Strategy Changes Round 14 North Melbourne vs. Fremantle

[Cesoir]

Darcy was ineffective, whilst Jacko was close to our best on. He’s just a big body at the moment. It worked yesterday, but I still prefer the team balance that an extra small forward like Dudley brings, and that’s what you’ve gotta weigh up.

It did work yesterday, and there will be other games where it may not work and we're better with a different mix. I think this us what Justin means when he talks about horses for courses.

I'm happy to get games into Darcy where the opposition make-up warrants it so we have a choice of two match fit rucks. Injuries happen, and it would also be nice to have the luxury of resting Jacko before finals.

 

[swanny1234]

It did work yesterday, and there will be other games where it may not work and we're better with a different mix. I think this us what Justin means when he talks about horses for courses.

I'm happy to get games into Darcy where the opposition make-up warrants it so we have a choice of two match fit rucks. Injuries happen, and it would also be nice to have the luxury of resting Jacko before finals.

You can’t be paying a guy 700k a year to only use him ‘sometimes’.

 

[ubiquitous226]

You can’t be paying a guy 700k a year to only use him ‘sometimes’.

And that would be true if that was the endgame, but if Darcy can get back to his best we have a big weapon to utilise.

 

[swanny1234]

And that would be true if that was the endgame, but if Darcy can get back to his best we have a big weapon to utilise.

Then Jackson leaves… it’s one or the other eventually.

 

[Cesoir]

You can’t be paying a guy 700k a year to only use him ‘sometimes’.

Yes you can, that's why it's a team. What happens if Jacko (or Shai) gets injured and miss a year? Do we sack him because he's not playing.

Big picture buddy, not game by game.

 

[Cesoir]

Then Jackson leaves… it’s one or the other eventually.

It really isn't swanny, that is just doomsday talk.

 

[Righteo]

It did work yesterday, and there will be other games where it may not work and we're better with a different mix. I think this us what Justin means when he talks about horses for courses.

I'm happy to get games into Darcy where the opposition make-up warrants it so we have a choice of two match fit rucks. Injuries happen, and it would also be nice to have the luxury of resting Jacko before finals.

The main reason it worked yesterday is because the opposition also selected two rucks and it was a stoppage-heavy wet slog. On a dry Optus deck against a solo ruck I have to assume we will change it up and return to the previous setup. Like you say horses for courses.

Also, and I don't love it, when Fyfe is fit enough he will almost certainly replace Erasmus. Ditto Walters with Dudley. Banfield is safe as houses for now and rightly so.

 

[EastcoastDocker]

Darcy was ineffective, whilst Jacko was close to our best on. He’s just a big body at the moment. It worked yesterday, but I still prefer the team balance that an extra small forward like Dudley brings, and that’s what you’ve gotta weigh up.

Thought it was telling that in those last 2 minutes it was Jackson in the ruck. Maybe it's partly because it was Darcy's first game back.

If it was LJ at the dees guarantee it would have been Jackson taking that ruck contest in f50 and Gawn a kick down the line. Because Darcy can't effectively play a kick behind the play like Gawn or Cameron our options live and die with Jackson's versatility. If this was the NBA they would trade Darcy for a Rohan Marshall type who can play forward competently and a kick behind the play. It's not about Darcy being good or not it's about fit.

Horses for courses isn't a thing in the AFL for best22 players. This isn't dropping a spinner at the WACA

 

[s_wd6]

I mean it’s Darcy’s first game back off a very low fitness base. They refuse to build up his fitness in the WAFL and instead think it’s better to manage his time in the AFL to build it back up.

He’s not playing 50% game time in three weeks time. Not sure why people are pretending that this way of using him is end game and not a way to ease him back to full fitness while maintaining a winning formula for the team

 

[kp junior]

I mean it’s Darcy’s first game back off a very low fitness base. They refuse to build up his fitness in the WAFL and instead think it’s better to manage his time in the AFL to build it back up.

He’s not playing 50% game time in three weeks time. Not sure why people are pretending that this way of using him is end game and not a way to ease him back to full fitness while maintaining a winning formula for the team

Yep the plan pre game would have been to sub Darcy off for Fyfe

 

[Kapow!!!]

It did work yesterday, and there will be other games where it may not work and we're better with a different mix. I think this us what Justin means when he talks about horses for courses.

I'm happy to get games into Darcy where the opposition make-up warrants it so we have a choice of two match fit rucks. Injuries happen, and it would also be nice to have the luxury of resting Jacko before finals.

I also think having a big body in the ruck against Xerri whilst being able to run him out of it with a Jacko rotating in and out...probably a game we'll actually need Darcy even if he is 80%.

Also, Jackson might have the tank to run for far long as a mid which could be devastating and is the switch we were all hoping he could make.

 

[freodog]

With the upcoming game I really want to go and i hope all Freo fans support it because we want to make it a success so it continues for many years.

I assume with it being a North Melbourne home game they will give the pregame & entertainment their own flavour.

While North Melbourne will have some supporters there I would assume it will be a Pro-Freo crowd.

My question is will the Western end behind the goals be a North Melbourne fan end or will it still be Freo?

 

[mattis117]

With the upcoming game I really want to go and i hope all Freo fans support it because we want to make it a success so it continues for many years.

I assume with it being a North Melbourne home game they will give the pregame & entertainment their own flavour.

While North Melbourne will have some supporters there I would assume it will be a Pro-Freo crowd.

My question is will the Western end behind the goals be a North Melbourne fan end or will it still be Freo?

This is going to be a weird experience because I expect everything will be North Melbourne oriented except the crows numbers.

 

[Feathercap]

JOM and Sonny were listed as two weeks away so they will be back for North? Sonny will start at peel presumably but I can see them playing JOM straight away.

Big selection squeeze. Fyfe, JOM, Erasmus, Johnson, Driz. Which two play when all fully fit.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

JOM and Sonny were listed as two weeks away so they will be back for North? Sonny will start at peel presumably but I can see them playing JOM straight away.

Big selection squeeze. Fyfe, JOM, Erasmus, Johnson, Driz. Which two play when all fully fit.

There is no way either can get in without a big block at Peel, surely...

 

[freodog]

This is going to be a weird experience because I expect everything will be North Melbourne oriented except the crows numbers.

I think it will be novel to be at Optus stadium with all the North Melbourne build up and colours. As long as our song is being played at the end I'll be happy.

 

[Cesoir]

This is going to be a weird experience because I expect everything will be North Melbourne oriented except the crows numbers.

I reckon there will be a big contingent of Eagles fans there to cheer the Roos on. I know two that are going to barrack against us.

When you're as shit as they are seeing us lose is one of their few pleasures.

 

[Feathercap]

There is no way either can get in without a big block at Peel, surely...

Maybe - let’s see. JOM is a jlo fave and leadership group. Fyfe came straight in no peel same as Darcy so who knows.

Personally I would prefer Erasmus and Johnson to play the year out for experience and also because the mix is really good now and I find JOM unbalances things when he’s in the guts. Don’t mind him as the high half forward. Driz can play wing maybe.

Good problems to have!

 

[Alfonz]

JOM and Sonny were listed as two weeks away so they will be back for North? Sonny will start at peel presumably but I can see them playing JOM straight away.

Big selection squeeze. Fyfe, JOM, Erasmus, Johnson, Driz. Which two play when all fully fit.

Why just two? Keep Fyfe as sub. Erasmus and Johnson stay in the 22. NOD in for Sharp. JOM stays on the outer. There's also Banfield and Darcy's positions that could be up for grabs.

 

[WhoneedsMcLeod]

LJ with 27 touches playing mid, Darcy obviously coming back into form, hit outs were good, follow up not so much. But I think it could work.

Drizz with 9 touches in the first qtr, no clue how he's playing but seems to be getting the ball.

While Sharp is important structurally surely there is a consideration that Drizz can come in and replace him.

'While Sharp is important structurally'
Whats that even mean? Keep hearing this sort of stuff, 'keeping his width' etc
Hardly getting a touch, as I've been saying, not up to AFL standard.

Freddy the sheep dog is the other one going under the radar, will not go in near the ball/contest, giving nothing.

 

[Deveraux]

'While Sharp is important structurally'
Whats that even mean? Keep hearing this sort of stuff, 'keeping his width' etc
Hardly getting a touch, as I've been saying, not up to AFL standard.

Freddy the sheep dog is the other one going under the radar, will not go in near the ball/contest, giving nothing.

I'm not sure what it means, but it is obviously something. If anyone else had stats like Sharp did over the last month then they would be long gone.

Take into that what you will... hence my suggestion he is replaced.

I'm leaning more into trusting the coaches than I may have previously after this week's results.

 

[EastcoastDocker]

Sharp ain't getting any of the ball. Funny thing is as a fan I don't want him getting the ball either. Some of our worst games are where sharp gets a tonne of ball

Talk of his defensive running but really how often does he impact the contest

 

[nurries]

In: O’Driscoll (into HBF)
Out: Worner

Fyfe stays sub. Dudley misses out, forward line looked more balanced with less short people.

No Wags to HBF and Nod takes his spot

 

[oldgoat]

Just having fun. It's this bloke:

View attachment 2330741

More Quoll than Wombat?

 

[Superkoops]

There is no way either can get in without a big block at Peel, surely...

Walters been out for a long time and he had played WAFL last year. JOM not as long and was in good form before injury. I reckon with JOM he’ll be ready the week after North game. They’ll give him another week of conditioning/training. I think the sub role suits Fyfe for the next few games.

Some decisions coming and Ras seems likely choice to make way.