Preview Changes vs Gold Coast, Sat 12 April, Barossa (Gather Round) - SWING THE AXE

[Duck the GOAT]

We need to bring in a genuine key forward who can clunk a mark and relief ruck.

Teakle or Maley whoever plays better tomorrow plays next week.

If we cannot move the ball forward of centre other than bombing it long at least play players who stand an iota of a chance of making a difference there.

Put an end to Comben the defender.
Swing him forward.

 

[zoomba23]

Zurhaar out. Powell out. Tucker out. Hansen out. Logue out. Daniel out.

Pink in. Ford in. Fisher in. FOS in. Arch in. An inanimate carbon rod in.

 

[tommy_uman]

Will most likely just be
Out: Whitlock, Hansen Jnr
In: Archer, FOS

 

[Moti]

Brain way too messed up to put real thought into this but here are some thoughts:

- Archer in for Whitlock (Matclock looked good, just inexperienced, I would have subbed others)
- FOS in for RHJ (play him wing/HF/mid)
- Hardeman in 22 for Tucker;
- Need Pink in too so Chom could play forward, or just replace CHOM?

To the Philips suggestion, unless we drop one of the current mids, just going to add to the lack of outside run unless the ground is narrow.

 

[muttley45]

I will watch the VFL tomorrow and hope to see a few put up their hands for a trip to Adelaide, before thinking about changes right now.

 

[DarwinRoo]

Out: Hood, Watts, Rawlings, White and any other cancerous ****wit holding this club back.

 

[hundini]

Get Wardlaw in to lead with some ticker.

 

[tommy_uman]

Brain way too messed up to put real thought into this but here are some thoughts:

- Archer in for Whitlock (Matclock looked good, just inexperienced, I would have subbed others)
- FOS in for RHJ (play him wing/HF/mid)
- Hardeman in 22 for Tucker;
- Need Pink in too so Chom could play forward, or just replace CHOM?

To the Philips suggestion, unless we drop one of the current mids, just going to add to the lack of outside run unless the ground is narrow.

I agree, but Chom will stay back. Logue/Corr need to lift.

 

[shintemaster]

Before moving on to changes I will say some of the moves today really annoyed the shit out of me. Logue hasn't looked close to it yet this year. Playing him into some form in the AFL is one thing, playing him into some form with assistance from a first gamer, Hardeman (who is close to this), Comben (who is not a 1v1 defender yet - if ever) is just arrogant. We are not that good that we can be throwing 3 players who have barely played a senior game as a defender down there with Logue and just expect it to happen. Very surprised to not see Hardeman start on the ground. Would have been easily a better option to start than Tucker.

Changes there are too many to list but for me they'd be coming from:

Tucker - He's depth, that's fine, but that's it. Running him out as best 22 was dumb.
Stephens - No, wear the contract and move on. I see little hope there.
Whitlock - No shame on him and came okay, if they're going to put a backline with a modicum of talent next to him I'd happily role him out again. Was decent enough sans a few brain fades / jitters you'd expect. Personally I don't have any issue with him rolling out again, he stood under the ball well later and delivered a couple of nice kicks when he could have fallen apart.
Lmac - We saw some good games from Lmac this year when not expected to hold down the backline. He's not that player and not good enough to do it without better players around him.
RHJ - Most of the game continued as per the shocker last week, but I saw some good signs later on that he was listening to what they were telling him to do.

I'd be looking to get Fisher in if fit (I know his limitations), pointless dropping Logue now if they've decided to get him form in the 1's. Archer will return. Hardeman should get a full gig - having some semblance of a team that knows basic defence stuff - even if young - will help.

I know people will be on the Teakle / Maley train - and by all means I hope one or both absolutely smash it this weekend - but there still a strong argument for Comben as Forward / Relief ruck and let Xerri rest, Darling actually be a forward.

I know it's the cool thing to knock Phillips and I doubt it would have mattered if he was there materially but there is a huge problem in that midfield that too many of them think they don't need to actually defend a player. That's fine if you get clearances every 2nd bounce, but most of them don't. Too many unwilling to do the hard work. Powell did nothing without other players creating lanes for him.

Jy Simpkin has a huge heart and I love him, but **** me dead he is a bad kick sometimes. Don't want us to panic and create a bigger issue but it is glaringly obvious how much we need a player like Wardlaw that is both attacking with the ball and a threat to everyone when he doesn't have it.

 

[TheKanga]

I couldn't care less about this game

Out - Logue, Whitlock, Tucker, Zurhaar
In - Pink, Archer, FOS, Harvey

 

[north_lad]

Get PINK in

 

[shintemaster]

Get PINK in

Strange decision (one I didn't agree with personally). He's obviously not a world beater but can play both ends and knows what to do (even if the body sometimes can't back that up).

 

[Chadwiko]

Strange decision (one I didn't agree with personally). He's obviously not a world beater but can play both ends and knows what to do (even if the body sometimes can't back that up).

More importantly, he didn't get embarrassed the handful of times he was asked to provide a chop-out in the ruck either. And if Xerri was going into this game with an injury cloud (which he clearly was), then having another tall who has played that spot-ruck role before would be enormously beneficial.

Instead, we asked 49 year old Jack Darling to spend all his tickets running around for stints in the ruck.

Dumb.

 

[north_lad]

Strange decision (one I didn't agree with personally). He's obviously not a world beater but can play both ends and knows what to do (even if the body sometimes can't back that up).

We have some seriously dumb players. This guy (mostly) knows his limits and plays within them. Nostra can bag him until the cows come home IDGAF, on tonight's performance NOBODY is keeping him out of the team.

 

[shintemaster]

We have some seriously dumb players. This guy (mostly) knows his limits and plays within them. Nostra can bag him until the cows come home IDGAF, on tonight's performance NOBODY is keeping him out of the team.

Agree. I'd happily have him out there until someone takes the job from him. There are other players down back that never get given the responsibility Pink does but glide on to the next game when we lose whilst he is dropped even with a tougher task.

 

[rooboytom_90]

You are all overreacting, but I get it.

Perspective - Hawthorn lost three games by nearly 10 goals and one by 6 goals in there first 5 games last season, which were all losses. We are coming from an even longer way back then they were last season and at one point last year we didn't look like we would or could even win a game.

So far this season, we have been okay against dogs (who were good enough to win the flag), okay against melbourne (effort good, we butchered it for three quarters), okay against adelaide (effort, and butchered it) and then tonight, if we used it a bit better, perhaps we would have got into the game more as we weren't deplorable in that first half.... but it was a blip, we were off pace, they were fresh off the bye, and we were probably carrying too many ******s to cater for the fact all our good players minus sheezel stunk it up. Xerri, Larkey (both all australian chances), LDU (likewise), Comben, Zuharr... if I told you before the game that Xerri, LDU, Powell, Larkey, Zuharr, Comben were to play average to poor games tonight... what chance would you have given us? Not only that, we didn't have the right team balance.... Logue, Comben, Corr & Whitelock way too tall, we then put Sheezel down back for a big portion which worked well but took out a centre bounce mid from the team who actualy can win first possession / contested possessions.

Out: RHJ, Whitlock, Stephens

In: Archer, Phillips (Narrow ground), FOS

Mark my words, we are right in this game next week. Tonight was pathetic but it was a blip on the radar. Only one of our good players played well, and these would be three good ins. I know GCS are flying, but there coming off a finals type game which always makes teams a bit suspectible the next week. We weren't that far off Adelaide and if we make these changes, we strengthen up next week.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

OUT:

Tucker - Offers us nothing much and is just a dumb footballer. I don't know why he keeps getting games.

RHJ - Sorry, i just don't see it in him. How this guy has been getting a game ahead of Ford so far this season is beyond me. Ford at least has x-factor and hits the scoreboard.

Stephens - Why we got this guy on a 4 year contract is beyond me. It's passed the point now of giving him games in the hope he can prove his worth. Just a very vanilla footballer

Logue - Bad idea bringing this guy straight back into the team having shown no form at all to deserve it. Gave us nothing tonight.

Matlock - Needs more time developing.

IN: Wardlaw, Archer, Fisher, Pink, FOS

FB: Pink - Corr - Archer
HB: Daniel - Comben - LMac
C: Scott - LDU - McKercher
F: Xerri - Sheezel - Powell
HF: Simpkin - Zurhaar - Konstanty
FF: Curtis - Larkey - Darling
INT: Wardlaw, FOS, Fisher, Parker
SUB: Hardeman

*If Ford is fit, he can be sub

**If not Pink, then W. Dawson. At this point in time, in terms of where each are at in their development, we should be getting more games into W. Dawson than Matlock.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

OUT: Pea hearts

IN: Some F***ing Heart!

 

[apollo_creed]

You are all overreacting, but I get it.

Perspective - Hawthorn lost three games by nearly 10 goals and one by 6 goals in there first 5 games last season, which were all losses. We are coming from an even longer way back then they were last season and at one point last year we didn't look like we would or could even win a game.

So far this season, we have been okay against dogs (who were good enough to win the flag), okay against melbourne (effort good, we butchered it for three quarters), okay against adelaide (effort, and butchered it) and then tonight, if we used it a bit better, perhaps we would have got into the game more as we weren't deplorable in that first half.... but it was a blip, we were off pace, they were fresh off the bye, and we were probably carrying too many ******s to cater for the fact all our good players minus sheezel stunk it up. Xerri, Larkey (both all australian chances), LDU (likewise), Comben, Zuharr... if I told you before the game that Xerri, LDU, Powell, Larkey, Zuharr, Comben were to play average to poor games tonight... what chance would you have given us? Not only that, we didn't have the right team balance.... Logue, Comben, Corr & Whitelock way too tall, we then put Sheezel down back for a big portion which worked well but took out a centre bounce mid from the team who actualy can win first possession / contested possessions.

Out: RHJ, Whitlock, Stephens

In: Archer, Phillips (Narrow ground), FOS

Mark my words, we are right in this game next week. Tonight was pathetic but it was a blip on the radar. Only one of our good players played well, and these would be three good ins. I know GCS are flying, but there coming off a finals type game which always makes teams a bit suspectible the next week. We weren't that far off Adelaide and if we make these changes, we strengthen up next week.

You don’t get it. We aren’t coming from a longer way back than them last season. If anything they should be behind us.

 

[Shermanator]

People calling for Tucker and Stephen’s to be dropped is puzzling. They at least had a crack.

At least 10 blokes that need to go before them based on tonight’s insipid display..

 

[Spud11]

More importantly, he didn't get embarrassed the handful of times he was asked to provide a chop-out in the ruck either. And if Xerri was going into this game with an injury cloud (which he clearly was), then having another tall who has played that spot-ruck role before would be enormously beneficial.

Instead, we asked 49 year old Jack Darling to spend all his tickets running around for stints in the ruck.

Dumb.

It’s so dumb it brings tears to my eyes. We got him to help our forward structure but he’s so often rucking. Can’t even.

 

[harper2bastinac]

In- archer, fos, hardeman for a full game
Out- rhj, tucker, Whitlock

Do not care who goes sub or if any bigger name players get dropped or if anyone makes way for Phillips or anyone that can hit a target or if teakle comes back so we can have someone who can help xerri who’s clearly playing hurt at the moment

 

[amaz199]

Tucker makes too many mind-numbing mistakes. I would drop him purely because he has zero penetration in his kicking which means his role as a half-back (or whatever role he's playing) is utterly useless. He needs something unique to survive out there and I just don't see it.

Put someone else there. Put Hardeman!

 

[shintemaster]

OUT:

Tucker - Offers us nothing much and is just a dumb footballer. I don't know why he keeps getting games.

RHJ - Sorry, i just don't see it in him. How this guy has been getting a game ahead of Ford so far this season is beyond me. Ford at least has x-factor and hits the scoreboard.

Stephens - Why we got this guy on a 4 year contract is beyond me. It's passed the point now of giving him games in the hope he can prove his worth. Just a very vanilla footballer

Logue - Bad idea bringing this guy straight back into the team having shown no form at all to deserve it. Gave us nothing tonight.

Matlock - Needs more time developing.

IN: Wardlaw, Archer, Fisher, Pink, FOS

FB: Pink - Corr - Archer
HB: Daniel - Comben - LMac
C: Scott - LDU - McKercher
F: Xerri - Sheezel - Powell
HF: Simpkin - Zurhaar - Konstanty
FF: Curtis - Larkey - Darling
INT: Wardlaw, FOS, Fisher, Parker
SUB: Hardeman

*If Ford is fit, he can be sub

**If not Pink, then W. Dawson. At this point in time, in terms of where each are at in their development, we should be getting more games into W. Dawson than Matlock.

Good changes.

FWIW I'd have Hardeman in for a full game based on today though. Hoping that a few players stake a claim tomorrow.

Tucker makes too many mind-numbing mistakes. I would drop him purely because he has zero penetration in his kicking which means his role as a half-back (or whatever role he's playing) is utterly useless. He needs something unique to survive out there and I just don't see it.

Put someone else there. Put Hardeman!

This is the thing with Tucker. Puts his body in, runs hard and to the right spaces - no question. The issue is that his disposal has zero damage. Just 40m pitching wedge kicks that just don't cut it. One of at least 5+ players on our list that don't damage - opposition - with their disposal and make us too easy to defend. Need to go down swinging, not concede the game before we run out.

People calling for Tucker and Stephen’s to be dropped is puzzling. They at least had a crack.

At least 10 blokes that need to go before them based on tonight’s insipid display..

Go on, name them then.

Tucker and Stephens are the players that roll out as sub more than any other for our team collectively. I'd argue there is a very good reason for that - they're depth players and nothing else.

 

[Masked Avenger]

It's time to swing the axe and hold some of these soft cats accountable.

OUT: RHJ, Tucker, Whitlock, B. Scott, Stephens

IN: FOS, Wardlaw, Hardeman, Phillips, Fisher ARCHER

I'm sure club would prefer not to rush Wardlaw back, but we need him. Play him and sub him out if we have to, but let's get him back into AFL and ready for what will be a vitally important game on Good Friday vs Carlton.

EDIT: I forgot Jackson Archer is eligible to return so swapped him for Fisher in my suggested changes.

We're not fair dinkum if we're dropping Whitlock (he stays - doesn't carry baggage and he'll be a player) after one game and leaving the likes of Corr, McDonald and Zurhaar running around.