Young Blood

I can understand the Brown for Melk wish. I believe Melk is definitely off the pace at the moment. He's decision making the last two weeks has been ordinary and hasn't seemed to find a clear role in the forward half. Just not sure of the balance with so many talls. Only thing is Brown in most likely means Tmac spending more time on the wing and further up the field. My two issues with this are: - We currently have a good balance on the wings. Langdon provides elite coverage across the far wing, always creating an option exiting the backline and pushing hard forward. Brayshaw gives us some toughness on the other wing with good ball use and floods back to play safety in the backline especially in turnover situations. Not keen to unsettle this balance/strategy which is clearly working. - Tmac definitely did a fair bit on Saturday night to prove me wrong in my criticism of him. His intensity, attack on the contest and general movement with and without the ball was much improved, he looked so switched on. Played well a truly like a man whose job was on the line and was fantastic. I still fear that more time further up the field with expose him. Huge tank and obviously creates excellent marking options through the middle of the ground but his agility and mobility in and around more contests will hurt us I think.

It was his right hand so non ball drop hand for his preferred. Should def be fresh in the legs. Fingers crossed!

Sounds like May likely and Fritsch unlikely from reports. Bummer if so as I was hoping Fritta for Melksham. Gives you a proper third tall/marking option, better pressure and more shots on goal.

Tiges supporters at my work are relaxed and feeling confident we won't handle the pressure Saturday night. All I can do is shrug and say "We'll see"....

I agree with others it's not a discussion for now with there being no opportunity to trade him mid season (only free agents) and keeping big man depth is important I think with us having such good depth in pretty much every other position (other then wing maybe). BUT I am a bit pessimistic when it comes to Tmac. He is playing his role well currently yes. I don't think he's anywhere near his 2018 form nor do I think he will achieve this again. The bar has been set lower for him playing more a lead up role where he simply needs to create marking contests further up the ground and float back to do so in the forward line. His pressure in the forward line has been impressive but I think mostly his form has been more of a product of the overall teams form and cohesiveness. I have made note of it many times on here, Tom's straight line running and tank is excellent no question, however his mobility/agility is so restricted. Regardless of how much weight he lost in the off season, he can't turn easily at all and this really limits his ability in contests that aren't in the air. I fear this will make him a liability in this possible wing role when/if the other two bigs come into the side. I hope he continues to play this well whether in seniors or at Casey as his market value has definitely gone up and is a prime candidate for trade to another club in need of a decent key forward.

I'm unsure of what level we're at just yet. We've only played average teams (Freo, Hawthorn) or good teams who have performed poorly (Geelong, St Kilda). GWS we got away with easier because of all the injuries. So basically after four quarters on Saturday night we'll know if we're at that level.

Changes I'm hoping for IN: Weideman, Fritsch, May Out: M.Brown, Melksham, Petty Jordan the sub Jones should be coming out for Sparrow but alas we will celebrate him regardless if it costs us. I think once Harmes is fit his spot will definitely be up for grabs as it should be if he performs like he did last week.

Yeah so nothing in the past 20 years. I think these days its pretty rare. In: Weid

Sounds about right. Thank god those days are over.

Anyone know the last time a senior listed player kicked 7 goals in the reserves and didn't make the AFL team the following week?

We have the best backline in the comp. Both in player ability, talent and balance but also with the structures and schemes set up to assist the backline from midfielders and Max. Best starting 6 currently B: Hibberd May Tomlinson HB: Salem Lever Hunt Int: Hunt Depth: Petty, Jetta, Lockhart, Daw, (and if not for injury Smith and Hore) Rivers to me was the key missing link with his versatility and attack on the contest. Settling Tomlinson into a one on one tall back to contest the second/best forward frees up Lever and even May at times. Plus excellent user of the ball. Moving Hunt back has given us a different look also. Our depth is also exceptional. As long as he plays within himself with his limited foot skills he'll be ok. The battle between Jetta and Hibberd for the last spot will keep both sharp I think. I'd throw Hunt in this as well in order to maintain consistency.

I know others are super keen to see us try out this extra tall attack but I'm pretty skeptical. Regarding Tmac on a wing, as much as the guy can run all day and presents a mismatch with marking contests I worry about his mobility/agility when the ball hits the ground or the opposition win the ball especially in wet conditions. His tackling in close has been great this year as seen in his forward 50 tackling and pressure numbers. But on the large wings of the MCG I think he could really get burnt but some of Richmond's wing/mids. My only concern with this side this year has been the Russian roulette we play with allowing the opposition move the ball freely through the corridor. It was apparent at times against the Saints and especially against Geelong where we allow fairly free movement through the middle and really work hard to get numbers back set up behind the ball. The mids and wings simply need to put enough pressure on the kicker to warrant a poor inside 50 sending it down the throat of any of our intercepters (Lever, May, Gawn, Rivers, Brayshaw). I don't see a formula where Tmac can do enough defensively as a predominant wingman.

On that note. Anyone know how Lockhart played? God we have so much depth now across the ground.

Yeah he'll definitely get guys to pay closer attention when oppo mids are having too much influence. I've noticed already this year a few times players like Viney and Jordan hedging players around stoppages to limit their space and movement. I meant more a traditional hard tag like de Boer's role for GWS. Last hard tag I can remember us playing was Harmsy back in 2018 finals.

Luke Jackson is probably the main reason why Max is currently leading the coaching votes and will push for a Brownlow this year. Max's mobility across the ground has been on display and improved greatly, he's making so many more marking contests and looking strong in every one of them. In previous years ruckman have attacked Max, battering him at ruck contests and wearing him down physically. The support Jackson is providing is crucial for Max to be freed up to float forward and back with maintaining energy to compete hard every contest. Huge.

doubt it. We haven't had a history in recent times of a hard tag. Goodwin likes to keep our mids freed up.

With Ben Brown I can understand bringing in a talented forward who even though has had injuries and form concerns last year he has a history of being a highly effective key position forward. These are valid points, but bringing him in because we invested money and picks etc. should not be one of them. Let him find some continuity in his game which he has lacked for over a year. Then bring him in.

Maybe we can counter attack with Kozzy offering a low blow to Grimes' nether regions. Within the play of course hehe

The obvious ones are May for Petty and Weid for M.Brown - We really lacked decent marking options especially in the first half and although people lack confidence in Weid I think he's the best current marking option. Brown to have another week at Casey to prove himself. - I think Melksham for Bayley if he's fit makes sense. Melksham apart from some opportunist goals has looked just OK and I don't believe he play the role he excelled at a few years back as our inside 50 kicking specialist. Our midfield is not doing a better job of this and I don't think he works well as a third tall. - I love the guy and understand the occasion etc. but Jones based on last week is such an obvious drop. Very average game and old legs could do with a rest. Guys like Sparrow and Jetta absolutely deserve his spot in the side. I can see someone like Jordan making way for Fritta and probably being the sub but he was solid on the weekend as he has been all year playing a number of roles across the ground.

Yeah I don't get this. Is it because he played OK as a forward a few years back in maybe 2-3 games when we were desperate due to injuries? I get that he could probably perform well but he is well and truly a backman first and formost. Plus the swinging of backs to forwards and visa versa within games isn't very common. You come in with a solid set structure and game plan. Those things only happen when absolutely necessary in dire situations most of the time.

Definitely agree with those calling for Mitch Brown to replace Bailey. Mitch isn't a lumbering big forward. He's taller and longer then bailey but still on the lighter more mobile side. He plays similarly (obviously not as well) to Bailey as second/third marking option who does his best work on the lead and finding space like Bailey does. Stick with the current structure/formula I say and not muck things up bringing in another bigger heavier marking tall. Melksham doesn't play the lead up role well. He prefers to have to ball ontop of his head standing so he can get body contact and either mark or bring ball to ground in control. We won't be rushing either BBB or Weid back. The only spot in the side I can see Majak playing is if one of Jackson or Gawn are injured. He is a player who has to be more involved in games switching between ruck and forward to get the most out of him. I've watched him just get lost/wasted as a key position forward deep.

Also this puts more pressure of Tmac. I think he's been playing a decent enough role for us but if he doesn't hit the score board this week as the no.1 option now that Bailey is out I think he'll be under pressure to keep his spot with the other two bigs on the way. I don't like the wing idea for him. I get that he can run all day and get to marking contests but he's just so stiff and immobile when the ball hits the deck I think we lose the flexibility at that we need at that position.

Definitely agree with those calling for Mitch Brown to replace Bailey. He plays similarly (obviously not as well) to Bailey as second/third marking option who does his best work on the lead and finding space like Bailey does. Stick with the current structure/formula I say and not muck things up bringing in another bigger tall. We won't be rushing either BBB or Weid back. The only spot in the side I can see Majak playing is if one of Jackson or Gawn are injured. He is a player who has to be more involved in games switching between ruck and forward to get the most out of him. I've watched him just get lost/wasted as a key position forward deep.

I totally understand and agree with @Pennant St Dee that Selwood is a champion and future hall of fame player who should be respected. However there is a strong distaste for him especially amongst the players especially within games. Every week I see players giving it to him. I even noticed Sparrow give him a nice shove after getting him in a tackle where he was called for throwing the ball. It might simply be that he talks a lot of [censored] out there or the well known narrative around him milking/playing for free kicks but in the heat of the game as others have mentioned these things happen. It's all part of the game. Only one I don't love is when a defender is beaten in a forward marking contest or gives away a free kick and while his man goes back to take a shot another opposition player will come and really rub it in. Unless there is malice I don't really like it.

I do miss seeing more of the traditional navy jumper with the away white shorts. That being said I really like the Royal blue. Sooo much better then the awful away/alternative strips we've mucked around with for the last decade sheesh. Side note would like to see us wear the Indigenous round strip more often throughout the season. I've found them really striking and interesting each year how they change and bring in a different artist. Perhaps last years designer Nev Jetta can get Kozzie on board to put some paint to paper haha.