- Moderator
- #3,051
Sorry to intrude but really happy for Tando tonight. Deserved win.
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AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
I have to say, I think people are getting a little bit carried away with Velaphi. Had the disallowed goal been allowed, and I reckon it was pretty borderline, everyone would have (rightly) criticised him for fumbling the initial shot that led to the scramble. In a 1-0 loss or 1-1 draw, it would've been a costly error in a game we dominated for large periods.
There's no doubt he did well otherwise - some of the saves from Victory's set pieces in particular were terrific - and I've wanted him to get an extended run in the side for over 12 months... but I reckon we should temper our expectations at least a little bit.
Agree with you on Garuccio. He actually LOOKED like a full-back and all but shut Barbarouses, who absolutely killed us in the first derby, out of the gameLike I said, I've been wanting Velaphi to have his chance for more than a year - he definitely should have been our number one going into this season, IMO. I don't particularly rate either Velaphi or Redmayne, and I get that it's nice to see at least semi-competent play at the position for the first time in a while (!), but the clean sheets obviously aren't always exclusively on the goalkeeper.
Chapman is getting a lot of the plaudits (rightly, he'll be a star), but we should also be praising Garuccio IMO. Despite not being a natural defender like Ramsay, he has far greater positional sense than Ramsay and looks far more composed. He really should've be our first-choice left-back from the opening game after showing at least some competence late last year. A natural full-back would be nice, but Garuccio looks a clear upgrade on Ramsay, who played with more freedom and put in a positive display at his natural position against Victory.
Good points.Agree with you on Garuccio. He actually LOOKED like a full-back and all but shut Barbarouses, who absolutely killed us in the first derby, out of the game
I read on Fox Sports Football, I think, that JVS has been given the authority to clear out a lot of players in January to clear up some room in the cap to get more players in. I really hope we get a fullback or two and a GK as a result of this. I'm pretty sure we still have a Visa spot open as well so hopefully we'll see someone foreign come in and fill that.
It also means that JVS has been backed, in the short-term at least, as the man for the job if he's been allowed to bring in more of his own players. I don't mind it if he has becasue I rate him as a manager and if he can fill a few obvious holes we could end up with a really strong squad for the second half of the season.
Couldn't tell you about the Youth League mate, I don't really keep up to date with it apart from a quick look here or there. But Perth are unbelievable this year, I think their Women's side lost in the Grand Final as well. I think the rise of their 1st team can just about be put down to Kenny Lowe, he seems a fantastic manager and a really good guy. A long way removed from the rampant nepotism and discord they experienced under Allistair Edwards last season. It's more than fair to say that Andy Keogh's been a handy pick up as well, but I also think that Rostyn Griffiths was a good get for them, he's been really good shielding the back 4 for them this season. Add that to the natural improvement of guys like Danny de Silva and Josh Risdon and the quality of Marinkovic and it males for a good side. In saying all that we'll still knock them off on boxing day though.Good points.
Watched the Youth team beat Perth, who are the top team- MC now only 1 point or so below?
What is it about Perth this year?
Will Nick Kalmar be one of the first cut? The forgotten NK. He and Hoffman are the only 2 originals left. Not sure what has gone on there- always thought NK showed a lot when given a few games.
I really like JVS too. Makes complete sense, and is a pretty dignified character, no rubbish in his pressers.
Agree. Looks to be the best player in our team by a mile, and close to the best performed in A-League week after week.Not sure how Mooy didn't make the Australian side for the Asian Cup. Good for us I guess.
Great points there.Cassio has been cut from Adelaide United, after a falling out with Gombau (I think he was left out of the Cup squad and then cracked the sads and didn't bother to celebrate with his teammates or even congratulate them). If his head is screwed on right, I reckon we could do a lot worse as a (natural) left back option for the rest of the season. He's not a visa player anymore either. I'd be reluctant to immediately start him ahead of Garuccio, but it would be great to have an experienced full back option, who is actually a natural full back. It would remain to be seen how he would respond if he wasn't able to push into the starting lineup, but if he can't get a start for Melbourne City as a left back, that probably says more about where he's at as a player.
Victory is the only reason the Derbys rate, MC gets 10k max to a game. That said,the derbys are amazing.Great points there.
Garuccio is going to be a beauty.
Serious question MC, how do you rate the atmosphere of the Derby games cf a Geelong Hawks H & A game?
These A-League games are really growing on me, and am finding MORE enjoyment than AFL games, to some extent, and not related to Geelong's recent finals, as MCFC has not exactly been overly successful.
Good result tonight, 4 points against arguably the 2 best teams in the comp back-to-back is excellent for the club. Only 4 points off Sydney FC with a game in hand.
Body weights? Agree.Melling, Mooy and Paartalu > Villa, Koren, Duff
Yep, slide Dugandzic in for Koren, then Melling off for somebody else (Mooy back to midfield) and Brown on for Duff to finish.Perfect. And then Williams out, Kennedy in. Dugandzic first off the bench.
Great points there.
Garuccio is going to be a beauty.
Serious question MC, how do you rate the atmosphere of the Derby games cf a Geelong Hawks H & A game?
These A-League games are really growing on me, and am finding MORE enjoyment than AFL games, to some extent, and not related to Geelong's recent finals, as MCFC has not exactly been overly successful.
Disappointing not to get the 3 points. We definitely had the better of the game, although as usual, we allowed the opposition some glorious chances on the break. Velaphi's save from Djulbic off the set piece after they equalised was equal parts great and lucky.
Kisnorbo had a truly dreadful game, I thought. The PK non-decision on Garcia was 50:50, Paddy was probably lucky. Then he lost Garcia for the goal, and lost Djulbic for the other chance 5 minutes later. Just a bad day. Chapman impressed again though.
Vukovic's save from Mooy after our insane spell of pressure (5-6 corners in succession) was top, top shelf. To save that with all those bodies in front of him was superb. Was probably our last genuine chance to win it as well.
Definitely more positive signs in recent games.