Michael is ordinary!

[Ben the Gooner]

I'd like Ryder to play further up the ground this week, and Fletch is injured.

I'd say Port will set up with Westhoff at FF and Tredrea at CHF, with Brogan and Lade spending a fair chunk of time down there.

Pears to Westhoff, Johns to Tredrea.
Either Michael to the ruckman, or bench when there isn't a resting ruckman, or Michael rested for the week and Ryder on the ruckman when he goes forward.

 

[Slattery_20]

In that case we've been at crossed purposes, I was thinking a bit longer term. Yeah, Port won't win on the strength of their tall forwards so would be the ideal time to do this sort of thing. Not relishing Motlop, Ebert, Rodan etc streaming forward though

 

[Ben the Gooner]

I think the aim for this year is to have at least two and possibly three eyes on the future, while still trying to remain "competitive" (i.e. not Melbourne) Pears and Johns alone is too tanking-y, but Mal and Fletch alone is too shortsighted. There has to be a happy medium.

 

[dons man]

hey guys i'm new here so go easy..
i feel sorry for michael in reference to the anzac game - he simply didn't have a genuine match-up...otherwise i think he has been fairly solid for us this year (bar fev)
he's a reliable defender when playing on big, power forwards who tend to stay at home a bit...
and it is for that reason that i think we should only play him if there is a proper and realistic match-up for him, otherwise play pears/johns/ryder and see how they go. with fletcher out though now for potentially a couple he would provide much needed experience down there though.
he should play this week.

 

[Piston]

Interesting to read some of the dialogue about Gehrig and how he is becoming a liability, against some teams, in the modern game because he can't chase/tackle.

Difference is MM still manages to get to most contests in general play (not leads) and still backs up with meaningful 2nd efforts.

More than ever on Anzac Day we looked like a VFL standard midfield and, for our club, that is becoming a crisis.