Young Blood

OK so he definitely had a bad game on Cox, can't really blame him there with no other talls around him to help out. And like I said he was thoroughly beaten by a 30 yr old beast playing career best football over the past two games. But those other four weeks you speak of: Dixon - 1 Goal, 9 disp, 5 marks Mccartin - 2 Goals, 12 disp, 4 marks Brennan Cox - 1 Goal, 10 disp, 3 marks Josh Schache - 2 Goals, 15 disp, 8 marks He played his role and did the job. Some of the opposition was average yes. But he's been doing it all season. He's had a tough job taking on the oppositions best key forward and restricted them pretty consistantly. Does he turn the ball over? Yes, Just about every player does once a game. Does he make mistakes? yup. But he's developing nicely and learning every game so why stunt that by dropping him after a beating by a superior player? I believe Keilty has been developing well at Casey and think he deserves a game before the year is out. But I'm sorry Werridee but it wont be in place of Oscar McDonald.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion and fair enough if you think Oscar is a rubbish footballer. But he's not going anywhere its just that simple, the FD have invested a lot of time and development in him. You only need to hear how the other players speak of him and how highly they rate him. He's not a damaging smothering key back. He's a 22 yr old who has done a great job bar maybe 3-4 occasions this year. With McDonald moving forward and Lever out he's been more exposed but he's battled on really well. He was given a belting last night by a seasoned (30 yr old) key forward at the very top of his game. Big deal. Rance was given at least two similar beatings last year. Give the kid a break. He's going to be our full back for quite a while so you may as well get used to it.

1. Everything Nasher just said 2. Our younger players well and truly stood up including the second tier guys like Harmes/ANB 3. What a competitive fun team we have to watch. Such a joy compared to so many years of depression and no light at the end of the tunnel. Also Richmond were in this position last year or year before where they couldn't finish off close games/close out games where they were clearly the better side. This young side will learn how to do it and be the toughest team to beat next year and beyond. Getting through to finals will help that development this year of course.

His marking on the weekend stood out to me. Hadn't seen him clunk them that well this season but he really committed and took some beauties on the lead and contested. Will need more of this going forward.

My thoughts exactly. I think he's got himself in the perfect position to make a real impact at AFL level this season and prove himself. Also is currently is best place to replace Vince/Lewis in near future with very similar attributes. Hope he gets selected tonight and really proves himself.

Yup this. Hibberd is so important with his use of the ball rebounding out of the backline. It will be Wagner to replace him who when playing with confidence can really use the ball well. I thought he was unlucky earlier in the year to be dropped. He showed real improvement with his contested work, tackling and competing in the air. He's still no where near the player that Hibbo is but he is certainly the best replacement to keep somewhat of the team structures down back and not unsettle things too much.

You would have thought we lost the game on the weekend and Jones was the main reason... I agree with @SPC this is an odd thread. Unless he starts stringing together really poor games I don't think this is really a discussion. He had a really consistent first half of the year and since has played more of defensive role in the midfield blocking the oppositions midfielders while Brayshaw, Oliver, Trac and Viney win the ball. His disposal has never been elite by any lengths and neither is his speed but he's still best 22. The discussions about how MFC moves forward with Jones should be left until next year and post finals campaign/run to see how he can compete.

These types comparisons/hypotheses get thrown up so frequently to players without much sample size. It's great click bate! That being said Oliver was a terrific mark at jnr level and while I certainly want him spending most of his time in the midfield I do prefer the swap with Petracca from mid to forward then I did with Trac/Hogan. It gives the midfield more balance and seems to allow better cohesion in the midfield with who is winning the ball at ground level and who is playing the outside mid role.

In short YES it is Nasher. Thankyou. Trac played a really well balanced game last week and I look forward to seeing him try to continue to do so this week. Stop the bashing on the developing beast.

Yeah why are we talking about De Goey? He's not an outside mid. He's more an inside mid/forward. We're currently developing one of those, his name is Christian Petracca and its taking a bit more time but he clearly has the tools to be a De Goey type. He is our X factor along with Viney. You outlined Gaff's strengths perfectly which I agree with and is exactly what we need! but I disagree that he hasn't performed well in finals. Wait he did have an average game against Carlton during his first season in 2011.....

Well if you're after De Goey he just re-signed there so feel free to change into the black and white. I'll happily hold onto Brayshaw. He's not quick but he runs all day. He had an average game on the weekend. But he uses the ball well and generally makes the right decision. Kid is 22 and the game has already slowed down for him. He has time and space with ball in hand and doesn't panic when tackled. I think he is a future Pendlebury type.

You're right I don't think its our no.1 priority to have another KPD. Oscar has developed well and will continue to do so if our midfield apply the right amount of pressure. With Lever we had a really good balance in our backline. We have developing KPD in Petty and Keilty of which I think at least one will be serviceable in the next year or so.

Jake lever isn't a KPD?? Gee if he's not then we're in trouble. Yes he plays predominately loose in the backline but he will also still lineup against the oppositions second tall and play one on one (which we know needs work). Much like Rance he will peel off and help out at the contest.

And we wonder why our backline look so disorganized........

I thought he was easily the most influential player in the first quarter. There was a general panic which we got the ball to him in a one on one situation. He was using his big body so well in the stoppages just making room for himself and others. Adelaide then got more numbers at the contest in the backline and he got lost trying to play up the ground.

Is this really that much more of an issue than it has ever been? I would be surprised if its a talking point this week. Don't get me wrong I think it should be. But interstate crowds with a full house of loud passionate one eyed supporters have and will continue to have an effect on the game and umpire decisions. I really feel for the poor bastards sometimes. It really is a hostile environment. Maybe we could give them blinkers and earmuffs

I'd like to know where the information came from that he'd like more time in the midfield. Sounds a bit like something to add to gain some traction in my opinion. I've certainly hardly ever seen him winning contested ball when he has found himself in those types of situations. But I spose he also might want to expand his game with his bigger body. A shame if he does go because he had some genuine pace and power which apart from Trac we don't have in our forwardline at the moment. We're heading more in the Richmond direction of smaller leaner players like Hannan, Fritsch, Spargo etc. I see him and a few of the other players at my work quite often so I'll ask him haha.

Agree I think Dion who just turned 20 needs a bit more time to see if he can develop a role for the club. I know its obvious but we won't know until the end of the year, its really hard to pick potential delisted players especially like AVB, McKenna, Kent who will be given a chance to prove themselves once fit. Wagner is definitely staying. I would imagine he will be a required player with Lewis/Vince retirement not too far away. At this stage the only clear one to me is JKH. Has been given a fair of time/development and opportunity and while he can find the ball I just think we have so much midfield depth now he is no longer required. I think Maynard at 26 could also be an option but I'd say they would give him another year considering he hasn't as long in the system/game of AFL.

I really doubt the FD are going to replace Lewis or his role before the end of the season. I agree he looked off the pace yesterday and the style of game did not suit him one bit. His weaknesses were exposed by Collingwood but this was a result of our inability to slow them down. He wasn't given any time or space due to the lack of pressure applied by our midfield. I listened to Lyon this morning say that Lewis has played well when Melbourne has been able to dictate the flow of the game. Same must be said for Vince. When we are in control they are key in controlling our ball movement across the backline/wing. When the opposition are going blitz attack like yesterday they are caught out of position with little leg speed to make up ground. I guess my point is I think the FD are going to continue to take this risk. I think there are other teams that take the risk and rely on their best pressure backman (eg Jetta/Hibberd) to work hard around the contest and feed the ball to the best disposal players in Lewis/Vince/Salem. The conversation will need to be had at seasons end who can step up into the Vince/Lewis roles. Right now there's no one with the combination of both the ball use/decision making and pace to put pressure on. Wagner is the only one close for mine. Would like to see Tyson and Hung clean up their disposal to become possible options down the line also.

I'm really glad a lot of posters on here are keeping a level head in valuing Dom as a player for MFC. Yes he's out of the team, his form has been down and the teams standards have certainly lifted. The current Midfield core of Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Jones are ahead of him in form and performing what he does best, better. I think its obvious the FD are trying to develop Dom into a more dynamic player. We know he can play really well as an inside or link up mid. He didn't perform well when he was played further off the ball on a wing. I really hope he can develop into a rebounding half back. At the moment his disposal would not have him well placed to replace a Vince or Lewis type role. But that doesn't mean he can't work his way into that role. Some examples off the top of my head: ANB - Drafted as an inside mid. Battled away for Casey until he changed to a pressure forward Nev - Obviously couldn't perform as a half forward/wing so Roos developed him into the best small backman in the comp Other less distinctive examples would be: Melksham and bugg as players with clear talent that weren't performing as mids but developed into definitive roles as forwards. Definitely think Dom is a talented player who not only gives us midfield depth but the opportunity to add to depth in other areas as we've done with other players.

Yeah I remember him comment on the podcast maybe that he's not a very long kick. You don't see him kick from 50m often. Hopefully something that he can work on now that he seems to have his action more consistent.

Nah i think we just forgot how quick he is. Over 20m he just burns.

He's definitely our most explosive midfielder. He showed that today. He just bullies opposition. His strength to get himself free from congestion is remarkable. He can only make the game easier for Oliver too. Boy oh Boy our midfield is good. Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw, Jones, Petracca etc.

i dare say he has the best timing and reading of the ball in our side right now.

Will be interesting if he goes back to the Saints after they traded him for what? Pick 37 was it? Ouch