Preview Changes & Preview Thread for Round 15, 2025 vs Sydney

[Chrizzt]

Mead has been average for weeks and lucky to be in the team, but yesterday wasn't his worst game. I thought he was solid defensively as well. I'd still prefer to see Lorenz be given a run, more upside to his game.

Sure, 16 touches looks serviceable enough.

But only 2 contested, 3 score involvements, 85 metres gained, 1 clearance, no inside OR rebound 50s. He's just a guy that sits around packs, occasionally gets his hands on it, but very rarely does anything damaging with it.

 

[Coobk001]

Looking at footage of BZT walking off the ground yesterday, can't help but think he's still battling significantly. Would be surprised if he makes it through the season. Aliir I hope doesn't have structural damage but just a bit of a corky, if so, feels like he'd play this week. JHF hopefully nothing structural as well, we'll have to see.

Boak will be back up for selection, I would prefer to see him miss. The 634557845th SANFL bye means the sub/emergency list doesn't impact on the game time any developing kids would get, so I'd be happy for the team to go unchanged on that basis, but honestly I'd probably go Moraes back as sub. The only other move that really should be made is a 2nd option to Georgiades being needed, and I think we have no choice but to pick Finlayson.

So for me:
IN: Moraes (Sub), Finlayson
OUT: Liddy, Visentini/Sweet

 

[RossFC]

Unchanged

 

[Ports1870]

Finlayson/Lord/Whitlock for Sweet
Mead or Liddy sub instead of Jackson

 

[bringbackbucky]

Watching the last 2 Maggies games, I'd be tempted to throw Whitlock in...

 

[PortVic]

I agree. It is no surprise that Mitch did better with an extra tall up there that actually used his body (even if just a little).

I think Soldo is better suited to that role than Sweet though.

Agree on Mitch having his best game with Sweet down there. But I have no trust in Soldo down forward. I was at Marval earlier this year against Essendon, and he showed no interest to present or engage in a contest. I know we picked 2 rucks for Gawn specifically, but I’m not against Sweet and Dante having another week together. Lord and Finlayson need to learn they have to earn their spots.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

Watching the last 2 Maggies games, I'd be tempted to throw Whitlock in...

I like it.

 

[bringbackbucky]

Finlayson tried hard for the Magpies, but I'd make him show a month of those efforts before even thinking about bringing him back...

 

[Coobk001]

Watching the last 2 Maggies games, I'd be tempted to throw Whitlock in...

I felt like those last 2 grabs he took in defence actually almost showed why he isn't quite ready. Up forward he's still struggling with the playing against men factor. Positioning, bodywork, etc all just needs a bit more time and he needs a bit more strength. When behind the ball though and you are roaming free, we saw exactly what his hands are capable of if he's able to get space and/or play through contact.

Really comfortable with how he's tracking for me, but I'd leave him in the SANFL until next year. Even the great W Tredrea only played 1 game in his first season.

 

[pstew2dstew]

I think we have to accept our forward situation.

To me just play Lord, at least there is a chance of gaining experience and upside. All other configurations are just stop gaps until we get our kpfs back from injury.

 

[Enviable Tradition]

Agree on Mitch having his best game with Sweet down there. But I have no trust in Soldo down forward. I was at Marval earlier this year against Essendon, and he showed no interest to present or engage in a contest. I know we picked 2 rucks for Gawn specifically, but I’m not against Sweet and Dante having another week together. Lord and Finlayson need to learn they have to earn their spots.

Hes been playing a lot better since then.

I'm willimg to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that they rushed him back too quickly post injuries.

 

[Gryllis]

I would hate to see it every week but Sweet did a far better job of engaging Lever and creating separation for Georgiades than any of our forward options have managed. He should drop out but it’s harsh to say he didn’t play a role.

Good call. It wasn't all about what Sweet did with the ball, and he didn't get that much time in the ruck, but he was clearly given a role which helped MG get 10+ scoring opportunities.

It's important the coaches learn from what worked about that, how and why. Especially for when they decide Sweet isn't the best player for that role - it's all on coaching to give his replacement the same task.

 

[The Hobo]

Also wouldn’t be surprised if one of Liddy or Jackson makes way for Boak because Port still believes a soon to be 37 year old to be in their best 22.

Or maybe they pick based on performance rather than age. Boak has been solid for most of the season, and has outperformed Liddy & Jackson (obviously both are still developing). The only reason Boak wouldn't be in the best 22 is if you factor age. Take that out, and he earns his spot comfortably.

If the club still feels finals is a possibility, and he's fit to play - he should be playing. If finals is no longer a possibility, then you can argue playing youth.

 

[The Hobo]

I would hate to see it every week but Sweet did a far better job of engaging Lever and creating separation for Georgiades than any of our forward options have managed. He should drop out but it’s harsh to say he didn’t play a role.

Yup, agreed - ppl are underrating the work Sweet did to engage Lever and keep him occupied.

Having said that, i'm not sure it would work every week.

 

[The Hobo]

Mead has been average for weeks and lucky to be in the team, but yesterday wasn't his worst game. I thought he was solid defensively as well. I'd still prefer to see Lorenz be given a run, more upside to his game.

Yup, was probably on his last chance, but has probably earnt himself another week on that.

Jackson likely to be the unlucky one given he had hardly any impact once he came on.

 

[Lefti93]

Sure, 16 touches looks serviceable enough.

But only 2 contested, 3 score involvements, 85 metres gained, 1 clearance, no inside OR rebound 50s. He's just a guy that sits around packs, occasionally gets his hands on it, but very rarely does anything damaging with it.

Yeah I didn't really go off stats, was more to the eye. Regardless, as you said it's nothing special, I was just making the point it wasn't his worst game, and contributed much more than recent weeks.

 

[The Hobo]

Sure, 16 touches looks serviceable enough.

But only 2 contested, 3 score involvements, 85 metres gained, 1 clearance, no inside OR rebound 50s. He's just a guy that sits around packs, occasionally gets his hands on it, but very rarely does anything damaging with it.

What do you see his role as? What player from another team is a good comparison, and what numbers would he be looking at to be considered "doing a decent job" (note decent/acceptable, not an elite job)

 

[jac147]

I agree. It is no surprise that Mitch did better with an extra tall up there that actually used his body (even if just a little).

I think Soldo is better suited to that role than Sweet though.

Actually in the 3rd quarter, Sweet got in the way of Mitch in a marking contest. Mitch was not happy.

 

[True__Believer]

If Mead didn't get dropped after single figure possession games he surely is not going to be dropped after that one

 

[SureBuddy]

Actually in the 3rd quarter, Sweet got in the way of Mitch in a marking contest. Mitch was not happy.

Actually other way round. Sweet was in the perfect position to take an easy mark in the square and Mitch came in from the side and spoilt the contest.

 

[afl2004]

Meads not getting dropped , they gave him a new deal last year, there just trying to justify there decision

 

[jac147]

Actually other way round. Sweet was in the perfect position to take an easy mark in the square and Mitch came in from the side and spoilt the contest.

Either way Mitch was the one with the dirty look on his face!

 

[davesnothere]

Either way Mitch was the one with the dirty look on his face!

In all fairness Mitch only has one look.

 

[Scodges]

Yup, was probably on his last chance, but has probably earnt himself another week on that.

Jackson likely to be the unlucky one given he had hardly any impact once he came on.

How’s the bloke supposed to have impact in 10 minutes ? The guy should have played the full game.

 

[Interstater]

How’s the bloke supposed to have impact in 10 minutes ? The guy should have played the full game.

Yeh I was surprised Port took so long to bring him on, but with Aliir, Burton, SPP, BZT and JHF all looking like they were in trouble, it probably makes sense to leave the call to as late as possible.