Changes Round 6 vs Geelong

[Doggies7]

Tough one with no VFL and a few key injuries. I personally think Lobb needs to be #1 ruck for the next few weeks, has the size and fitness to help us nullify some of the hitout to advantage damage going forward, and play some of the English role around the ground. Emmett I love and will be a very good player for us, I think it's just too big of an ask for an 18 year old off 2 VFL games to ruck against the monsters of the AFL.

I'm fine if he stays in and spells Lobb, maybe plays a little down back or fwd rotating with Croft, but personally I would move Emmett back to the VFL next week, bring in Buss to shore up the backline and allow Lobb to play mainly ruck. Libba back in for Richards (hopefully is ok but that looked like a bad ankle and might need a week or two). Jaques comes in for Baker who was quiet again and played pretty low TOG tonight which is usually a sign.

In - Libba, Jaques, Buss
Out - Richards, Baker, Emmett

 

[_Cerberus_]

I'd like to see Emmett get a game up forward as the third tall. No disrespect to Croft, but has barely had much impact in 5 games. Cannot keep carrying players just for structure.

West hasn't hit the scoreboard either. That's two forwards barely impacting the scoresheet.

Geelong rested a few this week. So will be another tough game. Have no choice but to play someone experienced in the ruck if we are to have a chance.

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

We don’t know how long Tim is out - so need to plan for a longer stint. Lobb was clearly a big step up in ruck and when he went in there we started to come back. Seems like a no brainer. Seems a better option than Smith at this stage of his career and needs to be in good VFL form anyway.

But more than individually the best way to help our defence is to stop the opposition walking it in. And so this has to happen.

This means picking Buss or Gards. Hate to say it but I think we would have looked better with Gards in - for all his flaws he plays a lot tighter than Buku and has size. JOD was good but Gards in Lewis and Lobb in ruck. Buss has a lot less brain farts though - so whoever the MC sees as the best option.

I really like Croft and Emmett but should only play one at this stage. So one out. I hate bringing a player in - throwing them to the wolves and then sending them back to VFL for half a year. I would probably rotate then to develop them. Send Croft back for a week and then bring him back to keep the development going.

With West being off a bit - had chances to bring us right back and missed them. I will back him in but we need someone to impact as a third player - it was way to easy for Barrass and Battle and as the game wore on Sicily was able to play with freedom - not worrying about his player. I reckon Lewis would have made a difference - a big body crashing in and bringing the ball to ground. We had a lot of ineffective players so would probably drop Gags but Davidson is playing that HFF so could be him?

Ins: Gards/Buss, Gags
Out: Emmett/Croft, Lewis

This is not all doom and gloom - we are a top team when we have most of our players in. We just aren’t good enough to loose English, Libba, Artie, Trelor. And of course Weightman, Garcia and Harmes would have been handy but haven’t had them for a while - and not expect to be brought back to the pack. Kick at least to an average level and we would have been in the game.

In a side note - if Trelor isn’t fit and Garcia not coming back - I wonder if we could squeeze Billings in MSD? Are there any good rucks out there?

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

We don’t know how long Tim is out - so need to plan for a longer stint. Lobb was clearly a big step up in ruck and when he went in there we started to come back. Seems like a no brainer. Seems a better option than Smith at this stage of his career and needs to be in good VFL form anyway.

But more than individually the best way to help our defence is to stop the opposition walking it in. And so this has to happen.

This means picking Buss or Gards. Hate to say it but I think we would have looked better with Gards in - for all his flaws he plays a lot tighter than Buku and has size. JOD was good but Gards in Lewis and Lobb in ruck. Buss has a lot less brain farts though - so whoever the MC sees as the best option.

I really like Croft and Emmett but should only play one at this stage. So one out. I hate bringing a player in - throwing them to the wolves and then sending them back to VFL for half a year. I would probably rotate then to develop them. Send Croft back for a week and then bring him back to keep the development going.

With West being off a bit - had chances to bring us right back and missed them. I will back him in but we need someone to impact as a third player - it was way to easy for Barrass and Battle and as the game wore on Sicily was able to play with freedom - not worrying about his player. I reckon Lewis would have made a difference - a big body crashing in and bringing the ball to ground. We had a lot of ineffective players so would probably drop Gags but Davidson is playing that HFF so could be him?

Ins: Gards/Buss, Gags
Out: Emmett/Croft, Lewis

This is not all doom and gloom - we are a top team when we have most of our players in. We just aren’t good enough to loose English, Libba, Artie, Trelor. And of course Weightman, Garcia and Harmes would have been handy but haven’t had them for a while - and not expect to be brought back to the pack. Kick at least to an average level and we would have been in the game.

In a side note - if Trelor isn’t fit and Garcia not coming back - I wonder if we could squeeze Billings in MSD? Are there any good rucks out there?

Sorry missed Jacques - he walks back in but not our biggest hole.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Lobb has form playing ruck against the Cats at alphabet park too.

 

[BigFloppa]

Shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic this week. We're not beating a side like Geelong without English, Libba and Richards. Maybe let's have a look at Carmichael. Give Emmet another go in the ruck. Rest Bont and Kennedy so we don't get anymore injuries to key mids.

 

[mattwa]

Lobb has to play the ruck role and provide cover defensively. Happy if Emmett stays over Croft as the 3rd forward/back up ruck. Buss to CHB his pace won't get as exposed at the skinny GHMBA stadium

 

[mattwa]

Shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic this week. We're not beating a side like Geelong without English, Libba and Richards. Maybe let's have a look at Carmichael. Give Emmet another go in the ruck. Rest Bont and Kennedy so we don't get anymore injuries to key mids.

Don't think Geelong are that good this year it's a winnable game

 

[Golden_6]

I do think Lobb has to go in for a bit. Busslinger gets an opportunity as the intercept tall. Emmett stays on as backup and Croft dropped because he’s been quite frankly awful.

In: Busslinger, Jacques
Out: Croft, Richards

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Assuming Richards is OK.

Buss in for Croft or Emmett, with Lobb to ruck
Jaques in for Gags (Baker was very quiet but has runs on ths board).
If Libba is right he to come in too for Hynes, Dolan or Baker.

 

[mattwa]

Richards looked more ankle that knee

 

[BEaston]

Think Darcy to ruck is much better than Lobb.

Darcy can still impact the game enormously in the ruck, Lobb is mostly just a negating factor in there.

Gives more time forward for Croft, who is better suited up there than more time in the ruck also.

I'd keep Emmett for another go, mostly playing forward and relieving in the ruck.

 

[RWnBluey]

Richards looked more ankle that knee

Bevo and Westy confirmed it’s his ankle.

 

[Pencil case]

Expecting Richards to play, rolled ankles hurt at the time but should clear up during the week.

In: Busslinger

Out: Croft

Lobb to ruck.

 

[Mojorisin]

Out: Richards (Inj), Croft (managed), West (omt)
In: Jaques, Smith, Carmichael

 

[DognBones]

So many possible permutations for changes this week. Assuming Richards is OK to play.
Outs: Croft - very disappointing and has provided little anywhere on the ground
Dolan - we just can't have players in the team who can't tackle or add pressure
If we had either Jones or Weightman available West would be doing time in the VFL.
Give Gallagher another opportunity but he was almost as anonymous as O'Neil
Ins: Jaques, Busslinger - allows Lobb to share ruck duties with Darcy
Emmett to play as a mobile tall forward.

 

[Libba39]

I'd like to see Emmett get a game up forward as the third tall. No disrespect to Croft, but has barely had much impact in 5 games. Cannot keep carrying players just for structure.

West hasn't hit the scoreboard either. That's two forwards barely impacting the scoresheet.

Geelong rested a few this week. So will be another tough game. Have no choice but to play someone experienced in the ruck if we are to have a chance.

Disagree. I think Croft's attack on the ball has been good. Get more games into him.

 

[BigFloppa]

Don't think Geelong are that good this year it's a winnable game

You're crazy. They're a top 4 lock. They got within a point of the Hawks who are 40 points better than us.

 

[Libba39]

Out: Richards (inj), Emmett

In: Jacques, Lewis

I am going to go against the grain here and say that Lobb should be spending minimal time in the ruck. Out backline has generally been good, so I'm going to use the expression, "don't break up the Beatles".

I'd go with a mix of Croft and Darcy with Lewis pinch-hitting. One thing that became apparent last night is that we need a third bigger body forward to set some blocks for Naughton and Darcy. Lewis can fill that role and cause a bit of chaos himself.

 

[BrisDog]

I think the idea of including Busslinger is more promising than the reality. I would prefer Gardner playing.

 

[lachy]

I think the idea of including Busslinger is more promising than the reality. I would prefer Gardner playing.

Based on what exactly given boths last AFL games?

 

[Dogs Rule]

Shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic this week. We're not beating a side like Geelong without English, Libba and Richards. Maybe let's have a look at Carmichael. Give Emmet another go in the ruck. Rest Bont and Kennedy so we don't get anymore injuries to key mids.

First class trolling.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

If we don't trust Buss (or Gards), then I'm open to Darcy rucking. If we did that we could go in pretty much unchanged.

We dont really have a lack of ruck depth, we are just reluctant to take them out of their primary position.

 

[Werewolf]

You're crazy. They're a top 4 lock. They got within a point of the Hawks who are 40 points better than us.

They also got within 10 goals of Gold Coast... who got within 4 goals of Melbourne... who got within 8 goals of Essendon... who got within 6 goals of us!

 

[Dogs Rule]

A win next week at their s***hole will go some way to easing the frustration of last night.

In Busslinger and Jacques.

Out Croft and Gallagher.

Lobb to start ruck. No stuffing around this week.