Unofficial Preview Changes Round 4 v Essendon

[Dylan12]

I'm already looking forward to seeing the boys back in Melbourne next week against Essendon; this time at my favourite venue, the MCG.

We already know that Essendon will be missing McKernan and Much for an extended period.

As for the Lions, it looks as though Bailey did a slight hammy and given his horrendous game tonight, will likely miss. Rayner is another that looks injured or out of form, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt if he is right to go. Bastinac was also queit with only the 9 possessions. Therefore for mine at this very early stage, I'd probably go:

Outs - Bailey, Bastinac
Ins - Christensen, Cutler

 

[Sausages]

Well - I agree with Bailey having had a less than impressive game. Rayner will hopefully be a bit more healthy by next Saturday too.

That said, I'm wary of changing a winning team - even with the issues some players had tonight, they'll get better with experience.

Happy to follow the coaching group on making the calls (like we have any choice ), but I'd be inclined toward NO CHANGES this week, fitness contingent.

(But yes - Bailey out is probably a strong likelihood).

 

[Toffee Lion]

No changes, unless there is an injury.

Winning formula, don't mess with it.

 

[Jpw22511]

Love the avro games can watch the game without sneak looking at my phone during work.

 

[Lace Out]

Keep getting games into Bailey if fit,rest Hodge this week bring in Bundy we have Tippenwuti and Fantasia to deal with.

 

[luthor]

Well - I agree with Bailey having had a less than impressive game. Rayner will hopefully be a bit more healthy by next Saturday too.

That said, I'm wary of changing a winning team - even with the issues some players had tonight, they'll get better with experience.

Happy to follow the coaching group on making the calls (like we have any choice ), but I'd be inclined toward NO CHANGES this week, fitness contingent.

(But yes - Bailey out is probably a strong likelihood).

Not totally sold on the idea of "never" changing a winning team.

If the team can be improved ,either due to loss of form by an individual or for balance or structural reasons, then the coach/ match committee should make the change. A maturing and talented group will accept a change as long as they can see that it's for the benefit of the team. Fagnob are from all reports, excellent personnel managers so I have little doubt they can "sell" a change if it comes to it

 

[Tom14]

I'd keep Bailey in if he is fit. Was very quiet tonight for sure but we need his speed in defence. Basti the more likely out if we make any changes I think.

 

[POBT]

Bailey had a shocker but I think it is not good to drop a young bloke based on one poor game. I’d try and rebuild his confidence by backing him in. Of course, if he’s injured it’s a different story.

We saw the benefit of Basti’s defensive running last night but I have to admit that I want a wingman getting more of the footy than he does. I think Cutler would offer more offensively.

 

[jackess]

Not expecting any changes. It’d be great for team morale to go in unchanged again.

But I’d like to see Cutler, Bundy or Squizzy in for Bastinac. He really only gets a couple of useful possessions a match and our lack of spread and speed was exposed badly last night.

Bombers have been playing some lazy footy so if we bring the pressure and workrate in the first quarter hopefully we can break them and run away with an easy win.

 

[RU_]

I feel the same way about the Bombers as I do North, a bit of a bogey team for us. Must win game though, imagine the scenes for the Pies game if we are 4-0 heading in.

 

[a mayes ing]

I hope Lions players dont get ahead of themselves. Each game they know they have had to play well to win but this time Essendon is around the bottom of the ladder. We can't go in there expecting to win

 

[TheMagician15]

Probably time to rest Hodge. I wouldn't change anyone else.

 

[jackess]

Probably time to rest Hodge. I wouldn't change anyone else.

Could be a good week given the 5 day break before the Collingwood game. Lester or NRobbo might take his spot.

 

[Fagenslions36]

Agree if Bailey fit he must play on the job training been good 2 previous weeks . I’m more concerned about Rayner to be honest 5 possessions isn’t much footy at all not sure why a player of his talent can’t get more of it. I know he kicked 2 but need more then a touchdown quarter . Look at rozee last night as an example . Hodge should get tester as we have the short turn around into Easter game. I’d be bringing in cutler and Christensen for hodge (rested) Ana Bastinac

 

[Fagenslions36]

Touch per quarter apologies haha

 

[Tom14]

Could be a good week given the 5 day break before the Collingwood game. Lester or NRobbo might take his spot.

If we don't have other outs I'd probably go with Bundy for Hodge if we are resting him - one advantage the bombers have is speed up forward so replacing Hodge with Lester (and to a lesser extent N Robbo) means we stay pretty slow in defence without the benefit of Hodge's organisation.

 

[jackess]

If we don't have other outs I'd probably go with Bundy for Hodge if we are resting him - one advantage the bombers have is speed up forward so replacing Hodge with Lester (and to a lesser extent N Robbo) means we stay pretty slow in defence without the benefit of Hodge's organisation.

I'd like some quicker defenders too but I'd probably put Bundy on the wing for Basti and I think Robbo is as quick as Bundy as better defensively.

 

[Gadzorks]

There was a mention somewhere in the review thread of McStay having a broken cheekbone. Anyone know about that?

 

[Harris Specter]

Strangely confident bunch on the Essendon board, they limped over the line against Melbourne who are looking fit for a bottom 4 finish.

Feel a lot better facing a 1-2 Essendon side, rather than a 0-3. They got their first win out of the way. Won't know what hit them next week.

 

[Lionwest]

Bailey did his hammy with about 5:50 to go in the last. He spoiled a contest and landed with a straightened left leg. Could be out for a while I’d say. Hopefully looked a lot worse than it is.

 

[Tom14]

I'd like some quicker defenders too but I'd probably put Bundy on the wing for Basti and I think Robbo is as quick as Bundy as better defensively.

Yeah fair. I’d probably roll the dice and put Cuts in on the wing but he seems to be in the doghouse so who knows.

 

[jackess]

There was a mention somewhere in the review thread of McStay having a broken cheekbone. Anyone know about that?

Broke it against North

 

[jackess]

Yeah fair. I’d probably roll the dice and put Cuts in on the wing but he seems to be in the doghouse so who knows.

I do understand that they're concerned that he's too outside and unnacountable with the new 6-6-6 rules. I don't think they'll bring him in until they're happy that he's improved in traffic and running both ways.

Could definitely use his speed and long kicking though.

 

[Gadzorks]

Broke it against North

How’d I miss that!! Makes his pack crashing even more impressive.

 

[Tom14]

I do understand that they're concerned that he's too outside and unnacountable with the new 6-6-6 rules. I don't think they'll bring him in until they're happy that he's improved in traffic and running both ways.

Could definitely use his speed and long kicking though.

Yeah no doubt. With teams flooding back so heavily against us I think we need his line breaking ability but it is clear that we want him to improve his defensive work as you say.