Preview Round 7: Geelong vs Essendon, MCG, Sunday 05/05/19, 3:20 PM aka "The Country Game"

[Hird05]

Langford has been playing midfield in the VFL and hasn't played in 3 weeks. In case you haven't noticed, we're far from an ideal situation right now in terms of our key forwards, with all of Stewart, Clarke, McKernan and now Brown on the injury list. Right now we have six fit key defenders and one fit key forward. Playing one of the two that has shown the ability to play forward for one week isn't ideal but we're not exactly flushed for options.

Ah yah I forgot Raz. I've obviously noticed the four guys are injured mate.

 

[eth-dog]

Ah yah I forgot Raz. I've obviously noticed the four guys are injured mate.

And yet you're acting as if a legitimate, if frustrating, option is the worst thing in the world. Right now I'm praying that Zac Clarke will be fit for next Sunday because every other option to me is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[Atavistic]

If Bellcho keeps his head in the game and Shiel kicks straight, we win by 6 goals.

 

[TheGrizz]

Provided Laverde makes it through the VFL match tomorrow and has a decent game he seems like the logical replacement for Brown as that lead up forward.

Hard to see them playing T-Bell, Clarke and Daniher in the same side. Too top heavy and the coaches seem to have worked out the more pressure players we have the better.

 

[coastalpipeline]

View attachment 662705

Remember the bloke in the picture was on drugs....had a brother in the news recently too.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

And yet you're acting as if a legitimate, if frustrating, option is the worst thing in the world. Right now I'm praying that Zac Clarke will be fit for next Sunday because every other option to me is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

What are you panicking about? Laverde comes in and you still have Stringer and Daniher. Brown can’t mark over his head anyway. Hartley and Ambrose are zero chance of playing forward and Francis doesn’t have the endurance

 

[justlookingaround]

Obviously Smith has been carrying an injury this season - but can someone explain to me what his role has been in the team this year - he has felt non-existent a lot of the time.

 

[ghostdog]

Honestly think we've got a few frustrating options for the second key forward:

1. Zac Clarke, he hasn't played in a fortnight though
2. Hooker forward, but that realistically leaves us without a Hawkins match up (unless Hartley comes in)
3. Francis forward not ideal, but it is what it is.
4. This one is really out there, play Hartley forward.

The last one is only 5%

I don't mind the sound of option 2.

I'd sooner play Hurley forward and bring Francis in than go with option 3. Maybe that should be option 5. It's only temporary...

Laverde seems like the logical inclusion. I think his fitness sounds a bit sus though.

 

[EnolaGay]

Wouldn't they look at Draper or Clarke (if fit) in for Brown, Daniher stays forward?

 

[yaco55]

This is a chance to play Francis forward in the VFL - He is a better option than Laverde to replace Brown.

 

[yaco55]

it would seem Brown only excels in games where we have the free flewing transion on full show, not when we are in a contested slog.

is this something we can predict each week and play on a horses for courses basis?

I posted the same after the game - You need to back in your players - Horses for courses is fraught with danger.

 

[JayJ20]

Laverde for Brown (inj)
Fantasia for Smith (inj)
If Smith makes it, then it'll probably be Fantasia for Parish.

 

[Hird05]

And yet you're acting as if a legitimate, if frustrating, option is the worst thing in the world. Right now I'm praying that Zac Clarke will be fit for next Sunday because every other option to me is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Not acting like anything bro. Langford has played a bunch of Afl forward whereas Francis is currently a VFL back. It's just an opinion no need to get upset

 

[DapperJong]

Not acting like anything bro. Langford has played a bunch of Afl forward whereas Francis is currently a VFL back. It's just an opinion no need to get upset

It's the way he says things mate.

 

[Hird05]

It's the way he says things mate.

I see. All good. People have different ideas and that's fine. Will leave it there. Hopefully someone steps and we smash the cats. We have always matched up well against their style. Ten day break will hopefully serve us brilliantly.

 

[Albertross]

Langford in doesn't fill me with confidence. May have kicked 6 against Nth, but it was the most uninspiring bag of goals since Jenkins.

Can't wait for Begley to be fit enough for a senior return. He looked good in his early games before injuring his knee.

 

[ghostdog]

Langford in doesn't fill me with confidence. May have kicked 6 against Nth, but it was the most uninspiring bag of goals since Jenkins.

Can't wait for Begley to be fit enough for a senior return. He looked good in his early games before injuring his knee.

Laverde though...

 

[IggypopsTshirt]

Turnovers on the corridor kick from half back directly cost us 3-4 goals against the Pies. I understand our game plan hinges on it but as they say “If it ain’t on, it ain’t on”. Our stoppage and clearance work is solid at the moment so a long kick down the line to a contest/oob and reset is a better result than a corridor turnover for an oppo scoring opportunity. A slightly more defensive mindset could save us a goal or two a game. In a game of centimetres if you can reduce score conceded by 1-2 goals you’re talking about a 10-20% shift which is significant.

Cats by 23

 

[Albertross]

Laverde though...

Haha, yeah, thought I typed Laverde. Brain fart.

 

[Gazza308]

Will be a cracker this one can’t wait. Cats to give the bombers a big whack we owe you one.

Stiff against the colliwobblers.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Honestly think we've got a few frustrating options for the second key forward:

1. Zac Clarke, he hasn't played in a fortnight though
2. Hooker forward, but that realistically leaves us without a Hawkins match up (unless Hartley comes in)
3. Francis forward not ideal, but it is what it is.
4. This one is really out there, play Hartley forward.

The last one is only 5%

I’ve been advocating for playing Hartley forward in the vfl for a patch of games for a while now.

Our tall-ish defender depth is ridiculous. Hurley, Hooker and Ambrose.
And we like the youth of all of Ridley, Francis and Zerk.
Hartley at best is going to play 2-3 games a year in a “break glass” situation.

What can he do though? He’s a decent mark and a nice kick. Except for the ruck part, he’d be a reasonable chance to play a similar role to McKernan.

Anyway, I’d be trying it in the VFL at least for sure.

 

[Cold Sober]

Since when does a class player [Francis] lose the ability or nous to play as a forward.

 

[Hird05]

Since when does a class player [Francis] lose the ability or nous to play as a forward.

I reckon he's got the nous just not the stamina. Seems to be why he's in the twos.

 

[Kakkle]

The VFL sides will be playing as a curtain raiser

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Out: Brown, Myers, Parish, Smith
In: Francis, Langford, Begley, Fantasia