Strategy Changes: Round 11 Walyalup vs. Yartapuulti

[StingBitten]

Not sure why the Darcy hate.

Jackson/Darcy combo won 70% of games last year.

This year Darcy was rushed backed and played 3 games in 12 days. Last game was a six day break.

Not sure it was good load management and highlights we don’t have a solid back up ruck.

I will have another dig at the coach but his rigid game plan forces team selection.

People have short memories - ala 'Kornes was right about Darcy/Jackson'.

It did work last year but Darcy was fit and Jackson was playing mostly forward. Jackson's been a revelation in the ruck and midfield this year, even with a fit Darcy you'd prefer Jackson there. Voss is just the perfect back-up for him too - aggressive and enigmatic. They both represent the future of the game. I don't think it'd take long for their stats to overtake Darcy/Jackson.

I could be wrong and a fit Darcy may complement Jackson perfectly but it's hard to see how right now.

If we lose more games it won't be due to that combo - so I reckon as others have said they need to give Darcy a chunk of games in the WAFL to build form and fitness, and maybe evolve the role he can play around the ground better.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Johnson wants to take on the tackler every single time. Just wish he takes the first option or try not to be tackled in the first place.

That's always been a problem for him. But now he's also missing basic handballs, firing them to feet or to no one. And his refusal to take the first option slows us down in transition. He's not an asset to the team currently and his problems emphasize the teams problems, so a stint at Peel to work on his issues would benefit everyone.

But again it's the Freo MC and JL, proactive selections are a rarity especially after a win when everyone's feeling warm and fuzzy. He'll probably only get dropped if he puts in multiple stinkers that contribute to costing wins and when the fans turn toxic on him, ala Banfield.

 

[malpaso]

I’d do NOD for Johnson personally, but know we’ll be conservative at selection because we won.

But Johnson is becoming a net negative out there, while Erasmus at least deserves a stretch of full games and stability. Don’t rate either of them particularly highly tbh but Erasmus did a few nice things and is looking better than Johnson right now who has had plenty of opportunities and is regressing at an alarming rate in recent weeks.

Johnson is probably more likely to have a future in the team but he needs to knuckle down and work on some things in his game particularly basic skills and decision making, and maybe a shakeup down to the reserves will help him longer term.

Johnson had a negating role on Green yesterday I'm pretty sure. Also, it looked to me like the team was instructed to take the tackler on more.

You really need to not review on a game by game basis. Johnson prior to yesterday's game was acculumating the ball much more than other mids albeit his disposal needs to improve.

Not everyone on the team can have 20+ every week.

I'm more concerned with our overall handball skills. It is woeful.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Johnson had a negating role on Green yesterday I'm pretty sure. Also, it looked to me like the team was instructed to take the tackler on more.

You really need to not review on a game by game basis. Johnson prior to yesterday's game was acculumating the ball much more than other mids albeit his disposal needs to improve.

Not everyone on the team can have 20+ every week.

I'm more concerned with our overall handball skills. It is woeful.

A good example of why disposal counts don't dictate a good game. Johnson's issues have only become more glaring as he's been getting more of the ball recently. Teams have been trying to nullify Brayshaw and Serong's influence and Johnson has been picking up those extra disposals in the midfield. But teams are not afraid of Johnson having the ball due to the issues mentioned. Also guess who is a significant contributor to those woeful handballing skills

 

[swanny1234]

No way to Darcy - trade him seasons end.

NOD for Banners the only change for me.

 

[eastfreo75]

People have short memories - ala 'Kornes was right about Darcy/Jackson'.

It did work last year but Darcy was fit and Jackson was playing mostly forward. Jackson's been a revelation in the ruck and midfield this year, even with a fit Darcy you'd prefer Jackson there. Voss is just the perfect back-up for him too - aggressive and enigmatic. They both represent the future of the game. I don't think it'd take long for their stats to overtake Darcy/Jackson.

I could be wrong and a fit Darcy may complement Jackson perfectly but

People have short memories - ala 'Kornes was right about Darcy/Jackson'.

It did work last year but Darcy was fit and Jackson was playing mostly forward. Jackson's been a revelation in the ruck and midfield this year, even with a fit Darcy you'd prefer Jackson there. Voss is just the perfect back-up for him too - aggressive and enigmatic. They both represent the future of the game. I don't think it'd take long for their stats to overtake Darcy/Jackson.

I could be wrong and a fit Darcy may complement Jackson perfectly but it's hard to see how right now.

If we lose more games it won't be due to that combo - so I reckon as others have said they need to give Darcy a chunk of games in the WAFL to build form and fitness, and maybe evolve the role he can play around the ground better.

You make great points.

The ruck is the biggest structural issue for all AFL teams.

A lot of successful teams had a pitch hitter ruck ie Leigh Brown with Collingwood, Grimes with Richmond etc

 

[Lach72]

No changes for mine. Erasmus deserves another game after that outing and I don't want to see Darcy come in.
Honestly that's the elephant in the room (pun intended) for me.
We are a better side with Jackson as first ruck and Voss backing him up.
It would only be sheer stubbornness and I'll go as far as to say stupidity to mess with the chemistry that's starting to form.
Bolton is brilliant as a mid/forward. Simpsons kicking through the corridor is superb.
Sharp is about the only one that's not doing much but I guess if he's holding width and doing what he's being told to do then that's a win. Driz said that was the hardest thing about Acres leaving was we didn't have anyone to hold the structure on the wide side of the ground and if Sharp's doing that then happy days.

I was thinking a bit about this.

We actually looked quite good with Erasmus, Johnson (his issues aside) and Bolton rotating with the main two.

We have two weapons in the shed in Drizz and young.

Sharp isn’t getting much ball.

One of them can slot on the wing. Young could also rotate onto half back at times.

Regardless I’m not dropping Erasmus now until at least Young is back

 

[greatgatsby]

In my view Erasmus must be given a string of games to allow him to demonstrate that he's up to the level. Likewise Simpson, who went some way to doing that yesterday.

 

[E Shed]

Erasmus is hard at the coalface & he will run through a brick wall to get it.
Brayshaw & Serong are not even close to soft but you want them doing the more creative, quick moves to the outside stuff.
Erasmus is a pit bull. He wants first hands more than most. It worked yesterday. We would be crazy to not try & settle him for a while now.

 

[Cobbler]

Johnson is in his own head.

When he should get rid of it quick he takes his time. When he has time he rushes.

When he first started to was elusive, almost Pendlebury like. Just seemed to have an awareness.

Now, it seems he’s been instructed to absorb. You can see him search for it.

He’ll find the balance… in the WAFL.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Johnsons disposal has deteriorated to the point he's completely in his head for whatever reason. It was never THIS bad. Tells me he can turn it around.

Darcy and Jackson can work together but Jackson must play on ball when not rucking AND Darcy needs to be fully fit. The 700k a year for Darcy isn't so bad we have to get rid of him immediately but I still think its best to see if he wants to "explore his opportunities" and save some cash which will really suck coz I love that big lug.

 

[s_wd6]

Towards the end of last year Johnson's disposal was really good going i50. He'd managed to shrug off he tackle or take the extra step and then find a perfect option to deliver to.

I don't know whats been going on with him the last few games. I guess change in role is negatively impacting him but I'd back him in to improve.

 

[Duz97]

The hardest part of being a young player is getting to the right spots and getting the ball . Johnno is doing that his skills will come as he gets older and does more pre seasons. If he can become a bit like Tim Taranto

14

Tim Taranto

Age

27

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.3

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

4.1

5star

D

17.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

3.0

4star

CL

5.5

5star

D

15.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

will be a win just needs to slow down inside his head and get the ball forward instead of trying to kick like Bailey Dale

31

Bailey Dale

Age

29

Ht

188cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.1

3star

T

1.6

4star

MG

117.4

2star

D

9.0

2star

K

5.1

2star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

1.7

3star

MG

117.4

2star

D

8.0

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

1.4

2star

T

2.0

4star

 

[EastcoastDocker]

Easy to get carried away with a great win. Still I think hard calls need to be made

1. Darcy
2. Sharp. Fat side wing can be feast or famine and I'm sure someone will highlight the KMs he runs but he wasn't bad, he was invisible. It's not like the oppo is trying to shut him down either. We learnt that there was an apparent reason why Brodie couldn't get a game at the suns. I think we are finding out the same with Sharp. He has been really bad all year. We need to make gains wherever we can and that seems like low hanging fruit

 

[fleur]

The best thing over the first few games of the season has beeen Voss. He provides so much around the ground and can pinch hit in the ruck. The past few rounds the best coaching move and in has been Wagner in the middle and Simpson off half back this has been the best structural move. Now it has to stay that way don’t mess with it. It’s working. Lower the eyes going inside 50 and no long bombs and this team might actually get a few wins over the next few weeks. You can’t mess with a structural sound team. Fingers crossed the match committee thinks the same

His set shots have improved markedly. That was all that was missing from the start of the season

 

[E Shed]

His set shots have improved markedly. That was all that was missing from the start of the season

I don’t think he hurt anyone at least from our side either.

 

[freoextra]

I was thinking a bit about this.

We actually looked quite good with Erasmus, Johnson (his issues aside) and Bolton rotating with the main two.

We have two weapons in the shed in Drizz and young.

Sharp isn’t getting much ball.

One of them can slot on the wing. Young could also rotate onto half back at times.

Regardless I’m not dropping Erasmus now until at least Young is back

I would love to see Erasmus play the rest of the year but let’s face it if Fyfe, JOM or Young come back he will be the first to go.

 

[swanny1234]

It’s ****en crazy and just proves inherent bias is bias .

Yea Ras-terrible decision maker , no football nous - “probably/should be delisted , waste of a pick”

Johnson - goes games upon games with probably 2 effective disposals out 18/19 possessions = Actual team net negative
-
“Oh but he’s so big , strong and fast , even Fyfe says he’s sooooo strong !!,we really need to keep playing him”

I’m genuinely perplexed

Ras > Johnson comfortably. We’ve put too many games into the wrong one, and not enough in the better one that’ll likely leave.

 

[Footskill]

I would love to see Erasmus play the rest of the year but let’s face it if Fyfe, JOM or Young come back he will be the first to go.

Maybe..but...

Fyfe needs to get past few games at peel

Jom nah..maybe replace MJ..more like for like as both can play wing

Young..prob not likely until late in the season and if Raz racks up few good games til then he won't be

 

[dominguez]

Your kidding re: Ras right? Cmon man, he needs to just keep playing and building.

GWS were horrible yesterday, we should have been 5 or 6 goals up at half time leading to a 70 point win so we can't take too much from the game.

When it was close early Erasmus had 6 disposals at 33% and a free kick against. Too slow with ball in hand and a poor kick, will get exposed when we play the better teams.

 

[freoextra]

GWS were horrible yesterday, we should have been 5 or 6 goals up at half time leading to a 70 point win so we can't take too much from the game.

When it was close early Erasmus had 6 disposals at 33% and a free kick against. Too slow with ball in hand and a poor kick, will get exposed when we play the better teams.

Completely understandable considering the lack of faith JL has shown in him, still only got 61% game time. This is why he needs full games until replaced by better players such as Fyfe or Young.

 

[King Huskii]

Drop Banners
Inject NOD as sub

Every other player played well

Ras deserves more opportunities ditto Cooper Simpson

 

[dominguez]

Yep
Except it’s only one of them who CONSISTENTLY gets to learn his in the AFL side (no matter how many ineffective possies he gets)whilst the other , let’s face it is almost a last option (eg injuries force Jslow’s hand)

That's dictated through injuries more than anything else.

On form I'd have Johnson playing at Peel if O'Meara, O'Driscoll and Young were fit.

Aish and Banfield should be in the 22 ahead of Johnson on form but they're down the batting order with the match committee.

 

[dominguez]

Completely understandable considering the lack of faith JL has shown in him, still only got 61% game time. This is why he needs full games until replaced by better players such as Fyfe or Young.

You could say the same for Worner, Banfield, Simpson, Voss, Aish, etc who are fringe players.

Maybe Erasmus just isn't very good.

"I'll stay and fight for a spot" is another way of saying I was going to request a trade but didn't get a suitable offer from a rival club.

 

[fleur]

I don’t think he hurt anyone at least from our side either.

He seems to have toned down his celebrations. Someone must have had a word