Preview R2: Changes vs. Essendon

[Stephen2]

I wasn't as hot & bothered by Milera over Nank as others, but whoever said Milera needs to play SANFL to gain confidence in line breaking & metres gained was spot on, in hindsight.

2018 & 2023 his best years - stats

disposals - 19.5, metres - ~320, ~4 score involvements

Today with 13 touches, 78 metres & 2 SI well under his average/best, let alone what we REALLY need from that position.

I'd be sending him back to the SANFL, and putting Nank in like you all rightly pointed out before the game.


Would really like a replacement for that position, someone who make the Milera vs Nank debate completely irrelevant.

 

[AFC979810]

Would love to see Nank come in for Milera.

Other than that let's roll with this 22.

If we go unchanged I would like to see either Milera or Sholl be the SUB.

 

[AFC979810]

MCG gonna be tough considering Nicks has never won there and as a club we have lost our last 10 visits to G. Our last win was in 2017.

Like St.Kilda, Essendon have some serious issues in their forward line so it's going to be interesting to see where their goals come from. Their top 3 goal kickers from 2024 who combined for 105 goals last year are either injured or at another club. Their #6 goal kicker from 24 is also hurt (Guelfi).

They have some talented forwards in Caddy and Kako, but Gresham, Jones and Perkins don't really scare ya.

 

[davos44]

Fun Facts with Grotto

The last time the Crows played Essendon at the MCG, the Crows had not yet won a flag.

1995 was the last time they met at the G.

They also made a documentary about it and lost by 122 points.
McDermotts 100th game.

God we were a wild side under Shaw

 

[Cromulant]

He's nowhere near his best... when he's at his best he will side step and fend off everything.

Has he got it in him ??

 

[davos44]

In: Draper, Pedlar (IDK... Dowling, Berry, Nank?)
Out: Milera Sub, Curtin

This is the real deal game, a team we need to beat to show some actual finals credentials.

No Darcy Parish for ROB to hit the ball to, no Peter Wright to play his 1 good game of the year, not playing under the roof like normal. Full Strength. What else could we ask for?

 

[Cromulant]

In: Draper, Pedlar (IDK... Dowling, Berry, Nank?)
Out: Milera Sub, Curtin

This is the real deal game, a team we need to beat to show some actual finals credentials.

No Darcy Parish for ROB to hit the ball to, no Peter Wright to play his 1 good game of the year, not playing under the roof like normal. Full Strength. What else could we ask for?

Why would we drop Curtin ??

 

[1970crow]

This!

If all Tex can do these days is provide a CHF style linking role that nets him 3 kicks, 2 marks and 7 Hb then i think the games gone past him. The harsh reality is we want to push our best younger players into this team and I am not sure absorbing Tex into a mediocre half cocked role best serves us because that kills our flexibility and if we are relying on subbing him then he is cooked.

It’s a bit early for this. I’m on record as thinking we were better off not extending him, but he’s here now, moving well and we’re 1 game in. If he plays out that role to the end of the game he maybe has 15 with an extra goal. We do need to watch opposition run from him in lost contests and the overall 4 tall structure and there’s a question as to whether his body will remain in good nick, so he’s a watch, but not yet in the discussion.

 

[FR0GGY]

It’s a bit early for this. I’m on record as thinking we were better off not extending him, but he’s here now, moving well and we’re 1 game in. If he plays out that role to the end of the game he maybe has 15 with an extra goal. We do need to watch opposition run from him in lost contests and the overall 4 tall structure and there’s a question as to whether his body will remain in good nick, so he’s a watch, but not yet in the discussion.

I don’t think we played the 4 at any stage together yesterday

 

[Cromulant]

I don’t think we played the 4 at any stage together yesterday

They tried briefly, then shifted Curtin out into no man's land for a bit

 

[FR0GGY]

They tried briefly, then shifted Curtin out into no man's land for a bit

Yesterday was the day to try it anyway.

 

[119others]

Why would we drop Curtin ??

No we should give him a few weeks (4-5 games). But after say round 5, you’d want to be averaging more than 7 possessions per game and mainly just impacting, making a positive difference surely?

I am very aware of the optics of dropping him after say 5 weeks due to poor form. Lots of media scrutiny and questions asked. All this before we ideally want him to recommit to the club at some point over the next 12 months.

But it’s a balancing act and Dan also needs to hold up his end of the bargain a little more than he currently is. I am quietly hopeful, but not supremely confident, he can.

PS I am open to monitoring Mileras form also. Did Nank play well yesterday?

 

[Cromulant]

No we should give him a few weeks (4-5 games). But after say round 5, you’d want to be averaging more than 7 possessions per game and mainly just impacting, making a positive difference surely?

I am very aware of the optics of dropping him after say 5 weeks due to poor form. Lots of media scrutiny and questions asked. All this before we ideally want him to recommit to the club at some point over the next 12 months.

But it’s a balancing act and Dan also needs to hold up his end of the bargain a little more than he currently is. I am quietly hopeful, but not supremely confident, he can.

PS I am open to monitoring Mileras form also. Did Nank play well yesterday?

I believe he did yes, Pedlar was the one everyone was talking about though.

Which is also pleasing.

 

[119others]

I’d rest Tex .

Out : tex
In : nankervis

Curtin to play the Tex role .

I am open to that for the Kangas game as also provides Curtin more opportunity. Dons game we need our best team on the park and that includes the great man.

 

[triggyscrewedus]

MCG gonna be tough considering Nicks has never won there and as a club we have lost our last 10 visits to G. Our last win was in 2017.

Like St.Kilda, Essendon have some serious issues in their forward line so it's going to be interesting to see where their goals come from. Their top 3 goal kickers from 2024 who combined for 105 goals last year are either injured or at another club. Their #6 goal kicker from 24 is also hurt (Guelfi).

They have some talented forwards in Caddy and Kako, but Gresham, Jones and Perkins don't really scare ya.

Our new Coach Muzza won his last game at the MCG

 

[Jarman3]

After a win like yesterday with no injuries, you'd assume we'll go in unchanged.

However, with Smith now available for selection, will Nicks be able to help himself? I'll jokingly suggest we'll bring in Smith for either Draper or Curtin, but it's one of those nervous little "ha... ha.... ha?" kind of jokes where you're worried it might actually not be a joke at all.

 

[Samcro24]

After a win like yesterday with no injuries, you'd assume we'll go in unchanged.

However, with Smith now available for selection, will Nicks be able to help himself? I'll jokingly suggest we'll bring in Smith for either Draper or Curtin, but it's one of those nervous little "ha... ha.... ha?" kind of jokes where you're worried it might actually not be a joke at all.

 

[Cromulant]

After a win like yesterday with no injuries, you'd assume we'll go in unchanged.

However, with Smith now available for selection, will Nicks be able to help himself? I'll jokingly suggest we'll bring in Smith for either Draper or Curtin, but it's one of those nervous little "ha... ha.... ha?" kind of jokes where you're worried it might actually not be a joke at all.

Smith is a long way from selection.

 

[Jarman3]

Smith is a long way from selection.

Hold Nicks's beer.

 

[1990crow]

This is a must win game to play finals IMO.
R4 onwards will be challenging.

 

[MarcusP2]

It’s a bit early for this. I’m on record as thinking we were better off not extending him, but he’s here now, moving well and we’re 1 game in. If he plays out that role to the end of the game he maybe has 15 with an extra goal. We do need to watch opposition run from him in lost contests and the overall 4 tall structure and there’s a question as to whether his body will remain in good nick, so he’s a watch, but not yet in the discussion.

The umps didn't pay two marks in the F50 early either, he could've had another goal or two.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Curtin sub this week ( mainly to get Draper a starting spot )

Draper into 22 on the wide expanses of the mcg which will suit his game

Job done

We know milera will get a block of games

 

[Jeffcrowe]

This is a must win game to play finals IMO.
R4 onwards will be challenging.

I agree but also got a bad feeling

 

[Cromulant]

I agree but also got a bad feeling

Without Langford and Ridley we should be winning this one.

It will tell us how far weve come as a side IMO, win a game you are expected to away from home.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Without Langford and Ridley we should be winning this one.

It will tell us how far weve come as a side IMO, win a game you are expected to away from home.

I’m expecting Essendon to dial up the pressure gauge like pies did to > 200 knowing they need to for their season

If we aren’t prepared to bring similar heat we will be in for a super rude shock

If we can withstand it and fire it back our class will prevail

Normally Merrett and Parish torch us , is parish out at mornent ?