JimmyGadson

Huge. Love it.

Herald sun says MCG expecting around 60,000 for our game. Bit disappointing, thought it'd be closer to 75 given the occasion, team's position and Jones' 300th.

Whichever tall comes in will need to work wonders with Jacko and T Mac in regards to leading patterns, opening space and spreading the Tiges defence. If we fail at that, I cant see us winning no matter our midfield dominance. If our players enter forward 50 as they did for three quarters against Hawthorn and our key talls lead to bad spots, we'll be punished. Need to plan and execute. Can't rely on our sheer talent to get us over the line against this mob.

Yeh. Difference is that we're a pretty average kicking side. So I can't imagine we'll go as hard on that strategy given the way we play due to the personnel we have.

I know Goodwin has made mention to the media that we're functioning well without Brown and Weed but behind closed doors I imagine they can't wait to get one of them in, maybe even both. Brown's leading as a key forward is being completely overlooked by many. One of our knocks so far is our inaccuracy and wastefulness in front of goal. Brown will straighten us up to no end with his leading patterns and lanes and he will constantly make space because of this. Gawn continued to lead to deep pockets against Hawthorn which was ineffective, as did T Mac when when he was playing deep. B Brown and Weed might be too much but I hope it's one of them plus Fritsch. That at least gives us one strong leading forward plus another aerieal threat in Fritsch who is smart with his leads. Hard to know who to opt for after the VFL game. Yeh Weed had a day out, but I just love what Brown will be able to do for us off the ball. His leading patterns are simply elite and he'll constantly have either Balta or Astbury on the move, leaving Jackson, T Mac and Fritsch to get dangerous. We're not an amazing kicking side and our use inside 50 is still poor at the best of times. Against Richmond, we'll need strong leading players, a lot of movement and a heap of pressure at the drop of the ball. One of Brown and Weed as well as Fritsch. If no Fritsch, I'd bring Brown and Weed in.

They beat St Kilda by 80+ pints. We had a great single quarter which won us the game against Hawthorn. I think you're greatly underestimating how good Richmond are at their best and their consistency in big games. For us to win, we'll need to bring the 2018 elim finals type pressure for four quarters as well as being sharpshooters in front of goal. Anything less will result in a loss.

Baby Boomers and technology is a very amusing thing.

Lift that rock up off your head. Dude.

They played in GF, we started pre-season far earlier so I'm not sure the extra days will matter. We still have a 6 and a half day break which is plenty given the talk of our fitness/pre-season. It's round 6, not round 18. It's a tall ask for reasons other than that. This is Richmond. The real deal. If we bring the same intensity we did for the first four weeks around the ball and are mor accurate at goal than the first four weeks then I csn genuinely see us winning. Anything less than that and they'll just cruise to victory. Their system is so unbelievably consistent so this is the real test against quality oppo. Im hopeful, but cant quite see us doing it.

Hard to complain given we've got to be one of the few countries who are able to attend such crowded events, mask free etc. But jeez it's an absolute pain booking a desired seat in the hope of sitting with family/friends as an MCC member. Only two visitors tickets per member and you can't select seats, only bays. Happy to get them but feel for those who want to go with their family.

He did some good things. He also killed us with some brain fades which I'm not sure can be overlooked. His form had been up and down so I won't be surprised to see him go. Unless Jackson needs a rest which is possible.

Not sure Viney for May would be the way to go. I like our back six and you'd want a like-for-like player to come in so that lever can continue to do what he does best. His pressure would be great all over the ground, but our small defenders are really putting heat on opponents. Hunt is tackling like I haven't seen before. Salem, Rivers and Jetta (to a lesser extent) have been sound. I think Viney's presence in the forward-line is another fear factor for opponents. We're still a forward half/territory team who rely on strong forward half pressure. As long as that continues to be strong, our defence will stand up, even with May out. Don't want any more to drop though.

He's been spending time at half-forward as part of his rotation through the middle and his forward pressure has been immense. He is arguably our best tackler and on the weekend he was unrelenting. I like him there and hope it continues. We seem to be gelling unbelievably well atm.

Slightly off topic but Jones will not be rested unless injured. Supporters are dreaming if they think he'll be playing his 300th in Tassie. Amazing start for us, must look forward to the next block of four games. A long long campaign as many have already stated. Frankly, I think we're only inaccuracy off a big big win. It seems our entire 22 have bought in to a really simple game style and I'm loving what I'm seeing. Our effort, tackling, selflessness and team first approach has been unbelievable. If we bring that again, we'll have no problem against Hawthorn. And if we can get deadly in front of goal and stop being wasteful, we will win by 50 plus. Must continue to bring the same level of energy to every game. The bar has been set. Forget the ladder position dees. Your intent will dictate the win and loss sheet. Up the redlegs. Ps, the inclusion of Yze and Chocco simply can't be underestimated. Changed the club.

Haha. How's your favourite son Jack Watts going these days JR? No doubt you'd love to get him back ahead of Fritsch now eh? You really do post some nonsense.

The more we win, the happier the players are, the tighter the group becomes, the less chance they'll want to leave. Pretty simple really. Trac is keen for his pay day, but the only reason he and any of our other stars will want to leave is because they see team success elsewhere. This year was and is so important for that reason alone. Couldn't ask for a better start. Next 4 week block is super important without May and with the hopeful inclusions of BB and Weed. Two wins and two losses is my prediction and that's okay. Let's keep rolling.

Agree, I also thought I could see some depression in that area. It looked as bad as you could get from an elbow to the eye and I'm expecting a long lay off. It looked horrendous up close.

You've just pointed out why it is not a general rule haha. Coaches are not loathe to make changes to winning sides, just cautious. Melksham wasn't best 22 last year, yet took Sparrow's place after a win. I'm pointing out the sillyness of a comment like that and how short-sighted it is. There's always room for change, even after a win. And you've mentioned but a few of the reasons why there's room.

Except that we made a change after last week's win, and won again? I've never understood that mantra. Clearly, it doesn't add up.

Obviously a great start to the season but more relieved we won against the Giants on the weekend than anything. Our game didn't inspire great confidence. And I think we got incredibly lucky that the Giants had three down most of the game. That's not to say there weren't things to like, I think we've addressed some of our issues. That can be seen from the first three weeks. Defence looks strong, setup behind the ball and we have a great blend back there. Max and Jacko look great in tandem. Our midfield are strong and we look hungry and our effort and intensity for the most part can't be questioned. Geelong is a huge test even without some of those names they'll be missing. Scott is a great tactical coach and I can tell you now that we will not kick a winning score if we enter inside 50 the way we did against the Giants. It will be a field day for the Geelong talls if so. Too many times I witnessed Tom Mac, Fritsch and either Gawn or Jackson all way too close together, competing for a kick coming in. Tmac in my eyes was back to his worst on Sunday night. I don't care that he managed to make a few tackles. His leading patterns were absolutely appaling which is why we moved him higher up the ground in the end. He and Fritsch were constantly in each others way and there was always space, usually on the fat-side that Tom should have been leading to. I think the addition of Pickett and the form and pressure of Spargo, ANB and Sparrow has helped bandaid some of this but this week against a tall, experienced and well drilled defence, we're going to need to either make some selection change or we simply must enter in a different fashion. It doesn't help that some of the ball use coming in was poor again. Hunt is killing us with his use which makes his run and carry less impressive and vital. We had many many opportunities to keep using short hit up targets when we were in possession say 80 metres out and we should have honoured those short hit ups to allow continued movement and allowing leading lanes to open up. We must get better at this if we're any chance to challenge the better sides. Yes we've had three wins on the trot but I believe change is necessary coming into this week. The G is a huge ground and against Geelong, our ability to to hit targets going forward simply has to be much better. I think Melksham needs a game this week and I think supporters have this weird fixed view that he simply won't chase, tackle or harass. Why? He is a natural forward who leads to the right spots, works well with T Mac in that space and adds polish to our side. Sparrow has been great defensively, but we need better offensive drive. We have enough defensive weaponry and pressure imo with ANB, Spargo and Pickett. And sure, if he is poor defensively then Sparrow comes back but this season is long and this is a horses for courses game at times. The other change I'd make is Hibberd for Jetta. Jetta's lack of pace scares me to end on the G and with Miers, Dahlhaus, Fogarty and perhaps one other small nippy forward, Hibberd is better suited. I think his drive and penetration with his kicking is necessary this weekend and I don't the Nev's form is amazing atm. Melkasham for Sparrow. (Sparrow very stiff). Hibberd for Jetta. T-Mac one more chance to redeem and Gawn to float more forward than back.

Hook, line and sinker. Can't believe it's April already.

Can't tell if serious.

Melksham at his best is an obvious inclusion and if he's deemed fit enough this week (aerobically), I'd put him in for Sparrow. The speed of the game suits his attributes and if he can bring intensity and a willingness to hunt and hit like Sparrow, I think he gets the nod due to the strengths he possesses. Footskills inside 50, an attacking mentality once in possession from a mark and great goal sense. All things we need more of if we're going to start challenging better oppo over the next few weeks and I think this is a good game to bring him in. He's a senior player and would provide a better balance for us. Melksham for Sparrow, hope it happens.

Huge test this week. Going in favourites, playing a team who are being slammed left right and centre in the media and will bring heat from the start. Can we absorb it and match it? A lot of internal talk about us working on maturity and consistency over the off-season. What an occasion to test ourselves. If we bring the same attitude and intensity as last week, I think we've got them. Regardless of our questionable skills at times. GWS are not the team they once were and this will be about who is more desperate and whether or not we can match or beat the intensity they bring from the first bounce and maintain it. As far as looking forward goes, if we win this, think about the effect it will have on attendance at the G against Geelong the following week? For a team like ours who needs to win its supporters hearts back and get them wanting to come to watch every week, this game is huge. Melbourne supporters will come in droves if this train keeps moving. 3-0 with a blockbuster against a wobbly and ageing Geelong side. Nightmares of the 2018 elim final again for them. How much do you want it, dees? Get it done.

I gave my two cents in the post game thread @Engorged Onion. Good win, another big test this week.