Lord Nev

Assuming you mean this year yeah? Because he's played 2, and averages 11 touches, 4 tackles, 3 score involvements and a goal. This year Gus is averaging 15 touches, 3 tackles, 3 score involvements and 0 goals. I don't think Sparrow will be coming in for Gus just yet, but find it strange a few in this thread are writing him off a bit.

Yeah good call. I know we get overloaded with stats, but would be an interesting one if they took note of kicks on preferred and non-preferred.

Agree to disagree on this one mate, have watched this kid closely for a while and once he matures a bit and some opportunity opens up he will be another inside beast with a burst for us. Everyone sees different things in players though.

Had 8 kicks and 4 clangers, so no exaggeration mate. I don't think he's in danger of being dropped, but he absolutely needs to lift. I get what you're saying about the overreaction from some though, I'm a big Sparrow fan and think he has a ton of potential, but I wouldn't be bringing him in for Gus at this stage.

Was more watching his delivery, especially by foot. Was horrible yesterday. Half his kicks were clangers. I'm not worried if he doesn't get a lot of it, but he needs to use it well when he does, especially if he's not getting a lot of it.

Fair enough mate. From what I've seen no one is going too overboard (I may have missed those posts though tbf), they just know he's well below what he should be and has been for a long time.

It's more than "1 or 2 down games" though mate. He's barely fired a shot since 2018. Also, a former pick 3 in the draft who finishes 3rd in the Brownlow should have higher expectations placed on them than to merely be a second tier midfielder. Reckon you're letting him off the hook in a big way there. Even if you're happy to accept him as that, a quality second tier midfielder should be providing better quality ball use than what Brayshaw is currently. 4 clangers out of 8 kicks.

3-0 with Bennell in the team...

I'm a big rap for Sparrow, but can't see this happening at the moment. IN: Rivers OUT: Lockhart But quite possibly no change. vB and Brayshaw both need to improve their disposal though, will hurt us more against good teams.

Absolutely rapt for Weid. Has copped the abuse, copped the bad luck with injuries, copped the non-selection and now taken his chances the last couple of weeks. Good on him.

Not nearly as confident as any of you tbh. Last week was our 'line in the sand' game, this week's it's the Hawks one. Would be very typical Melbourne for us to still be enjoying the bath water from last week so much that we don't get up for this one. That, plus having Clarko in the opposite box after a week of him copping it; certainly does not put me at ease. Today tells us a lot about whether 'To Hell & Back' was filled with platitudes by paycheck collectors or genuine footballers and coaches who not only know what it takes to win, but will do what it takes to win.

Pneumococcal can cause pneumonia. Sure, it's different in a way, but they're linked. The rate of pneumococcal is 6–7 times higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I agree the communication part of it is very poor, but I struggle to see how it's 'discrimination' given the science and the existing related laws already in place in QLD. Edit - I reckon you may find in the end there's more to this story anyway. There's already conflicting reports about it with the QLD Government saying the vaccination was never a requirement put forward by them.

Sure, but I've read one article that says players are "understood to be shocked" and another that says they've "been left perplexed", so it seems like the judgment of the reaction is being editorialized. It is just the Indigenous players being asked to get it. As stated, Indigenous Aussies have some of the highest rates of infection in the world for pneumonia and QLD already has a mandatory vaccine program for just that specific thing already. I can understand it's poor by the AFL if they haven't made note of it in the plans put forward, but I don't know, to me getting a vaccination isn't exactly a big deal and not worth the outrage the media is trying to create.

This whole situation seems either some good old fashioned misreporting, a gross overreaction by the AFLPA or some over the top reporting by an ever-increasing rabid media industry (I know which I'm leaning towards). Indigenous Australians have some of the highest rates in the world of pneumonia. Clearly that has meant given the current health climate they may need extra protection. That is what the vaccine will provide. Hardly think that protecting their health based on scientific evidence is "discriminatory", in fact it seems quite the opposite. The reporting here is bordering on plain silly, imagine trying to represent professional athletes, who undergo countless medical procedures and other health treatments, as "shocked" that they would need a vaccine.

I'm sure Frost will be looking to fire up a bit for this game, but with all due respect to him; I can't see him featuring much in our game planning let alone our team selection.

Got big hopes for Jacko, but this seems a big call based on the 1 mark he's taken at AFL level.

We've gone from last in the league for points conceded from defensive half turnovers last year to 4th this year. May is a big part of that. Can't see this happening unless it's a late in-game change as a desperation tactic.

binman taking out the trash adds another level to it for me.

Well, this thread has certainly been enlightening on a bunch of fellow Demonlanders. Geez we have such a long way to go.

Ok, good chat.

"Almost a lock" was what I said, and yes I thought Brown seemed the most sensible and obvious option. The most experienced and natural forward out of himself, Jackson and Smith, and has more onfield experience with Weid than the others as well. I'm not a big fan, but I tend to try and think about selection from a realistic and practical point of view rather than just pure personal opinion.

Yeah, I'm not keen on it. I thought Brown was almost a lock, but it's shaping up as a real Goody type selection with Smith should it happen.

Just have this sneaky feeling Smith may be picked to play forward now. With OMac's game presence last week making for a more composed backline; that may be the push over the edge Goody needs to try Smith forward again.

I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves with the whole pick 40 compensation thing. 1) Key forwards will almost always attract a higher contract offer. 2) Let's remember clubs have to use picks to get the points for FS/Academy. It's not like you just slide down 15-20 picks. Even thought it's Essendon and we all know their reputation; I can't see them risking matching an offer for a player who doesn't want to be there. Of course there's still the small chance they convince him to stay, but seems highly unlikely.

Fair enough mate, still disagree though. The Dangerfield trade is VERY different to the Daniher situation. Dangerfield, at the peak of his career, wanted to go to a specific club to be back home. An amicable situation was worked out without free agency offers even being made. Daniher requested a trade away from his current club without such reasons. He just wants out. He likely won't play this year. He's not necessarily going to a specific club so various offers will be fielded and his value is questionable. Essendon can 'threaten' whatever they want, but it's pretty clearly easy to call their bluff given the circumstances. And still, no club has matched a free agency offer and kept their player. Really can't see Essendon getting into a bidding war trying to keep a player who wants out. Especially in a unique year like this when salary caps are going to be a different kettle of fish.