Deemania since 56

Frequently, Brayshaw is the runner out of the midfield utilizing Gawny's excellent taps; if not, he is on the spot to receive many handballs from other midfielders (notably Clarrie). Brayshaw, from the midfield, is a clearance man, usually running out of the midfield to distribute the ball forward. When other DL contributors suggest he cannot kick, that would be - in my eyes - an oversimplification. Out forwards are static, time and again. Brayshaw seldom has anyone forward of centre to kick the ball to and very seldom, on 'the lead' - other than the Melk leading out to the flanks from deep in the forward line. This has been a good distribution, time and again. However, its one-way delivery is now readable by opponents. It is used, less often, so far this season. I still rate Gus as a terrific midfielder. I only wish he had the benefit of initiative and support of our forwards. Our forward line over the past few years is so static that opposition defenders have no trouble massing to spoil on alleged, 'key' MFC forwards at their leisure - usually before midfield distribution can be enacted. That is why Hunt and the Melk have been so handy on the forward line - they get to space surprisingly well and quickly.

Many things have to be trialled this year. It is a great opportunity for Goodwin to bring out the competitive beast in the boys to elicit the exacting complexities of his mantra and its purpose - and for the boys to relish in the challenge so dictated by the coach for the glory of the Premiership Cup and the mystic Hope Eternal. Goody knew what he was doing - it just took us a while to catch on to his dream (about three days, actually). All is forgiven, now. He can continue to motor happily in his new sponsored Jaguar as an erstwhile Royal might,. Now that he has implemented the 'wipe your backside and hang in there' strategy ... ffs' (otherwise known as 'Goody Footy 101', we don't have to do that trick ever again (thank Heavens). Just cannot wait for the surprises and the gross advantages of Goody's revised mental toil and get a glimpse of his even newer arsenal of tricks against Essendon, next match. It will go down in history as 'Goody Footy 201'. 'Bound to be a crowd pleaser!

Hunt can be a deceptively good lead in the fwd line.

Hate to agree as I am loyal to Jones, but it is the case I am afraid. Jackson has to get game time and experience to adapt his known skills to the big game - so I guess, reluctantly, Smitty misses out. Vanders, if ready, will add that toughness to the contest in the forward line and this will assist Weeds to crash through those he regularly skirts. Weeds must lead long and hard - initiative must be experimented with rather than static observations. Should be a nail-biter if we co-ordinate the efforts - particularly in the deep defence area where communication and specific roles have been remiss.

SNS, these three and others have trained together across many hours for nearly two years, albeit sometimes (and only sometimes) interrupted due to injuries and other team priorities; they have also played repetitively together in the assembled and well-supported backlines, matches in, matches out and across elements of matches against many different opponents. Their performances appear to lack communications and thus, lack coherence and teamwork. Footy 101 dictates amongst the backline those performances that are known, linked and co-operative with lots of communications that will support and reinforce selected plays and roles. It is almost as if these players are alienated from one another at the present moment. This should not occur. Given that the game is not rocket science and there have been many, many outstanding deep backlines across decades of footy that got it down pat, variable and effective - why do they not learn to play and re-kindle increasingly efficient and effective core routines as links in a chain that pulls together? Arrogance, me thinks, leaving Jetta to wear the yoke of the opposing giants as seen in the match against Carlscum on Saturday.

Our 'Special Assignment Man' should pick him up - Tracc.

Just about the smartest selection. Hannan?

Offer him to the Filth, then? As for Hore, he was only used as an example - a player we should retain.

Spat the dummy, alright! Imagine how we would have been at half-time if OMac had played ... game over right then. Tom needs to return to the backline - perhaps replacing May or in his accustomed position at CHB, supported by Hore and Rivers on the flanks, with Salem into the forward line; this would release Harmes to be a general utility on key players or across the midline, goal to goal.

There was very little communication happening, even after the first multiple three-person flight to nowhere...

Definitely swap Smith and McDonald. Smith needs to 'flank' it on the forward line, however.

One week in a football career he intercepts well and feeds out the ball adequately; the next week he is unsighted and gets no feeds for other players. That ain't what we paid for; neither is it what he owes us after expensive remediation and heaps of trust at the selection table. We have juniors who could learn such a craft and who could execute these skills far better.

The timing of his leads is excellent - not too early to pick up opponents like dust - not too late to run into trouble. Worthy of consideration as the decoy forward.

It was maddening. Goodwin knows 3/8ths of 2/9ths of far call.

...and lead to space in a way that is not initially readable by the opposition. TMac (and the Weed) are too static whereas Fritta is too slight and small.

Absolutely, fully agree.

Had OMac played, we would have lost the game by half-time. Notice Jones' long bomb - taken off the field. It was useless and set up another Carlscum goal. TMac - as a static forward - ain't the answer, once again. We need him in his original position at CHB. As for poor JSmith, pop him in the forward line where he is free to roam. Rivers was impressive and Jackson, once settled, came on rather well. Bennell - a good, injury-free run using the ball well with teammates. Still sense some absolute stardom from him. Nice to win, great start, team wore out rather quickly. Hunt is valuable.

Go Nev!

We have this one, despite the two absentees - and that has not really panned out as a concrete omission, yet. There is suddenly some selected pace, foot skills, mobility reeking of intent ... go boys! Hope TMac gets some time at CHB, once again.

There is something quite calming - and acceptable - about the late inclusion of 'Mr Nice' into our forward line under the circumstances. He has the skills, mobility and challenges fairly well for the ball. Go Hannan...and go Lockhart. We do have depth and it may be time to prove it across the board.

Tongue in cheek, the conspiracy theory goes like this: Ed Bagwire was starting to worry about Melbourne FC winning against Carlscum on Saturday, particularly after The Filth only received two points from their drawn game against the Tigers. If the MFC win, the they will receive four points from that match against Carlscum. That would assist the Dees to end the season (at this point) ahead of The Filth. Comprehensively, by fair means or foul, Ed has decided to wield his influence with the AFL (granted to no other, by the way) as a means of reducing the Dees' chances of beating Carlscum. Using his immense footballing intellect, Ed considered that Spargo and Pickett could be the Dees' main avenues to goal. He thus created the rumour for someone else to follow-up that the Covid19 restrictions had been breached by such potentially unstoppable young players in the Dees' lineup. He awaits the outcome. Meanwhile, he will set to work on other rival clubs in some manner equally as anonymous.

Just like sucking lemons: it's good for you but there is that bitter taste.

....there's just so much to be excited about!!!!!!!!! We have a chance, even against Carlton,

That is deep, Doc, very deep. I appreciate the thoughtful exercise that it presents. Existentialist and somewhat privately retained, experiential reflexiveness. Quite esoteric in its reality - only for the initiated, if I can be permitted to interpret that ideas flow. Thank you.

If Vanders plays, Silvagni will be the first of his casualties....but then again, it is most likely that Vanders will not play this match. The Tracc has a big day ahead of him, plus one.