Deemania since 56

Ta-tah, Tom (and Oscar).

Smith is hungry ... talented ... under-developed ... ready. Goodwin, give him a go! TMac ain't the answer any more. Just because the McDonald brothers are taller than you, SG, as Coach, you should not be scared to give them the advice to move on.

That tally of '...being wasted in the backline...' on Goodwin's credit sheet affects the careers of two possible key players: Salem and Harmes. Meanwhile, Hunt is degenerating on the wooden plank, Smith has to sit to watch TMac stuff up continuously and several possible hot rockets with the pace of youth champ at the bit in readiness for an opportunity for which they are working very hard with immense patience. This list of poor management can easily be extended - to make matters worse - whereby effective players deteriorate out of position, out of favour and out of prudent development.

Early on in that first year, he nailed quite a few to suggest his technique was developing and that it would be a bonus in matches/years to come. Players of all abilities do get the Yips - but it seems that Fritta has hung around these Yips for too long. We all know that 2 - 3 lengthy practices of goal-shooting at every weekly training session, from all angles and mixed distances, is critical to reliable (at least far more reliable) scoring success for specialist forwards. If the Under 17s forwards do it and put it to good effect across the same distances and angles, then Fritta can do it, too. It has rapid benefits and at this point, Fritta needs to take that step. That he acquires the ball and takes some great marks is commendable. His conversions need to be 'reliable'.

That Fritta uses effective leads and non-giant opposition players' backs towards the flanks is regularly seen; it is a very good sign compared to the static forwards that have been around for some time at the MFC. Logic therefore dictates that he practices and develops techniques for effective goal-scoring kicks from those pockets or further out at the flanks, as most other successful forwards at other clubs do - and Fritta should have a little chat with Bennell and Hannan - whilst practising, to learn these skills. 'A' leads to 'B', leads to 'C' - goals for the team. We have the know-how, we have the personnel, we have the resources and we have the conceptual success foremost in our minds. We just do not develop such talents terribly well in our vital forward half. More goals is worth the effort, wouldn't you say?

Salem tends to slip under the radar quite a bit, this season. He does not really like a contest - be it physical or tackling opportunity. I'd reckon that his actual contribution has been minimal, as well. Sure, he can kick beautifully but his number of actual possessions is not quite what one might expect - this suggests that he needs to do more in order to win possessions. He also needs some readiness to play on rather than delay (a free, for example) and telegraph to the opposition his intended kick. I do not see Salem as a backman, although I concede that wiser heads so often do regard his backline work. Needs to be more active in the defensive gathering of the ball and its distribution.

Sort some of these, at least, we could expect. We needed Jones' on-field drive today - setting a competitive example albeit slower than previously in his career. He is still one of the best evasive, pack-departing ball carriers.

He's got the Yips, Mr Seaspray. Maybe one day it will work out better, more consistently but practice is everything in his routine.

When is Fritsch going to prepare for a match by kicking 300 practice goals at training each week? No rest until he nails 300 goals.

Oh, for a Jordy McKenzie....

Yep, missed Salem's contribution as well. Get him out of the backline. Get Harmes out of the backline.

But wait! There are learnings to be made. Has he seen a dermatologist over his itchy left leg? Same game plan well researched and countered. Ring a bell?

So did McDonald - waste of space at this stage of his career. Sack him. Joel Smith would have been a better, more competitive choice.

Fritta may be the key. Accuracy is critical, otherwise his efforts can be wasteful. Hope he spent the week mastering set shots from 45 metres to inward; and, snaps from all sides 30 metres inwards. Fritta must lead well; Melk must, as well but his kicking - despite its style - is more reliable by far.

In general, Lever gets to the contest and spoils with determination - and does look for nearby feeds and / or support. That is an entirely different role play than OMac could ever produce with consistency. With May hitting his straps and a more agile Hibberd this year, I'd reckon the feed clearances and the smalls we now have will clear quite well against the Doggies; they have undoubted talent - but so do we. Further, progression of the ball to the midline and beyond is now vastly improved and scoring options and trends are now far more frequent than last year. Carna Dees! My backline concern is Salem. I'd reckon that his mobility and his tackling/presence at the ball could go up a notch if he is to be a longer-term backman. He needs to play more like Hibberd can but does not have the bulk to penetrate the contests.

TMac is a little lucky ... hope he hits the game hard and successfully.

I'd reckon that a Smith-like forward would blend well and make a good contribution to our forwards and options. I doubt if TMac could suddenly produce the goods that he used to exhibit.

The 'running' side we pick will be interesting - and that, more than anything will beat the Doggies at this stage of proceedings. I'd like to see just that little bit more mobility in our team to stretch the Bulldogs as far as possible, for as long as possible. Carna Dees!

Colossal error, trading Thompson ... in a weak team at the MFC, he would have continued to contribute significantly to our needs for success. He played for such a long time, once gone, absolutely fit almost forever.

Terrific analysis and also informative of things not recognised or known.

Sometimes we must evaluate who, in fact, has the '...low footy IQ...' not recognised in the eyes of the beholder. Preuss, for example, has worked hard as reported - and has made significant improvements, and that is not characteristic of such a condition, surely?

The consensual psyche for the Filth after a loss to the MIghty MFC is to frame, postulate, create excuses and broadly proclaim these so their latest abysmal loss is cloaked in a swathe of self-justifying misery and attracts the 'sympathy' vote near and far. Life is so unfair for the poor dears. It would never be appropriate for them to admit that they were outclassed, outwitted, conspicuously beaten and exposed. 'Carna Dees! Gee whizz, it feels so good to knock them off their self-proclaimed perch.

I'd reckon that these negatives are real but could be overcome with some strategic, rotated bursts onfield. Weed could stay where Weed plays best - and that is in the goalsquare - and a possy/come utility role for both Max and Preuss in-between rucking duties and second efforts would be rather unique to the League and certainly, extremely difficult for clubs without to man-up against, let alone nullify. Even, dare I suggest it, both could become specialist targets (ie: one for the shallow backline spots (kick-ins, clearance passes) and the other for the forwardline (Preuss - he can kick 'em at range, in close and is not terribly likely to be out-marked, out-bodied, and provides great screens and second efforts for the little fellas hungry for the ground ball). It would be a gutsy play but may very well work to enormous advantage such as the young height and mobility of the Whoreforms and the Catty Puts in recent years.

Instant replacement for TMac - whether Gawn rucks or not. The two of them onfield would be awesome, not just rucking wonderful. Imagine ruck swaps at deep forward, chf, chb etc etc.

Abs0=blud=E_lootlee~~!!!!!!!!