binman

Rednblueriseing - not three words

Terrific win. Yes we made any number of skill errors and poor decisions. But we got the job done. Top Rankine had a shot at goal that would have given them the lead with not that many minutes left and they had the momentum. We worked hard to arrest that momentum and critically scored against the flow, which is what good teams do. A three goal win is about what we deserved given we were the better side for most of the match. And a three goal win (in a game with 16 minute quarters) is nothing to sneeze at in a match that was even in the betting, meaning we beat our line by 18 points. I was furious after the blues win, not even relieved. After this win i feel both relieved and pleased. Incomparable. We were so much better that we were in the blues game and we played a much better team. Credit where credit is due for goody: in terms of selection he made the changes he needed to (though it is ironic that we ended up playing small forward line anyway) tactically we slowed things down a bit and looked for the kick on the angle much more and went down the line much less he made some interesting positional moves - Salem playing higher, Melksham the same, Max pushing back and May forward late i reckon he got in Weeds ear as he was much improved after half time in terms of intensity and defensive work. also clearly the message about looking for the right option inside 50 was heeded (if they miss a target so be it but that is so much better than kicking it to an out number) Maxy was huge as was Viney. That is leadership. I loved Oliver's effort if not his execution. I thought Weed slotting his two goals was huge. Great for his confidence after that miss last year in the Alice. VDB got the memo about impact players needing to have an impact and his tackling was a massive factor in that last quarter. Some very sore Suns boys And our second last goal was simply brilliant, on a few levels - Oliver making the right decision not to go long (which given the circumstances he would have been well within his rights to so), but instead choosing the hit up to Trac. The decision was the important thing but of course brilliant for him that he hit his target. And trac took a good strong mark and i loved that after a simply woeful kicking game he never looked like trying to give it off or look for a pass and instead took the responsibility. Again the decision making was what was most important. The fact that he executed was also brilliant, but in some ways a bonus. But obviously great for him to nail it in terms of his confidence. The last goal was fun. Clever kick by Kozzie (who i reckon would have been a bit challenged to be put in the shade by top Rankin, who played much the same role) And of course Harley was never going to miss it. He has such an economical, tight kicking action- it reminds me Wattsy's action. Unlike Tracc, very few moving parts. He didn't have an outstanding game but his class and balance shone. And how magnificent was the passion and emotion after he slotted it and the boys getting around him. This team is not going though the motions On that last point one of the players in the huddle who hugged Harley was a clearly emotional Hibberd (who was terrific again), as he was after kicking his goal and kissing his arm band and pointing to the sky in tribute to his brother (who by all accounts he was incredibly close with, his closest mate). It gave me a lump in my throat and reminded me that this is just a game. I was going to post some negatives but happy Garry Baker avatar told me leave it 'till tomorrow and enjoy the positives and the win for what it was. He also reckons i should watch the Goody presser now and enjoy Goody's sly smile and likely repeated reference to Melbourne footy and i think i'll take both bits of sage advice.

Happy Harry baker avatar just told me it was never in doubt. He also said we can both watch a replay for the first time this year.

That's demon football. Well done Mitch

Just a standard OMac game. And by the by i wouldn't mind revisit the discussion of who is better kick Trac or Omac!

Agrree. His kicks aren't penetrating enough either.

Plenty of learnings there

Yes. Strange comment from him then in that context. Sort of 'since I've gone they dont seem any food at analysing opposition teams or developing strategies to combat them, you know like I was so brilliant at"

Unfortunately I reckon he has very little trade value given his kicking way below AFL standard. Perhaps the suns might be keen given they have plenty of skill to offset his lack of it and they might like another seasoned mid to complement their youngish. It's actually bizarre he is such a poor kick given by all accounts he is old school in that he was a total footy head from a toddler on. And always had a ball in his hands. He's not like say a frost who is athlete first, footballer second. It's such a pity because he gets the hard ball as well as any player in the league.

No. Just no. Anyone but them. [censored] ground. [censored] crowd.

Players playing out of position? Please. Their position is where they are selected. I"m sure Robby preffered being a wing man but still gave his all and was a star at hb under barrassi. If they dont like that they shouldn't be playing a team sport. But leaving that aside some of the names listed above are lucky they are playing. Most would not get a game at one of the top clubs. Tmac? Was close to being dropped as a defender. Made frost look a good kick. Yet still went for glory kicks. Brayshaw? Defensively gut run week, in week out and then worry about being a full time mid. Salem? not sure he is out of position but has stagnated and gives us little. Hunt? Like tmac kicking is too poor to be a defender and couldn't adapt to zones and having no space to run and carry into. Given a chance to save his career up forward and hasn't taken it. If out of contract will be cut at seasons end and won't be picked up by another club. Jones? What is his best position these days? In any case the issue of players being played in spots tbey are not suited to is a function of poor list management. And I blame roos and Goodwin for that. I mean how many inside bulls with average foot skills do you need? There are only 3 mids starting at each centre bounce at any one time.

Depends what you mean by a far superior kick? Omac has a better technique and as a result turns it over less. His decision making is fine. Petracca can spear a ball but he can also butcher it.

Goody seems to agree with you. You are probably right about his game but he played on one the best forwards in the game for the whole game and kept him to 1 contested mark, 2 marks inside 50 and 1 goal zip. As a point of comparison lynch kicked 3.2. Who was on him?

And David Cordener

I assume started barracking for us this year?

A question. Do you think impact players should have an impact? If yes perhaps you can get a message to VDB and let him know.

I doubt there is too many bigger Omac fans on this site than me (i'll let my fellow demonlanders into a little secret - i tricked my family into calling the dog we got 18 months back Oscar - my wife tricked me back and registered the name as Oskar) but the only selection that really surprises me is Omac in. Not because i don't think it is the right move - it is. He'll play deep on King and free up May to be more attacking and allow Lever to play the role he is most suited to. he should have been playing all season, but there you go. But jeez it is tough on Smith. Worries me that they would go with a particular approach and then abandon it after only two games, particularly given he was ok against the tigers (he did a good job on Riewoldt). Where does he go with his footy now? I hope they put him up forward and tell him to make merry hell. To a lesser extent the same goes with the forward line set up ie playing small. That said it clearly was not working and good to see Goody accept that (though no less frustrating he tried the small forward line, not so much agiansth ecats but more so against the tigers when it clearly had not worked). Play weed high (see what id there) and TMac deep (nothing to see there) out of the square with Fritter either on the wing or at high half forward And Tomlinson was poor but i would have given him one more chance and dropped Melksham in a heart beat. Benell for Hunt is no brainer. Had his chance and simply did not do enough in the last two games Rivers a touch unlucky i reckon but i like Jetts back in the team. One thing i really like with the selections is that Harley is the best kick in the team and i reckon Omac is the next best (Salem has gone backwards in my view - a player who can't reliably hit a target 50 metre away and can't kick low and flat is not great a kick in my view). And jetts is a reliable kick as is Weed (except when he is having set shot for a match winning goal). Smith, tomlinson and Smith all below average so the players in address the skill issue a fair bit

Top Rankine

I've been speaking to happy Garry Baker avatar. I've told him that he should wipe the smile of his face as i'm far from happy. Since reverting to him far from turning things around we have barely score a goal, the dees have been forced interstate and the state has gone into a six week lock down. He just smiled. And said, relax, the suns will play attacking football and as a young team learning their system won'y have either the interest or ability to play the sort of tempo football we seemingly can't respond to. Which will suit us perfectly and we will win - and win well. Garry also noted that their wins have been on their home deck against teams who have played poorly, they are traveling two weeks in a row, coming off a bruising encounter and their new talisman is out for the season. Garry recommended to put a good solid bet on over the dees to win by over 24.5 points. I asked him what the impact of the possible thunderstorm would be on our chances. He said, relax the game will be played in perfect conditions and with ta civilized 6pm start demonlanders will have a top, if not somewhat blurry Saturday night

At least this week we will get the actual team rather than an extended squad

I would rather anyone than melksham. And that is frustrating because he is od the most talented players in the team. And he should be a leader. But is playing selfish football.

Roos and goody must not have got this memo) (by the by of course it is true - nothing wrong with the skills of players like Neale, Martin, Ablett, Selwood, Zorko, Sidebottom, Rowell, Shuey, and Cripps. to name a few)

Heading that way is a fair understatement

Such is the NSW's government fears of anything Victorian they will probably pass legislation to Melbourne members going to the football, Hell they might even ask Melbourne fans to leave the state. You all will need a special hand signal and a secret, well ventilated, meeting spot.

Can't imagine many would miss out. Though with the luck of your average dees fans they probably will all somehow miss out!