D Rev

I don't think TMac is ready? If Clarry is back, Trac can spend more time up forward with (likely) no impact to our midfield performance. Our mids have been amazing this year. Well, nearly all. It's going to get pretty crowded up forward once Fritta is back too. Reckon we need Grundy back, the Blues have a couple of good rucks and Gawn shouldn't be over-cooked before the finals. Smith as sub, he's built for it.

I really don't like the idea of Schache playing in the ones. He has all the physical presence of wet lettuce. We need to make sure all the players are doing what is being asked of them, or at least trying to. He has shown throughout his career that he's a good kick but no toughness. Nothing personal against him, just don't think he's MFC material. Would have welcomed him into the side 10 years ago, but not now. Similarly, Harmes needs to get out of the ones; his skills are just not up to where they need to be. Get Sparrow in if fit or blood a young player. I don't mind the idea of Grundy starting on the bench and rotating with Gawn, or Gawn resting on the half back line for intercepts. Tomlinson should be given a go to see how he goes with an extended run. We will need another tall down there if Petty is staying forward. That being said, being tested against North isn't a great test for Finals readiness. Spargs for Woey is the only other one that really comes to mind.

Waddagame. Something symbolic in watching the last dominant team in Footy (the toiges) being overcome in the last by what could be the latest dominant team. 3 forwards kicking 14 goals between them, without Fritch. No Clarry, Grundy, Spargs or Hibbo. There are so many options with this team, so many ways in which they can win. Everyone knows the system, whatever it may be that week, and plays to it. Then there are the champion players, I've been saying for a while that Clarry may be the best Melbourne player I've seen, but Max is giving it a nudge. Viney has been a phenom this Season. Still, I'd trade all the All Australian accolades and big bags to see us win a flag live.

Just went back to the Injury page at Melbournefc.com.au and it looks like they've cleaned up the page - maybe they are reading this! Not so concerned about Grundy being out, hopefully Max goes back to dropping into the backline for intercepts, opening up the fwd line for Brown and JVR. What is of concern is Oliver is out for another 4 weeks! It means he will be back for finals, but will he be match or finals fit? I really think we need to get Smith back into the side too for Melksham, we need someone who can apply pressure acts in finals. Or at least tackle.

Just checked our injury report on the MFC website and its pretty poor TBH. Fritsch isn't even listed on there? A lot of the videos go back to the Port game? Surely someone can update the page and keep things categorised in an understandable way. First world problems... ...Friday is a massive danger game. The Lions are looking sharp all over the ground. We are really going to miss Clarry and Fritta. The backline are in good form but we need to work out Grundy and Gawn. Would love for either/both (!) to be more useful up forward but it hasn't happened so far. Also reckon Smith needs to come back in for Melksham, we need another tall target and you can't have zero-tackle passengers against the Lions. Maybe we should hypnotise him so he thinks the MCG is a French Restaurant - then we'll get some aggro?

Work (and life) has been super busy this week so only managed to look at the selections 5 minutes ago. Can't understand why Melksham is still in the team and Smith isn't. Smith gets involved in every contest and applies defensive pressure, something not in Jakes wheelhouse. Absolutely wrapped Woey mkII is getting a go, not just for him, but for all the kids at Casey - gives them a sign of what selection requires. Seeing Clayton still out reminds me of The Angels classic "Am I ever going to see your face again?"

For the ca$h

I think this is a bit harsh. Jordan has played well in a variety of roles. Agree that Tomlinson was very stiff.

I can't argue with that.

Pretty disrespectful to Nibbler, arguably our hardest worker and a crucial component to our success with the pressure he provides. Smith, similarly, has been critical to our last 2 wins; shutting down intercept defenders, applying pressure and even kicking goals. Petty will come back via the twos. Oliver is definitely straight in, I wouldn't mind seeing JJ, Laurie or Woewoeden have a go in the high half-forward role.

Am assuming that May will go to McKay, which may be a waste, but will make sure that he doesn't get off the chain / break loose. The question then is who goes to Curnow? I don't think Lever can go with him athletically, so maybe Hibbo? Gives up height, but can run and has enough strength to compete? Im not too worried about their midfield, I think we have the advantage there, particularly with our rucks. The big issue will be our forwards; we should be able to create more space for targets, but can they take marks and convert, or will it be back to the backyard sprinkler?

I have a lot of sympathy for this sentiment. The way we are playing is worrying, genuine excuses could be made of a relatively new look team (McVie, JVR, no Brown, no Petty and now no Oliver) and a new game style, but execution is still troubling. Some of the moments of confusion out there (Harmes cutting off JVR, Spargo cutting off Fritter) as well as the goal kicking are particularly worrying. Still, they are things that can be addressed. The depth isn't something that can be addressed at this point and players like Harmes really shouldn't be given the opportunities he is getting. Schace is obviously not to AFL standard either and won't be after this long, we need to move these players on and get more kids in. Is Brown done? Langdon has seemed off all season and I wouldn't mind giving him the chance in the VFL to get some form and give Woewoeden a go. TMac had a better game yesterday but I'd still like Smith to be given a chance too. One point that should be considered too is the standard of the competition. Port *just* beat us and have now won 8 in a row?! We *just* beat the Suns and they *just* beat the in-form Dogs in the NT (not easy to play there). Hawthorn, who we smashed, just beat the Saints who started the season on fire. Apart from West Coast, the competition is really even. Different teams will peak at different times, and injuries are going to play a massive part. We have to accept that we aren't going to win 18 games for the season and will lose a few like this. I reckon we will match up well with Carlton, our big backs negating their big forwards and our all-ground pressure being too much for the rest of them. Go Dees.

I reckon a lot of that had to do with Patty and Gale

I think Turner is on the injury list for 4-6 unfortunately. We definitely need another tall up forward to alleviate pressure for JVR / Grawny / Fritter. Really wouldn't mind if it was Smith as he can play the defensive forward well and apply excellent pressure

We were a lot better at this with Spargo in the team. The pressure from him and Nibbler is amazing to watch.

I thought this thread might be a tribute to 'The Dollop', but am even happier with what it is! Thanks!

I was at this game and thoroughly enjoyed it, though it was more than a little stressful. There really is something to be said for the smaller "boutique" grounds that represent communities in the northern states that people want to travel to (here's looking at you GWS). The first line of respect I'd like to pay is for the bloke on the accoustic guitar on the MMM stage who seemed to play "Free Falling" for 7 hours straight (I got there in time for the reserves). Tom Petty no longer owns that song. This was a bloody tough game, the Suns are a very good team who move the ball at G-Force speed from their backline to their forward line. Their mids are absolute gold who dominated congestion. I actually feel for Suns fans, they don't have another home game for SIX WEEKS. Can you imagine that happening to a Victorian team? I understand they need to sell games to the NT for cash (imagine being there...). I don't know what their fitness program is like, but thats a big interruption to the season and makes it hard to build support. Great ground though, and loved the passion of their fans. As for us, we started well then they got on top and really pushed us to the end. The Grundy-Max thing seems to take away a bit from both of them, Max plays his best in the middle or intercepting marks and sending him to the middle FT seems to be a 'break in case of emergency' play at the moment. Grundy is perfectly adequate as a tall up forward. Speaking of forwards, Fritsch had his worst game in years, so lets forget it and hope it doesn't happen again for years. Langdon was absolutely woeful too, I thought he was on mushrooms he was out of position so often. Again, here's hoping it's a blip. Spargo had an awesome game in the twos and needs to come in to stop the ball rebounding out of the forward 50 as soon as it hits the deck. It was good to see Disco get through a (nearly) full game without being concussed but he was too undersized for Casboult and its a shame it took Goodwin 3 quarters to work that out. Im happy for Petty to be back or forward but Spargo should come back in. Brown looked slow in the twos and his opponent regularly outmarked our out-ran him. I'm not convinced he is a better option than Grundy up forward. Sounds crazy, I know.

I'm pretty concerned about the quick turn-around for this game, many players looked proppy in the last game. You want to treat every opponent respectfully, but I wonder if this is a good chance for some rotations. Bowey looked off for mine, but can we afford to give him a spell with Salem still out? I would reckon that (if fit) Pickett and Fritsch will both bounce back. The question is, are they fit? I'd actually like to see us continue with Petty up forward as a foil for JVR and the rucks when they are up there, the defence held up OK without him last week. Would be good to give Disco a run if May needs a break.

Not related, but I was astonished by the amount of merch the Richmond fans had. Must add a serious amount of cash into their coffers.

I don't think slowing down is always an option in the modern game. Midfielders are going to have "clangers" which is just inevitable really. The focus is on the ability to retain possession after a clanger, so having that defensive pressure all over the ground. I'd say the bigger concern last night were the "unforced errors"; dropped marks, handballs askew etc. Basic skill errors. I hope it's just an aberration. Also, and apologies if this has been covered, what's the go with all the handballs off the ground?!

Schache?

I'll be sure to bring my boots. Does anyone have a hamstring I can borrow?

Apologies as this game is a while away but I've already booked flights with a mate and am looking forward to getting up there for a bit of sunshine (and hopefully a win!). Is anyone else going up for the game? Are there any social functions on?

I used to listen to the "2 guys, 1 cup" podcast a lot, but would get a little annoyed that they kept referring to Melbourne as being a team that was way ahead of itself (specifically Petracca and Oliver). Now I'm thinking that maybe they were right. I don't mind getting beaten if we at least have a go, but not even trying is beyond the pale. It's all very well for us to smash bad teams, but you have to give every team respect and turn up to each game. Lack of effort and a disjointed (rudderless?) approach does nothing to dispel the theory that Goodwin does not have the team. I strongly suspect Lever is a lot more important to us than any of us know. Our list is too good to play this badly. A statement is needed.

Pretty sure some English Rugby league did it first