Bock Out!

[Campbell's Chunky]

Bocky is out this week too, and possibly next week.

Not a good time coming up against Brown and Bradshaw...

 

[WALL-e]

Bocky is out this week too, and possibly next week.

Not a good time coming up against Brown and Bradshaw...

Damn really? That's bad.

With Trucks current niggling injuries it could be time to go for our next best KPD.....Jim bob.

 

[cmndstab]

I'd say it's more likely that Moran simply stays in the side as a permanent defender and Maric/Griffin comes back in to lead the ruck.

 

[jackster83]

I'd say it's more likely that Moran simply stays in the side as a permanent defender and Maric/Griffin comes back in to lead the ruck.

Rutten to play on Bradshaw (closer to goal).

Stevens to line up on Brown

Brennan is another who worries me. He tore us up last time we met. Otten deserves a crack at him but it is a match up that worries me. Moran on Brennan just wont work. The floating tall in the back line is the only defensive role that he could play this week.

 

[WALL-e]

Moran on Brown or Bradshaw scares the hell out of me. Although Sellar on either of them scares me too.

 

[RoosterLad]

Play Sellar on both Brown and Bradshaw I reckon.

 

[WALL-e]

Play Sellar on both Brown and Bradshaw I reckon.

Sellars left nut > Brown + Bradshaw + Mrs Kylie Brown + J Brown Jr

 

[Elder van Berlo]

Ok so we're playing against a side with 2 key forwards, and we have one obvious key defender in Truck, so who will take the other one? I would prefer someone who could go with either Brown or Bradshaw, as this would allow us to tailor our match ups to Brisbane's set up. For example, if Brown plays up the ground and Bradshaw out of the goalsquare, I would prefer Truck to go with Bradshaw and the second key defender to go with Brown.

Here are how I see the options (in order of likelihood):

Scott Stevens

Why he will get the job
He is Craig's usual swingman - when a KPP at either end goes down Stevens usually ends up plugging the gap, with varying levels of success in the past. Also, Stevens looked a bit better when he went back to defence during the 3rd quarter yesterday. I think Stevens will probably get the job on Bradshaw with Truck going to Brown.

Why he won't
He is not really strong enough to go with either Brown or Bradshaw one on one. Also, it would give us precious little flexibility - you can't really send Stevens to Brown so this would basically give Brown a licence to expose Truck's movement. Also, Stevens' form is horrible. He shouldn't still be physically affected by the McPharlin hit, but you can't underestimate the psychological toll it's taken. Personally, I think Craig will go with Stevens, but i really think it will end in disaster.

Brad Moran

Why he will get the job
He has all the physical attributes to go with these guys - he's big, quick and can mark. Also, he can reportedly play as a key defender (although I think most of us are still waiting for some evidence). He would give the team some flexibility as well - I wouldn't be surprised if he's named as a 2nd ruckman with the intention of having a plan B down back if Stevens struggles.

Why he won't
He's really shown no evidence of being able to defend. His pre-season form in that area was underwhelming, to put it generously (by all reports, admittedly I didn't see any games besides the Sydney one). His performance yesterday wouldn't have helped either. I'm willing to give him more time to show he's a player, as I think people tend to forget how young and inexperienced he is (we traded for him, so he must be a ready made player, right?), but a job on Brown or Bradshaw might just destroy what's left of his confidence and the fans' faith in him.

James Sellar

Why he will get the job
Spent some time playing in defence in the pre-season, apparently with some success (same qualification as above re not actually seeing him play). He's big enough, and has put in a couple of decent SANFL performances.

Why he won't
Has been playing forward in the SANFL. Also, his agility would have to be a concern against someone like Bradshaw and even Brown.

Will Young

Why he will get the job
Ok this one's out of left field, but hear me out - the more I think about it the more I like this idea. He's our most ready key defender actually playing as a defender in the SANFL (Phil Davis looks a prospect, no pun intended, but isn't ready for this job yet). He's got the body and the agility, and he has impressed every time he's had to adjust to a new level of footy (reserves, league). With an injury like Bock's, it would be a perfect opportunity to throw a guy like Young into the wolves (or Lions, as the case may be. I'm here all week guys, try the schnitzel) and tell him he's got 2 weeks to see how he goes and for him to see the level he needs to get to. With games against Brisbane, Carlton and Hawthorn coming up, it would be a great opportunity to see what he's got. Jacky and Sellar got games last year...

Why he won't
Well he's bloody raw. And Craig is bloody conservative. It could well become Zac Dawson Mk II. Realistically it won't happen, but boy it would be interesting to see how he'd go.

 

[Vader]

Ok so we're playing against a side with 2 key forwards, and we have one obvious key defender in Truck, so who will take the other one? I would prefer someone who could go with either Brown or Bradshaw, as this would allow us to tailor our match ups to Brisbane's set up. For example, if Brown plays up the ground and Bradshaw out of the goalsquare, I would prefer Truck to go with Bradshaw and the second key defender to go with Brown.

If you're going to suggest Young, then you might want to consider McKernan as well. Playing in defence, forward, ruck and midfield in the SANFL and doing well by all reports. The AFC have also stated frequently that he'd be our next KPP to make his debut...

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

no worse game to have Bock out, I'm at a loss of how we will combat the Brown / Bradshaw combo

Rutten has to go to Brown full stop

Bradshaw, I believe we have to go with Stevens he has height and experience however bod strength is a concern.

This may be the challenge Stevens needs to get his confidence and season back on track.

This would then allow Otten to get Brennan

This is a game where we cant affort to lose stoppages and contested ball and we need to put imense pressure on their ball carriers.

We will be in a heap of trouble if we allow the likes of Black and Power to deliver under no pressure

 

[fryingpan]

Do you realise Moran is younger than Maric and has been given far less opportunities in ruck at AFL level despite playing that position very well for West.

For West, that's right.

Maybe he'll do a Griffin tomorrow and leave his SANFL form behind but i tell you this...after the first 6 weeks of this season he won't cause our ruck department to go downhill faster than it already has been. Moran needs to realise he has a huuuuuuggeeee opportunity this week to lay the first foundation stone for a consistent AFL career over the next 8 years. So show some arrogance son, fire up, lift your intensity and take your chance...this may be the only one you are given!

Bom bom . Back to Westies Bradley! Maric IN!

 

[Mismatched]

Chatted to Bock after the match yesterday and whilst he said he definitely wanted to play this week, he didn't really seem terribly confident.

no worse game to have Bock out, I'm at a loss of how we will combat the Brown / Bradshaw combo

Rutten has to go to Brown full stop

Bradshaw, I believe we have to go with Stevens he has height and experience however bod strength is a concern.

This may be the challenge Stevens needs to get his confidence and season back on track.

This would then allow Otten to get Brennan

This is a game where we cant affort to lose stoppages and contested ball and we need to put imense pressure on their ball carriers.

We will be in a heap of trouble if we allow the likes of Black and Power to deliver under no pressure

Yep agree with all of that Rutten has to go with Brown, he has the runs on the board and is the only one who can go with him strength wise. Bradshaw relies less on outright strength and more on being cunning and being in the right places and as such Stevens, whilst not being the best match up, would be our best bet. Otten's also a good choice for Brennan, as he would probably be our best match in terms of athleticism and height.

I do hope however that we bring Maric in, to allow Tippet and Moran more time up forward, to take the pressure away from the likes of Walker and Porplyzia.

 

[Willis]

Bock out for Brisbane and potentially Carlton is a massive loss given the forwards for both those teams and the terrible form of Rutten.

 

[jenny61_99]

Chatted to Bock after the match yesterday and whilst he said he definitely wanted to play this week, he didn't really seem terribly confident.



Yep agree with all of that Rutten has to go with Brown, he has the runs on the board and is the only one who can go with him strength wise. Bradshaw relies less on outright strength and more on being cunning and being in the right places and as such Stevens, whilst not being the best match up, would be our best bet. Otten's also a good choice for Brennan, as he would probably be our best match in terms of athleticism and height.

I do hope however that we bring Maric in, to allow Tippet and Moran more time up forward, to take the pressure away from the likes of Walker and Porplyzia.

Given that Brisbane has no rucks at the moment, that may be the best bet for us. The ground will be slippery though so going too tall could bite us. We need "someone" to take the Basset role of plugging the gap - of course which gap will be debatable as both Bradshaw and Brown are in decent form (up here anyways).