The call we have to make

[Obelix]

One thing to bear in mind is that the decisions we make at the end of the season will depend to some extent on what the AFL does with the stand rule next year.

If they scrap it permanently then we should be able to revert back to our high pressure chaotic game plan - which means that certain players (who run and tackle all day but whose foot skills aren't great) will still have a future on our list. On the other hand, if they plan on keeping that rule in place, then those guys will have to be moved on and we'll have to undergo a thorough rebuild.

Let's hope they make a firm decision about what they intend to do with the stand rule and announce it before the end of the season.

 

[Carter]

This is the crux M. Delicately poised situation. MC integrity key. Ongoing selection of non performing champs invites chaos.

This.

Dimma loses all authority if he nurses Edwards to 300 games or plays Jack because he’s a champion.

The Richmond Man narrative fails if selection is compromised.

If Dimma loses the players’ hunger as a byproduct of protecting his champions, he may as well go make 2022 his last year too.

Selection integrity coming sharply into focus whether we like it or not.

All eyes on Jack, Trent, Tom and Shane tomorrow night.

 

[angle ankle]

This.

Dimma loses all authority if he nurses Edwards to 300 games or plays Jack because he’s a champion.

The Richmond Man narrative fails if selection is compromised.

If Dimma loses the players’ hunger as a byproduct of protecting his champions, he may as well go make 2022 his last year too.

Selection integrity coming sharply into focus whether we like it or not.

All eyes on Jack, Trent, Tom and Shane tomorrow night.

.luv ur work.

 

[BillyJean17]

Crossroads.

2-3 with Melbourne to come.

Soldo must play as ruck #1 because Nankervis is trying - and failing - to get by purely as a battering ram.

We must jettison unskilled labourers - Parker, Aarts, Ross - but these are easy changes and will not in isolation salvage our 2022 campaign.

Jack must go. It’s time. Can’t jump, can’t burst, can’t separate. Can hyena a goal or two but is getting in the way of Lynch and Balta whilst applying zero defensive pressure.

If we are to play Soldo and thus get more leather moving at the coal face against the top side in the comp, Jack must make way to give his comrades more space and to allow for the resting ruck to drift forward.

Crossroads call. Coaching staff integrity call. Are the assistants a bunch of yes men or can they advocate for renewal?

Are we still in the fight for 2022 or are we humouring faded stars with an extended victory lap with one eye firmly on the national draft?

Or, worst of all, are we once again crippled by poor decision making?

We will find out in the next month.

I’m a fan of soldo however to earn his keep he has to be owning the cbd or at best breaking even , he was well below his best in his senior appearances and wasted a spot , work into form at vfl , maybe 2-3w it’ll be worth it
Balta is more than able to partner
Agree on other suggestions to open up spots

 

[Coburgtiger]

I

This.

Dimma loses all authority if he nurses Edwards to 300 games or plays Jack because he’s a champion.

The Richmond Man narrative fails if selection is compromised.

If Dimma loses the players’ hunger as a byproduct of protecting his champions, he may as well go make 2022 his last year too.

Selection integrity coming sharply into focus whether we like it or not.

All eyes on Jack, Trent, Tom and Shane tomorrow night.

The question is, are they being judged against their heyday form, or the form of their would be replacements?

You only have to see Lambert in the ressies to see the gulf in talent between the levels.

 

[Honest John]

As long as we don't do a Geelong. Become a retirement home for 30+ cast-offs from other clubs and finish fourth every year.

My thoughts exactly. They make finals every year and still fail. Richmond winning 3 flags and a minor premiership is a function of a system that ebbs and flows, though we were "stuck" in the bottom half for a long time, but I put that down to continually changing coaches every few years. It's happening to Melbourne now

 

[Carter]

We can rise again. Quickly if we nail a few more picks and free up cap space for a free agent or two.

Our senior players need to show some form - beginning tonight - or we are better off getting a dozen games into the new crop.

 

[Merveille]

By playing second ruck - old fashioned ruck rover role. Upgrade on Grigger, will mark everything dropping behind the ball as well. I think I am alone with this one

How about this - ruck Jack as no.2 - roam and accumulate. He could do some real damge. A la Richo but a bit different. He reads the game so well and is so smart he could compete for periods as second ruckman. I prefer a month trial of this than dropping him, and prefer him in this role than Soldo

Got no support here - but Dimma gets it

 

[Carter]

the calls we need to make:

1) Balta is a bust up forward and Tarrant is a bust down back. Balta goes back and Tarrant gets dropped.

2) Riewoldt and Lynch are too immobile as key forwards. Gibcus up forward and one of Lynch / Riewoldt dropped for a specialist small forward.

3) Nankervis has been terrible as #1 ruck. Should be played as number #2 ruck behind Soldo, who can actually palm to advantage.

4) The midfield needs a complete overhaul. Stack to go straight into the rotation. Edwards is done and should be dropped. RCD is not up to it. Sonsie to come in. Jury out on Dow.

5) No more Ross. Disposal is terrible. Pickett to take his wing.

6) No more unskilled small forwards. Castagna dropped for a second specialist small forward.

This is how selection should look this week:

OUT: Tarrant, Ross, Parker, Collier-Dawkins, Castagna, Edwards, Lynch

IN: Grimes, Stack, Lambert, Sonsie, Soldo, Pickett, Clarke (sub)

Short Grimes Broad
Vlastuin Balta Rioli
Pickett Cotchin McIntosh
Lambert Gibcus Stack
Baker Riewoldt Bolton
Soldo Prestia Graham
Sonsie Mansell Dow Clarke (sub)

 

[Coburgtiger]

the calls we need to make:

1) Balta is a bust up forward and Tarrant is a bust down back. Balta goes back and Tarrant gets dropped.

2) Riewoldt and Lynch are too immobile as key forwards. Gibcus up forward and one of Lynch / Riewoldt dropped for a specialist small forward.

3) Nankervis has been terrible as #1 ruck. Should be played as number #2 ruck behind Soldo, who can actually palm to advantage.

4) The midfield needs a complete overhaul. Stack to go straight into the rotation. Edwards is done and should be dropped. RCD is not up to it. Sonsie to come in. Jury out on Dow.

5) No more Ross. Disposal is terrible. Pickett to take his wing.

6) No more unskilled small forwards. Castagna dropped for a second specialist small forward.

This is how selection should look this week:

OUT: Tarrant, Ross, Parker, Collier-Dawkins, Castagna, Edwards, Lynch

IN: Grimes, Stack, Lambert, Sonsie, Banks, Pickett, Clarke (sub)

Short Grimes Broad
Vlastuin Balta Rioli
Pickett Cotchin McIntosh
Lambert Gibcus Stack
Baker Riewoldt Bolton
Soldo Prestia Graham
Sonsie Mansell Dow Clarke (sub)

I'm not far off agreeing with you. But that's a hideous forward line.

Gibcus is not going to play forward, that's a fantasy. Forget that he's literally never trained there at the club, he'd get snapped in half.

Lynch has been awful, but there's really no alternative, and he's structurally important.

I want Sonsie in. I don't think he's ready. Tricky.

 

[Tenacious]

the calls we need to make:

1) Balta is a bust up forward and Tarrant is a bust down back. Balta goes back and Tarrant gets dropped.

2) Riewoldt and Lynch are too immobile as key forwards. Gibcus up forward and one of Lynch / Riewoldt dropped for a specialist small forward.

3) Nankervis has been terrible as #1 ruck. Should be played as number #2 ruck behind Soldo, who can actually palm to advantage.

4) The midfield needs a complete overhaul. Stack to go straight into the rotation. Edwards is done and should be dropped. RCD is not up to it. Sonsie to come in. Jury out on Dow.

5) No more Ross. Disposal is terrible. Pickett to take his wing.

6) No more unskilled small forwards. Castagna dropped for a second specialist small forward.

This is how selection should look this week:

OUT: Tarrant, Ross, Parker, Collier-Dawkins, Castagna, Edwards, Lynch

IN: Grimes, Stack, Lambert, Sonsie, Banks, Pickett, Clarke (sub)

Short Grimes Broad
Vlastuin Balta Rioli
Pickett Cotchin McIntosh
Lambert Gibcus Stack
Baker Riewoldt Bolton
Soldo Prestia Graham
Sonsie Mansell Dow Clarke (sub)

Would not like to mess with Gibcus at this stage. Prefer to let him just play the backline role for the whole season
He‘ll be a player for years and has plenty of time to go forward if needed

 

[Carter]

Would not like to mess with Gibcus at this stage. Prefer to let him just play the backline role for the whole season
He‘ll be a player for years and has plenty of time to go forward if needed

Gibcus can swing at the moment, he's that good.

Balta has to go back and Lynch should be dropped.

Play Gibcus as a spring-heeled flanker and surround Jack with x-factor in Stack, Bolton, Lambert.

 

[Carter]

I'm not far off agreeing with you. But that's a hideous forward line.

Gibcus is not going to play forward, that's a fantasy. Forget that he's literally never trained there at the club, he'd get snapped in half.

Lynch has been awful, but there's really no alternative, and he's structurally important.

I want Sonsie in. I don't think he's ready. Tricky.

I reckon we need to go back to surrounding Jack with some slick small forwards who can crumb and add bite to the packs.

no need to break Gibcus as a key forward but give him licence to roam.

 

[tiger3000]

the calls we need to make:

1) Balta is a bust up forward and Tarrant is a bust down back. Balta goes back and Tarrant gets dropped.

2) Riewoldt and Lynch are too immobile as key forwards. Gibcus up forward and one of Lynch / Riewoldt dropped for a specialist small forward.

3) Nankervis has been terrible as #1 ruck. Should be played as number #2 ruck behind Soldo, who can actually palm to advantage.

4) The midfield needs a complete overhaul. Stack to go straight into the rotation. Edwards is done and should be dropped. RCD is not up to it. Sonsie to come in. Jury out on Dow.

5) No more Ross. Disposal is terrible. Pickett to take his wing.

6) No more unskilled small forwards. Castagna dropped for a second specialist small forward.

This is how selection should look this week:

OUT: Tarrant, Ross, Parker, Collier-Dawkins, Castagna, Edwards, Lynch

IN: Grimes, Stack, Lambert, Sonsie, Banks, Pickett, Clarke (sub)

Short Grimes Broad
Vlastuin Balta Rioli
Pickett Cotchin McIntosh
Lambert Gibcus Stack
Baker Riewoldt Bolton
Soldo Prestia Graham
Sonsie Mansell Dow Clarke (sub)

#1 and #5 strike me as the first and most in control/able to make the change in the short term.

1) Balta forward is so exciting, but hes either on or off, and when off he's completely off. Tarrant looks exactly like a kpp at the end of their career going to a second club to claim a pension, so not sure what we were expecting but it is what it is. We wont win the flag so whats the point? Switch balta back and send tarrant back to norf

5) Ross has whatever the opposite of the midas touch is. he just puts players under pressure too often. scoring posession chain involvements must be lowest on record. No need for him to play so dont pick him (ditto parker)

6 - i've thought and said this since and including 2017, but it worked despite the skills. unless the whole team pressure is there, need to make the most of chances and thus need footskill not points. Clarke looks the goods but physically probably too soon.

 

[TigerFlag2017]

Tarrant hasn't worked out.

Balta back. I would much rather invest in Balta and Gibcus, surrounded by Grimes, Broad, etc

Will take five years to rebuild the forward line. Maybe longer.

 

[Carter]

If Titch isn't dropped then Hardwick is having a laugh and the golden jubilee is on.

Blair Hartley won't mind because we ain't finishing within cooee of the finals if Edwards, Lynch and Riewoldt play most games with little input.

 

[Aegean Tiger]

If Titch isn't dropped then Hardwick is having a laugh and the golden jubilee is on.

Yep. Credit to Jack he did well tonight. Shane barely sighted. Lacks zest. Must be dropped. Statement time Dimma.

 

[Tigerfan]

Well the bottom line is that the VFL play tomorrow - who can kick 4 or 5, who can get 25 plus
disposals cause if noone puts their hand up, we won’t get that regeneration we are all looking for.

Right now RCD and Stack have been the greatest disappointment this year - they both should be screaming out to be picked but I ain’t heard a beep from them.

The younger 22 on our list - I don’t see one key forward.
We have rucks and key defenders

 

[Pandaboy]

Agree that RCD has been the biggest disappointment. Another wasted 1st rd pick. May aswell put a line through him. I know Dow was injured but I dont see the both of them being the future of our midfield. Both are timid and unskilled.

If we look at some of the other midfield busts C.Ellis and Lennon both were equally as timid, but at least were known to possess some good foot skills. I dont see anything to be excited about with our current crop of kids we have put on the field so far. Which puts all the more pressure on Sonsie to make it. As the cupboard is almost completely bare. Hopefully we get some decent picks next year and draft the best jr mids available. Time to rebuild.

 

[angle ankle]

the calls we need to make:

1) Balta is a bust up forward and Tarrant is a bust down back. Balta goes back and Tarrant gets dropped.

2) Riewoldt and Lynch are too immobile as key forwards. Gibcus up forward and one of Lynch / Riewoldt dropped for a specialist small forward.

3) Nankervis has been terrible as #1 ruck. Should be played as number #2 ruck behind Soldo, who can actually palm to advantage.

4) The midfield needs a complete overhaul. Stack to go straight into the rotation. Edwards is done and should be dropped. RCD is not up to it. Sonsie to come in. Jury out on Dow.

5) No more Ross. Disposal is terrible. Pickett to take his wing.

6) No more unskilled small forwards. Castagna dropped for a second specialist small forward.

This is how selection should look this week:

OUT: Tarrant, Ross, Parker, Collier-Dawkins, Castagna, Edwards, Lynch

IN: Grimes, Stack, Lambert, Sonsie, Soldo, Pickett, Clarke (sub)

Short Grimes Broad
Vlastuin Balta Rioli
Pickett Cotchin McIntosh
Lambert Gibcus Stack
Baker Riewoldt Bolton
Soldo Prestia Graham
Sonsie Mansell Dow Clarke (sub)

like the freshness of gibcus fwd.

altho jack still clever & a great field kick, he's playing about 5'11 & not presenting aerially - not on for a 2 pronged fwd line.
tom over jack for me, if only just for pack spillage muscle.

soldo a must.