Round 22 V North Melbourne @Marvel

[Scottee]

Blakey a big loss, but also Kennedy. I noticed that Melican was limping in the rooms after the game, looked like a tight hammy. Not a good day for injuries,

COR gets to stay in the side, Chad now has to come back and keep the fingers crossed about Mills.

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[Roadrunner]

Sam Wicks 1 goal 1 behind 11 disposals 5 tackles 11 pressure acts and disposal efficiency over 80% not a great game but for his role pretty serviceable and I would think the match committee would be happy enough for him to keep his position

Sorry but didn’t see his 5 tackles, 11 disposals or pressure acts. Will watch again and if so, happy to change my mind.
His goal came from an opposition illegal tackle and towards the end he missed a goal he should have kicked. With the low possessions he has, he must convert those chances- he has missed them before a few times!

[The Runner]

Sorry but didn’t see his 5 tackles, 11 disposals or pressure acts. Will watch again and if so, happy to change my mind.
His goal came from an opposition illegal tackle and towards the end he missed a goal he should have kicked. With the low possessions he has, he must convert those chances- he has missed them before a few times!

Jack Ziebell had 17 touches for 255m gained, against an average 25 and 490m.. you should also watch for that when reviewing

[Nico]

We can just add Melican to the list. There's Cunningham, and then there's Hayward, and well, you can just fill in the rest. Melican will draw a lot of confidence from your commentary.

By the way, Melican looked really sore in the locker room after the game. He could hardly walk. He couldn't even keep up with Blakey.

Cunningham redeemed himself years ago and Will Hayward has certainly turned his form around. I am now a big fan. Credit where credit is due.

I suspect Melican was sore as it was his first genuine hitout for some time. I expect him to bounce back next week.

[Nico]

One thing I noticed in the first 10 minutes is the difference between Campbell and Stephens. Stephens is very much an outside players whereas Campbell really works hard both outside and inside.

[TheBloods]

Losing Blakey means Melican will stay in , not good. Hes average

Heeney not good enough

Reid Florent Rowbottom all poor , is what it is

Thank god for Hickey

[mariachi]

Wasn’t Campbell drafted as a rebounding half back? Could he take on Blakey’s role if Lizard doesn’t come good?

[bandwagon]

It was the kind of game you don't read too much in to, and happily take the 4 points and move on.

Blakey has become a huge weapon, and freed up Dawson and others to move a bit further up the ground. His delivery inside 50 was so sharp. It would be a huge loss at this stage of the season.

Kennedy is a concern given age and that there may not be a pre finals bye. You'd think he wouldn't be risked against GC, and Warner comes back in.

Campbell looked good, will be better for the run. His kicking is so elite.
Rowbottom will get another week with Kennedy out. Looked good in the first half but faded, which is in line with his injury update.

Agreed - take the 4 points, but the injuries are galling, especially Blakey as he has given us real x-factor from half back as well as additional height in defence. Hopefully there aren't other injuries - both Rowbottom and McInerney completely disappeared in the last quarter. Managed?

I understand players might need a game to get up to speed after an extended period out, but Reid is a real concern. 4 games back and only 1 goal kicked. Currently not playing like someone who will be on our list next year.
But Campbell was very encouraging - after 4 months without a senior match!

- - - Updated - - -

I am reminded that the late Prince Philip had a title that was quite extensive:

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Order of Australia, Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, Extra Companion of the Queen’s Service Order, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada, Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Lord of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Privy Councillor of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom.

How did someone with such terrible body language win so many awards? Oh the injustice!

[The Great One]

Like many on RWO, I think Reid is gradually playing himself out of our best 22.

Can McLean play Reid's swingman role and go back as a spare in defence when we are under the pump late in quarters?
The way I see it McLean has only had 1 real bad game this year, against Fremantle.

[MattW]

One thing I noticed in the first 10 minutes is the difference between Campbell and Stephens. Stephens is very much an outside players whereas Campbell really works hard both outside and inside.

I also noticed the contrast in their play. There is a directness and, as Longmire says, power to Campbell's game which compares starkly to Stephens at this stage.

[Goal Sneak]

McLean once again showing he has a big tank covered the most distance of any player on the field by a big margin. I was impressed during the game as he seemed to be showing up at contests all over the field. That and contested marking have been two of his skills that I have been impressed with this year. I think he deserves another game next week .

McLean was excellent and I'd be happy to see him given another game to back up that performance. Dermott was pumping him up all night, apparently he coached him for 4 years. Would Brereton have used his "influence" to try and rub Buddy out a few weeks back just so he could see his buddy McLean given more chances in first grade? I wouldn't put it past him

[Aprilbr]

Wasn’t Campbell drafted as a rebounding half back? Could he take on Blakey’s role if Lizard doesn’t come good?

He was played more in the midfield and half forward as a junior but has mainly played half back for us earlier this season.

If we lose the Lizard then it will be interesting to see what they do. My best guess is O'Riordan will slot into that backline spot and Campbell, should he retain his spot into the finals, will play up the field like he did yesterday. Don't forget we have Chad, Buddy, Lloyd and Mills as potential inclusions next week so competition for places in the finals are hot. Campbell, Reid, McLean, O'Riordan and Rowbottom are all potentially vulnerable to losing their spots.

[Bangalore Swans]

Losing Blakey means Melican will stay in , not good. Hes average

Heeney not good enough

Reid Florent Rowbottom all poor , is what it is

Thank god for Hickey

I thought Rowbottom was very good in the 1st half. Faded after that.

Thought McLean gave a lot more than Reid. Can you see a scenario where McLean plays as the back up ruck with Reid out of the side?

McLean seems to be quite good doing the forward line body rucking with Hickey playing a kick behind the play and Hickey doing all the centre square rucking. It’s almost like the old David Schwartz and Jeff White Demons combination of the early 2000s.

McLeans strong overhead marking and intelligent play (taps) certainly add something to the side.

[TheBloods]

I thought Rowbottom was very good in the 1st half. Faded after that.

Thought McLean gave a lot more than Reid. Can you see a scenario where McLean plays as the back up ruck with Reid out of the side?

McLean seems to be quite good doing the forward line body rucking with Hickey playing a kick behind the play and Hickey doing all the centre square rucking. It’s almost like the old David Schwartz and Jeff White Demons combination of the early 2000s.

McLeans strong overhead marking and intelligent play (taps) certainly add something to the side.

I thought so too until he did his usual business of doing nothing for a whole half , he isnt a competitor and isnt taking his career seriously atm .

Dont mind McLean theres something there but would still take Reid . Hes been woeful lately but his upside is better than McLeans. Against the best big men in the comp come finals i'd bet McLean would flop . Couldnt blame him hes only young , still developing

[Auntie.Gerald]

i suspect we will be going for another tall vs Reid in the near future

0.5 goals per game last season when playing most games aint good neough
This season looks worse

It is just too much opportunity cost vs another tall we could acquire

My guess is that we will accumulate a couple picks via drafting a few players out ...........and be ready to trade in an emerging tall key / HFF in 2022 or 2023 sal cap depending