Changes v Brisbane

[The City Boyz]

We're gonna lose this.

 

[The Original Swooper]

We're gonna lose this.

Great input.

Want to tell us why ?

 

[The City Boyz]

Great input.

Want to tell us why ?

Our whole game is based off pressure and intensity- the games we have looked slow (Melbourne, Geelong) have been our worst performances

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Sorry cannot agree with this, last year he was a great pressure player inside 50 making contests and tackling.

This year due to his poor preseason and off season, he had been close to pathetic at senior level. He till tries to pressure and do the same role as last year but due to him being underdone and not having a good preseason he chases hard but he just can't get to the players he's trying to chase down and he is like having another red or Cloke in the team but he doesn't have any of their marking attributes. He is like an undersized kpp with no speed who can't mark this year.

Smith has laid 13 tackles inside 50 across the 7 games he's played this year. Among the competition's players who have played at least 5 games, there are only 4 players (Jamie Cripps, Jeffy Garlett, Jack Lonie, Paul Puopolo) are averaging more per game. Granted a lot of it is in F50 stoppages and not necessarily tackling to stop rebound, but the principle that he hasn't contributed value with defensive elements in our attack is off the mark IMO.

My criticism of him is that given his height ("only" 181cm) he's not nearly quick enough offensively to add value to our team, for example, our loss in our attempted comeback vs Geelong was in part because our forward thrusts were thwarted by Smith being our player on the lead, but not being anywhere near quicker than the 190cm+ players who were defending him. Someone like Dunkley might take his role over the next few weeks, whilst still having the lack of pace and kicking, at least something offers us something more in the air by simple virtue of being 190cm tall.

So in short I'm not so worried about how we'll be hurt by Brisbane by their half backs (Smith still offers us something applying pressure) but rather our our electric ball movement that we showed last week might be hurt by Smith taking Dickson's spot and being able to get lesser seperation using pace than Dickson was against taller opponents.

 

[The Original Swooper]

Our whole game is based off pressure and intensity- the games we have looked slow (Melbourne, Geelong) have been our worst performances

I thought I saw a return of the intense pressure last week. I thought I saw men of mayhem style creeping back over last three. I see one and two changes recently vs unsettling 4 & 5 changes prior to that And if you think Brisbane is at the same level as Dees and Cats then I understand your pessimism

 

[glenashley]

We're just warming up our 'finals specialist' Clay ala Clark Keating.

 

[Struggle]

Smith is invaluable for 50/50 ground ball inside 50(think him destroying a former captain in the prelim), as long as his fitness is up to scratch to make repeat efforts the longer the game goes on he has heaps to offer.

He's pretty handy finishing around goals too. If we can get him some form before finals, we are a better team for it. If not, he will make way for Stringer

 

[dogwatch]

The debate about Smith's form and condition is legit, but it's probably academic. Let's face it, he's far from MC's first choice. In fact I'd argue he's close to their last option once it was decided that Murphy "hadn't come up" for a 6-day break between games.

Although not like-for-like Redpath has more or less come in for Dickson. Fair enough. It gives us an opportunity to try out a tall forward line since so many shorter players have been getting goals recently (Picko, JJ, Dale, etc)

Then it's Murphy out. We had an effective backline last week with Murphy playing more forward and on the wing. So who comes in?

• Honeychurch would have been that player IMO if fit but he hasn't been named in the VFL either, so he must still be sick.
• Matty Boyd is probably the best other option but if they are looking for a replacement who can play a HFF role then Boyd's not your man.

That leaves the following:

• Dunkley (most talented of the lot but will need 2-3 VFL games before being match ready you'd think)
• Lipinski (yet to debut and just returned from injury)
• Greene (ditto)
• Hamilton (yet to debut and seems unlikely to do so on VFL form)
• English, Roberts, Collins - all talls, not what we are looking for
• Prudden, NMM - would have to be elevated from rookie status
• so that leaves last small standing ... Clay Smith!

MC probably went with the philosophy let's make a virtue of necessity and tell him it's his opportunity to show he's worth considering for the finals. Step up this week or it's VFL for you for the rest of the year! To be fair he did have a reasonable last game before being suspended but we played a seriously undermanned Coburg that day.

Let's hope he rises to the challenge.

 

[Yojimbo]

Don't get why they stressed Murphy was the travelling
emergency, surely you don't drop a player to be the
travelling emergency as being the travelling emergency
does suggest that he is fit and ready to play if he is
required. Anyone else find this odd ?

Note- Travelling emergency. ( Had to type it once more)

I agree Yojimbo, i have never seen a team sheet with the
travelling emergency highlighted. Usually there is three
emergencies named and we "the fans" don't usually give
two hoots about who the travelling emergency is. There
is a good chance it is just an error on the team sheet
provided to the AFL by the Dogs.

 

[Royale]

Its possible our MC is manipulating the team sheets in a way that possibly confuses the opposition. It has us confused obviously. Certainly not the first time it’s happened. I’m all for the confusion and chaos. The MC I’m certain, know what they want to do. But do Brisbane know what our intentions are? This footy department is trying to gain an advantage by any means possible.

 

[Pugz89]

We're gonna lose this.

I think you posted in the wrong thread. You're about 30 hours too soon and in the wrong thread. Wait for the gameday thread before the melts start please.

 

[Pugz89]

And.... it seems we may have an unexpected inclusion if we can stay alive long enough.

 

[jdz101]

I think you posted in the wrong thread. You're about 30 hours too soon and in the wrong thread. Wait for the gameday thread before the melts start please.

Pre-weekend this thread is super melty.

There are usually plenty of "if we don't win this we don't deserve to play finals" statements in the lead-up.

 

[Yojimbo]

Damien Barrett goes with "Travelling emergency" in his
Friday sliding doors dribble, great minds do think alike.

 

[Igloo]

Poor Honey

 

[Golden_6]

I think Honey will get another 1 year deal. He was starting to look a bit more comfortable at AFL level and I have a feeling he is one of Bevo's favourites.

 

[Metal]

We look a slower team this week. Losing Murphy and Dicko is not ideal. Murphy opens up the play and knows where to run to receive. Dickson also knows where to run / lead and kicks important goals.

Red and Cloke together. Mmmm.

Smith hasn't been able to run out a game this year. He plays well for a quarter or two but then becomes a forward liability.

If Brisbane are on their game, we are going to need the men of mayhem at full throttle to avoid an upset away from the still confines of Etihad.

 

[dogwatch]

And.... it seems we may have an unexpected inclusion if we can stay alive long enough.

Shame about Honey. When you're on the fringe for so long and finally making some progress that's shocking timing to get sick.

Good news about Marcus Picken though!

 

[dogwatch]

Just an amusing side note: how long since we have run out of options for small players and have more viable talls playing in the VFL?

 

[immortalmike]

Don't like Red and Cloke together. Neither are great defensively. Need big games from our other forwards to pick up the slack.

 

[dogwatch]

I agree Yojimbo, i have never seen a team sheet with the
travelling emergency highlighted. Usually there is three
emergencies named and we "the fans" don't usually give
two hoots about who the travelling emergency is. There
is a good chance it is just an error on the team sheet
provided to the AFL by the Dogs.

Having a good convo you two?

I always thought a travelling emergency was what you packed Imodium in your suitcase for.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

We're just warming up our 'finals specialist' Clay ala Clark Keating.

Um, do you mean Clark Kent?

 

[dergert]

Im actually all for offering honey another short term deal. I've loved his output this year bar his first game.
Hope it comes together for the lad.

 

[Martyn_30_]

The pressure was awful last week, Essendon moved the ball out of defensive 50 way to easily and players allowed way to many easy marks in the corridor.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Charlie Bucket]

I agree Yojimbo, i have never seen a team sheet with the
travelling emergency highlighted. Usually there is three
emergencies named and we "the fans" don't usually give
two hoots about who the travelling emergency is. There
is a good chance it is just an error on the team sheet
provided to the AFL by the Dogs.

You forgot to log out of your Yojimbo account before you replied to Yojimbo !!