Eric Mackenzie

[BlueandGoldforever]

I was astounded to find out that Eric Mackenzie was dropped last Saturday for 'team balance'. I had presumed he was left out because of injury. In my opinion Mackenzie has had a very good season and along with Darren Glass and Shannon Hurn is forming the nucleus of a good backline. (For the record, I think Mitch Brown will make a good forward line player).

My point being surely if you were going to drop a tall defender for 'team balance' last Saturday it would be Matthew Spangher. In terms of height, Mackenzie is 196cm and Spangher 193cm and I think the former is a much better player than the latter.

I do find the decision puzzling.

 

[sTeeL]

Spangher in the Hawthorn game provided more run than MacKenzie did. Possibly why.

 

[lewigie]

Supposedly it was going to be wet.

Being in Melbourne, the weather changed in 5 minutes.

 

[placebo]

He shouldn't have been dropped. He's been consistent over the year, Spangher was not.

 

[RoJo Junior]

MacKenzie has been poor since the Sydney game. He disposal has become considerably worse and seems to lack confidence with the ball in his hands.

The fact that Melbourne have literally no decent tall forwards in their side would've played a part to him being dropped. He'll be back in this week to take on the Saints, and hopefully perform as well as he did last time agaisnt them and recapture that earlier season form.

 

[Lion El'Johnson]

I guess they needed to make sure we'd lose.

*runs*

 

[purple hater]

I am sure it was a decision they regretted as soon as Bones did his hammy.

It left us short in defence and effected the midfield rotatations as Butler then spent most of the game in the backline. Add to that Brown was no longer able to be put forward and it was a dissaster all round.

Hopefully he will be back this week and will probably benefit from the week off at this time of the year anyway.

 

[EagleMan87]

MacKenzie has been poor since the Sydney game. He disposal has become considerably worse and seems to lack confidence with the ball in his hands.

The fact that Melbourne have literally no decent tall forwards in their side would've played a part to him being dropped. He'll be back in this week to take on the Saints, and hopefully perform as well as he did last time agaisnt them and recapture that earlier season form.

No. His disposal has been poor, his defensive work has still been great.

Agreed with the second part; who would he have played on against Melbourne?

 

[placebo]

He could of easily played on Bate.

 

[Marlin01]

who would he have played on against Melbourne?

Whoever it was Brown was moved back to play on. This would have allowed us to keep Brown forward and would have gone a long way to helping us score goals. Admittedly, the match committee couldn't have predicted Jones tearing his hammy, but as it turned out, we could have used Mackenzie.

 

[jod23]

Strange decision, surely he will be back in against the Saints to take on one of Weeewolt and Kosi.

 

[bodazoka]

Coaching staff seem to completely rate Spangher on potential rather then ability. I guess its good that they are giving him an extended run, find out exactly what he will bring to the table in a few years time.

 

[Chuck_Spidena]

lets hope he doesn't turn into Staker mkII

 

[worsfold]

I think we really need to find a replacement for Hunter ie third tall, brown played the roll early but with him moving forward its between spangher, Wilkes and my peronal favourite Wilson or Schofield who does have the size but certainly has the poise and run.

both hunter and spanghers contracts are up at the end of the year so maybe giving Spangher the job is to either raise his trade value or simply make a decision.

NB Embleys contract is also up at the end of the year -tough decisions to be made

 

[Trouto]

lets hope he doesn't turn into Staker mkII

Please don't even joke like that!

 

[bodazoka]

Embley is absolutely a required player IMO and so is a fit Hunter.

Embley is a pretty good wingman as far as they go and can fill roles in defence.

 

[triplegee]

Coaching staff seem to completely rate Spangher on potential rather then ability. I guess its good that they are giving him an extended run, find out exactly what he will bring to the table in a few years time.

Yeah - the trade table...

 

[jaxxon]

Perhaps he was just given the week off to rest, not many young players, especially KPP, play every single match of the year. What better time to rest him than against Melbourne who have no tall forwards, or gorillas? I don't think there is anything to read into this one.

 

[no1bankteller]

Perhaps he was just given the week off to rest, not many young players, especially KPP, play every single match of the year. What better time to rest him than against Melbourne who have no tall forwards, or gorillas? I don't think there is anything to read into this one.

Fair point but why take him to Melbourne then?

If they were going to rest him surely they should have just left him back in Perth?

 

[robbo wisdom]

im with you jaxxon. especially as macca should be up against roo who will run him ragged throughout the match. rest him up and ensure he puts up another decent fight. remember he also had the calf strain about a month ago and that could have flared up a touch too. better to be safe than sorry with key youngsters such as himself