Young Blood

Still a big fan of Jesse's. Still at only 26 could have a nice albeit lower ceiling end to his career. Battled more mental demons then any other player (that we know of) in recent times and I wish him all the best. Such an imposing player at full strength and confidence.

Tomlinson winning 12 of his 13 one-on-one contests is outstanding. @La Dee-vina Comediaalso a contender for most improved. Although he's built it off the back half of last season.

Mine was from watching Tmac warm up with real intensity and focus to then bring that into the game. He has had a tendency to be quite lackadaisical at times but this was the most switched on I have ever seen him. Hunted every contest with intent and purpose. The other two talls breathing down his neck for his position is creating some 2018 style Tmac performances. Secondly Spargo setting the tone early with his tackling efforts especially the one on the boundary in their forwardline. Thirdly Gus' post match interview where he mentions 'when the rain starting coming down we were licking our lips'. Long has Richmond been the wet weather specialists but this Melbourne team with its elite contested football ability now loves to get stuck in and help each other out while pressuring the ball when not in possession. Love it.

I hope he stays too. But with his kids in Adelaide I can't see it happening and fair enough. The onus is on the club from management to the players to really cement the habits and strategies when it comes to fitness and recovery that Burgo has put in place. I have no doubt he will have a lot to do with signing the next man for the job to continue to keep the players motivated and engaged in this area of the game.

Upsets happen fairly often in AFL. I wouldn't be bringing guys in just to tinker around, it can cost you a game on the wrong day. Go too tall and it could really upset the balance. We've seen this team really struggle on windy/rainy smaller unknown grounds. I wouldn't be choosing this week to risk it against a young North team wanting a scalp after a really poor start.

I've always wondered if AFL was switched to a summer season whether the joke would be altered to have us taking to Sorrento or Portsea or something similar in our Volvo's instead. Perhaps it would be more like Lorne maybe.

He also reiterated what Goody said his his post match presser. This hasn't just formed out of nowhere. We were building from the back half of last year. Besides the shocking Cairns games which put a dagger through our finals hopes we put some good football together around and especially after where there was a buy in from players to play for each other as Tomlinson and Goody states. Marry that with a good preseason where by all reports players came back more fit and motivated then ever with that team mindset and we've hit the ground running. It's building more belief every single week. Tomlinson is a prime example of a player that has been backed by his coaching staff and team mates to solidify a role and really hone his craft. Some of his one on one work this season has been elite against some of the oppo's best forwards. He's no liability with ball in hand also with him possibly being top 5 kicks in the side IMO. Its also astonishing that our three youngest players in Rivers, Jackson and Kozzie can be relied upon to play their roles as major contributors to a 6-0 team.

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