Unofficial Preview Changes & pre match discussion vs West Coast - Round 2, 2026

[TheKanga]

That game only highlights how bad West Coast are. Goalkicking is a skill. This is equivalent to me saying “if our midfield got first use of the ball against the opposition, then we would’ve won the game”. We kicked goals in that game when it mattered and West Coast could not.

We also forced them to take shots from bad angles out wide

 

[winalotroos]

I'm not. We need to hit them hard and be confident. I'm actually getting a bit sick of this supporter "oh well I'm a bit worried" bullshit. All things considering, we actually have a pretty good side, and I would dread if the club were thinking this way.

Sorry Mste I get very nervous before any game, I did even back in the 90s when the Duck was killing it for us, and after the last 5-6 years excuse me if I/we get a little nervous before games we should win.

 

[amaz199]

We were nervous for the Port game and look how that turned out. Just win boys

 

[zoomba23]

I'm not. We need to hit them hard and be confident. I'm actually getting a bit sick of this supporter "oh well I'm a bit worried" bullshit. All things considering, we actually have a pretty good side, and I would dread if the club were thinking this way.

I think it's pretty clear from meltdowns against Freo and Sydney in 2023, Collingwood and West Coast (x2) in 2024, Carlton in 2025, and to a lesser degree Richmond in 2025, that the players have also displayed this mentality.

The supporters by and large reflect what the club gives them. I'm hoping the fact that we were steady during the final quarter last week was the fatal blow for our victimhood problems, but caution and anxiety from fans is perfectly understandable. We don't influence the players; it's on them to back it up

 

[giantroo]

 

[Rod Stroker]

We were nervous for the Port game and look how that turned out. Just win boys

Last week was our first home game for the year, playing a softer team, with a decent chance to win.

It's the same for WC this week. They would be looking at this game as one of the few where they are a genuine chance to win at home against a fellow perennial struggler. They'll put everything into it, including as I posted earlier, what looks like their strongest team in a while.

 

[The Nostradamus]

play well boys

Hardeman and wardlaw are taking 2 spots next week

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Crazy to think it’s only Choms 50th game

 

[speedy]

Crazy to think it’s only Choms 50th game

He’s a baby. And only 35-40 of those games as a defender?

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

We had 75 turnovers and way less inside 50s last time and still won by 10 pts
I think we are allowed to be confident here, i see a new edge to the team.

Yep. And the likes of Kerch, FOS and Sheezel are bringing it. Remember, these guys have grown up their entire lives being rolled-gold winners. They should be f*cking fed-up with losing.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Totally agree. I want to trust us so badly. Been burnt too many times. I remember the feeling of going into a weekend thinking, if we play well this week we are a genuine chance to win.
Ahh the memories

 

[kool kangas]

play well boys

Hardeman and wardlaw are taking 2 spots next week

Not necessarily. Changes will be made only if some players get injured, dont play well or get managed . If all players play well and we win convincently then there might be no changes for another week. What a nice dilemma to be in for a change.

 

[Sticksphat]

Last week was our first home game for the year, playing a softer team, with a decent chance to win.

It's the same for WC this week. They would be looking at this game as one of the few where they are a genuine chance to win at home against a fellow perennial struggler. They'll put everything into it, including as I posted earlier, what looks like their strongest team in a while.

Good. If we're f'n serious we beat the teams around us when they turn up to play as well, not just when everything goes our way. Beating the the teams in the bottom four-six at their best (WC/Rich/* etc) is as important a step in our progress as competing with (and beating) the next tier of teams.

 

[shinboner magic]

Will be interesting to see how poort go against * - to see their level

 

[MRoos]

Would be fantastic, except we can't park the car on the river anymore.

 

[JGreezy]

No idea why people are mentioning last year like it’s relevant.

I don’t care how shit they were last year, on that basis we lost by over 15 goals only 4 games ago to Geelong last year.

WC were the #1 pressure side league wide last week and you can argue foot off the gas all you like, they still beat GC in a half of footy at Metricon, which won’t be an easy prospect for anyone this year. They also came up against a GC side with a game under their belt, when they were first up. We aren’t a side that generally deals well with pressure either.

They have a better forward line than Port as well imo, Waterman and Shanahan are a better combo than Georgiadis and an empty jumper in Lord.

Murdock had the debut of a lifetime for a small forward and if he repeats that will cause all sorts of problems. He played exactly as we’d want Banch to play at his absolute best.

Reid had his best game in over 12 months as did Yeo. Both would have been the two highest rated players on the ground in our game and they did it against Petracca (in god mode), Miller and Anderson.

And they are adding Kelly and Baker in this week.

Anyone thinking this is a walkover is kidding themselves.

I’ll be happy with a 1 goal win.

They were down 11 goals in the second quarter. I don't think that you can read too much into it. The game was over and the pressure was off.

I'm not saying that it's a definite win for us but I wouldn't be reading too much into the second half of that GC/WC game.

 

[Dinkers]

Spot on.

We played supposed "WAFL side" Eagles teams in the last few years and had our hands full.

I want to see us completely disciplined, no party tricks and approach them as the danger they actually are.

A few are getting ahead of themselves on here.

Eagles are shite, no getting ahead of ourselves. There is no excuse to not beat them. None. We're not beating plenty of sides this year, but let's be fair a KPI for Al needs to be; knock off the shite sides. I'm confident as we all should be. This game isn't at Bum Park, so the nuance is removed.
We lose and Al should be removed, and I'd be telling him that.

 

[King Corey]

Eagles are shite, no getting ahead of ourselves. There is no excuse to not beat them. None. We're not beating plenty of sides this year, but let's be fair a KPI for Al needs to be; knock off the shite sides. I'm confident as we all should be. This game isn't at Bum Park, so the nuance is removed.
We lose and Al should be removed, and I'd be telling him that.

Just started following North Melbourne wee man?

 

[Merlin007]

Eagles are shite, no getting ahead of ourselves. There is no excuse to not beat them. None. We're not beating plenty of sides this year, but let's be fair a KPI for Al needs to be; knock off the shite sides. I'm confident as we all should be. This game isn't at Bum Park, so the nuance is removed.
We lose and Al should be removed, and I'd be telling him that.

I love it when you talk dirty

 

[Ischenko]

The selection committee have done their job. The team picked need to deliver a solid win to back up from last week. This is the smart play for the following reasons.

1. It places pressure on the fringe players (18-23) who have been picked to perform, or you lose your spot. I’m sure we all have opinions on who that 6 are.
2. Wardlaw another week per everyone else on this thread is just plain common sense.
3. Hardemann could be considered stiff(y) , but he should be eyeing a return for next week against * with one of those in the 18-23 to go out or if there is an injury.
4. A level of maturity to not pick the local likes of RHJ and Fisher who are WA based lads for a good WA optic. We did this last year and yes RHJ had an amazing last QTR against Freo. Fisher stunk and could not hit the side of a barn when we needed goals.

For me the 6 lads in the 24-29 bracket are. Wardlaw, Hardemann, Banch, RHJ, George and Whitlock. Goad when recovered and playing well might be in there.

No Fisher, Corr, CCJ……a sign we are on the improve if they don’t play and we keep winning. Very much doubt any of them would tear up the VFL with multiple BOGs to demand inclusion.

Was thinking today about how much improved our bottom six is. We know we’ve got cream — from Sheez to Chom to X to Curtis — but from a bottom six of Fisher, Scott, JK, Pink and the like (going back further names like Lachie Young, Atu, Tucker, Philips etc) to JK, LMac, Powell, Duursma etc as bottom six is a huge improvement.

 

[shinboner magic]

Weagles aren’t winning many this season - start of season they would of said this is a good chance

Got to be on from the start and don’t give them a sniff

 

[Dinkers]

Just started following North Melbourne wee man?

Pulverise them to smithereens or smithereen them to pulverisation. IDGAF which one we choose.

Enough is enough, we've all had enough.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Pulverise them to smithereens or smithereen them to pulverisation. IDGAF which one we choose.

Enough is enough, we've all had enough.

 

[Chip Scab1]

'Sweep the leg' is next week....

 

[Passmore]

Pulverise them to smithereens or smithereen them to pulverisation. IDGAF which one we choose.

Enough is enough, we've all had enough.

I saw enough today. It's on.