Prediction Changes round 19 V Lions @ The Gabba

[Smiley Boy]

Please match committee do not turn to Gardner in round 19 when we need to settle on our best structure and lineup for the run to finals. If that is sticking with the two KPDs and improving the structure / 3rd talls around them, then fine, but we have seen that Gardner while being a great bloke and very solid VFL defender, just is not the answer to our woes at AFL level. Please I beg you...

Get ready for meltdown

 

[grassman75]

Get ready for meltdown

View attachment IMG_0546.webp

 

[Southern 8]

I would bring in Buku to play back maybe drop Coffield. Nothing against him I thought he was very good early but made some errors in second half. I think that would also improve the back line. Buku has had some good games back particularly the game with Lobb and him at Kardinia Park and against Curnow IIRC

 

[Doggies7]

Get ready for meltdown

Match committee playing the Gardy card in big 2025

 

[RWnBluey]

Please match committee do not turn to Gardner in round 19 when we need to settle on our best structure and lineup for the run to finals. If that is sticking with the two KPDs and improving the structure / 3rd talls around them, then fine, but we have seen that Gardner while being a great bloke and very solid VFL defender, just is not the answer to our woes at AFL level. Please I beg you...

Would legit prefer a 70% fit Jones over Gardner

 

[Doggies7]

If Gardner does get picked, i'll back him in and pray he plays a blinder and makes me look like a fool. I'm not one of those supporters who cheers against our players or abuses them because I don't agree with the selection, that drives me crazy... But it is deflating if that's our best option to save the back line in a huge game with finals around the corner.

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

If Gardner does get picked, i'll back him in and pray he plays a blinder and makes me look like a fool. I'm not one of those supporters who cheers against our players or abuses them because I don't agree with the selection, that drives me crazy... But it is deflating if that's our best option to save the back line in a huge game with finals around the corner.

Yep - don’t blame Gardner for being the best option. Just back him in to do his best, and blame the fitness staff/development coaches/list management that there weren’t better options.

I hope he goes well

 

[go_sports_team]

Sums up the weaknesses in our list perfectly and that it most likely isn't our year to do any real damage. I think I've come to terms with that. It's a real pity Buss hasn't seemed to show enough to warrant inclusion. Gardner is a lovely guy but he isn't the future.

 

[Al dente]

Sums up the weaknesses in our list perfectly and that it most likely isn't our year to do any real damage. I think I've come to terms with that. It's a real pity Buss hasn't seemed to show enough to warrant inclusion. Gardner is a lovely guy but he isn't the future.

yep, with Coffield playing, and options like Gardner, a cooked Jones, Cleary, and an obviously flawed (according to match committee) Buss we simply dont have the cattle, not our year unfortunately.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

We've had the flu rip through our family and you're down for 2 weeks, can't even comprehend playing sport in the 3rd week. Influenza is bloody everywhere at the moment.

Is it a Victoria thing? Haven’t heard of anything on the GC. But I’m not out and about every day.

 

[go_sports_team]

Is it a Victoria thing? Haven’t heard of anything on the GC. But I’m not out and about every day.

No idea outside of Vic, but it's been brutal down here this winter.

 

[BrisDog]

Is it a Victoria thing? Haven’t heard of anything on the GC. But I’m not out and about every day.

Nope - ripped through Brisbane as well and lasts for 3 weeks. Nearly everyone in my workplace and families have had it within the last month.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Have got this right Gardiner gets a game against the lions in a must win game and the hawks but does not play against a bottom 9 team. How in the hell is that going to work

 

[dogwatch]

Have got this right Gardiner gets a game against the lions in a must win game and the hawks but does not play against a bottom 9 team. How in the hell is that going to work

It's a good question.

It enables both BF and MC to crucify Gardy for a bad game if we lose. But how are we better off for that?

If the planning was there they'd probably play him against the likes of North or St Kilda so they'd know it is going to work when we need him against Hawthorn or Brisbane. And it would give Gardy some much needed credits too.

Gardy himself will of course relish this rare opportunity but he must be wondering what he has to do to ease into the seniors with a slightly less challenging assignment than Brisbane at the Gabba.

The problem is we don't need him for those easy games so he stays in the VFL. But we desperately need him in peak form for the hard games. We make it hard for ourselves by not giving him (or Buss or whoever) a string of games to find their feet at senior level. It's poor player management and selection strategy if you ask me.

My hope is that we play him as a sweeper, not as a one-on-one defender where even Hipwood will give him a bath.
I fear I'm going to be disappointed.

 

[Proffessor]

Yep - don’t blame Gardner for being the best option. Just back him in to do his best, and blame the fitness staff/development coaches/list management that there weren’t better options.

I hope he goes well

He may get selected but there is absolutely no way he could be considered the best option whilst other players are listed as fit.

 

[Proffessor]

It's a good question.

It enables both BF and MC to crucify Gardy for a bad game if we lose. But how are we better off for that?

If the planning was there they'd probably play him against the likes of North or St Kilda so they'd know it is going to work when we need him against Hawthorn or Brisbane. And it would give Gardy some much needed credits too.

Gardy himself will of course relish this rare opportunity but he must be wondering what he has to do to ease into the seniors with a slightly less challenging assignment than Brisbane at the Gabba.

The problem is we don't need him for those easy games so he stays in the VFL. But we desperately need him in peak form for the hard games. We make it hard for ourselves by not giving him (or Buss or whoever) a string of games to find their feet at senior level. It's poor player management and selection strategy if you ask me.

My hope is that we play him as a sweeper, not as a one-on-one defender where even Hipwood will give him a bath.
I fear I'm going to be disappointed.

What is this peak form you speak of?
Gardner's performance graph is the flattest in the history of the AFL.

And why on earth does a guy who was originally drafted way back in 2015, need to be given easy games to build into this mythical never actually seen peak?

 

[MaxiBont]

I know I keep saying it but I believe Sellwood will cement his spot in the 22 before finals.

I’d trust him on bigger forwards more than Coffield, Cleary or Gardner.

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

He may get selected but there is absolutely no way he could be considered the best option whilst other players are listed as fit.

Who though? If the idea is to bring in someone to play accountable for their man so Lobb can intercept, there’s literally no better options right now.

Jones isn’t fit, given he’s playing limited minutes in the VFL. And Buss has shown no ability to play the Full Back role. If we’re bringing in the best available regardless of role, then Cleary or a few others would be ahead. But for a key back, there’s no better option available to us this week

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Just listened to the Bevo presser.

Alright: I haven't watched any Footscray games for a number of weeks. Given he seemed to have pivoted from a discussion around Liam Jones

19

Liam Jones

Age

34

Ht

199cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

134.5

2star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.1

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

116.3

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

availability. To one of team changes in general when it came to this weeks possible selections noting that "previous state league performances." would be a deciding factor.

Taking into account the god of selection integrity...

Who are the players likely to have accumulated enough credit over recent weeks to come into consideration?

Has it been Ryan Gardner?

Who it won't be is any of the mid season recruits ( who I haven't seen). Who still seem a little way off in Beveridges estimation.

Its going to be Ryan Gardner.

 

[Mofra]

I would bring in Buku to play back maybe drop Coffield. Nothing against him I thought he was very good early but made some errors in second half. I think that would also improve the back line. Buku has had some good games back particularly the game with Lobb and him at Kardinia Park and against Curnow IIRC

According to the track watchers, Buks trained with the forwards today.

 

[Mofra]

I know I keep saying it but I believe Sellwood will cement his spot in the 22 before finals.

I’d trust him on bigger forwards more than Coffield, Cleary or Gardner.

I'm not sure I'd be trusting a 186cm debutant who hasn't put 3 VFL games together without getting injured to play on bigger forwards.
The kid needs continuity and time.

 

[Struggle]

I would trust Anthony Scott to come in and play KPD than going back to Gardner again

They're both losing every single 1 on 1 contest but he might be able to hit a 25m target

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

I know I keep saying it but I believe Sellwood will cement his spot in the 22 before finals.

I’d trust him on bigger forwards more than Coffield, Cleary or Gardner.

What are you basing this on? He's played quite minimal man-on-man in his very small amount of VFL minutes that I've seen so far.

I know every changes thread inevitably turns into a Gardner pile on so I'm not going to bother addressing that point, but I don't know how you could have concluded that Sellwood would handle talls better than Coffield or Cleary.

I'm quite bullish on him, and can see a long term position for him (moreso than the 3 you listed, so I'm sure we agree there), but I can't see him remotely coming into the frame for at least a couple more weeks

 

[Deadly Darcy]

Just spitballing but maybe we could try Naughton down back to try to fix our defensive issues

 

[MaxiBont]

What are you basing this on? He's played quite minimal man-on-man in his very small amount of VFL minutes that I've seen so far.

I know every changes thread inevitably turns into a Gardner pile on so I'm not going to bother addressing that point, but I don't know how you could have concluded that Sellwood would handle talls better than Coffield or Cleary.

I'm quite bullish on him, and can see a long term position for him (moreso than the 3 you listed, so I'm sure we agree there), but I can't see him remotely coming into the frame for at least a couple more weeks

He’s toughness and athleticism. He has a strong frame but can also jump well.

Coffield is only 5cm taller and from what I think doesn’t have the same vertical ability as Sellwood.

Plus we know Coffield and Gardner aren’t long term solutions. I really don’t feel like we’d lose too much seeing if Sellwood can compete at the level.

I agree this wasn’t the game but against Essendon I think it’s a good starting point.