Young Blood

Yeah I can see him spending more time up field when as he develops but its so good he's got strong foundations at the HB position. His kicking, confidence and attack on the contest were really pleasing this year. Also an important signing considering he's a WA kid. Hopefully the lure of heading back home isn't strong with this one.

I agree he definitely has deficiencies in his game. But I don't think tackling is one of them. His tackling has been down of late but he's definitely adequate in that area. Also just noting that tackling was down this year across all games due to various reasons. I think last year he was disappointing but most of our squad was. This year he didn't get a good run at it with suspension and injury. Some may forget he in 2018 he was: - ranked top 5 for forcing turnovers (and scoring from them) - ranked 10th in goal assists - ranked 9th for total tackles inside 50 I know I'll be shot down for looking at numbers from two years ago but his 2018 season was statistically comparable to Dan Butlers this year. (yes I am aware he played more games but I image Butler's avg's staying the same if he were to continue into finals). Butler 2020 ANB 2018 I think this is probably a lousy comparison but I feel these two play similar roles with their running and what is asked of them. Butler much better user of the ball obviously but I feel ANB is cleaning up this area of his game. If he can get back to his 17/18 form he'll be best 22 and we can keep some continuity with our playing group. Agree Wiseblood with losing patience with players like this but he's the same age group as our core players and I think could go up a notch to get back to his best as he does so much well. Anyway food for thought. I am not too fussed tbh if he does go but I would certainly want to get something decent in return or have him added to a larger trade for value.

Agreed. There are depth players I would be letting go before him. His attack on the ball and pressure is what provides opportunities across the ground. Hasn't done it consistently since 2018 which was his best season where he played every game. I think with a clear run at it he could get back to the numbers he was able to produce that season. I think he's had a difficult adjustment to make while at Melbourne. Was drafted as a mid with a huge tank and performed consistently at Casey as a mid for his first few seasons (always in their best) but couldn't break into seniors due to our midfield depth. So he had to pivot and move to a small pressure forward role in order to try and carve out a place in the AFL. That would be so difficult for some players who have developed their game around contested midfield/ball magnet football. He's done a decent job of it. I would be looking to trade/offload others first like Hunt. I think Nibbler who will be 25 next season has another notch to go up to with his game.

Oh I really hope its true he's signed on. Such an important player. I was starting to sweat on him leaving. Came in this year sans captain role but: - Noticebly fitter. Ran out games much better and seems injury free finally. - As mentioned improved disposal. Less rushed more considered. I want this guy in the centre in the heat of a final next year. He and Max are our heart and soul.

Surely thats a no go. I know he's had an up and down season but his one prior was great and he's a far better player then TMac. They would want more for him. I doubt its anywhere near realistic but would anyone consider a two man trade of Brown/Polec for Tmac/Brayshaw. I think Angus would be more the player they would be chasing especially with Higgins leaving, more quality inside mids. I would love to see Polec at Melbourne. We saw how effective Langdon was on a wing with his running this year. Polec might actually be a better more rounded player. His inside 50's numbers and ability to break the game open when he's on with his pace are terrific.

This thread is a joke. Arguably our most skilled player. I would say he's probably the next best field kick after Salem. Reads the ball better then anyone on our team. His very poor shot for goal this year let him down as well as his intensity around the ball at times. But the kid is 23, oozing potential on top of what he already has. One of our most promising players for sure. I think he has had to really adjust a lot more then people give credit. He was used across half back and further up the ground for most of his 3 years at Melbourne. Was only late last season he was swung deeper forward which everyone on here was pleased with. He had a lot more attention from opposition partly because of how dangerous he can be but also because he is meant to be a second/third string marking forward and for a lot of the season was really the no.1 option in terms of actual effectiveness. How about we give him a chance to straighten up his shots for goal. He had 46 attempts/opportunities from just 16 games. I wont count Petracca who was next in line for shots at goal but the other two forwards next in shots were Weid (27 shots) and Melksham (23 shots) so Bayley is certainly putting himself in scoring opportunities.

The least excited I've been about a Joel Smith inclusion since he joined the club. I feel as though he's purely in the side based on need and short turn arounds and less on his form in the practice matches/training. Either way I hope that means he has a good game. Unfortunately for Joel the backline is pretty deep this season at the medium-tall back positions. This along with poor run of injuries has really stunted his development at AFL level. Looking for him to really show something with the opportunity tonight.

A lot of faith in what people are deeming out (taller) forward combination for the next few years. Weid - obviously finally finding some continuity but still largely unproven. On the right path to being our key forward. Jackson - 19 year old who has looked great around the ground with huge upside but very raw and forward craft questionable and possibly needs a lot of work. Too early to tell. Petty - Injury interrupted career, played all of his junior footy down back (?) and most of his time at Melbourne as a key back. Was swung forward in some desperation and performed well but very small sample size. If he can get his body right would love to see him push for the spot but definitely no sure thing. Fritsch - Our most consistent forward. Plays well is space and a great 3rd marking option. Finds space, superb kicking etc. etc. tick Melksham - Obviously an important player and key for the next two seasons but at 29 he might be limited in coming years. Brown - I think this was a really smart signing for our forward depth. Provides a great contest. Mobile and proven goal kicker. But probably only another season in him. Tmac - Combination of limited movement and ability with his confidence down also. Can't see him finding his previous best and is just a depth forward currently. So I guess what I'm saying is relying on such a predominantly unproven group concerns me especially when our main problem is finding avenues to score as a group. I actually think our small forward depth is looking healthy (Kozzy, Spargo, Hannan, ANB, Bedford, Hunt, Bennel). I do love the upside of our young talls but I also don't see the harm in adding to our depth if we can afford it. It's an area we need some continuity.

I hope Rivers retains his spot. I feel like he's an upgrade playing what seems a similar role to Harmes as a high half back. I would even have Wagner ahead of Harmes. He was fumbly at times in his first game back but I prefer his ball use and decision making to Harmes this year. Happy for James to build some form in the practice games but he has been consistantly poor this year. Also please to Tmac. I prefer Brown as a mobile high forward and with Bayley coming back I think its a good balance. For me: Out: Hannan, Hibberd (or Omac) In: Fritsch, Lockhart

T Mac is a real worry especially with the contract you mentioned. Needs to drop kg's and find some sort of mobility because he just looks so sapped of confidence and ability at the moment. Would much rather a 24 yr old on the same trajectory. He's had a down year Jeremy but he's also only kicked three goals less then Weid (15-18) for the season and is clearly not the number one option. I agree I don't think its realistic but would love to have him if the opportunity arose. Where have you heard about Saad being available or wanting to leave? I thought he would be in Essendons top 5 most important players...

Langdon has a huge tank. Not sure about Hunts. When we played him off half back/wing a few seasons ago yes he would provide great run but I would watch that followed by him absolutely stuffed with hands on knees often after a couple of repeat sprints. Also Langdon's disposal is OK and tracking along well. Hunts is just awful. I imagine we will only see Hunt come in for a small forward like Kozzy or Hannan. I think the balance we have at the moment is good further up the ground.

I feel like we saw his most well rounded game on the weekend. I think he did exactly what you suggested above. His kicking has been great lately. I love it when he he takes the first open option then sprints ahead to receive the next kick or handball. Starting to become one of our most important players with our ball movement. Has anyone else noticed every game we have several passages of play where we hug the boundary line with short kicks? I've been impressed with this added part of our game. Taking the open options down the line until we can bring it back into the corridor or inside 50.

Looked over to me but who knows. Doesn't matter now. It's a goal. They're going to put goal line cameras at every game. Convo over. But also... He marked that ball. Even if the St. Kilda defender got some of that first touch this is mark every day of the week, I've seen one of these called everygame even when the other player gets first touch. Trac gets the majority of the first touch with his hand in front and you can see by the way the ball goes straight up that he had control of it using more palm as opposed to the other players swiping fingers (of which he if go most of it the ball would travel sideways). If this wasn't deemed a goal or simply rolled through for a behind we would be having a different more frustrating conversation as demons supporters because that was a mark. Quite a brilliant Petracca pure strength and skills mark.

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 ?