Pates

I think M Brown has to stay in this week along side Benny, we have to give them a chance to work in tandem and get some continuity. Somehow we need to start making space in the forward line, I don’t know if it’s slow ball movement or not enough dummy leading but it seems as if every time we go in the it’s congested and the only option to the midfields eyes is to go to the top of the square.

Might not go that far to say they’re not up to it, they are all more than capable but are all horribly out of form. Trying something different to mix things up isn’t a bad idea though, it also gives Tomlinson an opportunity which he misses out on last season. Our mid/forward connectivity this season has been deplorable.

I actually think this could be worth a go if Brown x2 and Weid don’t improve. Petty did show himself as a capable forward when placed there, he’s a good mark and he knows the tricks of defenders. It could also solve the issue of losing TMac as the swing man should we come under pressure down back mid-game. Foe now I think he looks like he needs a spell on the sidelines to repair some niggles, but we’ve seen several examples of defenders turning to being forwards.

Not trying to make him the whipping boy again but just wondering if Bedford for Nibbler could be an option. Bedford is quick and exciting, give him the pressure man role and throw this challenge down to get him in as a permanent fixture. May for Petty seems the obvious choice, Petty must be so sore he’s hanging out for the bye so give him this time to recover from his ranging issues. As much as both Brown’s were absolutely useless I would prefer we persist with a team two weeks in a row. BBB needs a rocket up his [censored] though.

Brown’s fallen back to the form of early 2021, giving absolutely nothing right now and is even missing shots as goal he would normally kick with his eyes closed, so he’s not even taking his limited chances. With TMac out, and Weid struggling I’m not sure we have any other choice than to persist and hope he comes good. You make a very good point though that the deliver to him is poor at best, we’re not getting him on leads, instead we’re popping it on his head and hoping he pulls something out. While we’re on the subject of forwards out of form, I would be looking at stopping ANB for Bedford. Nibblers a whipping boy and I don’t want to be harsh on him but his goal kicking season has been atrocious and to me he’s not doing enough on the forward pressure side of things. I would expect him to come back but for now I’m wondering if a spell at Casey might give him the kick he needs.

Sam will NEVER get a better opportunity, he has to work for it but he should be now seeing this as his chance to not only force his way in but become our focal point.

If last week didn’t prove it this week does, Freo are the real deal. They feel very similar to us last year, they’ve got lots to prove and the talent to do it. Question will be if they can sustain it, that question was posed to us and the rest is history. How will Freo go if they reach the top of the table and become hunted though?

The question you’ve asked is really unfair as he still offers plenty as a leader in the back line and still gets back into good positions. But yea he along with many of his comrades are way out of form. I think focusing on the defence isn’t the right place to start, we’re getting beaten in the middle and this isn’t a new phenomenon. Against some of the poorest teams in the competition our midfield has been matched, and it’s been only through our ultimate class and the fact the other teams weren’t able to sustain it that we have got the wins. It’s no surprise that coming up against two of the better teams in the competition at midfield combativeness that our mids have looked second rate at times. I hate to say it but it’s looking a bit similar to 2020 where a few players are getting selfish. Way too often they are taking the wrong option, case in point was in the last quarter with us in front we were streaming down the centre and instead of looking for the outside runner (in Harmes) who had worked hard to make ground and be an option, but was ignored because the player kicking it (can’t remember who) rushed and didn’t do our old team thing of looking around first. QB is going to be massive for our season. Win and we can reload and get things back on track. Lose and we’re in the middle of the pack and genuine questions are asked.

Yep, that and his miss was a huge moment. It was a huge grab he took, a good kick to a forward could’ve been the moment to win the game. Instead it was a turnover, and they kicked the goal from it. We had our chances to win it, and we didn’t take them. They did, that’s where it was won. Composure to get the job done. We are still in a great position for the rest of the year, but next week has just become our first final. We need to win, it will be a massive crowd, finals like atmosphere, pressure will be on and the Pies would have to feel we are able to beaten now.

TMac out makes things tougher for sure. Also is interesting that if the Brown/Weid twosome Brown got the call up. Hate to say it but this looks like curtains for Weid at the Dees, really wanted him to come good but it just doesn’t seem to be happening. As for M Brown; play your role, that’s all we ask.

The loss last week isn’t important, it was always going to happen eventually. The biggest game is the following week. what have we learned? How will our players respond to that losing feeling? How will our coaches react? What has Sydney learned from Freo beating us? We have been really good at times this year but to be honest our last 3 weeks prior to Freo have been pretty meh. And the loss last week was a capitulation, something we haven’t seen since 2020. So this is where the stars and the leaders need to step up and right the ship. Our ins are very good, so there’s no doubting the quality. May out really hurts though.

Having Gus sign on for us can’t be underestimated. There are players that are stars that do the impossible and there are players that will do anything for the club and the team. Angus absolutely falls into the last part. He is heart and soul, and he’s bloody good at what he does.

Literally couldn’t have said it better. Banking wins whichever way they come is huge, Brisbane losing to the Hawks could be huge at the pointy end. Also just a side note, an embarrassing record fell yesterday. We had never beaten North at Marvel/Docklands/Etihad/Colonial, but this team have broken that record. Just a word on the crowd numbers, I’m willing to give passes for a while given we’re creeping back from covid and I understand picking certain games to go to. But next week we NEED the support, it this game was in Perth it would be just about a sell out with with crowd absolutely going bonkers for Freo. Our players, for all the incredible work they have put in over the last 18 months deserve to have our fans turn out for this crucial match and make some noise. I have to work and will only get there for the second half, but I want to stands to be packed and loud. Is that asking too much of our fan base?

TMac looked sore after his final involvement in the game resulting in the shot on goal. Really should’ve put his hand up and say someone else take this kick. They looked like on the minor end of injuries in both contests but he will probably be on light duties all week. Really hope Lingers is ok, was a heavy crunch so he might need a week. Just a random one, Gus had a very heavy tackled applied on him resulting in his head hitting the turf. Played out the game but could there be lingering symptoms given his history? Really hope Viney is good to go and pulled out for precautionary reasons. Was a bruising day vs the Kangas. I think Melks or Dunstan will go out if Viney is right. Could just be the one change, though I thought Bedford was lively when he came on so it it would be good to get some proper game time into him.

Agreed, I’m comfortable with it being a free kick. I do genuine believe if roles were reversed (and Pickett has done a couple of spear tackles in the past) that most on here would be saying play on.

Personally I felt it was fair and just hard, if the shoe was on the other foot I reckon most would say it was good attack. Pickett loves doing tackles like that as well, just a bit of bad luck for Linger.

Pros: - We got the 4pts (and makes it 10-0 to start the year, one better than last season) - TMac continues to hit the scoreboard - Fritta got 3 - Oliver continued his bloody good year Cons: - seems likely a costly day medically speaking; Lingers, TMac, Gus, even Trac at one point all looked very sore/injured - our goal kicking failed to put a team away earlier again - our inside 50 efficiency continues to be sub-par I’ll also put a question to Demonland: are we playing arrogant and will it come back to bite us? I just feel watching us the last couple of weeks we almost don’t care against lesser opposition. They seem to go hard for a period and then leave it at that, the hunger hasn’t there recently. Next week is a massive game, we play like we’ve been playing the last two weeks and we will fall to Freo. Happy to bank the 4 points and move on, but I hope there boys will be switching on through the week. Oh, and how Brown managed to miss that soda in his 150th is beyond me. One of his worst games for the club, shame it had to come against his old side. EDIT one other thought: Luke Jackson hasn’t been on for a while. Not suggesting he get dropped but any thoughts on why this could be?

Game starts 4:35, just over 40min from this post.

Anyone in the cheer squad will you be embracing the Narrm name? Will the chants be for Melbourne or Narrm? Also interested to know what the Dees fans turnout will be today, I’ve sadly had to work but would’ve gladly gone if I could.

I’m sure the irony won’t be lost on him and the Kangas fans, gave great service to them so they should be giving him a cheer at some point (though not holding my breath). Would love nothing more to see him kick a huge bag and remind them of how good he could be.

Melksham isn’t going to get a much better chance at having a string of 2+ games. This week provides an opportunity for him to get settled and play his old link man role. Personally would’ve chosen Bedford, but not upset that Melks get a chance to close in on 200.

Seeing these and the results the MRO is the most frustrating thing. If I had to guess the MRO has penalised Chandler heavier for two reasons. Firstly the optics of Foley after the tackle, he was out and looking in a bad way. These are images that the AFL hates as it goes against their policy of “head is sacrosanct” and all that has. Forget the fact that he was actually sitting up and looked a lot better than other concussed players, the initial aftermath of his teammates helping to shift his head around looked “ugly”. Secondly he is a fringe player and so a hefty penalty gets shoved under the radar. Lyon made a strong point of the football act Chandler did getting penalised heavier than Ryan’s deliberate elbow to Bowser is ultimately wrong but that was the largest outcry I heard. I’ve given up trying to rationalise the MRO findings.

I suppose my larger point is that it seems laughable for the fans to complain about a 74 point win. By all means be critical, there hasn’t been one game that it’s all clicked in my book, but at the same time I just sit back and enjoy the fact we are 9-0 and still waiting to see the best of our team.

Not the first time a Melbourne fringe player has been hung out to dry on a dangerous tackle, is there a reason why we seem to cop the harshest suspensions for these?

Challenge, big time. Have to stand up for Chandler here. Was it a bit careless? A bit. But one action, and the player wasn’t concussed. Based on others surely it’s a week at most.