Red and Blue realist

No, it won't help at all. Freo have already traded out their 2nd and 3rd round picks this year, it might have helped them if they had these but unless there's a 3rd party involved then I can't see Brissy's pick going anywhere near them.

Hopefully all the emergencies (including the sub - depending on use) get back in time for this game. Otherwise they'll miss 2 weeks of footy, with the bye the week after. I'd be guessing we'll be taking at least the 4 emergencies.

I'd say Gus is also using this phase to build a bigger media profile himself. Being a premiership player would open a number of doors, but players who want a media career post-footy need to build it while they play. Gawn and Trac already have a large presence, but I feel Gus is also looking at getting a foot in that door - with both his podcast and these interviews it show's him off. He'll be guided from his father and others, who I'm sure will be saying don't waste these negotiations to uplift his profile. Doesn't mean he's off at all, or that the club won't know what he's doing. But I'd say Gus is working this exactly like he and his team had planned.

You know what, I reckon the grand final has nearly wrecked the brains of most Melbourne supporters (not just the ones on here!). We all would have watched it a dozen (if not more) times each, and because, in particular from the 3rd quarter onwards it was nearly the most perfect footy you can see - you get to expect that all footy will be like that. I know during our first 10 weeks I kept saying to my BIL, who's a massive Tigers fan, that we're not playing that well. His response always was, "I wish we could play close to that - the grand final has ruined you!". And he has a point, as soon as we show were mere mortals on the footy field the pile up on here, and even in the media is WAY over the top. Any other season where 19 rounds in and we're sitting 2nd on the ladder, nearly all supporters would be bursting with anticipation and joy. We've been in every game, played some pretty decent football and have had a few close losses. It's been just a good a season as last, but we've just got to hope the ending is as good as last year!

In 2011 Carlton had the 1 and 2 with Murphy and Judd, and there's been a few times where teams have had 2 in the top 3.

He'd be the steak knives in the deal, but isn't a bad option, from what I've seen he's serviceable more than dominate - but let's face it there's only a few ruckman that are. I still be happy to take Logue, Meek and ideally they'd swap their first this year for a lower one as part of dealing Lobb, so we'd get that and next years 1st from them, if Dogga goes.

Now that English is signed for 2 years, I can't see LJ signing for anymore than that (which is what i think he will do), in 2 years time those two will be the big story again around going back west, and by then NicNat will be finished but WC might be on the up again.

I think most on here only judge him on that 10 minute period in the Grand Final! His growth has been understandable given he's a tall, but I think some want young midfield type growth - or otherwise they see him going backwards??

Freo have Lobb on very good money who from reports wants to get back to the east coast (Syd or Melb), so they would potentially have room if they back-ended his deal to absorb the Lobb money and wait out the end of Fyfe's deal. They also have Logue who's coming out of contract and could expect a reasonable deal for him (late 1st?). So Freo might have the currency and cap space, certainly of the 2 sides, I'd prefer to deal with Freo - West Coast have the better early pick but can't trade that (unless the AFL allows it) but they don't have much else. At least with Freo we could ask for a package of Logue, 1st round picks and Llyod Meek their back-up ruck (Lobb can go elsewhere - unless they pay a big part of his salary). Although, I personally feel he'll re-sign until free agency or at least 2 more years.

I think teams are playing us very differently which would account for some of the lowering of pressure. I would be guessing that if there was a stat for implied pressure we'd be no.1 by a long way. Teams seem to have be kicking shorter from their backline not wanting to give it straight to May, Lever, Petty or Max, so the long kick to a contest takes longer than against other teams. That in general makes it harder to create pressure - but I wouldn't think that'll hold up in a finals game, Geelong are probably proof of this.

Were entering round 14 - and at worst will finish this round in 2nd place on the ladder. To put it into context, last year we were sitting in 1st place; in 2020 (a Covid shortened season) the Tigs were sitting in 4th; in 2019 the Tigs were in 9th (yes 9th!); in 2018 WC were in 3rd; 2017 the Tigs were 6th; and in 2016 the Dogs were 7th. So from the last 6 years (I couldn't be bothered going back any further) only 1 team - and that was us!!!! has been on top of the ladder and their game in June. You don't win premierships in June. The road to success comes from not panicking - too many want to throw the whole team around or implement new systems.

Hopefully it might even force the issue. We have to lower our eyes, rather than bomb it in. It would be better to have either Kossie or Toby stay back closer to goal all the time as well, all our small/mids forwards seemed to have been sucked up the ground lately, so they don't have to be the main target, but make one of them hang around closer to goal. Neither Andrews or Adams would have the speed to go with them.

I don't mind Weid having a little more game time in the ruck, he's done pretty well at Casey when given extra game time there, but will he be able to do it for over 30% of game time at AFL level and still have some sort of impact forward? It could well be the making of him, a known extended time at AFL level. Often the rucks at VFL level are either developing or undersize, which is why I think Daw sometimes looks like he dominates - he so strong, but he won't have that luxury at AFL level - but I don't think Jackson should be doing anymore that 60 to 70% of the game in the ruck either. I think for Brisbane we might go with Weid as the backup ruck, with the extended break and maybe even do that again against Adelaide but Daw might come in as well against the Cats off a much shorter break. So this week I'd go, In Weid, May and Bedford while out would be Gawn, Turner and M.Brown. We'd then run a smaller forward set up.

Could be no change this week, while many disagree I think Weid will be the longer term option over M.Brown, but they might want him to dominate in the 2s again, the same as giving Rivers another run through the midfield to get some confidence back up. Hibberd while better in the 2nd half still looked a little off so another week will do him good at Casey. Maybe we could try Bedford in the starting 22 and have M.Brown as the sub, to cover any loss of a tall (either end).

If TMac is really done for the season then bring in Weid and play him for at least the next 6 games. He's been better than BBB, and offered more than M.Brown, but time to see if he will really make it and not change him in and out all the time.

The beauty of the way the team is there's no doubt around the belief in the game plan, we've nearly gone at 'half rat power' for the first half of the season and have still dropped only 1 game. I know the draw is going to get harder, but the transition should be fairly straight forward I would think, we might not fully click in a few games but I fully expect by finals the pressure will be back off the chart, all over the ground, while our implied pressure will continue to cause teams all sorts of issues. Once our pressure is back up it'll create holes in the opposition that makes that transition to our front half so much easier.

I agree, we seem to be reliant to an extent on implied pressure - that opposition teams seem to spend more time 'mucking around' with the ball against us when moving forward than other teams. like you said we look to be sitting back more, letting them over use it and then back ourselves in the back half to turn it over then move forward. I actually think this would be one of the easier tweaks to make, and nearly then comes naturally in finals, when the pressure goes up so will the urgency and we'll nearly be forced to move the pressure up the field rather than letting other teams come to us. If by design I think it's perfect and, as we saw in last years finals, we have the players that can adapt to bringing pressure all over the ground - to mine that still makes us very scary.

I think we'll be giving Salem a run at VFL level and Hibberd at least another run (or 2) there as well. So Tomo comes in for May, then TMac for Weid, Langdon for Melksham and Harmes for Bedford (back to sub role).

C'mon Werridee, Hogan and M.Brown have only played each other once at AFL level - back in 2016 in Jessie's 2nd ever game. Every game he's played for us and from memory every game for the last 2 seasons at the Bombers he played as a forward. So it's not like McDonald who's been asked to go back to fill in when required, that's not a role he's done for us or for a long long time.

I don't think weid will come out after yesterday. Tomo will clearly come in for May but even if TMac comes back and Petty is cleared, I'd be doubtful that both would be 100%, so he provides some additional coverage if we had issues down back again.

All the Tigers supporters I know and talk footy with, all agree that our team is much more talented (outside of the Dusty love of course!), and I think we play a very similar system to what they started - not just manic pressure around the ball but more so the massive implied pressure without the ball - the inability for opposition to get out of trouble because they think they are going to turn it over all the time. The defensive structure and trust our backs have are amazing, but really so were the Tigers in their best years, then with the small/mid forwards creating turnovers and locking the ball in, it's the formula to winning - breakeven or win the middle contest and take opportunities in front of goal. The thing we'll have to stay on top of is the evolution on style that happens all the time, there'll be a move away from this style of footy over time and we want to be at the forefront of this, which is where good coaching comes in so valuable.

I haven't read the article but that list is pretty flawed - only us, the Saints and the Lions really play a ruck duo (maybe the Tigers). I know that one will sit forward (or back) if both are on the field at the same time. Whereas a lot of the others mentioned have 1 main ruck and the other is an 80% forward and only offers ruck relief - not as a true ruckman themselves. Some of the teams Dogs, Crows, Eagles, Pies and Bombers only ever play the 1 ruckman so no point mentioning their injury replacements?

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/05/25/star-dee-likely-to-stay-the-team-to-watch-in-the-trade-period-and-more/ Leading AFL journalist Callum Twomey has provided an update on a number of curious trade and contract situations around the league. Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw, North Melbourne forward Cam Zurhaar, Gold Coast’s strong draft hand and more all analysed. See his update below: Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne) “He’s put off talks for the first half of the year, but obviously been really good for the Dees in that role across half-back,” Twomey told SEN Breakfast. “He’s looking forward to getting it out of the way, because that’s all anyone wants to talk about. I think that’s a pretty good sign in what lies ahead for him at the Demons. “Still no timeline, but I think there’s a strong likelihood that he’ll be at the Dees next year. He’s a restricted free agent, but Melbourne has its bye in Round 14 … I’d expect some movement by then.”

The thinking seems to be if Viney, Oliver or Trac are out then Dunstan comes in to directly replace them. If Harmes, ANB or Sparrow are out then it's Melksham. BBB, TMac, LJ and maybe Fritta (we haven't seen that yet) then Weid gets a go. Kossie or Spargo then it's Bedford into the 22. One of the tall defenders goes out then it's Tomo. However, if one of the running/smaller defenders goes out then shuffle Brayshaw or JJ back - so I can't wait for Salem and Hibberd to be available to see what the plans with the team are then? My guess, Salem comes back in, probably for Rivers or Hunt depending on form or even if we need speed or stronger defence more. The Salem, Gus and JJ all play a hybrid wing/half back roles, rotating with one on the bench the whole time. Salem might stay closer to the backline initially but as he builds back to full fitness have the same licensee to run as the other 2 do at the moment. Of course Langdon just does his thing on the other wing.

Hurn was by far their best player last week, he's a big out for them. Agree with Gaff, guys gone down hill big time over the last few years.