Cheesy D. Pun

That's a significant shift in game plan. I think we'd have to have hit a pretty rough patch to make that kind of change.

I'd also add that Max said on the channel 7 telecast post-match that Weid and Brown are unlikely to play again next week due to the form of TMac and LJ. That suggests to me a fairly strong commitment to just two talls.

I've been fairly critical of Melksham but this is exactly the kind of role that he's done well before. It seems he's undroppable, so he may as well do something useful - I like it.

I don't mind this idea if its part of the team's long-term game plan and we think there's a flaw that this will improve. If it's just to try and get a player in because he's too good for VFL, that isn't worth the risk. In my view, TMac and Jacko are the incumbents in a balanced line up. To get a spot, you've got to go through them.

I don't understand people wanting to bring in a key forward for a small or medium player. We currently have a pretty good balance, so I certainly wouldn't be bringing a tall in without taking one out. I've loved what Bedford is doing in the VFL and would love to see him replace Melksham but Melky seems to be bullet proof so it's an unlikely scenario.

I think Melksham should go but agree that we probably won't.

6 Salem 5 Trac 4 Gawn 3 Lever 2 Tomlinson 1 Jackson

I love the passion but every team that has won a premiership has achieved something amazing. They don't win it on one day and in many cases, it's years of work. Trivialising that is ludicrous. For some reason, I really like Chris Scott. He's my favourite coach - he's not a likeable sort of character in the mold of Neale Daniher or Chris Fagan but he's measured without being robotic. Also, you really sense the passion for his team and a desire to protect them. Although I disagree with your post on a couple of counts, it's hard not see a similar passion in your words and let's be honest, if we all played a straight bat, this forum would be pretty boring.

Merry game day, mother flippers! Go Dees!

Just about the best second ruck in the comp and he makes Max a more effective player.

Yep. True. It's a big decision - another week to distinguish between the two is probably the right call. There's even the possibility that 1 extra tall is too many and the only way in for Weid or Brown is through TMac or Jacko. As an aside, I'd have loved to have seen Bedford (or even Chandler) in for Melksham.

He doesn't have what it takes to apply pressure. A willingness to pressure is only part of the equation. If you don't have lateral agility, speed and most importantly, the ability to read the play, you simply can't be that player. If Melksham is the only medium forward with one or two talls, that's fine. However, with Fritsch playing that role and the possibility of more than two talls in the future, his position simply can't be justified. As others have said, two pressure smalls is not going to get the job done.

Quality thread, this.

I don't mind Melksham. I just don't want him in the forward line. He just doesn't have the agility and/or willingness to pressure and harrass that our entire game plan is based on. As a side note, how good was Trac's ball fake in that play - faked him out of his boots!

Our forward pressure was average which, along with our lack of conversion, kept the Hawks in the game. While there's no doubt he has some polish, I think we're a better team without him.

Bang. Straight through the middle.

Not taking anything away from TMac and his willingness to tackle but I think he is the beneficiary of the work of our smalls. Spargo and Kozzy in particular generate tackles by running the opposition into trouble. The big guys can tackle but they aren't generating tackles. We need as many guys harrassing as possible. Corralling a player is more important than the tackle itself and this can make tackle stats slightly misleading. Locking the ball in your front half is about speed, agility and positioning. Fwiw, I think three smalls in the forward half at all times is the golden ticket. It's why I think Melksham needs to find a new role - he breaks our system because he doesn't have the agility to corral. Jackson resting forward with Brown and the Weed just doesn't feel right to me. I imagine that's where we'll end up, so I hope I'm wrong!

For those saying there's no selection dilemma, you should add who you're leaving out. Pending an absence of injuries, at least one of B.Brown, Weed, Jackson or TMac has to become a VFL player in 2021. Trying to appease all of them is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion. Balance is everything. Our small forwards (along with our defensive structure) are the main reason we sit 5-0. Going with 4 talls is a fundamental shift from the game plan that got us to this point.

I don't get all the criticism of Gus. I think he's been great the last two weeks pushing back to assist our defenders.

6 Gawn 5 Lever 4 T. McDonald 3 Petracca 2 Oliver 1 Jackson

Absolutely, agree with this. I can't see how he gets selected.

Crumbing is just a bonus. It's a lack of pressure that worries me. Our whole game is based around forward pressure. Having Kozzy, Spargo and ANB in there is super important. As an aside, I thought Toby Bedford was sensational in the VFL today and is ready to step up should we feel the need to rest one of the guys mentioned above.

Could almost work but with only two smalls creating pressure, they'd want to clunk absolutely everything that comes their way. Also, where do you sit Jackson when not rucking? Jackson was excellent today.

Hopefully 4 gets it done.

Gary Ablett Sr. was a half back flanker.