At the break of Gawn

It’d be great if you guys can discuss the strategy of playing Gawn as a forward for the majority of the game. Gawn has barely fired a shot as a forward, he provides little to no leads and almost tempts our midfielders to bomb it in long as opposed to lowering their eyes. 

Why has Goodwin been pursuing it for so long and is it finally time to just scrap the idea? 

Changing this to a ‘No’ now.

The last 5 games I’ve been to we’ve lost (I missed the Brisbane and Carlton game) and 4 of those losses were at the MCG. To lose so many games at our home ground as the reigning premiers is so disappointing. 

24 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Brayshaw - 11 turnovers
Viney - 9 turnovers
Gawn - 7 turnovers
Petty - 7 turnovers
Lever - 6 turnovers
Hibberd - 6 turnovers

Sparrow, ANB, Spargo and Melksham combined for 5 turnovers total.

Sydney scored 70 points from turnovers. That's the game right there.

Not saying those 4 played well by any stretch, but they're not the reason we lost.

 

It’s amazing how Brayshaw escapes so much scrutiny with his disposals. He absolutely butchers it and is the worst offender in our team. I’m not sure if it’s arrogance but he doesn’t seem to be working on improving his disposals at all.

Was anyone else disappointed with Goodwin’s post match presser? I felt he didn’t really address the core of the issue. He pointed the finger at indiscipline for 3 50m goals, and not executing fundamentals in the front half etc

We haven’t beaten another top 4 team this year. We can’t seem to get our game going at the MCG, and we just lack avenues to goal when Kozzy and Fritsch aren’t getting  6-8 between them. Gawn is not and will never be the answer as a forward. We also can’t have guys like Melksham playing a negating forward when he can’t even kick a set shot or even keep his feet. 

I’m in two minds whether we just go in with no changes and see if we can replicate what we did to Brisbane two games ago and then change things up for Geelong. Surely Gawn has to play 80% ruck against Fort and absolutely dominate him.

Got no confidence whatsoever we’ll be there PF week. It wasn’t just that we lost it was the way we lost. It was the worst of us all bundled into one game. I feel like we’re the Port Adelaide of 2021. 2nd on the ladder was a massive over achievement for a team who can’t beat the teams around them. Our 2nd spot on the ladder almost feels fraudulent.

Real danger of going out in straight sets. Yesterday I thought we had great insurance playing the Lions if we lose, but honestly that’s as bad as we’ve looked all year and I’ve got real concerns that  Fritsch and Kozzy are going to save us again.

19 minutes ago, layzie said:

Write off Brisbane in a semi at your peril.

If we lose to Sydney and then lose to Brisbane, it'll have nothing to do with Brisbane but everything about us. 

5 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

According to David King and the boys:

Melbourne V Brisbane: 9 September 2022 - 7:50pm. MCG.

All they’re talking about is how Brisbane will go against Gawn and Jackson without a recognised ruckman.

To be fair it just around the McStay discussion. It's very risky against us but they would be ok going with him against Sydney. 

Insurance policy locked in. Can’t see us not being in a prelim now.

I’ve read conflicting reports on Hibberd. Cleary is saying he had gastro symptoms, however the Fox Sports person reported that he’s just under the weather and The Age has said he’s unwell but not actually gastro.

I think the bye will help us. Two of our best finals performances last year came off a bye week. Swans have won their past 7 so this puts a circuit breaker on that which can only be a good thing.

9 minutes ago, Wrecker46 said:

I hope it doesn't spread through the club

Was yesterday the players day off? Hopefully it’s just contained to Goodwin.

4 minutes ago, DubDee said:

All this talk of the medical sub. Most games (including friday hopefully) it will not even be used.

All things going well it will have zero impact on the game just like finals last year

It was a miracle really that May didn’t go off during the PF after his hamstring. Can you imagine if that happens again and the game is a lot tighter compared to the Geelong game? Smith coming in to give us that flexibility could be crucial.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

As to our back seven match-ups, here my stab at them.

McCartin on Brown, McCartin 2 on Jackson/Gawn, Rampe on Fritsch, Fox on Melksham, Blakey on Kozzie??, Lloyd on Spargo and Florent on ANB.

Melksham will definitely go to one of the McCartins as a negating forward. I suspect Paddy as he seems the better intercept player.

Goodwin will try and stretch their defence and force them to put Rampe on Gawn/Jackson leaving Fritsch to get Fox.

Not sure why Watts is even doing this regular segment. From the sounds of it he didn’t even watch the AFL awards night which he’s asked to pass comment on and I doubt he even watches a whole heap of footy.

2 minutes ago, Mickey said:

Jesus, the other players don't like us do they? Viney, Gawn and Oliver all up for an award and none get it

80% of the players don’t even watch enough footy to properly vote in this. The coaches award and probably the rising star award is the only award with integrity.

Agree! Demonland is my therapy.

Surely the 10 ticket limit will be restricted come PF week? If we're playing someone like the Pies then it really should be 1 ticket per 1 membership. 

I wanted 4 Cat 3 level 4 seats that was lowish in the stands. All exhausted so chose Sydney Members and there were plenty available. 

54 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

not only should max be a lock for his 6th aa jacket, but his second as skipper

I think Cripps might get it if he’s named as a starting mid, but if not, surely Max.

Witts has had a better pure Ruck season but Gawn’s around the ground stuff places him well above him.

Unless we have some unforeseen injury or Covid issue, I’m almost certain it’s going to be:

Out: Bowey

In: Salem

Sub: JJ

Key matchups:

Buddy vs May

Mcdonald/Reid vs Petty

Hayward vs Lever

Papley vs Hunt

Heeney vs Hibberd.

Sydney have won 7 in a row and I reckon we’ve got them at the perfect time. They’ve had some really soft kills lately and their last game at the G was against Essendon which they lost. 

I’m not giving any weight to the round 12 game. We didn’t have May, Petty got injured half way through, Sam Reid played the game of his life and we got killed by the umps.

There’s no way that happens again.

2 minutes ago, Mickey said:

So whoever loses on Friday night (Swans) gets 1 day less recovery than the winner of Thursday (Tigers)

That’s stuffed.

Geez even the Umps are trying for an SCG final.

Say what you will about Richmond, but they definitely can put a big score on you.

1 minute ago, leave it to deever said:

I guess it's almost a certainty we play Sydney but I suppose there is a small chance it could be Pies.

Who do we prefer?

Swans at the MCG is the ideal scenario. Our home crowd advantage will really help and I think we match up better with them. We really should have won that round 12 game.

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Sydney have won a lot of games this year by 8 - 10 goals:

• +61 v Eagles (Optus)
• +58 v Ess (SCG)
• +51 v Saints (SCG)
• +53 v WBD (SCG)
• +73 v GWS (SCG)

So they will back themselves in to get the score needed for 2nd spot and a Home final.

However, this game is at Marvel Stadium where their results this year were:

• -11 v WBD
• -15 v Carlton

St Kilda's Marvel Stadium record this year is:

• +33 v Richmond
• +26 v GCS
• +10 Cats
• +53 v North
• -35 v Ess
• +15 v Carlton
• -41 v Freo
• -28 v WBD
• +12 v Hawks

While their second half form isn't as good as the first there have bee no blow out losses; the biggest being nearly 7 goals.

 

Conclusion:  Sydney will not blow Saints out of the park by 8-10 goals.

I think you’re also missing the North v Swans game at Marvel recently which was 88-126. That won’t get the job done for them.