Preview R9: Changes v Gold Coast

[FR0GGY]

Of course he does, that's not been the mark on him .....it's been lost agility, and ball handling

Run hard? He should be able to stay with a player all day, but he can't.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

conspiracy I say

Of course it has .....performances and injury say lower contract .....Brad wants a higher value contract ....normal negotiation process, Brad will be hoping to play games to prove his valuation is more accurate

 

[kulak]

You guys are upset that there is something we are doing which will harm player development. Dropping Brad Crouch will make him worse. Not selecting Wigg will make him worse. etc. I think you are wrong.

The evidence says the AFC are one of the best teams in the league at developing young players. The AFC which is bitched at every year for making their young players play the right way before they pick them, is the same AFC which routinely gets above-average player development.

Menzel doesn't play the right way? Let him sit in the twos while McGovern and Milera get a chance. Brad Crouch doesn't play the right way? Drop him and let Atkins spend more time in the guts. No free passes based on talent. Getting the best improvement from young players != playing the kids.

Mistakes are OK. Lack of professionalism is not. This is the AFC culture, and with it our player development has been good.

I mean seriously, go and look at who we drafted from 2012-2015, and how much they are contributing compared to the pick around the same spot in each draft. (Don't look at 2011 ugh)

We will not contend for the flag this year because we lost Gunston, Tippett, Davis and Dangerfield, plus first round draft picks in 2012 and 2013. It is a miracle of player development that we are not last.

If the AFC thinks that picking VB ahead of Wigg and Doedee is the best approach for player development, then they have enough runs on the board for us to back them in.

I don't care that Douglas and VB and Henderson are mediocre and won't win a flag with us. We won't win a flag this year anyway.

What I do care about is demolishing the culture expects to lose. When things don't go to plan we withdraw into our shells. Don't make a mistake. Make sure that if (when?) it all goes wrong, at least it wasn't my fault.

Lost to Hawthorn? We played well. Hawthorn were just too good in the last 5 minutes. It wasn't my fault.

Lost to Western Bulldogs? The umpires did us in. At least our players kept persisting. It wasn't my fault.

Lost to Geelong? They were just too good for us. Gee Dangerfield is a nice player. At least our players kept persisting. It wasn't my fault.

Picture the meltdown if we lose to Gold Coast. I can smell a 'sack the coach' thread already.

I would not care about the VB selection at all if we had been fighting through difficult situations this year. But we haven't. We have been curled into the foetal position, just waiting for our opponents to beat us.

Read in that context, the VB selection stinks of fear. It says the AFC is not expecting a victory. It says the AFC is fearing a loss.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Crouch needs to get 45 touches 25 of them being kicks. And find some pace.

Even Crouch at his worst last week was the equal of anything VB would've dished up.

Anyways, VB is returning to the cooler role i reckon.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Spread like treacle?

Now your fabricating reality to get the point across you don't want him ......but lets evaluate him accurately please

 

[Scorpus]

conspiracy I say

Adelaide probably doesn't want to put up a huge contract much considering his current form

 

[GreyCrow]

Even Crouch at his worst last week was the equal of anything VB would've dished up.

Anyways, VB is returning to the cooler role i reckon.

Ablett isn't playing

 

[Southerntakeover]

The consensus on the board appears to be more upset by the selection of van Berlo than they were with conceding three goals in four minutes against Hawthorn.

Priorities.

 

[BunjiMac]

They've obviously panicked and brought VB in for leadership. We've been a rudderless mess losing close ones interstate and then that farce against Geelong. I think Pyke has lost confidence in Tex and our other senior players have been invisible. VB is the break glass in emergency leadership pill.

That must be it. VB has been so shit in the reserves that's all it could possibly be.

Yup, VB has elite composure under pressure and can be relied upon to hit that pass, take that mark, or score that goal when it really counts.

 

[mistylake]

He is highly regarded by the playing group and coaches, always has been.

Are they really that deluded it's like Stockholm syndrome.

 

[mistylake]

That's probably going too far. He is a listed AFC player

Agreed.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Now your fabricating reality to get the point across you don't want him ......but lets evaluate him accurately please

He is slow, how can that be argued.

Just because he can run 2km in a good time doesn't mean his top end speed is any good. Walker and Grigg are endurance beasts as well but they are slow.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Run hard?

As long as it's in a straight line, he is really struggling with his agility and ability to turn quickly

Mmmm ....i think you'll find when you spread from the contest, agility is not a concern

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Its funny how many people are selection experts on here. Had no idea how many of you work within the confines of the club and watch trainings and are privy to the discussions on KPI's, goals and strategies that go on. This is great. I will sit back and learn something.

I have been annoyed with 3 selections this year - prior to the games being played.

1. Hartigan not played in round 1 as our defence would be too small against the Roos' talls.

2. Bringing brouch back too early for an in form Lyons.

3. Bringing in vb ahead of either cey or Wigg, if brouch is to be dropped, as perfect opportunity for a younger player.

I have been proven right on the 1st 2, despite being in the minority, particularly on brouch.

I'm not annoyed by brouch being dropped this week, but imo we should have played him against an easier team, then if he struggled, drop him against gws. Would have rested thommo too.

 

[Anzacpaul]

Run hard?

As long as it's in a straight line, he is really struggling with his agility and ability to turn quickly

Almost needs a 3 point turn to do a 180.

 

[CutAboveTheRest]

Mmmm ....i think you'll find when you spread from the contest, agility is not a concern

His spread isn't great at all thou WW. He's always second to the footy.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

He is slow, how can that be argued.

Just because he can run 2km in a good time doesn't mean his top end speed is any good. Walker and Grigg are endurance beasts as well but they are slow.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Van Berlo is replacing M Crouch who is being rested, not to be the cornerstone of our team. You don't upgrade rookies, or play guys who aren't ready, for that.

That's exactly what you do, because there is no downside.

No better opportunity to ease in a green newbie than this.

 

[CutAboveTheRest]

Almost needs a 3 point turn to do a 180.

and then miss the target and cause a turn over + goal.. That's a promise!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

His spread isn't great at all thou WW. He's always second to the footy.

These two statements aren't mutually inclusive though

 

[The19thMan]

Matt Crouch will be back against GWS.

He's not named in the SANFL and the SANFL team have a bye next week so if he doesn't play against GWS he won't of played for 3 weeks leading into rd 11.

That ain't gonna happen.

 

[BACCS]

Not really, surely an opportunity to give Wigg a taste. Will screw Wiggy for an opportunity next week if he's the travelling emergency. Would have missed 2 weeks on the trot. VB's the perfect travelling emergency, versatile, fit and it doesn't matter if missing rules him out of AFL action.

Don't think there is a sanfl game this week due to the state game, scheduling is ridiculous in it this year, seems like we play once a month!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Run hard?

As long as it's in a straight line, he is really struggling with his agility and ability to turn quickly

His straight line stuff is terrible too.

Spud Firrito surged away from him in Round 1

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Even Crouch at his worst last week was the equal of anything VB would've dished up.

Anyways, VB is returning to the cooler role i reckon.

Is there anyone at gold coast in need of cooling?

Surely to a hbf & release Smith to the midfield. In fact play Douglas on the other hbf & release hendo to a wing.

 

[BACCS]

I doubt VB would play his last game at Metricon Stadium. He'll be in this team for as far as the eye can see judging by the selectors willingness to elevate him to the AFL team so quickly

I'm pissed off, but mate, he hasn't played for 7 weeks, he's hardly come back quickly. I was expecting a few overreactionary melts though, so as you were...