Preview Changes & Preview Thread for Round 8, 2025 vs Western Bulldogs @ Ballarat

[Coobk001]

Moraes needs more than a rest. He's lost confidence. He's had a great taste, shown he has a future, but it's time to go back to the SANFL and work back into some form.

I really have no idea what they should do with Berry. Will go back to SANFL level and probably rack up 20 and a goal or two and be straight back in. I think they just need to persist. The problem with him is the balance of the type player he is. Just seems like we have so many of the same and he just doesn't bring any mercurial forward craft to the table. Looks a true winger/flanker. So much like a cross of Amon and Farrell.

Dropping Sweet achieves nothing. He's currently ahead of Visentini. Drop him and all you get is a weaker side. Sweet will give us more than Vis at this stage. Vis needs to wait for a window of opportunity and take it. I didn't see the Centrals game, but his performance against South was poor and certainly not knocking on the selection door. He needs to be showing a level of dominance in the SANFL that says I'm ready for AFL level. Sweet was averaging 16d, 38.5ho and over a goal when he was in the SANFL last year.

Real shame to see Sinn injured, but I've also been really confused by his role of late. Seems to have almost slipped into negating defender, but not necessarily doing that well.

Finlayson is cooked.

From below, Boak will probably come back, not that he deserves it. Lorenz hasn't been shooting the lights out but other than Logan Evans is the only player probably ready for a game. Surely they don't just go straight to Burton though? Josh Lai is the x-factor, he has the potential, but it is bloody early and picking him feels risky. Not sure if BZT is ready at this stage, or whether a Bulldogs side minus Darcy and JUH requires another tall defender.


If it was me I'd go:
OUT: Sinn (inj), Moraes, Finlayson
IN: Evans, Boak, Atkins (sub)

I'd play Atkins as sub, purely because continuity of game time for him doesn't matter, and I'd rather Lorenz, Lai, Burton etc be getting full games in the SANFL under their belt to ready them for proper selection.

If Watkins was on the list, I'd be picking him. I suspect he will get the call up in the MSD at the current rate.

 

[HugeJohnson]

Really don't get the hate for Mead. He'll never be a superstar but he doesn't need to be. We have JHF, Butters, Wines and Drew as the 4 main midfielders. Mead provides a solid option for rotation and can do a job. To my eyes he doesn't look lazy or lacking in skill, he just doesn't get as much ball or have the same X-Factor like the other guys. Which is completely okay at the moment. Name me one other team in the comp that has 5 midfielders regularly racking up 25+ disposals and a goal every week.
He's a role player and I think he's been pretty solid each week without needing to be a star player.

 

[all seeing eye]

Moraes needs more than a rest. He's lost confidence. He's had a great taste, shown he has a future, but it's time to go back to the SANFL and work back into some form.

I really have no idea what they should do with Berry. Will go back to SANFL level and probably rack up 20 and a goal or two and be straight back in. I think they just need to persist. The problem with him is the balance of the type player he is. Just seems like we have so many of the same and he just doesn't bring any mercurial forward craft to the table. Looks a true winger/flanker. So much like a cross of Amon and Farrell.

Dropping Sweet achieves nothing. He's currently ahead of Visentini. Drop him and all you get is a weaker side. Sweet will give us more than Vis at this stage. Vis needs to wait for a window of opportunity and take it. I didn't see the Centrals game, but his performance against South was poor and certainly not knocking on the selection door. He needs to be showing a level of dominance in the SANFL that says I'm ready for AFL level. Sweet was averaging 16d, 38.5ho and over a goal when he was in the SANFL last year.

Real shame to see Sinn injured, but I've also been really confused by his role of late. Seems to have almost slipped into negating defender, but not necessarily doing that well.

Finlayson is cooked.

From below, Boak will probably come back, not that he deserves it. Lorenz hasn't been shooting the lights out but other than Logan Evans is the only player probably ready for a game. Surely they don't just go straight to Burton though? Josh Lai is the x-factor, he has the potential, but it is bloody early and picking him feels risky. Not sure if BZT is ready at this stage, or whether a Bulldogs side minus Darcy and JUH requires another tall defender.


If it was me I'd go:
OUT: Sinn (inj), Moraes, Finlayson
IN: Evans, Boak, Atkins (sub)

I'd play Atkins as sub, purely because continuity of game time for him doesn't matter, and I'd rather Lorenz, Lai, Burton etc be getting full games in the SANFL under their belt to ready them for proper selection.

If Watkins was on the list, I'd be picking him. I suspect he will get the call up in the MSD at the current rate.

Evans has been terrible at al levels this year, Lorenz has been consistent and deserves a chance, same with Jackson who we need to see at the next level. Tempted by Lai but you couldnt blood so many kids at once. Sinn, Moraes outs.

 

[Skindy]

Really don't get the hate for Mead. He'll never be a superstar but he doesn't need to be. We have JHF, Butters, Wines and Drew as the 4 main midfielders. Mead provides a solid option for rotation and can do a job. To my eyes he doesn't look lazy or lacking in skill, he just doesn't get as much ball or have the same X-Factor like the other guys. Which is completely okay at the moment. Name me one other team in the comp that has 5 midfielders regularly racking up 25+ disposals and a goal every week.
He's a role player and I think he's been pretty solid each week without needing to be a star player.

For me it isn't about Meads numbers but more his ability to stand up when the pressure is on. I watched him in the last quarter and he had multiple moments of pure panic, one that stands out was a handball receive from Wines in the last quarter where he fumbled the ball twice, slipped over and then half handballed/half threw the ball away and it fortunately went out of bounds. You don't have to be a high possession player but you do have to be effective when it's your time to be involved.

 

[Powerade 08]

 

[Doctor Feel]

View attachment 2297767

Thanks pete

 

[all seeing eye]

Dont see the point of picking Boak until hes a 100 percent right. If he needs 3 jabs a week to play he cant be performing at the needed level. No probs if he is fit , but not at where he is currently.

 

[Willsy10]

Evans in for Sinn.

Boak in for Berry.

Lorenz in for Moraes.

I’m a bit annoyed they brought Berry back in after only one game in the sanfl. He needed a good at least 3 games to get his confidence back I reckon. Not sure going in and straight back out again helps him.

 

[PJ Power]

Really don't get the hate for Mead. He'll never be a superstar but he doesn't need to be. We have JHF, Butters, Wines and Drew as the 4 main midfielders. Mead provides a solid option for rotation and can do a job. To my eyes he doesn't look lazy or lacking in skill, he just doesn't get as much ball or have the same X-Factor like the other guys. Which is completely okay at the moment. Name me one other team in the comp that has 5 midfielders regularly racking up 25+ disposals and a goal every week.
He's a role player and I think he's been pretty solid each week without needing to be a star player.

Couple of things. The team we come up against this week have 6 midfielders in really good form who all had more than 20 touches on the weekend with one of them Kennedy, who’s essentially in Mead’s fifth midfielder spot also kicking two. Mead needs to show a capacity to either contribute on the score board when parked at HF or have at least some games when he steps us and wins more footy. Burgoyne does it - even though I don’t love his current form - he is still finding it.

We already have Drew as a career long sub 20 possession mid and we accept that because of everything else he brings.

What is Mead bringing at the moment? Will he step up if JHF or Butters are quiet? What’s his stoppage work like when they’re resting? He needs to be producing now.

 

[Sewer de Lance]

Sweet is up against his former team, so he definitely stays in.

Moraes & Berry will both flourish over time, but they’re simply not ready yet. But when you have list spots being taken up by the likes of McEntee, Atkins, Charleston, Tommy A, Williams etc it makes selection that much harder.

 

[#Port Patriot#]

id probably potentially bring BZT in as he seemed to go strong against Naughton last time and throw Esava up forward. They don't have a tall forward line atm. So should allow Aliir more space providing the other backs work. Bring Evans back in for Sinn and Boak if fit to go. Give Morase a rest for the week and throw Berry in as sub for speed later on. Get Esava to ruck when Sweet is resting not Lord or Wines. Get the half forwards Richards Rioli SPP to play up the group more with Sav creeping up for support as he clearly marks the ball strong and allow both Georgiades and Lord to stay deeper as they'll have Lobb so he will need to choose Lord or Mitch so just get those two to spread apart. Should win this game regardless of form against North and Dogs going OK.

FB Jones BZT Aliir
HB Farrell Bergman Rozee
C Burgoyne Wines Boak
HF Richards Rioli SPP
FF Esava Lord Georgiades
FOL Sweet Butters JHF

INT Drew Mead DBJ Evans

SUB Berry

 

[Interstater]

Been in Ballarat since December and the weather has been good, couple of degrees cooler than Adelaide but not much.
No rain until last week, only in the last couple of days has the ground had a drink.

This week though, that 4 degrees will be a shock.



Saturday is looking ok.

My pick of the pubs so far is: https://www.thenorthstarhotel.com.au/

If you have a car here and want a good spot for coffee and cake: https://www.edibleindulgence.com.au/lamiettepatisserie
I go there once a week with the missus.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

It seems like Hinkley is looking to continually blood the young guys and while they have been OK, it should put us in good stead for the future.

It's those guys who have some games into them that you hope would be pulling more of the weight like Mead, Finny, Richards and Bergman who seems injured.

I'd really like to see Lai get into the side this week to cover for Sinn.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Evans in for Sinn.

Boak in for Berry.

Lorenz in for Moraes.

I’m a bit annoyed they brought Berry back in after only one game in the sanfl. He needed a good at least 3 games to get his confidence back I reckon. Not sure going in and straight back out again helps him.

Yes, Berry had a good game but hardly a knock the door down kind of game.

Hugh Jackson should have been given a chance. This is his fourth year on the list, he is fit, give him a game. He has pace, contested ball and clearance ability and will give 110% (not saying Berry wouldn't but Jackson is playing for his career).

 

[Powertron]

Mead needs to stick his tackles and hit his targets. Far too often he misses simple 30m kicks, often when entering F50, and gets brushed off when tackling.

Like Drew, I don’t think anyone is expecting he becomes a 20+ possession regular but he needs to be more effective.

 

[Scholz Supremacy]

We’re paying $3.15

We’ll enjoy that underdog status

 

[Lefti93]

Sinn and Moraes out, Lai and Lorenz in. This is a pretty easy week I think.

Lorenz, the forgotten man.

 

[Lefti93]

They'll probably go Evans for Sinn. BZT possibly with Miles playing Sinn's role.

 

[True__Believer]

We are lucky Darcy is out, we don't really have a defender that could go with his height and mobility, maybe Bergman but even that is a tough call. Can't see BZT coming straight back so I'm thinking it's Boak to the wing, Burgoyne to HBF and the other wing between Moraes and possibly Lorenz. Only other option is DBJ going back and Burgoyne staying on the wing but they are pretty adamant in keeping him forward.

 

[Coobk001]

We are lucky Darcy is out, we don't really have a defender that could go with his height and mobility,

No one in the comp does to be fair.

 

[klem22]

Leave Boak out his onfield career is over we need ,ore talent and run!

 

[Willsy10]

Dogs are absolutely flying at the moment given their injuries and everything. Just playing so well as a team. Probably as good as they have at any point in Beveridge's time.

We're limping along, beating sides with 20 mins of footy a week. Our contested ball/ground ball work is just a mess. The clearance stuff going on is a real worry. We sit 14th in clearance differential, the Dogs are 3rd, we're only above the Tigers, Eagles, Saints and Demons. If we cant compete in there, the game will be over in no time.

Not sure we can win this but it is critical for our season. Win this and the season is back on, lose and we're in a fair bit of trouble given our upcoming draw.

I think their ability to play as a team in the 2016 finals series might have their current outfit covered. They were also very good in 2021 when they made the GF.

They are playing well now but saying this is the best they've played as a team under Bevo is a massive stretch.

We've had their measure in recent games against them, and form heading into last years clash against them counted for very little. We had just lost 3 in a row including getting mauled at home by the Lions, followed it up with a lucky to scrape across the line win against the saints and then come out and blitzed the Dogs. Even though they were in the middle of a late run to finals where they only dropped 2 matches from their last 10.

Whilst i think Sweet has been poor, he seems to be getting umpired to a different set of rules, which i think has impacted on his form but i think like last year he will lift against his old side.

We can get this done.

 

[Coobk001]

I think their ability to play as a team in the 2016 finals series might have their current outfit covered. They were also very good in 2021 when they made the GF.

They are playing well now but saying this is the best they've played as a team under Bevo is a massive stretch.

I said "As good as any other time". I think they're easily performing as good as their 2021 form, undoubtedly they had an elite stretch in 2016 that probably beats any, but they are playing really well given their talent and their injuries. To think they can cover JUH and Darcy out, Treloar and Weightman and still spank the Giants is not something I would've expected, but if you've been watching them this year you'd know they're looking very very solid.

Will be an extremely tough game. I feel like the $3.15 odds on us are probably a little longer than they should be. Result should be closer than that. Win and it'll be a huge step in the right direction for us.

 

[Doggy]

Sorry to intrude, should be a fascinating watch.

I haven't missed a Ballarat game in years but unfortunately because of the works have missed out.

Treloar is a fair chance to suit up but not sure how that works with the midfield going the way it is unless we play Freijah off half back which is probably what happens.

 

[Jonts]

Sorry to intrude, should be a fascinating watch.

I haven't missed a Ballarat game in years but unfortunately because of the works have missed out.

Treloar is a fair chance to suit up but not sure how that works with the midfield going the way it is unless we play Freijah off half back which is probably what happens.

Has a team tried to put some time into Richards
His score involvements are off the charts for the role he plays