Strategy Changes Round 6: Melbourne Demons vs. Fremantle Dockers

[pK75]

Was leaning toward Draper just following Van Rooyan around all day, but maybe they don’t think Darcy can match Gawns minutes in the middle so want a mature chop out and McDonald is the best option (compared to Reidy and Riddle)

 

[freo_leo29]

Shai always does a random limp at times

Just like Hoges was always gurning

Some people just have weird characteristics

 

[go_the_dockers]

Hope omac plays defense, don't think he cuts it as a forward

Do we know who is over there at the moment? Anyone outside the previous squad flown over?

 

[freo_leo29]

Do we know who is over there at the moment? Anyone outside the previous squad flown over?

Omac and dogga the only ones confirmed so far

 

[go_the_dockers]

Was leaning toward Draper just following Van Rooyan around all day, but maybe they don’t think Darcy can match Gawns minutes in the middle so want a mature chop out and McDonald is the best option (compared to Reidy and Riddle)

As much as I hate to say it, Treacy can ruck for small bits.

Draper, Treacy and Cox should be more than enough. I like the idea of trying Erasmus and\or Johnson in the ruck for 2 or 3 minutes, especially for games like this when we are a bit shorter than normal.

For the next 2 weeks, we will need to be a bit creative. Next week especially, as they have a taller forward line.

 

[Lach72]

Would rather redraft Sandi’s missing toe than have Treacy in the ruck

 

[go_the_dockers]

Would rather redraft Sandi’s missing toe than have Treacy in the ruck

He rucked a bit last week. As did Draper. Not saying I agree with it, but I think it will happen the next 2 week.

 

[Paracleet]

As much as I hate to say it, Treacy can ruck for small bits.

Draper, Treacy and Cox should be more than enough. I like the idea of trying Erasmus and\or Johnson in the ruck for 2 or 3 minutes, especially for games like this when we are a bit shorter than normal.

For the next 2 weeks, we will need to be a bit creative. Next week especially, as they have a taller forward line.

Tracey to take the rotation centre bounces, all other stoppages when Darcy is off: Drapes.

 

[malpaso]

I'd imagine Treacy rucking in the forward line and Draper in the back line helps Darcy stay on the park but not get fatigued..

 

[worsemim]

I've been thinking about what structure we'll go in with—it seems almost certain we'll be going with Draper or Cox forward. There is no way we can accomodate Reidy's low TOG + Darcy low TOG. Reidy couldn't present as a forward against Geelong. The last time we had more defenders available than forwards was r1 2024, when we went with Cox in the forward line. It looked.........pretty good, aggregate. It's hard to say exactly, because Brisbane looked absolutely awful for those first few rounds. Cox didn't star, but he was playing a negating role, similarly to what we used to do with Logue as a forward—playing a role something like JOM helping Sebba break through a tag. Basically being a body blocker every time Treacy or Amiss want to make a lead. I thought our forward line cohesion looked way better with Cox up ahead of the ball.

The issue with that is that we probably want to keep Cox solo intercepting and contested marking in defence—it's been very valuable to us already this year.

I like Draper as chop-out ruck, but Cox or OMac playing that role forward seems more likely. It's a footy smarts-type role that requires experience and body positioning, and those two are way more experienced in that regard.

 

[Paracleet]

I've been thinking about what structure we'll go in with—it seems almost certain we'll be going with Draper or Cox forward. There is no way we can accomodate Reidy's low TOG + Darcy low TOG. Reidy couldn't present as a forward against Geelong. The last time we had more defenders available than forwards was r1 2024, when we went with Cox in the forward line. It looked.........pretty good, aggregate. It's hard to say exactly, because Brisbane looked absolutely awful for those first few rounds. Cox didn't star, but he was playing a negating role, similarly to what we used to do with Logue as a forward—playing a role something like JOM helping Sebba break through a tag. Basically being a body blocker every time Treacy or Amiss want to make a lead. I thought our forward line cohesion looked way better with Cox up ahead of the ball.

The issue with that is that we probably want to keep Cox solo intercepting and contested marking in defence—it's been very valuable to us already this year.

I like Draper as chop-out ruck, but Cox or OMac playing that role forward seems more likely. It's a footy smarts-type role that requires experience and body positioning, and those two are way more experienced in that regard.

Wouldn't be surprised if Omac plays forward to block. You'd think he'd do a better job of that task than Drapes. Drapes to stay back when not rucking.

 

[worsemim]

Wouldn't be surprised if Omac plays forward to block. You'd think he'd do a better job of that task than Drapes. Drapes to stay back when not rucking.

And I'd much rather Draper's speed in the backline anyway; Melbourne's forward line is short and pretty fast especially when they're rotating mids through.

 

[Paracleet]

And I'd much rather Draper's speed in the backline anyway; Melbourne's forward line is short and pretty fast especially when they're rotating mids through.

Voss brings energy and great ground game. I'm sure he'd selflessly block for Amiss if he could process it on the go but I'd say he's another 20 AFL games practice from that. Omac on the other hand could bring Jye into it.

 

[Taylor]

I just like the idea of our young key defender, Draper, spending a couple of games forward and kicking bulk goals as the third option up there basically left alone by the opposition because they've never seen him up forward before.

 

[freo_leo29]

I just like the idea of our young key defender, Draper, spending a couple of games forward and kicking bulk goals as the third option up there basically left alone by the opposition because they've never seen him up forward before.

Drafted as a forward too

We have squeezed him into the side because he is too talented to leave out, imagine he turns into a brilliant swingman for us

Perfect week to try sending him forward

 

[King Huskii]

Drafted as a forward too

We have squeezed him into the side because he is too talented to leave out, imagine he turns into a brilliant swingman for us

Perfect week to try sending him forward

Keep him back

He and Tracey share 2nd ruck duties and have Narkle play half forward

Dudley to remain sub

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Would rather redraft Sandi’s missing toe than have Treacy in the ruck

Sandi needs his toe, leave it in retirement.

If Omac isn't selected, Banfield to the ruck.

Failing that, if it is wet, bring my buddy h'Aaishy in and have him run around in long sleeves pretending to be backup ruck but "accidentally" getting his long sleeves and headband tangled up in Gawn's shoelaces...

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

We'll be pantsted in hitouts no matter who the rucks are for us, really about trying to get the clearances anyway by outbodying them in the midfield and also being clean and smart when we do get hands on it...

 

[freo_leo29]

Keep him back

He and Tracey share 2nd ruck duties and have Narkle play half forward

Dudley to remain sub

We are definitely playing a 3rd tall

It just depends whether it's omac or one of the other 2


Omac ain't a good forward

 

[King Huskii]

We are definitely playing a 3rd tall

It just depends whether it's omac or one of the other 2


Omac ain't a good forward

And the others aren't ready

Narkle will provide skill and pace

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

We are definitely playing a 3rd tall

It just depends whether it's omac or one of the other 2


Omac ain't a good forward

Imo what may end up being relevant is they're thinking 2 games, not just 1. Jackson out for the next 2 and Voss for the next 3. And Adelaide is pretty much the exact team that Freo's current defensive set-up is made to have an answer to. But Pearce, Draper and Cox have played only a handful of games together. I think for continuity's sake they just keep the backs back.

If it was just the 1 game, I think you flip Draper/Cox fwd and swap a tall for a small in defence. Coz OMac fwd won't do much - not even based on his WAFL performance (which tbh is a rough deal - limited quantity and even worse quality of supply) but more that he doesn't really take contested marks in defence either over his AFL career.

The question isn't whether OMac is a better fwd than Draper/Cox (he isn't). It's whether he's sufficiently worse than them to justify taking 1 of them out of defence. And for the Adelaide game at least, I think no.

 

[greatgatsby]

Draper might be Adam Goodes. Let's start to find out by asking him to go forward occasionally.

 

[FreoRicci]

Hope omac plays defense, don't think he cuts it as a forward

Cox goes forward. Simple. Melbourne have a short forward line. JVR and probably Petty.

 

[pK75]

Dees could easily bring in Turner or Fullerton as an extra tall up forward. Omac to sacrifice his game to keep Treacy and Amiss up forward and Cox and Draper down back seems like the way to go.

 

[FreoRicci]

Dees could easily bring in Turner or Fullerton as an extra tall up forward. Omac to sacrifice his game to keep Treacy and Amiss up forward and Cox and Draper down back seems like the way to go.

Most likely Cox goes forward.
OMac will be fine v Melbourne. Cox will stretch their defence, ala Logue v May/Lever a few years ago