Changes - Round 17 vs North Melbourne @ Marvel Stadium

[Doggy]

People regularly suggest resting players but doesn't happen much at all does it?

Exactly. The suggestion is just because of age and thst he has had knee issues in the past. Neither of those things are guaranteed to be hampering him right now.

I'd suggest he only has a week off if he is actually sore and that is it. Again, no suggestion of that either.

 

[MaxiBont]

People regularly suggest resting players but doesn't happen much at all does it?

I know nothing but surely a rest/week off can cause my harm than good in certain circumstances.

 

[BEaston]

I've been against resting Libba but this does seem like a perfect oppurtunity with tough games against the Crows & Lions the following weeks.

It would be a good oppurtunity for Garcia to come in as a direct replacement and play some midfield minutes. I'd also like to see Sanders at a few more centre bounces against North.

I'd like to give Buku a full game. I know it means structuring up a little differently but I like the idea of the extra tall on the ground that can cover both ends. We look a little small up forward when Darcy has to ruck & spend time on the bench which is a good 12-15 minutes a quarter.

In: Garcia, Buku
Out: Libba (rest), McNeil (sub)

I think it would be only around 10 mins a quarter , not close to 15. Tim and Darcy both play 80-85% ToG every game.

Buku has just been forced out unfortunately - he has no role now. He was subbed off in the game he played with Darcy back and has been more or less ineffective as the sub coming on.

If English is out, I'd move Lobb to the ruck and bring in Gardner. I think that's a better option than moving Darcy into the ruck and playing Buku forward. Hopefully Timmy gets up though.

Yeah I think McNeil is due for a spell. He had a promising start to the year, but at some point he seems to have lost confidence in his game again. If Hynes can continue to bring the pressure he brought against the Swans he could claim that role. Garcia is another that could make it his.

Harmes could be a decent sub candidate.

 

[Golden_6]

I think it would be only around 10 mins a quarter , not close to 15. Tim and Darcy both play 80-85% ToG every game.

Buku has just been forced out unfortunately - he has no role now. He was subbed off in the game he played with Darcy back and has been more or less ineffective as the sub coming on.

If English is out, I'd move Lobb to the ruck and bring in Gardner. I think that's a better option than moving Darcy into the ruck and playing Buku forward. Hopefully Timmy gets up though.

Yeah I think McNeil is due for a spell. He had a promising start to the year, but at some point he seems to have lost confidence in his game again. If Hynes can continue to bring the pressure he brought against the Swans he could claim that role. Garcia is another that could make it his.

Harmes could be a decent sub candidate.

Naughton spends a decent chunk on the bench too. If you take English (85%), Naughton (85) & Darcy (80%), it's half of the game where we only play with 1 tall forward. You then rely on players like Bont, Kennedy & Davidson to provide the secondary & third targets during these reasonably long stretches.

You could really go either way and I'm sure the MC feels the same which is why Buku has been listed as the sub rather than ommited.

 

[Freshwater]

But who said Libba needs a rest. Based on? The output of Bont, Richards, Libba and Kennedy was all down on Friday night.

And as for playing Buku in the ruck against Xerri, good luck with that.

If he needs a rest, if. If he needed a rest and only plays because it’s a milestone would be silly. If he missed for no other reason than his milestone would be a home game, that would be silly too. But if a 5 day break then 6 day break and a 32 year old warrior needs a rest, that’s fine.

 

[lachy]

There is a 9 days to our next game, Libba will be fine

 

[BEaston]

Naughton spends a decent chunk on the bench too. If you take English (85%), Naughton (85) & Darcy (80%), it's half of the game where we only play with 1 tall forward. You then rely on players like Bont, Kennedy & Davidson to provide the secondary & third targets during these reasonably long stretches.

You could really go either way and I'm sure the MC feels the same which is why Buku has been listed as the sub rather than ommited.

I think if they really felt the same he wouldn't be sub, he'd be playing. They definitely didn't love what they saw as the 3rd tall before moving him to the sub. If English is out, he might get a reprieve but two weeks as sub isn't a sign of confidence IMO.
They might go back to it but I don't think it's looking good.

 

[A dog in Qld]

Nonsense ... Boyd and Morris were 2 similar type players and they transitioned into backline roles pretty well.

 

[Doggy]

Nonsense ... Boyd and Morris were 2 similar type players and they transitioned into backline roles pretty well.

That doesn't mean McCartney didn't treat them like crap, because he did.

 

[A dog in Qld]

That doesn't mean McCartney didn't treat them like crap, because he did.

Apparently he treated everyone like crap ...

 

[bobs head soup]

Libba has attended 71% of CBAs this year, a narrow 2nd to Ed (74%).

His numbers were down for a couple of weeks due to a sore shoulder, but last week in a key match he attended 81% of CBAs.

He is our leading player over the season for contested possessions, clearances and tackles. Top 10-15 in the comp in all categories.

He's tracking great.

A little respect please.

 

[Mojorisin]

Libba has attended 71% of CBAs this year, a narrow 2nd to Ed (74%).

His numbers were down for a couple of weeks due to a sore shoulder, but last week in a key match he attended 81% of CBAs.

He is our leading player over the season for contested possessions, clearances and tackles. Top 10-15 in the comp in all categories.

He's tracking great.

A little respect please.

I don't think anyone is disrespecting him, just wanting him looked after so he can play aslong as possible. I'd think it would be widely accepted that limiting his on ball time has the potential to significantly improve his longevity. That's not to say he will be out of the rotation completely or that it will be an every week thing but it will be a crucial move to juggle correctly to maximise his impact this year and beyond whilst having him mentor those who will eventually take over.
If we could keep him for another 2 years that'd be amazing, the team is better with a Liberatore in it and once he hangs up the boots we will have awhile to wait for the next one. How the cats handle their older guys is what I'd be looking at, the Pies have also handled Sidey and Pendles fantasticly they role them through the midfield when needed but also allow them time on the outside/HBF, with the added benefit of being an onfield coach.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Be a bit odd to rest Libba on his 250th, unless he is actually sore.

If English is out then Gardy is the most likely in IMO.

Lobb, Gardy, Naughts, Darcy could all rotate through the ruck role.

Good motivation in the Crows game though, Libba’s 250th.

 

[Philthy1]

At lunch I ran into an acquaintance I hadn't seen in quite some time and he mentioned he'd been down at the Whitten Oval just this morning helping film a tribute video to Libba for his 250th.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Good motivation in the Crows game though, Libba’s 250th.

Don't mind it being this week, celebrate the great man in his own right, take care of business and then laser focus on the Crows and nothing else the week after.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Not your best take, Norm. Was only recently being spoken about in AA discussions.
Unless his form or body falls off a cliff I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t go around again.

Nah, Ive had and will continue to have plenty of worse takes than this one.

And his stats do tend to back up what you say. But...I dont think Im going out on a limb in saying that Beveridge is at the very least looking to re-role him with how he being used. It's a wise strategy given he will be 34 and Treloar will be 33 early into the next season. Freijah is making a pretty compelling case for becoming a starting mid along side The Bont and Richards and at some point Sanders and Hynes will probably mount equally strong cases for their inclusion in the rotation.

When this happens we will reach a tipping point in Libba's career that will see him moved sideways into roles that dont suit him or out of the side. Now I dont expect that to happen this year. But I won't be surprised if it happens quicker than we expect. The only caveat I put on this terrible take is that like his old man. I suspect that he's such a competitive bastard he will have to be dynamited out of the team when the call on his future is made.

Anyways...this is unnecessary thread drift and would be best served in the list management thread.

 

[fred cook]

If only Snr Libba had played 100 games for North it could be Tom Libbas 250th games for North

 

[Bulldogs85]

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

At lunch I ran into an acquaintance I hadn't seen in quite some time and he mentioned he'd been down at the Whitten Oval just this morning helping film a tribute video to Libba for his 250th.

I saw advertised somewhere that it will be shown at 9.30pm on Wednesday. Possibly on 7 but couldn’t swear to it. May be on the WB website ?

 

[Philthy1]

I saw advertised somewhere that it will be shown at 9.30pm on Wednesday. Possibly on 7 but couldn’t swear to it. May be on the WB website ?

That’s the Hamish program on after Front Bar. I think my friend was helping with a club video.

 

[BulldogMuscle]

Yeah I don't think his getting rested lol

 

[adogsfan5]

Gut feel says no change
I’d say bring in Garcia but I can’t see Khamis being the sub again or being dropped or Hynes sub after his best game.
Khamis full game and McNeil sub.

 

[Wetdog]

I don’t know you can come to the conclusion that Buss should be in after his poor VFL performance

It would be useful to have an option in this thread where it shows those posters who have seen the VFL game.

I’m not suggesting that you cannot express an opinion if you haven’t seen the VFL game. Everyone is entitled to post.

I would certainly filter the posts by those who fit the former category. It makes it easier to disregard the rest.

 

[Wetdog]

If only Snr Libba had played 100 games for North it could be Tom Libbas 250th games for North

I was about to post this. A sliding doors moment for the Libba family!

 

[lachy]

It would be useful to have an option in this thread where it shows those posters who have seen the VFL game.

I’m not suggesting that you cannot express an opinion if you haven’t seen the VFL game. Everyone is entitled to post.

I would certainly filter the posts by those who fit the former category. It makes it easier to disregard the rest.

It's a forum so posters can base their opinions on whatever they like, just don't get upset about it.

People looked at Buss's stats for the weekend, but without watching the game would not realize that Coffield actually had 4 less poor turnovers, positioned well with 5 marks only one less than Buss and one of the 2 was playing at a significantly higher level. Yes Buss did have 20 possessions but he took the vast majority of kick outs and the Swans had 11 behinds. Gardner with 13 marks played a significantly better defenders game.

Now that is not saying Buss is not, nor will he not be a very good AFL player. However, his did not put his hand up for the upcoming game and performed not as well in the VFKL as the player some want him to replace in the AFL