Rnd 12 Pre-Match Thread, vs Melbourne at MCG, 7:25 PM Saturday 4 June

[SwanSand]

Roberts didn't primarily play as a forward. He started most centre bounces (when on the ground) on the wing. So he was close enough to the midfield to impact in a midfield kind of way. He didn't. The game seemed just too fast for him. That's OK. McInerney, Warner, Dawson, Smith (Nick), Jack etc didn't exactly shine in their debuts either.

Not everyone can be Errol.

Completely agree. Roberts was on the wing and was also in the guts a couple of times on stoppages. The game went past him. Hopefully he turns out like Chad who I think had 1 disposal on debut and look at him now.
I thought Sheldrick had a lot more presence of him on debut when he played predominantly forward than Roberts but both are going to be good long term.
I wouldn’t play him fully in the mids yet and certainly not against Melbourne.

[Ludwig]

Roberts didn't primarily play as a forward. He started most centre bounces (when on the ground) on the wing. So he was close enough to the midfield to impact in a midfield kind of way. He didn't. The game seemed just too fast for him. That's OK. McInerney, Warner, Dawson, Smith (Nick), Jack etc didn't exactly shine in their debuts either.

Not everyone can be Errol.

If we only count players (other than ruckmen) attending CBAs as midfielders, then we're limited to just 3. I usually go by how players usually line up in the 6-6-6 setup. If we don't include midfield wingmen, then we are probably limiting our midfielder discussion to 4 players at present: Parker, Mills, Warner and Rowbottom. They are doing the bulk of the stoppage work. Others are just rotating as the occasion requires.

I agree that the game was just too fast for Roberts, but surely he learned a lot from the experience. I don't think we can expect players like Roberts and Bell to play as true on-ballers at this stage. It would be confidence destroying throwing them into the pit to be chewed up by the pit bull terriers, when they're finding it difficult enough to compete when the pressure is less intense.

[Nico]

Given we couldn't get Rowbottom out of his charge, it seems unlikely he'll escape any suspension (Although I don't underestimate the pull of seeing Buddy play at the MCG in what should be a huge game).

Buddy uses the lettuce leaf slap yet Lynch uses the point of his elbow to fend off a player. MRO; nothing to see here. The inconsistency is palpable.

[MattW]

We couldnt even get RB off for a clumsy accident , no chance Lance gets off . It was deliberate and it was high . What was he trying to do ? Swat a fly off Cotchin ? Take the week and move on .

I thought the facts making up the charge on RB were undeniable and the question was whether the mitigating factor of Mills' push somehow affected the penalty. I wasn't sure that mitigation argument had a hook in the regulations.

Here, I think the argument about intent is open. Flat palm, smaller man, following up a similar push.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[Ralph Dawg]

Roberts didn't primarily play as a forward. He started most centre bounces (when on the ground) on the wing. So he was close enough to the midfield to impact in a midfield kind of way. He didn't. The game seemed just too fast for him. That's OK. McInerney, Warner, Dawson, Smith (Nick), Jack etc didn't exactly shine in their debuts either.

Not everyone can be Errol.

I've watched all the VFL games and the two best midfielders by a longshot have been Clarke and Squiz. Matty has shown a ton of promise, being able to find alot of the ball. But even at VFL, his disposal has lacked poise, not unlike Stephens.

Roberts' selection was as much for his ceiling (hopefully higher than Squiz and Clarke) and therefore his development then where he ranks amongst out midfielders, if you judge it on current performance.

[Faunac8]

Roberts didn't primarily play as a forward. He started most centre bounces (when on the ground) on the wing. So he was close enough to the midfield to impact in a midfield kind of way. He didn't. The game seemed just too fast for him. That's OK. McInerney, Warner, Dawson, Smith (Nick), Jack etc didn't exactly shine in their debuts either.

Not everyone can be Errol.

So true it’s a big jump no matter how well prepared a player is . There was a young fellow who made his debut against us in 2005 who only had 6 disposals and I think he turned out alright.

[Agent 86]

Stop trying to justify Buddy's action. Niggle is part of the game. If roles were reversed I don't think you'd be so forgiving. Wish people weren't so biased just because they support a particular team.

Ah, I think you’ve missed the crux of this convo, COB. Follow the little arrows.

[Blood Relative]

So true it’s a big jump no matter how well prepared a player is . There was a young fellow who made his debut against us in 2005 who only had 6 disposals and I think he turned out alright.

Who was he F8?

[Blood Relative]

I think we leave Hickey out and let Lance put his feet up. I like COR and would leave him in.

Wicks goes out For Ronke and Amartey comes in for Lance. Blakey comes in for Roberts.

[longmile]

Who was he F8?

I believe F8 is referring to the one and only Buddy Franklin

[chalbilto]

So true it’s a big jump no matter how well prepared a player is . There was a young fellow who made his debut against us in 2005 who only had 6 disposals and I think he turned out alright.

From memory didn't he get "toweled up" by Adam Goodes at the SCG.

[Scottee]

Buddy uses the lettuce leaf slap yet Lynch uses the point of his elbow to fend off a player. MRO; nothing to see here. The inconsistency is palpable.

Don't forget about the sneaky head but by Cotchin that brought on Buddies response.

[Scottee]

I was surprised when Roberts was selected because I have watched him a bit and he has a bad habit of grabbing the ball, getting caught and then hunching over it rather that attempting to handball. Not something he would get away with at senior level. Needs to have the arm raising trick drilled into him.

[Faunac8]

Who was he F8?

Young fellow called Lance Franklin 5 kicks 1 handball 0 goals.
He did kick 3.2 in his next game against Richmond though.

[Blood Relative]

I believe F8 is referring to the one and only Buddy Franklin

Ahhhhh, yeah he did turn out ok.