DeeSpencer

We had centre bounces yesterday when Viney was resting and Tracc forward with Gus, JJ and Harmes. Arguably without our 4 first choice mids in Oliver, Tracc, Viney and Sparrow and with Max getting jumped over and in to by Soldo in the first half. And going against Taranto, Prestia, Hopper, Bolton, Cotchin and Dusty which might be the leagues most expensive midfield. I’d love to know if it was a coaches call or Max’s call to take it out of the ruck because it was the match winning move.

Tomlinson got dropped because he was incapable of playing on Jeremy Cameron and not trusted to play on Hawkins. He was good for a half against Adelaide before being smashed in the second half. He was terrible yesterday. He will now very likely be dropped again for Hibberd or Joel Smith.

We’re now opting for Tomlinson (the Ben Brown of the backline) and Joel Smith to play back. We’re short a quality tall at one end or the other and will be scrambling. Riding the results week to week will be bumpy and there’s absolutely every chance Petty goes back between now and the end of the year. It’s impossible to rule out Grundy, Brown, McDonald or even Schache up forward, and Hibberd or even Disco Turner down back. With Smith an option at either end.

Given he’s been that way for 2 years what makes you think a rest will help? He’s afraid to get tackled and caught holding the ball or illegal disposing it, it’s a mental problem not a physical one.

3 sub 20 touch games and a half step behind chasing quick opponents, particularly in the Brisbane game but at times today too. Just hasn’t looked like his best after a strong patch of form before then.

Clarko will be back and have something special, so we shouldn’t take anything for granted. But at the same time we do have to consider the work loads of Gawn, Viney, Melksham, if we should or shouldn’t play Clarry and probably the most vital - a possible rest for Salem who’s looked off the pace the last few weeks.

6. Petty - come on guys, clunked it, kicked 6 and kicked a ripping snap 5. Gawn - a colossus later in the game but was actually beaten early 4. Petracca - beast mode 3. Viney - really solid midfield game 2. Rivers - got lucky with some Riv shanks but just loved his drive and energy Hard for the 1 vote, could go Langdon, Lever, Gus, Melk, JVR, Pickett 1. ANB settled ok Nibbler because he rebounded from early shockers to be good and did a job on Rioli who’s incredibly dangerous and had limited impact

We made the sub first because our backline was far too slow and was getting exploited. All the Tommo truthers might deny it but he has a stinker. Coughed up easy possession in the middle of the ground consistently. 5 clangers from 7 touches. Was an excellent move by Goodwin to make a brave early call. Smith had at least one classic Smith moment with the Balta goal but otherwise gave us much needed defensive speed. I suspect Hibbo takes the 2nd tall role unless they gamble on Smith full time.

Hibbo probably should’ve played but his Casey game last week was prolific without being clean and in control. Haven’t seen his game this week but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still short of a run. He had a serious injury and he needs to be at his peak to perform.

Would only be an upgrade if he played on ball full time, which means Harmes would play half forward full time. At this stage Harmes and JJ are at least maximising their tanks and minimising their many mistakes (to a large but not overwhelming level) by rotating heavily.

Never said we were. Just answering the OPs question.

Marquee forwards are nearly impossible to land and cost a fortune, the idea we could pluck one to begin with is hard. That said, I’m not turning down Jezza Cameron or Lynch on below market money because of one amazing Petty game. But unless that happens we should aim for another quality swing man or good depth talls with scope for both ends. Petty and JVR have at least provided reason not to panic and pay massive overs for questionable players.

Haha such a load or trash. JVR himself has said multiple times how the year in the VFL was the best thing for his development. If some junior coach or distant cousin wanted him to debut despite inconsistent VFL form and being a young kid then good luck to them. He’s also playing now because he’s good and deserves games, without being a lock for selection. We aren’t gifting him games to keep him happy.

School was in Adelaide, but he's actually from Red Cliffs in Victoria. Not all that much difference between Melb or Adel in terms of being close to family if they are still from there. It's a long drive either way.

He looked to have really turned the corner late last year before having a nightmare grand final (like most Swans players). He's a good runner but he's not skilled enough to rely on his ball use, not quick enough to really break lines and run away from trouble and not strong enough at the contest to be a reliable role player on the wing. The upside is he's not far off in all 3 attributes and he only needs marginal improvement to suddenly be very useful. If he's not a wingman due to the above flaws could he be a good on baller or high half forward who rotates on ball. He'd add much needed run and a pure left foot if he was in our midfield mix, but he'd need to prove his worth with contested ball and tackling. Unless he's super cheap I doubt we can afford to take speculative risks, but if he's basically free to a new home then I'd be very keen.

Henry’s never been a small forward, he’s always been a wingman, his improved form this year has been because Freo have trusted him on the wing for a longer period. So I’m surprised Chandler has any bearing on a decision to target him. And whilst I’d be desperate to get anyone half decent in to replace Hunter (and potentially Langdon sooner than later) we do have Lachie for another year. As well as Woewodin, Howes and likely some early picks to slot in somewhere. Maybe the Dees only view him as a forward because they don’t trust his contested work and lack of size for the wing? And there’s no point recruiting someone to play out of position. I’m in on the need to roll the dice with some half forward/wing speed and skill but I can understand the reluctance to go after Henry.

Did Ashburton up and move to Perth?

Burst out of the blocks the first few weeks before some really grinding games, but I think he’s settled in the last month or so with some byes freshening the legs. His forward pressure on the weekend was a couple of levels above anything I’ve seen from him before that. If he can develop that aspect of his game as well as finding more of the ball he’ll be a lot closer to playing with the big boys.

I’m not dropping him because he’s been poor, I’m moving him to sub because he’s important and is 30+ with a history of injuries the last few years. And because Smith is equally important and can’t go another week just playing a quarter. Smith could go back to Casey but we need a mid sized tall as sub because BBB can’t go a full game.

Duursma seems strong in the air, took a ripping pack mark on the weekend. But there’s not a lot of contested ball on the deck. I’m trying to think of tall skinny kids who have been drafted high and gone on to success recently. Fyfe’s the ultimate example but that’s unrealistic. Ollie Henry took a couple of years to get up to speed but he’s been on the Geelong diet. If he didn’t settle well at half forward or on a wing I’d be tempted to have Duursma play back flank like we are doing with Howes. Will Day was able to get experience at half back before being released on ball.

Watson is excellent using his body and reading the drop of the ball but tiny. If he was 180cm he’d be a lock at pick 2/3/4. If he was 176cm like Bowey he’d probably be the same. Even Eddie Betts at 174 got it done. 170, shorter than Pickett, it’s a tough ask

I reckon the Crows up tempo play comes far more from their excellent half backs and how hard their mids run, not to mention Dawson being the best mark/kick on baller in the league. But Rankine certainly helps. And Rachele is classy too. The thing about those guys is they both had games that were going to translate to AFL level and will eventually lead to midfield minutes. With Watson I’m just worried he’s not tall, strong or quick enough to really become that level of player.

Is he having the quietest year for any consensus number 1 pick in a long time? Averaging 20 touches (but over 2 goals) at Coates league, one ok, one good VFL game, didn’t set them on fire in the champs. The talent is absolutely undeniable but the output is a little off. Is it because he’s the lock at 1 so has been managing his way through the season? Took his time getting over a head knock. Obviously not a huge deal, you’re drafting for AFL success not his junior results and it’s not like he’s been bad. But I’d kind of want to see him really rip a few games apart.

Should happen: Out: Melk In: Smith. Melk to sub. Purely a rest /workload issue, Smith will lose condition if he can’t play a full game and Melk’s done a power of work. Could happen: Out: Tomlinson In: Hibberd Hibbo wasn’t great at Casey but if there’s no Tomlinson match up we’re better off with the Pig Wont happen; Out: Hunter In: Spargo/Money Man Wakefield Taj to the wing, JJ back up wing. Would love a bit more speed and tackling at half forward against Rioli and the tiger runners. AMW isn’t as polished as Spargo but he’s building nicely and does some special stuff Back JJ and Juddy in. Petty a run in the 2’s for confidence and match fitness, Grundy one more week against better opposition.

Maybe my language was harsh but if you watched Gawn live today you’d see a guy who managed his way around the ground, often content to man O’Brien away from the play rather than sprinting back to plug the backline or making sure he’s the long down the line target. Can argue it’s smart as a veteran ruck doing it alone but do you want a captain having to manage his work load? Even playing with Grundy has been about managing him through the season. Viney is busting it for every minute he’s out there