Preview R2: Changes vs. Western Bulldogs

[Mutineer]

What about that Edwards kid.. is he injured atm?

Seems he's finally being played as a midfielder this season not at half back so doubtful he'd be in consideration this week.

 

[Not Darryl Moss]

Hopefully the AFL website updates our player photos soon, still using last year's for most of them, including photoshopping Ah Chee's and Maley's heads on Crows bodies

Agreed. Maybe solving the non-functional media mike at press conferences was extremely draining for those responsible.

 

[Crow_Magnon]

Only change for me would be Rankine for Peds. I like Pedlar but he just doesn't do enough IMHO - and just looks a yard slow. I'd like Nank to come in for Laird too, as (as everyone else has stated) he robs the team of momentum by hesitating and effectively getting in the way - but Nicks won't drop him. I'd keep T Murray if only for his tap work, which we'll need against English. Naughton kicked 6.1 on the weekend, so that's good for us - he's had his one good kicking week for the next six games, and I can't imagine the Dogs being 11.1 again at half-time this week!

 

[beartoo]

You mean 25 and not game high?
5 turnovers but 8 intercepts.

Yeah, my bad. Must learn to read AND comprehend.

 

[beartoo]

Changes? Hopefully not our good recent record against the brachycephalic pooches!

They look good so far, so this will be another big test. I back us to get the four points at home.

Well if they are brachycephalic, let's hope it's hot.

 

[Betts are off]

TBH I thought Soligo looked well short of a gallop on Saturday night. He managed to have an impact, but he looked like a player not confident in his body, and it felt like it bled over into some basic skill errors.

I'd be ok giving him a week off given the short week, bring in Rankine as the only change. And then bring Soli back in week 3.

 

[FR0GGY]

TBH I thought Soligo looked well short of a gallop on Saturday night. He managed to have an impact, but he looked like a player not confident in his body, and it felt like it bled over into some basic skill errors.

I'd be ok giving him a week off given the short week, bring in Rankine as the only change. And then bring Soli back in week 3.

How is he going to get match fitness without playing though?
I think given we took the risk to play him, we just have to push through with that plan.

 

[Mutineer]

How is he going to get match fitness without playing though?
I think given we took the risk to play him, we just have to push through with that plan.

2's have a game against South next Saturday?

 

[FR0GGY]

2's have a game against South next Saturday?

Yeah but sanfl fitness is different to AFL match fitness.

 

[Cromulant]

Yeah but sanfl fitness is different to AFL match fitness.

And he's not exactly going to go backwards in match fitness at AFL level.

Its why Murray is a risky selection on a week to week basis.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Please keep Roberto out, he always eats English's lunch.

 

[Golumless]

Maybe not yet but I'd like to see Ludowyke get a game when we rest Tex occasionally so he can get a taste at the level, Tex won't be here next season and I'm quite bullish on the young lad as a future key forward for us.

Possible, though I think we've flagged we're replacing Tex with a ruck/forward at this point.

 

[Betts are off]

Yeah but sanfl fitness is different to AFL match fitness.

TBH, a full game of SANFL might be more to his current level of conditioning then under 60% of an AFL game.

We already have Turray getting less the 40% TOG, and I suspect Cal Ah Chee's minutes were also managed. Im not sure we can carry so many players on a 6 day break, against the most in form team in the comp right now.

 

[Betts are off]

Please keep Roberto out, he always eats English's lunch.

McAndrew vs English is going to arguably be the most interesting matchup of the game.

Popcorn ready!

 

[FR0GGY]

TBH, a full game of SANFL might be more to his current level of conditioning then under 60% of an AFL game.

We already have Turray getting less the 40% TOG, and I suspect Cal Ah Chee's minutes were also managed. Im not sure we can carry so many players on a 6 day break, against the most in form team in the comp right now.

The best one to drop would be Toby then surely.

 

[SugarShane]

Is our SANFL side playing any kind of practice game?

Ideally would be a good time for Finnbar to compete well as he'd be a good replacement for Toby. McAndrew isn't capable of playing 100% tog and we should be trying to avoid TT in the ruck unless it's dire. So we either bring in ROB who doesn't offer anything around the ground or Finnbar who might be an extra marking target. Not sure anyone else can do it.

Would love to see Finnbar get a run. He's got a great set of hands and has AFL experience, albeit minimal.

Agree with everyone saying Toby didn't look ready quite yet. Thought he did ok but made a few blues in that last quarter which is understandable given it was a) his first game, b) our first game, c) Collingwood at the G. Not writing him off yet but needs a bit more time.

 

[Redline]

TBH I thought Soligo looked well short of a gallop on Saturday night. He managed to have an impact, but he looked like a player not confident in his body, and it felt like it bled over into some basic skill errors.

I'd be ok giving him a week off given the short week, bring in Rankine as the only change. And then bring Soli back in week 3.

This is a good suggestion, it's a short turn around and it's a long season.

 

[Betts are off]

The best one to drop would be Toby then surely.

Disagree. Toby has a role, granted its a small role, but if his role stops us needing to play TT in the ruck then its valuable. I don't want TT anywhere near a ruck contest this season, particularly early on while all these rucks are re-learning how to jump into each other again.

Thats literally what the boys in the Murray family were put on this earth to do. Run and jump into oppo players as hard as they can! And they are very good at it!

 

[jenny61_99]

Bulldogs have a very good midfield (arguably one of the best) and potent forwards. Their weakness is their defence. Our strength is the forward line, so.... if we can get it to our forwards, we'll be right! But of course you have to get it to them. So I wouldn't be getting rid of Berry. Rankine in.... perhaps Pedlar out for mine. If you are going to drop Laird, I'd bring in Nankervis. We are getting most of our run off the half back line, but Laird seems to stifle things. Gets ball, stops and props. Nank couldn't be any worse than him, could he? I'd keep Toby for this week, maybe swap him for ROB when we play Freo.

 

[thephenom3165]

We need to make sure we can cover three talls in the WB forward line if they decide to play Jordan Croft.
We will have Murray on Naughton and Butts on Darcy. Who takes Croft if he plays. Dont sleep on Croft, ive seen take some very good contested marks. It cant be Toby Murray either, he wouldnt be agile or quick enough. Perhaps Max and Worrell.

Someone has to come out for Izak. It won't be Laird. Different positions.

I don't want RT in the ruck against English who will jump into him so Toby as the backup ruck will most likely retain his spot. He only played 32% game time against Collingwood and with the additional bench spot I don't think coaches mind having that spot taken up with the backup ruck.

Would be tough to drop Cook after his performance against Collingwood.

For me that leaves Pedlar. As much as i don't like it.

 

[Fud#3]

We need to make sure we can cover three talls in the WB forward line if they decide to play Jordan Croft.
We will have Murray on Naughton and Butts on Darcy. Who takes Croft if he plays. Dont sleep on Croft, ive seen take some very good contested marks. It cant be Toby Murray either, he wouldnt be agile or quick enough. Perhaps Max and Worrell.

Someone has to come out for Izak. It won't be Laird. Different positions.

I don't want RT in the ruck against English who will jump into him so Toby as the backup ruck will most likely retain his spot. He only played 32% game time against Collingwood and with the additional bench spot I don't think coaches mind having that spot taken up with the backup ruck.

Would be tough to drop Cook after his performance against Collingwood.

For me that leaves Pedlar. As much as i don't like it.

Why would we play aToby Murray on Croft?

With your other match ups, it's obviously Woz.

Laird for Rankine after his game on the weekend, or Soligo who looked rusty

 

[Betts are off]

Bulldogs have a very good midfield (arguably one of the best) and potent forwards. Their weakness is their defence. Our strength is the forward line, so.... if we can get it to our forwards, we'll be right! But of course you have to get it to them. So I wouldn't be getting rid of Berry. Rankine in.... perhaps Pedlar out for mine. If you are going to drop Laird, I'd bring in Nankervis. We are getting most of our run off the half back line, but Laird seems to stifle things. Gets ball, stops and props. Nank couldn't be any worse than him, could he? I'd keep Toby for this week, maybe swap him for ROB when we play Freo.

I'd persist with Pedlar in the team for a good block of games. He's not going to light it up every week, but I feel like he's a point of difference player who can get under the radar of the opposition defenses.

 

[jenny61_99]

I'd persist with Pedlar in the team for a good block of games. He's not going to light it up every week, but I feel like he's a point of difference player who can get under the radar of the opposition defenses.

Don't get me wrong, I like Pedlar. But I just don't think he did enough this week and Rankine needs a spot.

 

[AFC979810]

Don't get me wrong, I like Pedlar. But I just don't think he did enough this week and Rankine needs a spot.

And what did T Murray do that keeps him in the side.

 

[Betts are off]

I wonder if Butts might be better off isolated on Naughton this week, and to send Murray to Darcy, with a healthy dose of 3rd man up from Worrall.

Murray and Woz are both physical yet aerial player and good at getting under a players skin. I think the combination could be a good way to unsettle Darcy.