Anzac Day strategy

[Premier Pies]

Okay so Anzac day is fast approaching and with it comes a three day and four night break from round 4 to round 5. An absolute nightmare proposition for our fitness staff, players, physios, doctors, etc.

How are we going to prepare a team with such a short break? How many team changes will be required in order to get the right balance of fresh, in form and fit players?

It could be argued the Pies have a better draw in round 4 playing Port Adelaide as opposed to Bombers playing Carlton. I think that has some merit but it's not where we hold our biggest advantage.

I think where our list is at in regards to match fitness, injuries and the like, we hold our biggest advantage. Boys to come back in like BJ, Didak, Beams, Wellingham and possibly Wood will most likely only have 2 matches or worst case 3 matches under their belts this year and still be reasonably fresh. Maxwell is due to come back round 3 or worst case round 4 too.

In my opinion it's more than likely 3-4 of them will be back playing seniors by Anzac day if not all six of them. This accounts for around 20% of our team and all of them are well drilled, hardened senior players. Of course I may have got this completely wrong and there's hardly any changes at all. Also if there's new injuries before Anzac day our hand might be forced more than we like.

One thing I'm certain about though, is the team that remains the freshest, has the least amount of injuries and is managed the best will get the chocolates on Anzac day. Here's hoping it's the Pies

What do you think our strategy will be?

 

[robertg22]

Have been thinking about this also. Feel we'll try to slow the Port game down by quite an amount and during that game would expect to try to use the sub early (which I hope doesn't backfire if someone gets injured). We may rest a player or two for that game, but from what I saw on Sunday vs the Saints they definitely look like they have improved and won't be the easy beats we faced twice last year.

 

[TradeDraft]

Score more Points then Essendon will be a Great Start

 

[mattys123]

As far as the fixturing goes regarding breaks between games, we have a shocking start to the year.

After this week, we play Carlton who have 2 days more break, then we have to face up against Port only 4 days before ANZAC day.

How will we approach it? I think we already have begun to approach it. We aren't rushing players back (Maxwell could have played this week by all reports), and we ware gradually introducing players to the team each week to get us ready for the ANZAC day problem specifically I believe.

I think the key here is the Port Adelaide match, as the OP says, we have an advantage over Essendon, who have to name their best 22 against Carlton, or else they won't stand a chance at all.

We, on the other hand can rest certain key players. Jolly simply shouldn't play, Port only have an inexperienced ruckman at the moment (Redden) and we have Wood, Ceglar and Witts as backup, use them.

No one who has even the slightest niggle should play, I think that match is also clear.

I trust the club, I think we've shown so far we are managing the list correctly, and will do so over the next few weeks in the lead up to the biggest home and away game of the year.

 

[robertg22]

I trust the club, I think we've shown so far we are managing the list correctly, and will do so over the next few weeks in the lead up to the biggest home and away game of the year.

Agreed matty. I love our start to the year in this regard, especially after how badly we fell away in the last 6 weeks of the year in 2011.

 

[SuperSub17]

Remembering back to 2007 when Anzac Day was on a Wednesday (rd 5):

Both Pies and Dons played on a sat arvo in rd 4, us against port in the wet at the G and them against St Kilda under the roof at Etihad. Port finished second that year and rolled us, while stk didnt make finals and were beaten comfortably.

Bombers were warm favourites ($1.30 to $3 from memory) on the day and we won by about 16 points i think.

We clearly had the tougher preparation but we won and should have won by a lot more, we were woefully inaccurate in front of goal.

Just putting that out there, better preparation doesnt necessarily = win.