Strategy Changes Round 14 North Melbourne vs. Fremantle

[Wray27]

Wagner isn't getting dropped for Drizzy.

Not dropped going to the backline to cover Banfield being dropped

 

[go_the_dockers]

 

[Boomer93]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

 

[go_the_dockers]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

I think Erasmus has earned his spot in our 22. Plays the inside role, gives us size in the middle and his kicking has been decent.

I don't think JOM can play that role, so they are not competing for the same spot.

 

[Wray27]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

Wtf. This about the development of a young player. He has been mismanaged by the Fremantle match committee. Playing as the sub is not how you develop a player like him. The last month has shown that given the chance to play 4 1/4s and successive games he has been able to convert his outstanding WAFL form into AFL form.
As to the can’t kick comment. Go back and watch the last 3 games again. I’ve have this week as I’m home crook. No way you can say he can’t kick.
As to JOMs form in the first 2 games. How did Freo do as a team in those games?

 

[Spirit Level]

Wagner isn't getting dropped for Drizzy.

I didn't suggest dropping Wagner for NOD

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

After the star players, idc which player is "performing better" (which generally means "gets better stats"), I care who helps the team more. JOM puts up pretty good numbers in the midfield, but our midfield numbers were shocking in 2023 until he got booted out of there for Young. Were great all 2024 with JOM barely playing inside mid. And this year when he was there, once again shocking numbers. The balance is just way better without him in there.

I'm fine with JOM playing an outside role. And I'm fine with dropping Ras if the midfield performs better with a different combo, even if that means he leaves. But at this point, I think the club has to have their heads in the sand to try JOM inside again. Just doesn't complement Serong and Brayshaw well at all.

 

[Wizard]

Not dropped going to the backline to cover Banfield being dropped

No way, Wags has been a difference maker in the midfield and Banners has be plenty good enough down back as well.

Both stay unless Worner is good to go, in that case Banfield goes back to the sub.

 

[Wray27]

No way, Wags has been a difference maker in the midfield and Banners has be plenty good enough down back as well.

Both stay unless Worner is good to go, in that case Banfield goes back to the sub.

Not my suggestion just correcting an assumption from another post.
Agreed WAGS stays where he is and that means Banfield needs to stay back.
Dudley in requires an out. If we don’t bring in Dudley no change with Worner fit.
I’d drop Sharp and rotate Johnson/Wags/Jackson on the wings.
Give Reid a few more mid minutes.
Fyfe subs in last 1/4 for whoever is knackered.
Jackson CA ruck and Voss rucking atg when Darcy resting.
If Darcy is sore then Wombat in and Jackson rucks with Voss the chop out.

 

[yakamoto]

Changes should be minimal. Dudley for Darcy and that’s it.

 

[wakojako]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

Okay Boomer

 

[freo84]

I didn't suggest dropping Wagner for NOD

My bad. Misread what you said.

I like Wagner's current role and don't want him moved back. He's been really effective there but I also want Drizz back in the side...

 

[Boomer93]

After the star players, idc which player is "performing better" (which generally means "gets better stats"), I care who helps the team more. JOM puts up pretty good numbers in the midfield, but our midfield numbers were shocking in 2023 until he got booted out of there for Young. Were great all 2024 with JOM barely playing inside mid. And this year when he was there, once again shocking numbers. The balance is just way better without him in there.

I'm fine with JOM playing an outside role. And I'm fine with dropping Ras if the midfield performs better with a different combo, even if that means he leaves. But at this point, I think the club has to have their heads in the sand to try JOM inside again. Just doesn't complement Serong and Brayshaw well at all.

Jaeger was playing brilliantly as an inside mid to start the season.

Wtf. This about the development of a young player. He has been mismanaged by the Fremantle match committee. Playing as the sub is not how you develop a player like him. The last month has shown that given the chance to play 4 1/4s and successive games he has been able to convert his outstanding WAFL form into AFL form.
As to the can’t kick comment. Go back and watch the last 3 games again. I’ve have this week as I’m home crook. No way you can say he can’t kick.
As to JOMs form in the first 2 games. How did Freo do as a team in those games?

Mismanaged young players in a team trying to make finals need to EARN there spot. If you can't make an impact given limited opportunities than that's on the young player. That's how its always been. A rebuilding phase is different, but when the main focus is on winning then players need to force their way in. They should not be multiple full games in a row just because they were a high draft pick and got numbers in the WAFL. I have rewatched all of the games and have watched plenty of Erasmus at WAFL.

 

[E Shed]

O'Meara is just a below average, competent player these days. He's pretty much done at the top level IMO.
Erasmus has shown enough to say he's probably going to make it. He plays like his life depends on it and adds important desperation and attack around the contest.
It's a no brainer for me who plays.

Besides which, reward the guys who got it done against GC in the wet. That was an outstanding win.
When you get a group of players who are developing synergy together even if it's nothing like what we would have predicted as a best 22 you've got to keep it rolling. Worner & Wagner for example have been excellent.

 

[FreoRicci]

The obsession with gifting Erasmus games is so frustrating to me. I would have thought freo fans had gone past being desperate for midfielders who can't kick just because they do well at WAFL level. I hope Erasmus makes it too but JOM was one of our best performers to start the season and this board is acting like they would be heart broken for JOM to be selected over Ras. Blows my mind.

He was one of our best performers in a losing team. Whoopie doo.

If this club is serious, you’d back Erasmus more than a 31 year old JOM. You tell
Jaegar, just like Erasmus has done for 2 years, to back himself for Peel and average 30+ to get his spot.

 

[Boomer93]

O'Meara is just a below average, competent player these days. He's pretty much done at the top level IMO.
Erasmus has shown enough to say he's probably going to make it. He plays like his life depends on it and adds important desperation and attack around the contest.
It's a no brainer for me who plays.

Besides which, reward the guys who got it done against GC in the wet. That was an outstanding win.
When you get a group of players who are developing synergy together even if it's nothing like what we would have predicted as a best 22 you've got to keep it rolling. Worner & Wagner for example have been excellent.

Does a below average done at the top level player go head to head with Heeney and beat him?

Like i certainly dont rate Jaeger very highly atm. But he is MILES better than Erasmus. A wet game like last week suits Ras, but if its dry give me Jaeger every week.

 

[Boomer93]

He was one of our best performers in a losing team. Whoopie doo.

If this club is serious, you’d back Erasmus more than a 31 year old JOM. You tell
Jaegar, just like Erasmus has done for 2 years, to back himself for Peel and average 30+ to get his spot.

Best performers in a losing team is MORE impressive.

Your logic that good performances dont matter in a 3 point loss lacks so much nuance that there's not much point continuing the discussion.

Were you one of the people desperate for Reidy in the side as well because he did well at WAFL?

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

Jaeger was playing brilliantly as an inside mid to start the season.

That's my point. He was putting up numbers, but the midfield's performance suffered. The only game he played inside mid this season where we won the midfield battle was Richmond. And even that, they were beating us in there for the 1st half.

With him out of there, the only midfield battles we've lost this season were the hiding against St Kilda (no Ras fwiw) and probably Gold Coast (elite midfield away from home). We're a better inside midfield unit without him, something the past 2 years should've already proved. He's just too similar to Serong and Brayshaw for me.

 

[thefreodockers]

I hope Erasmus stays in, because he earnt it.

Match committee shouldn’t have any consideration on contracts and age, and certainly are not mismanaging players - that’s crazy. Match committee should be picking the team best placed to win the game. If that is not the only focus, and they are still developing players, then the team is not ready to compete for the top prize.

 

[malpaso]

Possibly 45 years ago but not lately!
I had Duds coming in for Banfield this week.

I don't know what that means. NOD is heaps more value than Banfield. Fyfe is the other one that might stay the sub or not play.

 

[freoextra]

No way, Wags has been a difference maker in the midfield and Banners has be plenty good enough down back as well.

Both stay unless Worner is good to go, in that case Banfield goes back to the sub.

Worner was fine at training definitely available.

 

[malpaso]

I think Erasmus has earned his spot in our 22. Plays the inside role, gives us size in the middle and his kicking has been decent.

I don't think JOM can play that role, so they are not competing for the same spot.

Yeah possibly but then Fyfe is not worth being in the side. I think Erasmus' role is dependent on Fyfe and which one the selection committee goes with.
JOM might take Banfields spot?

 

[Paracleet]

That's my point. He was putting up numbers, but the midfield's performance suffered. The only game he played inside mid this season where we won the midfield battle was Richmond. And even that, they were beating us in there for the 1st half.

With him out of there, the only midfield battles we've lost this season were the hiding against St Kilda (no Ras fwiw) and probably Gold Coast (elite midfield away from home). We're a better inside midfield unit without him, something the past 2 years should've already proved. He's just too similar to Serong and Brayshaw for me.

JOM only had one game in his five where he had more than 50% centre bounce attendance and of the four, three were less than 40% (Richmond his CBA was 33% He was on the wing against the tiges). He was mostly playing outside. He was essentially full time against Sydney only (he was injured just after half time against Melbourne). You can't really blame him for losing the clearances against the Swans, he team high possessions and equal team high clearances.

I prefer him in the team for the experience and because unlike Ras he is actually effective playing outside. If the brains trust think he can make it as genuine inside mid (and I'm on record thinking it more unlikely than likely) however, then we really need to fit him in somehow.

 

[DaveLister]

No changes

 

[MadMundy]

Unchanged lineup going into this weekend.