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Changes: Round 8 Vs Richmond

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Given the wide and various opinions on who should make way for Blakely, it’s clear that no-one really deserved to be dropped. I’m pleased we have stability, depth and are backing the incumbents. There’ll be an injury, suspension or loss of form soon enough to open up a spot for Connor.
 
Kind of odd that Blakely isn't listed but tbh our midfield as a whole did play very well, only our forward entries need work and he wouldn't really address that issue.
 

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Ross did say something along the lines of "he got a lot of possessions" when referencing his Peel game last week. Maybe he's just not quite adapted to the new game plan/ball movements system the way the club'd like, or his skills are a bit rusty. He's never been a 'freak' as far as foot-skills go but worked hard to get them up to standard - maybe he's a bit like Fyfe claimed he was earlier this year where they struggle with disposal early into the season & just needs time.

OR

He went surfing again or was out drinking in rehab or what not and the club hasn't gone public on it.

Either way, the club would clearly see him in the best 22 and we'll see him back at his best soon.
 
Heart Of Purple said:
Ross did say something along the lines of "he got a lot of possessions" when referencing his Peel game last week. Maybe he's just not quite adapted to the new game plan/ball movements system the way the club'd like, or his skills are a bit rusty. He's never been a 'freak' as far as foot-skills go but worked hard to get them up to standard - maybe he's a bit like Fyfe claimed he was earlier this year where they struggle with disposal early into the season & just needs time.

OR

He went surfing again or was out drinking in rehab or what not and the club hasn't gone public on it.

Either way, the club would clearly see him in the best 22 and we'll see him back at his best soon.
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Or maybe they decided let’s just not rush him back.

I know it’s very unfreo like.
 
TheLastCall said:
Or maybe they decided let’s just not rush him back.

I know it’s very unfreo like.
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I just dont really see much difference for a guy thats supposedly ready, between playing a full game at WAFL or AFL. Sure AFL players are fitter and probably stronger, and the intensity's greater. But they've said hes been ready for the past 2 weeks? Surely playing 2 full games ONCE YOUR ALREADY GOOD TO GO, makes him good to go?
 
Tigers don't play 2 bad 1's in a row , I've got a feeling we might be a bit flat

I don't usually bet against the Dockers but when I do it's usually on a decent side coming off a bad week and starting as outsiders against us at home
 
tonygeeks said:
Tigers don't play 2 bad 1's in a row , I've got a feeling we might be a bit flat

I don't usually bet against the Dockers but when I do it's usually on a decent side coming off a bad week and starting as outsiders against us at home
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Like the Bulldogs getting smashed by the mighty Carlton before they came to visit as the outsider?

I think we have matured to be a lot more consistent this year. Haven't really been flat and out of any contest.

So I'm thinking you've got this one wrong
 
Moonrat said:
Like the Bulldogs getting smashed by the mighty Carlton before they came to visit as the outsider?

I think we have matured to be a lot more consistent this year. Haven't really been flat and out of any contest.

So I'm thinking you've got this one wrong
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I like the Doggies but I don't have them in the decent side bracket yet and with a bit of luck and 1 semi competent forward they could have rolled us

We'll see what happens

It takes a special kind of football side to make Kyle ****ing Hartigan look like a champion
 
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tonygeeks said:
I like the Doggies but I don't have them in the decent side bracket yet and with a bit of luck and 1 semi competent forward they could have rolled us

We'll see what happens

It takes a special kind of football side to make Kyle ****ing Hartigan look like a champion
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Yeah fair call, they could have. Can say that about Saints too. But, for us, we could have rolled GC, WCE and Adelaide. A little luck (good and bad) has played a part in most of our games.

North and GWS were the only games where we've actually outplayed the oppo for long enough periods to claim the result beyond the effects of luck.

Hoping with Richmond's outs, we can outplay them. But more likely it's gonna be another luck reliant game!!

But, you make your own luck!! Tipping we will make plenty this weekend.
 

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FreoGirl said:
He is easily one of our best 5 (when fit)


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No he's not and on exposed form he wouldnt be close. The exaggeration about Connor's play is getting worse by the week. He also hasnt played an afl game as a permanent onballer since 2017. In his games in 2017 he was decent playing midfiled, but miles off being the superstar he's being referred to on here and he hardly dominated at the clearances. Hopefully he plays next game, because at this rate if gets delayed for a few weeks those expecting the second coming of Chris Judd will be sadly disappointed.
 
sherrif said:
No he's not and on exposed form he wouldnt be close. The exaggeration about Connor's play is getting worse by the week. He also hasnt played an afl game as a permanent onballer since 2017. In his games in 2017 he was decent playing midfiled, but miles off being the superstar he's being referred to on here and he hardly dominated at the clearances. Hopefully he plays next game, because at this rate if gets delayed for a few weeks those expecting the second coming of Chris Judd will be sadly disappointed.
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Who is expecting the second coming of Chris Judd?

He's has already found form at WAFL level and Freo. He is easily best 22 and if Ross wants Freo to be at their best then he needs to have the best 22 playing.
 
sherrif said:
No he's not and on exposed form he wouldnt be close. The exaggeration about Connor's play is getting worse by the week. He also hasnt played an afl game as a permanent onballer since 2017. In his games in 2017 he was decent playing midfiled, but miles off being the superstar he's being referred to on here and he hardly dominated at the clearances. Hopefully he plays next game, because at this rate if gets delayed for a few weeks those expecting the second coming of Chris Judd will be sadly disappointed.
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So true this.
If he is in our top ten it is barely so, no way known he is top 5
 
jedi mind tricks said:
Who is expecting the second coming of Chris Judd?

He's has already found form at WAFL level and Freo. He is easily best 22 and if Ross wants Freo to be at their best then he needs to have the best 22 playing.
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Yeah. We agree. I was responding to a post that said he was easily best 5 at our club.
 
sherrif said:
No he's not and on exposed form he wouldnt be close. The exaggeration about Connor's play is getting worse by the week. He also hasnt played an afl game as a permanent onballer since 2017. In his games in 2017 he was decent playing midfiled, but miles off being the superstar he's being referred to on here and he hardly dominated at the clearances. Hopefully he plays next game, because at this rate if gets delayed for a few weeks those expecting the second coming of Chris Judd will be sadly disappointed.
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You obviously haven’t watched him that closely - in 2017 he picked up a few Brownlow votes. He’s incredibly talented when he’s not injured.


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FreoGirl said:
You obviously haven’t watched him that closely - in 2017 he picked up a few Brownlow votes. He’s incredibly talented when he’s not injured.


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Yea Blakely isn’t top five.

Top 15, maybe top ten yes but no way is he top five.

I’d say Fyfe, Mundy, Hogan, Walters, Langdon, Hill, Ryan, Pearce and Hamling would be considered better players by most on here with Lobb and Wilson debatable.
 
Docker82 said:
Yea Blakely isn’t top five.

Top 15, maybe top ten yes but no way is he top five.

I’d say Fyfe, Mundy, Hogan, Walters, Langdon, Hill, Ryan, Pearce and Hamling would be considered better players by most on here with Lobb and Wilson debatable.
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He’s been consistently tough and improving - Hamling, Ryan and Wilson have only improved this year. Blakely was out for a lot of last season (he injured his knee at training in June and didn’t play again for about 6 weeks or so)- prior to that he was a gun


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Schultz has played his way in. Where’s his opportunity??? Switta was hopeless last week.

I guess we wait until the side is named but what a strange squad. Blakely is too good to not be included and has also played his way in. Good to see Cox is still thought of, he should come in. But really, let’s start honouring this play your way in and play your way out that gets talked about but never actioned.
 
Connor Blakely, born 1996 making him 23 years. He is a good height at 188cm and decent size in 90kg. Pretty standard for a multi-role player (Fyfe is 190cm and 92kg for example) - both completely different players though.

Blakely earnt his stripes on occasion in 2018, with 4 games over 30 possessions, however he also had 6 with under 25. It is no big deal these stats, but he also had games with 12 and 16 - this was out of 13 games played. He is good for a clanger every 7-8 kicks, and that is fairly high for someone running as a defensive mid - he kicked 1 point from 13 games. His tackle count is also poor to ok - mostly one a game with 2 games at 5. That was 2018 from round 1-13 (injured).

2017 was really his bust out year. Again he played as a defensive mid, however he was fairly reliable for high 20's low 30 possessions a game. He had great tackle numbers, particularly in the middle of the year. His clanger count was awesome, and he had a good clearance numbers.

What is my point. There was so much media attention that Blakely was a replacement for Neale - it made no sense. Neale liked\s to run forward with goal assists and goals himself. Blakely is not a forward in any capacity - never has been for us (he has kicked 2 career AFL goals and 11 points.
So with our defensive structure and our lack of goal kicking mids, really he is competing against Wilson and Cerra. Neither of these are going to get dropped for Blakely.

The other 3 are Colyer, Conca and Brayshaw - now I hate to be the one to put the pressure on for spots, but if we were playing a grand final tomorrow, I am not sure I risk Blakely. I would not drop Brayshaw or Conca. I would consider Colyer, but I think his experience and exposure to AFL is worthy.

Is he good? Yes he is, and he is a best 22. Is he a top 5? No he is not. Is he a top 10? Nope. Is he capable of becoming a top 10 - yes. A top 5 - it would be tough for a player like him, as he is not a clearance king -yes I know he got 12 in one game - but that was a complete outlier! So yeah, he would have to improve consistency in tackling and clearances. I suspect he is not doing that in the WAFL yet. While we have a fit list with such demand for spots, I think it is genius earning his spot in the WAFL. Saying that, I would have squeezed him in somehow, not sure how though - I like the fact that all our players, when we are in the 8 and playing good footy this year - are fighting for selection- and the coaching staff knows which ones they want.

Blakely not included is a puzzle I cannot complete - and I have completed family jigsaw puzzles on vacation. This one is is weird, but like I say, who do you drop - they all played well against Adelaide.
 
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FreoGirl said:
View attachment 670517

In 2017 he was 4th for Freo in the count - only Fyfe, Neale and Walters were ahead of him.


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Some good company in that list, but 5 votes is not really statistically relevant, Mundy had 5 (equal 4th), Hill 4, Ryan 2. Next up was double on 10 (Walters). The Brownlow has nothing to do with best on ground though. How many votes would Alex Pearce have this year? 0. It is a midfielder award. Cameran will be polling well, and Cam Mac would be on 3 votes from round 1 though.
Impressive that he scored in 5 games though. He had some average games also.
 

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Changes: Round 8 Vs Richmond

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