Young Blood

We won the game because we shut down areas where St.Kilda move/run the ball. We gutted out the last quarter winning crucial contests.

A lot of praise for May and Trac and rightly so as our clear best two on the ground. But I thought there were a few that really contributed to gutting out that win. Langdon was again terrific. Covers ground with pace and along that far non broadcasting side wing he was busy all night creating opportunities with run and ball use. We've been screaming for this type of player and he's slotted in perfectly. His attack on the ball has been a nice surprise as well as his improved kicking. I thought he was pretty clean all night especially when others weren't. Clayton really stepped up in the second half and like we saw in the Adelaide game he used short bursts of run when he gained possession in the contest to break open. You can see it throws off the opposition who are so used to him giving the quick first handball option. Loving the added element to his game. I hope and think he's taking advantage of Trac taking the extra attention to advantage and quietly adding strings to his bow. Viney although not effective with possession was in every contest all night. They gave him no space or time but he still put his body on the line and was able to get repeat stoppages constantly across the ground. He will be very sore today being crunched a lot last night. His diving handball late to Clayton in the dying seconds to give us out last rebound out of defence was outstanding. The improvement in his fitness is obvious and he's been a key catalyst in us grinding out games late with his ability to just keep going and going and going. Salem is definitely in our top 5 most important players and I thought he was key again last night with his class, composure and ball use. Didn't get a whole lot of it but thought it was maybe the best or most important performance from Tomlinson. Seemed to have a clear role playing on Membry but taking advantage of Membry dropping back from contests to push up as an option. Maybe a risky move but I liked his attack and confidence with the ball last night. Seems to be getting more comfortable back there playing off his man at times ie. the mark late. Used it well too with some damaging kicks. PS. much prefer Browns mobility across the ground to robot Tmac. Gave us a different look. Not sure how well he'll fit with Bayley back with both having similar game styles. Both being second/third options who like to lead into space and push up HF. Will be interesting.

Don't entirely hate the selections. I think for the most part its about putting the fittest team on the park especially with a 5 day turnaround. Lockhart stiff but can't help but think it might be a fitness thing perhaps as he's looked sore since the corky against the crows. Rivers gives you a different look, better ball used and more dash off half back. I imagine Jay will be back for Thursday. We've been carrying Harmes and Tmac all year. I like the call to cut them finally. Tom has looked off the pace and Brown gives you more versatility. Will be interesting to see who pinch hits in the ruck between Brown/Tomlinson/Weid. As others have noted Omac in to look after their resting ruckman up forward. I imagine we'll see more Tomlinson up the ground. Jones for experience I guess.... Wagner been playing consistently in the practice games. Will be very interesting to see where he will play as he's being spending more time up the ground on practice games. Fritsch really hurts. Been arguably our most consistent forward. Apart from his wayward kicking he's been our best target all year and works well with Weid. Sigh....

Have we seen a hard tag at all this year? I feel like its out of vogue currently with so many teams having an even spread of midfielder. Prime example being ours.

We're 4 wins 2 losses with Jackson in the side and those loses were top 4 sides (one of which we totally fell apart as a team). Not for a second saying he's the difference but he has brought that extra energy to the side you mention above. As Goody has noted post games he gives us great structure in being a good forward target and adequate ruckman already. His height and athletisism make him a real problem for opposition across the ground. I've loved his repeat efforts and the way he covers ground with pace. He impacts contests whether in the air or on on ground level. Adelaide was obviously his best game but I thought he was great against North even though he didn't impact statistically. Most of his possessions were clean and provided a great contest across the ground. It really sucks that its a hamstring tendon. I was hoping for a light strain. As Burgo mentioned he will be lucky to be back with 6 weeks. They will be extra cautious with a young guy with this much potential suffering a soft tissue injury so early. We will miss that energy.

As you mentioned in previous post it absolutely should be Harmes coming out of the side for Lockart. They've tried him as a rebounding half back and it just hasn't work. His form has been way off for weeks. He looks lost at time and hasn't been effective at all. I would love to see Rivers stay in to move up into Harmes' position with his attack and ball use across half back. Leave Lockart to play deeper back against their best small forward. I can see Rivers getting a rest also as you say but he only just came back in and it seems Goody is giving the rookies a couple of weeks at a time before resting ala Kozzy.

Not a bad call. I doubt we see Tomlinson unless Oscar comes back in. Seems to be finding a role down back. I think you have to bring Preuss in surely. This is why we recruited him.

Exactly what we didn't need. Kid was really starting to get a feel for AFL footy. I hope its not major and just some inflated journalism from TB. If it is serious that really sucks for us. We need everything to go right this season if we want to play finals and have been pretty good with limited injuries. Really hoping its not serious. We know how early injuries can really derail or prolong a young guns development.

I would say this is the main reason we haven't seen this trialed more. Similar two why we haven't seen Oliver or Brayshaw tried up forward. Unlike Petracca they don't have a great forward craft and creativity. All of their goals come from pretty straight forward opportunity. That being said I've always liked the idea of Viney forward as he has some of the attributes being smaller, lower centre of gravity, leg and hip strength/power to break some forward line pressure to free himself up for goal. Definitely something I would like to see us try. Only thing is Viney is having a career best year in the middle and I doubt the coaching staff would be reducing his midfield minutes anytime soon.

He's been terrific. Filled the need we had for sure. His ability to cover ground with speed and gut running is elite. It's his repeat efforts and running when we're linking up on a wing that have been a standout to me. Sure his disposal is still a work in progress as he's not the cleanest of players but I think he can improve there still with confidence and more experience with a new team.

Had another nasty head knock which resulted in 15 stitches above the eye. Same side as the fractured cheek. He'll be fine

Anyones guess this week with changes. There will be a fair few sore players. I noticed a lot more aggression with our attack and tackling especially this week. Luckily we have a bit of depth this year in these situations. Backs: Rivers, Jetta, Omac Mids: JJ and Preuss. Although would most likely be just changing the rotations. If no Viney say then more Brayshaw/Sparrow/Harmes in the middle. Forwards: Kozzy, Brown, Spargo, Hunt PLEASE don't persist with bringing Tmac in this week ?

Noticed Daw was on the injury list with an 'ankle'. Anyone know how serious? If he's out I would feel better about Jackson and Tomlinson taking on Goldy. If both Goldy and Daw are fit then yes probably best to put Preuss in. It does make us a fair bit less mobile which has been a strength for our bigs of late. Either way both teams midfield will be sore after both playing physical games with a four day break

Agree with most of the above re Gus getting more midfield minutes and confidence up etc. I have to say though, he had more space and time then he's had all season due to the opposition. He was successful in the midfield because its his best position yes but also because every midfielder was successful last night. Was probably overall the least physical/pressure driven midfield we've played this season. Not trying to discount his better game, his run and carry/ball use was terrific i thought at times last night and showed he is actually a quite a damaging player with his decision making and ball use. Of course you would like to see him back it up on Sunday.

I'm curious as to what is being defined as 'selfish' here. Not saying Bernie or other posters on here are wrong but as a midfielder its often hard to tell these things perhaps. Taking on the opposition to try and break through tackles and getting caught instead of handballing could be seen as selfish. But the best midfielders are also asked to break the lines and try to get free to gain forward momentum. Or is it even a Clarry example of selfishness when he simply handballs to a man under pressure or blindly kicks to gain a possession?

Yeah if you read the last few posts in this thread you will see the emphasis on how Tom's body seems to be failing him and particularly at ground level where he has been extremely ineffective. Looks slow, heavy and unable to make the right plays. Sure a fit and more mobile Tmac will get the nod every time over an 18 year old developing player. But right now because of Jacksons athleticism and ability to play ruck he's more valuable then Tmac at the moment. I don't think comparing the twos average stats in our worst game of the season really counts for much I'm afraid.

Worth a try!

Meh, considering last week I will take a win by a couple of goals tomorrow night. Just get the job done. Of course a healthy lead throughout will obviously help with all of our anxiety.

Yeah he's never been able to turn corners with much ease, I can't recall him even ever wheeling around to snap the ball. So his lateral movement has always sucked but he just looks so much more stiff and restricted with his movement this year. I think he looks heavy, more so top heavy, lumbering around and even his running looks strained because of it. You could be right and I actually hope the issue is that he's carrying an injury that with an off season can possibly reset him for next season. But he just looks so off the pace at the moment. Looks shot for confidence. When he turns the ball over because he is unable to get his arms free or break away from the tackle, he looks dejected and frustrated. Much the same when he is unable to take a contested mark.

Maybe start by losing a few kg's and improving his mobility. That's if that is even possible....

I agree. No structuring, change of tactic, position changes or inspirational speeches would have changed the way we absolutely butchered the football last week. That one wasn't down to coaching. We were completely overwhelmed by a better side early that set the tone and we seemed hampered by the short break in trying to respond. The poor execution early shot our confidence for the rest of the game. That and the physicality they had around the football to limit out midfielders. I am not saying Goodwin is exempt. I would love to see the coaching staff come up with some things they could change in game to shift a game's momentum. Its all or nothing with our contested ball/front half game plan. I think it was Jobe Watson last week when asked what can Melbourne do to start winning the ball in the middle from Max's ruck work. His suggestion although simple seemed at least progressive which was because Max was dominating so much he could actually afford to knock the ball further to the wings to the advantage of our wing players to create some run on. The unpredictability alone of that idea is interesting.

Sorry @Pates looks like Max is fit and ready to go.

Regardless of Max's availability you would think Tomlinson and Vanders are the definate ins. I would like to see TMac come out for one of those two as he is a bit of an embarrassment at the moment. If we're going to stick with this stupid 3 talls forward lineup I would like to see Mitch Brown come in. The guy has some genuine experience, the ability to get himself free and mark and hit the score board. Would like to see him come in and support Weid and Fritsch as the third option. There really should be some harsh calls made this week. Players that have a reputation or longer leash like Jones and TMac need to make way for guys who are actually knocking on the door. My ideal team for this week would be: B Lockhart May Omac HB Hibberd Lever Salem C Langdon Oliver AVB HF Hannan Weid Tomlinson F Kozzy Fritsch Bennell Gawn Viney Petracca I/C: Brayshaw, Sparrow. Rivers (one of: Brown, Jackson or ANB)

I can't believe those who are saying Viney is the issue. He has been so good this year and other then Petracca the only one who takes the game on and gives us genuine forward momentum from stoppages. I've been super impressed with his improvement with ball in hand whether it be patience, decision making and kicking. Obviously room for improvement but tracking along really well now that he seems he is finally fit and free from injury. For me its absolutely Clayton who has been more of a liability this year. He doesn't look confident with ball in hand like Trac and Viney. He is still getting his hands on the ball but his decision making is just awful. He is has fallen behind in his development due to the fact that he hasn't added to his game. He doesn't look to break the lines or improve his kicking. When he does somehow find himself in space he looks panicked and unsure. Rarely makes the right choice with disposal beyond the in tight handball. The good thing is he's 23. There's so much time for him to really build on his game if he wants to. I think he has the capacity. He has the body to be able to do more I just hope he has the IQ to keep improving in that area. Brayshaw is still the unknown. While he hasn't been performing I think he is almost the opposite to Clayton in some ways. I think he has the IQ and the sense of timing and space to be an effective midfielder. Its his intensity thats off at the moment. He always looks slow and lethargic but this year just seems to be making decisions late. I really wonder about his overall fitness. If someone had to go it would be Harmes without a doubt. As many have said on here with his breakout being in a specific role he was made to look better then he actually is. Tagging is out of vogue at the moment and I can't see Harmes playing that role again any time soon. With all that said I'm glad we have some up and comers in Sparrow and Jordan who look to be developing nicely.

It's really clear how the midfield has been beaten the last two weeks. The physicality of opposition mids of both Port and Brisbane overwhelmed out mids and I don't mean tackling necessarily. I've noticed their mids getting early contact with our playing before they even have the ball. So often even if Max does tap it down to Viney, they're knocking him off balance before or as he's getting possession. It's a pre meditated plan that means Viney is rushed into giving an errant handball where another one of our players is under duress. Teams might be sharking Max's taps but I think there's more to it. It's almost as if every mid of ours in the centre square is being tagged so the ball can be tracked and the opposition can win the clearance from pressuring us to turn it over. They're setting up so well when this happens that they're able to spread and move the ball quickly while our mids are left stratching their heads saying "wait didn't we win the ball from the tap?" thinking they had forward momentum.