deanox

We aren't winning but nothing goes our way

After the Cheers when Goodes came on is pretty clear there are more Swans than demons here.

Seems pretty clear stuie...

Ye CB, game plan means nothing at this stage. Dee-luded nailed it above. We need to do the basics right. Then we need to do the basics better than everyone else. Only then do we need a competitive game plan and opposition specific plans. This year has seen an improvement in the basics, but I suspect it is a 2 year process to get them to top 8 standard. That is what we needed Roos for. Not the game plan, the basics.

Surprisingly, I don't expect a flogging. I doubt we'll win but I hope we learnt a lot from a) the WCE match and b) The viewing of the intensity of the Cats v Hawks last week. I actually see tonight as a great test to see if Roos is getting through to the players. Have they been able to learn from these experiences? If we can maintain our intensity and relentless attack, we'll still lose but we can hold our heads high.

Further, this article from Supermercado's Demonwiki indicates we have been playing on Queen's or King's birthday for a long time. http://demonwiki.org/queens+birthday I am unsure if other clubs have a similar claim.

It isn't her actual birthday. The same holiday would be called King's birthday if we had a male monarch.Edit: given it is the second Monday in June, rather than a specific date it obviously isn't an actual birthday. A quick Wikipedia search indicated it had been celebrated on that day since the 1930s.

That's a fair point. I haven't seen him play at Casey, if he is good enough to slot in at AFL that's great. I don't think there is any shame in understanding AFL pace then having the opportunity to work at VFL knowing the standard required, and the sub does help provide that option if required. It is a learning tool that may apply to some players, but as you pointed out maybe not Salem.

The only reason Salem pays this week is as sub asa reward for a solid first three gangs, with the understanding he goes back to Casey next week to work on what he learned about AFL and how much better he needs to be. It would be an opportunity to get a taste of AFL speed footy and the chance to play a half of footy to give his body a breather early in the season. I don't think that will happen for another couple of weeks though.

Ok I really don't get this. He is a new draftee on an initial two year contract. He has shown a lot of promise over his first pre season and in the first five rings of the season he has looked like he has potential. Why the need to give him a 4 year deal? What benefit is there for Melbourne? Is he threatening to leave? Do other clubs want to take him? I appreciate the show of faith on our behalf but I'm not sure why it is needed.

Laconic = someone who doesn't say much ie man of few words Maybe you mean effortless?

The problem with the trying is that it only is meant to apply in these circumstances: - the ball is held to you in a tackle you must show you are trying to get it out (the problem is the umpires get sucked in) that's it. In all other circumstances a correct disposal is still required by the rules.

I think our biggest concerns are a second ruck and some class and pace on the half back flank. Unfortunately we don't really have either of those on our list at the moment. Also I was originally of the idea that Salam should play 5 or 6 in a row before he gets a look in but if there is the need for some "outs" this week I wouldn't mind him playing as the sub with the knowledge he is getting a taste at AFL level but then the chance to go back to VFL and try and beat that standard.

Two big games in a row from Salem. Even though we lost today I don't feel the need to rush him in. If love him to have 5 dominant weeks and really knock the door down.

While I think this thread moving on is the correct way forward I'd like to add my two cents here, as not everyone here thinks a mistake has been made, many don't know either way.Webber is an experienced physio. Many here have met him through forum footy or otherwise. If he insists he hasn't done anything wrong I think we should back him to know his professional responsibilities. If this story had already be told publicly by the patient either in a book, in a team mates book, at a sportsman's night, in an interview etc. then it is public knowledge. Webber's post did not give anything away that sounded like it wouldn't be public knowledge. I agree that patient details are the strictest confidence, and hope that Webber has in fact followed protocol. But I expect he has.

I liked it. More subtle than we're used to around here.

Webber, with the injury he has I assume he would be able to do almost everything except run: weights (maybe modifications for lower body exercises), bike (again maybe modified), swim, pilates/core etc.Is this correct? I feel like in some ways this isa reasonably manageable condition that will allow him to maintain strength and fitness and even improve some of those areas, but lose running conditioning. It would be fantastic to see him come out explosively at the start of next year.

One of the best official vfl reports I've read if it is from an official source. Descriptive, encouraging, pulls no punches and makes it clear what needs to be improved but also gives credit where it is due.

Righfully so Song, but in Trengove's case I really hope he does find that form and win back his place. I believe he is one of the players who has put his hand up and made sacrifices to try and drag our club out of where it is. Taking on the role of captain was not something he should have been asked to do, taking on the responsibility of setting an example that your senior team mates can't is something I will always admire him for. I hope that he can regain a love of the game and find his feet with some basic form at Casey and develop in ways that were denied to him over the past 3 seasons. Whatever happens I believe his experiences will hold him in good stead for life after footy, but I think he deserves the chance of redemption at our footy club. It will be a great story if he can pull it all together and play for another 8-10 years. Don't forget he won't turn 23 until the off season; if/when he puts it together he still has the potential of a long career ahead of him.

Yep. I'm not sure when in the last 7 years we've ever allowed one of our high draft picks to go back and dominate at vfl level and prove they can do it. Toumpas has now had great numbers two weeks ina row. Great for confidence and self belief.

I'd also like to echo those thoughts, thanks a lot WJ.

Gee I'd love us to win this. Over the last 8 years we would not have had too many weekends where the seniors and ressies both won!

I agree about only paying the obvious ones. But I'd like to see them change a couple of interpretations: When holding the ball is paid against a player at the bottom when the ball is being held to their legs and there is a pack of players on top of them so there is nothing they can do, don't pay holding the ball. Instead, pay holding the man against the players 'who tackle the tackler' if we want to stop the multi-play scrummage. I don't understand why a third person is allowed to hold the tackler, so ping that. "Shepherding in the ruck" has been paid the last couple of weeks in poor decisions imo. Both times there was phyiscal body contact between ruckmen, then one ruck tapped it down. Shepherding surely only occurs if you are holding one person out so a third man up can get the ball. This should however, be paid in marking contests more often too, when someone is stopped from contesting a mark by an opposition player. The 'in the back' marking decisions where the player holds them out with their body (i.e. the toumpas one in round 1), should not be paid This 'accidental head clash' rule is the pits. It is a contact sport for god's sake. I don't want injuries, I don't want people cleaned up with excessive force or without expectation of contact (off the ball), but surely if a minor head clash results in a cut eye that isn't worth 2 weeks? Surely if the tackler/bumper has a duty of care to protect the player, the player has a duty of care to protect themselves by turning sideways and bracing for contact etc.

I wouldn't have thought Georgiou would be in the gun unless Garland is going to come back and take that spot. Even then, I consider whether he couldn't stay in in Terlich's spot. If Terlich is out it would be one of the best performed flanker/mids from tomorrow or Garlan if he is right. I still have a concern with only having one ruck, although I believe brining in another is a waste of a spot, unless they are a forward who can go into the ruck (which would be Gawn or Fitzpatrick). What I'd really love to bring in is a gun half back flanker with serviceable defending, good speed and run, and great disposal and decision making. The play maker off the back flank role is currently being done by whoever has it, and if someone could really step up into that we'll be a long way further along in development!

Pederson career highlight. Cannot believe that goal.