Changes for Anzac Day

[smiddaz123]

Rucking solo was a mistake last year. Jolly is also a goalkicker - make him ruck all day and you lose that flexibility.

I'd prefer Fraser be retained for another week or so. He's obviously struggling with the new role but sometimes sticking by a guy is a better option than droppping him.

All the aspects Fraser is currently struggling with have been the same shit for over a year now, before Jolly came along. It will not change, and it's wrong to keep him in the side and hope it will. It's like persisting with O'Bree in the hope he suddenly develops speed. It just won't happen. As for Losing Jolly's goal kicking ability, that hasn't been demonstrated too much even with Fraser in the side. Definitely not something worth keeping Fraser in the side for.

We might as well throw Dawes in the ruck for a few minutes here and there if Jolly needs a break. He can't do worse than Fraser.

Irrespective, Dawes must come in next week, if not for L Brown then for Fraser. One of them has to make way.

Both Fraser and Dawes have to make way. If Anthony's form was considered unacceptable and warranted dropping, then Fraser and Brown have to go, their form is astronomically worse than what Anthony threw up.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

If Dawes has been gunning at CHF/FF he should be promoted as such.

Its totally nonsensical to promote him and make him play ruck. As poor as Fraser has been, it has at least allowed us to get our stuctures right. Bringing Dawes in and make him play out of position would be detrimental.

It would be crazy to drop both Fraser and L Brown. One of them has to get a reprieve. Brown in fact hasnt been all that bad - but he hasnt really had a definable role.

You've lost me on comparisons to O'Bree and Anthony. Neither play ruck.

 

[Zahki]

Rucking solo was a mistake last year. Jolly is also a goalkicker - make him ruck all day and you lose that flexibility.

What flexibility? Put a bag of spuds at Full Forward and you've got more flexibilty than Fraser already, at least the spuds won't turn the ball over.

Edit: Misread. But I think letting Jolly try and find his feet by letting him solo ruck is a good idea. He hasn't been doing so well so far. He needs to win mroe hit outs, let him focus on that then when he's dominating the ruck for us he can start floating forward to kick some cheapies.

I'd prefer Fraser be retained for another week or so. He's obviously struggling with the new role but sometimes sticking by a guy is a better option than droppping him.

Uh, no. Players don't get 5 weeks to find form, not in a side attempting to win a premiership. The idea of a player putting in Frasers efforts and still getting a spot after 4 games is appaling.

Anyway,

Out: Fraser, Brown
In: Anthony, Dawes

Love to see the 3 tall setup with some decent players. Dawes has played well for weeks, deserves his shot.

 

[Invigoration]

Jolly kicks goals from running forward of the play when he is in the ruck, not from starting forward and taking grabs, so being the sole ruckman doesn't change that. It was the same way Fraser ever managed to get a goal which is why it's delusion of people to expect he could suddenly become a forward target.

Dawes can chop him out a bit, so can Cloke. If anything it gives us more flexibility, it means we can take another runner into the game and not have to continue to carry this pathetic hybrid ruck/forward (who doesn't kick goals or win hit outs).

I'm getting pretty sick of sticking with Fraser, we've stuck with him for 10 years now, you'd reckon he'd be able to hit 25 metre targets. The kick on the wing last night, under no pressure but he proceeded to miss the target by 15 metres and kick it out of bounds - it was embarrassing.
It isn't about him not settling into a new role, it's his complete inability to even do the most basics things that he has had 10 years to figure out.

It's not like he is completely foreign to playing forward, he hasn't been shifted to a role his never played before. He has supposedly been shifted to a role he would thrive in according to supporters. But in reality, he has completely floundered.

Why doesn't he prove he can play there in the VFL, like most others are expected to, instead of being gifted games up there and completely stinking it up.
I don't get why he gets to just jump past a guy like Dawes because he is a veteran of the team. If he is going to prove he can cut it as a forward, how about doing it the same way everyone else has to. I'd be surprised if he could even kick a goal at VFL level though.

Time to stop making excuses for him, needs to prove his worth or hang the boots up, we can't afford to carry him and his pea heart anymore.

 

[smiddaz123]

If Dawes has been gunning at CHF/FF he should be promoted as such.

Its totally nonsensical to promote him and make him play ruck. As poor as Fraser has been, it has at least allowed us to get our stuctures right. Bringing Dawes in and make him play out of position would be detrimental.

Dawes has played in the ruck at AFL level before. Of course he'd play most of the game down forward.

Basically my stance is, get Fraser out of the team, because he is terrible. If Jolly needs a rest from the ruck, throw someone who is remotely tall in the ruck for a bit, they won't do any worse than Fraser.

It would be crazy to drop both Fraser and L Brown. One of them has to get a reprieve. Brown in fact hasnt been all that bad - but he hasnt really had a definable role.

Brown has been better than Fraser. If either of them stays, it must be Brown.

You've lost me on comparisons to O'Bree and Anthony. Neither play ruck.

How is that the point?

Waiting for Fraser to suddenly improve on his flaws is similar to waiting for O'Bree to develop speed. The position they play is not relevant there.

Anthony was dropped due to form. Fraser's form has been FAR worse, so logically, he must be dropped. How is the player's position relevant there?

Fraser has been nothing short of embarrassing. He struggles to hit targets, he fumbles below his knees on a consistent basis, he offers no defensive pressure anymore, and when he lays a tackle, it was weak.

He had Carl Peterson (yeh, the skinny guy) absolutely gone in a tackle, all he had to do was bring him to ground to result in holding the ball. He seriously could not muster the strength to bring a guy of Peterson's build to the ground.

Fraser himself went to ground trying, but Peterson was laughably able to stay on his feet and get rid of the ball.

 

[Invigoration]

Bringing Dawes in and make him play out of position would be detrimental.
.

Much prefer to play Dawes out of position for 5 minutes a quarter, than having to put up with Fraser out of position for 25 minutes a quarter.

 

[Buena]

In: Dawes, Goldsack
Out: Fraser, Brown

Couldn't agree with this more.
Fraser: Done nothin'.
Brown: Done nothin'.

Dawes: Trying his ass off
Goldy: Deserves a crack.

New Bucks sounds as though he is coming along well too.

 

[Buena]

Think Jaxon Barham might be half a chance against the 'Dons too.
We will need pace.

 

[The Norm]

In Dawes
Out Fraser

Why ring hte changes to a winning team? Keep it settled...

This is what I'm thinking.

 

[HFF]

Really, there should only be two changes topss this week.

In: Dawes, Goldsack
Out: L.Brown, Toovey.

One of Dawes or Jack has to play Anzac Day IMO (despite Jack not playing in twos today).

Goldsack can do Toovey's role and is far better at it too.

Dropping Josh is a joke. We cannot go in with just the one ruckman, particularly one that is performing to the equal level of Fraser at the minute. Fraser was excellent last time we played Essendon and he will get better with more games. Only a matter of time before he begins to take his opportunities and end up with 3+ goal hauls.

 

[mattys123]

Think Jaxon Barham might be half a chance against the 'Dons too.
We will need pace.

Seriously? NO ****ING WAY.

From what I have seen of Jaxson in the pre season and the VFL, his kicking and decision making may have got worse, not better.

Goldsack, Blight, Buckley, Rounds, MaCarthy would all be ahead of him in the "pecking order" at the moment, and all can provide pace also.

Long way off it, in fact I'd even rate Corrie ahead of him.

 

[smiddaz123]

Dropping Josh is a joke. We cannot go in with just the one ruckman, particularly one that is performing to the equal level of Fraser at the minute. Fraser was excellent last time we played Essendon and he will get better with more games. Only a matter of time before he begins to take his opportunities and end up with 3+ goal hauls.

Spare me. Josh has kicked 3+ goals twice since 2004. Twice in almost six years, this whole 'it's only a matter of time' line with Josh is out of sheer hope, and nothing else.

Absolutely no reason why we can't have the sole ruckman if the second ruckman is yet to hit double figures in hit outs in any game this season while offering nothing else around the ground.

 

[HFF]

Spare me. Josh has kicked 3+ goals twice since 2004. Twice in almost six years, this whole 'it's only a matter of time' line with Josh is out of sheer hope, and nothing else.

Absolutely no reason why we can't have the sole ruckman if the second ruckman is yet to hit double figures in hit outs in any game this season while offering nothing else around the ground.

As opposed to Leroy who hasn't kicked a single goal yet this season being played ONLY forward?

In fact, I can't recall the last time he had a shot on goal.

Hey, at least he is good for stupid free kicks against though.

 

[smiddaz123]

As opposed to Leroy who hasn't kicked a single goal yet this season being played ONLY forward?

In fact, I can't recall the last time he had a shot on goal.

Hey, at least he is good for stupid free kicks against though.

So drop both if they're under performing!

 

[magpiewarrior]

Trav's doing so much around the ground that he could easily go into the ruck long enough to give Jolly a breather, Dawes replacing Fraser means that when Trav turns around wit the ball at CHB or across the midfield there'll be a target at CHF for him to hit. We need effective height in the forward line against Essendon or they will force the ball to the ground against Leon and with their speed they will hurt us on the rebound. Put a big effective forward to do the marking and Leon can be far more dangerous crumbing if the ball hits the ground. If Leon isn't in the 2/3/4 on one marking contest he can use his pace and power tackling to take down Essendon defenders if they do get the ball at ground level. We actually need L. Brown in for this game unless we can somehow come up with another big man with a bit of mongrel in him. Essendon always try to rough us up on ANZAC day, so we need someone to defend our kids and intimidate theirs.

 

[ralu]

No change for mine. Keep it as settled as possible.

I have noted a few things:

- ben johnson is a very important player for us, and will be great to have him next time we play stk. he runs and kicks long nicely! i have certainly changed my tune on him

- mccaffer should stay in, he provides something and hits bodies hard.

- i want to see dawes play another solid game in the magoos before he gets in.

- i dont know why lbrown should be dropped. I like him, he provides physicality and breaks packs open. Many of you guys underrate this I believe. Rocca used to do it, but cloke/anthony are not capable, and dawes certainly cant yet. Leigh Brown will not be dropped, im very sure of this.

 

[PieBeast]

Think Jaxon Barham might be half a chance against the 'Dons too.
We will need pace.

Dont mind this idea, might get a tagging job on Watson or Stanton.

In-Dawes,Barham
Out-Fraser,Lockyer

 

[HFF]

So drop both if they're under performing!

You need to have the right players in order to replace under-performing players.

IMO, Leroy out for one of Jack/Dawes is a direct swap and easy upgrade.

However, Wood is the only real replacement for Josh and considering he isn't fit enough yet nor has the form behind him to push Josh out, we need to have a second ruckman in the side. Not a pinch hitter. Therefore, Josh has to stay.

 

[mdc]

Dont mind this idea, might get a tagging job on Watson or Stanton.

Considering all the players we don't tag, if we actually decided to tag Brent Stanton, I'd have a fit. He's a spud.

 

[alfio]

Out- L Brown
In- Dawes

 

[smiddaz123]

You need to have the right players in order to replace under-performing players.

IMO, Leroy out for one of Jack/Dawes is a direct swap and easy upgrade.

However, Wood is the only real replacement for Josh and considering he isn't fit enough yet nor has the form behind him to push Josh out, we need to have a second ruckman in the side. Not a pinch hitter. Therefore, Josh has to stay.

What, you think players can only be omitted if a player who plays the exact same role is promoted? Doesn't work like that at all.

Fraser floats around the ground doing nothing at all, and ventures into the ruck to get thrown around a bit. Limiting his replacement to just ruckmen isn't right.

 

[PieBeast]

Considering all the players we don't tag, if we actually decided to tag Brent Stanton, I'd have a fit. He's a spud.

Even though i am not saying he is a gun, Stanton would get a game for us and he provides a lot of run for the bummers.

 

[NatheM]

No doubting Dawes will be called up.
I think we will find once MM has re-watched the match this is what will happen:

Brown will not be dropped, he has far more positives than Fraser.
The most important reason is that he can break packs.
Fraser cannot.
Brown's frees against are wearing thin. But his ability to bruise the opposition is far more than Fraser has done for 16 quarters of footy.
Josh looked old last night, and Hille will rape him.
So Jolly will be looking at close to 90% game time Sunday.
We would have put the game away well and truely before Jolly starts to cramp up.
L. Brown ruck the backline, Cloke the forward line.

Don't **** with the team when they played like they did.
1 change.

In - Dawes
Out - Fraser

 

[TheClokes]

B: Toovey - Prestigiacomo - Maxwell
HB: Shaw - O'Brien - Johnson
C: Didak - Swan - Wellingham
HF: Davis - Cloke - Thomas
F: Lockyer - Dawes - Medhurst
FL: Jolly - Pendlebury - Ball
INT: Sidebottom - Beams - Macaffer - Fraser​

 

[rose jam]

Hope some of you realise that Josh owned Essendon the last time we played them and that's when Essendon were actually playing very good football.
I still have high hopes that Josh will work out his role this year, I still think we sadly miss his link running to support the ball coming out of defense which Jolly can not do. To me a simple tactical move of Jolly taking centre bounce taps and pushing forward with Josh coming up to the middle of the ground seems a smarter way to use both their strengths.