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Preview Changes v Geelong - PRELIM FINAL - Friday September 10, 7:50pm AEST, Optus Stadium, Perth - OUT Smith, IN Hibberd

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Not sure why people want Bowey out, got caught holding it once but besides that adjusted to the intensity pretty well and did some good (and smart!) things. Will only be better for the experience.

I mentioned in last week changes thread that I thought Smith’s lack of footy brain would be exposed by Cameron and it unfortunately eventuated - yes he can jump high and looks athletic but every decision counts in finals, we can’t be carrying players with no idea.

Who do you think every other team will now try to isolate for the rest of the finals?
 

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I don't understand why people don't understand why people want Bowey out.

People want Hibberd in for the prelim. Simple as that.
I don't see how there could be any confusion it's been stated pretty clearly lol
I think there's some confusion about why Bowey would go instead of Smith.

Hibberd for Smith is easy. The real question is Hunt or Bowey.
 
I'd prefer Hibbo in for Smith but it still depends on the matchup. Smith panicking and holding Cameron 5 metres away from the umpire last night is the kind of stuff you just shake your head at.
I'd be happy with either Bowey or Hunt but I'd rather stick with Bowey as he hasn't done much wrong apart from maybe still stepping up to the speed of an AFL game and for Hunt I'm not sure how long it really takes to recover properly from a syndesmosis injury.
 
Yeah Smith makes me nervous. Bowey and Rivers were just nerves, especially Riv who looked very shaky early. But hey, so did Max. Personally, I just think Hibberd is a better footballer than Smith. Could be an ideal matchup for Toby Greene as well if GWS is our opponent. Or a pretty good matchup for Gary Rohan as well. Either way I'd feel much more comfortable with Pig in there than Smith who can find himself lucky to be there atm.

One thing to take into account is lack of football played by Hunt and Hibberd also. Same with those wanting Jones put in. Dropping these guys into finals footy expecting the best out of them could be a risk. Professional athletes, but a Prelim is arguably the toughest footy played all year. Tough calls to make for Goody. Especially if Hunt is ready to go. I just think he got injured at the wrong time and Bowey has taken his spot and hasn't done a lot wrong. Not sure what the right call is there. Either way I'll back our system in..
 
My guess is unchanged.

Yes Hibberd/Hunt would be a nice in, but my guess is they'll stand by J. Smith for at least 1 more week.

T-Mac the other big question mark, done sweet FA for a few weeks now which raises question marks of whether he's full fitness.
 

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Ummm…

Melbourne move on to a Preliminary final in Perth after winning by 33 points

Anyone want to guess last time this happened?
 
Was worried mid week about Bowey playing just due to simple inexperienced, especially playing down back where forward pressure goes up a notch come finals.
Nothing on Saturday again changed my opinion that we simply cannot carry him into a prelim. It may sound harsh on the kid and I am a big fan, but he was extremely shaky for 3 quarters until he finally adjusted in the last. Deer in the head lights type performance.

Take your pick out of Hunt or Hibberd for Bowey.
 
The perks of keeping Joel Smith in the team is that he can come over the top of and help May out with spoiling Hawkins.

The perks of Hibberd is that he is a better decision maker and has overall better IQ. So I think he can lock down Gary Rohan better.
 

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Feel for Melksham, Hunt, Hibberd and Jones

They won't be playing unless injuries

  • Smith edges out Hibberd due to speed and aerial ability
  • T Mac has enough credit in the bank to get the nod over Melksham
  • Sparrow played his role and hit the scoreboard which gets him the nod over Jones
  • Can't see Goodwin risk playing Hunt over Bowey
 
The perks of keeping Joel Smith in the team is that he can come over the top of and help May out with spoiling Hawkins.

The perks of Hibberd is that he is a better decision maker and has overall better IQ. So I think he can lock down Gary Rohan better.

Smith did well last time v Rohan

At least he can match Rohan speed on the counter, Hibberd struggles
 
Feel for Jett as well. He's been kinda left out of the conversations within media as one of the veterans pushing for a spot, which is fair enough as he's not in our top 28 right now, but has still be an incredible servant for the Club and would be finding this enjoyable but also incredibly tough.

Jonesy, Pig, Melky, Vanders, Jordon, Hunt & Weid would be the only guys left in the selection conversation, I would assume - and Weid only as a like for like. Maybe Daw as well if Maxy went down.

Will be a giant challenge managing the whole team being in Perth when the majority aren't in the mix, but I think that the squad mentality must be super impressive to have decided to get them all there to get around each other anyway.

FWIW - I have Hunt in for Bowey if he's ready, but can also understand Pig for Smith - or no changes. Sparrow has done more than enough now.
 
Always hard luck stories come finals time. But we got where we have because we've allowed our youngsters to take over from Jones, Melksham, Jetta and to a certain degree Hibberd. Even if we don't win it this year, finals experience for these kids are vital. We've got a list that really should be challenging for the next 5-6 years..
 
It kinda reminds me of that 2010 Collingwood premiership winning team.

Prestigicamo, Lockyer, O'Bree, Medhurst all retired that year. Jack Anthony & Corrie delisted after playing 50+ games. All missed selection for the GF.

While I'd love to match the Premiership feat, don't think I could handle a GF Replay.
 
Our only true weakness this season has been the ground ball in our defensive 50. Not sure Cats or GWS have an abundance of small forwards (apologies to Toby, but he looks set to be out for awhile), but Port scare me. Motlop, Gray, Rozee, Fantasia(to a certain extent), Butters all can damage you with the ground ball in their F50. Obviously have to get past Cats or GWS, but I think Hunt and Hibberd for Smith/Bowey fixes this up a lot. Hibberd adds toughness and a senior head, while Hunt is quick and has improved his defensive game a hell of a lot this season.
 

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Preview Changes v Geelong - PRELIM FINAL - Friday September 10, 7:50pm AEST, Optus Stadium, Perth - OUT Smith, IN Hibberd

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