Unofficial Preview Changes v North Melbourne after the bye?

[martinson]

Do you really think HSmith would be a better option in the seniors than Fullarton?

Not even close at this stage.

 

[briztoon]

Not even close at this stage.

Have you watched any recent reserves matches?

 

[Nunez]

Have you watched any recent reserves matches?

I have and would have Fullarton well ahead of Smith at this stage. Fullarton plays a much harder role in the VFL than Smith does. Smith is a good mark and uses his height well, but he'd struggle big time playing Fullartons mobile forward/backup ruck role.

 

[davemc_lions]

Do you really think HSmith would be a better option in the seniors than Fullarton?

I think H Smith a better key forward. Ruck only seen limited of him rucking when Archie was injured,
Both him and Fullarton still young as rucks. Senior level break glass
Be interesting if Archie goes we have Lane and H Smith.. Maybe Fullarton/Ballenden if still on the list
we have problems if Big O goes down depending how Lane works out.

 

[jackess]

Fullarton has offered very little. You are not setting the bar very high there and so it would be no stretch to say he could offer just as much.

Which fits into our forward structure better? I don't think bringing in a lumbering stay at home marking forward will work.

HSmith might look good at times in the VFL but I'd say he's a long way off playing the role required in our forwardline

 

[martinson]

Have you watched any recent reserves matches?

Yes I have. But not in their entirety.

Smith could be promising but he doesn't look up to Senior footy yet . Fullarton has looked ordinary tbh but he's got some good ability and is more mobile . And more experienced.

I'm talking about now. That could all change over the next couple of years.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

The inescapable truth tho is we have 2 second string rucks. Actually we have 1 improving second string ruck(Big O) and 1 who's not that competitive(Daniher). If we use Archie, we know we're going to get a competitive specialist ruckman. Big O's best football is as a stay in the square marking forward and second ruck. That was the beauty of the Martin/Big O combo.

At present our rucks just don't give enough drive to advantage our small men.

You want to play Archie Smith in front of Joe Daniher, read that before you try and justify it.

 

[dlanod]

If he is fit I really don't hate the idea of playing Payne. Let he and Adams take the tall match ups and allow Harris to roam around as a loose defender sounds great to me.

Payne coming back in is almost a no-brainer IMO.

Our preferred structure has Gardiner and one of Adams or Payne. With Gardiner out, Payne is pretty much a shoe-in.

 

[Ralphy2017]

Yes I have. But not in their entirety.

Smith could be promising but he doesn't look up to Senior footy yet . Fullarton has looked ordinary tbh but he's got some good ability and is more mobile . And more experienced.

I'm talking about now. That could all change over the next couple of years.

I think Fullarton could play that roaming tall forward role, whilst he does not have great speed, does possess a good tank and could move up and down the ground, but he is still behind McStay, but who knows in a couple of years.

 

[jackess]

Payne coming back in is almost a no-brainer IMO.

Our preferred structure has Gardiner and one of Adams or Payne. With Gardiner out, Payne is pretty much a shoe-in.

I hope we're willing to invest games in him. It's rare but I worry when we play teams with multiple 200cm forwards

 

[ForzaRoma]

Payne coming back in is almost a no-brainer IMO.

Our preferred structure has Gardiner and one of Adams or Payne. With Gardiner out, Payne is pretty much a shoe-in.

Payne plays too simularly to Adams, who is still ahead of him in the pecking order. So i'm not sure Payne coming back into the squad is a foregone conclusion. Especially as he and adams have not played together, meaning the selectors go with one or the other, rather than both.

 

[Scubaveg]

Payne plays too simularly to Adams, who is still ahead of him in the pecking order. So i'm not sure Payne coming back into the squad is a foregone conclusion. Especially as he and adams have not played together, meaning the selectors go with one or the other, rather than both.

They haven’t played together as they have rarely both been fit at the same time.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[beardancer]

You want to play Archie Smith in front of Joe Daniher, read that before you try and justify it.

I want a proper ruckman. Joe isn't. Big O needs time.

 

[dlanod]

They haven’t played together as they have rarely both been fit at the same time.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I don't think they've ever been both fit and Gardiner not.

 

[Sherrinator]

We got pumped in the 2nd half in Sydney purely due to an unaccountable midfield. In no world should both of Melbourne’s mids be able to stream out without a check or a tackle sweating on them. We were a match hardened player down defensively with Neale in there, which leads to other players spending their tickets early. You cannot afford a single passenger playing a desperate team like Melbourne.

 

[Jivlain]

We got pumped in the 2nd half in Sydney purely due to an unaccountable midfield. In no world should both of Melbourne’s mids be able to stream out without a check or a tackle sweating on them. We were a match hardened player down defensively with Neale in there, which leads to other players spending their tickets early. You cannot afford a single passenger playing a desperate team like Melbourne.

Players do need to get to the level where they can compensate for someone being down. That happens, someone cops a corkie, let alone something more serious - you may well need to win a prelim under those conditions.

 

[KissKiss]

I want a proper ruckman. Joe isn't. Big O needs time.

Its been show repeatedly that you are better off with a second ruckman that plays another role and just competes in the ruck. Its very rare that a team can carry two pure rucks. Even the last few years there were many complaints that O wasnt doing enough to justify his role. Joe is doing more than enough in the job.

 

[jackess]

We got pumped in the 2nd half in Sydney purely due to an unaccountable midfield. In no world should both of Melbourne’s mids be able to stream out without a check or a tackle sweating on them. We were a match hardened player down defensively with Neale in there, which leads to other players spending their tickets early. You cannot afford a single passenger playing a desperate team like Melbourne.

Neale played more midfield time then Matho would have. Even when Matho was selected he was forward for a significant amount of game time.

 

[beardancer]

Its been show repeatedly that you are better off with a second ruckman that plays another role and just competes in the ruck. Its very rare that a team can carry two pure rucks. Even the last few years there were many complaints that O wasnt doing enough to justify his role. Joe is doing more than enough in the job.

Big O is a good stay at home FF and a very good kick for goal and a developing second(at this stage)ruck. We lose drive whenever Joe goes into the ruck. He even seems unwilling to physically challenge in the ruck. I think we can do better by rucking Archie and rest big O at FF. Thing is we rarely win the center bounce and struggle around the ground. given that tho our midfielders still do well in clearances. We could do much better if we had a winning or even competitive ruck.

 

[Sherrinator]

Neale played more midfield time then Matho would have. Even when Matho was selected he was forward for a significant amount of game time.

Don’t think Mathieson is the answer. We have a few first choice mids out so maybe this loss was a foregone conclusion. If we have a fully fit midfield we probably win.

 

[Sherrinator]

Players do need to get to the level where they can compensate for someone being down. That happens, someone cops a corkie, let alone something more serious - you may well need to win a prelim under those conditions.

Was eerily similar to the Geelong prelim.

 

[Gadzorks]

It's there a role for matho as the lock down defending forward? He seems pretty good in front of the goal, and his defensive tackling is his strength.

 

[spotthedog1]

It's there a role for matho as the lock down defending forward? He seems pretty good in front of the goal, and his defensive tackling is his strength.

Too slow, I've have thought.

I'd prefer to try T Berry in that role. Good second effort, good tackling. His weaknesses are accumulation related, but his pressure is elite.

 

[Keystone agony]

Looking at changes. 2 certain outs Zorko (Susp), Lester (Hamstring)

Leaning towards Payne over Madden for Lester.
Hipwood/Payne - T.Campbell/Larkey
M.Adams - Zurhaar

Mattieson to replace Zorko

Is J.Berry ready? If he is then he replaces J.Prior i feel

I thought Fagan said Berry needed some good run of games and are you really going to bother risking J.Berry vs North

 

[Ralphy2017]

Payne plays too simularly to Adams, who is still ahead of him in the pecking order. So i'm not sure Payne coming back into the squad is a foregone conclusion. Especially as he and adams have not played together, meaning the selectors go with one or the other, rather than both.

Payne only played 4 or 5 games last year whilst Adams was out injured. So they have not played together, other than round 3 Collingwood game this year. Interestingly this year Payne was selected ahead of Adams for the first three games this year. I actually think Fages and the club has mentioned a couple of times because of Payne's athleticism he provides some versatility, meaning he can play on mid forwards such as Rohan and on taller opponents.

I can see both Payne and Adams playing together this year and Lester missing out. I also would like to give Madden a few games over Birchall at the present as we have two easier games Nth and Crows in the next few weeks, and it is a perfect opportunity to get some games into a couple of the good young players. Birchall will most likely still play a role come the back end of the season.

With Payne being selected over Adams for the first three games this year and recently signing a new contract until the end of 2024, I think the club believes he is the equal of Adams, and if not there yet, won't be long (providing he gets games) before Payne is ahead of Adams in the pecking order. That said, if Adams gets through this year, think club should offer him a reduced contract for next year with some incentives (number of games played in 2022) for 2023 option. Whether Adams accepts a lesser contract (if that happens) or looks elsewhere is interesting as we are a bit lot on with KPD