Preview Changes, Round 3 vs Carlton

[TheGreatGrundy]

anyone here concerned with sidebottom's start to the year? by his own words he says he's struggling at the moment.

and whilst maxwell for buckley seems to be the obvious decision, the way malthouse spoke about buckley in the post-match presser, i'm not 100% convinced it will happen.

I am not the least concerned. He showed plenty of signs of returning to form against North. We do not need everyone firing at this stage of the year. We have not had a challenge yet so no need for Sidebottom to hit top form.

 

[Ed D]

Have to agree with the masses; Maxwell in for Buckley.

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

In: Maxwell, Davis
Out: Buckley, Ball
Sub: Sidebottom

I reckon the one match of the year that Ball isn't as highly required - the Blues just don't seem to create the in-and-under contests that Ball is suited for.

Davis' speed and defensive pressure will be more useful in the back flank to midfield than Buckley. Sidey will need to be managed into his new role.

 

[Zahki]

Whoa, whoa. No way can Ball be omitted for this one, do you realise he hasn't lost a single game against Carlton in his career? The man is a living lucky rabbits foot.

 

[PieBeast]

Sidey just had 27 touches and 2 goals, i thought he was poor versus port but saturday he was fairly solid

Thats irrelevant Opti, the people who have undermined him from day one don't take reality into account.
He was clearly in our best 8 players on the weekend yet there are still calls to drop him

 

[The Get Up Kid]

Thats irrelevant Opti, the people who have undermined him from day one don't take reality into account.
He was clearly in our best 8 players on the weekend yet there are still calls to drop him

I can't stand it either. Drives me insane. I argued with a guy last year on here about trying to drop him before the finals and he was sensational. He was ok versus port and super against North. When you have so many good players in one team it's hard to dominate 4 quarters of footy. Even though Swan and Pendelbury have started so well it doesn't mean the other players aren't. 50 touches and 5 goals probably won't even get him in the good books with some people!

 

[TradeDraft]

Would love to see Fasolo get a Game as he has been very impressive

 

[Shellz]

Would love to see Fasolo get a Game as he has been very impressive

I agree Dave, but there is just no room!! Great problem to have!!

 

[Scodog10]

Would love to see Fasolo get a Game as he has been very impressive

I too wouldn't mind getting him in but not just yet for two reasons there's noone to drop that plays a similar position and he's only played one good game in the VFL. We held Pendles back for about half of 06 when he was getting in the best every week Fasolo might be best served being treated the same way.

 

[Ed D]

Whoa, whoa. No way can Ball be omitted for this one, do you realise he hasn't lost a single game against Carlton in his career? The man is a living lucky rabbits foot.

Pretty sure Ball was also in our top players for both Carlton games last year as well.

 

[daics_35]

Maxy deffs in for Bucks, that will be 20 out of a possible 22 premiership players playing for us. Our deffence will be to strong for their front running team and we will smash em if we ae switched on.

 

[TradeDraft]

I too wouldn't mind getting him in but not just yet for two reasons there's noone to drop that plays a similar position and he's only played one good game in the VFL. We held Pendles back for about half of 06 when he was getting in the best every week Fasolo might be best served being treated the same way.

Fair Enough and There is no one to Drop but he is sure putting pressure on players. He also was good in the NAB Cup

 

[PieNSauce]

I agree with most here it has to be straight swap Maxy for Bucks but I will ask what others think about one or two players.

Firstly, I didn't see the first round so I can't comment but I was a bit concerned by Leroy's game on Saturday. He seems to be turning the ball over due to ruck infringements an awful lot. Is that just my imagination or has be been found out a bit by opposing rucks? Yes I know he did this a bit last year too but I just had the feeling he wasn't especially effective on Saturday.

I know Tarrant hasn't been a backman for all that long but once or twice on Saturday I saw him make extraordinary decisions in terms of risk. He seemed to get away with it but at least once he belted the ball back into play high in the air not far from goal and didn't really seem to have any idea where it was going. I must admit I haven't exactly be overjoyed with his work so far even if it's still early days. Of course it's hard to compare when you're used to watching Mr dependable at full back but are other fans a bit underwhelmed?

 

[MarkT2]

I wonder if Maxwell might be the sub? If he is in need of a run that could be a possibility. That might change who goes out - more likely to be McCaffer or Krakour in that case. If Maxwell is fine to play a full game I'd suspect Buckley goes out.

Personally I'd like to see a tall who can provide relief for Jolly come in for Brown but that won't happen.

 

[iGNITER]

INS: Maxwell, Davis
OUTS: Buckley, Macaffer

B - Maxwell Tarrant Toovey
HB - O'Brien Reid Shaw
C - Thomas Swan Wellingham
HF - Didak Cloke Beams
F - Krakouer Dawes Blair
R - Jolly Pendlebury Ball
INT - Johnson L.Brown Sidebottom
SUB - Davis

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

In Maxwell .............although I'd prefer him to stay out for another week....DEFINITELY the sub if he plays imo

Out Macaffer.

Buckley has done enough to deserve another week, especially if Maxwell is the sub.



(edit..........I just realised I stole MarkT's idea..... great minds think alike)

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I know Tarrant hasn't been a backman for all that long but once or twice on Saturday I saw him make extraordinary decisions in terms of risk. He seemed to get away with it but at least once he belted the ball back into play high in the air not far from goal and didn't really seem to have any idea where it was going. I must admit I haven't exactly be overjoyed with his work so far even if it's still early days. Of course it's hard to compare when you're used to watching Mr dependable at full back but are other fans a bit underwhelmed?

Jolly and Ball took a while to get into the rythm last year as well. Tarrant is a new recruit. It will take him a while to settle in. The fact he was at Collingwood in the distant past is irrelevant to the current list and the current game-plan. Besides, he hasnt really been tested in defence, as we've won the past two games by an average of 14 goals.

 

[PieNSauce]

Jolly and Ball took a while to get into the rythm last year as well. Tarrant is a new recruit. It will take him a while to settle in. The fact he was at Collingwood in the distant past is irrelevant to the current list and the current game-plan. Besides, he hasnt really been tested in defence, as we've won the past two games by an average of 14 goals.

Yes that's true I guess. Like I said, it was always going to be difficult not seeing Presti down there. Nothing wrong with Taz's efforts, I probably just had higher expectations after seeing how he performed at Freo.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I'm gonna go with Maxwell and Davis in, Buckley and Macaffer out.

 

[TheClokes]

B: Shaw - Tarrant - Toovey
HB: Johnson - Reid - O'Brien
C: Wellingham - Swan - Buckley
HF: D. Thomas - Cloke - Beams
F: Blair - Dawes - Didak
FL: Jolly - Pendlebury - Ball
INT: Sidebottom - Krakouer - L. Brown
SUB: Maxwell

Out: Macaffer​

 

[The Get Up Kid]

Pretty sure Ball was also in our top players for both Carlton games last year as well.

Should've got 3 votes when we smashed them the first time. Hopefully he plays well when we smash them this time too. Put their cocky supporters back in their place.

 

[Ed D]

I don't think Maxwell would start as the sub for a few reasons; he's not a running player so he wouldn't provide any benefit in bringing him on, he's a defender so fitness isn't as essential, he's our captain and this is a big game for the Pies.

 

[shawthing09]

Some of the changes suggested have been fairly radical. I don't think we have the luxury of just resting and testing players crazily.

The idea of bringing an injured player back into the side has some merit but for the reasons Ed D mentions I don't like it for Max. If he is fit and ready he plays the whole game and if he is not rest him another week or bring him back through the 2's.

As for Didak being the sub I actually thought it would have been a good idea in round 1 but he has now played two full games he will be better again this week. To good a player to waste as the sub now.

As for changes I think the obvious one is Maxwell in for Buckley.

I would be given LeCafe the job on Yarran he'll kick 10.

On Sidebottom I was one who thought he was borderline for holding his spot last year coming into the finals. In retrospect I am obviously glad he kept his spot but I maintain that his form leading in should of had him on the fringe. As for his form this year MDC has it spot on below. In fact I think his game against North was one of his better games H&A games.

He's playing more or less as he did for most of last year. The grand finals inflated a lot of people's expectations to an unreasonable level (maybe even his own?), but I don't think there's anything to worry about.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I think they should toy with Dale Thomas being the sub.

 

[Number 10]

I'm not sure about making any big name (Didak, Thomas, Maxwell, Beams as people have suggested) the sub would be a very good move at all.

We have clearly seen through the response of the players that their psyche deminishes - it makes them feel like they have been dropped and their thoughts are "I hope I'm not the sub this week". I just think it would be unnecassary to put players through that sort of niggling feeling and sub our players in the ~18-22 bracket...Krakouer, Caf, L. Brown., Buckley.

If a player of that calibre asked to be subbed just for a rest, then that would be fine.