Prediction Changes for Essendon (OP updated with player availability)

[Kirby]

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...

Not inconceivable but unlikely so I think it's an overreaction to be too worried about him. Imho

 

[Mongo Ming]

Can any of the VFL watchers tell us how Miohcek performed when he was in the backline earlier in the season.

Well he won Port’s B&F playing as a pure backman so he goes alright.

He’s always been a backman it was only Bux that threw him forward IIRC.

 

[MagpieBat]

Can any of the VFL watchers tell us how Miohcek performed when he was in the backline earlier in the season.

Adequately.

Well he won Port’s B&F playing as a pure backman so he goes alright.

He’s always been a backman it was only Bux that threw him forward IIRC.

Played a bit forward at both Port and Werribee before that when they needed a hole up there filled.

 

[DuckToaster]

Well he won Port’s B&F playing as a pure backman so he goes alright.

He’s always been a backman it was only Bux that threw him forward IIRC.

He played forward at Port for a bit as well, kid loves a goal.

I'm sure he'll be fine down back if we choose to put him there though. I think he knows he has to play every week for his spot so I think he will find a way to succeed no matter where we play him. Brody is driven and will find a way to make it work now he has his shot at the big time.

 

[eth-dog]

Well he won Port’s B&F playing as a pure backman so he goes alright.

He’s always been a backman it was only Bux that threw him forward IIRC.

Sort of played there for Werribee for a bit but played vast majority of the time in defence.

 

[30yearpie]

Murray on Saad? you get they are both back flankers at opposite ends?

arguably our most important forward (Stephenson) and you want him to play defence on Fantasia?

dude this isn't an xbox game.

What's xbox? Stevenson is a midfielder who is only in the forward line due to his body not being mature enough in today's football. He is one of only 2 players we have with the pace to cover these 2, plus Collyer is probably quicker than all of them. The only chance Essendon have to beat us is their pace and when we last played 6 weeks ago none of the 2 fastest players in the game were in the Essendon side. So, instead of criticizing me with smug remarks about my football knowledge what's your strategy genius?

 

[30yearpie]

I've been watching a different Collingwood backline to you this year.

Dunn has been our most important defender this year.

He is a massive loss.

Why am I watching different games as you? Dunn cost us momentum against Richmond when he gave the only double goal for the season and has been undisciplined on a number of other occassions . He was badly beaten on a number of occasions early in the year. and often makes lazy decisions out of the back half. He is no bigger loss than Howe, or Langdon and can be replaced. This week he would have been cut to pieces by Essendon small forwards

 

[Fruit]

Why am I watching different games as you? Dunn cost us momentum against Richmond when he gave the only double goal for the season and has been undisciplined on a number of other occassions . He was badly beaten on a number of occasions early in the year. and often makes lazy decisions out of the back half. He is no bigger loss than Howe, or Langdon and can be replaced. This week he would have been cut to pieces by Essendon small forwards

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.

 

[TKiL]

There must be some reason why we recruited McLarty - let's start getting some games into him now. Reid's long term future in terms of his body standing up is unclear at best. Moore also needs to prove his body can withstand the rigours consistently - not just now and then.
Also bring in Greenwood - we need a "bad arse perpetrator".

 

[TW Sherrin]

What's xbox? Stevenson is a midfielder who is only in the forward line due to his body not being mature enough in today's football. He is one of only 2 players we have with the pace to cover these 2, plus Collyer is probably quicker than all of them. The only chance Essendon have to beat us is their pace and when we last played 6 weeks ago none of the 2 fastest players in the game were in the Essendon side. So, instead of criticizing me with smug remarks about my football knowledge what's your strategy genius?

You want to put 30% (at a guess) of our scoring ability in a position he's never played. Sounds legit.

My ideas already posted in this thread. Maybe read the thread before going off early. Alternatively there are drugs for that.

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Just baffling why we played Mclarty as a forward/ruck this year?

He was fantastic last year as a KPD.
We even moved Mihocek into the forward line. I understand they wanted to play Moore as a KPD & Mclarty as a forward/ruck.

But it was almost like they planned for 5 years from now, but forgot about the present.

 

[PatrickPiesFan]

Tough one at selection this week! I really feel for Dunn as he was on the cusp on finally playing finals.....
I think we need speed this week so Varcoe's fitness is timely! Haven't seen any of the VFL but I would assume they are keen to bring Murray back at the expense of Appleby with the quick small forwards a factor.

I know that Brown and McKernan are tall but they aren't contested marking beasts so my feeling is Howe, Scharenberg and/or Langdon will be given first crack. Mihocek can swing down there if one of them gets off the leash but I am more concerned about their small forwards. Mihocek is also going to be important making a contest against Hooker and Hurley.

Daicos has been on the cusp and Callum Brown was super on the weekend so maybe a change there too?? 3 changes to a team that has won 6 on the trot seems like a lot though!

In: Varcoe, Murray, Brown
Out: Dunn, Appleby, Daicos

I think its anyone's guess this week!

 

[The Plowking]

Just baffling why we played Mclarty as a forward/ruck this year?

He was fantastic last year as a KPD.
We even moved Mihocek into the forward line. I understand they wanted to play Moore as a KPD & Mclarty as a forward/ruck.

But it was almost like they planned for 5 years from now, but forgot about the present.

Maybe they are just trying to round out his game a little.

 

[good4footy]

I am not sure what Moore's GPS numbers are having missed so many weeks but it seems he and Elliott have put a power of work in without being selected to get them right.

Bucks had indicated he would need to come through the two's but wonder if that is part of his rehabilitation program or a desire to see him earn his spot back. If the later it may mean we need to pick him if fit enough due to our injuries.

 

[The Plowking]

Tough one at selection this week! I really feel for Dunn as he was on the cusp on finally playing finals.....
I think we need speed this week so Varcoe's fitness is timely! Haven't seen any of the VFL but I would assume they are keen to bring Murray back at the expense of Appleby with the quick small forwards a factor.

I know that Brown and McKernan are tall but they aren't contested marking beasts so my feeling is Howe, Scharenberg and/or Langdon will be given first crack. Mihocek can swing down there if one of them gets off the leash but I am more concerned about their small forwards. Mihocek is also going to be important making a contest against Hooker and Hurley.

Daicos has been on the cusp and Callum Brown was super on the weekend so maybe a change there too?? 3 changes to a team that has won 6 on the trot seems like a lot though!

In: Varcoe, Murray, Brown
Out: Dunn, Appleby, Daicos

I think its anyone's guess this week!

I like these changes.

 

[Prochard123]

We should just bring in Reid to play KPD.

Out: Dunn, Daicos

In: Reid, Varcoe

 

[McOrist]

I like these changes.

We need Greenwood back this week. Merrett set up Essendon's win against North with his work at the clearances. Without him, they struggle to get the ball to their outside runners -which is their area of strength. Merrett has shown earlier in the season that he doesn't handle a tagger well. Greenwood will shut him down.
IN: Greenwood, Varcoe (as a running and tackling half forward -needed to curtail Saad and McKenna)
OUT: Dunn, Daicos

 

[TW Sherrin]

I am not sure what Moore's GPS numbers are having missed so many weeks but it seems he and Elliott have put a power of work in without being selected to get them right.

Bucks had indicated he would need to come through the two's but wonder if that is part of his rehabilitation program or a desire to see him earn his spot back. If the later it may mean we need to pick him if fit enough due to our injuries.

neither can afford another hiccup this season so expect they are doing plenty to be 110% right when they pay. it will be tough not fitness that delays their return to the seniors.

 

[good4footy]

neither can afford another hiccup this season so expect they are doing plenty to be 110% right when they pay. it will be tough not fitness that delays their return to the seniors.

He is playing in the VFL this week. If he isn't 110% right he wouldn't be playing. I think my GPS question has been answered

 

[Finnishpie]

Why am I watching different games as you? Dunn cost us momentum against Richmond when he gave the only double goal for the season and has been undisciplined on a number of other occassions . He was badly beaten on a number of occasions early in the year. and often makes lazy decisions out of the back half. He is no bigger loss than Howe, or Langdon and can be replaced. This week he would have been cut to pieces by Essendon small forwards

you’re like the only person In the world who thinks this.

 

[No SPIN]

I see their key threats as:

Run of SAAD and Mckenna - need to add a defensive FWD eg Varcoe who also adds pace and positional flexibility. If not fit I would add Greenwood who has similar positional flexibility including as defensive FWD though with less pace.

Merrett at stoppages - tag him as Pendles etc. did on Cripps

Fantasia - will have limited opportunities if we control the midfield. Maynard has a chance to redeem himself.

Option of Hooker fwd - play McClarty (who has been groomed as a Moore clone playing ruck/fwd and back in the VFL) and rotate with Cox, Grundy, through the ruck and FWD. So Hooker has no chance of being switched FWD. And they will be forced to defend 1 v 1 all day with us having 2 talls permanently fwd.
Mihochek goes back to replace Dunn and play on Mckernan who he easily beat in VFL last year.

Varcoe/Greenwood - out Appleby
McClarty for Dunn.
Murray for Daics - only because we need to up our pace, and would put Murray on Tipinwoodi

 

[ClaytonM]

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.

 

[jackcass]

How much do we need to win by and Richmond lose by for us to be first?

I'd settle for a win and the 4 points.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

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

 

[jackcass]

AFL Injury List has Elliot as "Test".
How far away does that really mean?

Depends on the outcome of the test.