Strategy Changes: Round 8 St. Kilda vs Fremantle

[Deveraux]

How strong must Johnson be, that don't argue he did to Riley O'Brien in the middle was unreal.

In no world does Johnson get dropped. He had moments but was a net positive today.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Let us not forget what Gawn did to us. Marshall is a big upgrade on O'Brien. Jackson comes in.


Dudley and Reid probably need a rest. Dudley hasn't played a full game in 3. He must be struggling fitness wise. Not surprisingly since it is his first year.

Dudley rest this week, Reid next week or the week after.

In. Erasmus, Jackson
Out. Dudley, McDonald.

 

[Lach72]

No way I’m dropping Dudley.

He gets fit by playing.

We can add Jackson, and give Ryan a week off and keep O Mac.

We have a seven day break for the first time. That will freshen them all up

 

[mattis117]

Fun fact: this will be the first time in two years that we have all six of our first choice talls.

Not since the middle of 2023 have we had all of Cox, Pearce, Darcy, Jackson, Amiss, and Treacy playing together.

Edit: Actually I'm wrong, all six played Melbourne last year but we lost Pearce for the rest of the year and Jackson got subbed.

 

[mike91]

Sounds like you're projecting, mate. Perhaps you need a break?

Cute. Perhaps people should try being less bias and use commonsense.

 

[Jezzitizle]

I hope Johnson is getting good coaching behind the scenes. His marking and defensive stuff was good, some of his ball use really opened us up the other way though, both by hand and foot. Happy to persist for now.

I think we should put omac to sub, given his flexibility and performance. I don’t trust Darcy to stay fit, and Jacko off a hammy we need to be careful with.

Narkle unlucky, looked good with the very little opportunity they gave him.

TLDR -
Out Narkle
In Jackson
Sub Omac

 

[swanny1234]

Jackson for OMac (unlucky as he was good) would be my only change. Don’t bring JOM back, we are a better team without him.

I’d put Johnson on notice, for his poor disposal, but he still has way more upside than JOM does.

 

[swanny1234]

Gotta keep OMac in. No way can he be dropped after playing like that. You play yourself in and out as they say.

He’s unlucky, but realistically is the only possible guy that can be dropped for Jacko.
We’ll be far too tall against the Saints if we bring in Jackson for a small.

 

[Lach72]

I hope Johnson is getting good coaching behind the scenes. His marking and defensive stuff was good, some of his ball use really opened us up the other way though, both by hand and foot. Happy to persist for now.

I think we should put omac to sub, given his flexibility and performance. I don’t trust Darcy to stay fit, and Jacko off a hammy we need to be careful with.

Narkle unlucky, looked good with the very little opportunity they gave him.

TLDR -
Out Narkle
In Jackson
Sub Omac

Yeah with Johnson there was HEAPS to like.

His movement through and away from the contest was great.

But he needs intense coaching about WHAT to do with the ball.

The time of release, which option etc is making his game look bad. A few times he had the ball when there were two or three perfectly good options to release and keep the ball moving.

Instead he hung onto it, tried to beat the tackles, then released under more pressure.

 

[swanny1234]

Is Reid due for a rest? Seems to be influencing games a lot less over the last couple of weeks - but fly him over with the team so he can have some time with his family.

Think there were a lot of positives with Johnson despite the frustrations of many, one of the better games I've seen him play despite the errors.

No, Reid did exactly what he needed too. Was a quieter game, but he’s a young guy so that’s going to happen. Don’t rest him - still bobbed up and kicked a crucial goal and probably should’ve had a couple more.

He has proven to us all he’s a walk up start, so just leave him there.

 

[swanny1234]

I want us to trial Jackson midfield and keep O'Mac as third tall until Vossy gets back. There is a risk it will be too tall but you never know.

That is far too tall against St Kilda who aren’t that tall a team at all.

If there was a week to have trialled that it was probably vs Adelaide, but the Saints at Marvel is not a game where I’d want to be too tall… we would get run off the park.

 

[Kram]

No way I’m dropping Dudley.

He gets fit by playing.

We can add Jackson, and give Ryan a week off and keep O Mac.

We have a seven day break for the first time. That will freshen them all up

It's just so funny seeing a bloke out there so clever but physically looks like he was just recruited from Saturday ammos.

 

[Lach72]

It's just so funny seeing a bloke out there so clever but physically looks like he was just recruited from Saturday ammos.

Yeah, he ate all the pies

 

[Jezzitizle]

No, Reid did exactly what he needed too. Was a quieter game, but he’s a young guy so that’s going to happen. Don’t rest him - still bobbed up and kicked a crucial goal and probably should’ve had a couple more.

He has proven to us all he’s a walk up start, so just leave him there.

Full 7 day break as well, unless a player is carrying something and there is risk of a big injury/a week off would fix it up, should keep them in.

I think a number of players need to build match fitness, some of them were shattered at the end of the game - Reid and Cox spring to mind.

Next is a 6 day break for a home game v the Pies, but they will have a 5 day break after playing the Cats.

 

[Channels]

I hope Johnson is getting good coaching behind the scenes. His marking and defensive stuff was good, some of his ball use really opened us up the other way though, both by hand and foot. Happy to persist for now.

I think we should put omac to sub, given his flexibility and performance. I don’t trust Darcy to stay fit, and Jacko off a hammy we need to be careful with.

Narkle unlucky, looked good with the very little opportunity they gave him.

TLDR -
Out Narkle
In Jackson
Sub Omac

I like Omac but you really can't have a tall as the sub. Need the flexibility of someone that can play in multiple positions and not key positions.

 

[muzzington]

If O'Mac is left out he has to pass on his 5 O'Clock shadow to someone.

 

[Jezzitizle]

I like Omac but you really can't have a tall as the sub. Need the flexibility of someone that can play in multiple positions and not key positions.

Depends what your goal is - I’m saying we should have cover for our talls.

His pressure was solid, 10 pressure acts for the game and 3 tackles, as was his ball use with 3 goal assists.

Put that with two goals and spending time in the ruck and in defence, not too sure who in the team might be more flexible.

I feel like for a utility, it was a very good game.

 

[swanny1234]

Depends what your goal is - I’m saying we should have cover for our talls.

His pressure was solid, 10 pressure acts for the game and 3 tackles, as was his ball use with 3 goal assists.

Put that with two goals and spending time in the ruck and in defence, not too sure who in the team might be more flexible.

I feel like for a utility, it was a very good game.

Yes but let’s say for arguments sake a midfielder or winger gets injured in the first quarter… you’re then bringing on another tall and everything goes out of balance.

I’d rather replace a tall with a small if it happens that way, than a small with a tall… structurally we already play one tall more than most other sides, I don’t think having another one as the sub works.

 

[mightymouse75]

 

[kp junior]

I hope they stick with Johnson, though a couple of weeks in the wafl now and then can help with the composure and decision making, these are good things to practice at a slightly reduced game speed.
However - I’m a bit irked by the double standard between his treatment and Erasmus’s. Eg We still have E Shed referencing one dud decision Ras made in his last game when he didn’t pass to Bolton once. But we’re happy to overlook MJ’s 8 dud decisions last night
Anyhow I still have hope for both of them.

 

[One_Wing]

Actually really likes Johnson's game. Lot to work with there for a relatively young and inexperienced player. Stayed involved, played with physicality, took some great contested grabs in the 4th and had a lot more explosive run and carry than I realized and some decent evasive skills. Yeah his disposal was hit or miss but we know he has good skills generally so that'll iron out with more experience. But yeah really solid game I think and something to build off.

 

[One_Wing]

I hope they stick with Johnson, though a couple of weeks in the wafl now and then can help with the composure and decision making, these are good things to practice at a slightly reduced game speed.
However - I’m a bit irked by the double standard between his treatment and Erasmus’s. Eg We still have E Shed referencing one dud decision Ras made in his last game when he didn’t pass to Bolton once. But we’re happy to overlook MJ’s 8 dud decisions last night
Anyhow I still have hope for both of them.

Think with the relatively slower passage of play in the wafl it's not a good place to train decision making. Needs to stay in the AFL to develop the quicker thinking needed.

 

[Footskill]

Think for all his disposal issues , I think some of MJ's break from the clearance/stoppages were really good. Whereas when we have jom, he might win the ball but then generally gets wrapped up.

 

[Taylor]

Johnson is big, fast and tough. We can work on the ball use. His marking was a notable boost last night.

 

[CakeEater]

Please no JOM, the results speak for themselves.

We play better and win more without him.