Adam The God

Whereas, Harmes seemed to rotate to both Neale and McLuggage at stoppages in the first half. So I thought the way we used our mids to shut down their dangerous players was superb. Yze must deserve a lot of credit for this and the improvement of all these guys has to be at the feet of Williams, whilst taking nothing away from Goodwin and the trust he has in the players to play to his blueprint. The real strength that we're beginning to build in our midfield though (and I'd argue it's similar for our back 6) is having the ability to lockdown on a player and then join in on offence. Viney is good at it, but I'd argue Harmes is more dangerous because his kicking is more penetrative than Viney and he kicks goals. But Melksham, IMO, took a step towards being able to play a similar role last night. Shut down opponents, but then join in on offence when he could. It's the perfect example of offence coming from your strong defence.

Yep, he was good. Makes next week a very tricky call. Surely Langdon returns. So who misses out?

I've been critical of Melkshsm too, but he played his role tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if they internally lauded Gus's game last week and told Melkshsm to play a similar role this week. I don't think he even got 10 possessions, but he was wearing Brisbane players all night with some really good hustle, and then was involved in some important scoring chains off half back. I think it's important Melksham continues to add strings to his bows, because if he wants to stay in the team long term, we need those guys with positional flexibility and versatility. Fritsch has his mid sized forward role sewn up and I think in 2022 and beyond, they'll want to get another small at the feet of the three talls and Fritsch. So Melksham needs to diversify.

Yeah, I know.

That McDonald goal to put us 13 points ahead is the one that made me tear up. The incredible team handball, supported by hard running, and then McDonald getting the ground ball. I'm going to argue that's our best goal for the season. Elite handball, clutch goal. It basically iced the game.

How bloody good is Rivers? That one handed intercept mark halfway through the last was all class. Looks like he's already played 200 games.

I was like Gaz. I had Ed asleep on my lap in the last quarter. Twelve weeks old, eleven Melbourne wins. Anyway, I couldn't cheer when we kicked goals because I'd wake him, but I welled up and fist pumped instead, just like my old man does when we have a stirring passage and/or victory.

Thought Jackson struggled in the first half (had a few mates), but the move to play Gawn forward and Jackson in the ruck and behind the ball in the third was a master-stroke. It may have been Gawn's decision, but Jackson got three ground ball gets in three separate passages and repelled Brisbane exits from our forward 50. His athleticism is a real asset behind the ball. He got a bit lost when asked to play on a forward in the first half, but his work in that third was brilliant.

Watching the replay again at the moment. Weideman, Fritsch and Melksham all brought a defensive game this week. It makes a huge difference to the intensity forward of centre.

Interesting how they used Melksham in a defensive role through stoppages. He seemed to mostly go with Lyons, which freed up Oliver and Petracca to be more offensive. He also played as the extra in defensive stoppage at times. I thought he played a good game.

Shout out to Harry Petty. A few had questions on him, but this kid is going to be a star intercept defender. Another Jason Taylor special.

There was something very Richmond like in their prime during that last quarter. We just kept surging it forward and put their defence under enormous pressure.

I'll write more later, but wow. We are watching a proper football team. I did not see that coming. Now I'm convinced. We're the real deal. GO YOU MIGHTY REDLEGS!!!!!!

Brisbane have played exactly how they would have wanted to. Everyone in the game but Charlie Cameron for them. All their prime movers, but we have been dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. In D50, we haven't won any contests (Brisbane's strength). We've spoiled each other when we should have marked, so communication is poor. Our mids and forwards have let them waltz the ball inside D50. There was a play towards the end of the second quarter there, where they went to the right wing and then did an easy switch back to the left wing, nothing fancy. All the Brisbane players were set up there and with no pressure, Neale kicked it long to Hipwood who marked. Terrible defensive transition. The Melbourne of old. We're not on and we don't look like getting near them. Unless Brisbane stop and we suddenly start working harder, this game is over at half time.

Yeah, but our game is based around protecting our back 6 and countering from there. None of it is ideal, but shifting mids and forwards around is a lot more doable in our system I reckon.

Love this idea. ?

It won't happen. Selection tells us everything about the mindset of the MC. We want continuity and simplicity. That means they'll keep the defensive structure as is. Pulling Hunt and Rivers out of the back 6 completely disrupts us and would be a bad coaching move IMO. The second wing position will come from JJ, Melksham and Kozzy.

Neale is too dangerous not to tag given the Lions create the majority of their scores from stoppage. Harmes goes to him. I've no doubt. If he can quell Neale, it might go a long way to winning the match. Lyons and Zorko worry me too though, but I'm comfortable with Clarry and Trac going head to head with them. If Zorko and Lyons are winning it, that'll bring McLuggage and Rich into it, so if they do win clearance, that post clearance pressure is going to be vital.

Just on this again. Carlton really did [censored] the bed last off season and completely lost their nerve. They'd been building through the draft and filling holes with cheap ex high draft pick Giants and had built arguably the best spine in the league, all essentially 25 and under. They then had a star in Cripps in the middle and a rising young superstar in Walsh joining him, but they had little else besides an aging Ed Curnow to assist them. They desperately needed to go after genuine A grade or at the very least B+ grade mids from other clubs and/or go to the draft again to find them. Instead, they decided to throw multiple first rounders away for two half backs. Mind bogglingly stupid and may well have undermined their rebuild. It has certainly put them back at least a year. And they also paid through the tooth for a very average Jack Martin. Incredible stuff. The sort of list management that keeps a team mired in mid table mediocrity. And I love that Carlton continue to fumble about in the dark. Long may it continue. Pity Essendon can't join them.

The ability of our wingers to defend and cover the ground, in particular Langdon, is what sets us up and will defeat any and every team this year provided we bring the work rate across the rest of the ground. Minus Langdon it will be very interesting to see how our defensive shape goes. As for Brisbane, they're a good team, but they haven't exactly been tested yet. Their two best wins against Richmond and Port were both at home. Sure, no Neale, their best player, but their forwards are very hit and miss. Daniher usually gets a heap of it against us and shanks many. Hipwood is hot and cold. Cameron is the match winner down there. Whereas, this year we've tended to have a more even contribution across the ground. I think we'll drop this one, but we'll win if we bring the same intensity as last week. Can we bring that level and focus two weeks in a row?

Don't get me wrong. Langdon and Gus are our two wingers for the majority of matches, but Jordon, Melksham and Kozzy have all played some wing time this year.

Haha, we were all saying this at the time. Spot on.

Those two have a habit of giving up what's happening inside the club. That's almost all that show is. Gawn or Gus putting their foot in it and saying something they're not supposed to let slip and Benny trying to cover for them. Anyway, I think the MC is almost certain to add Sparrow and push JJ to the wing. It gives us an extra mid rotation too. JJ has played quite a bit of wing, so I reckon he'll play 70 pr 80% wing and they'll fill the remainder with a Melksham and Kozzy. The latter two have had wing time too.

Each to their own, but I don't think we'll be stupid enough to trade a first rounder for a B grade half back. I like Maynard, he's a nice player, but you don't give up a first rounder for a player of his type.

Gee, he even moves a bit like Lever from that footage. No way Maynard is worth a first. A second should get it done if there's genuine interest.