Deemania since 56

Sure is tangled and the extra versatile tall down there would release a more mobile and impenetrable backline. We need to take advantage of the improving cohesion before it becomes 'counter measured' by opponents and other coaches. Lever needs to be able to float more freely to do his stuff - at which he is terrifically skilled. Frosty, Keilty, Smith ... development to create a Stick Icke.

I'd suggest Harmes is part of our future strengths but it strikes me so far in his footballing history that he acts too quickly in some things as Watts used to do - making a series of poor decisions in his execution of skills. He has terrific physical attributes in which 'panic' is often on override....

It is all about regaining form and both have different timeframes in this regard. There is a difference and their independent roles for the team do have overlapping relationships in the progress of the ball and in metreage outcomes. Then again, maybe I am not reading your statement terribly clearly in the first place and if so, apologies.

The reliance on Vince and Lewis is surely reaching its sunset? There is no pace left and both have tended to slow our ball progression so far this year.

Tyson could possibly be best played off the bench in an almost regular role from that source - and fitted into the midfield when our better players might tire. Tyson is still a good ball-winner in a crush. No doubt about that - so what is needed at the coaching level are a few disposal sessions - hand and foot - with specialist coaches of whom there are plenty. His disposals need immediate and perhaps, longer-term improvements to actually hit a target at varying lengths - surely we have the capabilities to bring these remediations to his (and others') games? Professional sportsmen need professional coaching to be applied with regularity.

It would be great to give OkBaker a run....he does seem to be a goer and would probably relish the opportunity.

OMac can be enigmatic; I was a very concerned critic of him at the start of this year, having watched most of the 2017 replays in succession and to be honest, I was highly sceptical that his form would be at least, adequate, in the FB position. Since then, I have changed my stance in this evaluation and regard for him has heightened as he has been a steadier player accepting more responsibilities in the zone against an array of good forwards (even if they are a little out of form). Given time, if I may be allowed by some of the self-righteous amongst DL posters, it could be possible now to see OMac further improve. I would certainly hope such improvement would continue - and if not, TMac is the only solution on our current lists.

Playing 3 talls in the forward line is suddenly a no-no because Richmond do not have that manpower. It will take us several seasons to get over the habit of bombing it long into the forward line. Until then, as we experiment with heads-up passing into the fwd line, it is desirable for us to co-ordinate our 3 tall fwds in a more effective manner where they find space and move to it early in the transmission of the football. The little guys are crumbers and always will be effective - so bring the ball to ground if necessary. The bigger guys are markers and if in space, win games.

Good points.

Footy success is more than 'getting disposals'; it is how you dispose of the footy itself - to a teammate by foot, a realistic shot at goal, effective handball to a teammate not under immense pressure as well, to an effective directional change to advantage, to a marking target rather than an ill-timed or wayward footpass. Moving forward by finding space is a two-way street, as well. One for the receiver to imagine and see a space for forward progression and the other controlled by the possessor of the football driving the ball to that/those teammates with accuracy, speed and limited compromise. These are the developments that are required in each midfielder and in any eventual improvement of the gameplan and its execution.

This is yet another MFC worry - surely the Coach knows the form on playing at the MCG. To be honest, I had not realised that this was the case for us at the MCG yet concede that structurally, we may not have prepared for 'home' games. I wonder ... What do others think of this observation?

Double-edged sword, held by the umpires, and it goes by the name of Excalibur.

This stat sheet is interesting but we must remember, it is not the number of frees that really count, it is when and particularly, where these decisions are made. Twenty frees in front of goal across a season can make for a successful year!

Best evidence of absolute teamwork for the year, so far!

This really did happen, and proved to be effective across the board.

Precisely, but we do keep coming back to check out a former player; must be a slice of patriotism in some way.

If we appreciate Watts, all we can do is to wish him well, and so be it. The statistics seem to indicate that Bailey F is doing OK at his age and stage of development, whereas Jack W seems to have plateaued, once again.

Confused?

He not only went in for the ball and came out with it on commendable occasions, he also ran to space as a target for those who had not looked for a 'target' in the open for quite a few years. Blending with Melksham's fine passing, the future looks rosier for the MFC - and his cues assisted Fritch to do similar things, as well.

Some good comments and thoughts to awaken us all, keeping us on out toes, sensitively.

Like these considerations, beezle ... interrupted, of course, by atrocious and multiple umpiring decisions against us as Essendrug are in a cleansing, goodie-boy mode as far as the AFL is concerned, and this will be reflected in the umpiring, for sure. Such umpiring reflects the intended game outcomes as if the Dons have 'paid for their sins, already'. I'd like to see Goodwin shut up for a while, allowing the players to massage their game to fix any slumps across the timeframe. Goodwin has had his chances and these have failed the team - and us.

Krap.

Of those available for this week, you can do the bodmas of mathematica of omissions from my own preferred line-up that may add up to six, from the following: B: Hibberd, OMac, Jetta HB: Lever, Frost, Baker ? Tyson , Oliver, Hunt HF: Fritsch, Pedersen, Hannan F: Garlett, Hogan, Spargo Foll: Gawn, Jones, Weideman I/C: Melksham, Brayshaw, TMac, Salem E: Casey's best ....

Most are fans of Pedo...at 31 yo he is at his own peak level of fitness and resilience, match to match. He is bigger than teams expect - particularly on the move and he splits packs regularly taking that ball to ground and stays on his feet to shepherd the crumbers. Quite often his marking hits a purple patch either in a pack or on the run/lead as a chestmark. He is one of our best shots at goal anywhere from 50 metres out. He's no Watts at that but he is very reliable. The crumbers stick around him for the advantage he regularly provides. Rotated from the bench he hits a game like a rollercoaster with fresh legs and intent. Seldom is he caught with the ball by opponents without applying usually decent handball to his teammates. Pedo is in my first 6 at selection, if uninjured. Essendon are going to knock the sheet out of us - physically - and both Pedo and Frosty are two of our better options if this proves to be the case. The 'druggies get away with murder with the umpires as a token of support for their aggressive intent. We must have Pedo - although it is now too late - and Frosty to counter brain-fazed Essendrug. Both have been playing the 'new-brand' for three years at least, and may start something that stimulants cannot overcome.

I firmly believe that this team selection for the Essendrug game is highly flawed and that the Dees will get trampled in their own confusion. It is a product of inconsistent and careless team selection once again, retaining 'yet to' performers, long-bombers, statistics gatherers, grossly over-estimated utilities and flexibility dreamers. B: Hibberd, OMac, Jetta HB: Lever, Frost, Baker ? Tyson , Oliver, Hunt HF: Fritsch, Pedersen, Hannan F: Garlett, Hogan, Spargo Foll: Gawn, Jones, Weideman I/C: Melksham, Brayshaw, TMac, Salem E: Casey's best ....