Food for thought.

[CowboyFromHell]

I was thinking about Melbourne's form this year, and something struck me. I had to really think about it and weigh it all up and came to my conclusion about us........(yes, I did it all in a boring lecture at uni the other day!)

We, especially our forward line, plays better without any reliance on Jeff Farmer. And I really mean that. While we would still love to have the little Wizard running around out there, we play better without him. That hasn't been the case as much in the past, but with him gone and our first pre-season without him for 6-7 years we have been able to prepare out strategy without Farmer in it.

We now go to Neitz most of the time. Before, we went to Farmer more than him, which is no good. People liked to criticise Neita, but when you think about, it wasn't really his fault. We were Farmer conscious, and went to him more often. That was okay, but for a guy of Neitz's size, he could dominate, it really didn't work. And we are seeing that this year! Sure, Farmer was and is a freak, but he was not there enough around Neitz's feet when the ball was delivered. He was leading somewhere else. Neitz could have kicked 80 goals like Farmer, while Wiz kicked 30-40 from roving the packs. I dunno, it would have been better.

But I think we work more as a TEAM, rather than most of it being Farmer. I just sense the we are more team oriented this year, and that is a good thing. Normally, when Farmer got suspened or injured, people would say that we were nothing up forward. but if a Vardy, Green, Bruce etc got injured, other players will stand up and take on more. But, if it was Farmer, it would shatter confidence.

In the long run, I feel Farmer moving on could be a good thing. He will star in the West, and good luck to him. But I think it will do us the world of good without him there, event though deep down I wish I could see the 33 out there for one last game in the red and blue.

 

[dees01]

I agree, we have not missed Farmer as much as I thought we would. The others seem to be stepping up and Vardy has been a handy replacement.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Originally posted by dees01
I agree, we have not missed Farmer as much as I thought we would. The others seem to be stepping up and Vardy has been a handy replacement.

Vardy has been more than handy! Great pick up.

I just like the fact we got to Neitz. He has more strength than most backmen, is quick and is hard at it. Plus, this year he has been kicking straight.

 

[BT]

Originally posted by CowboyFromHell
I was thinking about Melbourne's form this year, and something struck me. I had to really think about it and weigh it all up and came to my conclusion about us........(yes, I did it all in a boring lecture at uni the other day!)

We, especially our forward line, plays better without any reliance on Jeff Farmer. And I really mean that. While we would still love to have the little Wizard running around out there, we play better without him. That hasn't been the case as much in the past, but with him gone and our first pre-season without him for 6-7 years we have been able to prepare out strategy without Farmer in it.

We now go to Neitz most of the time. Before, we went to Farmer more than him, which is no good. People liked to criticise Neita, but when you think about, it wasn't really his fault. We were Farmer conscious, and went to him more often. That was okay, but for a guy of Neitz's size, he could dominate, it really didn't work. And we are seeing that this year! Sure, Farmer was and is a freak, but he was not there enough around Neitz's feet when the ball was delivered. He was leading somewhere else. Neitz could have kicked 80 goals like Farmer, while Wiz kicked 30-40 from roving the packs. I dunno, it would have been better.

But I think we work more as a TEAM, rather than most of it being Farmer. I just sense the we are more team oriented this year, and that is a good thing. Normally, when Farmer got suspened or injured, people would say that we were nothing up forward. but if a Vardy, Green, Bruce etc got injured, other players will stand up and take on more. But, if it was Farmer, it would shatter confidence.

In the long run, I feel Farmer moving on could be a good thing. He will star in the West, and good luck to him. But I think it will do us the world of good without him there, event though deep down I wish I could see the 33 out there for one last game in the red and blue.

I agree to a certain extent, however I don't think Framer was as bigger focal point as you've suggested. Neeta got as many chances as wiz I reckon, but he'd either miss his shot at goal or drop the mark all-together (in between longish spells at CHB too to be fair).

There's been something different about Neeta so far this season. He's far more aggressive & focussed from what I've seen. He's back to his reliable 94/5 form. I think he knows he had to make an impact now before he was past it.

I reckon Wiz was so sucessfull in 98 & 2000 because he held his marks & cleaned up Neeta's mess.

I do agree that we've been a more even team so far this season. We've got someting out of the entire 22 every week so far & if that continues, who knows how far we can go?

There's definitely been a noticeable improvement in our toughness & who better to prove it to than, the Western Bulldogs? They've led the comp in that area for years now, time will tell.

 

[DEES RULE!]

I defenetly agree with the whole working as a team. I was talking to Neita's cousin the other day (who is a St.Kilda supporter HAHAHAHAHA ) and we were speaking about how good Neita and Melbourne has been playing and she told me that before the season started, they all made a deal to play as a team and support each other. So you're right, they certainly have been playing like a team and emphesising the whole meaning of it, you could even see it in the way that the new players have been fitting in. The likes of Bizzell, Vardy and Ellis have really adjusted well into the jist of things and even someone like Powell who's been out of action for the whole of last year could just slide right back into his spot.
The loss of Farmer was disastrous at first, but come to think of it, after all said and done I haven't actually sat at a match thinking "god I wish Farmer was here right now", coz the honest truth is I too believe we are better off without him as a unit.

 

[Armie]

i think when Neita is on song he is unstoppable. Hence the whole teams seem to lift. the loss of Farmer wasnt as bad as i thought it would be, and suprisingly Vardy has filled his void better than i thought he would.


we really need big games from schwarta and a couple of other guys at the moment and really give an even spread, because we cant rely on the same group of players week in and week out. cos if one crashes we will all crash.