Preview Round 1: GWS vs Essendon, Sydney Showgrounds, Sunday 24/03/2019 @ 3.20PM

[TheGrizz]

Dont get the Baguley hate on here (or just bemusement that he got picked). And i was one of his biggest detractors last year when he was still playing defence.

He plays a specific role - to chase, pressure, tackle, crack in over the ball when it spills from a marking contest and provide an honest enough option that his man doesnt zone off.

Are there other guys who can play that role? Yup, Fanta, Walla and Smith can but i think we all agree we need them up the ground, so Bags is needed deep to apply that constant pressure.

Not everyone needs to be superstars - surely richmond in 2017, collingwood and west coast last year proved that.

Until someone takes that spot from him, he owns it after his finish to last year.

And no - Laverde is not that player. He isnt the negating, chasing type - Lav is competing with Langford and Stringer as a third tall forward rotating through the midfield, of which i think we all would have before Lav at this point.

 

[Dave]

Shouldn't the point be that Bags isn't getting any younger and we should be getting a consistent run into these future players? Or is the time now?

If his form warrants he should be selected. Age is not more important than ability/form.

 

[boncer34]

Thanks mate.

Yeah the selections definitely confirmed my conviction.

Nope. They're just as rubbish now as they were last night.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Parish get a top 10 pick and then draft/trade for a proper mid

 

[DapperJong]

Look at you lot rubbishing my boy bags.

I expect groveling of the highest order Sunday night.

 

[boncer34]

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Parish get a top 10 pick and then draft/trade for a proper mid

I've said before don't drink and post

 

[Highly Evolved]

Kelly is a decent out for GWS. Heart says Essendon win, head says GWS. Should be a competitive game though.

Feel for Parish being omitted but hopefully he uses it as motivation. I'm a believer.

 

[Bombers36]

No Margaret - thats it Im changing teams

 

[blitzer]

Its interesting that we are weakened in our key position players which is probably our strength and GWS is weakened through the midfield which is their strength. Probably brings both teams to a fairly level starting point. The team that can play closer to their best will win, it won't be about the talent out on the park.

 

[JayJ20]

Guelfi is overrated on here.

He’s hard at it, but his decision making is concerning.

 

[ghostdog]

If his form warrants he should be selected. Age is not more important than ability/form.

Excellent. Then, Baaaaaags!

 

[Pweter]

I'm not upset about Parish not being named. His JLT form was underwhelming so this sends a message. Let him rip up the 2s so he's ready to eat a football.

We shouldn't be gifting games to a 4th year player or any player regardless of draft pick for that matter if their form isn't up to scratch. Some players will be favoured over others for whatever reason but doing this to a somewhat out of form high draft pick I think isn't a bad move.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

My only gripe is we are still picking a team to try and scrape into the 8 vs picking a team to finish first.

Hopefully we get a few to bob up. Reckon Tippa could go to another level this year and the one to watch.

 

[Liberator]

Shouldn't the point be that Bags isn't getting any younger and we should be getting a consistent run into these future players? Or is the time now?

Well, both! I think the time is now... But for Bags, the time will soon become then (if you know what I mean), and I think you do want these other guys getting seniors experience. Just not necessarily round 1.

 

[rumply]

I didn't think that the 666 rule had much of an impact last night.

Pies causing damage with it first quarter tonight, dominant midfields should be able to exploit effectively.

 

[ghostdog]

Well, both! I think the time is now... But for Bags, the time will soon become then (if you know what I mean), and I think you do want these other guys getting seniors experience. Just not necessarily round 1.

Yeah that's where I'm at as well. I'm keeping the faith in the coaches' choices but hoping players like Laverde and Parish hit a patch of form that can't be denied and keep players like Baguley out of the side. It sounds terrible but the same will happen to Hurls and Hooker sooner or later, hopefully with players like Redman and Bzerk.

 

[freddy mercury]

As much as we love bags, surely Laverde is a better option?

 

[gillon]

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Parish get a top 10 pick and then draft/trade for a proper mid

He wouldn't get a top 10 pick by himself.

 

[Andronicus]

My only gripe is we are still picking a team to try and scrape into the 8 vs picking a team to finish first.

Hopefully we get a few to bob up. Reckon Tippa could go to another level this year and the one to watch.

What?

Selection in round 1 seems to be aiming for finals, but not aiming for top spot?

Please, PLEASE tell me who has been selected that makes us a good chance at finals, but inhibits a shot at top spot.

 

[JayJ20]

My only gripe is we are still picking a team to try and scrape into the 8 vs picking a team to finish first.

Hopefully we get a few to bob up. Reckon Tippa could go to another level this year and the one to watch.

Who would you include/remove to aim for the minor premiership?

 

[ghostdog]

I reckon we need McGrath to go next level as a Dev Smith type mid; tackling and defensive pressure as well as an offensive counter-punch, so Dev can play the Bags/Andrew Welsh defensive forward role better than Bags does. Interestingly, Dev mentioned during the off-season that the coaches do want him to go forward and to hit the scoreboard more.

Laverde or Parish or whoever then comes into the midfield. If it's Laverde it's part of a HF rotation that allows Dev to go through the middle. Downside is Laverde's defensive game which seems a bit sus. If it's Parish, his ability to go through the forwardline is sus as he couldn't hit the scoreboard, but his defensive pressure is probably ahead of Laverde's.

 

[Bjchan13]

Zach Merrett in the forward pocket, mitch brown at halfback and Tippa on the pine. Ive noticed woosh names his teams all over the shop quite often but that's pretty funny. Pretty happy he's gone with the experience of bags and myers round 1 but they both need to perform strongly. I think they will.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Guelfi is overrated on here.

He’s hard at it, but his decision making is concerning.

Don’t think anyone rates him particularly highly, just a good hard boy with hops and endeavour.

 

[Vander18]

I reckon we need McGrath to go next level as a Dev Smith type mid; tackling and defensive pressure as well as an offensive counter-punch, so Dev can play the Bags/Andrew Welsh defensive forward role better than Bags does. Interestingly, Dev mentioned during the off-season that the coaches do want him to go forward and to hit the scoreboard more.

Laverde or Parish or whoever then comes into the midfield. If it's Laverde it's part of a HF rotation that allows Dev to go through the middle. Downside is Laverde's defensive game which seems a bit sus. If it's Parish, his ability to go through the forwardline is sus as he couldn't hit the scoreboard, but his defensive pressure is probably ahead of Laverde's.

TBH I think it’s more likely Dev Smith plays the Dev Smith midfield role and McGrath spends more time forward. I think we need Smith around the contest.

McGrath is great on the fly but I’m not certain his physicality is at the level required for serious midfield duties (yet).

 

[Vander18]

Dont get the Baguley hate on here (or just bemusement that he got picked). And i was one of his biggest detractors last year when he was still playing defence.

He plays a specific role - to chase, pressure, tackle, crack in over the ball when it spills from a marking contest and provide an honest enough option that his man doesnt zone off.

Are there other guys who can play that role? Yup, Fanta, Walla and Smith can but i think we all agree we need them up the ground, so Bags is needed deep to apply that constant pressure.

Not everyone needs to be superstars - surely richmond in 2017, collingwood and west coast last year proved that.

Until someone takes that spot from him, he owns it after his finish to last year.

And no - Laverde is not that player. He isnt the negating, chasing type - Lav is competing with Langford and Stringer as a third tall forward rotating through the midfield, of which i think we all would have before Lav at this point.

Lav needs to become that player if he wants a game. As you say, he won’t displace Stringer any time soon.

He is a far better physical package than Baguley, there is no earthly reason he can’t apply the same level of pressure. The difference is intent.