old55

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2018-07-23/last-2-minutes-casey-win Nice mark by Weid and nice spoil by Hutchins.

Generally I think our strategy was reasonable in the last quarter, we tried to win the game and 3.5 to 8.0 is just a freak outcome. Stacking the backline and trying to hold on is not the way to win - we managed to level the momentum in the mid part of the quarter and keep scoring - if JKH kicks the goal we win. Yes we could have switched OMac and Frost a play or two earlier. The real problem was further up the ground - we were getting killed at the stoppages - Ablett 14 possession in the last. Specifically in the last two minutes, I think Petracca's torp was a reasonable play, he went deep down the line to an even contest and got the ball OOB inside our 50. I also don't think Jeffy did the wrong thing either, his kick went towards the top of the square again to an even contest, he didn't have a wild ping. Suggestions that he should have taken it OOB are ridiculous, he would've been pinged for sure. Bernie's spoil back into the 50 was a decent play as well - that's where we like to lock it in. I think there were three big factors, one out of our control and two in our control: Max having to go off - at the boundary stoppage after Trac's torp TMac is telling Max to go back deep and he'll take the ruck but Max has blood and has to go off. If Max is deep it's unlikely Geelong marks that last play. Lewis giving Menzel too much rope on the wing. I don't know the full team rules and Lewis was guarding the corridor but surely that's man-on-man time, he was miles off Menzel and knows he doesn't have the closing speed to make a contest. No-one running with Duncan from our forward 50 when he receives the handball from Hawkins - someone just had to go with him. I think there's great learning opportunity out of this loss, like the loss against St.Kilda - issues were exposed that cannot be ignored

Yeah that's generally pretty correct and I'm very comfortable with that.

I'm not an ANB fan but he was very good against Geelong. Generally clean ball winning and he used it well.

Saw on the Gameday thread that Stanley may be out, is Z.Smith playing in the 2s?

I'd be extremely confident of the win if they were playing. I think we can still win but things will need to go right.

Wonder who will be the carry over emergency - probably Josh Wagner.

Sacking Norm Smith is more likely the cause.

Selection will be fascinating. From Goodwin presser Bernie is a lock. Either Wagner or Joel Smith for Hibbo. Maybe Tyson for Hannan - narrow Kardinia Park making a contested game even more important (Goodwin said it should suit our style), no Viney so therefore Selwoods sniffing Clarrie and Angus blood. I think Tyson is feasible because of these factors - if it was at the MCG then no. It is going to be tough for us with 3 of our best out - will be a memorable victory if we can win.

Nathan Jones has had a very good year, is incredibly resilient and consistent, and has plenty more to offer. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pg-melbourne-demons--nathan-jones He's had 2 down weeks which is very uncharacteristic and any reasonable deduction is that he's injured or sick. He was misused in a tagging role against the Hawks and look at the result. Some people don't know what they got until it's gone. He'll be back with a vengeance

Hogan is a great player and I hope he stays. It was absolutely vital that we signed him to his current contract. But if he left at the end of this contract it wouldn't be fatal. TMac has signed long term and Weid is going to make it. We can't currently fit all three in and retain team balance. We have Tim Smith as depth and we could get away with one true tall forward - Richmond-style for a period anyway if necessary. Hogan to Freo for Andrew Brayshaw and their 1st rounder - say pick 6 would be a very reasonable deal for us. Weid is not Hogan but a deal like that means for our best 22 - Out: Hogan, In: Weid, Brayshaw, pick 6. I could live with that.

Because our next best would have probably delivered less. With Viney out it was important he played. Who would you have brought in for him?

Harmes onto McCrae was the decisive factor IMO. A handy discovery ahead of the Geelong game next week. If Ablett, Danger or Selwood create damage.

He was clearly either injured or sick. Get off his back!

The Luff hot plot is a simplified version of the Live Squiggle which rates Defence and Attack.

Here's a better version IMO: https://squiggle.com.au/ Live Squiggle

Tom Scully gets a bad rap. He would have been totally insane not to take that GWS offer and stay at the basket case that was MFC at the time. in the AFL players still don't say they are leaving until they do - look at Tom Lynch. "...lied to dying Jimma's face" - spare me! I'm totally over it - Hogan is at the club as a result.

It appears that the team spirit is really good at Casey - plenty of AFL listed players and they all seem to be pulling in the same direction. It really showed in a tough uncompromising effort. Tyson, Pedo, Bugg, JKH, Weid, Hannan, Kent, Balic, Wagner - all going hard despite probably being disappointed to not be playing AFL. It's a credit to Jade Rawlings.

Yes it would be interesting to know.

300 tackles

Don't think anyone at Casey will be much fresher than the Darwin boys after that slog on the weekend. Bernie should come in, probably for Lewis or Smith.

Yes it's a good point and Nev can fly too. It could be a show stopper. Dion is 179cm.

I must have been mistaken.

No the umpire (incorrectly) thought it hit the post so that is what the video evidence needed to contradict - I thought it did contradict it but apparently not.

Yes it appears that way with Frost vs Petty and I was pleased for Frost, but I can't say that with 100% certainty. Frost may have been torched against St.Kilda and Petty may have played well last night - taking into account what happened further up the field and the quality of the opposition. Billy was very good and played with uncharacteristic confidence. His biggest problem previously has been hesitation with the ball but he really took the game on. If he can sustain that it will be great. I admire ANB for getting the most out of himself, but his lack of football skills could cost us a flag.