Nairobi_Demon

True, but if I recall correctly the Phase I/II Pfizer/BioNTech results were published in August last year indicating that this was likely to be an effective technology. That’s 10 months ago. But for me it’s really about risk, what was the risk of dropping $100m on mRNA vs what was the potential upside? Given the huge economic costs of the pandemic, 100m seems a small price to pay for a bet on a new technology. The benefits of which have now been clear for at least six months and probably more.

This still baffles me. Respected scientists were advocating for government investment in mRNA manufacturing capacity since June last year. Apparently it is not that expensive - maybe $100m to get going - and the technology is thought to have significant other benefits, including cancer treatment. What’s the downside of making this investment? Correct me if I’m wrong, but the only commitment to invest in mRNA that I’ve seen was the $50m the Vic Govt announced about two months ago. We’re likely to need COVID variant vaccines/boosters in the next few years, mRNA is the most adaptable technology, why aren’t we jumping on this? Edit: this article dated just this past Monday indicates the government has just now invited proposals for establishing mRNA manufacturing capacity. Surely this could have been done at least six months ago even not longer and surely three years to establish production is not sufficiently ambitious in the context and given others have argued it could be done in 12 months. https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/government-makes-no-promises-as-it-looks-for-mrna-producers-20210524-p57uix.html

Does this seem very high to others? And any idea where to find this stat for previous games? I found turnovers, which doesn’t seem that different to previous matches, but not “scores from turnovers”.

Brown had 5 goals in three games. Weidemen has 1 in two games. He needs to kick 4 this week to break even. Only if they’re breaking even or thereabouts would I consider the pressure act stats you mention. I just want goals from those two! Agree that Jetta should be dropped regardless of Salem’s fitness. Indeed, it’s not at all clear to me that Jetta is Salem’s replacement.

Did you see the post game interview, he was unhappy.

Hi LN, re-watched the last quarter. He was definitely on the field. Gee it was frustrating, so many fumbles, slip ups, poor decisions. They were rattled.

Ah, that makes sense. I’d always thought the heat map tracked movement and the blue dots possessions, but now that I look carefully at someone with possessions it’s clear the map radiates out from the dots. Thanks for clarifying that, LN.

Did he even get on the field in the final quarter? The AFL app player tracker has no heat map for him in the final quarter and suggests he was 100% in defensive half. Seems odd. See screenshots:

I also can’t understand the calls for dropping Fritsch. He’s our top goal kicker in 2019, 2020 and is our leading goal kicker this year. Sure, he didn’t have a great game but he has a clear record. Given today’s Casey game, it’s hard to see any changes to the forward line. Perhaps there was some arrangement that BB and Weidemen would each get a three game run. BB managed 2, 3 and 0 goals, the last in a very crowded forward line. Weidemen is 0 and 1 thus far. That means Weidemen would need 4 goals next week to equal BB’s contribution.

The final one was on Hibberd IMO, he got in Oliver’s way

Agree. Weidemen has one KPI and one KPI only, kicking goals. I couldn’t care less about the odd tackle.

I agree. I wish people would stop making excuses for Weidemen. He and Clarry are both high 2015 draft picks, six years to hone their craft, and look at the difference in their performances today.

Not going to blame the umpires, it should never have been so close. We’re too reliant on our defence

I think I may be only person to have have selected other ? I don’t really see Jackson as a real forward. Don’t get me wrong, he’s done a fantastic job with Brown and Weid out. He kicks the odd goal and has brought the ball to ground but his real damage is functioning as a mid around stoppages (and freeing Gawn in the early rounds). And am still not convinced we can play Brown, TMac, Fritsch and Weidemen in the forward line with or without Jackson in the side. Could we replace his mid role with Sparrow, let TMac ruck in the forward half, and let Gawn handle the Center Bounces and back half stoppages? Given Jackson’s incredible versatility, I guess it depends on which of his roles we really need to replace to match up with the blues. I don’t think we need his forward role. The Sparrow option wouldn’t free up Gawn, but it would give us more options to rectify the centre clearance deficit. Majak would be my second vote. Frees Gawn and avoids too many changes to our forward line.

Bravo A F. I read every word of this and learnt a lot. Thanks!

Perhaps Binman is having a Sparrow-Swallow moment ?

For me, I click on stats in the top bar and then click AFL StatsPro. I think that’s what Binman is referring too. I’ve also not been able to find ProVision - perhaps that was an earlier name for this tool?

Harsh DS, but I agree that our midfield is just not working. It has regressed in the past two weeks. We’ve mostly corrected the bees at honey tendency this season, but it seems that with Viney out everyone is a little unsure who goes for the ball. Perhaps that was Harmes’s role today but he just doesn’t make good, fast decisions when he gets it (I’d like to watch every centre bounce of the game - perhaps that’s possible on the AFL StatsPro site). With Viney out another week, we need to try something a little different next week. Unbelievably it’s the weakest part of our game.

Surprised and disappointed that Harmes is coming in ahead of Sparrow. All reports indicated that Sparrow performed much better in last week’s Casey match.

Agree with this. Keep it simple. Petty takes Tomlinson’s role. Sparrow takes Viney’s position in the middle. Baker wouldn’t have played last weekend if Sparrow had been available.

6 Salem 5 Trac 4 May 3 Jackson 2 TMac 1 Tomlinson

Amazing game. Seriously good. Tough to talk changes on Sat night but next week is a good opportunity to try a few changes. BBB has to come in after another 4 goals in the VFL. He is highly likely to be part of our best 22 and so he needs to start getting comfortable with the team. I’d bring in BBB to FF, move Jackson to Jones’s position on the interchange (he’s so versatile). Let Jones take some time off to make space for others. I doubt he’d mind that. Plus I’d rest anyone with any niggles.

Agree While 7 goals is impressive, I’d like to see more consistency from Weidemen before bringing him into the team. Assuming all are fit, I’d prioritise BBB and Fritsch this weekend. Let the team adjust to BBB and let Weidemen show the selectors that he can consistently deliver goals at the VFL level before bringing him back into the AFL team.

Hi Demonland Partly because I want to support this insightful site and partly to remove the ads, I’d like to buy a subscription. Unfortunately, I don’t have a PayPal account. Largely because I have found maintaining a PayPal account as an expat quite difficult when one moves country. Is there another way to make the payment? For example via debit card or BSB bank transfer? Thanks and Go Dees!

Hibberd has been named for the VFL game but not Melksham. Surely Melksham won’t be played as the sub two weeks in a row. Perhaps they’ll rest Jones as the sub?