Changes for Geelong

[jimmy_clement#8]

Ideally no changes after so much good form, but:

IN: Fraser, Medhurst, Prestigiacomo, Wellingham
OUT: Wood, Anthony, N.Brown, O'Bree/Macaffer

Tempted to keep O'Bree in, thought he played better than the Caff on Friday night.

 

[Shellz]

The club replied to my post on Twitter:

Collingwood_FC @shell_07 Both Medhurst (foot) and Wellingham (calf) are listed as a "test". Will have to wait until Thurs to find out.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Out: Shane O'Bree Brent Macaffer Cameron Wood Ben Reid

Why: O'Bree before this season I penciled in to play all 22 games again this season until Wellingham developed unexpectedly along with the next generation crop who are growing nicely. Macaffer has had a few solid weeks at AFL level but I would like to see Barham replace him for a few weeks based on his consistently outstanding form. The question of which of Fraser or Wood should be in the side is really a toss of the coin call, as Mick described it, and he is right. Personally I'm in favour of playing just Jolly with Cloke/ Dawes playing the minor backup minutes when necessary. The Brown/ Reid battle is an interesting one. Personally I'm in favour against Geelong to play Brown because the Geelong forwards will have a distinct size advantage over Reid which they simply won't get against Brown due to his bigger body and ability to stand up in contests. I see Reid probably playing the more of the 2 this season atleast early on, but for matchup purposes Brown is a much better fit against the big Geelong forwards simply because he can take and stand up stronger in contests, just see Reid losing too much one on one. Essentially this is the team I think would matchup best against Geelong as it addresses all the concerns in terms of winning the ball inside, having the speed to match Geelong and also the size down back to contain the bigger more experienced forwards. Leaving out a "backup ruckman" would be a judgement call, but in my view neither ruckman should be included and instead this 22 which I believe to be our best 22 should instead take field.

In: Jaxson Barham Sharrod Wellingham Simon Prestigiacomo Paul Medhurst

Why: Jaxson Barham is well and truly ready to become part of the "rotation of 30". Has been amongst the best every week in the VFL and once again this week dominated. Against Geelong his tackling pressure and energy he can bring into the game will be huge for the side and could really lift the side, against Geelong the pressure on the ball carrier will be critical and Barham is the ideal inclusion. Wellingham should be ready to go and has done well previously against Geelong particularly in the 2007 thrashing. Josh Fraser now ready to go will be a nice addition to the senior side, while on form it is pretty much a toss of the coin as Mick described it I believe Josh still to be the preferred no.2 option. Prestigiacomo should be ready to come back into the side and is the ideal matchup for Podsiadly.


F: Paul Medhurst Chris Dawes Jack Anthony
HF: Leon Davis Travis Cloke Alan Didak
CEN: Dale Thomas Scott Pendlebury Sharrod Wellingham
HB: Heath Shaw Nathan Brown Nick Maxwell
B: Harry O'Brien Simon Prestigiacomo Alan Toovey
FOLL: Darren Jolly Luke Ball Dane Swan
BENCH: Jaxson Barham Dayne Beams Steele Sidebottom Ben Johnson
EMG: Josh Fraser Ben Reid Brent Macaffer

OUT: Shane O'Bree Brent Macaffer Cameron Wood Ben Reid

Might change that prediction of mine to adding Josh Fraser into the side for Jack Anthony leaving the changes at.

In: Brent Macaffer Shane O'Bree Cameron Wood Ben Reid Jack Anthony

Out: Jaxson Barham Sharrod Wellingham Josh Fraser Simon Prestigiacomo Paul Medhurst

Leaving us with a side of:
F: Paul Medhurst Chris Dawes Josh Fraser
HF: Leon Davis Travis Cloke Alan Didak
CEN: Dale Thomas Scott Pendlebury Sharrod Wellingham
HB: Heath Shaw Nathan Brown Nick Maxwell
B: Harry O'Brien Simon Prestigiacomo Alan Toovey
FOLL: Darren Jolly Luke Ball Dane Swan
BENCH: Jaxson Barham Dayne Beams Steele Sidebottom Ben Johnson
EMG: Jack Anthony Ben Reid Brent Macaffer

While I believe the team I first listed to be the more dangerous of the 2 I just don't see the club going in without a backup ruckman. And with 2 ruckman going with 2 big bodied KPFs it is pretty leave another big who is probably still getting his touch back in the side.


Also for those who continue to criticise my views on Jaxson Barham. This is his efforts from the VFL this week according to CollingwoodFC:
43. Jaxson Barham (18k, 16h, 1g): Our standout. His work rate was enormous. His tackle numbers were in double figures. He flew home that morning from Subiaco so for him to come up and be best on ground set a good example.

The kid has consistently been amongst the best in the VFL and has been playing with incredible energy and is applying incredible tackling pressure. His disposal is fine and I think if he plays we have just increased our winning chances. I expect him to put together several more efforts with equal intensity that he showed in his game winning debut performance against Brisbane last season.

Right now I'm pretty willing to make the call that Jaxson Barham is in our best 22. Would love to see him prove it Friday night! Have enormous faith.

 

[mdc]

knightwheelrqr, if we have 5 changes this week, I'll permanently banish myself from the interwebz.

You may have forgotten, but we did just win by 6+ goals for the 5th week running.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

knightwheelrqr, if we have 5 changes this week, I'll permanently banish myself from the interwebz.

You may have forgotten, but we did just win by 6+ goals for the 5th week running.

No guarantees Wellingham or Medhurst will come up which could mean that Macaffer or JA get another game. If there are any queries over either Wellingham or Medhurst I would keep them out.

Best side has to take field regardless of the number of changes and coming back from Subiaco. To be honest I would recommend a fair few changes be made to inject some fresh legs into the side to take on Geelong who likewise have traveled.

 

[Pie eyed]

No guarantees Wellingham or Medhurst will come up which could mean that Macaffer or JA get another game. If there are any queries over either Wellingham or Medhurst I would keep them out.

Best side has to take field regardless of the number of changes and coming back from Subiaco. To be honest I would recommend a fair few changes be made to inject some fresh legs into the side to take on Geelong who likewise have traveled.

Don't forget the Cats pounded their little pins silly kicking goals on the Gabba Cricket pitch. They'll be a bit tender I reckon.

 

[HFF]

Didn't want to create a new thread so I decided to put this in here.

I was watching the Adelaide vs St Kilda 1997 GF last night on Fox Sports and I saw a young player at the Crows who went on to become a champion who Wellingham is likened to IMO.

Now, Wellingham has had the Daniel Kerr comaprison but last night, I could not help but notice his game style is very similar to the smooth moving cat named Andrew McLeod. McLeod early on in his career could play anywhere on the field- half back, midfield, half forward etc. Great speed, one touch, excellent disposal, could play inside and out- very much the traits Wellingham currently possesses.

Anyone else agree with this or was I looking at it too hard perhaps?

 

[Snag Breac]

DaVe's preview should be out today. That'll keep us going until Friday.

Shame if Medhurst and Welly can't play.

 

[Dylz48]

OK after my knee jerk changes early in the piece. I have thought about it and these are the changes

In Barham Presti
Out Macaffer Brown

Would like Wellingham in in but with fountain of of depth I think a policy where all players who miss a few weeks return through the VFL is best. Also Barham really deserves his shot after really dominating the VFL, plus his pace and tackling pressure is good to have against Geelong. Presti needs to come in IMO and although Browny he has been doing a great job Presti is obviously the better option.

 

[HFF]

Macaffer's tackling pressure has been awesome in the seniors. As good as Barham has been playing, Caff's versatility gives him a major advantage over him, therefore Barham won't play this week. If any midfielder is to return it's Wellingham.

 

[Just Kick It]

In: Presti, Wellingham, Medhurst, Fraser
Out: Brown, O;Bree, Macaffer, Wood

Spot on! If all the 'ins' are fit and able to play then barring MM specifically keeping blokes in the 2's as part of his rotation policy they should be included.

I have this sneaky suspicion that Tarks may just return this week. This is based on nothing other than what MM has said about selection, watching the 2's for the last few weeks and more than anything a gut feel.

 

[13bombers]

may i ask you boys how you intend to stop chappy and gablett? if you will try and stop them in the first place. if you let them play you will lose

 

[HFF]

may i ask you boys how you intend to stop chappy and gablett? if you will try and stop them in the first place. if you let them play you will lose

We will run Johnson head-to-head with Ablett I think. We have done so in the past for pretty good results, however, last time Johnno went with Ablett he got injured early in the opening quarter. Johnson is incredibly in as good as form as he has ever been and will look to make Ablett accountable the other way.

As for Chappy, it could be anyone really. If he goes to half-forward I'd expect one of Harry O or Toovey to get him. If he decides to play on ball, he won't be "tagged" as such because you cannot go out there and just try and defend the game, you need to actually try and win it.

Apart from defence/forward line match-ups, the only "tags" I can see being played in this game are a rotation of players on Ablett starting with Johnno for the majority of it and Swan vs Ling. Every other midfield battle will go head-to-head IMO.

 

[13bombers]

We will run Johnson head-to-head with Ablett I think. We have done so in the past for pretty good results, however, last time Johnno went with Ablett he got injured early in the opening quarter. Johnson is incredibly in as good as form as he has ever been and will look to make Ablett accountable the other way.

As for Chappy, it could be anyone really. If he goes to half-forward I'd expect one of Harry O or Toovey to get him. If he decides to play on ball, he won't be "tagged" as such because you cannot go out there and just try and defend the game, you need to actually try and win it.

Apart from defence/forward line match-ups, the only "tags" I can see being played in this game are a rotation of players on Ablett starting with Johnno for the majority of it and Swan vs Ling. Every other midfield battle will go head-to-head IMO.

hmm well chappy does most of his damage around half forward and i believe the key to collingwood winning is shutting chappy down,

 

[Number 10]

Ling definately wont tag Swan, way too hard, Malthouse will have him on and off every 2 minutes if so. Ling will go to Didak. If Ling tags Swan then I think it will be a fail on Bomber's behalf - the only person who I've ever seen successfully tag Swan was Rhyce Shaw late last season.

Definately won't tag Ablett (unless we bring in barham, Johnson is too important to our attacking structure). Our tackling has been second to none and I think this will be one of the highest tackling games of the season - that is how we will stop Ablett and Chapman. By stop I mean, make them accountable - obviously you can stop guys like them, they're going to rack them up no matter what. We just have to accept it and pressure as much as possible.

I think Varcoe will fly under the radar, so too Sidebottom (again) for Collingwood. And the key will be in these two players - it's amazing what a low flying player can do for a club, hell, Crowley nearly beat us single handedly last game.

IN: Medhurst, Presti
OUT: Anthony, Brown

Davis is gonna have a big one, I can feel it in my boner...I mean bones...