DeeSpencer

I don’t think Gawn/Grundy, Brown and McDonald is a viable forward line against the best sides. There’s just not enough athleticism to force contests and to defend at ground level. I’m not positive JVR is quite ready yet. Might be tho. I don’t think we’ll just have the 2 talls down back when it matters. Lever was threatening to let Allen get hold of him at times. I doubt Hibbo’s going to get through the season. I think the 3 tall defenders don’t provide optimal run and carry and kicking skills. It’s nice having Hibbo to take it on. What does that all mean? I’ve got no idea at all where to best use Petty. If anything starting him forward, giving him so time in the ruck and then having him play back once a sub has been made makes sense.

After a slow start Laurie, Dunstan and Munro controlled the game. Mids: Laurie was prolific and at times very classy, but I’m not sure it was his most impactful, still a bounce back from last weeks performance when he played as more of a forward and game day emerg. Dunstan ran the ball well. Roan Steele has gone up a level, still not perfect in the contest or with his ball use but Baker effectively got drafted off similar form last year. AMW playing up at stoppages was everywhere early and solid throughout, just needs to be a bit cleaner. Also not sure what the coaches will think of his constant desire to fly for marks. George Grey continues to play AFL like footy to my eye. Backs: Buntine went back and controlled things. Adams started very slowly but came in to it more, he’s got a solid safe penetrating kick. Deak Smith’s decision making and skills didn’t hold up early but he was everywhere in the second half, excellent work rate. Turner’s ball winning and tackling and Howes’ ability to slip from traffic and use stood out early when it was hot. Both should really push for games now. Forwards: Schache built in to it well and was solid given he was coming off a head knock. Jeffo floats in and out, but boy the ins are exciting. His best play all day might’ve been a lovely quick long kick out in front of Valentine to run on to. Sestan’s still learning too but looks to apply himself and has big moments. Shep forward for some pressure was an inspired choice. Like Neocleous. I’m not as enamoured with Sheridan as others. Tall and rangy and can get over the back, nice set shot. But doesn’t look likely at all in a pack, haven’t seen any kind of leap or lateral movement. But hey, he’s hit the scoreboard and there’s a bit of a cult figure look about him so who knows.

Laurie and Disco are contracted for next year and Howes until 2025. AMW surely in line for an extension once they get the bigger names done. Disco’s probably the one from that group that I think is closest to playing afl footy and he’s 1 game back from injury and a young tall. I don’t think any of them are missing out on anything. In fact I think they’re getting better development by being in the VFL. Laurie’s a 6 touch a game forward flanker at afl and 30 a game mid at Casey.

Oliver’s little nothing handballs are [censored]. They don’t have enough momentum to get to the receiver. If he knows he’s going to do it he should just tap the ball. Result will be far better

Isn’t it usually his right not his left?

Hunter. Yeah, I’m officially worried

I understand the boy who cries wolf theory but there’s not much allowance for a small to go low and hard if that’s not a free. Hopefully he doesn’t play for them and starts getting the real ones

Always has been too firm + Ed Sheeran

It’s a diabolical surface

JJ on, maybe Tommy back? edit not Tom, not sure who will go back

That’s a better hand ball than anything our regular key forwards have done in years. On that alone keep Petty forward

No key forwards can do anything about kicks to their opponents. That Fritsch kick that missed Petty a classic example

May needs to be banned from kicking in until he takes better options. They have to spread the talls and kick to the one Barrass isn’t on. It’s not rocket science

There’s just not much speed, bend or jump in the old legs. He perfectly read the play there to get the ball inside 9 and rush it using a team mate but bending down and firing the handball tested him. As does every contested situation he’s in. I think we’d be wise to give him a week off every now and then for a physical and mental freshen up.

That Sparrow tap on and combination from our midfield was excellent. Do that more please.

Brayshaw once again let’s his man gather easy possession from a centre clearance. It’s purely lack of concentration and poor speed. It can’t be tolerated

You stink too

It’s not too early to sub Brayshaw off. Gosh he stinks

Nonsense, he would’ve put talks on hold so his football can do the talking. We would only be offering him depth player money if he’s in the 2’s and other clubs probably wouldn’t be all that interested. Both he and the club will be able to get a more accurate indication of his value once he’s played a block of games. A player who won’t negotiate late in the season is a problem. A player striving for his spot in the side to demonstrate his value isn’t a problem at all.

Hit a record high of $2.45 after the coaches votes, but has now settled at $2.25. Work rate, strong hands and good tackle numbers are all positives. Hitting the scoreboard well. Decision making with the ball seems to have settled down. Would still like to see a bit more speed and pressure.

The older suburbs in the West are really only Footscray, Maribyrnong, Seddon, Sunshine, St Albans and a few select others. As well as Yarraville and Williamstown but they had/have VFA (now VFL) teams. Many of the western suburbs you see today: Taylor’s Lakes, Caroline Springs, Point Cook are modern inventions and people there are less likely to support a team based on location. Though the dogs will still be well represented. For other teams it’s mostly self explanatory how they grew but it’s certainly changed now. Collingwood has huge support through the Mernda and Hurstbridge train lines as they went by Vic Park. You can trace those trains on Google maps. Hawthorn capitalised through the outer east for similar reasons with Glenferrie and Waverley Park. They also had a recruiting zone in the Mornington Peninsula. The Saints bayside. North were landlocked by Essendon. Fitzroy surrounded on all sides. Carlton and Essendon do well in the Northern suburbs. Richmond went a bit everywhere. North, South East. The demons heartland you can read more about here: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/457351/melbourne-returns-to-its-heartland But Brighton, Glen Iris, Malvern, Camberwell are some of the areas that represent our wealthier fans. Some of that is stereotyping but the MCC, top end of town aspect of our club is real. The other major area that we are well represented in is in and around Bentleigh. We had the Bentleigh club, the local team is the Bentleigh demons and many of our players did live in the area.

So they still have Barrass and Hurn, and I assume they can bring in a couple of potentially good young defenders in Bazzo and Hough. Maybe even Harry Edwards too who's not terrible. Not saying they're world beaters by any means but I think key back is one position where they're at least got some options.

I haven’t been following the Eagles injuries closely but tall defenders is their deepest group, we shouldn’t entirely underestimate who they bring in. And given BBB is hopefully back in a week as well as JVR and Petty have 1 games experience I’d stick with the structure. Of course no one healthy should need a rest, but it’s a marathon season with a short break and travel next week. Someone has to miss out if we keep the same 3 tall structure and if they aren’t dropped they are ‘rested’. Sparrow, JJ, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo are all fit enough to be up and back runners. Of course there’s no good options here. If we do go small the one thing I’d be interested in would be playing Tracc heavily forward, including deep forward. I’d love to get his goal kicking going.

Melksham for Brown. We can’t overload Grundy, Petty and JVR’s plates, a third taller forward option to do some bullocking is required. Whilst I don’t love the idea of a full Melk game I didn’t see enough from T Mc at Casey. Who makes way for Pickett: Chandler - no, he’s doing his job as the specialist small Spargo - unlikely, he’s still the connector JJ - makes sense as last in, first out, but he was excellent against Sydney and I think it’s vital to get him some momentum in the side in a new role Sparrow - probably the most logical choice but he’s a super hard worker and bursting with potential. I really think he’ll break a game open soon So from a process of elimination I’d give ANB a potential rest as sub purely to give others an opportunity. He’d be straight back in next week regardless.

Samson Ryan came on at 3/4 time after Petty had completely destroyed Riewoldt in hot, windy, humid Casey weather and when the game was glorified circle work for the last quarter. Naughton had 11 touches, 5 marks and kicked 1.2. He had better stats against the Saints who held them to 5 goals for the game. Having a tall with some agility an aggression made a huge difference compared with Tom being unable or unwilling to turn or jump.