Pates

Haha yep like you I was originally on 'ology then found my way here. I initially liked it because it did seem a little more grass roots, but 'land took over pretty quickly when I realised there were a lot wider ranging opinions here (EDIT: plus it was actually simply a better site!). Demonology had it's use for me though, used it to be able to get in touch with the passionate Dees fan who used to do the Mohawk for a University Documentary. Blimey that was 13 years ago!

Problem is Doc now would be the time that you'd expect him to be showing what he can do, but he's being kept out of the side by the form of TMac. I think he's shown in patches he's more than capable of being a good forward, he could've (should've) had a couple of bags last year, and is playing consistent footy in the VFL (albeit against lesser opposition). So now (for his development) is the best time to get him in there to get him to show us what he's got to offer.

I keep having to clarify I’m saying this from London but I really can’t believe some of the extreme measures put on the players, explains our lacklustre start and full credit to North who were able to cope better with it. I can’t work out why it isn’t just as easy to go into a hotel and just stay in there the whole time aside from going to/from the venue.

Agreed regarding Salem and Fritta. I would have Lever, May, Max, Langdon, Trac, and Oliver. Yes he’s missed a couple of games, I think he had a quiet against North, what was the other one?

That’s what I’m picturing, sounds harsh but I think the coaches are waiting for him to have a poor game or two as a forward and make the move. We could also move Gus out of his wing role and into a medium HF/mid Viney style role, as has been suggested in the changes thread. Main thing is that when he comes in we have to get the balance right, I’m not sure the Sydney game is the one to tinker with things. I typically don’t look further than one week ahead but the Carlton game might be the better call to throw some magnets around.

Or he could change his listed name for a week to James Haymes! ?

I understand the calls to move Gus into the guts to take over Viney’s role but I think people underestimate how important Gus has been in the wing role this year. He’s been playing a bit of a sacrificial team role (something I’ve heard Goody say about a number of players) and this has allowed Langdon to continue his upward trajectory. I’m picturing Harmes will come in for Jones (keep him as medical sub) to take on the Viney HF pressure/mid role, Sparrow will come in for Baker, and Petty in for Tommo. I can see how it might makes sense to some to send Tom to the wing role, and Gus into the guts, but both have taken ownership of the roles they’ve played so far this year. I’m very loathed to change much of our winning formula.

5 years ago we could never have predicted we’d be in this bizarrely good situation, but as much as I love TMac and fully recognise he’s back in really good form, he’s ended up being the wildcard here that has created this abundance of key forwards. Jackson’s development as well has been better than what I think would’ve been predicted, it means we have plenty of talls but not enough spaces to play them. Personally I thought Weid deserved to be promoted over Brown against the Kanags, I recognise that BBB was our big coup but Sam had better form and I think playing him over Brown would’ve really shown how much we rated him. I would like us find a way we can hold onto him but realistically that would take one of TMac or Brown getting injured (knock on wood won’t happen!) or not performing for a period of a couple of weeks. Or Petty not performing in defence, forcing us to swing Tom back there.

Very true Swans are a lot more capable of kicking a winning score than the Hawks. I would hope that Goody and Co would’ve said to him that being dropped for May is no reflection on his game. Should he come in now you would imagine he will be in there for a while.

He was awful in the first half but to be fair to him really looked a lot more settled in the second. Took good marks, had better positioning, i suspect his first half was nerves getting the better of him.

I know this is unofficial but surely May couldn’t miss out again this year.

The AFL should be getting the Swans players tested and on a plan ASAP before anything changes between the Melbourne and Sydney restrictions. As for crowd, surely if they’re tested and come back negative no need to worry about no crowd.

I get cost saving during COVID but this isn’t a GWS nothing club vs a cellar dweller. This is 1st vs 4th, and Sydney still have plenty of South Melbourne fans that follow them passionately. Closing the top level is a disgrace and immediately turns people away from the game as it removes undercover seating. The AFL, clubs, and MCG need to get their **** together and start doing things properly, our game should never be a chore to try to attend, not when you have a 100k seat stadium.

This goes to show you the the MRO makes his decision so much on optics and media chatter rather than actually examining evidence. The reason I say that is that the Hawkins elbow that hit May was immediately called by the commentary as an accident and they were all leaping to his defence. Now I’m not saying he should’ve been suspended but there should have been an official citing and review given the injuries May sustained. Compare that to Fritta where they were already hanging him out and making the point the player looked groggy. But a little bit of research from the MRO would’ve concluded that he was helped off because of his kidney impact and not the forearm. As for Whateley and Robbo, they’re stuck on the optics rather than examining the facts. I’d expect that from Robbo, but Whateley I’ve thought he was more switched on.

Amazing deal, glad he’s a demon for life. Personally I was never in any doubt as his enthusiasm for his teammates isn’t something you can fake, he genuinely loves playing for us. When he kicks a goal I swear I see in his eyes the kid he was before he got drafted saying “I’ve got the best job in the world”. Looking forward to more Trac highlights!

Worried isn’t the word I’d use but I have noticed it, probably the better stat on the other side is that we haven’t lost a last quarter yet so fitness wise we seem to outlast the competition. It merits the coaches having a look at it to try to rectify it.

To clarify, I’m not in the slightest bit worried about his relatively quiet game. In fact I fully expected it, and I also agree that Brown brought a contest at every ball that came into him allowing Fritta, Kozzie, and even Jackson at one point the opportunity at the ground ball. He’s going to take some time before he hits his peak, I guess I’m wondering if it’s fair on Sam if he puts in good performances but isn’t rewarded should Brown not meet the standards expected.

Really want to see Sparrow in this week, I thought he was comfortably BOG. Harmes got some good numbers but still looked a bit lazy for me, some of his tackles were half efforts. Fritta getting a reprieve makes it tough for Weid, assuming Brown gets another go. I said this in the Brown thread last week with no response, how look do we persist with Brown if he has another quiet week? Assuming Weid puts in another strong VFL performance. More headaches for the selection committee!

If the AFL wants to appeal anything perhaps it should be that, behind the ball, high contact, player unsuspecting.

Gus must be feeling a bit mystified right now, gets a fine for an accidental trip but Fritta’s accidental head high gets nothing at all. ?

FFS are you kidding me? This is one of the lowest grade offences we’ve seen and it was borderline a suspension in the first place, AFL appeals on suspensions should be for when they get it blatantly wrong and there has been malice in the incident.

It doesn’t matter what ladder I’m looking at, seeing Carlton on top just makes me sick.

I think what has got him off is precedence rather than it being the “right thing”. I actually personally think high fend offs should be something really looked at but in this case they have judged him against what has been done in recent times which is fair. Can’t have one rule for one club and another rule for another club. I actually also think they should make a rule that says repeated infringements that get you a fine will automatically give you a one week suspension. This obviously doesn’t apply to Fritta but there are snipers out there that just seem to constantly skirt the edges of suspensions. Right now just happy to have Fritta back in the team!

Amazing!

Petty has obviously been training for it all year, and the club has high wraps for him. I think Petty will be given the chance first up for that reason, but I would also be having a think about what has made our defence so solid this year; marking rather than spoiling. Across the board we’ve seen more marks from May, Lever, and Tommo. TMac is a similar body size to Tommo and we know he can take marks. I have this feeling the switch will happen at some point this year and we’ll see TMac as the 2nd tall. His ability to outlast his opponents could be a real asset down there, and if there are people worrying about his disposal firstly he’s developed since his the last time he was a back man and secondly it’s not like Tommo is an incredible kick either. Seems more like for like to me.