dazzledavey36

Thanks for the info @Ferghus31. Much appreciated

We're trying to win games here not tank them.

Where do you get 19 from? His career average per disposals is 22. If you're talking about this year alone then you would know he missed 15 games this year due to a significant injury. So you're basing this stats alone on a bloke that's had a season impacted by significant injury? that's a cheap shot really. I mean even those numbers alone are far better is far better then Sparrows. The numbers dont lie, you're right. So that means he absolutely smashes Sparrow out of the water in every stats as a midfielder. Where on earth do you think Sparrow is better than Hopper from a midfield stats point of view? I've just pointed out that he was in the All Australian squad of 40 as midfielder. Its his best season as a midfielder. What more do you want then? You keep banging on about how he doesnt kick enough goals as a midfielder but yet he's legitimate 3 goals behind Clayton Oliver for career goals and has missed more games due to injury. He's not worth 2 first rounds picks but he's absolutely worth a first round pick and a player I'd happily have at Melbourne.

Hahahaha Tom Sparrow offers more? Right up there as the funniest things I read on here. Clearly never seen the bloke play and a good case having your rosy red and blue glasses on here. Jacob Hopper was in the All Australian squad of 40 last year as a 24 year midfielder who averaged 26.3 disposals per game. Back in 2019 as a 22 year he was averaging 26.q disposal per game. If he doesn't kick enough goals by your reckoning then what does that say about Clayton Oliver who barely kicks goals himself? An absolute insult to Hopper that anyone would think Sparrow would offer more as a player. There is a reason why a club like Richmond who have won 3 premierships in 5 years are chasing Hopper extremely hard. Enough said.

It could be finally happening! https://www.triplem.com.au/story/jay-clark-the-semi-final-selection-curveball-melbourne-may-throw-up-against-brisbane-205586 "Melbourne fans know who this man is. "Speaking to Melbourne today, they think (Jacob) van Rooyen is absolutely in the mix for a September debut."

Usually by now you'd hear whispers of potential debutant like the Brisbane one last week. Looks like it won't be the same for JVR. Shame.

Yet stark different to last year where we were still going full throttle in last quarters and over running teams.

Yes that small sample he showed great. Which adds a whole new level of confusion why he hasn't been given more opportunities when the likes of ANB and Spargo have been underwhelming this year.

How's he had his chances? He's been a sub in all 4 games this year and played one full game last year against the blues. Didn't play in 2020 and had one single game again back in 2019. Hasn't been given the appropriate opportunity at all to showcase his ability.

Really? Think again mate..

No

Not only that but it beings energy and life into the team. Jake Bowey last year was a perfect example.

Yep, I agree.

Zero depth? They were barely used at all this year. Mitch Brown played 2 games and Baker zero. Baker hasn't even been named as an emergency at all this year and even with our messy forward line Brown was always well behind the pecking order. There's depth and then there's keeping blokes on a list for far too long when they've produced little in return for a number of years. Adding extra voices? You say it as if we are are lacking voice and leadership around the joint, we don't. We have ample amount of senior players on the list that provide enough voice to our young players. Dropping two senior isn't going to drastically change all that all of a sudden.

Keeping the likes of Mitch Brown and Baker for another year after playing only a single game last year was utterly bizarre list manager. Either those spots should have been used on a developing tall either a ruckman or key forward.

Agree wholeheartedly. This is why the narrative of wasting a 1st round pick on a 29 year old ruckman just spells disaster for me from a list demographic point of view. Whilst our starting midfield is of high end talent, there is a significant drop in depth from that 26/27 years age bracket and below. Petracca, Oliver, Viney and Brayshaw is obviously our midfield set up that'll keep us going for the next 2-3 years. After that there is a significant drop in depth coming through in my opinion. Sparrow has been underwhelming for me this year and I only see him as an honest battler moving forward. He's the only young player that is usually given fair bit of midfield minutes. Other then that I don't see where the next wave of talent is coming through from a midfield perspective. I reckon topping up our midfield pool with elite junior talent is right up there as a big need for us on equal with getting some key forward depth. My other concern is Goodwins reluctance in being able to introduce fresh players or regenerate team selections along the way. We've had 3 debutants in two years. Collingwood have had 6 alone this year. Our forward line has been an absolute mess mostly the 2nd half of the year and his unwillingness to give the likes of JVR, Laurie and Chandler a go to try mix things up a touch is concerning. I was always in the belief that Goodwin has always been about rewarding form at VFL level but that hasn't been the case at all. His continued persistence of the likes of Weideman and Melksham ahead of others who have been in far better form throughout the year, who whilst Melky has been okay prior to the Sydney game is clearly not in our future plans moving forward. I think the form of guys like Sparrow, ANB and Spargo to a degree have been inconsistent throughout the year. I get that Goody is wanting throw all his faith on the same blokes that won him a flag but when teams have spent all summer examining and studying our game plan right to the fine tooth comb then of course you're going to get losses like we have this year when our team selections and game plan gets stale and not tweaked. I really do hope our list doesn't get Ross Lyon'd in the near future....

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Got anything @goodwindees?

Bowey was drafted purely from playing as a wingman/half forward. He was a highly rated junior prospect because of his ability to get on the outside and deliver the footy with precise kicking skills. Even if he doesn't play again this year, I reckon the clubs needs to get Bowey back training with the mids and forwards in the pre season and get him playing to his strengths. Bowey's outside speed and skill is exactly what we're crying out for right at this minute.

Esava is an athlete trying to become a footballer. This is coming from someone who worked a little bit with him when he was coming through the Murray Bushie ranks alongside Clayton Oliver. His athletic traits are impressive but he is also a pretty poor runner. Goes missing way too often in games and struggles to run out games. Don't ever really rely on him playing as a full time ruckman unless he builds his tank and stamina.

Still kicked 40 goals from 21 games. Loathe him or not, he'd be the perfect mentor for JVR who plays a similar game style to Riewoldt. Recruit another key forward through the draft and offer Riewoldt a two year deal with transition to potentially part time forwards coach.

I'd be incredibly disappointed if we're not into him in a big way! Surely we're not putting all our chips into this Brodie Grundy basket ahead of McKay who fits a much bigger need for our list moving forward.

As some have pointed out, was loud when Fritsch kicked that snap and Sparrow with the long bomb. To be honest it was a bit of a lul at times.. I'm comparing to 2018 and I certainly think there was stark difference between the two. 2018 really had that finals type energy and vibe and was certainly much louder throughout the game.

Carlton and Collingwood are full of them aren't they. I know you joke about it but I actually agree with you. You see it at the soccer as well. Certainly have a voice. Played at Northen Saints in the EDFL when I first moved to Melbourne when I was 19. Whole team was was full of Greeks, Turks, Italians etc. Dead set some of the best blokes I've ever played footy with here and still to this day keep in contact with some. The footy trip with these lads later that year was next level. I'm back living up bush now but I remember I got a huge culture shock when my first Thursday night meal at the club, I was expecting your stock standard chicken schnitzel and chips you get back at your local country footy club. Instead I was served with a platter of home made salami and a few bottles of red.

That's depressing.. I agree mate. We are just not a loud bunch in general compared to the likes of Collingwood and Carlton. I attended the North game this year with a best and while it was a poor crowd I thought North were far more vocal on the day. They were getting rough end of the stick with a few decisions so were up and about. Meanwhile me and my mate were a few beers in were quite loud and vocal and tried to get others around us involved. Crickets unfortunate.