CHF

I would have retained Tomlinson in the team ahead of VdB as he would give us more flexibility to cover ruck chop out. As it is, it looks as if Wiedeman will cover Gawn for a while in the ruck each quarter. that being the case I want to see Gawn out of the goal square when not rucking. In my view, the inclusion of OMac will allow Lever to play his natural game with a bit more freedom and confidence.

I like this team a lot more than I have liked the teams over the last few weeks. Good inclusions and a better overall structure. Will be watching VdB closely as he is the one in the team that I would have replaced.

Yeah. Thought long about that position. For me it all gets back to playing players in positions they have excelled in in a structure that allowed them to excel. Was a toss up for me between ANB and Salem on the bench. Would not mind either

It would be a tough gig being an MFC selector specially as they have managed to get it wrong so many times. in the last few seasons I think we have lost the game on Thursday evening when the team is announced. This season we seem to be going to extremes to highlight just how bad we are at selecting a side. One out tall forward with a game plan and skills that do not support such a structure. In no one's mind has this looked like working or even looked to have the potential to work. Part of this problem is the form of TMac and the other part of the problem is, as mentioned, the mythical game plan and lack of skill to deliver the ball properly into the forward 50. The MFC really needs to get back to the basics in selection to have a proper base line to work from. To my mind this means the following: Three key defenders - May Lever and OMac Three inside mids - Petracca. Oliver and Harmes Three key Forwards - TMac, Weideman and Pickett Ruck - Gawn Fill in the spaces around these keys. Backs: Lever, May, Jetta Half Backs: Hibberd, OMac, Hunt Center: Langdon, Oliver, Tomlinson Half Forward: Jones, TMac, Fristch Forwards: Pickett, Wiedeman, Melksham Ruck: Gawn, Petracca, Harmes I/C: Viney, Brayshaw, Bennell, ANB

Goodwin said at his presser that we are taking 33 players into the hub. Anyone know when we find out who is in and who is out?

OMac in for Smith and Jetta in for Rivers. Sparrow in for Viney with Harmes spending more time in the middle. Weiderman in for Hunt and Jones in for AVB. Bennell in for Lockhart. B: Jetta, May, Lever HB: Salem, OMac, Hibberd ? Langdon, Oliver, Tomlinson HF: Jones, TMac, Fristch F: Bennell, Weideman, Pickett R: Gawn, Petracca, Harmes I: Brayshaw, Sparrow, Hannan, Melksham

We make it so hard to even give ourselves a competitive chance with the team selection on Thursday evening. To my mind we have lost a number of matches with thoughtless selections the last few seasons. in defence, drop Smith and bring in OMac. This would have allow Lever to play the game he was brought in for and would give a lot more stability. Jetta for Lockhart? Not sure that would be an improvement on exposed form but we need someone that can get their ha dis on the ball a bit more than Lockhart did. Give Rivers another run. Midfield needs to give us more run back and forwards. I would shoot Bambi and drop Viney. Give Harmes a longer run in the middle paired with Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca. Jones back or does Sparrow or Jordan get a look in? Tempted to give TMac a rest or, at least, bring in another tall to give the forward 50 a bit more structure. AVB Melksham and Hunt all rubbish. Bennell back in. just select a side that will give us an even chance to be competive

Trying to predict selection these days is a hard a trying to predict who we will be playing next weekend. It seems that every adverse decision that is taken at the AFL has an effect on us. The season is so compromised and chopped up for us I find it very difficult to be involved. No matter who we play next week I think we need a tall forward option and a tall back option. In Wiedeman and OMac. Out? take ya pick.

I’ll be watching over breakfast and coffee. Dees to win by 4 goals.

With the way that this season have been chopped up for us I am not surprised at any of the selections. I like the team and think it will be very difficult to coach against if we get a few goals early. Reasonable defence, a good deep midfield and a forward structure that will at least be interesting to watch. Oliver to run against Dangerfield and Harmes to spend all day with Ablett, No matter where he is. I would back them both to win their day against those two. TMac to play deep and run and launch at every pack with 3 or 4 at his feet.

Interchange to be Brayshaw, Pickett and Jetta plus one out of the rest for me.

OK. In the forward 50 do we go with Tom/Petty or Jackson/Brown?

Will this mean that Essendon will not be able to play for 14 days while they self isolate to ensure that no one else in the team has contracted the virus.

Let me see.... About to turn 23 in few days time, 195cms, 97kgs and has played 31 games to date. I have seen him play very well in finals and he looks to have good engine and I think he knows how to play. I would not worry about his future just yet. I think he will come good and play good consistent footy for us in the near future. A few years time and I see he and Jackson in our forward line.

I like the team that will run out on Sunday. It has flexibility, speed and an unorthodox structure that may well be difficult to coach against. In defence it will be interesting to see Rivers back up his game from last week and with Salem and Harmes we have a coiple of players that can fill midfield roles when/if required. For cover in defence e have Smith off the bench and Fristch has served back there a well. Tomlinson is our ultimate Inspector Gadget. He runs well on the wing, can play second ruck as well as go forward or back. Midfield has a lot of grunt in the middle with Viney, Oliver, Petracca and Brayshaw. Melksham, Harmes and AvB in support at some center bounces. Hunt, Bennell and Hannan can run the wings a well when required. In the forwards I hope that there is a clear plan A and a clear plan B. We have a lot of options that can run through there but I want to see clear structures good delivery. (If only). TMac to run and launch at every thing that remotely comes his way and coaches to ensure that there is a fleet at his feet to feed off the crumbs. We need to feed off a dominance in the middle and to look at linking well into the forward 50. Dees by 3 goals

Another interesting selected squad for this week. I find it hard to gain some sense of how they are going to play. If it is wet then we have a good mix of smalls to run and push the ball forward. But to me it looks as if we are lacking talls at both ends of the ground. The 18 named in the team I assume are locks for the game with 4 of the IC to make the 22. Pickett we know will be there and that leaves 3 places. If it is definitely going to be wet then I would take 3 of Jones, ANB, AvB and Hannan on to the bench. Otherwise, Pickett plus Jackson to rotate through Forward/ruck, one of Smith/Hibberd and one of the others, probably Jones.

I have re-watched the blues game a few times and it is notable that at stoppages, Cripps sought out Oliver to stand him a many times a Oliver went to Cripps. It is also notable that when Cripps got the ball, Oliver was right there with him tackling him or applying pressure. When Olive had the ball, Cripps was rarely in shot.

I believe that we needs to get rid of Smith from the back 6 and replace him with OMac. I just see more structure and confidence when he is there. Reads the play well, positions himself well and has good disposal. People that are not sold on him will always find and highlight the mistakes but all players make mistakes. May, Lever and OMac are three critical elements of our back six. Up forward I would bring Pickett into the team in place of ANB and I would also look to get Wiedeman in. Weideman, TMac and Jackson rotating through the forward line with Hunt, Kossie, Petracca, Melksham and Fritsch rotating there as well and I think we have the makings of a good structure. My Team: B: Jetta, May, Lever HB: Salem, OMac, Rivers Center: Langdon, Viney, Tomlinson HF: Melksham, Weideman, Fritsch F: Pickett, TMac, Hunt FOL: Gawn, Petracca, Oliver IC: Harmes, Jackson, Brayshaw, Bennell

I do not underrate his performance against the Blues at all. However, he is now the Captain of the team and his on field leadership needs to be evaluated on a game by game basis. While he may have been leading by example, he will need to do more in the future to try and change things on the ground as the situation requires. I did not see that on Saturday.

DL has got a banner with lot of our favorite players featured. My review of the banner performances Round 2 below. Petracca - An excellent game with power, balance and vision. BOG. Banner place justified May - Just a game. nothing to do for a quarter and a half and when the pressure came on was part of a disorganised defence. Oliver - A good game from him he does what he does and does it well. Banner place justified Jetta - Not a good game. Has it passed him by or is it just a form slump? Gawn - A very good game from him but do I sense a bit too much arrogance in his game. Want to see how his leadership progresses. Banner place justified Viney - Loved his tackling. when he gets hold of someone they do not get away. Banner place justified vdB - Would like to see him fit and in the team. he need his hardness. TMac - Turning circle of the Queen Mary and out of form. Or maybe it is a lack of fitness standards he had in 2018. Goodwin - Calm in the box but he seems reluctant to make changes during the game.

I have to say that I would have liked to have Omac in defence today. when we were winning the middle we had no problems but when that turned around we were in troble.

Loving Petraccas game. he looks dangerous every time he goes near the ball. With viney, if he gets hold of you you are gone.

Rivers is looking the goods and the run will do Jackson a lot of good. Bennell is doing a job and will be pleased so far.

I have a similar concern with regard to our lack of height in defence compared to the Blues forwards unless we can dominate the center and get the clearances. Depending on how things work out there may be some saying " If only we had had OMac down back...."

I do like the fact that we have a lot of flexibility in the team. In defence we have the usual names of Jetta, May and Lever that will be in the back half the whole time. Rivers I can see would also only play there. Salem Will have a defensive role but is a more re-bound attacking player. Hunt, Jones and Smith can all rotate through there as well as into other roles. Tomlinson, TMac and Fritsch all have experience in defence if required. That gives us a lot of options in the back 50. With the midfield I always like it when I see any three of Brayshaw, Viney, Oliver, Petracca and Harmes at Gawn's feet at the center bounce. There is also Melksham and Jones that are in attendance at times. Jones less so these days. On the outside with Langdon and Tomlinson on the wings we have a couple there that may spend upwards of 90% TOG. In Fritsch, Bennell, Hunt and possibly even smith we have a few quick players that could fill in out there. Forwards are the biggest problem but with this team we have plenty of structures we could try. I just hope that the coaches are prepared to ring the changes to look for scoring avenues. We need to be proactive in this way.