Yarra Valley Demon

So did Viney the other week and he still hasn't come good yet

Gawn Pickett Oliver Turner Melksham Lindsay

I would have had Lever do a full game in the ressies, he only played a half or so last week. Get him some match fitness before testing him at AFL level. He could have easily come in against the saints for a full afl game before the crucial KB match

Tmac out Lever in Once again our selection committee with the unpredictable mind boggling choice

I think this is likely too. I also think it's a shame because AJ is by far a better second ruck and gives Max a very real rest period. As well as bringing grunt and pressure the other forwards don't bring. Also, Turner has been rock solid down back and I think he's the CHB of the future so stop moving him around.

All good points. If he does earn another chance and a block of games I'm more than happy to be proven wrong!

If we beat Sydney and St.Kilda we can be 6-6 and around 10th at King's Birthday (assuming other results lol) Beat Collingwood and that's a fairly substantial block of games to get the season back on track

Laurie has had many chances at AFL level and never seems to make the step up. I'd have Sestan debut or Brown come in before Laurie.

Viney and Clarry to could share it, start one in the tagging role, then see how it's going and how fatigued etc they are getting, then switch it up with the other one. That will def keep oppo coaches on their toes.

Sharp has done a lot of good things this year, particularly when others haven't exactly played lights out football. He's also well regarding inside the changeroom and by the coaches. But I agree, is he a lot better than a Laurie, Billings, Sestan, Woey etc to keep his spot or is he on a similar level (ie a really really good VFL player, but not quite an AFL lock)

Assuming Lever is match fit. He was on managed minutes against Southport, does he have a full game at VFL level to make sure he is match ready for Collingwood in a few weeks?

Already made the call on Spargo and Sharp being dropped?

I think it's hard to drop anyone from a side that beats a reigning premier on their home turf, but with the possibility of a couple of big ins, i dont admire the job the MC has to do this week. I think Viney in, Sharp out (unlucky a bit as i dont think he was too bad this week). Let Lever have a full game in the ressies to get match fitness, the back line is looking solid atm, so unless there is an injury back there he will be cherry ripe for the Saints. Fritta was a good sub, let him have another go at it as he works back toward earning a full game. Although if Melky keeps going on like this he'll keep him on the pine!

6 - Gawn 5 - Melksham 4 - Pickett 3 - Bowey 2 - Oliver 1 - Petracca

Sunday 3.20 - Awful Marvel home game - Joke. We are not MCG tenants, we are the only MCG home team. No Thursday home games - big tick No Thursday away games - understandable No Friday games - understandable

Max has carried this side all season and his miss was far from the worst today. That shot he had was also off the back of 3 contested marks in 90 secs all over the ground to help keep the ball in our forward half.

3 things really stood out to me today watching from the stands. We too often get sucked into the middle of the ground from both ends simultaneously. The oppo forwards get space back and when we have the ball our forwards are too far up the ground and we end up with no one to kick to. Our basic skills are diving off a cliff. Error filled disposal from a team filled with premiership players is bizarre. We clearly don't do enough goal kicking practice. At least 5 set shots were missed within 40m and that's unacceptable. Changes for next week? Out : Fritsch, Jeffo, Tholstrup, McVee In : AJ, Melksham, Viney, Petty Respectfully i think Clarry did enough to keep his spot, fritsch has no pressure factor at all and melksham at least kicks 1 a game and dishes off a few and tackles a bit, Tholstrup of the 4 early picks over the last two years is struggling the most, AJ because I think at least two talls in the fwd line is needed and he is a better chop out in the ruck than roo and he provides pressure as well, Petty has sticky hands, mcvee didn't perform as well as the rest of the back group today I wish we had two discos. One forward and one back, bloke gets to the right spots regardless of what end he plays.

6 - Gawn 5 - Petracca 4 - Melksham 3 - Turner 2 - Viney 1 - Spargo Honourable mentions to chin, sharp, rivers, lindsay, langford

If petty is concussed he'll be out as well as melky. Might be a turner/aj or turner/roo fwd line next week. Fritsch will keep his spot especially if melky gets rubbed out

Tholstrup is having a shocker tonight. Overall skills very disappointing

Agreed, it's disturbing. This will make 4 of the last 5 games we've had him as an umpire.

Could be Tmac, he's performed the role capably in the past. It may be Turner provides forward 50 ruck duties, Tmac provides the d50 ruck duties and max doesnt have to run as hard between the ends 🤷‍♂️

I hope not. He has shown every time he has played seniors he can't quite make the transition to the next stage. I would give Sestan a block of games to show what he's capable of first.

Based on this and watching the game, I think AJ would have been a good selection. Can ruck, can (normally) kick straight, has some defensive drive and lays a solid tackle. Campbell is still to run out a game since his injury return so he'll be a couple more away while they get him to full fitness before he gives Max a spell

I agree Max is being used to carry the team load again (and as we have seen in the past, he can breakdown late in the season without a rest.) Speaking to Tom Campbell at the game last week, he is fully prepared and ready to assist Max (acknowledges that is why he was brought on board to help with Max's fatigue) which suggests the club is aware but are still waiting until he breaks down to put in the assistance he needs to see him at his best through the entire season. I think AJ would be the better fit based on form - I know Roo kicked 5, is younger and seen as the key pillar going into the future, but from what I watched AJ was harder at the ball, rucks moderately well, and provides a solid defensive effort as well - things Roo needs to get better at. Turner in isnt terrible, but without a solid forward line means he will likely go forward (which I dont think is his position at all). I would have preferred Sestan to come in off half back and let Rivers go mid most of the game