casey, but we do have Schache. JVR is a kid, so we have to play him again and again and then send him back for a week or two in VFL. He's our future.

It would be a big call to bring in Moniz-Wakefield on the back of that win, but agree we need to trial him in weeks ahead as he now seems to be playing high-level at VFL. But I can't see it happening this week at the expense of Spargo. As for Chandler fans, just be grateful he got a three-year contract and 14 consecutive games.

Woey deserves another go to see if he can bed down a spot and end our days for four small forwards in our line up. Trac has already shown the value of having big-bodied small forwards crumbing and flying for marks as opposed to the classy but ineffectual smalls. 

So for me, it's OUT: Petty (inj) and possibly Brown (inj). IN: Tomlinson and possibly Schache.

33 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Brown looked like Cliff Young in the last, he has to be doubtful for any footy. JVR a must to return. I think we actually need Tomlinson to play back and Petty to play forward. Todays Casey game a must watch. Why is Dan Turner out? 
As for bringing Hibberd in I’m not so sure, our backline looks a thing of beauty atm. Bowey back in form, McVee rarely loses a contest and Salem is a really really good HB. 

As someone who advocated throwing Petty forward for much of last season and early this season, I get why you think Petty would work as a forward.

But I ask you to go back to the games this year that he played up front and hit the video replay.

While he is more mobile than BBB and T-Mac, he unfortunately doesn't have the quick-thinking ability to be the forward link player. It is an experiment that needed to be tried, and after months (years) waiting for it, it was. But there's only one place for the Harrison to play - and that's down back, where he can stick to the simple aerial things that he's good at and distribute sideways to safer disposal players or down  the line.

Thought Melky and BBB both did well, but that doesn't mean JVR shouldn't play.

Our premiership side had three talls (Jackson, T-Mac and BBB) plus Fritter. Playing JVR as a mobile CHF with BBB and Trac nearer the goalsquare will stretch most sides in the air and may even give us confidence to attack a little more down the spine. And the advantage that Trac has over our three (and for much of the year four) mega smalls is that he can rove packs and also be dangerous in the air.

So it would be nice if Goody gave it a go and made Spargo the sub to bring in JVR. But he won't. He's too conservative when we win.

Lions have a tall forward line, so if Petty is out injured, then Tomlinson should get the nod.

Loved the new feel about our side.

6 May - phenomenal game, inadvertently involved in two of their injuries.

5 Trac - when's the last time someone other than Fritta kicked four goals. Adjusted to new role well. May cost him the Brownlow but our forward line looked so much more dangerous and way better balanced.

4 JJ - Great to see him finally plonked in the guts and the number of times he weaved his way out of trouble was impressive.  His dominance as a matchwinner at VFL level gave him the confidence to be way more than the handbrake (Clint Bizkit's definition) he has been in his wing and high half-forward previously. Amazing what can happen when you try something different, hey Goody.

3 - Viney - usual courage and run. Our little Everready.

2 - Salem - Great run dow tackle at ket moment. Just wondered why Lever was allowed to take his free kick.

1 - Angus - Enjoyed more minutes in middle as well and seems to like variety, although he's best-suited for us as a reliable defender.

I think all of us are hoping that the indoor stadium means we are cleaner in our ball movement and able to spot up targets when going forward.

But against that we have lost our best leading forward in Fritter and that in itself should force a restructure of sorts from the match committee. 

The issue as I see it is that we don't have any explosive leading players, apart from Kossie, and as we tend to go into forward 50s via the wings on most occasions, so it's easier for defences to pick us off and push our forwards under the ball, hence why Stewart and then Haynes have had field days the past two weeks.

The other issue is that we tend to use only one player as a cut back option through the middle before launching forward and that player is Nibbler. He played that role perfectly in 2021 and early in 2022, but after being hammered by Maynard in the QB game last year, he has since struggled for consistency in the role.

Nibbler is still the hardest-running player in the side, it's just that he's been unable to make the key plays when we go inboard to him. Part of that is because he lacks penetration with his kicking and other sides are often smothering his short, low offerings. And as we've seen in recent weeks, his confidence in making the crucial play has been a tad low, he's even fumbled the odd handball etc.

Axing Nibbler is tricky because he is still our hardest worker, but ultimately Goody has to have the courage to replace him in his role as the mid-forward conduit. We can't keep serving up the same squad.

And he has to decide who is our best option to play that crucial role. To me there are only two players on our list who can do that presently - Petracca and Bowey. The choice of Trac would be similar to the Pies choice of De Goey in the role but it would rob us of some of our clearance dominance. The choice of Bowey would enable us all to gauge how quick and clever he is (and he certainly is swift with the hands) and also he is a thumping kick so capable of scoring goals as well. Nibbler's goalscoring has dried up almost completely this year. The downside of Bowey is that he is smaller in the air, so passes inboard to him have to be on the money, but there's absolutely no doubt he has the courage and fitness for the role. The only other player on our list who has the physique, skill and pace to do this role is Oliver Sestan, but he is still a long way off based on his VFL efforts to date.

If we go Trac, it frees up a midfield spot for Jordan, who is absolutely dominating at VFL level, but failing to measure up at AFL level where he jumps from half-forward to occasional midfield bursts. But if we are to fix our forward structure, then we have to give him a sustained run as the main man in the middle with Viney and Sparrow with Rivers/Angus/Trac and Harmes all going through in bursts.

Two other quick suggestions:

1) How about we actually start Grundy on the ground - he's a physical player and games are almost always at their most physical in the first 10 minutes. Why we start him on the bench and not as a forward waiting to replace Max on the ball is beyond belief, given that all of us rate him highly and in our best 10 players. 

2) The four incredibly small forwards option worked well early this season when it was dry and games were fast, but more recently we have gone back to three smalls and that still hasn't worked. Nibbler and Chandler have combined for two goals in our past six games. Maybe we have to look at just two small, small forwards as other sides do - Kozzie plus one other - Bowey is my preference (sight unseen). It's also time we went back to the three big forward structure that won us the flag in 2022. Yes it makes us less mobile but hopefully with better ball movement we can isolate the right tall with the wrong match up.

Finally one other thing, and it's just an observation, not fact. but we may need more of a "taking a hit for the team' attitude. There's a reason why Harmes and Nibbler and Ed and Salem and others all played so well in our flag year and that's because they were role players first. Maybe a few have starting thinking there's an 'i' in team.  

6 Jack Viney - in everything.

5 Angus Brayshaw - thought he was clean throughout and strong in tackles.

4 Steven May - our best tall defender.

3 Jake Bowey - our best small defender who has to have a bigger role going forward. And just remind me why he didn't play in seniors last week.

2 Christian Petracca - as with Geelong game, he was horrific early with red mist, but settled into game after half time. Is his pre-game prep right because he takes a long while to settle?

1 Lachie Hunter - as with Langdon and Harmes, he worked his butt off, but just couldn't find a way through.

Our five most improved for 2023

1 Trent Rivers: A massive pre-season saw him look stronger and more confident after a dismal 2022. He really looks the part now intercept marking and his thumping kicks have meant that the coach now occasionally deploys him on the ball in the hope he can kick over the lines. We may have lost to Freo again, but he did overcome his Michael Frederick demons winning or squaring most contests with him this time around. To me, he’s one of the few players who can be deployed to help solve our forward problems, being quick enough to apply tackles and capable and tall enough in the air to provide a third-man up contest when needed. But under Mr “conservative” Goody that won’t happen this year.

2 Tom Sparrow: With Olly out, we’ve had a really good look at whether he’s up to the midfield level required in the AFL now and there’s no doubt he is. He’s a battering ram and he tags as well as almost anyone in our side – from Ben Cunnington to Max Holmes – he’s a real nuisance for opponents. His games against the Blues and Pies showed he can also provide run and drive from clearances – I reckon it’s just a matter of time now before he has a really breakout game by the numbers – ie: 30-plus disposals etc. 

3 Jake Bowey: It’s hard to believe this guy spent a week in the VFL as a result of backing into Jake Lever’s knee against Carlton. Like Rivers, he’s shrugged off the flag lethargy and shown he’s even more committed and clean with his hands. His size means he’s going to be beaten occasionally in the air, but once the ball hits the dirt, it’s advantage Bowey – he’s reminiscent of Richmond’s Liam Baker with his quick vision. I also reckon he deserves a shot at Nibbler’s high half-forward/midfield conduit role because he’s a better kick than ANB, but as with Rivers, don’t worry, it won’t happen under our ‘devoid of risk’ coaches.

4 Judd McVee: Chris from Camberwell was a big wrap for this bloke on SEN even if he couldn’t figure out how to pronounce his name after his game against Carlton and he’s not alone. He was handy at best in the VFL last season and most of us were shocked when he got a gig pre-season against Richmond. But a super game on Bolton that day stamped his round 1 papers and since then he’s shown he’s AFL level. Given that Goody gave away Jayden Hunt, his extra pace is crucial to our defensive line-up and he’s also an elite, quick kick. He’s also why we can now send Bowey or Rivers forward if we want to.

5 Jacob van Rooyen: The Roo’s received a lot of publicity which is understandable given his role up front. As with any kid, he’s a bit up and down but as we saw with his last quarter cameo against Richmond he keeps buttering up for a contest and he can be a matchwinner. His game against the Blues showed he had enough vision in traffic to play a little higher and his goal that day from 50m out on the members flank confirmed to me, and others, that he can kick the ball almost as far as Neiter when required. 

Agree with most comments here, although the Smith comments or non-selection are amazing - he was clearly our best player to half time with Salem and then had the honour of Stewart moved on to him and then he really struggled.

The big question for me is whether the selection panel will have any interest in altering our unique four midget small policy or whether someone might query whether that is the right balance given no-one else does it and so far it is yet to provide any decent returns on both a goalscoring count or on a tackle count. 

Bowey has to come back in (god knows why he fell out of favour), Harmes went close to a rare quadruple double in the VFL so will be stiff to miss again, Brown will come in if we go back to the three bigs structure, Melky is our only sub who has done anything this year, Tomlinson is perfect for Hoges if he comes back from injury - but only if selectors apologise to him first for rating Petty so highly first game back and finally Olly has now missed four weeks which means the club can stop playing Fleetwood's Mac 1977 album at training. And on top of that Goody is keen to give Woey a go to keep his dad happy.

All of which probably adds up to No Change!

It's hard not to be fearful of what might happen in this game.

Clearly, based on the Blues recent tales of self-destruction, we win easily. Cripps seems injured (slower than normal), Harry has the yips and Charlie is finding the burden of being the No.1 player in the game (Robbo's view) hard to live up to. Add in the injuries and it's hard not to back us and just about every tipster in the country is.

But those who remember Joe Daniher destroying us on a couple of occasions (and losing the plot in a  couple of others) know that this could be the night when Harry converts his first on Tomlinson and gets on a roll. Given we aren't playing hard tags (Harmes is out of favour) it could also be the night that Cripps gets rolling (unless Sparrow has a blinder on him). And it's not as if their injuries are key omissions - their six out are all depth players replaced by in-form VFL depth players. Their midfield core of Walsh, Cerra and Cripps are all playing so Charlie may have enough supply, while Saad and Docherty are still in to provide run and Weitering, McGovern and Young good enough to quell our key forwards.

What worries me most is that, under Goody, we continue to play four small forwards and with no major height through the middle aside from Trac, we get picked off whenever we try switchbacks from our left-side defensive forays.

I don't understand how we can continue to play four small forwards - we are the only side doing it and aside from a few magic forays from Kozzie and the early form of Chandler, the benefits of the structure are non-existent. And the goals have dried up recently. Chandler has kicked one goal in his past three, ANB one in the past four and Spargo nine for the year.

It's not as if they are smalls that take the odd surprise mark or are that we get benefits from their tackles. Yes they all work their butt off but who would you rather tackle you - Beau McCreery, Sam Powell-Pepper, Zac Bailey or Chandler, Spargo and ANB. Which is not to say that our trio don't work their butts off - it just that at 175c, 172cm, 182cm plus Kozzie at 171cm our small forwards aren't intimidating. And that is one of the major reasons why we have absolutely no chance against Collingwood, although Carlton's current propensity to self-destruct should enable us to get through tonight.   

Obviously it is now clear we are a long, long way off the pace of Collingwood, who we play in two weeks time. Ultimately we are just making up numbers this season, but with two highish picks next season we hopefully can find a bit of run and a tougher mid-size quick-running forward/defender to help us out.

But this week it's Carlton and hopefully they will self-destruct in front of goals like they've done for five weeks.

Our two successive losses should spark Goody to feel compelled to actually make changes and also realise that he needs to restructure for the following week to save a KB Monday massacre.

Clearly Ben Brown has to play instead of T-Mac, but Chandler's run is over (gees he was clever for six weeks, but his size makes it really hard to be effective in the winter) and ANB and Spargo weren't much better. We need another small forward and to me it's about time we moved outside the 'boring' and sent Jake Bowey there - I'd accept Salem going forward as well, but maybe that's one for the Pies weekend.

People calling for McVee's omission are missing why he's been playing - he's our quickest defender - we got rid of Hunt remember. He is required for Motlop and then Bobbie Hill. 

But I accept that we need to find a third tall defender - Lever's game against Freo was appalling and we can't leave him on TDK - we can leave him on McKay because Harry is self-destructing anyway, although he probably won't play this week. Tomlinson fans have a point based on his VFL form, but those who watched his game against Essendon know why he can't play. To me, with Petty out we have to go back to Joel Smith as a defender who can be swung forward late if necessary - you are allowed to swing players Goody - they used to do that in the old days and Neale Daniher was one of the best at doing it - Ron Barassi even better. Read up your coaching manual Goody - there is no rule that says a player must stay in the position he started! Part of the reason we need Smith is that he is quick - again we lack pace and in two weeks we are up against one of the three quickest sides in the league - Essendon and Sydney are the others. 

The other frustrating thing was that Grundy played just 69%, T.Mac 80% - who would you rather have on the field, even if they are playing forward? I think we can add some pace by going back to just two talls up forward with Fritter the third tall. We will need the pace against the Pies.

And while on the sub, Goody still hasn't figured out that it is for impact players - I'm sorry JJ is a nice mid, but he doesn't impact. Melky does. JVR would too, if left out to go small. Spargo probably would as well if left out to start big. Figure it out Goody please.

And while we are at it. The next two weeks are perfect for testing out if tagging makes a difference. Both Viney and Harmes should be told to play tight - this week it's Harmes on Walsh, next week it's Viney on N.Daicos, Harmes on De Goey.  

So here's my team and yes we should to be too good for Carlton, but the bigger picture is the following week.

In: Hunter, J.Smith, Brown

Out: McDonald, Chandler, JVR

B: Salem May J.Smith

HB: Brayshaw Lever Hibberd

C: Langdon Petracca Hunter

HF: Bowey Grundy Sparrow

F: Brown Fritsch Pickett

Ru: Gawn Harmes Viney

Int: Spargo, McVee, ANB, Rivers (JVR or Melksham sub)

Wow, Woey Jnr getting a go is really pleasing if that's the case.

He's definitely skilled enough to make it, he's a lovely kick and for those who remember his dad, he seems to have a similar work ethic although I worry about his pure speed. But his dad managed to work his way from a back pocket rookie longshot in 97 into our most important midfielder by 2000, so who really knows.

Even more pleasing is that for the first time since round 3, our selectors are thinking outside the box again.

As with Sydney, Fremantle has done well against us in recent times with last year's win at the 'G the start of our decline and if you recall it was Michael Frederick who carved up Rivers as they overran us after halftime.

Rivers has been our most improved players this year so I doubt Frederick will be much of an influence, but they are in form with their tail up and Walters and Seargent Schultz will be everywhere I reckon, not to mention Fyfe, Brayshaw and Serong.

Hopefully McVee gets Walters, Bowey gets Schultz and our Brayshaw takes Fyfe out of it, whether in the middle or up forward. They play three talls - Amiss, Jacko and Treacy and Banfield ain't short either, so I suspect we will need either Turner. Turner has to play - he learnt a bit from his three quarters on the Gold Coast as was shown by his huge game at Casey against NM last week.

And while we are talking changes, with Hunter out, now is the time to start Salem on the left wing which will surprise Freo. I'd have him rotating with Hibbo, who ensures we have a hard tackling outside mid who is good in the air - that is one of Freo's big strengths when they are on.

Either way our selectors must be way more tactical than they have been of late and must pull some changes to break up our monotonous ways which have crept back in - you are allowed to attack down the right hand wing and if Ed is over there we need to use his pace.

And a hard tag on Serong would also help - Viney is the obvious man, with whoever plays out of Harmes or Jordon given a tagging job on Andrew Brayshaw when they are on the field. 

Chandler's confidence has dried up the past two weeks - and as clever as he was early, it's time to give him a rest - I know that's a hard call given his plethora of goals and assists in early games.

One last comment that I know most won't agree with - but JVR must be dropped for this game - we all know he's a developing talent but there has to be consequences for his lack of discipline that cost us big time against Port. A week in the twos should be compulsory.

And like many of you, I reckon we can get by without T.Mac this week, he's just not quite quick enough these days and probably needs another hard block of match-free training to get his mobility back.

Out: Oliver, Hunter, JVR, T-Mac, Chandler

In: Woey, BB, D.Turner, Sparrow, Harmes or Jordon

B: Bowey (Schultz), May (Amiss - lets make it hard for the youngster) McVee (Walters)

HB: Rivers (Frederick) Lever (Jackson) Hibberd (Banfield) - seventh Turner (Treacy)

C: Langdon Angus Brayshaw (Fyfe) Salem

HF: Sparrow Gawn ANB

F: Pickett Fritsch Ben Brown

Ru: Grundy Petracca Viney (Serong)

Int: Woey, Harmes or Jordon, Turner, Spargo

Emerg: Melky, J.Smith (the sub if fit), Lawrie, Harmes or Jordon

Our last easy game before a tougher run of matches, including a huge Friday night in Adelaide against a fired up Power who will be going for a seventh straight win by then.

There's been a lot of talk about our poor clearance work last week, but I think people underestimate how good Rowell is around the stoppages - it took our Carey boy Viney to nullify his hard grunt work after half time and even then Anderson proved damaging and part of that is that Witts is a great tapman - although not a patch on Gawny when it comes to marking.

I reckon this is the last week for a while that we have to experiment with to our set up.

Like many here, I was keen to see how Petty would go up forward given he looked promising in that role in 2019 before injury cut him down. But what has become clear is that he doesn't have the quick-thinking peripheral vision assessment ability to quickly link up and send the ball downfield to the next option - he is not alone here, plenty of bigs struggle in this department. But I am happy for us to ditch that experiment now and send him back to the VFL to get his confidence back as a defender. He may need a week or two back there as he seems to have lost that gung-ho style and we need him for Finlayson (PA) and potentially Frampton (Coll), Cameron (Geel) and Hipwood (Bris) in the big games.

The obvious new experiment is Joel Smith as a forward - yes I know he'll probably be out injured before I finish this - but Smith and his pace and tackling ability is going to be key, if fit, against the Power (Bergman), Pies (Maynard or Murphy) and possibly Stewart (Geel). Ultimately I am still not sure if Smith, like Petty, is quick-thinking savvy, so his linkwork may not be good enough, but he has to be tried and the Hawks game is the best soft-kill game to get him going, although CJ will make him work hard. Smith is bigger and stronger now, so hopefully he can provide enough of a marking option. And the loss of a genuine third tall is no big deal because our best talls are Gawn and Grundy when they rest and we need them both on the field a little more than their current 75-80% game time. We should still have enough marking prowess anyway with JVR (BBB will replace him if he loses his appeal), Fritter and the Gawn/Grundy combo.

As to other changes, our backline is really coming along and McVee's pace is pivotal as that is our weakness, as Essendon showed us a few weeks ago. The penny seems to be dropping for Rivers, who after his late-game howler against the Suns was super committed from then on - although he still needs to up his awareness to the level of Angus and Bowser. Hibberd returns if fit to replace Turner, if not I'd give Disco another go - he started poorly against the Suns but I thought he was starting to find his way after halftime before being pulled.

The other obvious change is that Jordan comes out after a couple of solid but not sensational games. His spot probably goes back to Harmes with Spargo getting the subs vest.

In: J.Smith, Harmes (Spargo as sub), Hibberd (if fit), Ben Brown (if JVR banned)

Out: Petty, Jordan, Turner (if Hibberd fit), JVR (susp)  

Hope for once we plan around this game and the one against North just five days later.

To me the short break between games is ample reason why we shouldn't rush Gawn back in for the Tigers clash.

And given how well Schache has been going in VFL, it's time we gave him a shot as the back-up ruckman/forward.

Harmes also has to come back along with Lever, Brown and Hibberd if fit.

The obvious outs are Tomlinson, T-Mac and Spargo and I'd also make Sparrow the sub on Monday night with a view to recalling him to the starting line up against the Roos.

JVR, Melky and Chandler all could miss after average games against Essendon.

Obviously we may have a few injuries by then, but assuming we are fit I reckon we are heading down this direction for Rd 1 v the Doggies at the MCG at night. Have ruled out Joel Smith, as he is yet to get back on park, but he may make a late run on Rivers/Hibberd spot. 

B: Salem May Petty
HB: Brayshaw Lever Bowey (close call over Hibberd and Rivers with McVee closing)

C: Langdon Pickett Hunter

HF: ANB T-Mac Trac

F: Spargo Fritter Gawn

Ru: Grundy Oliver Viney
Int: Van Rooyen, Sparrow, Hibberd or Rivers, Harmes or Jordon

Emerg: Harmes or Jordon or Chandler

Got there a little late, but saw all the match sim and the running drills at end of session.

My thoughts (although much of this has been covered by others).

T-Mac: If I had to pick a BOG from the match sim, then T-Mac got the 3 votes easily. He is moving freely and the less-tight defence during the match sim just suits him to a tee as his smarts and positioning are always better than others. 

Trac: As someone who has been critical of his turnovers in recent times, I have got to say he was 100% with his disposal today and looked a clear team leader. The downside was that he appeared to jar his knee in a tackle late in match sim and spent a bit of time with treatment. The outcome must have been OK, because he did all the running drills at end of the session.

Angus: After missing most of pre-Christmas on light duties, he was back doing everything today, except that he was a little out of touch. Got caught with it a couple of times. But he'll be better for the run.

Rivers: This is a crucial year for Trent as he lost his way a little last season. And I liked what I saw from Riv and he has bulked up a bit so isn't as easily brushed aside. He also looks mega fit.

JVR: It's now almost obligatory for everyone to comment on our new FF. And yes he did look pretty good matched against Steven May. But he did also make a couple of turnover howlers. But it's his ability to keep at it, that make him so watchable. 

Kossie: T-Mac got my votes, but who did I enjoy watching. It looks like he's going to play in the middle at times and he will provide a spark and break open the lines. It's just like watching Cyril or Aaron Davey. He's the most dangerous player on our side. Mr Electric.

Ollie Sestan: He didn't touch it much, but when he did, he made a few lovely link-up plays. I have said before that I reckon JVR is the only newcomer likely to play this season, but who knows, this guy may be a chance late in the season. He has big Brian Wilson style hips, so he's hard to push off it.

Harmesy: Had to play up forward in the match sim and I do feel for him. He was willing to go to Essendon in the off-season so he could get some midfield minutes and let's hope his natural happy-go-lucky nature can overcome his obvious frustrations. He's a Melbourne man through and through so I hope he can find his way through what shapes as a tricky season.

OLD DEE'S TRAINING REPORT

Very powerful video and words from Maysie.

He may have done some things in his past that he's not proud of, but he shows admirable maturity here.

12 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Was it a simulation (plenty of resets) or a mini intraclub game with scoring?

Thanks for the report Deespicable.

The coaches hadn't stopped it except for a couple of frees paid so in that sense it was like an intraclub, but there were still cones down the side of ground, so it was corridor stuff, so I think I'd call it match sim to be honest.

Well it was nice to ride the bike down to Gosch's Paddock rather than battle the freeway traffic to Casey and there's always a touch of excitement arriving at the start of the new season with all the new numbers and faces.

I had to dash off to a meeting in town at 10.20am, so others may have a fuller report, but by then a fair bit of the gp action had taken place and they were into their match sim, so I think I had the gist of it.

Firstly I'll knock off the injuries quickly - Angus and Petty were on light running duties - too early in season for me to assess if they are recovering from fun activities in Europe, but clearly both have minor niggles to deal with. Let's wait and see if they are training with the main gp on Monday before we write them off for the season eh. May wasn't there at all. Also absent from the track was Goody, he seemed to leave it to his lieutenants - Reece Conca among them. Chocco was also taking very much a backseat approach as well, preferring to talk to spectators in his floppy hat. Yze, Staff and Matty Whelan were prominent.

The only new injury occurred early when Jed Adams seemed to jar his ankle in one of his first run throughs and after hobbling off for a physio check up he returned and was restricted to just run throughs. Adams is listed as 196cm but he looked almost as tall as Will Verrell and the pair were left to do pretty rudimentary running drills  when I was there - must have been the most boring session they have ever encountered I suspect. They did have Angus with them for a fair bit, so at least he would have brought a bit of humour to lighten their mood.

A quick word on Adams, he is a big boy in the Jake Spencer clumsy mould at the moment - I'd be gobsmacked if he played seniors this year - but he is a big, strong looking boy so who knows down the track. At the other end of the extreme is Jefferson forward who is a light-bodied tall. He seems to be more coordinated than Jed, but it was noticeable that he missed just about every set shot at goal during early goalkicking practice. He was wearing JVR's No.21 as well, presumably he is waiting for his kit to be made with his number.

There are always some players who standout at training and ANB again was everywhere when match sim got going. During the drills it was hard not to notice the skill level of Spargs and Bowey and I also thought it worth mentioning that the kicking of Woey's kid was sensational as well - low, flat, hard and direct. Kicking will not stop Taj from making it this year. His ability to win the ball might.

Once match sim got going, it was a dreadful mistake to make Olly the chameleon (the player allowed to play for both teams). That meant he not only got the ball 20 times for the reds, but he also got it 20 more for the blue tops as well.

But there were a few standouts and the main one was Kozzie who in the highlight play picked the ball up down back, weaved out of trouble, then brushed off a would-be tackler (I think Harmsey) with a don't argue and then proceeded to run for about 30m before sending the ball another 50m deep into JVR territory. Yes if we want a new midfield weapon, then Kozzie is available and I suspect like Trac three years ago, he now has been told that if you are mega fit, then you can join the mids.

Trac and Fritter were also prominent and I also liked the work of Melky, who I know we've all written off, up forwar.

But I'm sorry it's hard not to also watch JVR move - he will be playing first round barring injury and while he is still a bit of a project tall, he now has ripping Schwarter style arms that means he won't look like a kid when we all get to see him against the Dogs at the MCG on Saturday night.

Surprisingly T-Mac was out there training - yes he's a bit overweight but I'm sure his latest diet will sort him out by round 1. Ben Brown also did some light drills, kick/mark stuff, so rumours of his debilitating knee seem to be way off the mark.

And Jake Lever did a lot of work, not just with his mouth. He may well be back to his AA form  this year.

Yes when the stats from his sprint at combine came out I was on board and agree he'll keep climbing up the charts - maybe well past 13, although his elevation could mean someone like Phillipou slips to 13.

Ben Allan was a very good hard-working player, so there's no doubt Ed has huge upside.

And his pace would compensate the loss of our fastest player over 50m in Jayden Hunt and our fastest player over 400m in Luke Jackson.