Lucifers Hero

That's true but we had other defenders who could do the job till we developed/recruited better options. While all the permutations were not known Melksham's limitations were. And we didn't have to give him a 4 year contract. Now we are stuck with him till end 2019. He is rapidly becoming a depth player and if not careful will be a list clogger, taking up valuable salary cap.

Yep! Big tick for Goody in my book - everyone has to earn their spot, no exceptions!

In: Hogan, Stretch, Kent, Wagner Out: Jake Melksham I/C (from): Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Billy Stretch, Dean Kent, Alex Neal-Bullen, Oscar McDonald, Josh Wagner Surprised but pleased to see Melksham out. He just hasn't done enough to stay in. A bit of culling of the bench.

I will assume you haven't heard the sad news of Jesse's father passing and what Jesse has been going thru for the past year. (If you did know then that post is inapproriate and in poor taste). And, yes he is an enourmous part of our team. His teammates love him. He has shown great stoicism in very trying circumstances. He deserves our support, even if it is a fan forum. Jesse will come back when he is ready and I'm sure he will get a standing ovation.

Fair enough. TBH I'm not sure either of them are best 22 if we ever have a fully fit list to choose from. Others on our list are ahead of both.

Gee Wise, it may be a little harsh on JKH. 2 games in over a year isn't much to go on so maybe he needs a bit more time. I can see you are keen on Kent but I'm not sure he is performing too well as a forward either. He has averaged 1 goal per game. For someone who doesn't do the defensive things well nor the 'team first' things that is hardly a good scoreboard record. He may get a game here and there but he needs to do a bit of work on both the scoreboard and defence. Consistent defensive work would be a good start. And I'm not sure it is Kent vs JKH. As noted earlier, there are 3 or 4 competing for the same spot.

Agreed od...the solution is elsewhere. I can see that when Wagner and Stretch are back it frees Salem up to move up the ground. He is too good to hide him in a pocket but he can certainly kick goals and is outstanding defensively. So I see every chance he and Petracca rotate thru the midfield/forward. Then Kent, ANB, JKH and Bugg will be fighting it out for a spot. (I would add Melksham but we know his protected status, at least for a while. To me Hannah has done enough this year to own a spot until some plays well enough at Casey to dislodge him). Of the 4 atmo I think ANB is in front as he seems to do the 'team first' things all the time. Kent is selfish and just wants to kick goals and will play defensively when it suits him. I don't think he can be relied on to do it consistently. Bugg will be a week to week propostion based on match up requirements or injuries. With JKH, I don't have a read on yet after only 2 games but feel he should be given a good run at it.

They are two examples. I don't know how statisticians measure it but it also includes: smother, spoil, ground ball contest, shepherd, chase and others I can't think of right now. bb I think it is a legit basis to measure a player's contribution. How often do we hear a coach say: "its what you do when you don't have the ball that counts". Well, when a player doesn't have the ball his only arsenal is 'pressure acts'. Obviously, different players have different primary roles in teams. Early, last year I heard Kent say his job in the team was forward 'pressure acts'. I suspect the likes of ANB, Bugg and JKH have similar jobs. Don't get me wrong all players must have a defensive side especially in the forward line but more of that is expected of those given that specific role. So if these guys don't kick any goals or have many possessions but have a high rating for the 'pressure acts' Goodwin and co value, they will be first picked simply because they are doing what is asked of them.

In that case may I, on your behalf, ask D'Landers to help with the Hunt and Wagner sponsorships. I love the idea of supporting them and the club - I certainly spend more than enough time on DL so get my money's worth. So Demonlanders, if you can dig a little deeper its going to a good cause.

@Demonland Are you paying for the Hunt and Wagner sponsorship on behalf of Demonland from your own pocket? If so maybe increase the target further. I think I already have a Life subscription so will donate shortly.

Petracca makes TOTW on the bench. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-02/team-of-the-week-r6-did-we-get-it-right Not bad for a guy who has played about 20 games and playing on one of the top FB in the game and playing sore. Well done! He has announced himself with that complete game. His breakout game will be far better and is yet to come. Something to really look forward to. Then another, and another and...

I think we do...they go underground when Watts is going well. But a hint of something NQR and they come out of the woodwork - see the preseason Jack Watts thread. A minority now but quite vocal when it suits.

In that case, other than the 3+3 it looks like the coaches saw performances quite differently! I wonder which was which...

The Coaches Votes should put to bed some of the debate around Tom Mc and Tyson: 6 Hurley 6 Oliver 6 Watts 4 T McDona'd 4 Petracca 2 Tyson 2 Viney Bit surprised by Hurley, great first half then was taken out of the game. Good to see Watts get some recognition from the coaches. The real news - Oliver is second on the leader board. 42 Rory Sloane (Adel) 31 Clayton Oliver (Melb) 31 Joel Selwood (Geel) 29 Ollie Wines (PA) 29 Elliot Yeo (WC) 26 Gary Ablett (GCS) 25 Dustin Martin (Rich) 23 Zach Merrett (Ess) 22 Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 22 Luke Shuey (WC) What else can one say about our little champ. He is in elite company. What is most impressive is his consistency.

Crikey, 'Skuit' that review was pre Roos'! And yes we were badly managed in every way back then. That is chalk and cheese to the Pedersen quotes I posted attributed to Macca and Goodwin this preseason. Our people management has come a long way and I reckon they have done a terrific job with Pedersen.

In the Match Preview thread I suggested a creative ruck solution might be to have different ruckman for the 3 parts of the ground (front, middle, back) to share the load and to wear out Bellchambers as he hadn't played for 18 months. It seems that is how it came to panned out: Pedersen: "We planned really well for it. We kind of threw three ruckmen at him knowing he hadn't played for 700 days or something," http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-01/hungry-pedersen-fills-dees-ruck-void The 62-gamer paid tribute to the support he received from Tom McDonald and Jack Watts in restricting Bellchambers' influence. On a different note, there is an interesting insight into our game plan to rove to Bellchambers. "My focus was just to try and jump into him and limit his hits and try and ensure he could only hit inside a certain triangle that we could defend," (Hope Pedersen isn't giving too much info away there...) Very clever stoppage planning by the coaches carried out to perfection by our guys.

Are you sure you want The No T$ No B$ Thread deleted Sorry, you led with your chin there Biff!

I wasn't at the game. His pre game interview: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-04-28/pedersen-earns-his-place-in-side Pedersen: “I had an honest conversation with Brendan McCartney and Goody and they said that if I didn’t drop down to the weight they wanted, then I wouldn’t put a jumper on at VFL or AFL level, so they said ‘there is your challenge...I took that on board and went on a pretty extreme diet, and the fitness staff gave me six extra off legs [sessions] that wouldn’t affect my training. I then got the all clear before the pre-season camp in Queensland.” So, some 'tough love' with coaches pulling no punches - but it did the trick. I thought it was a good article - not just for the insight into Pedersen but also how the coaches went about motivating him after the 'tough love' comments saying: '...you need to be ready when its your time'; '...you are an important part of the team'; '...we are here to help you.' Great people management

Goodwin was interviewed on SEN on Friday night and was asked where he thought Petracca would be in about 5 years (who will then have just turned 26). Goodwin said he would be like Dusty Martin is now (who will be 26 this June). That is something to savour As Christian seems a more settled character I wouldn't be surprised if he fulfills Goodwin's prediction a few years earlier!

@A FBy my reckoning you were posting on DL at about 3.30 AM the night after your wedding, after spending the day at the football with your mates... ...and you are taking her to watch the Hawks lose. Good Lord! I wouldn't push your luck with the lovely lady...

Today we lost the hitouts but won the clearances fairly convincingly but agree Jacobs is another story. Our midfield needs to continue their good work reading the op ruckmen. I think we are going to challenge teams simply because our structure now is unconventional and it will take them by surprise a bit. I'm optimistic on how we match up vs Adelaide. It will be a terrific game and a lot closer than some think.

Am I the only one that thinks we can take it up to Adelaide? They are playing unbelievable football but I'm not convinced they are invincible. They have beaten: GWS, Haw, P.A. Ess. GC. Rich. The 3 top 6 teams have in turn beaten: GWS: GC. NM. Port. Syd. WB. Port: Syd. Freo. Carlton. Brisb. Rich: Carl. Coll. WC. BL. Dees. A lot of bottom 6 teams among the beaten. I'm not saying we will win but I'm not ready to notch it up as a loss, either. If we bring our A game we will give it a damn good go.

Adelaide are amazing. They show no mercy. They play like a team possessed and never give the ops a look in. So Rich % has taken a huge beating and they have slipped to 4th. They have no 'gimme' games coming up in the next month. Who knows how far (down) the slippery slope they go...to 9th perhaps...

To page do this @A F Echo your sentiments. Great weekend for AF. Married his great lady and a super demons win...as good as it gets, really.

There were a few positional changes at half time: Vince, Mcdonald etc Another was that Petracca took Hurley who had thrashed us in the 1st half, away from the play and stop him intercepting. I think he had only 4 marks in the 2nd half. Virtually all Goodwin's moves worked. Goodwin comprehensively outcoached Worsfold!