The team we love

The great man. 
 

fantastic article. 
 

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2023/2022/11/30/the-fast-track-to-greatness/?fbclid=IwAR1p55LTLK_1zpllAfbw_IViAUmb4e1VI-0pfRhQyFfxeqxrg0_5p_TzVaM&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

26 minutes ago, adonski said:

Back to Sparrow, Harmes, Viney all being in the same midfield group. The stuff of horrors.

 

That played in the most dominant finals side in years..

1 hour ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Spargo climbing the stat sheet.....

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1129810

From this article:

‘he’s ranked second in the league for marked kicks inside 50, which means he plays a crucial role in the team’s link to score. ‘

He makes his possessions count. Not as flashy as some small forwards, but that stat alone makes him the most impactful. 

Jack Viney. 

1 hour ago, Nelo said:

Don't like the sound of Lever's foot. Wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be a 10-12 week injury.

He was running and kicking in Monday’s training gallery on the website. If it was that bad, he wouldn’t be weight bearing, let alone running. Reckon another week or two sounds right. 

I did a rapid antigen test when I got home from work. It came up negative. 
I’ll get a proper test done tomorrow but these things are meant to be pretty accurate. 

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

It took until this year for Oliver to sort out his decision making and both he and Tracc still have great room for improvement with their kicking. But they’re also in the top 1% of ball winners to ever play the game! Sparrow has some similar attributes with power but it’s unfair to expect him to get to the level of those 2 freaks.

His finals series was excellent, my point was I’m just not sure, where as others in this thread seem confident he’ll explode.  

Yes, I don’t think anyone expects he’ll reach those heights.

I’m also not confident he’ll ‘explode’ but if he could become an 8/10 as you put it, the Dees will have an be in a good place for midfield stocks.
 

Throughout the finals series he played 69% game time, and a lot of that as half forward     . It’s a good sign he still found away to impact the game, especially on the September stage.

I think by the end of next year we’ll have a better idea of his ceiling. 
 

4 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Nope I stand by my post. I'm not saying he's no good or his decision making or kicking is dreadful, it's just to continue to improve to the level that some are speculating about in this thread he'll either have to become a Petracca type who dominates the contest and routinely nails high risk/reward opportunities or he'll have to be sharper with his decisions and kicks.

I don't have a strong belief in whether he'll stay as a very valuable premiership player or elevate. That's all I'm saying. If Tracc and Oliver are 9.5/10 players and Harmes is a 6/10 I just don't have conviction on whether Sparrow will end up more of a 6-7/10 or a 8+. Neither are bad results!

The examples were just from the grand final as they were the most recent game and we've all seen it plenty. Don't get caught up in the results and look at the actual choices and execution. And you can go through several games this year and see plenty of poor kicks and some odd decisions. I could highlight all the times he kicked in to the mark but I'm choosing the grand final because he played superbly and he really grew in the finals.

I definitely stand by the goal that needed all of T Mc's strength to get over the line. He had Oliver running for the one-two and he had Brown alone in the corridor. The shot wasn't an awful option and he nailed it, if he keeps nailing those kind of kicks then happy days but there's only a handful of players in the comp who do that and there's plenty of Sam Powell Pepper types who think they're the hero and usually aren't.

In the last quarter Keath leaves Brown to try to defend Spargo but I still think you take the simple open lead inside 50 rather than rely on Brown taking a contested mark. Spargo was pretty peeved that he got burnt, that's not me on the couch that's a team mate. The kick was well placed to Brown though, even if a little loopier than might've been required. Again, excellent result, but if we're talking about a player taking the next steps to become elite then it's taking the quick simple option when it's open.

If you wanted, you could go through Petracca or Oliver’s games and point out better options they could have taken. 

I think you’re one of the most knowledgeable posters here, but I think it’s rough to single out his decision making in the GF. 

He had 7 kicks, 3 of which were goal assists, and a goal off one step from 55. Even if it fell short, a one on one in the goal square is a pretty good result. Only Jackson had more goal assists with 4, Petracca had 2, then multiple players with 1. 
 

Anyway, I agree time will tell if he elevates himself in to a very good player or continues as a solid role player. I personally think if he irons out a couple of things, he’s got some attributes that will give him every chance. 

Disco Turner seems to have impressed this far. 

Updated injury list pasted from AFL website, excuse the formatting. 
No mention of petty with his shoulder/collarbone?

2 minutes ago, sue said:

Pretty good telecast. Thanks Richmond. But what’s with the big red button at the top of the screen?

 

It’s gone for the start of the second

Watching the replay, noticed the kid’s composure. With great awareness he has the ability to hold the ball a fraction of a second longer, drawing a player in and freeing up a teammate. 
Many of our senior players don’t have that attribute. 
Spreads well and positions himself in dangerous spots. Keep it up young fella!

If the the injury sub comes from emergencies, who will it be?

2 hours ago, Dannyz said:

It's a 10AM start at the Western Oval - Behind closed doors, however.

From the MFC website:

”Fans will be able to attend both matches, but will need to secure their spot at Marvel Stadium – limited tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.”

I was originally underwhelmed with this pick, maybe because of Bowey’s size, or lack there of. 

At a different level of footy, but his awareness, decision making and execution is already in front of most of our regulars. These attributes are the hardest to improve. 

A definite ‘needs’ pick. I’m converted. 
 

Match sim over. In to 50 and 100m sprints. 

Vanders looks to have some power in the legs again 

Haven’t noticed Salem out there. 

Viney gets hands off whilst been tackled by two, Fritsch goals with a snap. 

Skills refreshingly good in full ground drill. Gawn and May going well. Fritsch a standout forward. Lockhart hitting targets nicely. 

Harley now jumping in with the rehab guys unhampered with some short kicking. 

Hannan, Smith, Petty and Chandler doing short sprint and agility work through the cones. 

Dunkley and Preuss lots of straight line sprints built for speed and endurance. 

Harley now doing some kicking with Langdon as the rest of the group do full ground sprints. 

4 minutes ago, Kent said:

Whats wrong with Dunkley

I believe it was reported he had an ankle. Running fine in a straight line so shouldn’t be far off. 

Gawn and May moving well as they finish the first ball drill.