bing181

Is that the case though? Once they hit the front, I thought the Dogs threw Naughton behind the ball, and May followed him.

A few mistakes in the last cost us: ANB and Viney, both trying to do too much, pinged, resulting in goals. Then the May turnover. Not much in it, and Dogs played really well with a couple of their on-the-cusp players really standing up: English and JUH. Both had great games. Issue for me is with the backline. Lever out, Thomlinson just not up to it, missing Bowie and his pressure and disposal, but the biggy in all that for me is Salem, a shadow of his usual self both defensively and kicking out of the backline.

Lots of positives, but Salem still a concern. Great to see Sparrow having a decent game, he was pretty ropey last week.

Perhaps this discussion warrants its own thread. Lots of variables, but too many of them trending downwards or not improving for mine.

I don't. Except for the odd moment or match, sitings of our premiership form have been few and far between. Too many players down on form/injured/out. If we win more than one match in the finals I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Yes, because men are never selected because of their sex.

History would suggest that he's not going to get back to his near All-Australian self this year. Players who struggle after long injury lay-offs tend to keep struggling until the next pre-season, and he's had a few weeks back now with no sign of any improvement. Twice failing to clear the man on the mark shows how far off his radar is at the moment.

Melksham won't be dropped. Did enough to earn at least another week.

I never advocated for his selection, nor for any player for that matter. I tried to understand the reasoning behind his call-up, from those who are paid to make those decisions.

Stating the obvious.

Good story bro. Jake Melksham, Kangaroos + Dockers: 9 kicks. For comparison, Chandler (one of your faves I believe) for his last two AFL games managed ... *checks notes* ... 2 kicks. Total. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pg-melbourne-demons--jake-melksham

He's not a replacement for Clarry. If anything, he's a replacement for Sparrow, Harmes and Trac down forward, to free them up to take on more of the midfield/Clarry role.

Melksham is still a better user of the ball into the forward line than almost anyone else on our list. Of course, he has to get it, but given the "blaze away" approach of the likes of Trac, Oliver, Harmes etc., not to mention the "burn your teammates" approach of a couple of the other forwards, you can perhaps understand the reasoning behind his inclusion. But even back in 2018, Melksham was never a big possession-getter, he was just very damaging with the possessions he did get. Though i wonder if they'd earmarked Laurie for a call-up for exactly this reason/role, but he's unavailable (Covid?).

Melksham had 21 disposals and 7 tackles against Geelong VFL.

Yes, lord forbid there could be some actual reasons for the decisions. Melksham frees up Trac and Harmes for more midfield time. Not complicated.

They should get something decent for Lobb. That plus their first-rounder starts to get into the ballpark?

In its own quiet way our season is slowly unravelling. You need a lot of luck to win a premiership, including with injuries/availables, and the Lady isn't smiling at us.

Fair enough, and not disagreeing with you, but development of young players is rarely linear. Even on the cusp of selection in the firsts, younger players can still have what look like dud games. Suspect though that the FD isn't necessarily watching for what we are, so who knows how close the likes of JVR and Laurie are. But if they are going to be in contention, surely better to get them in sooner rather than later with a view to finals?

Interesting stat on On The Couch. For the last 5 weeks: Petracca: Kicks I50: 28 Marks from kicks I50: 2 Oliver: Kicks I50: 18 Marks from kicks I50: 0 So 46 kicks into the forward line but only two of them were marked? Given all that, not sure if changing forward personnel is going to do much if the way the ball is coming in continues to be so hit and miss (mainly miss). (Also not sure that other main I50's, e.g. Harmes and ANB, are any better in terms of delivery/accuracy.)

Confirmed by the man himself in his presser today, that his form isn't where he'd like to be (paraphrasing).

Some good availables there and Joel Smith not far away.

Salem has been struggling since he returned from injury. Bowey down as well, means we're just not getting drive out of the back half any more. But can't imagine dropping either of them, only alternative would be Rivers but not sure he's ready to come back in.

Salem hasn't looked himself since returning from the long lay-off. Agree on Jackson/Gawn, both looked rusty (at least). At this level, that's the game right there. Geelong are a much better side than last year, hardly a weak link anywhere. Going to take some stopping.

Yes, but you can do a match's worth of training load without having to jump, turn, tackle etc. etc.

Good, grind-it-out win under the circumstances. Feel that some of the players who've missed patches of footy are still a bit off the pace - May and Salem in particular, though Langdon was back to doing what he does. Hopefully only a matter of time, especially as we have some testing games ahead. Gawn and Jackson can't come back in quick enough.