Prediction Changes vs Bulldogs ~ Round 4 2019

[CasuallyDressed]

He's had three quiet games in a row. Is clearly out of form.

I think it's more his role.

Beams and Elliot coming in has affected him imo.

 

[Thefly38]

I would like a look at daicos , better delivery to our forwards

 

[DaVe86]

I reckon Varcoe is more important than we give him credit for. His presence gets defenders nervous because he is such a viscous tackler.

I reckon Elliott, Stephenson and Thomas are out of nick...but I also think it's a bit due to the fact that we are playing more of a possession game as opposed to a more free flowing an manic game. It just means there are less crumbs for them because we are spotting up targets instead of booting long to a contest.

FWIW, I think we need to slightly adjust that mix a bit. We don't to kick everything short. Getting it long quickly is still an option when you have a 211cm giant up there and some of the most dangerous smalls in the gam at his feet.

 

[TradeDraft]

In: Me

Out: Aish

 

[Leviathan Pie]

In: Me

Out: Aish

Like it.

 

[mike123]

Agree. I'd also add that adding two extra talls to our defence has unbalanced us and left us vulnerable at ground level. Moore is enough, Roughie is excess.

I wouldn’t mind Murphy for Roughead, we don’t completely lose out in the air but have more drive added.

 

[sr36]

I wouldn’t mind Murphy for Roughead, we don’t completely lose out in the air but have more drive added.

I know you wouldn't, and he's not ideal, but I'd go with Appleby, because I think we copped a defensive hiding from WCE at ground level. We do need some drive, but I'd look at replacing Aish with a mid to get that.

 

[No SPIN]

I agree with others that it’s not panic stations - and that “moments” cost us and we could have won.
If I was Simpson, I would be concerned that despite Coll playing poorly WC couldn’t put us away.
And that there is much more collective improvement in Coll given how poor we played, than WC.

I am comfortable that this loss gives us ample time to regroup, revise and refine a game plan to beat WC.
Because they are the ONLY benchmark.

 

[TradeDraft]

I wouldn’t mind Murphy for Roughead, we don’t completely lose out in the air but have more drive added.

That be hard with Murphy on the Injury List

 

[mike123]

I know you wouldn't, and he's not ideal, but I'd go with Appleby, because I think we copped a defensive hiding from WCE at ground level. We do need some drive, but I'd look at replacing Aish with a mid to get that.

I’d replace Aish with Varcoe becuase it achieves both things, Varcoe will stay on the ground allot more and also give us more drive. I think Roughead’s particularly poor spoiling made us look worse on the ground then what we are as well. He punched it straight to them too many times and seemed to either not punch hard enough or just punch in the wrong direction. I don’t think any of our midfielders have the required pace to give us the drive we need except Treloar and he’s not going to the backline anytime soon.

 

[neilk]

Did Varcoe play in the VFL? They may have given him a rest.

 

[sr36]

I agree with others that it’s not panic stations - and that “moments” cost us and we could have won.
If I was Simpson, I would be concerned that despite Coll playing poorly WC couldn’t put us away.
And that there is much more collective improvement in Coll given how poor we played, than WC.

I am comfortable that this loss gives us ample time to regroup, revise and refine a game plan to beat WC.
Because they are the ONLY benchmark.

Whilst I don't agree with it being 'moments' rather than planning that cost us, I do agree it was a good sign that we stayed in it, even though our strategies were smashed. I don't think they'll strategically smash us as effectively as that again.

 

[sr36]

I’d replace Aish with Varcoe becuase it achieves both things, Varcoe will stay on the ground allot more and also give us more drive. I think Roughead’s particularly poor spoiling made us look worse on the ground then what we are as well. He punched it straight to them too many times and seemed to either not punch hard enough or just punch in the wrong direction. I don’t think any of our midfielders have the required pace to give us the drive we need except Treloar and he’s not going to the backline anytime soon.

I like it. Yeah, I'd shudder at the thought of Treloar in defence.

 

[sirlothie]

In: Me

Out: Aish

I thought you were still on rookie list.

In: B. Strauchan.

 

[mike123]

I like it. Yeah, I'd shudder at the thought of Treloar in defence.

I will quietly add I wouldn’t mind Sidebottom at half back. I remember him playing well there a few years back and whilst he doesn’t have blistering pace will still add more drive then some like Aish, plus his all round skillet won’t leave him exposed there and it also opens up spot on the wing for Phillips. I doubt it happens though.

 

[sr36]

I will quietly add I wouldn’t mind Sidebottom at half back. I remember him playing well there a few years back and whilst he doesn’t have blistering pace will still add more drive then some like Aish, plus his all round skillet won’t leave him exposed there and it also opens up spot on the wing for Phillips. I doubt it happens though.

Yep Sidey could add drive by opening it up for others with clever ball use. I'd prefer him on the wing though, but just spending a greater deal of time in the back rather than forward half.

 

[sirlothie]

I will quietly add I wouldn’t mind Sidebottom at half back. I remember him playing well there a few years back and whilst he doesn’t have blistering pace will still add more drive then some like Aish, plus his all round skillet won’t leave him exposed there and it also opens up spot on the wing for Phillips. I doubt it happens though.

Sidebottom dominated just last year cleaning up as a half back if I haven't lost it. He still hangs around there, he will be good to pinpoint a loose man and get some run happening.

 

[sr36]

Sidebottom dominated just last year cleaning up as a half back if I haven't lost it. He still hangs around there, he will be good to pinpoint a loose man and get some run happening.

He covers so much territory that I never have any idea where he's playing.

 

[sirlothie]

He covers so much territory that I never have any idea where he's playing.

To my naked eye he seems to spend most of his time sweeping up possessions around half back, that's where I notice him the most. His tank is big enough to do that and still get around elsewhere doing other stuff though without being bogged at that position being accountable to a man there. I hope he gets back to his 2018 form soon. One player who would have an interesting heat map most weeks.

 

[Big Bryza]

We are struggling for form at present and do not need to add complacency to exacerbate the form issue.

We are hardly out of form.

We've lost to the best 2 sides in it (Eagles, Cats) and touched up flag fancy Richmond, who are now very much up against it.

Our midfield need to get their act together as that's where we've been smacked in our 2 losses. Our issues are fixable but we need to string some wins together to build some momentum this season.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

In: Me

Out: Aish

Will you play defence or forward?

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Lots said about the midfield but what about allowing Hurn to have 30 possessions? Probably the best field kick in the game and we allow him that sort of space? Defensive tag on him everyday of the week.

Beams will be fine, he'll take some time getting used to a new structure.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

That be hard with Murphy on the Injury List

Dave if you’re playing then Murphy can play.

He’s going to be very good for us. When he gets his chance.

I think Appelby is the one they’d look at at this time.

 

[Jen2310]

I wouldn’t mind Murphy for Roughead, we don’t completely lose out in the air but have more drive added.

Bit tough when Murphy injured his ankle in the first quarter in the VFL on Saturday.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

In: Me

Out: Aish

FFS sake Dave we don't need our big guns just yet, you're the cherry on top and must be 100% for finals.