Game Day Around The Grounds - Rnds 0 - 5

[passmark]

Melbourne might get lucky next week but after Hawthorn, they play Port and Adelaide in SA and followed by Brisbane.
This is a watch this space.

I keep forgetting they won a flag recently.

 

[Arr0w]

Demons have lost some reasonable players in Jordan, Grundy and Harmes. The retirement of Brayshaw

Melksam out, old but plays a role, Smith a swingman likely gone

Petty is a big loss to their structure, Hunter, McAdam, Pickett to come back in

They wouldn't want more injuries

 

[thylacine60]

cheese board suggests lever is no longer up to it - in fact I believe the exact words were something like "**** off back to adelaide"........

 

[passmark]

Must be great being a Sydney supporter.

Every week you know they’ll give everything. They’re rebuilds barely affect the culture and effort.

None of this 5 year (becomes 10) bullshit.

 

[Wickzki]

Grundy paid a lot of close attention to Gawn last year. I haven't seen someone play him as well as what he did tonight. Played him to a specific strategy - took some time but even the 7 commentators were pointing out the spots he was getting towards.

 

[JustaBattler]

Demons have lost some reasonable players in Jordan, Grundy and Harmes

Melksam out, old but plays a role, Smith a swingman likely gone

Petty is a big loss to their structure, Hunter, McAdam, Pickett to come back in

They wouldn't want more injuries

Called it during their GF against us last week...weak as pizz toss pots

 

[JJBagger]

Must be great being a Sydney supporter.

Every week you know they’ll give everything. They’re rebuilds barely affect the culture and effort.

None of this 5 year (becomes 10) bullshit.

Must also be great finishing top 4, then getting top 5 talents every year, and having to pay bugger all to get them.

They clearly have an exceptional culture, but far out, the AFL have made it easy for them for decades now

 

[skadoosh]

Grundy paid a lot of close attention to Gawn last year. I haven't seen someone play him as well as what he did tonight. Played him to a specific strategy - took some time but even the 7 commentators were pointing out the spots he was getting towards.

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but any specific examples of what Grundy did?

 

[BigFrizz36]

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but any specific examples of what Grundy did?

Took off straight at Gawn at most bounces. Waited till the ball was bounced and then went across the line (thus avoiding penalty) meaning Max had no momentum.

 

[Arr0w]

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but any specific examples of what Grundy did?

Took off straight at Gawn at most bounces. Waited till the ball was bounced and then went across the line (thus avoiding penalty) meaning Max had no momentum.

I thought the tactics were somewhat of a blueprint for other clubs

Centre bounces - Crossed the line as soon as the ball hit the turf taking away Gawns momentum by placing himself between Gawn and the fall of the ball

Recalled Centre Bounces - Jumped early and or into Gawn as we know he doesn't have a leap

Round the ground - Turned and pushed his back into Gawn and protected the fall of the ball

Boundary throw ins - Took the front position and held Gawn back where ever he could

What stood out though was Grundy's 2nd efforts and being the extra in attacking chains

 

[Blue Pulse]

Demons have lost some reasonable players in Jordan, Grundy and Harmes

Melksam out, old but plays a role, Smith a swingman likely gone

Petty is a big loss to their structure, Hunter, McAdam, Pickett to come back in

They wouldn't want more injuries

Brayshaw was no slouch either

 

[Blue Pulse]

Sydney's field kicking is elite, was on display again last night in very humid conditions as it was in the 2nd half of our final against them last year.

Melbourne looked fatigued in the last, will be interesting to see how we stand up after playing in last weeks heat.

 

[thylacine60]

Must also be great finishing top 4, then getting top 5 talents every year, and having to pay bugger all to get them.

They clearly have an exceptional culture, but far out, the AFL have made it easy for them for decades now

And yet they've won only 2 flags in the 40 plus years they've been up there.

 

[Magruder]

Must also be great finishing top 4, then getting top 5 talents every year, and having to pay bugger all to get them.

They clearly have an exceptional culture, but far out, the AFL have made it easy for them for decades now

Every club has competitive advantages, but it does feel as if the AFL are keen to manufacture some for our northern cousins.

 

[agro]

Don’t forget that Grundy is an AA ruckman who would have been very demotivated over the past few years - he is a very good ruckman and he would have been very motivated last night

 

[Sector 7G]

I thought the tactics were somewhat of a blueprint for other clubs

Centre bounces - Crossed the line as soon as the ball hit the turf taking away Gawns momentum by placing himself between Gawn and the fall of the ball

Recalled Centre Bounces - Jumped early and or into Gawn as we know he does have a leap

Round the ground - Turned and pushed his back into Gawn and protected the fall of the ball

Boundary throw ins - Took the front position and held Gawn back where ever he could

What stood out though was Grundy's 2nd efforts and being the extra in attacking chains

Once again the AFL makes changes to rules no one was asking for. Every time Grundy passed under the ball and blocked Gawns run it should have been a free. If that is the way centre bounces are going to be adjudicated big bodied rucks will outplay jumpers like TDK.

 

[RAPPA]

The benefit of Grundy is not only a competent ruckman in the ruck contests, but also agile compared to most of his rucking opponents. It’s the Gawn/Grundy mould that hopefully TDK can evolve into.

 

[Arr0w]

Once again the AFL makes changes to rules no one was asking for. Every time Grundy passed under the ball and blocked Gawns run it should have been a free. If that is the way centre bounces are going to be adjudicated big bodied rucks will outplay jumpers like TDK.

I think ruckmen need both attributes now, strong body (TDK tracking well in that regard) and being able to get off the ground

Many, including me, thought the new rule would benefit Gawn, but it could actually work against him

 

[passmark]

Must also be great finishing top 4, then getting top 5 talents every year, and having to pay bugger all to get them.

They clearly have an exceptional culture, but far out, the AFL have made it easy for them for decades now

Even if what you suggest was true (it’s exaggerated btw) Given the same advantages we’d have ****ed them up entirely.

Their admin has been elite for 2 decades or more.

Don’t blame Sydney for our incompetence.

 

[Arr0w]

Even if what you suggest was true (it’s exaggerated btw) Given the same advantages we’d have ****ed them up entirely.

Their admin has been elite for 2 decades or more.

Don’t blame Sydney for our incompetence.

I agree we shouldn't blame anyone for our previous arrogance, but as a pure list management strategy, academy clubs get a massive benefit to rejuvenate their list

 

[thylacine60]

be interesting to see how many games the dees have won when gawn gets beaten.......

 

[Kramer1]

Sparrow always seems to catch my eye...bit like Jack, always seems to compete hard and makes good decisions.

 

[thylacine60]

Every club has competitive advantages, but it does feel as if the AFL are keen to manufacture some for our northern cousins.

at least they will now have a massive market up there, seeing how all the nrl kiddies have swung over to afl in the past 24 hours......

 

[myblueroan]

Sparrow always seems to catch my eye...bit like Jack, always seems to compete hard and makes good decisions.

You just put Jack and Sparrow in the same sentence.

 

[Wickzki]

I thought the tactics were somewhat of a blueprint for other clubs

Centre bounces - Crossed the line as soon as the ball hit the turf taking away Gawns momentum by placing himself between Gawn and the fall of the ball

Recalled Centre Bounces - Jumped early and or into Gawn as we know he doesn't have a leap

Round the ground - Turned and pushed his back into Gawn and protected the fall of the ball

Boundary throw ins - Took the front position and held Gawn back where ever he could

What stood out though was Grundy's 2nd efforts and being the extra in attacking chains

Agree with it being a blueprint to curtail Gawn going forward. There was nothing that Grundy was doing last night that TDK can't replicate - especially those second efforts. If we can find someone who can break even (or not get smashed) when he needs a breather it'll go some way to making Melbourne games that much more winnable.

With all those outs - both permanently and for the time being - Melbourne is in a world of hurt. If Gawn can be limited then a club that relies on him as much as they do will find even the easier wins that much more difficult this year.