DeeSpencer

Tricky one, definitely ducked and hung the neck in a bad position too, but it wasn’t a high tackle, it was as a clattering in to. Probably ok with the free against, awful umpire not to halt play.

Sparrow’s a defensive running machine, he consistently blocks the corridor and covers off for a midfield that isn’t great at that. They haven’t used Pickett much in the middle the last 2 weeks. Maybe it’s a matter of match fitness after missing 2 weeks, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because we desperately need his speed forward. Rivers is part of the back 7, he’s only getting 1 rotation on ball per quarter. Until we have a midfielder who can swap back the other way it’s silly to expect more than that.

Melksham played as the 3rd tall forward and when we moved the ball he looked as likely as any of our key forwards. BBB struggles to stay upright in the dry, I’m completely fine with that change. Not sure why you’re comparing him with noted key forward 180cm Bill Laurie. I wasn’t impressed with Tommy Mc and he’s just about impossible to pick again any time soon, but if Schache’s the answer we’re probably just as stuffed. His VFL form has been good not great and he’s still iffy at the contest. How long has been on an AFL list without getting a regular gig? Totally agree on Disco, but the plan looked fairly simple. Use Tomlinson on the resting rucks. He towelled up Lobb, surely he won’t struggle too much with Phillips and Draper? That allows May to play full back and Petty to play as the interceptor. Disco also had 1 game back from a 3+ week lay off, it’s not unreasonable for him to play a second VFL game. For his own sake as much as the teams. His second ever AFL game going in underdone? That’s not a recipe for success.

Howes and Turner are both competing for the 3rd tall defender if Petty goes forward and we want a Hibbo replacement. Turner more ready for that job. But would love to see Howes start to demand a go. We’re yet to give JJ a second full game, I don’t see Harmes or Laurie jumping him. Unless Laurie is just blistering and they want him in Spargo’s role. Schache a small chance if they want to keep Petty back. Moniz-Wakefield? I’d love to see it

In: Brown, Lever, Turner, JJ Out: T Mc, Tomlinson, Melksham, Spargo FB: Turner May McVee HB: Rivers Lever Brayshaw C; Langdon Petracca Hunter HF: ANB Petty Pickett FF: JVR Brown Fritsch Foll: Grundy Oliver Viney Int: Bowey, Sparrow, JJ, Chandler Lets not panic and pick Gawn too early

6 day break and bad habits after beating a WAFL side and Essendon aren’t bad. Backline missed Lever and Hibbo Forward line missed Petty and BBB. Midfield were flat as a tack against a side with an underrated midfield. My greater concern is the lack of composure down back and lack of sharing the ball forward. Most of the rest can be fixed with a fresh start and getting some talent back.

Yep Hunter, you’re not up to it, scared of contact

May often struggles when he doesn’t have a big name opponent or a bad full forward to play on. He gets caught between trying to do his duties for the zone and manning up a mobile opponent. When the up field pressure drops off he gets in [censored] spots

We’ve changed a lot over summer, maybe we just change back to how we played against Sydney?

Petty has been back all game.

Running in circles. Durham has killed him in crucial contests

Everyone runs to get the next kick, no on runs to support the guy with the ball

If we don’t get 2 quick ones then time to rest our guns and give the 2nd tier mids a full work out

Classic Melkdumb, use your preferred foot

Gus was doing the first ever good defensive job of his life down back on Stringer. Tracc, Viney and the other mids had to lift

JJ down over the ball and cleaned up high but apparently the bombers player wanted it more?

Hunter needs a week off

Players jogging off as we attack forward. Ridiculous

I got flamed weeks ago for saying May is getting suspect in contests where he has to open his body up, that’s weak

The lack of leading up at the ball is just unbelievable.

Lachie Hunter’s avoidance of the contest is showing in a game where we don’t win the contested ball and feed it to him

Right call not to play another tall, we’re already getting chopped up by Essendon runners, but it should’ve been Brown in, if healthy, and T Mc out. We’ve been seduced by Tommy’s flat track goals against the eagles reserves

The attacking team can’t spoil a ball for a behind after the siren

Chandler is too [censored] to be that hungry

We’ve set up our entire game around our stars playing well and when they’re either injured or down on form our lesser likes struggle. Same as last year.