Round 1 - Melbourne

[Go Swannies]

Its a good side except for Bevan IMO. Even worse to play him right in front of the opposition goals on quick players whom he will scrag from behind. I would rather anyone else back there and Bevan if he must be played put in as a defensive forward. Smith up to the Centre line is good however,that guy is all class and could easily the next one after Jack to move to the next level.

It's good to see some Bevo bashing before first bounce for the season. Some traditions can't be overlooked. But demerits for ignoring Ted.

[CJK]

I give it 4 mins into the game before the shrill cries for Bevan to be subbed off begin.

[Hartijon]

It's good to see some Bevo bashing before first bounce for the season. Some traditions can't be overlooked. But demerits for ignoring Ted.

I like aspects of Bevan's game eg. Hard nose courage,fierce tackles and playing on ok after a massive stuff up.He was not in the selectors best 22 for the last game against the Dogs last year and with the continued improvement of youngsters I doubted if he would get into the 22 for the first game. I thought what I saw of him in the NAB cup was more of the same old Bevan fumbling in front of goals that cost us 2 goals. I therefore did not have him in my best 22 and firmly believe that his role in the current team is defensive forward . I hope I am wrong but I feel against a fast classy side like Melbourne he will leak goals through crude tackles that come too late. I can't see him as a rebounding back pocket. As I say,I hope I am wrong! Bevo Bashing? Thats a bit harsh! More criticism of team selection for playing Melbourne.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think in part Bevo is playing a care taker role ie when Kennelly comes back in a couple of weeks I would Imagine Shaw slots in to Bevo's spot and Tag to HFF

But also Bevo brings flexibility and a known outcome for the defensive role

[RogueSwan]

I am surprised that TDL is not starting. At the end of last year he would have easily been listed as a starter and we were all singing his praises.

Has something happened in the off-season? Maybe he thought he could rely on last year?s credits and now needs a kick up the bum???

Reidandwhiteonline -

[Auntie.Gerald]

Longmire didnt sound convincing when he was asked about Jesse............??

[stellation]

Longmire didnt sound convincing when he was asked about Jesse............??

When? In what way?

[Auntie.Gerald]

Johnnys body language didnt look convincing................he kept looking down as if he was hiding something and maybe he has a surprise for the line up come Sunday........??

they do say 95% of communication is via body language......................but that doesnt mean I can read it correctly

either way though I am stoked if White or TDL start as they both are deserving................also I still wonder, against certain teams, can we carry two ruck man under the new rules??? Melbourne are light and fast and if any time one one would go with only ruckman and a crashing forward to fill in it would be this game??

[ugg]

I am surprised that TDL is not starting. At the end of last year he would have easily been listed as a starter and we were all singing his praises.

Has something happened in the off-season? Maybe he thought he could rely on last year?s credits and now needs a kick up the bum???)

The something that happened in the offseason is the new interchange system. Longmire has said that he fears for the future of one-position players and I think TDL falls into this category. He did play up the ground more in the reserves game and was effective, albeit against lesser opposition.

[Quiet_Observer]

Johnnys body language didnt look convincing................he kept looking down as if he was hiding something and maybe he has a surprise for the line up come Sunday........??

I have done an in depth forensic analysis of the video footage Auntie. By examining each the video frame by frame the engineers my lab have come up with the following results when Coach was asked about each player:

Everitt - Looked down 6 times
Sumner - Looked down 5 times
Reid + White - Looked down 6 times (at this point interviewer had asked about both so analysis could not distinguish which player matched each downward look)
White Only - Looked down 3 times

Analysis is inconclusive. It might just be he likes looking down, like the way Roos used to start a reply to every question with "Yeah, ...."

We'll try and break down the analysis further - as sometimes he glanced down as opposed to looked down which could mean there was a bug or something crawling on the floor that might have distracted him.

[Donners]

Hm, curious side. I was hoping Seaby and Rohan would play; not least because they're in my Supercoach team!

Bevan has some value as a small forward, but he worries me as a defender...

[Hartijon]

The something that happened in the offseason is the new interchange system. Longmire has said that he fears for the future of one-position players and I think TDL falls into this category. He did play up the ground more in the reserves game and was effective, albeit against lesser opposition.

Has AFL become an aerobic fitness test or is it still a game to be won by scoring?Has it reached the stage where in a game that you win by kicking goals,the playing rules necessitate your sharp shooting goal sneak to play away from the goals? Last time I looked the team that scored the most goals won the game. TDL was welcomed by many because we have not had anyone for a while that could convert so accurately. He kicked about 7 in a hour or so in a trial game and is always dangerous as we saw against Carlton where he turned the game. To me its a no brainer to play a gifted goal kicker near the goals. They are the players who can win the game for you which is what it is all about.The fact he can't play in the backlines or across centre doesn't matter. His job is to kick a winning score for us.

[Mountain Man]

Assuming Bradshaw is in the best 22, it appears to me that PLAN A (for the forward set up) has changed for 2011.

There will be 3 tall marking forwards with White, Reid (holding the role to be filled by Bradshaw when he is available) and O'Keefe listed as the front 3. It should be a pretty potent marking front line and should give the mid field something to kick to. Maybe the 'chip it around' entry technique has passed its use-by-date.

On this analysis, TDL would be the replacement for O'Keefe if he has to be moved elsewhere ? and into the future.

The next forward line listed has the dynamic Goodes, plus the fast small(er) McGlynn and Jetta. All these should be free to roam up the field to win ball and get it into the 50, as well as be around for the crumbing.

All seems good to me ? I just wonder what game time this set up had during the pre season to get all players comfortable in their roles, and get the mid field into the agreed delivery mode.

[Doctor]

Has AFL become an aerobic fitness test or is it still a game to be won by scoring?Has it reached the stage where in a game that you win by kicking goals,the playing rules necessitate your sharp shooting goal sneak to play away from the goals? Last time I looked the team that scored the most goals won the game. TDL was welcomed by many because we have not had anyone for a while that could convert so accurately. He kicked about 7 in a hour or so in a trial game and is always dangerous as we saw against Carlton where he turned the game. To me its a no brainer to play a gifted goal kicker near the goals. They are the players who can win the game for you which is what it is all about.The fact he can't play in the backlines or across centre doesn't matter. His job is to kick a winning score for us.

Not a bad rant and it has some merit. Last night Richmond nearly won a game they shouldn't have for this very reason. I don't see Jack Reiwoldt playing in many other positions than full forward.

[Cheer Squad]

Has AFL become an aerobic fitness test or is it still a game to be won by scoring?Has it reached the stage where in a game that you win by kicking goals,the playing rules necessitate your sharp shooting goal sneak to play away from the goals? Last time I looked the team that scored the most goals won the game. TDL was welcomed by many because we have not had anyone for a while that could convert so accurately. He kicked about 7 in a hour or so in a trial game and is always dangerous as we saw against Carlton where he turned the game. To me its a no brainer to play a gifted goal kicker near the goals. They are the players who can win the game for you which is what it is all about.The fact he can't play in the backlines or across centre doesn't matter. His job is to kick a winning score for us.

Agree with you 100%. TDL was able to stand the heat in desperate conditions in a final, so I can't see why he wouldn't get this type of gig in reguar season matches.