Changes v Collingwood

[Panthera]

Devastated to say the least. Cant find any positives in this at all.

 

[cotter101]

Andrews is a big out if Merrett can't get back. Can we elevate Paine??

Good point in regards to Cloke. I forgot that he picked up an injury. I guess we'll have to settle for Jesse White kicking a bag against us.

If Merrett is out, then it's a big problem. But from what I'm hearing, he'll be good to go. From what JasRulz63 has said, we can indeed upgrade Paine. Something I'd seriously consider doing. The bloke looked good in the NAB Cup I thought. Deserves a chance in a new position in the seniors before he is moved on.

 

[cotter101]

Planta Fascia injury. Poor kid.

Far out. We can't take a trick. He'll be gone for a while after that.

I have actually thought Merrett was pretty good in the games he has played.
He provides what we expect which is a big body on the big key forwards.
He also makes Darcy, Harris and co feel that little bit more confident in their ability to defend due to his leadership.

I tend to agree with this. When Merrett has a shocker, it's a bloody shocker. But generally does his role and strengthens our spine. Certainly lightens the load on the younger guys.

Andrews out is a bigger loss than just a negating defender - he's a rebound specialist and even delivers into the 50 with great poise.

I was thinking a week when I heard about the foot injury when I said he wouldn't be too big of a loss. But if he is out for an extended period, my thoughts on the matter totally change.

IMO, Hipwood is far from ready so It really gives Paine an opportunity now with Andrews out. Get a chance to see what he can do in the seniors as a KPD. If he can show some positive signs, it'll certainly give me a bit of peace of mind heading into next season with Clarke retired and potentially Merrett hanging up the boots too.

 

[BRAB]

Yeah may as well chuck Paine in.

90% sure he'll spud it up but if there's a 10% chance we can actually get an AFL level defender in his age bracket we almost have to take it.

Losing Clarke was huge, becomes more apparent every round.

 

[Panthera]

If Merrett is out, then it's a big problem. But from what I'm hearing, he'll be good to go. From what JasRulz63 has said, we can indeed upgrade Paine. Something I'd seriously consider doing. The bloke looked good in the NAB Cup I thought. Deserves a chance in a new position in the seniors before he is moved on.

If Cloke doesn't play...this could get the job done against the might of Cox, Moore and White

Merrett
Gardiner
McStay
Paparone (floating)

If Cloke plays I'll be worried, despite his lack of form.

If Cloke plays and Merrett doesn't come up, well - I'll be backing him for highest goalscorer of rd.8

 

[BRAB]

I'm a bit concerned about defending Darcy Moore, he's shown some really good signs this year I think. Could hurt us.

Probably the weakest forward line we've come up against all year however.

A shame Sam Reid is going to be ok, would have backed us in against their defence had he been out.

 

[AFLQLD]

Terrible news about Andrews and a loss as big as any we could have. He is already just so critical to our defence with Clarke gone (how much do we miss him!).

It makes the job that bit harder. Everyone has to step up this week. Really not looking promising and I think it will have to be one of our best team efforts of the last few years to get a win.

This might be one of those line-in-the-sand moments for us. I would think it is for Collingwood. We have to be desperate.

This game could help define our season as one of real improvement...or...a sign that our gains have been few and far between and we have not gone anywhere.

If Paine comes in he should probably be aware that he is playing for his career. That is about the biggest incentive he could have.

 

[cotter101]

Bring the PAINE!

 

[cotter101]

If Cloke doesn't play...this could get the job done against the might of Cox, Moore and White

Merrett
Gardiner
McStay
Paparone (floating)

If Cloke plays I'll be worried, despite his lack of form.

If Cloke plays and Merrett doesn't come up, well - I'll be backing him for highest goalscorer of rd.8

I tend to agree that defence probably could get the job done. But I feel McStay has been pretty woeful this year personally, the bloke plays far too loose for mine. He's shown glimpses though.

If there's ever a time for Paine to get a crack in the seniors as a defender, coming up against his old club with his career on the line. Then this it it imo.

 

[Redfox12]

exactly

 

[Wounded Lion]

I cannot begin to imagine how Clarkey would be feeling right now.

He may be at a stage where his motor skills have shown rapid improvement and possibly doing his own exercise without much hamper. There will always be that 10% of him saying "maybe I could've kept going" even though he has made the complete right call.

To see our backline suffer like it has so far this year, he would feel helpless and robbed of the opportunity to become our general.

I hope good things come his way soon and I'm sure they will.

It's just not fair.

 

[Kevvo]

I tend to agree that defence probably could get the job done. But I feel McStay has been pretty woeful this year personally, the bloke plays far too loose for mine. He's shown glimpses though.

If there's ever a time for Paine to get a crack in the seniors as a defender, coming up against his old club with his career on the line. Then this it it imo.

I thought McStay's first couple of games this year were pretty good. I agree that he's reverted to some bad habits (second efforts? What second efforts?), but he has some weapons that would be really valuable if we could see them more often.

If Merrett can go to Moore and Gardiner can contain Fasolo, McStay should be athletic enough to stand Cox and would have opportunities to run off him. Paine is putting together a good run in the reserves, but I'd be reluctant to shift the key defensive personnel for a winnable game at home.

 

[Kent Brockman]

Is there any realistic chance of Hipwood getting a game? From what I've read he hasn't exactly set the world of fire playing NEAFL, although that would be hard to do when you're losing by 100+ points every week.

 

[rusty08]

Is there any realistic chance of Hipwood getting a game? From what I've read he hasn't exactly set the world of fire playing NEAFL, although that would be hard to do when you're losing by 100+ points every week.

I'd be inclined to think Hammer would get a call up before Hippy at this point in time. Considering how tall cox is and some key forwards are, would he be looked at? He's put on some size and hasn't been going too bad I think in the 2s. Considering him and Paine are both on the rookie list, they might be tossing up between the 2. I know Paine is the mature body but it all depends where the club sees him. Our 2s are younger and need a leader and by all reports he's about the only one providing that.

 

[POBT]

The only role I'd consider Hipwood for is the Andrews one. You can't afford to be bumped off the footy as a forward and he would get monstered in the ruck. But in defence, you can zone off a little more and dictate if and when you initiate contact. Andrews wasn't much bigger when he made his debut last year. As long as you are playing alongside a couple of guys who can help out, then I think you can get away with a skinny tall defender.

 

[Wounded Lion]

Gardiner Merrett Paparone
Harwood McStay Mayes

Hanley Robinson Bewick
Martin D.Beams Bastinac

Zorko Schache Keays
Green Walker Lester

C.Beams (Half Back) Bell (Midfield) Christensen (Half Forward) Rich (Midfield)

Merrett > Cox
McStay > Moore
Gardiner > Fasolo
Paparone plays drifter

Still a very capable side.

 

[theteamtobeat]

Gardiner Merrett Paparone
Harwood McStay Mayes

Hanley Robinson Bewick
Martin D.Beams Bastinac

Zorko Schache Keays
Green Walker Lester

C.Beams (Half Back) Bell (Midfield) Christensen (Half Forward) Rich (Midfield)

Merrett > Cox
McStay > Moore
Gardiner > Fasolo
Paparone plays drifter

Still a very capable side.

It's really up to the midfield. Our defence and forwards have been okay, but the inconsistency of our midfield is frustrating. I don't known whether it's a lack of midfield depth on our list, not having 2nd and 3rd tier mids on our list or we have to draft pure inside mids that can win their own ball.