titan_uranus

@WheeloRatings do you have quarter-by-quarter figures for CPs, clearances and ground ball gets? If so, did we get beaten in each of those in the last quarter? It felt like when we hit the fitness wall late we started to struggle in those areas and I wonder whether the numbers looked better for all three stats until late?

6 - Petracca 5 - May 4 - McVee 3 - Lever 2 - Gawn 1 - Windsor

I wouldn't be dropping JVR. That was his best game for the year and part of that was the way he got into and influenced the game in the ruck. I like how that's working and I wouldn't touch it unless necessary. I don't think we'll be resting anyone with a bye coming up. Other than who replaces Pickett, my only concerns are whether Oliver and Chandler are genuinely fit. Oliver doesn't look it and I'm unsure on Chandler. I'd otherwise minimise changes and keep the same structure for next week. Go hell for leather knowing the bye follows.

The context has nothing to do with it. Fritsch was vital to us winning, undoubtedly. All I'm asking is whether, if Billings had kicked his goals, would the posts on here all have been "he was soft, drop him"? Bobbing up with critical goals at critical times means patches of poor performance (Fritsch was nowhere in the first half) can be overlooked.

Have now had the chance to watch the game, I reckon we were so much better than those who have posted on here along the lines of "ugly win but we'll take it". We were so well structured and defended the ground so well. Like last week, when they had momentum (Q1 and Q4) they couldn't generate easy scoring shots because of how well we got back and set up our zone. To win a game like that on a 5-day break with Oliver and Viney both well below their best, and with Salem struggling too, says a lot about our team effort IMO. Trac was fantastic but a running theme this year is that we're getting just what we need from most of our 23. May, Lever, McVee and TMac behind the ball were all superb whilst Chandler, Sparrow, ANB and Howes all played their various roles. Even Brown was better than his meagre stat line suggests, with his leading, blocking and aerial contest work. Brisbane will be a massive challenge next week but if we can win that and get to the first bye 5-1, that will be incredible given where we've come from and some of the challenges we've had in these opening five weeks.

None at all. He got off because the system us broken. Intentional punches get a fine if they’re los impact. That’s moronic. The “potential to cause injury” thing is being used to upgrade impact levels for head high contact. The AFL is hyper vigilant on head high contact, less so on gut punches.

Disappointing but not surprising. Also, much to the dismay of many on here, this isn’t a conspiracy, this isn’t corruption. It’s the completely predictable AFL response to head high contact in 2024. It sucks, and there’s probably an argument to be made that we could convince a Tribunal that it was low impact, but I consider that unlikely. This is what was always going to happen to whoever was first to clumsily contact someone in the head like this.

He’s going to be punished. Question is whether it gets graded low or medium contact, the latter means a week. I expect medium, whether the MRO relies on the “potential to cause injury” or not. I still detest that an intentional strike can be a fine but a careless football act can be a week, but reality is this was avoidable and we know the AFL wants to stamp this stuff out post-Maynard.

It’s interesting though, whilst they play different roles and have different runs on the board, compare the Demonland responses to Fritsch and Billings. Fritsch kicks his three and his first half is forgiven/ignored. Billings misses his three and he’s been absolutely slammed on here.

Interestingly though, in his presser Goody said we need to improve and the only star he cited as example of why is inside 50s - he said we have lost that count a few times this year and we aren’t going to keep winning if we keep losing on the inside 50 count.

Define cooked? We were +2 CPs and +4 clearances.

Pickett's getting suspended though, surely.

I figured Clarry was either tagged or struggling with the hand but was worried I'd missed a new injury or something. I'm guessing Brown struggled on the 5-day break too. I guess the good news in that is that Oliver's had less influence than normal and we've won on the road on a 5-day break, and Brown's failed to hit the scoreboard at all but we've generated 28 scoring shots.

Didn't get to watch the game unfortunately. But to win tonight on a five-day break on the road, against a side under intense pressure, is a win we have to be proud of no matter how ugly it might have looked and no matter how inaccurate we were. Can anyone let me know what happened to Brown (no touches for a half) and Oliver (only 16 touches)?

Have become increasingly nervous as the day goes on. Win and we temporarily go top at 4-1. Lose and we’re in the middle of the pack at 3-2.

I don’t think the xScore thing impacts the strength of our wins vs the Dogs or Hawthorn; in most aspects we were strong in those games. The Port win was a special win, but that’s in part because we were on the back foot for long portions of it. I agree with you that this week presents a major risk. Adelaide are under intense pressure and I don’t think players like Dawson, Laird, Tex (unless he’s truly injured) and Rankine are going to keep playing poor footy for much longer. IMO a win this week will be an outstanding achievement for us.

McAdam has come in from 3-5 to 2-4. Baby steps. Spargo’s stuck at 2-4 though.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1520621/injury-report-demon-defender-to-miss Hore now joins the injury list. McAdam at least now in to 2-4 weeks. Hunter available for selection, too.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1520621/injury-report-demon-defender-to-miss Hore fractured thumb, out 3-4 weeks. Chandler and May TBD. Tomlinson/May for Hore?

What are you talking about, Boak was excellent

I have no idea why this thread exists. Why do we have a thread specifically for criticising one off plays from a 20 year old second year player who, on any measure, has been fantastic for his age and experience as part of a top 4 defence? Judd’s a star.

They’re lucky he didn’t get 2 weeks. Ridiculous challenge.

I personally don’t think there’s ever a good time for a 5 day break. They only exist to satisfy Channel 7 and their insatiable desire for Thursday night footy. Which, when we’re involved, I hate.

I remember this, he looked proppy on a left knee/ankle maybe on the outer wing, took his kick but didn’t look comfortable at the time. Channel 7, in their usual way, didn’t follow it up (despite having two boundary riders!).

There have been multiple reports that Gawn had the flu or similar and shouldn’t have played. Might explain it.