burnthefushias

6: Gawn 5: Fritsch 4: Pickett 3: Bowey 2: Turner 1: Howes

Petracca, Oliver and Viney: Cannot stop fumbling Inside 50 kicking - Worst in competition Defending ball movement - Outdated zone defense Defenders: Have become fallible Simon Goodwin: Struggles to innovate Goalkicking coach: Pack your bags

Will Schofield asked Luke Jackson about him and Darcy going up against the premier ruckman in the competition in Tristan Xerri, and Jackson began his response with "Yeah, Xerri's probably a top two ruckman in the comp." Made me laugh because we know who Jackson thinks the premier ruckman in the competition is. His future teammate.

A very encouraging 4th quarter for Kalani, this should give him a lot of confidence going forward.

Prasad is averaging 16.5 disposals, 3 marks, 4.5 tackles and has kicked 9 goals in 8 games. He has very good skills, applies pressure and has a strong football IQ. I'm sure Melbourne are keeping a close eye on him. Below is a glowing summary of his last game at TAC Cup level and a reference to his overall consistency across the season. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/06/04/scouting-notes-2025-coates-talent-league-round-9/ "The bottom-aged small just continues to get it done week in, week out, checking all the boxes required of a modern day forward. Prasad was hot on the footy, comfortable going against bigger bodies at ground level and in the air to gain possession. He also pressured fiercely around the contest, laying an equal team-high eight tackles. Prasad finished the day with three straight majors, one from a smart run at a forward 50 stoppage, another from a contested mark deep insider 50, and the last by catching an opponent holding the ball near the square."

He's still quite raw but he's a solid athlete, a good size and most importantly a willing competitor. His first few games were really impressive before his form tapered off but there's definitely something there. Apparently there were a few teams interested in him, so I'm glad we were able to lock him in for a few more seasons. The last thing we need is to see another fringe player thrive in different colours before we've really gotten a chance to see what they can do.

Disco showed some impressive albeit irregular flashes as a forward but he has emerged as a very exciting prospect since being moved to defense. Now he's converted those flashes of form into high-level consistently because playing as a defender allows him to utilise his strengths more effectively. In addition to that, the experience of getting to play alongside veterans such as May and Lever is invaluable for Discos development. Petty's future is likely in defense too but as it presently stands, we have more of a need for him as a key forward. He's no Wayne Carey but he does keep defenders honest due to his size and contested marking ability. I feel like him and Melksham in that forward line together give the entire team a bit of an edge. So I voted Petty in the forward line.

Kozzie is our best forward and is also a quality midfielder. He's one of the biggest game breakers in the AFL and if we lost him nothing we'd get back in a trade is coming close to replacing what he does for our football club. If Jackson does return to Victoria, it's not coming via a Kozzie trade and it will either be an extraordinarily messy break up or a hostage situation. Let's hope for the former.

JVR played 60% of game time and half of that was as a second ruckman, as has been the case his entire career. We draft a key with forward with genuine potential and don't allow him to play his natural position for more than 5 minutes each quarter. It's no surprise he's struggling, I'd like to see more from him too but he's clearly being mismanaged.

6: Gawn 5: May 4: Oliver 3: Bowey 2: Turner 1: Fritsch

OUT - Laurie- He's a bit stiff to be honest, he gets omitted because Sharp has proven to be a much better super sub than he is a starting player, and will likely go back into that role with Vineys inclusion. If Viney doesn't pull up, my guess is either Laurie gets a full game or we bring in Tholstrup, who had a strong second half on the weekend and applies good on-ball pressure, which Melbourne completely lack in against St. Kilda. Lever - Very out of form. He isn't anywhere near it physically and is currently a defensive liability while both reading the play poorly and struggling to be accountable for his man. He was rushed back and needs to find form at Casey. Johnson - Is getting suspended. Needs to channel that aggression better. I thought he was decent at times, his impact does seem to go beyond disposal, in part because he of his physicality, but he needs to clean his game up and take his chances. Should have kicked a couple. IN - Viney - Straight back if healthy. Goody does have a habit of rushing his senior players back after lay-offs, so the fact Viney has missed the last month adds more concern. My guess is he'll rotate between midfield and half-forward but what do I know. All the best to Jack. Van Rooyen - He's had two really good weeks at VFL level. He's been outplayed by Jefferson in both games, but I think the best thing for Jeffos development is being allowed to continue his phenomenal form at Casey while he continues to build his body for AFL level. There'll almost certainly be a chance for him very soon if he keeps up his form. JVR has taken 8 contested marks in the last few weeks and seems to be playing with more aggression and confidence so a straight swap for AJ makes sense. We desperately need Roo at his best, so here's hoping he can deliver. McDonald - He should never have been omitted if I'm being frank, he's been Melbourne's most consistent and reliable key defender for the past season and a half and has been dealt the short straw because May and Lever are bigger names. This should honestly be a no-brainer, but I'm not sure Goody has it in him to swing the axe.

6: May 5: Turner 4: Gawn 3: Petracca 2: McVee 1: Chandler

Pickett - Dee for life

6: Pickett 5: Gawn 4: Oliver 3: Petracca 2: Langdon 1: Salem

We have more goals than behinds fellas

McDonald getting dropped is bizarre, he's arguably in All-Australian form. 2nd in the competition in one percenters, 2nd in spoils and has more contested defensive one on ones than any other player in the comp while winning 80% of them Edit: 3rd for one percenters and 3rd for spoils.

Great stuff from Jeff, well thought out footy content such as this is a breath of fresh air.

One of the greatest ever, irrespective of positions. Averaging a career high 21.6 disposals at 33 years old, pushes himself harder than anyone and has publically defended everyone at the club from our out of forms superstars to young players struggling with form and even his coach. He has set an example on and off the field with the standards he has demanded from himself ever since mistakenly waltzing into his first training session with a Winfield red and a Quarter Pounder. A true giant of the red and blue.

Harris Andrews must have nightmares about Jake Melksham. Legitimately one of the best key defenders in the competition and he gets consistently cooked by a bloke in his 30s who he has 16cm on. You have to give it to Melksham, he is an unbelievable competitor and even towards the end of his career the club can count of him in a pinch. Outside of Jonesy the unluckiest not to have been apart of the premiership side in '21, granted he wasn't in great form at the time but that just makes some of the match-winning performances he's had since that much more special.

6: Melksham 5: Gawn 4: Bowey 3: Rivers 2: Petracca 1: Oliver

6: Langford 5: Gawn 4: Bowey 3: Petracca 2: Pickett 1: Windsor

Pack your bags Selwyn Griffith

Schofield desperately needs to stick to podcasting. I had to take two panadol tablets at half time because of that bloke

Gawn the Great

6: Gawn 5: Petracca 4: Turner 3: Chandler 2: Melksham 1: Langford