Pates

Huddo’s definitely better than Der-wayne and Hamish McLachlan.

And bring in Mitch Brown on top of that! Must be taking the p!55 surely.

Yep, I've been as harsh as anyone on Melks but he wasn't as bad as what people are saying. Delivered some good balls in that I actually don't think the forwards attacked hard enough or got their hands out. Can't see him being dropped, particularly if Fritta gets suspended.

I would expect we will have a fade at some point this year so ultimately I'm just stoked that whatever has come at us so far this season we have risen above it. A lot of footy to be played but being top of the table at this point is a great feeling.

I was not expecting him to get as good a tank as he has so quickly. He's come a long way since episode 3 of To Hell and Back where his teammates helped him complete a (gruelling) exercise on the beach.

Just finished the game then, I haven't bothered to go through the whole thread to see what everyone thought but here's what I think: - we were very far from our best, particularly in the first half. Our pressure was down, and the care factor seemed to be a bare minimum. The north players were up for it and got the jump on us, particularly at the tail end of the second quarter with that late burst. - I can only imagine what both Max and Goody said at half time but I doubt it was disparaging. Probably simply pointing out the obvious that what we delivered so far was not the expectation of the playing group, wouldn't have surprised me if someone pointed out that there are plenty of lads who played well for Casey that would be happy to take the spot of anyone not wanting to put in a good effort in the second half. Whatever was said, it worked. I would say we still hung at 80% for the second half but the lift was obvious. - We are the fittest team in the competition. I can say that with almost no doubt in my mind, even going at 80% we still outran the Roos players. Langdon is a freak at this. - Fritta has arrived as a genuine danger forward. His radar is working, and now he's getting reward for effort. Fingers and toes crossed he only gets a fine for his high fend off. - Jackson is more and more becoming a freak, how he isn't in the conversation for Rising Star winner is beyond me. He's playing so far above what I expected of him at this stage, and he just keeps getting better. - Brown's debut was underwhelming, and I'm not worried or surprised. First off some of the balls kicked to him were awful, secondly I think it's going to take a little time to adjust to full speed AFL again. He did some good pieces of work, a clever goal, and his obligatory free-kick goal (how did that taste North fans?!). He'll get better. - Some old whipping boys weren't on song today, and interestingly that's where I saw the team struggle. We can't underestimate how important it is that the likes of Nibbler, Spargo, and Baker have positive impacts on the game. It's those sort of guys that provide some of the no flash grunt work that creates goals, it wasn't quite there today. Not saying drop them all, just a comment on how important it is we have no passengers. - What to do with TMac? Losing Tommo is such a gut punch as our defence has been outstanding with him playing a big part of it this year. Goody has kept saying TMac won't go back, he was completely lost from the game until he went back, is this a sign? Weid has been kicking goals consistently since getting fit, how long before we bring him in? - Our two star midfielders need to start taking their chances. This is nitpicking a bit but Oliver and Petracca both had multiple chances streaming from on the edge of 50 that they sprayed, these two are guns but those need to be turned into goals more often than not. While I'm on Oliver, he was outstanding in the second half, stepped up in a big way. - Final thought, I think the guys may have been a flat after the match with Tommo being injured. Clearly everyone's really gutted for him, all the best to him with his recovery.

Coming towards the end of the third quarter, this quarter we went from a team that was idling along to into 3rd-4th gear pretty quickly. Our tackling pressure was good and our important players got involved. Brown kicking his first set shot was a good look, Fritta and Kozzie raised the bar in the forward line, and our defensive structure looked a lot better with TMac taking the second tall role. I also thought that Jones was good in this quarter, certainly so far he stays in the team IMO. Very good quarter from Jackson as well.

So half time the last 5min was particularly poor in the second quarter, basics and intensity were at absolute zero and the goals we conceded were soft. If I had been watching this live without the knowledge that we won I would’ve been going ballistic. Not really anyone to single out for praise for that quarter, maybe Petracca but he had some opportunities to make an impact and actually failed to deliver what was needed. I will say the were some small moments of brilliance such as Kozzie roving the pack and being selfless with his kick to Langdon, and Brown getting his first goal as a demon. Starting second half I see Max getting the boys in the huddle, I would love to have been a fly on the wall there to hear what he said.

Start of the second quarter, the Roos doing a lot of simple things well. Particularly basic passing and going inside 50, they didn’t fall into the trap blazing away and allowing intercept marks. I think a lot of that is also down to Tommo going down affecting our structure. It’ll be interesting to see whether that improves when TMac gets moved back. EDIT they’ve also stopped us from having the outlet kick out of defence.

Just watching the first quarter now, main takeaways are that our intensity was very low. Almost seemed to just do the minimum. Melksham for all of his critics was very involved in our good bits of forward play. North came in with a plan and executed it well, credit has to be given to them for that. Our clearance winners (obviously down one in Viney) were off their game big time. Every time the camera was on Tommo he looked like he could break down into tears at any moment. I’ve had a serious knee injury, they suck. But given the journey he’s gone through to make it as an important player in our defence it must be heartbreaking for him. Salem, Petracca, Oliver, Fritch, and Rivers the players I’d single out for praise.

Did we seriously do that? I understand why we’d do that last year during COVID complications but no reason to do that this season. If we really did fly up game day that full explains our flatness and the club gambled with 4 points. I don’t care if it’s only a short flight, the actions of going to the airport and hoping on the plane is terrible preparation.

Something to consider with the replacement of Tommo is that this isn’t a temporary 1-2 week deal, this is very likely a season deal. So whoever we replace him with this week we should be considering to be the permanent replacement. So of the options available who do we think would be the best option not just for now but first week of finals? Much as I said Petty before, and I’ll clarify I still haven’t seen the match yet, it sounds like TMac slotted into the role quite well. He is more experienced and simply I would say a better footy player. Tom has earned a position in the team and this gives that to him with Weid being able to come in to play CHF. TMac also has flexibility about him and the tank to play multiple roles. I’m on board with the Weid for Tommo, TMac back to defence.

I will watch when I get the chance, my point was more that I really am not that surprised that after we brought our best against the best last week, it sounds like we probably brought our worst against the worst this week. I’ve seen some of the highlights, and more than a few of our goals came from just absolute basic errors from North with us not adhering to our usual structures. I’ve got no doubt you’re probably right about us being that much off our usual pace.

My recollection was the TMac wasn’t sacked as a defender, he was moved forward because we lacked tall options and showed he could actually hold the role quite well.

I’ll be watching the game later but from the names that will be missing it there are some obvious choices for forced replacements. I’ve looked at Bailey’s elbow/fend off and I just feel our record with the MRO leads me to think he’ll get a week. That means Melksham has a golden ticket almost despite however he played (I can’t comment on his game yet), he proved a suitable cover for Fritch when he was injured. Even though I was not convinced by his game through the week I think Harmes comes in either way, with Viney out we need some more grunt in the midfield and Harmes can play as a HFF/tagger. He tends to Bob up for a couple of opportunities on goal as well. Tommo really guts me, I remember Lever doing his knee early in 2018 and it gave Frost/OMac the chance to be a part of something. I’m sure that was zero comfort to Lever. Petty has to come in for him, he was poor first half against the Hawks but grew in the second half. This is his chance, TMac doesn’t go back unless we are running out of options. I swear Sydney always seem to get us at the G when we’re weakened.

I think he gets a week unfortunately, head high contact and the guy had to be helped off the ground. It wasn’t deliberate, it was meant to be a fend off but unfortunately caught him with the elbow. Much like bumps I think if you choose to fend off and catch the player high then your in trouble. Might get a free pass with the player not being concussed, Powell coming low into the tackle, and Fritta having the ball, but I’d be planning for life without Fritta next week.

I’ve just woken up in the UK, this is very close to how I expected it to go. After the big high of last week we were off but 2% and the Kanga’s took us all the way. An ugly win is still a win, gutted for Tommo though. Career best form and now it looks like he’s out for the season. Fingers crossed for a miracle.

I’m wary of the day, we were a bit flat against the Hawks and took until the last quarter to put them away. It’s not uncommon for teams to have a come down after such a big win the week before. We’ll be going from playing in the cauldron on the MCG if front of 50k to windy, open (almost suburban) Hobart in front of 15k at most. I think we’ll take a little bit to settle properly and it might take until the 2nd half before we kick into gear. I just want to see the player be ruthless, treat this as if we’re playing top of the table.

A little MFCSS brewing in me that such a great opportunity can be blown by us, I’d just love the boys to be on from the first bounce and smash any signs of an upset away by quarter time.

Just watched the last 2min of the Swans/Cats match, definitely think the Cameron mark went 15m but he would’ve been kicking after the siren so by no means an easy goal. The HTB at the end siren been any whistle anyway and it was 50/50 at best. They got a lucky one against the Lions (and have had a bunch against us) so it’s about time one went the other way. Have a sook Scott!!!!

I’ve had a bit more of a think about it and as much as I’m disappointed for Jonesy, I’ve come to terms with it more. Melksham might be lazy at times, but he’s usually good for a goal or two and can be damaging with limited possessions. I imagine dropping Nate would’ve been done with as much respect as possible, and he’s not done yet. He’ll be playing a leadership role at Casey and be telling the younger lads to stay on their toes or else he’ll be ready to step up.

Ok, they’ve dropped Jones. It was going to happen eventually but I’m really surprised it happened this week. Firstly he had a very serviceable game last week, not outstanding but he played a role. Secondly it’s straight after his 300, seems a bit disrespectful. Thirdly it’s a midfielder for a forward. Finally if we’re looking at who played a part in the win last week and who didn’t how does Melksham stay in the team then? I’m happy Brown’s getting his first run, but I don’t agree with who us made way for him.

Really happy for him, and GWS have got themselves a genuine weapon if he stays fit and (mentally as well as physically) healthy. Hopefully it’s one of another debuting forwards big weekend. Next one coming in Hobart!

There’ve been some silly comments on here, but that’s gotta be right up there. So it doesn’t matter if TMac has a dominant game and is in close to career best form, you drop him just because you think it’s inevitable that he falls apart soon. What if this year is some of the best footy he’s playing but dropping him kills his confidence? TMac plays until he loses form (over two week period minimum) or gets injured, simple as that. I would look at “managing” Tom at some point, which will give Weid his chance to shine and should Sam perform well it becomes his spot to lose.

There’s something really poetic about Brown debuting in his home state against his former side.