Young Blood

Yeah I think you're over reading Lewis there Lucifer. He kicked the goal, had a quick celebration (I imagine he was pretty fired up) then settled and got back into position.

Yep exactly. But also left out Burgoyne as I said.....

This is just a sample of the experience of our backline compared to Hawthorns. Yes they built a dynasty but they built it over TIME. I'm leaving Tommy Mac and Hibberd out but I've left Burgoyne out here too. Just look at the difference. We need to give these guys time to develop. Oscar McDonald - 21 (22 games) Jayden Hunt - 22 (26 games) Josh Wagner - 22 (15 games) Sam Frost - 23 (22 games for MFC) VS. Grant Birchall - 29 (243 games) James Frawley - 28 (186 games) Ben Stratton - 28 (145 games) Josh Gibson - 33 (220 games) Melbournes backline: 88 games total Hawthorns backline: 794 games total I think all of our defenders have the potential. They're athletic, have a good intensity and work rate and are all good one on one defenders. Kicking from the backline is not easy and that along with decision making will come with time. It's obvious the difference in confidence and composure when Lewis, Hibberd, Vince and Jetta have the ball compared to our younger players. We are very much still developing.

I definitely think he could be that and maybe a littler bit more. If he can play his role as a half back I think he adds depth to the Wagner/Hunt/Lewis/Hibberd/Jetta halfbacks who attack from that position. He is a decent kick and has some agility with the ball when he's playing with confidence. I think the reason he's played six games is probably because he has played his role well enough for the coaching staff to keep him in. I think many are quick to judge a player who doesn't win a lot of ball.

He even laid his first and only tackle as a dee today! What a guy.

I agree Frost has definitely taken a few steps forward in the few games he's played this year. Love the confidence in the club and himself to take out the oppositions No.1 forward and also attack with his pace. A lot of pressure acts from Sam. Frost was the main reason T-Mac was able to play up the ground more.

I haven't been watching this game. Adelaide taking serious advantage of a tired Richmond? Or just Adelaide that much better then everyone else right now bar maybe GWS?

Yeah because he played his role and attacked well off half back. I think he's done that most weeks this year but maybe stuck out more so today. Not just Goodwins favourite.

Yeah chook I think Stretch is the most obvious in. Probably just needed a rest today.

i don't know if we're carrying him.... He just finished off today with 29 disposals, 9 marks and 9 inside 50's I think Jones has been making some average passes as well as the rest of the team. I do agree his disposal needs some work as do many others on this team. Like i said in a previous post his ability to run the outside and receive the ball from an inside mid (Viney/Oliver) and release it into fwd 50 is really valuable. Not sure why Tyson is the current whipping boy as much as he is at the moment.

Vince I think the move to put Bernie, Jones and Lewis in the middle for periods in the second half really steadied us and took some of the pressure off the young guys. But I still think Vince plays a key role down back and allows Lewis to do more damage up the ground. He has been caught out playing deep in defence but I think he's much more effective as a high halfback/wing while rolling through the middle when we're needing some obvious clearances. Tyson I think Dom plays his role well most weeks. Showed today his ability to receive the ball from the in tight contest (from Viney/Oliver mostly) and release the ball for the clearance. He works really well as the outside mid. If he rotates this role with Salem and Lewis we should continue to see it work well.

Exactly. He beat his man pretty much every time so didn't need to tackle all that much.

Yeah your option or mine above. Either O mac in to cover for Frost's time in ruck or Weiderman in to cover for Watt's time in ruck.

I don't think they will drop JKH. He actually did some good things leading up through the middle of the ground in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. But it's more that I think the coaching department were really happy with his preseason and will try to give him another game to prove himself. A dry game on a quicker field. Bringing him in and out gives him no chance. For mine realistically Out: Spencer, T Smith, Hogan In: Pederson, Bugg and Lewis I think they might bring Weiderman in too as the other tall down fwd with Pederson playing mostly ruck

Yeah I actually kind of like the idea of having another mid nominate for throw ins. You basically get another midfielder around the ball who can follow up better then the oppositions ruckman which is essentially why they like Watts in, but the suggestion of lewis isn't half bad. If he can read and position himself better then the ruckman it could work every now and then. I think they could get very inventive.

Any one of Frost, Pederson or Watts I guess

I doubt they sacrifice T-Mac with him being the best option still on Daniher. I can see them bringing Weiderman back in as the other tall down fwd.

Not realistic unfortunately. The club clearly likes Watts in the Ruck over Frost so I think he will share it with Pederson. Wouldnt be surprised if Weiderman comes back in to allow Watt's and Pederson more freedom to lead up the ground or visa versa. Frost might pinch hit but I think they need his pace and height to drop back if Essendon get out like Richmond did last game.

I'm glad its at Etihad instead of the G. Means we can afford to go a bit smaller and faster. A forward line of: Harmes Watts Garlett Trac Pederson JKH Still looks like it could kick a few. Mids tend to do well kicking goals at Etihad too.

With bad injuries this early in the season its going to be a really tough run. Might have to be half full for most of the season if we can just continue to battle.

He had a partial dislocation of his patella tendon pre Christmas. Could still be feeling that knee. He didn't play any JLT and missed round one so kinda rushed in a bit. I wouldn't be surprised

It's round 6. Keen to revisit this thread when we're past the halfway mark. I do think he's had an interrupted pre-season and looks a tad off. That alone is a good reason for him to either rest or get some form back at Casey. Thought he was pretty decent against Freo and one of few that played well against Carlton. But jeez we're talking about a guy who is 23! I personally think he's got some more time to develop and improve his fitness and decision making.

I agree Soidee but I think there are a few others like McDonald and Jetta who could show better maturity and leadership as well. I wouldn't heap all the blame on Jones. He just looked stuffed in that last qtr last night. I hope the club isn't in strife if we don't have Lewis playing. Also he's only played two games. He was great in one and ok in the other. Not sure if he alone is the answer to our leadership problems.

Terrific post! Shows how far we have come! Of course i would rather be winning these games but boy we have been playing some great football. I think Goodwin really summed it up well when he said in the post match that the great teams find a way to win. We are young and we are now competing in games at the highest level. The next stage will be maturing to the point where we can win close games or sustain a lead in the final quarter

I think the club will be reluctant to rush either of King or Filipovic in. King has only just come back from a season ending injury from last year with one game under his bealt. Not sure how much of a pre-season he had. Lachlan is only 19 and also not entirely fit having an interrupted pre-season from memory. i might be wrong but doesn't it usually take two or three seasons for ruckman this young to build up the fitness and craft to be able to ruck in the AFL? Unless of course they're a top 10 pick maybe... I can see Goodwin going with Pederson this week to rotate with Frost and Watts