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OMac goalkeeper May CHB is better as he provides drive and aggression Just not sure we need 3 talls for Essendon but agree that OMac inspires confidence and structure. Smithy brings X factor chaos and dome indecision at this stage of his career. Really he hasn't even been in the backline at Casey much to hone his craft and confidence. TBH I estimate that he has been injured more than any total no of games He has played in either AFL and VFL. So he is a risk and possibly one we don't have to take at this stage. The downside is any player not in the AFL is left to take their chances with maybe lack of match fitness and bring included in the training group. I would much rather have Lockhart as our no 6 or 7 defender unless we need Smithy's height and agility due to injury or unavailability.

To be honest I don't even think Trac is thinking one thought at the moment about Brownlow votes. And we as Melb supporters would also be wise to be completely indifferent to them also. Lets not put any undue pressure on him or Clarry to get votes or get into any public race for that prize. Leave them to have a private joke etc. Its far more important that we take full and uncomplicated aim at our 13 th flag than celebrate one of them as our seventh /eighth Umpires darling. Yes I want the green whistleblowers to award votes to whoever earns them Fairly and if one wins then let's celebrate and recognise the achievement. What I do know Though is that there is every chance that Trac may inadvertently increase Clarry's chances if he keeps his elite inside close pickups and handballs to the nearest moving teammate to propel the ball forward or out of danger. His execution of this was breathtaking ( like Dusty can be) vs Carlton and will only ensure Clarry will want to raise his already high standards so that Viney Harmes Harley and Others plus youngsters like Sparrow and Jordan can get in the open to execute high class entries to our forwards. Its also placing heavy reliance upon Maxy to Palm The ball with great variety to enable us to gain maximum value out of his advantage. Then all players will be in the Brownlow vote winning queue and we will have developed an even better midfield both inside and out to worry the hell out of the other 17 Clubs in 2020. Who knows what the result will be but I believe it's absolutely the most crucial part of our game plan to put pressure on the opposition. The first quarter and half was a fabulous cameo of how to do it but for a longer period! Go Dees

Thanks WJ Yes was at the scoring end behind goals and seem to recall I wasn't that worried when we trailed early in the match Jako was good and Lovell also as you reported.

Good balanced article and response. I too am bullish ie half glass full rather than empty. Too be honest this R2 team was in excess of R1 in ability and that's one thing I believe our list has if not in spades but spread over the ground and even now in depth with little injuries other than Petty who I rate as top 32/33 footballers. BUT our consistently inconsistent mental ( that's what I feel are the main reasons for big very good/very bad differences ) or brain fades Costing multiple successive goals are a worry as alluded to above. This must be eradicated by strong ground leadership plus even more aggressive on field changes to give the team tweaks and positional and playing options to reassume control. Surely Alan Richardson can see this and play his part here as Goody is Star struck and motionless with tactics and personnel switches. Lets see what sort of ride we get and keep in mind that there are a big no. Of youngsters and new players to gel as early as possible which means most of the team stalwarts must stand up in this transition stage. Thank goodness for Trac who is looking a much more confident and complete player ready to start owning the fortunes of our team. His interview on our website also majorly impressed me as him being in a fantastic space and ready to inspire and lead us to some real achievement as soon as possible. Lets get behind him and the other pacemakers.

Didwe play the Bombers in the week prior to this game and beat them? The bombers were well off the boil and had lost a few games near the end of season I recall also as there normal large support was not at VFL Park fir this game Think crowd about 35,000 only actually! Any comments WJ? thanks

The problem was that Harmes wanted to video the song ( see the post And video in our website under Harmsey and winning) All Overlooked that Gawn Tomo and Langdon were nit there and so the song went ahead. Nothing to do with officials as they just stand and sing and clap! If in fact there were many or any! If I was Gawny I Would have been ropable about it fir myself but just as much as for the wingers Tomo and Langers who deserved to be in the centre with Jacko Harley and the great new man Rivers. Whst was Jack Viney leadership group thinking and the other 18 who have now been entrusted with responsibility instead of a leadership group. There are alarm bells ringing IMO already about leadership and the same out in the field when the Carlton fight back commenced to the end. Of course a passive strangled response from our Coaches DOES NOT help at all and is so 2019! A swap of Tommy for CHB and Smithy for FF fir 10 mins to make Weitering move and run might have changed dynamics during 2 and a half quarters ss our forward line hardly broke any records during this period.

Sorry but it may have something to do with being a ruckman ! Not sure Gawny has many footy smarts other than his ruckwork and comedy routines. No more leadership yesterday under the Capt VC and every one else then previously.

Who ?

Smith knows no other way ! Snd that's why he doesn't fit into our "All fly At once" Defence which has been going in at least since Roosy left. Jetta is undisciplined in this and at least 2 other backs seem to fly against Gawn Lever and May ( who committed his own Flying suicidal act yesterday. May would be better at CHB and Oscsr goal keeping in games where the opposition have 3 talls or similar. And Maysies kicking out yesterday was diabolical Always to LH side and Noplayers made any effort to make leads. Why didn't he kick to Tomlinsons wing and use his height advantage ? We are a lazy footy team with nit enough gut bust running and neither the forwards mids or backs work hard enough. In the first quarter when we were good (very good in patches) we put pressure on Carlton and they couldn't handle it. With some subtle positional changes and determination and the ruck evening up they overtook the initiate and never lost it. We had no plan B and didn't change our game slow the pace and pass short to break the game or reposition any players. Dont even start me on Jets standing next to Harry McKay!!!! A lot of work is necessary down back to galvanise the group into a tight unit Smithy is nit ready fir defence and A forward spot is more ideal to try and break in. Hibbo and Jets are nearly finished and Jones is better up forward So Rivers was a breath of fresh air and everything we hoped he round be on his training and expectations of the Club. He even kicks both feet!!! Lockhart is the other player necessary fir run and carry and minding small smart forwards maybe even Tipper on Sunday. Despite another poster saying his disposal is not good I feel he is better than most if our players. Salem was Workmanlike yesterday but feel he is limited in his speed of foot and delivery of the ball Although reliable in delivery. Wr need the aggression of May at CHB To break the opposition up. Sorry to go on but will not even start on the forwards leave it to another time.

If he flies fir marks he has to like anyone else IMPACT the contest. and please ONLY 2 UP at the one time There is no need for Jets to fly unless he is in a one on one!

Yes yes yes

Lockhart YES Sparrow NO but ascended to emergency role. Not sure he could come straight in under rules or It's ok but cause an unwelcome fine in this cost saving season.

39 it might have also have been that Charlie is not playing (only emergency) in the selected side. Is a bit rude really if that is taken into account seems ad though he was the instigator or proponent in the matter. Might be the little bum kick to assist Charlie turn his fortunes around! Also good early setback fir Kossie to understand the TEAM ethos and hw will really feel it today and be remorseful. Both should be asked to apologise publicly to their teammates and Coaches.

I thought that also Ash. God forbid if ONE player catches it and gives it to another or a few at their Club or even an opponent (which is greater odds than Gold Coast winning the premiership really). Also did you notice the Hawks bench lack of Self distancing Clarkson standing right behind a player and next to another official. Please correct me if that rule is not applicable to officials etc. If it is not then non medicos are the only ones that should Not be distanced at times for the total look of the game. In fact the over 50 year old officials at most Clubs are more in danger if they catch the virus than their more juvenile counterparts!! This at least means Jeffery Kennett should not be seen offering his unique brand of advice during the game from the comfort of the interchange bench. (Did any one notice with some glee Eddy looked all strange and alone on Thursday night at the G !)

You dont think the odd health issue plus the look of the game is more important than the big picture of Borders ??

Jones is a Crumber Surely Tommy can grab a few marks like last year.

Here here Ropable that Jay has been dropped and that Jayden And Joel have been selected Omac and Jay better options.

I think that a light bulb moment has happened during the Virus and as mentioned we need more class in our side ie more skill in kicking team play and marking and goal shooting. This has resulted in some stop gap players good but not ever A graders or maybe B and let's be frank our Top 10 draft picks should be around that mark. So our Top 4 ( and flag) chances need our youngsters to improve and mature to provide this skill. Kozzue LJ Rivers( a diamond at 32 in draft) Lockhart Petty Weid Jordan Sparrow Chandler Bedford are still developing into very good players we think. Clarry Gawnie Gus Jack V Fritsch Salem Lever no are potential A or B Graders still maturing as is Langdon and Jonesy Is in the very short term. Backing up this potential are a group of 24/27 yo such as Melk Tommy, May Jets Tomlinson AVB and Joel Smith who are good honest and brilliant at times footballers. Depth of say Oscar Hore ANB Spargo Brown and Hibbo and No doubt zi have missed one or two are handy. The demographic of our list has changed by the new draftees of 18 and 19 plus our recruiting coups if Langdon Tomo and Harley. We are getting a much improved depth and skill in our list which should give pretty much immediate energy and lift in performances near to 2018 which is a quantum leap forward. i sm very bullish now about our future but we must get a very good game plan and solve our forward chaos with theses more highly skilled and maturing youngsters working with the core group of stars and role players. Its Goodys job to lose and he has 2 years to grab it by the scruff of the neck Zi believe.0

Yes it will be in our top 5 of the 50 Lizzie but My No 1 would be the QUAL Final vs Carlton in 2000 or even the Prelim in 1988 at Waverley vs Blues. In each of these 3 games Our opponents were below their best by about 2/3 goals in form or at the end of a reign of success (all were defending champs when we beat them). Many years in our Finals in the last 50 years have been curtailed by The eventual Premiers in the Prelim or Semi Final stage or the Grand Finals of 88 and 2000. Adelaide in 1998 were an exception and we never met Carlton in 1987 when on a roll. Generally we also didn't finish in The top 4 or 5 To get a doulble chance, excepting for 2000. Interesting last 19 games as best.

Yes I have thought of this but did u think we were or are only a 7 goal side on Round1? I didn't but we played our underwhelming wasteful forward way so say 10 goals might be our estimate in Round 1. I would be knocked over with a feather if we kicked 15 goals and were beaten by the Blues.

There us not a poor footballer in that team. Even our debs are good players and will play their role. Kossie led the way in Round 1 and Goody has no doubt altered his approach and deserves a perfect response.

I estimate this is a 5 goal better side than Round1. Of course it has to play up to expectations .

And no self distancing within sight!! A Reasonable number hugged Harley and also Jacko and Rivers from the video.

That's not fair in my opinion Grr-owl. You are directly throwing that at Max and if no names are mentioned it is unfair to many or all of our players. Harley was extremely emotional and spoke beautifully but his journey has been a lot harder than any one else's so he was reflecting his wonderful spirit and appreciation of all the Club who have been very serious in backing him all the way.

Sorry Doc but it's not been 25 deg up here In Brisbane fir about 3 weeks !! sure it will be warmer Than Melb though also after 4 pm not likely to be warm!!! Lets enjoy the joy of all the newcomers and their debuts. Si many and do many stories and all got potential. Its almost a partial rebiuild on the run !! Go the mighty Dees !