Preview Changes v Essendon

[PapaJ]

I know it seems silly but dont forget the AFL are "watching" this week. Got to leave some experience in

Oh boy, the AFL are watching!! Do they even know where we play? I suspect the conversation will go something like;

AFL official A: So when did Freo get those purple tops. What happened to their anchor?

AFL official B: Not sure, but we're here to make sure they don't deliberately throw this game and secure 1st pick in the draft

Official A: 1st pick in the draft, to Freo!!! WTF, how did that happen. Surely there's something in the rules that says that it belongs to our team, I mean GWS!!

Official B: Yeah I know, bit of an oversight that a team like Freo might actually get some help out after a struggling season.

Official A: ... or Gold Coast at least, we've got to make sure our 'B Team' don't fall too far behind. Will they play in the GF vs GWS this year? I've been a bit busy trying to recalculate the academy system so that GWS can convert 3 8th round draft picks into a priority pick in the first round. I think I've got it, but I've lost touch with things a bit.

Official B: Nah, GC are miles from it, but GWS are doing OK.

Official A: OK, well that's the main thing.

Official B: So what happens if it looks like Freo are actually trying to win and they still get that high draft pick?

Official A: What we always do, we'll make up some rules on the run. No way we can risk Freo getting a player that GWS might want.

 

[Sully90]

Any wafl watchers no how much game time apeness is getting at peel? If its anything above 80% I see no reason why the call shouldnt be made this week.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

It would be nice to see Pav, Tabs and Ape all play together for a few games this season. I think Pav might enjoy having two other tall targets inside 50 to finish off his career. And it would be good preparation ahead of getting McCarthy in to the side next year (ie get used to playing 3 talls in the forward line). As much as it means one less runner, Apeness can backup ruck so we're getting double value for his inclusion. It's not like we don't have a couple of fringe mids that aren't making much impact anyway.

Really good points, even if Apeing only gets through 70 percent of the game, he is a better backup ruck option than Hannath or Zaaarke.

And better to see Ibbo or Suban or whoever miss games than not see Apeing...

My ideal forward line up is Tab, Ape and Pav as the 3 talls. Ballantyne, Walters and Yarran as the small/mediums.

I'd dig that so much.

Once Apeing gets fully fit that would be a great forward line. Not so sure about the McCarthy comparison though, he is a fair way off being a proven forward of the Mayne standard, let alone the lofty Pav level. Membrey showed last week that there are many other players who can become good forwards quickly, I hope we don't pay too much for McCarthy...

Last night I had a look through our best transitions from d50 to i50 this year and I have to say I think there are some good signs (we are getting better at it I think) and am more confident we do have the personnel that are capable be good at rebound football on our list. We just need to play them in the right positions and take the game on more frequently and then I'll think we'll start to see those examples of good transition football (and good ball use) more frequently. A few things:

• Crozier should be doing the kick-ins from the goal square primarily. Spurr kicks a great deep ball but he isn't particularly accurate and it's always to a pack when he does (we don't have Sandi and Fyfe atm to allow that!). Definitely not Collins, Alex Pearce, Collins or Ibbo. Noticed Sheridan is quite capable also. Hughes might be a future option also and I haven't seen Morabito recently so not sure if he'd be another?
• Short kick-ins to a player in a back pocket should be avoided at all costs. I'm not sure I saw one example where it resulted in subsequent good ball movement and seemed to be turnover central. The centre corridor should be seen as the first option, and failing that to the flank that has our best contested markers. Or else just risk running it right up the guts with support rather than the silly short kicks that achieved nothing from what I saw.
• That kick out of D50 on the rebound in general play is equally important and I think we have a number of capable players on our list to start a good chain down field... Mundy, Crozier, Hughes and Tucker all have accurate kicks that can open up play. But three are young and need to back their instincts with that first kick out of defence. I think we saw what can happen with confidence from Crozier on the weekend.
• We also looked quite good running the ball as a pack a number of times through the middle. Mayne, Sheridan, Langdon and Weller have all worked really well together a number of times. I think we'll see better outcomes if Hill, Neale, Walters, DPearce and Barlow are in that mix more often as well. And Morabito when he is ready also.
• When we moved it effectively by foot or running it towards forward 50, our forwards had a massive advantage over their opponents. It opened up space and options inside 50, meaning our targets weren't double teamed, and often only had to take a semi-contested or uncontested mark. Or failing that our runners could just run it straight inside 50. Often this resulted in drawing defenders and a chip/handball over the top for a goal from the goal square or otherwise a medium length shot at goal with relatively minimal pressure. Our leading patterns and coordination is certainly something that needs fixing - our forward line needs to be better structured to maximise the chance to score just as the ball comes inside 50. When this did happen, the delivery was almost always to someone wide open inside 50 and we scored every time.
• Apeness and possibly Yarran in will be huge imo. Having their contested marking capability inside 50 will take considerable pressure off our other forwards and give our deliverers plenty of viable options as they approach forward 50. I think similarly having Morabito as a third tall in defence that can break lines coming out of D50 might add plenty to our rebound capability also. The big thing I noticed though was how well the youngsters gelled together (from their time at Peel no doubt). From the plays I watched, both Barlow and Mayne seemed to work really well with them but I often felt our other senior players didn't as much. Almost as if we had two pathways transitioning down field -> either our youngsters or our experienced players. Get them all working together seamlessly and I think we'll be doing a heap better.

Excellent post, one of the best in the last few weeks, really made me think about a few of the underlying aspects to watch for the rest of the season.

Kick-in players especially will be a focus for me over the next few weeks, along with a lot of what you discuss. I do hope the coaches focus on improvements in these areas, especially for the younger players. Arguably, if we can fix some of the more structurally significant aspects of the game plan (e.g. kick-in strategy or boundary throw in structures), we will have achieved more important outcomes than simply scraping a few wins out of the back half of the season...

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Any wafl watchers no how much game time apeness is getting at peel? If its anything above 80% I see no reason why the call shouldnt be made this week.

?? I think it has? Or are you picking your supercoach team?

 

[freoextra]

(Possible) Sliding doors...

Fremantle

If you are under 22 years old and you are fit and available but you are not currently getting a game...

Then the long term prospects of Brady Grey are not looking good

Yes disappointed for Brady yet another one I want to see selected ahead of Suban. Funny how he was an emergency that travelled and now gets passed over.

 

[scon]

Ross Lyon on Apeness earlier today:

“He’d be in our top eight at the club for his endurance and he’s got a natural genetic disposition to be able to run, which is nice for a 200cm guy and he’s really competitive (as well).”

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2016-06-02/apeness-nearing-afl-return

Club has always been very upfront and upbeat about the aerobic capacity of both Tabs and The Ape.I'm surprised that he's been brought in this week but the club has neglected to forward his GPS data to me for some time.
One thing you would have to say is that with the very cautious approach they're taking with rehab and comeback, they're convinced he's not being exposed to the risk of avoidable injury.
Langdon I think is partly balance as others have suggested in tandem with a monitored development as has been done with all the youngsters.
Blakely in his recent interview praised the club's management of his 'apprenticeship'.

 

[schnoods]

I just hope Apeness isn't under done.

Really unlucky for Tucker and Langdon missing this week but it seems promising, might be the first time this year we stretch a opposition's defence.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Yes disappointed for Brady yet another one I want to see selected ahead of Suban. Funny how he was an emergency that travelled and now gets passed over.

I can only assume that it has something to do with concerns about Grey's disposal skills, he certainly has a hardness and intensity that I think would benefit us, and he seemed to be the logical replacement for Ibbo??

And everybody said Blakes had "issues" with his disposal yet he has actually been quite solid since he has had regular gametime. Maybe Grey might get better with disposals if he had a few more games?

Dunno, I do hope Grey gets more chances this year, I am a big fan and think he adds a fair bit in non-stats areas (heart, intensity etc).

 

[freoextra]

Apeness will be playing as the 2nd ruck. Ahead of Clarke and Hannath. Says a lot.

A lot of teams are going with one ruck and a versitile Key Position player who adds running power. Finally we can compete, because Apeness will be no pushover in the ruck. Apeness and Sandilands is the way to go next year (well hopefully later this year as well).

 

[meesy]

Maybe a couple of the younger guys are on a rotation so as not to create burn out/prevent injuries? I don't know just throwing things out there.

Well comparatively Weller has played 3 preseason games, a nab cup preseason game, and 10 afl games now. I dunno, I'm leaning more towards the conspiracy that Langdon is leaving. Which sucks because (as other's have mentioned) he kicked 2 f****** goals which is about more than 3 quarters of the side have for the entire season so far. Love his pace.

 

[Bicco]

Why respond in that way? Just discourages people posting. Good for you if you have busy Wednesday nights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's because I'm impressed someone can give so much analysis.

 

[Square Peg]

I love all the talk about the ape not running out a game. Seriously if he takes the first non-fyfe crashing the pack mark taken in our forward 50 in about 3 years, excuse me for not giving a **** about his gps readings

 

[The Devil's Advocate]

I just hope Apeness isn't under done.

Really unlucky for Tucker and Langdon missing this week but it seems promising, might be the first time this year we stretch a opposition's defence.

Reckon Ed Langdon stiff to lose his spot. Went well in a pocket despite limited opportunities. Was much better than Ballantyne, who keeps getting picked no matter how badly he plays.

 

[free at last]

I love that Apeness is coming in,I can't wait for Saturday night now!

 

[Freomaniac]

Can he play over half an hour though?

Yes he can provided he can rest up forward

 

[holy diver]

Excited to see Apeness get a shot. Good luck to him.

I don't get the hand wringing by some here - Lets just see how he goes.

 

[Freomaniac]

Maybe a couple of the younger guys are on a rotation so as not to create burn out/prevent injuries? I don't know just throwing things out there.

Well here's the thing. Weller, Langdon and Blakeley played like 10 games between them last year. All three were teenagers plucked from the state league. 2015 was the year all three had to build up endurance and get games in the eagle and t he occasonal dockers game. Now all three are banging the door in the 22.

 

[StingBitten]

What's the likelihood Ape will be thrown into ruck occasionally?

 

[electricfeel]

I wouldn't have minded if someone who's been totally ineffective like Ballas was dropped for Langdon who has been making some sort of impact, albeit not for very long during the game but more than Ballas did, if we are looking at last week

 

[Okinakashi]

What's the likelihood Ape will be thrown into ruck occasionally?

He rucked a bit last weekend, so I'd say likelihood is high.

 

[Freomaniac]

What's the likelihood Ape will be thrown into ruck occasionally?

I'm going to assume he will ruck between 10-25 per cent of the game

 

[scon]

What's the likelihood Ape will be thrown into ruck occasionally?

Just over 100%.

 

[freo_leo29]

I just hope Apeness isn't under done.

Really unlucky for Tucker and Langdon missing this week but it seems promising, might be the first time this year we stretch a opposition's defence.

Tucker is in

 

[schnoods]

Tucker is in

Mind fart. Must've been from a tad bit of Langdon dropping rage.

 

[Freeeoo]

Just over 100%.

conservatively.