Preview Round 3: Changes/prematch discussion vs Hawthorn

[Only Forwards]

Unfortunately, when it comes to kicking we have too many iffy kickers in the side.

Lmac, Jmac, Marley, Wood, JZ, Pittard, Bmac... bit of an issue when most of your backline cant kick.

Because it has never been the most highly valued skill by our coaching staff.

 

[Rooboys Rool]

Actually finding it difficult to decide which changes to make this week. McDonald and Simpkin are the two that clearly need a spell and Ahern and Dumont are the two that clearly need to come in, but those two changes alone would risk the team balance a bit. Damn shame that EVW went down and Wright is still injured, as they are the obvious replacements for McDonald. Anyway, this week I'm going with:

In: T Murphy, Dumont & Ahern
Out: McDonald, Simpkin & Turner

I'm usually one to back players in, but McDonald's form is that bad it simply can't be ignored. Not sure that Murphy has done enough yet, but I think we need to bring in a HBF to cover McDonald and Murphy is the best bet (and couldn't be any worse than Luke atm).

Dumont & Ahern isn't direct cover for the forward roles played by Simpkin & Turner, but add so much more to the team. I would cover the forward roles with a combination of Higgo, Hall, Ahern & Cunnington. With Ahern & Dumont coming in for mid rotations, that would allow those guys to spend more time forward.

I would also reward Taylor with a spot on the emergencies list this week.

 

[justroyal]

When super-dooper comes back to fitness, can he be trialled at CHF?

Out: Turner, McDonald
In: Ahern, Dumont

 

[king of the road]

I think the injury to Bob might save McDonald. He may become the lock down defender.

 

[nicko74]

Must have been why we flogged them last year

Must be why Clarkson is 8-3 head to head

 

[Ischenko]

No way is Turner getting dropped, nor should he. Surely Brad will see that continuing to back Simpkin in will ruin him? Has to be out this week, just has to.

 

[scooby1279]

No way is Turner getting dropped, nor should he. Surely Brad will see that continuing to back Simpkin in will ruin him? Has to be out this week, just has to.

wondering why you think "nor should he'?

 

[FlyHigh18]

C’mon boys! Get on top in center clearances and for once please don’t fall asleep for an entire quarter!

We would have had the Lions had we not given up in the middle in the last quarter and let Neale run loose.

I assume this is why Jed is coming back early? We’re so desperate for a ball winner.

Keep getting thrashed in there and we won’t be going anywhere this year.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

wondering why you think "nor should he'?

Presumably so he can not curb Sicily's influence.

 

[Moti]

Ahern & Simpkin are forward flanker/pockets.
Dumont belongs in the wing rotations.

Our major problem right now is that 2 of our best 4 centre clearance players are out with injury.

Ahern is our 2nd best clearance player

 

[king of the road]

Not popular I know.

But I’m backing the CLUB in to bounce back and get a win.

We’re more than one coach and a few players down on form. Now is the time to stand up.

 

[Waussie]

But he won't.

Hasn't trained there.

My understanding is doesn't want to play there.

You get to choose!

 

[EDFL follower]

I thought he was pretty good on Sunday. I'm happy to have him develop as a backman, just because he doesn't want to play forward doesn't make him a dud. Which McGovern would you rather have?

I agree apart from when he got out marked 3 times in 3 minutes!!

 

[The Dingrel]

I have a feeling Jacobs will follow Picken into an early retirement. We haven't seen him since July last year.

I just read the "four hour body" by Tim Ferris. I won't go into his background etc, but is very knowledgeable on sports supplements (one of his businesses is as a distributor) and practically uses himself as a human guinea pig. In the book he discusses some supplements causing sinusitis which completely ruined his athletic performance and required surgery, and how that led him to change his outlook on supplements and the products his online business was distributing.

Seems quite a few parallels with BJ, but I'm sure our medical team are all over it...... maybe.

 

[Ischenko]

wondering why you think "nor should he'?

He played really well last week. Desperate efforts, ferocity at the contest. He has kicked a goal each game this year. He is limited obviously but he is actually playing well this year. He is not the problem. I would drop Atley before him.

 

[Silver finger]

Havnt read the thread this week.
No point really.
Seasons over and we are rudderless with our leadership.
No finals in March is the reality and we all know it.

To be honest, what you think is true. It has more chance to make bottom 4 than top 4
But it had better not impose negative thinking on some people who believe positive result.
AFL is once a year only. we have to wait for 6 month between the actual seasons and this season just started now.
We might not make final, but we should leave some dramatic hope.

 

[the flying ham]

He played really well last week. Desperate efforts, ferocity at the contest. He has kicked a goal each game this year. He is limited obviously but he is actually playing well this year. He is not the problem. I would drop Atley before him.

9 disposals at 58%. 1 goal, 1 turnover. Its not like his disposals are dripping with quality either.

Desperation and ferocity in spades, just not great at footy. I hope he can impact games like we have seen particularly early in his career, but sadly I think he has hit his plateau up forward and we should be looking at alternatives.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Horizons_00]

The footage that was "on the couch" where Higgo and the rest of our midfield getting constantly sucked into the ball carrier and leaving ****loads of space for the opposition to handball over the top or sideways to get a clearance was awful

As if we haven't fixed this yet? Brad has come out and recognised that we are being smashed around the clearances but it seems like we have not adapted at all. How hard is it to have the midfield stay on their man? bit more defensive pressure but make sure you're also not allowing space by having 4 midfielders go at the ball

Seeing a veteran like Higgins kind of cost us late goals in the 4th quarter really shows where we are at. We have the cattle and i think we have a great midfield but there is lack or organisation and cohesion ATM (which is understandable with the new players)

BRING Ahern in FFS. We are itching for some elite ball users by foot. How we wasting him in praccy matches blows my mind. I would like to see Murphy in for a maybe Lmac but he will never be dropped ever

Not confident in this game. We will lead and show good signs only to have drift off in the second half

 

[Ischenko]

9 disposals at 58%. 1 goal, 1 turnover. Its not like his disposals are dripping with quality either.

Desperation and ferocity in spades, just not great at footy. I hope he can impact games like we have seen particularly early in his career, but sadly I think he has hit his plateau up forward and we should be looking at alternatives.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Perhaps so. His effort stood out on the weekend, which might be more of an indictment of his teammates. I do think some of what he does isn't measured on the stats sheet. Of course it would be good to have a more rounded player in his spot, but who do we have that is fit? At least he has a crack, too many just don't. I am also aware that players just having a crack isn't enough to build a quality AFL side around...but **** it doesn't hurt.

 

[Wild Bill]

The footage that was "on the couch" where Higgo and the rest of our midfield getting constantly sucked into the ball carrier and leaving ****loads of space for the opposition to handball over the top or sideways to get a clearance was awful

As if we haven't fixed this yet? Brad has come out and recognised that we are being smashed around the clearances but it seems like we have not adapted at all. How hard is it to have the midfield stay on their man? bit more defensive pressure but make sure you're also not allowing space by having 4 midfielders go at the ball

Seeing a veteran like Higgins kind of cost us late goals in the 4th quarter really shows where we are at. We have the cattle and i think we have a great midfield but there is lack or organisation and cohesion ATM (which is understandable with the new players)

BRING Ahern in FFS. We are itching for some elite ball users by foot. How we wasting him in praccy matches blows my mind. I would like to see Murphy in for a maybe Lmac but he will never be dropped ever

Not confident in this game. We will lead and show good signs only to have drift off in the second half

Thats on Higgo - they would discuss roles prior to the ball up - if he was the sweeper he cant go to the ball until we win it. Rookie error made by an experienced player.

 

[Sillygit]

I agree apart from when he got out marked 3 times in 3 minutes!!

One of the three was definitely not a mark.

 

[giantroo]

Get them in: The calls for Paul Ahern grow louder by the week and he impressed at VFL level, but his selection could depend on coaches' belief he is improving his defensive efforts in transition. Tom Murphy is another in good form, as is first-year forward Curtis Taylor. Nathan Hrovat is always in the mix.
Under the pump: Bailey Scott was quiet second-up, but he was struck down by gastro ahead of the Brisbane game. The ones to watch include Jy Simpkin, Luke McDonald, Shaun Atley, Kayne Turner and possibly Dom Tyson. Tarryn Thomaslooked OK on debut as a late inclusion, but could be squeezed out.
Medical room: Jed Anderson (hamstring) and Sam Wright (quad) are nearing full fitness, while Trent Dumont (calf tightness) was a late withdrawal last week. Marley Williams (ankle) needs to prove his fitness as well, while Taylor Garner (groin) didn't play in the Roos' weekend VFL hit-out.
Verdict: Dumont will return if he's fit, but it'll be interesting to see what happens if Anderson and Wright are available. If they aren't ready, look for Ahern and Murphy to play. Simpkin and McDonald could be headed back to the VFL. - Marc McGowan

 

[LeFtBehinD]

Going to be really interesting how we match up against hawthorn’s midfield this week, especially with all the attention around our deficiencies.

With Shiels injured and irrespective of form their starting midfield will be
- O’meara (72 games)
- Cousins (8 games)
- Worpel (12 games)

If we cannot win that contest 2019 is officially done.

 

[SMaturin]

McGowan has come from the clouds as having the good oil. Has he replaced Nick Bowen as our official AFL media liaison?

 

[Wild Bill]

Scott had gastro in the lead into the Bris game?? He shoudn't have played - its tough enough returning from WA but being crook should have seen him sit out.