Preview Changes: R6 vs Western Bulldogs - Saturday April 23, 1.15pm ACST @ Mars Stadium (Ballarat)

[Scorpus]

IN:
Hately

OUT:
Sloane (knee)

 

[Vader]

I'm happy for Hately to be given the opportunity, and looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.

His 2021 season was cruelled by injury, and I was always reluctant to judge him on that basis. I don't have high hopes for him, but I will certainly be watching his performance with an open mind.

 

[CrowToon]

So does Schache kick 5?

 

[footy4ever]

So does Schache kick 5?

No, but Tex or Berg might.

 

[jackster83]

So does Schache kick 5?

He'll most likely play in the backlines.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Unfortunately O'Brien is in the worst form of his career

With English being out and the game plan of our oppo this week, Kieran Strachan might have been considered as the better option for this game.

 

[davos44]

I'm happy for Hately to be given the opportunity, and looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.

His 2021 season was cruelled by injury, and I was always reluctant to judge him on that basis. I don't have high hopes for him, but I will certainly be watching his performance with an open mind.

What is the pass mark for Hately?

I hope he does get at least 2 games because having to front up against a powerful midfield away from home is a tough ask.

15 Touches, a couple of clearances and lots of tackles I hope.

 

[Vader]

What is the pass mark for Hately?

I hope he does get at least 2 games because having to front up against a powerful midfield away from home is a tough ask.

15 Touches, a couple of clearances and lots of tackles I hope.

I'm not going to put any particular stats as a benchmark. I just want him to have a positive impact on the game.

 

[skam85]

Don't mind this side necessarily....

As much as I want TT back in the side, lets be honest this week at a small windy wet Ballarat ground is probably not going to do him any favours at all.

like his debut in Tas?

 

[skam85]

Rob has been rubbish since day dot and many called it out for what it was..
He's really smart and a nice guy so he's good for atleast 10 yrs at the AFC.

Draper was playing down at South, should've grabbed him on the cheap.

Draper is overrated

 

[skam85]

Oh, there will be melts. A lot of folks have already completely written Hately off, so they won't be positive about him getting a chance.

or melts about melting

 

[Gtowncrow]

The game is played between the ears as much as it is on the field.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Draper is overrated

Agree.

 

[Gtowncrow]

They have a few out. We go in more settled than them. Even though at Ballarat I too am looking forward to seeing how we go. Hopefully we take it up to them and sneak over the line for a win!

I'd love to get the win but doing so will be a massive boil over.
If we do win, the media won't talk about us too much. The big news will be all about the problems at the kennel.

 

[davos44]

I'm not going to put any particular stats as a benchmark. I just want him to have a positive impact on the game.

Me too. He is a very similar size to Bont, which is pretty surprising. Nice if he turns out half as good!

 

[Gtowncrow]

Has Weightman put a target on his back by saying he'll continue to play for free kicks if he continues to get them.... I wonder if the umpires like being made the fool.

Umpires be like...

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

Any vic posters know if the crows are training in Ballarat today?

 

[Dangarman]

IMO if we can find 15 goals we win. We won't concede 21 goals against them like North did last week. Before that the Doggies hadn't managed to score over 90 points.

Adelaide are 4th in the chain of wins...
Both Mel and Freo have beaten Essendon, who beat the Crows.
Crows > Richmond > GWS > GC > Carl > WB > Syd > Geel > Bris > Nth > WC > CWD > StK > Haw > Port.

 

[footy4ever]

English out for the Dogs.

This is huge!

He's been fantastic!

 

[Golumless]

Crows? Ground in a regional Victorian town?

My pass mark is avoiding a 10 goal loss.

 

[crows dude]

So listening to Rahilly. Soligo and Hamill are the 2 travelling extras. Rowe and Thilthorpe to play SANFL

 

[arrowman]

Umpires be like...

From the Port board:
"...After 5 games, the Dogs are +34, while the Crows are +31. It's a joke!!!"

OK just a Powa supporter sniping at the Crows, but to be honest yes, lol, maybe this weekend we'll find out who the real umpires' pets are

OK, so this is what people are talking about re Weightman:

“There is a skill to it”: Weightman discusses free kicks and polarising reputation

“That’s been a factor in the past 12 months and to be honest, it doesn’t faze me at all.”

www.sen.com.au

Yeah, it's not "tall poppy" you jumped up kid, you're not a "tall poppy". But I will give him some slack for this one:

“I think I do have an ability to draw free kicks and I think that’s a skillset rather than a flop or whatever you call that because there are skills you can do … whether it’s taking the ball when you’re about to get tackled or ball control, so you don’t actually have possession and test out the defender if they’re going to grab it or not,” Weightman continued.

I will concede that. The player who is aware of his surroundings, and controls the ball / his attack on the ball in that way - yes. that is a skill, I will allow that. But not flopping and diving and throwing your arms out and exaggerating contact.

 

[Crow-eater]

So listening to Rahilly. Soligo and Hamill are the 2 travelling extras. Rowe and Thilthorpe to play SANFL

Makes sense. I'd go Hamill as sub. His speed could be helpful if needed.

 

[Dangarman]

IMO if we can find 15 goals we win. We won't concede 21 goals against them like North did last week. Before that the Doggies hadn't managed to score over 90 points.

Adelaide are 4th in the chain of wins...
Both Mel and Freo have beaten Essendon, who beat the Crows.
Crows > Richmond > GWS > GC > Carl > WB > Syd > Geel > Bris > Nth > WC > CWD > StK > Haw > Port.

Actually, the complete chain of wins is:
Mel > WB > Syd > Geel > Bris > Nth > WC > CWD > StK > Freo > Ess > Crows > Richmond > GWS > GC > Carl > Haw > Port.

I'm bored...

 

[CrowBloke]

Scorpus said: "Unfortunately O'Brien is in the worst form of his career"

With English being out and the game plan of our oppo this week, Kieran Strachan might have been considered as the better option for this game.

The Crows' selectors seem to be weeks behind what is obvious to many BF posters.
eg Finally, last week, they took Sloane out of the midfield with good results.

O'Brien is in poor form. Strachan should have been brought in as the better option for this game and the next few weeks as well.
That particular penny is going to bounce around like the balls in one of those old arcade games, before it drops.
If ever.

 

[CrowBloke]

What is the pass mark for Hately?

I'm not thinking in possession-numbers-terms. I'd like to see Hately:
--- try his guts out
--- tackle hard
--- work hard at intelligent one-%-ers
--- use his disposals to teammates' advantage
and in general do more good, than not.