Pates

The first quarter was as good as it could get, the rest of the game was a disgrace. I know people don’t like OMac, well suck it up. Choosing Smith over him almost cost us the game, Smith doesn’t look like a key defender. A floating interception defender perhaps but zero sense of how/when to go for contests and spoil. Before I say this let me be clear, I like the look for Jackson and I think he has a big future with us. But having him over Weiderman just gave us nothing, he didn’t do enough at the ruck contests and didn’t have any forward sense. Give him time but Weids should be in there. But what really concerned me was the middle of the ground, they murdered us after half time and I’d say we broke even in the second quarter. Viney and Brayshaw were MIA at times and all of a sudden our ruck domination with Max went to zip. The other big problem is Tom McDonald, he wasn’t even in the contest today again not great delivery but neither did he create a break even. He should be put on notice that one more game like that and he’s dropped. We got the win, we didn’t deserve it. 1-1 gives us a chance but right now we look right off it.

All those people calling for Smith over OMac, how are you feeling now? He’s been awful.

1st = quarter 2018 So far everything after that = 2019 They are killing us in the centre and this should be closer.

We need a goal to settle

Tomlinson should be dragged for that kick.

Quiet with good little bits, hasn’t really been in many contested marking situations. I’d like to see a bit more from him in the 2nd half.

That last 5-7min was 2019 like, zero poise and they started getting lazy. Need to smash them early in the 3rd quarter to kill the game and kill their confidence. Not a whole lot to like about that 2nd quarter aside from a couple of little bursts.

Well, that was good to watch. Best thing is that it could’ve been better, still wasted a few golden chances going forward. When ANB was picked after Kozzie’s suspension I said he should be given a rev up to make it hard to not pick him. He’s done more in that one quarter than four quarters last week. Hunt 2 goals in a minute was great to watch. Petracca if he can keep this game going is on track for 3 votes. Rivers (apart from his first kick) has been silky. Jackson has been nervy and needs to do more. I really think we should’ve pick Weids. 3 more quarters Dees, keep it going!

It's frustrating we're going to have to wait to see Kozzi and Bennell in the same team. Just so silly.

I actually want this to be revisited after 2020, they can share it around but at least one of the "big clubs" should be going down there every year. And the cats should be forced to increase allocation to opposition fans/members by 3000-4000, perhaps make it their trade off as they seem keen on having more games there. I wouldn't be against them hosting finals against Vic sides either but there should be a minimum allocation of 8000-10000 seats to away fans if it's a Victorian team.

The way he worked in 2018, running hard to get to contests and contributing usually 1-2 goals a game was important. He is one that should feel like he has a point to prove, if this doesn't give him the kick up the bum he needs than nothing will.

Not dismissing you and the Melbourne footy department have done stupider things in the past but that makes zero sense. Jackson hasn't played with the defense AT ALL, he has been touted as a forward option with midfield stints so not once has him being played as a defender being mentioned, and where does this leave Smith then? Playing in the forward line when he's been training (promisingly apparently) with the defense. I can see Gawn going back there at times but if Jackson plays in defense then I will be shocked. I personally don't agree with OMac being given the chop when he actually played alright against WC.

Can't believe we're actually here, feels like forever. This match is huge, if ever I'd like to see us come out and smash a team hard early it's tomorrow. I wonder if there'll be any info about how players went in the scratch match.

I hope Goody takes ANB aside and makes it clear to him that this is a lucky occurrence, he should not be in the team based on the WC game he's been given this lucky shot to prove himself. I'd be telling him there are a bunch of players chomping at the bit to get out there, so make it hard on the selection committee to not pick him.

He’d had a good pre-season before the broken foot as well. Personally I’d be happy but would we be taking too big a risk with two newbs and two returning from long term injuries?

I thought the team lists were relatively flexible until about 24hrs out from the match. Given the unusual year we’re having maybe we could ask for flexibility to make change particularly as it’s 2 players from the squad.

Good shout, haven’t heard anything about Hannan but if he’s fit I’d be keen to see him back in the line up.

I’m massively disappointed in Kozzie for breaking the COVID rules, given the length of tie between matches you’d think players would be extra careful. I’m hoping that Bedford is the one the bring in for him but I could see ANB being preferred with some more runs on the board. Both had pretty poor games vs WC. Can’t see it happening but maybe as another option AvB, sounded like he and Bennell were at similar stages but it’d be a risk to have two debutants and two players who’ve barely played footy in the last 18-24 months.

I agree that Hibberd is likely to be the one carried over, although the difficulty is that I'd like to see everyone get a run to push for selection. Weiderman needs to have a big crack in this scratch match, demand a spot back in the team. In round one we had an Essendon delisted player come in in front of him and now a 1st year player, if that doesn't motivate him then nothing will.

Barrass and McGoven are both 196cm, taller but not huge. The key thing is how they work together as a unit. If Lever, May, and Smith all work in tandem with Salem, Rivers, and Harmes (should he remain in defense) then the size won't make as much of a difference. As always much of it depends on the midfield battle being won, which again points to a lot of calls to have Harmes tag Cripps.

It was very scrappy, both teams didn't have their mojo running at full tilt. That last two minutes of play looked particularly unorganised and low in skill, I think all the teams could be a little cagey as to what they do. The lesson here is the team that settles the best will get the chocolates, both teams looked almost confused, at the final siren they were laughing with each other. I think with the shortened quarters extra should've been brought in as an option for 2020. By the way I wasn't sold on the crowd effects, I think they need to peel it back a bit. Too much crowd noise with clearly no one there is jarring.

Backing the defensive structure to limit one on one situations I guess. I was a little surprised at OMac's omission as well, it's funny though because May has a bigger look about him I always through he was taller than the rest of the defenders. But Oscar at 196cm is actually our tallest.

I always take the team sheet with a grain of salt, I remembered there being some downright laughable ones at one stage. Having said that, this was one of my concerns with going Jackson over Weids, I still see TMac as our main FF though hopefully getting back to the mobility that made him so hard to play on in 2018, Jackson will need to provide an option that if nothing else brings the ball to ground around Kozzi and Bennell. Ultimately we have to USE our forward entries, if the first quarter see us bombing aimlessly you will have to wonder exactly what is being told to the players. Fritch and Melksham have good hands and are quick on the lead, let them use the space in front of them. As for another Watts like debut, they put him in in front of a big crowd, against one of our fiercest rivals. This weekend Jackson plays against a team who at least should be on the same level in front of no one, no way should it be anything like Watts.

I know the line up can mean little at time’s but Jones was named in defence, which doesn’t really track, I thought he’s been predominantly playing/training either as a mid or HFF. I also agree he is one that takes that split second pause to kick to advantage. Something that Viney, Oliver, and Brayshaw need to start doing again (they did it in 2018!).

Quite a few surprises in there, Hunt coming in for one, I was also expecting OMac to be retained but I understand the theory with a smaller Blues forward line. Lockhart and Oscar the only two unlucky, the rest are fair. Seven changes means little from round one given the time off, this might as well just be a new round one with some teams starting behind. Bring on footy!!!