Preview R6: Changes vs. St Kilda

[anphonio]

Laird out until he can kick to someone in his own team, not the opposition

Nobody is putting any selection pressure on him whatsoever. He's not playing well but who else do we play back there? Bond is just worse, I've seen enough to like Cook more on a wing instead of in defence aswell, made some crazy bad defensive decisions last night.

 

[anphonio]

What can Soligo do that Dowling can't?

Borlase was just a stop gap until Butts was ready.

Multiple times BF said Hinge was underdone and whaddya know.

Out: Soligo, Borlase, Hinge
In: Dowling, Butts, Edwards

I'd argue it was just bad luck, He didnt look underdone at all and was right back into some solid form and showed exactly what we were missing. The way he did it was exactly how everyone else is doing hamstrings this year. Standing still to flat out running and jumping to spoil a ball.

 

[Golumless]

Can he play as a genuine forward because that's how Nicks is playing Soligo right now. 12 disposals, 1 goal and 2 GA with 66% TOG.

Looks like a genuine forward game to me (and near identical last week, bar a point instead of a goal, oh what could have been). Soligo is just a grin and bear it kind of deal as a 6th-7th forward whilst he rebuilds his tank and confidence after the heart defect.


And if you want a number to argue that you just persist here, in terms of scoreboard impact (amount of points per game from goals, behinds and goal assists), Soligo is currently our 4th most productive player.

 

[Golumless]

Out: Hinge (inj), and Borlase (unfortunate omit)
In: Draper, and Butts

I really hate dropping Borlase after that game, but Butts/Murray is a better defensive combination. Hinge is injured and right now with a softish few weeks, and some runs under his belt (plus what should be a tough training week), it's time for Sid. Especially if we're going to try handballing more, seeing Sid's explosive pace should help smooth that out.

Effectively, this is a shift Cook to half back, let Draper take his wing minutes and start prepping him to be an inside midfielder in the second half of the year (following how Brisbane used Levi Ashcroft last year).

 

[ABAB]

Nobody is putting any selection pressure on him whatsoever. He's not playing well but who else do we play back there? Bond is just worse, I've seen enough to like Cook more on a wing instead of in defence aswell, made some crazy bad defensive decisions last night.

Some poor kicks which were unusual, he still got 18 disposals which was his struggle.

 

[davos44]

Out: Hinge (inj), and Borlase (unfortunate omit)
In: Draper, and Butts

I really hate dropping Borlase after that game, but Butts/Murray is a better defensive combination. Hinge is injured and right now with a softish few weeks, and some runs under his belt (plus what should be a tough training week), it's time for Sid. Especially if we're going to try handballing more, seeing Sid's explosive pace should help smooth that out.

Effectively, this is a shift Cook to half back, let Draper take his wing minutes and start prepping him to be an inside midfielder in the second half of the year (following how Brisbane used Levi Ashcroft last year).

I sort of wondered yesterday how Draper would go with a half back role, his run alone would be useful and his groins would probably thank him for running in straighter lines.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

I sort of wondered yesterday how Draper would go with a half back role, his run alone would be useful and his groins would probably thank him for running in straighter lines.

Don't think he is good enough by foot for the backline.

He's a natural born extractor who will get the ball from inside to outside with agility and burst speed, or releasing others by hand.

I'd love the midfield balance of a top end inside ground ball hunter (Draper, with support acts in Berry, Peatling or Soligo), a silky skilled, dynamic receiver who can be the eventual playmaker (Rachele, Rankine, Taylor), and a big bodied mid who is also good around the ground and penetrating by foot (Dawson, Curtin, Edwards, Thilthorpe cameo).

 

[Velvet George]

View attachment 2578034

There’s no SANFL game

 

[hugecannon]

Don't think he is good enough by foot for the backline.

He's a natural born extractor who will get the ball from inside to outside with agility and burst speed, or releasing others by hand.

I'd love the midfield balance of a top end inside ground ball hunter (Draper, with support acts in Berry, Peatling or Soligo), a silky skilled, dynamic receiver who can be the eventual playmaker (Rachele, Rankine, Taylor), and a big bodied mid who is also good around the ground and penetrating by foot (Dawson, Curtin, Edwards, Thilthorpe cameo).

To be fair is it any worse Laird or Bond?

His pace and run with the ball could be a real asset, plus it’s a way to get him in the team without hopefully his body getting an absolute battering in the midfield.

 

[Mutineer]

No way Draper should come in before Charlie Edwards or Billy Dowling, high draft pick should not even be entered into that equation it should be just based on fitness and form.

 

[Cromulant]

No way Draper should come in before Charlie Edwards or Billy Dowling, high draft pick should not even be entered into that equation it should be just based on fitness and form.

Except we all know it is

 

[hugecannon]

Outs:- Hinge. Borlase (unlucky). Soligo (to get fit)
Ins:- Dowling. Edwards. Butts
Potential other outs:- Taylor. Maley (depending on Fog’s fitness)

B:- Michaelanney. Butts. Worrell
HB:- Milera. Murray. Laird
C:- Cumming. Dawson. Cook
1R:- McAndrew. Rachele. Berry
HF:- Keays. Walker. Neal-Bullen
F:- Rankine. Thillthorpe. Dowling
Int:- Taylor. Edwards. Maley. Peatling. Nankervis

 

[Cromulant]

Outs:- Hinge. Borlase (unlucky). Soligo (to get fit)
Ins:- Dowling. Edwards. Butts
Potential other outs:- Taylor. Maley (depending on Fog’s fitness)

B:- Michaelanney. Butts. Worrell
HB:- Milera. Murray. Laird
C:- Cumming. Dawson. Cook
1R:- McAndrew. Rachele. Berry
HF:- Keays. Walker. Neal-Bullen
F:- Rankine. Thillthorpe. Dowling
Int:- Taylor. Edwards. Maley. Peatling. Nankervis

Who rucks if Maley doesnt play considering we dont want to play Filthy there ??

We should, but we arent

 

[JPetro83]

Out: Hinge, Soligo & Borlase
In: Butts, Dowling & Edwards

 

[Crow_Magnon]

Out:
Hinge (inj)
Soligo (inj / managed / ruined by VB / can’t get the ball anyway)
Borlase

In:
Bond
Dowling
Butts


B: Michalanney - Butts - Worrell
HB: Milera - N Murray - Bond
C: Cook - Dawson - Neal-Bullen
HF: Rankine - Walker - Taylor
F: Dowling - Thilthorpe - Keays
R: McAndrew - Berry - Rachele
Int: Nankervis - Laird - Cumming - Maley - Peatling

Emg: Borlase, Edwards, Marsh

Notes:
Pedlar needs to find form in the SANFL

Fogarty is still not right. J Ralph just covered this. He’s not playing.

I understand that most will likely prefer the untried Edwards over Dowling to replace Soligo. Personally I just don’t think Edwards is good enough to be an AFL midfielder from what I’ve seen at SANFL level and in the preseason games. I would bring in Dowling who honestly hasn’t ever played a “poor” AFL game, and is a far more effective half forward than almost all of our current midfield crop so there’s a viable spot to rest him when he’s not in the guts rather than plonking a midfielder out of position like we do with most of the others on the fringe.

This won’t be a popular statement, but Michalanney has been a liability since late in 2025 and is lucky to be getting a game. He cannot hit the side of a house by foot and is struggling big time once the ball hits the deck.

Taylor needs 10 centre bounce attendances in this game. He’s a far better stoppage player than most of our other mids and his hands and evasiveness in tight are exquisite.

Laird just holds his spot due to the Hinge injury and Chayce Jones being incompetent.

Nankervis is pretty lucky to be retained too tbh. Again, the Hinge injury saves him. Had some nice moments in the 4th qtr so at least is running out games well (unlike 70% of the team).

Maley is never going to get a stack of it but I think it’s vital to keep Thilthorpe out of the ruck, so one of Maley or T Murray needs to be in the side. Happy to stick with Moose.

Not sure about this statement. He was terrible late last year in important games. I'd personally try Edwards before him. Bond comes back for Hinge, Butts for Borlase (unlucky TBH), or could come in for N.Murray who's not giving us much. Not convinced on Maley in the ruck, maybe Toby Murray for him.

 

[VKCrow]

Was nice to have a ruckman who can kick a drop punt. It’s the little things…

 

[Scorpus]

No way Draper should come in before Charlie Edwards or Billy Dowling, high draft pick should not even be entered into that equation it should be just based on fitness and form.

Draper is more likely to impact our next premiership and is more important than Dowling. That has to be factored in

 

[Golumless]

No way Draper should come in before Charlie Edwards or Billy Dowling, high draft pick should not even be entered into that equation it should be just based on fitness and form.

I'd have Draper in before Dowling every day of the week at this point. You know what Billy is and that's an easy delist at the end of the year. No point muddying those waters.

Edwards you can go either way, especially as my suggestion of Draper on the wing is equally viable for Edwards. Still, I'd rather the explosive pace with Adelaide's current issues (as much as Edwards is still pretty quick, it's not Draper quick).

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Draper is more likely to impact our next premiership and is more important than Dowling. That has to be factored in

No it doesn't ! .....has nothing to do with selections

Either way, Dowling won't be getting selected

 

[Cromulant]

No it doesn't ! .....has nothing to do with selections

Either way, Dowling won't be getting selected

Its what smart clubs do, so thats probably why we wont do it.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I'd have Draper in before Dowling every day of the week at this point. You know what Billy is and that's an easy delist at the end of the year.

Every chance you're correct

 

[davos44]

Don't think he is good enough by foot for the backline.

He's a natural born extractor who will get the ball from inside to outside with agility and burst speed, or releasing others by hand.

I'd love the midfield balance of a top end inside ground ball hunter (Draper, with support acts in Berry, Peatling or Soligo), a silky skilled, dynamic receiver who can be the eventual playmaker (Rachele, Rankine, Taylor), and a big bodied mid who is also good around the ground and penetrating by foot (Dawson, Curtin, Edwards, Thilthorpe cameo).

I think his skills would be just fine for a half back role, especially for line breaking out of defence. Pinch hitting in the midfield 1-2 times per quarter just to get him involved too.

 

[Scorpus]

No it doesn't ! .....has nothing to do with selections

Either way, Dowling won't be getting selected

Every single thing the club does should be about winning the premiership.

We're clearly keeping Soligo in the team to build him back up so he can be an important part of a flag attempt

No different bringing in players from the twos. Choose flag winners and get them playing their best footy.

If form is the only thing that matters, we would be playing guys like Burgess (previously) and Borlase every week

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Its what smart clubs do, so thats probably why we wont do it.

No it's not !! ......it's why Clark left GEEL for FREO .....and Jhye Clark (Top 10Pick) struggles for games

You simply threw something into a post .....give me an example then

 

[Golumless]

I sort of wondered yesterday how Draper would go with a half back role, his run alone would be useful and his groins would probably thank him for running in straighter lines.

It would be good for him, but I think the only way it would work is if you almost gave Sid an explicit instruction to run at every point he intercepts the ball, consequences be damned. The kicking skills (whilst fine for an inside mid) probably aren't good enough on their own for half back, owing to how important it is to have a creative ball user there at the current time.