SPC

Midfield clearance work is poor. Need to lift

I think we have to look at something, even if it is only for 30-40% game time. Viney might struggle to come back, Harmes is good, but limited unless he is tagging. Sparrow and JJ haven’t made the position theirs. Rivers, Salem or even Spargo could be the master stroke. Perhaps not this week, but next week. If we win both, maybe against the cats.

I know that there has been a few discussions in similar threads, but wanted to know who we can roll through the middle as the 3rd midfielder. Both Trac and Oliver compliment each other, but I feel we just don’t have a third who can carry the weight and free these guys a little. For a while now I have been banging on about Salem or Rivers as an option, along with ANB. With Bowey playing back and looking at home in defence, might be time to complete the most powerful midfield in the comp. Keen to hear people’s thoughts on who they think could offer some class, cleanness and defensive pressure.

Did Lockhart travel over? His VFL form appears to have improved, might be worth a spot and give Salem a rest.

Hard to argue against 2 weeks. To me it feels about right. I’d just take this 2 weeks to get his foot right, his kicking and decision making right. Back for Geelong if required.

IQ on field and decision making are not a strong suit.. much better players to replace him..

But cares little about disposal, or lack there of, due to every second one being a holding the ball..

You are right. I have missed Weids dropped marks, leading into other forwards space and when he does manage to hold a mark- his failure to convert.

If TMAC missed, might be time to look at something different. Perhaps Joel Smith or Daw up forward. Id like to see Viney replaced. Perhaps by a small forward. Jones would be a better option.

Sparrow, Viney, Harmes… any one, two or three of these..

Aren’t we playing a GC away game at Marvel.. surely that is a win.

Extract from the Article.. “The AFL have moved quickly to implement the ‘How can we shaft Melbourne’ rule. Whilst also confirming that umpires head quarters and training facilities will now move to Whitten Oval.. to closely aligned their adjudication to suit the Bulldogs style of ducking”.

Not much fanfare for Boweys debut..

With Bowey coming in, are my prayers of Salem into the middle or HFF going to be answered….?? ??

Please bring Oscar Baker in as well.. I feel a need… a need for … more gingers…

We just need to be first to the ball and play in front.. amazing when you are chasing ar$e how many free kicks you can give away..

I think he could play HFF/HBF, also rotating through the middle at times. He was good in the Geelong game at HB from memory when we lost May

Our tactic of small kick or handball play on over the top has stopped. We also stopped looking inboard. We have become predictable and slow. Our forwards get shallow entry to congested spots. Also our midfield is again fighting for the same ball, to close to the contest. Fix these issues and we will win our way to top 4

Not sure I have ever seen Pickett touch it in the middle. Seems lost there

I still think the 3rd midfielder is our greatest issue. We need to try something else, something different. I have been going on about Salem for years, now his form has slipped, I think it’s worth a go now. I would rotate he, River and ANB. When Salem is not in the midfield, rotate him on the wing or HFF. Could be a chance to move Hunt or Rivers to the Wing. Bowey to come in and play Back, Sparrow to play back. Jackson out, Jordan out. TMAC and BB to do the job as talls.

Out Jackson- replaced by Melksham Jordan- replaced by Sparrow Spargo- Bedford ANB- Bowey Need to move Rivers to another spot perhaps to a HFF, Bowey to replace his spot

Why was TMAC rucking so much in the forwardline if we have Jackson.. he seemed to be on the bench when Gawn was rucking. Would have though those guys swap duties.

I think we have lost the fabric that made us a good side: 1. Selflessness 2. Few players competing for the same ball 3. Unpredictability going forward 4. Short efficient kicking going forward 5. Small mark/kicks forward keeping possession

Mitch Hannan is a mutt

Still not sure Trac is an out and out midfielder. Maybe 30/70. He just cannot be defensive, let’s players out the back. We have some serious work to do.. cannot lose more than 1 game with the run home or we are on the outer. Given they were 2 down we should have won. Midfield is the greatest concern, then forward pressure is next. Then defensive stoppages, where we leak goals