deelusions from afar

I reckon their rucks are ok (so long as they're not injured). I think if they had May it is their only missing piece.

I too have a soft spot for Smith. Yes maybe it's just natural athleticism but I think he's been unlucky - had a lot of injuries and then been rushed into the side to play roles he has not been able to train. We all could see the benefits that Thomlinson had in training for that particular role over summer. Having said that, given his injuries, I wouldn't want to see him come in unless one of our back three go down injured or Petty is found to be not up to the level (doubt that will happen). Even though I'm a fan (more of his potential than output) it will be tough at the end of the year as I think he is out of contract. Maybe they'd give him a year?

How does it work (not saying it's going to happen but more to understand the system) if Taj and our NGA prospect Mac Andrew are both rated in the 20s? I.e. no one elects to take them or nominates them in the top 20. Do we need to choose one or is it just a matter of having enough picks (points) to cover their position if another club nominates?

Somethings in the game don't change greatly no matter the rule changes. One of those things is that most teams will look for their ruckman when kicking in - as they are normally the team's biggest player and therefore as a good a chance as anyone to take a contested mark. There's exceptions of course as for some ruckmen, contested marking isn't a big feature of their game (Grundy, Nik Nat etc). But we have the best in the game and so we kick Max's side EVERY TIME. We can be predictable because he is that good. Now that we have TMac, Weid and Brown in the team, we have some serious aerial options - and there's been a number of times in recent weeks where the focus has been on Max only to allow one of the others to chop in and take them mark. The other added benefit is that if teams traditionally kick to their ruckman, then they're likely to be kicking it in max's vicinity which is dangerous! So they either try that or have to come up with a new strategy when they play us.

I don't follow it closely but would have thought there would be a few teams looking to pickup players who did not get a lookin in last years's draft due to lack of exposed form in the covid year who are now showing they should have been drafted?

I agree - Would like to see Chandler get another run at it. Seemed a bit unlucky. Also think another week of the three headed monster up forward wouldn't be a terrible thing - this stuff is never going to click straight away.

I thought the same for a while but I feel like the way the players and coaches talk, Brayshaw won't be going anywhere. I think they've asked him to play a specific role and he is doing it. If he wasn't happy or the club wasn't happy there would have been opportunities at the end of last year. The only way I see this changing is if they are forced to play TMac further up the ground (eg the wing) when Jacko comes back and Brayshaw loses his spot. It's not inconceivable given TMac got many of his possessions in the back half last week. Although I expect they would want to do this sooner than later if they do it at all.

Trying to get my head around why this thread has popped up again. Storm are building a base in Broadmeadows. I assume they are not moving there but it's their version of having a Casey Fields of their own in the North? Would love to see us sort out our home base situation - but in the meantime I feel like the Casey situation isn't terrible. I don't think it's a coincidence that our team defence is through the roof when (for the first time) we've been able to train all preseason on a ground that is MCG size.

In terms of the football implications of this, it's very interesting. Tigers now have Cotchin, Prestia, Lambert, Edwards, Bolton from their midfield for at least this week and probably the next week. That would be something like us missing Viney, Oliver, Harmes, Brayshaw and Kozzie. Would be tough to win games like that. Although they have Dusty - his unaccountable style won't help much if they can't win the ball! They play GWS and Brisbane the next two weeks. I can't see them getting it done without their midfield. Still think they will be tough to beat in September if all their players come back but this will make things much harder for them if they're 4-6 after round 10!

I might be in the minority here but I feel like Salem hasn't improved greatly this year - I just feel like he has a better team around him so what he does comes off more / gets noticed. I feel like Salem has been doing what he is doing now for years and has been criminally underrated.

Not defending Kane but I'm not a fan of the long term contracts. In this case I think it's probably ok because right now it builds stability and adds to the good news story snowball for us and he's (reportedly) being paid much less than other clubs would be prepared to pay him. Having him locked away for life does so much for membership, for being a destination club and to put to bed the rumours that would otherwise have plagued Melbourne and Petracca his whole career. But that's probably my Melbourne Bias talking. Other than Dusty, there's not too many 7+ year deals that have worked for the club and plenty of them that have gone the other way (or at least so far) e.g. Grundy, Kelly etc. Hope to the (Demon) Gods that it works out for us / him.

about Trac's contract?

Yeah Lloyd brought it up. Was interesting to note their coverage of the Fritsch incident as well compared to On the couch. All saying Fritsch should have got a week and no comparison with the Dangerfield GF incident. I actually think Fritsch should have got a week (and Dangerfield as well) - but have noticed that having the likes of Lyon and Healy on fox footy and the radio does a lot to ensure the Melbourne view is presented in the media. I think this is pretty valuable.

Loved seeing the start of footy classified where they spoke about the long term contracts after looking at the Petracca. Eddie talking like he knows how to manage these things by talking about Pendlebury never getting a long term deal but him staying at the club for 12 years. Then also went on to say how the long term deals can change the player - they feel the pressure or lose the drive to perform. Coming from the guy who was the president of the club that had to have a firesale at the end of last year. I'm not generally in favour of long term deals like this so I think the criticism is fair... but coming from Ed is laughable

I wouldn't hold the weekend's game against Brown - our midfield was a bit out of sorts (as was our backline) and the conditions always make it a bit of a strange match in Hobart. It will take a little bit of time to build chemistry with the mids and other forwards but a fit and firing Brown is more damaging than Weid (or anyone else). If he looks out of sorts after a few games then its a luxury to have Weid waiting in the wings! What I found interesting was that we seemed to play better after TMac went back - was that because we were too top heavy with both of them forward (and one of the rucks?) or did the midfield get back on top? Will be an interesting couple of weeks.

I was thinking about this as well - the pies prob need to move De-Goey on unless he find some consistent form this season. They need draft picks but a ready made key forward they need more than anything. I wouldn't want to lose Weid but I do remember De Goey destroying us with Cox in 2018 and thinking that he has a higher ceiling than Petracca. Since then their careers have gone in opposite direction. If at the end of the year Weid or TMac said they wanted out (because they didn't finish the year in the team), I wouldn't be against this if he could fit in the cap.

Happened to be flicking round different radio stations this afternoon and landed on 3AW with Gerard Healy - he did a big start to the segment all on Kozzie. He can't help himself! But it was great listening as a dees fan. A couple of points he made: A lock for the AA team if he keeps up this form Couldn't remember a better 1st / 2nd year player in all his days as an AA selector. Similar stats to Cyril in his second year in terms of averages but averaging 2 goals a game (rather than 1). He then asked his co-hosts (Richo and maybe scoop maclure) what they thought of Kozzie before starting the interview with their guest Stewie Dew by asking him about how good Kozzie is. Was a good listen!

Might not be popular on here, but I think there is a good chance Harmes will come in for Viney to play the defensive midfielder role as he has done this before and Sydney have a number of midfielders that are damaging clearance players (Kennedy, Parker, Florent). Alternative is obviously Sparrow who would be more deserving - but I don't know if I've seen him lock down on a player in the way the at Viney / Harmes have.

Not saying he's in the same league but doesn't Majak do both of these already?

Have a look at the one-eyed sydney supporters comparing it to the fritsch incident: ?? https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/sydney-swans-vs-melbourne-demons-saturday-may-8-mcg.1265792/page-9

What about Koutoufides - I see a bit of that in him

dislike but agree

Who has the pies first pick this year?

I don't think you can blame McDonald solely for his form in 2019 / 2020. He had injuries, was clearly asked to bulk up to play a key position forward role he wasn't suited to and was asked to carry the forward line when the team was playing poorly. I don't think Weid / Brown would have necessarily done much better. TMac has always performed better when there are other tall targets in the forwardline and given his running capacity, I think having a mix of Brown / Weid / Jackson in the team will allow us to get the best out of him.

True but also for him he may want to see good form from the team for more than 6 weeks. When Simon Goodwin had his contract extended at the start of 2019, many "experts" had us as their favourite for the flag, champion data said we had the best list etc etc and then we had a terrible season and missed the finals the following season. If we're cautious as supporters, I wouldn't blame Petracca if he wanted to see a bit more for committing to the club long term when his contract doesn't expire for another 18 months.