Preview Changes & Preview Thread for Round 15, 2025 vs Sydney

[Duckimus Prime]

No doubt Gawn is a great player, but the stats only tell part of the story here.

I highly doubt MG kicks 7.4 with Finlayson instead as the only other tall forward. I actually thought Sweet did okay opening space and just generally being big and engaging a key defender, especially given the cupboard is bare.

I agree that two rucks isn't a long term strategy, and it slows the team down too much when the second ruck is the third tall up forward. But when they're only alongside 1 KPF, I don't think it's as big of an issue.

There were two occasions in the third quarter where Sweet going for the mark ended up simply spoiling Georgiades.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

I would consider debuting Whitlock against the West Coast in Round 18 if he plays well enough in the next two SANFL games after the bye this week.

I wouldn't have a problem with that. In fact, that would be quite exciting and good for the lad.

 

[Willsy10]

There are no right answers to the 2nd KPF issue but the last time we had a 2nd ruck actually work it was Ladhams 4 years ago who managed to play like a reasonably effective 200cm small forward when not in the ruck.

None of the 3 rucks can play any other positions, it's like going in a man down.

At least they can ruck when it’s their turn. Lord does nothing for an entire match.

 

[TeeKray]

None of the 3 rucks can play any other positions, it's like going in a man down.

And worse, they can barely play their own position, so it's not like we're even getting a dynamic one-two punch in the ruck.

 

[afl2004]

 

[Willsy10]

Are Sydney bringing back Gulden and Papley with any VFL games or are they straight in despite one having not played all season the other only played the first 3 games. Normally with that amount of time off a trial run in the two's would be needed i would've thought.

 

[drcollossimo]

Are Sydney bringing back Gulden and Papley with any VFL games or are they straight in despite one having not played all season the other only played the first 3 games. Normally with that amount of time off a trial run in the two's would be needed i would've thought.

Had the same thought it’s a risk and they’ll be gassed for sure

 

[Willsy10]

Had the same thought it’s a risk and they’ll be gassed for sure

so they haven't played any VFL?

 

[Gryllis]

There were two occasions in the third quarter where Sweet going for the mark ended up simply spoiling Georgiades.

That'll happen too.

It's not the ideal situation, but I don't think it was dire given our current key forward stocks.

Week by week proposition, and for this week, I don't think it's a clear improvement to swap in either Lord or Finlayson.

We're also more limited this week with Wines out. I trust him more as a second ruck than either of them.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

so they haven't played any VFL?

Nope, both straight in from injury. Neither trained with the main group on Tuesday, have to prove their fitness tonight.

 

[powermacs]

so they haven't played any VFL?

Looks like a split round so nope.

 

[True__Believer]

What exactly are we waiting for with Whitlock? We can't just keep relying on Mitch, we are just going to the well too many times for my liking. Seeing Lord hasn't grabbed his chance we need to play him and see what he has

 

[RossFC]

What exactly are we waiting for with Whitlock? We can't just keep relying on Mitch, we are just going to the well too many times for my liking. Seeing Lord hasn't grabbed his chance we need to play him and see what he has

Whitlock hasn't got the job done yet at SANFL level, so we are waiting for Luko to get fit.

 

[Willsy10]

yeah, Whitlock seems like more a 2026 proposition. He has been tracking okay in the SANFL but he isn't ready yet. But i remember thinking the same thing about Marshall in 2017 and he came into the team just before finals in his first year.

 

[raptalia]

Looks like we could have a few big outs against Sydney...

 

[raptalia]

Whitlock hasn't got the job done yet at SANFL level, so we are waiting for Luko to get fit.

Whitlock showed glimpses against the Eagles last week but you are right Ross, he is not the real deal just yet. He can take a good mark which is something to build on.

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

What exactly are we waiting for with Whitlock? We can't just keep relying on Mitch, we are just going to the well too many times for my liking. Seeing Lord hasn't grabbed his chance we need to play him and see what he has

Only when we are out of finals contention.

 

[AlbertPower]

They'll bring Moraes back in (I think he's the new pet).
Boak (the old pet) will be in as sub, as got to keep building his games & suspect Jackson will miss out, despite my view that he should be in ahead of Liddy & Mead. Bit harsh dropping him to sub after his GWS game v Mead.
Whitlock has definitely improved over the season, but unlikely to hit AFL this year.

 

[PortAdelFC1997]

They'll bring Moraes back in (I think he's the new pet).
Boak (the old pet) will be in as sub, as got to keep building his games & suspect Jackson will miss out, despite my view that he should be in ahead of Liddy & Mead. Bit harsh dropping him to sub after his GWS game v Mead.
Whitlock has definitely improved over the season, but unlikely to hit AFL this year.

Jackson would be so stiff to miss out but considering he barely played a quarter, I can see it happening unfortunately.

 

[PortAdelFC1997]

I really don't like the two ruck set up because sure it allows Georgiades to have more space in the forward line but its not sustainable. Therefore, as much it people don't like it, one of Finlayson or Lord have to be in the team to help Georgiades out because Sweet nor Visentini are not forwards.

All you have to remember is the match against Essendon where he dominated early and kicked 2 goals and 2 behinds and missed one completely and because he was the lone target up forward, Port had no one to kick it to and he gassed out by the end.

 

[Steve Dore]

Jackson would be so stiff to miss out but considering he barely played a quarter, I can see it happening unfortunately.

No SNAFL game this week so if he is dropped after only playing one quarter it will be one quarter in two weeks.

 

[Windy Cindy]

Jackson out. And the 2 injuries

Jones morales and Berry in

Liddy stays

 

[Nelso]

In: Jones, Moraes, Berry

Out: Wines, Allir and Jackson

Jackson out is laughable.

 

[RossFC]

EMERG: Finlayson, Evans, Jackson

 

[Coobk001]

JHF a near certain late out. He's not playing with that shoulder as bad as it looks.