Prediction Changes for Essendon (OP updated with player availability)

[TW Sherrin]

I think we should play McLarty even if there are better options right now, which is debatable. All we need is for Mihochec to get injured and we are really screwed.

Play McLarty until Reid or Moore prove their fitness and form in the 2s. Last thing we need is to blood McLarty in the heat of a finals campaign because he is the last man standing.

Let's get a few games in to him now and a precaution.

that's a fair point.



PS used to love how we'd also throw a debutant into a big game.

 

[TW Sherrin]

Anybody who hasnt got Greenwood as an automatic in doesnt understand football or at least doesnt understand the extent of our injuries.

In Greenwood Varcoe
Out Dunn Appleby

Greenwood to take Mihoceks spot at CHF

Mihocek and Varcoe to replace Dunn and Appleby in defence

Possible In Brown
Possible Out Daicos

Appleby looked lost a few times last week. Varcoe can play back, mid or forward. Greenwood can play a shut down role on Saad or McKenna like he did on Melksham.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Appleby looked lost a few times last week. Varcoe can play back, mid or forward. Greenwood can play a shut down role on Saad or McKenna like he did on Melksham.

Yeah positionally they are versatile but they should definitely be in the 22. Appleby should not really have been brought back in .

Murray worth considering instead of Brown if they want to go for three changes and drop Daicos.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

that's a fair point.



PS used to love how we'd also throw a debutant into a big game.

Len Thompson and Rene Kink debuted in finals!

 

[jackcass]

We might have to bring back Greenwood as a tagger and go a bit more defensive to ease pressure on the ball going quick into our def 50, I bet they wished they played McClarty as a defender all year instead of forward/ruck, anyway, why can't moore come straight in?, other teams are doing it, Liam Ryan back after 8 weeks out and so was sloane

Moore returning from re-injuring his hammy. Need to be confident he'll get through a game before throwing him in the deep end.

 

[jackcass]

Being big and nice doesn't mean he is going to be any good. He looked promising early in the season but just hasn't vindicated the early accolades for him.

I think he's been building form week to week post injury. Was quiet against the Northern Blues, much better this week against Willi, especially given our offensive transition was disgraceful much of the game.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

The more injuries we get the weaker the VFL side becomes....making it increasingly difficult to assess the formline of individuals.

Not a fan of McLarty being picked this week but perhaps this might be a consideration....the VFL side being decimated by injuries and utilising lots of top up players.

 

[robertg22]

Appleby looked lost a few times last week. Varcoe can play back, mid or forward. Greenwood can play a shut down role on Saad or McKenna like he did on Melksham.

Melksham's a forward though, Saad & McKenna are running HBFs.

Anybody who hasnt got Greenwood as an automatic in doesnt understand football or at least doesnt understand the extent of our injuries.

Before his concussion against Carlton, Greenwood was shocking. I don't think he should be an automatic inclusion at all. I am sure he'll be considered, but there are options.

If Varcoe comes in (and I'd bring him in, provided he's able to run out the game), he's able to provide that defensive edge to the forward line that might suffer with Mihocek moving back. Brown was our best in the VFL last week & had a pretty good ANZAC Day from memory so I'd love to see him come back in.

In: Varcoe, Brown
Out: Dunn, Appleby

B Howe Mihocek Crisp
HB Maynard Scharenberg Langdon
C Phillips Sidebottom Mayne
HF De Goey Cox Thomas
F Stephenson Hoskin-Elliott Varcoe
R Grundy Pendlebury Adams
I Daicos Brown Sier Crocker
E Appleby Murray McLarty Greenwood

Mayne, Varcoe and even Crocker have shown the ability to go back and help out if required so omitting Appleby (too many errors) shouldn't hurt us structurally.

They're still saying it's going to rain on Sunday so I think going in a bit shorter should be fine.

This is clearly nowhere near the strongest team we can put on the park but I think it's good enough given the circumstances, and should have enough quality to beat Essendon IMO. A lot rests on the shoulders of Grundy/Pendles/Steele/Adams to win the battle in the midfield though & it's going to be a very tough game.

 

[TKiL]

that's a fair point.
PS used to love how we'd also throw a debutant into a big game.

Len Thompson - 1965 Prelim Final? Rene Kink might have played his 1st game in a final as well?

 

[TW Sherrin]

Len Thompson and Rene Kink debuted in finals!

malthouse used to do it regularly.

 

[caloschwaby]

Depends on the outcome of the test.

I supposed that is what the word "test" means?

 

[jackcass]

The biggest worries for me are stringer and mckernan. Dunn probly would have taken McKernan and I think miocheck is the best match up now. Probably Howe on stringer for strength. I'd like to see Murray come in to add pace to keep up with their small forwards. Not sure who forward but smalls have been good to date.

Mihocek would have played on McKernan when he was at Port you'd think so he'd at least be able to bring something to that discussion.

 

[jackcass]

I read somewhere that Dunn has had the least goals kicked on him this season out of all the key position backmen. He’s been super this year.

And about half those that have been kicked against him he's actually given away through a few silly free kicks.

 

[Mukesh]

We should just bring in Reid to play KPD.

Out: Dunn, Daicos

In: Reid, Varcoe

But isn’t Reid still injured... ? Not sure we are that desperate yet..

 

[Mukesh]

Anybody who hasnt got Greenwood as an automatic in doesnt understand football or at least doesnt understand the extent of our injuries.

In Greenwood Varcoe
Out Dunn Appleby

Greenwood to take Mihoceks spot at CHF

Mihocek and Varcoe to replace Dunn and Appleby in defence

Possible In Brown
Possible Out Daicos

Yeah Josh was pretty invisible against GC whereas Callum played a good one in the VFL... form should be rewarded..

 

[TradeDraft]

He's the ultimate tweener. Superstar at the lower level, bog ordinary toiler at the higher level who occasionally has a day out.

Problem is, he's had a couple this year. And he gets a shot at an opponent this week that has just lost its one recognised key stopper.

It's not inconceivable that he has another day out, at our expense...

and we Lack someone to put on him to stop him having a Influence

 

[TradeDraft]

The more injuries we get the weaker the VFL side becomes....making it increasingly difficult to assess the formline of individuals.

Not a fan of McLarty being picked this week but perhaps this might be a consideration....the VFL side being decimated by injuries and utilising lots of top up players.

VFL Side will miss the Finals as it's just about all VFL Listed Players in the Side now

 

[MagpieBat]

VFL Side will miss the Finals as it's just about all VFL Listed Players in the Side now

There were 10 AFL listed players on Sunday and there will be up to 12 on Sunday this week. It is not "just about all VFL listed players".

There is also plenty of the season still to come. Stop over-reacting.

 

[good4footy]

Mihocek would have played on McKernan when he was at Port you'd think so he'd at least be able to bring something to that discussion.

Kept him goaless earier this year.

 

[MagpieBat]

Kept him goaless earier this year.

No he didn't.

 

[good4footy]

No he didn't.

Got that from one of the Ess supporters. Is it not correct?

 

[ClaytonM]

Len Thompson and Rene Kink debuted in finals!

Doesn't make it a desirable outcome. You would like players to have a few games under the belt come the pointy end of the season. Last thing you need is a deer in the headlights.

 

[MagpieBat]

Got that from one of the Ess supporters. Is it not correct?

It is incorrect.

We've played Essendon once in the VFL this year. Mihocek played. McKernan did not, as he was held over for ANZAC Day emergency duties.

They would have crossed swords during Brody's time at Port Melbourne and Werribee before that, but Mihocek the Magpie vs McKernan is a match-up that has yet to be seen. That most likely changes this Sunday, though...

 

[good4footy]

It is incorrect.

We've played Essendon once in the VFL this year. Mihocek played. McKernan did not, as he was held over for ANZAC Day emergency duties.

They would have crossed swords during Brody's time at Port Melbourne and Werribee before that, but Mihocek the Magpie vs McKernan is a match-up that has yet to be seen. That most likely changes this Sunday, though...

Okay now you say that i think it was when he played at Port last year. Apparently he had kicked a bag game before and a bag game after, but Mihocek kept him goaless in between.

 

[MagpieBat]

Okay now you say that i think it was when he played at Port last year. Apparently he had kicked a bag game before and a bag game after, but Mihocek kept him goaless in between.

Probably. Brody is one of the best defenders in that comp. I have no doubt he'll give McKernan a fair shake, if that's the way we go about it...