Best Team for Finals - Selection Dilemas

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Wow guys hold your horses. The point I am trying to make is when ever Bode, Shirley or McGregor play a bad game out come the knives from the suspect few. When they play great games, they hardly get a mention. Same story here. Shirley and Bode got picked out of the 22 players yestrday. We didn't have 5 good players yesterday. So out of the remaining 17, only Shirley and Bode get picked to pieces and the rest get itwritten off as a bad day

Shirley has been solid and he plays his role well. People here don't understand the concept of a role player. Shirley is not there to star. He is there to do a job and more often than not he does the job. When ever he doesn't get the job done on the day he is jumped on like there is no tommorrow. The reaction on this board has been rather pathetic.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

As PC said, it is too late for wholesale changes. But I reckon Craigy would have the microscope hovering over a few players.

And those that think Hudson is the big white hope, think again. He won't have a major influence to our end result this year.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Wow guys hold your horses. The point I am trying to make is when ever Bode, Shirley or McGregor play a bad game out come the knives from the suspect few. When they play great games, they hardly get a mention. Same story here. Shirley and Bode got picked out of the 22 players yestrday. We didn't have 5 good players yesterday. So out of the remaining 17, only Shirley and Bode get picked to pieces and the rest get itwritten off as a bad day

Shirley has been solid and he plays his role well. People here don't understand the concept of a role player. Shirley is not there to star. He is there to do a job and more often than not he does the job. When ever he doesn't get the job done on the day he is jumped on like there is no tommorrow. The reaction on this board has been rather pathetic.

I hear what you are saying Stiffy but I would argue that both Bode and McGregor have had only inconsistent, moderate years at best, especially given they are playing in the forward line of the top side. My comments are not just based on one game and, yes, those blokes have had some good games which i am happy to admit (wish they had more!), but looking at the big picture i stand by my criticism.

Same goes for Shirley. I understand his defensive role BUT if we have other players who can do it better, then why not? Could not VB develop into a player even better than the defensive role Kane Cornes excelled in in his first few seasons? I know you didn't say it but i hate the cliche 'if it aint broke dont fix it'. Sure, manage change wisely, but if you dont look to improve, you're gonna fall behind.

 

[bigman]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Rob Shirley was no worse than say a Tyson Edwards. Anyone bag Tyson?

In fact Tyson has stunk it up for a month now but not a single mention from you or bigman on that.

Stiff - with respect you are wrong on this one.

On a few threads I talked about how poor Edwards and Bass were yesterday with their disposals.

I think though the time has come to go with a new strategy in the middle for the Eagles games.

We need to have a look at how the Swannies play them.

I hope Neil and the boys will look at this option soon.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

As PC said, it is too late for wholesale changes. But I reckon Craigy would have the microscope hovering over a few players.

And those that think Hudson is the big white hope, think again. He won't have a major influence to our end result this year.

I do think Huddo is a big white hope but not in a dominating, BOG type of way. I am just hoping for a dogged, competitive ruckman both in the centre square clearances and around the ground who will bust his guts all day to at least break even with his opponent. This result would be a vast improvement compared to our recent performances against good ruck opposition.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Stiff - with respect you are wrong on this one.

On a few threads I talked about how poor Edwards and Bass were yesterday with their disposals.

I think though the time has come to go with a new strategy in the middle for the Eagles games.

We need to have a look at how the Swannies play them.

I hope Neil and the boys will look at this option soon.

I agree with that, but sometimes cream rises to the top. WC have a much better midfield than us. They can go 6 deep without losing much. Judd, Cousins, Kerr, Fletcher, Braun and Stenglein make a fantastic 6 midfield rotation. Then you underpin that with a youngster like Butler and Selwood and you are doing pretty bloody well. Not to mention they have the best ruck division in the comp as well. Thats why there are SO good.

Great midfield covers a multitude of sins, and the Eagles are a classic case of that. Great midfield, workman like defence and forward line. How can we stop them? I am not sure. When Cox gets back they become that much tougher to beat. Biglands has never played well against Cox. Clarke seems to handle him better than Biglands. Sure Clarke will get spanked in general field play by Cox BUT Clarke will at least break even in the ruck.

We have been spanked by Eagles in the midfield in 4 of the last 5 games. Thats no coincidence. Thats just a pretty big difference in class between the respective midfields.

 

[bigman]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

I agree with that, but sometimes cream rises to the top. WC have a much better midfield than us. They can go 6 deep without losing much. Judd, Cousins, Kerr, Fletcher, Braun and Stenglein make a fantastic 6 midfield rotation. Then you underpin that with a youngster like Butler and Selwood and you are doing pretty bloody well. Not to mention they have the best ruck division in the comp as well. Thats why there are SO good.

Great midfield covers a multitude of sins, and the Eagles are a classic case of that. Great midfield, workman like defence and forward line. How can we stop them? I am not sure. When Cox gets back they become that much tougher to beat. Biglands has never played well against Cox. Clarke seems to handle him better than Biglands. Sure Clarke will get spanked in general field play by Cox BUT Clarke will at least break even in the ruck.

We have been spanked by Eagles in the midfield in 4 of the last 5 games. Thats no coincidence. Thats just a pretty big difference in class between the respective midfields.

Lets try something different then.

Get Needles in there.

Give VB Kerr.

Lets start thinking of the future and give Douglas a crack next week.

Lets put Roo back there for the start of the game.

Lets try to lock their keys down - Kerr, Cousins, Jud, Embley - as Sydney do.

if we are not as good as them we need to try something different.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

I do think Huddo is a big white hope but not in a dominating, BOG type of way. I am just hoping for a dogged, competitive ruckman both in the centre square clearances and around the ground who will bust his guts all day to at least break even with his opponent. This result would be a vast improvement compared to our recent performances against good ruck opposition.

You could even say our recent performances against "average" ruck opposition. I can't see too many changes between now and finals, especially in the ruck.

I think a few of the backbone guys will be abit nervous after yesterdays game. With McLeod and Torney walk up starts I can also see Bock and Welsh coming into consideration. A week ago, myself and others couldn't fin a spot for Welsh. How quickly things change.

 

[bigman]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

You could even say our recent performances against "average" ruck opposition. I can't see too many changes between now and finals, especially in the ruck.

I think a few of the backbone guys will be abit nervous after yesterdays game. With McLeod and Torney walk up starts I can also see Bock and Welsh coming into consideration. A week ago, myself and others couldn't fin a spot for Welsh. How quickly things change.

Not from me Springy.

Welsh is in our best 22 when fit and firing

Lets get another quality forward into our team.

He is also one of our better kicks for goal statsitically.

You cannot beat class. VB has it. Douglas has it. Give them the opportunity to show it.

 

[CrowMagnum]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Wow guys hold your horses. The point I am trying to make is when ever Bode, Shirley or McGregor play a bad game out come the knives from the suspect few. When they play great games, they hardly get a mention. Same story here. Shirley and Bode got picked out of the 22 players yestrday. We didn't have 5 good players yesterday. So out of the remaining 17, only Shirley and Bode get picked to pieces and the rest get itwritten off as a bad day
.

Your'e right but it's to do with credit points. McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards etc have built up enough credits to be forgiven for a bad game or three, while the 2nd tier players haven't. It's a bit like your best friend mouthing off at you one day - your'e more likely to forgive them than if a casual acquaintance does the same. It's human nature.

 

[- PC -]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

. A week ago, myself and others couldn't fin a spot for Welsh. How quickly things change.

I would be one of those.

I would still wait till after the Collingwood game but not much longer

 

[noddy]

AFC Team for Finals - Selection Dilemas

Decisions, Decisions.

I know this has been done to death but what the heck

I have put on my thinking coaches cap & have come up with the following on the proviso all selections are fully fit.

Full back line needs no discussion.

Johncock. Rutten. Bassett

Half back line needs plenty.

I need 3 out of McLeod, Hart, Massie, Bock, Stevens Torney & Van Berlo with the biggest headache in deciding between Bock & Stevens, although Stevens has done really well this year his disposal at times does let him down so if fully fit & in form I will give Bock the nod,

McLeod. Bock. Hart.

Centre line has plenty of options for me but I have settled on who I know can perform well against top class opposition.

Goodwin. Ricciuto. Mattner.

Half forward line is again a bit of a headache with chf being the most difficult to decide on who do I go with between Perrie & McGregor ? well as with Bock if Perrie is fully fit & in reasonable form then he gets the nod as I feel the sarge will offer me more in the outer than what Kenny Mac has given so far this year, Thompson, Bode, Doughty, Porplyzia, Reilly for the flanks which is again hard to decide but someone has to, have decided to settle on Thompson & Bode even though Bode’s form can be up & down at times I just love the 1 % & the amount of work he does on the field.

Thompson. Perrie. Bode.

The full forward line to me is a choice out of 5 Burton, Hentschel, MaGregor, Welsh & Porplyzia. but if I want goals kicked then it has to be

Hentschel. Welsh. Burton.

Followers. 1 ruckman out of Clarke, Biglands & Hudson, Biglands on averagehas had a good game about 1 in 5 while Clarke although still a good tap ruckman is nearing the end as an AFL player, 2 months ago I wouldn’t have considered Hudson but just show me some form & fitness within the next couple of weeks big guy & you will get the nod, Edwards is a definite but do I stand by Shirley or opt for a younger more skillful Van Berlo, I toss the coin.

Hudson. Shirley. Edwards.

Bench, not easy this one either but I have settled on

Biglands. Torney. Van Berlo & Doughty.

4 emergencies. Clarke, Massie, McGregor & Reilly

I expect this side to play in this years grand final win our club our 3rd premiership flag.

 

[Kaitsey]

Re: This side is the one.

you wrote you needed 3 half backs, you can choose about 7, neil craig would not usually play with the 3 half backs.

 

[Mad Dog]

Re: This side is the one.

...

noddy's team........

not much to disagree with here Nod

tough on Kenny - but unfortunately he isn't making himself indispensible ATM.

maybe Reilly for Bode is my only thought......but maybe not....all fit and firing it's close to our best combo

 

[Von Douche]

Re: This side is the one.

not much to disagree with here Nod

tough on Kenny - but unfortunately he isn't making himself indispensible ATM.

maybe Reilly for Bode is my only thought......but maybe not....all fit and firing it's close to our best combo

IMO McGregor is still injured and needs a rest.

Pez for Ken straight swap till Kenny Mac gets his body right.

I'd swap Douglas for Bode too as Bode's pace can't match it with the more highly rated teams in the competition (at least give the kid a crack).

Good effort but.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: This side is the one.

IMO McGregor is still injured and needs a rest.

Pez for Ken straight swap till Kenny Mac gets his body right.

I'd swap Douglas for Bode too as Bode's pace can't match it with the more highly rated teams in the competition (at least give the kid a crack).

Good effort but.

The problem is Sarge isn't ready yet. With Trent coming back for injury & Kenny not fit/injured during the game, we were caught short up forward yesterday. Perhaps Bock to play CHF again this week.

Also, great to see Welsh back into some good form, kicking 6 for Westies. Would have to give himself a chance for selection.

If Douglas continues his good form for the Bays today, I too would pick him over Bode ... but I doubt the selector will drop Bode yet (& ptobably fair enough).

 

[birdmanptr]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Rob Shirley was no worse than say a Tyson Edwards. Anyone bag Tyson?

In fact Tyson has stunk it up for a month now but not a single mention from you or bigman on that.

Good point but like you said once before people favs can do no wrong and the ones they hate first chance they get in go the knives.

Can someone explain this one against the roos Hart plays about 30 minutes and Bock plays all but 30 minutes one gets dropped and one goes to Perth.Great player Benny but yesterday he looked dead set lost and slow.

 

[Drummond]

Re: This side is the one.

IMO McGregor is still injured and needs a rest.

Pez for Ken straight swap till Kenny Mac gets his body right.

Round 18 is approaching, we have to accept the facts that McGregor will never be fit this season. We have to live with a half fit, incredibly mediocre McGregor.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: This side is the one.

Round 18 is approaching, we have to accept the facts that McGregor will never be fit this season. We have to live with a half fit, incredibly mediocre McGregor.

Whys do we have to live with a half fit McGregor, now Bock is fit? McGregor, when fit, is still a very important to our structure, so we should be doing everything to get him right for the finals.

 

[jc67]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

Mark Ricciuto doesn't look right. Seems slow and clumsy when he plays in the midfield. Think he might be carrying an injury.

It's still the groin.

 

[Crow-mo]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

On two threads today there have been criticisms of "Shirley".......I have been waiting for the usual defence by his supporters...........nothing!

The sounds of silence

ah the sounds of a true supporter, waiting all season in the bushes just to pounce on a regular player at the first possible chance, all to try and justify a long held petty bias.

 

[Crow-mo]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

look at this way, WC were desperate for this win and marked it down on the their calendar a month ago at least (sorry I tipped WC for this reason).

we're stepping our training up, and it was possible that we could be suffering. Also the game meant less to us, than it did to them - all relative of course; it was an important game nonetheless.

we won't have to go back there, we should play our finals at AAMI if we're good enough.

BUT...

my personal point is this, we've had injuries bad this season. the replacements have done great. really they have. But we have many first choice players on the sidelines to come in. Bock/Hudson/Pez/Welsh.

we're not playing our best side, cattle wise, at the moment - and after a good run, a loss is not the end of the world.

the ***** poor capitulation - now that's an entirely different ****ing matter.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

look at this way, WC were desperate for this win and marked it down on the their calendar a month ago at least (sorry I tipped WC for this reason).

we're stepping our training up, and it was possible that we could be suffering. Also the game meant less to us, than it did to them - all relative of course; it was an important game nonetheless.

we won't have to go back there, we should play our finals at AAMI if we're good enough.

BUT...

my personal point is this, we've had injuries bad this season. the replacements have done great. really they have. But we have many first choice players on the sidelines to come in. Bock/Hudson/Pez/Welsh.

we're not playing our best side, cattle wise, at the moment - and after a good run, a loss is not the end of the world.

the ***** poor capitulation - now that's an entirely different ****ing matter.

Good post Crow-Mo.

BTW, with the players returning, who do you see as your best-22 for the finals, including Huddo of course?

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Re: Changes Must Be Made

ah the sounds of a true supporter, waiting all season in the bushes just to pounce on a regular player at the first possible chance, all to try and justify a long held petty bias.

It should not be about bias or popularity, name or reputation...it is about getting our best possible side on the park come September, and some games offer more insight about the strengths and weaknesses of certain players (i.e. finals type intensity against quality opposition).

Putting emotion aside...is Rob Shirley (a gutsy player who gives everything every week) our best option as a defensive midfielder. IMO . It is time for Nathan van Berlo to step up into the role. He has more ability, more pace, more skill, more composure, more footy smarts, more endurance, and equal levels of courage and intensity. Is there room for Shirley as our 2nd string defensive midfielder. IMO . I would be giving Poplyzia greater responsibility in the midfield rotations as he is at least the equal of Shirley. If the Porplyzia experiment fails there is always a Massie or Doughty type who could fulfill the secondary role for periods during a match.

Rob Shirley = great team man, gets everything out of himself, excellent SANFL player.

 

[beagle2]

Re: AFC Team for Finals - Selection Dilemas

Decisions, Decisions.

.

Goodwin. Ricciuto. Mattner.

With his groin problem Roo has the agility of a Bay tram Far too unfit too play in the middle