Strategy Changes: Round 8 St. Kilda vs Fremantle

[go_the_dockers]

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

I want him to play if he can play a full game. If not rest him.

 

[Jezzitizle]

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.

I think the coaches would agree with you.

I also think McDonald showed as much at ground level as any small we might sub on though, he’s not a lumbering type like Reidy, I think he can run from what I saw.

He couldn’t play inside mid but he could play probably 4 of the defenders roles, not Wagner or Clark’s role rebounding.

Up forward he can play any role except Bolton, Dudley or Switta.

I think he could play a wing credibly, especially rolling back and blocking exits.

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

Didn't see enough of Narkle, should have been subbed in earlier. I'm interested to see what he brings with more minutes.

 

[Superkoops]

I think the coaches would agree with you.

I also think McDonald showed as much at ground level as any small we might sub on though, he’s not a lumbering type like Reidy, I think he can run from what I saw.

He couldn’t play inside mid but he could play probably 4 of the defenders roles, not Wagner or Clark’s role rebounding.

Up forward he can play any role except Bolton, Dudley or Switta.

I think he could play a wing credibly, especially rolling back and blocking exits.

McDonald has been chosen to play forward ruck relief. He was chosen after Voss to play that role and from what I’ve seen I’d still have Voss ahead. Might be just me I don’t know from all these posts but Jackson plays that better and can also play ruck rover type role which we have been salivating at seeing a bit more often.

So some tough love and unfortunately for McDonald he goes out.

Surprisingly he looked better as a forward than when playing backline last night. Was badly out of position and not fast enough when playing down back last night. It has been the reverse down at Peel. I still believe that we are too tall down back so we don’t want to have McDonald added to the backline.

Pearce 200cm, Draper 197cm, Cox 195cm and Chapman 193cm. From what I’ve seen Draper (who would be the surplus in my opinion- although I’m a big fan of his) is very good below his knees, I’ve seen him paddling the ball, scooping up on the run and also dribbling the ball like a basketball. Whilst not overly quick he is very mobile and certainly much quicker than McDonald.

McDonald is Handy depth and I’d now expect him to play that same role at Peel (ie ruck forward). Even when Voss comes back to play likely at Peel they will both do the role with Reidy main ruck. The defensive bookends will remain as Hugh Davies and Ollie Murphy.

 

[Superkoops]

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

He’s not going to get more endurance from playing. He needs another strong preseason with additional running.

I feel he would benefit from a full game at Peel. Even run him up the ground a bit more with Peel.

I’d replace with Narkle and see what he has to offer. After a full game in the WAFL he’d be in the mix to return.

 

[swanny1234]

I think the coaches would agree with you.

I also think McDonald showed as much at ground level as any small we might sub on though, he’s not a lumbering type like Reidy, I think he can run from what I saw.

He couldn’t play inside mid but he could play probably 4 of the defenders roles, not Wagner or Clark’s role rebounding.

Up forward he can play any role except Bolton, Dudley or Switta.

I think he could play a wing credibly, especially rolling back and blocking exits.

He’s not, but he doesn’t have the pace of a Narkle or Dudley, who have been our last two subs…

My point is, that ultimately, we are already very tall, and with Jackson only get taller, I just do not see a way we structurally can keep OMac in the side of Jackson comes back.

The only possibility is if after three weeks they want to give Darcy a rest, but that would be risky too with Jackson coming in off a hammie.

I actually don’t see a way Voss plays either, if Jackson and Darcy are in. Ultimately Omac only played because neither Jackson or Voss are available.

He’s done a great job and probably has gone close to earning a year extension - but he’s depth, good depth sure, but depth nonetheless.

 

[blue shark]

He’s not, but he doesn’t have the pace of a Narkle or Dudley, who have been our last two subs…

My point is, that ultimately, we are already very tall, and with Jackson only get taller, I just do not see a way we structurally can keep OMac in the side of Jackson comes back.

The only possibility is if after three weeks they want to give Darcy a rest, but that would be risky too with Jackson coming in off a hammie.

I actually don’t see a way Voss plays either, if Jackson and Darcy are in. Ultimately Omac only played because neither Jackson or Voss are available.

He’s done a great job and probably has gone close to earning a year extension - but he’s depth, good depth sure, but depth nonetheless.

We should lose either Voss or OMac.
Both too good for wafl, VFL, etc.
Unfortunate but that’s AFL.

 

[theGav56]

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.

Reid, Dudley and Narkle seem underdone, and possibly Young and Switkowski too.

It worries me. I offer no solution.

 

[FreoRicci]

He’s not, but he doesn’t have the pace of a Narkle or Dudley, who have been our last two subs…

My point is, that ultimately, we are already very tall, and with Jackson only get taller, I just do not see a way we structurally can keep OMac in the side of Jackson comes back.

The only possibility is if after three weeks they want to give Darcy a rest, but that would be risky too with Jackson coming in off a hammie.

I actually don’t see a way Voss plays either, if Jackson and Darcy are in. Ultimately Omac only played because neither Jackson or Voss are available.

He’s done a great job and probably has gone close to earning a year extension - but he’s depth, good depth sure, but depth nonetheless.

Voss should play even with Jackson in.
Jackson is too good to waste as a 5 mark, 15 disposal third tall forward.

 

[swanny1234]

We should lose either Voss or OMac.
Both too good for wafl, VFL, etc.
Unfortunate but that’s AFL.

You keep Voss… Darcy won’t play every game a season. We need to make sure to try hang onto Voss.

 

[swanny1234]

Voss should play even with Jackson in.
Jackson is too good to waste as a 5 mark, 15 disposal third tall forward.

That’s too tall. Especially if we are also playing Pearce, Cox and Draper down back… that’s 8 genuine talls including 2 ruckmen.
I do not see how that works, particularly once we get into winter and wet conditions.
something’s gotta give.

 

[swanny1234]

Please no JOM, the results speak for themselves.

We play better and win more without him.

Agreed. We’ve won both games this year JOM didn’t play. He’s not in our best 22.

 

[theGav56]

We should lose either Voss or OMac.
Both too good for wafl, VFL, etc.
Unfortunate but that’s AFL.

Would like to keep Voss but if he is part of a trade for Pickett, I could live with it. Up forward I think Riddle is the answer to the puzzle.

I doubt anyone is chasing OMac. Great depth and versatility for another year or two, but surely our developing KPDs are hungry.

I also hope we are in discussion with Knobel for next year, telling him he is IN if either ruck goes down.

 

[David Bubb]

You just know this is going to be another Melbourne situation. Saints playing horrifically, Ross has made a tactical sub halfway through the second quarter. They'll cop it all week and then come out hot against us

 

[Hamann188]

You just know this is going to be another Melbourne situation. Saints playing horrifically, Ross has made a tactical sub halfway through the second quarter. They'll cop it all week and then come out hot against us

Yep. And we've seen what happens when we get into that scenario.

Hopefully the team has learnt from the last time we were in it and come out with a bit more caution, well not caution, but are prepared for a fired up and desperate opposition.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

You just know this is going to be another Melbourne situation. Saints playing horrifically, Ross has made a tactical sub halfway through the second quarter. They'll cop it all week and then come out hot against us

You'd hope that's offset by the sting of the Melbourne game still being relatively recent. And the crap last quarter yesterday. For the next month (but more like until at least post-bye), we shouldn't hear "we were 2nd effort wise".

Melbourne came out hot, but we also came out ice cold. Next week you'd think Saints come out hot but we match them in that sense and beat them with quality.

 

[freo84]

You just know this is going to be another Melbourne situation. Saints playing horrifically, Ross has made a tactical sub halfway through the second quarter. They'll cop it all week and then come out hot against us

then the team will just have to deal with it.

Time to put up and win away.

 

[FreoRicci]

Would like to keep Voss but if he is part of a trade for Pickett, I could live with it. Up forward I think Riddle is the answer to the puzzle.

I doubt anyone is chasing OMac. Great depth and versatility for another year or two, but surely our developing KPDs are hungry.

I also hope we are in discussion with Knobel for next year, telling him he is IN if either ruck goes down.

No thanks.
We need forward depth.
I would out Switta, second rounder and first rounders for Kozzie.
If Pickett comes, Switkowski is done. Might as well just push him back to Victoria if he wants

 

[s_wd6]

You just know this is going to be another Melbourne situation. Saints playing horrifically, Ross has made a tactical sub halfway through the second quarter. They'll cop it all week and then come out hot against us

Main difference being that Saints don't have any elite areas on the ground that we would struggle to match. Melbourne were always a threat with Gawn and their big mids coming up against an underdone Darcy. They'll come out firing but not really worried about them having enough to get it over us.

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

Jeez, watching the Saints in the 3rd - they're playing some proper physical, hard footy to slowly claw back against Brisbane.

They won't be easy beats next week.

 

[theGav56]

No thanks.
We need forward depth.
I would out Switta, second rounder and first rounders for Kozzie.
If Pickett comes, Switkowski is done. Might as well just push him back to Victoria if he wants

I think some posters are under the misconception that Pickett is going to be a cheapie for us and we won't have to give up something we don't want to give up.

Nicholls, OMac and Riddle are plenty of forward depth. Good diversity as well and levels of development.

 

[FreoRicci]

I think some posters are under the misconception that Pickett is going to be a cheapie for us and we won't have to give up something we don't want to give up.

Nicholls, OMac and Riddle are plenty of forward depth. Good diversity as well and levels of development.

Oh he’s not cheap. But players don’t need to be involved if it’s played right.
Voss is still required and would be stupid to just trade away.

Nicholls OMac and Riddle are not forward depth. Riddle is still 2-3 years away. Nicholls is raw. They won’t be playing in 2026.

 

[Outshined]

Friday night fixture against an underperforming opponent who are probably going to be grilled during the week.

 

[wakojako]

Friday night fixture against an underperforming opponent who are probably going to be grilled during the week.

I said we would beat the Crows and I'm confident we will beat the Saints. Their list is very uninspiring and so is their coach. Collingwood will annihilate us the next round though.

 

[Pivot Piece]

Main difference being that Saints don't have any elite areas on the ground that we would struggle to match. Melbourne were always a threat with Gawn and their big mids coming up against an underdone Darcy. They'll come out firing but not really worried about them having enough to get it over us.

Their half backers are elite. If we can’t lock it in our forward half (which we don’t) we’re in trouble against the transition