Review Changes V GWS.

[Fat Pizza]

No point bringing him in? I'll concede that Nicholls has been good in the ruck for the 2's but Fraiser's been the pick of the bunch when it comes to Forwards and goal kicking, With Day going down and playing such a young side an experienced forward with height and strength is what we need to put some forward pressure on.

I honestly don't trust an untested guy like Nicholls in our most important must win game, We cannot take the spoon.

Speaking of rucks I really want to like Zac Smith but getting out tapped by Melbourne's 5th string ruckman just breaks my heart to see it after going so well last year, It must be as frustrating for him as it is for us to watch it.

Fraser's retiring at the end of this season, so I don't see any point giving him a game now. A decision will need to be made about Nicholls - do we keep him or trade him? He looks to be in good shape. I'd give him a game to show whether he is up to senior footy yet.

At this stage of the club's development, I don't think it matters much whether we finish last or 2nd last.

 

[eastcoastcrow]

I dare not say that you guys would tank. I am sure you guys will want to win no matter what. Also I dont think players would care to lose a game, nor a club for that matter especially with the scrutiny involved.

However its interesting that if you lose you may gain a super 10 year player which makes the draft system in place at the moment a joke.

As a fan the loss is hardly relevant at all, however a win will cost you the number one pick!

Do you guys think you will win? Are you a chance given the heavy injuries sustained?

Admittedly I am biased dropped a little on GWS to win and to win by 40+ too!

 

[eastcoastcrow]

GWS paying $3.05 to win and paying $12.50 for 40+

Are you serious?

Will you guys even have a team of 18 on the ground given your injuries?

I thought the punters would smash those odds!

 

[SUNS]

GWS paying $3.05 to win and paying $12.50 for 40+

Are you serious?

Will you guys even have a team of 18 on the ground given your injuries?

I thought the punters would smash those odds!

I'm chucking the biggest straight out bet I have ever made tomorrow. Either the Suns win and I get to see their first win at home, or I have a lot of money to drown my sorrows!

 

[eastcoastcrow]

I'm chucking the biggest straight out bet I have ever made tomorrow. Either the Suns win and I get to see their first win at home, or I have a lot of money to drown my sorrows!

LoL thats an interesting way to look at it! Win-Win. Surely you wouldnt think the Suns are any chance given their injuries etc.

I am not sure what odds, (if odds where available) would have been for the Crows to beat the Hawks back in 91!?

As you may or may not know the Crows won their first ever AFL game against the reigning premier by a lot lol in their very first match.

It must have been paying easily 50-1, for a 10 goal+ margin.

 

[SUNS]

LoL thats an interesting way to look at it! Win-Win. Surely you wouldnt think the Suns are any chance given their injuries etc.

I am not sure what odds, (if odds where available) would have been for the Crows to beat the Hawks back in 91!?

As you may or may not know the Crows won their first ever AFL game against the reigning premier by a lot lol in their very first match.

It must have been paying easily 50-1, for a 10 goal+ margin.

Always a shot. We are playing GWS who up until last week had lost the last 6 games by an average of well over 100 points, whilst we are a team who has had our best month of football in history until yesterday . . . At home to!

We have played some of our best footy this year with the same extent of injuries. (No Ablett, Bock, Swallow, Harbrow) I wont write us off

But the Suns are undeserving favourites I think. . . Even money at best

 

[Sunny_]

50/50 game for mine, though I cannot shake the feeling that the Giants will get up on us.

Something would have to go seriously wrong for us to lose by 40+.

The back line remains largely in tact. In fact it probably gets a little stronger with Stanley coming back. The forward line also gets Dixon with Day out, so it's an even swap.

It's just the midfield that worries me. Hopefully Ablett, Bennell, Horsley and Caddy will be enough.

 

[Sunny_]

Probably wouldn't mind seeing McQualter get a run either. Put a forward tag on Cornes if he plays down back.

 

[Sunny_]

Danny Stanley also possibly out with an injured hamstring. Why he was a late withdrawal last week. Will wait for official word from the Suns Injury list, but again, not a good thing. I buzzed up Mike Whiting, who will get back to us later hopefully.

 

[Fat Pizza]

I think it is a 50/50 chance too. Last week Prestia, Hunt & Rischitelli were all injured in the first quarter & Smith before half-time. Others were carrying injuries or illness into the game. Smith & Prestia went off when they got injured & stayed off. Hunt battled manfully throughout the match & Rischitelli stayed on the field, but couldn't run. We should get more value from our replacements than we got from Prestia, Rischitelli & Smith last week. Lynch has also had another week to get over his illness. Hopefully we don't take too many injured players into this match. Our reserves should be well rested after the bye, so let's bring them in.

 

[supernova_]

The important thing for mine was that we still smashed the Dees in the clearances even with those midfield injuries. Giants dont have an Ablett and Bennell combo
Add in Caddy and Brennan and we have more than capable clearance players.

They will want to win this game and get one back, and not be embarassed by the rest of the competition.

 

[Sunny_]

The GWS midfield is a clearance machine. Granted last time we played them Ablett was on one leg for three quarters and basically non existent in the fourth, but they hammered us there.

I think we can match them as is if we're on our game. We would have the advantage with Prestia and Swallow fit though, I think.

Interesting to note that Jon Giles played 90% of the game last week and looked utterly spent in the second half last week. I wonder how they will manage him in the ruck? Perhaps they'll have him more as a forward option with Brogan rucking.

 

[supernova_]

The GWS midfield is a clearance machine. Granted last time we played them Ablett was on one leg for three quarters and basically non existent in the fourth, but they hammered us there.

I think we can match them as is if we're on our game. We would have the advantage with Prestia and Swallow fit though, I think.

Interesting to note that Jon Giles played 90% of the game last week and looked utterly spent in the second half last week. I wonder how they will manage him in the ruck? Perhaps they'll have him more as a forward option with Brogan rucking.

I think your underestimating our clearance work Sunny. Did some digging, and we beat GWS in clearances the last month. With both sides getting a win in that time it's a reasonably fair comparison.

Suns: 148 Clearances with a differential to the opposition of +29
Giants: 125 Clearances with a differential to their oppoisition of -2

So while they sort of even out against who the Giants play, we actually beat who we're playing in the clearance work. I think it's a very important stat and great midfield research/tactical work to get this right. Need first use of the ball to go forward and we've been quite good at that for our 2 years in the comp.

 

[Sunny_]

But that's with Prestia and Swallow playing, right? And Smithy tapping it down? We're going to have 3 of those players gone. Going to leave a big void there you would have thought.

 

[supernova_]

But that's with Prestia and Swallow playing, right? And Smithy tapping it down? We're going to have 3 of those players gone. Going to leave a big void there you would have thought.

Well Swallow might still be playing, he's not definitely out yet.

There was only 1 game where Prestia dominated and that was the Brisbane game. Swallow hasn't really been at full tilt lately either, albeit did well on the weekend. Smith has been a bit of a giraffe on iceskates this year as well, although done reasonably well in hitouts.

I'm confident this weekend, that Hickey will be able to do the job. Brennan I think will probably get more time in the middle and he is good clearance player.

We will miss Prestia, Rischa, Hunt, Smith in the middle no doubt about it. But I'm sure we can get through that against the Giants. They are not Hawthorn or a Collingwood.

 

[IanW]

Interesting to note that Jon Giles played 90% of the game last week and looked utterly spent in the second half last week. I wonder how they will manage him in the ruck? Perhaps they'll have him more as a forward option with Brogan rucking.

Sunny,

Sheeds has said Brogan wont be playing for the rest of the year. My guess is you'll see a lot of Phillips in the ruck.

 

[supernova_]

Sunny,

Sheeds has said Brogan wont be playing for the rest of the year. My guess is you'll see a lot of Phillips in the ruck.

That helps us, only need to bring in Hickey then big Dick and Brennan can pinch hit in the ruck. I actually like when Brennan rucks, adds another onballer as soon as he leaps and gets clearances.

 

[Sunny_]

Sunny,

Sheeds has said Brogan wont be playing for the rest of the year. My guess is you'll see a lot of Phillips in the ruck.

Cheers for that Ian. I could have sworn Broges said on his Twitter that this wasn't the case and would still be playing?

 

[gotassieboys]

Would think that Gillbee would be a chance this week for a senior spot.

The previous game against GWS was a good game and in my opinion the lost happened because:

1. Swallow & Dixon were injured and from memory and were unable to play the last 1.5 quarters. This had a huge impact on rotations and ability to get to the contest in the last 15 minutes of the games.

2. Giles went forward (3 goals in last quarter?) and Phillips on as substitute. Sun's were a big man down and the rest is history.

Whatever the make up of the team is (due to injuries), it is imperative that GCS have the fittest team on the track that is available.

I realise players are very sore at this stage of the season, however there is "sore" and there is "injured".

Give the fit (as can be!) young guys a go and lets see how they perform.

GCS players taking the field this week just have to be committed and hard at the ball and the rest will take care of itself.

 

[supernova_]

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/08/07/436199_gold-coast-afl.html

Suns face injury crisis for GWS clash
"CAN we run with Pindara Suns this week?"
That's how Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna yesterday described the sudden injury crisis that has hit the Suns before a wooden spoon battle against GWS at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
McKenna's quip linking his club to a Gold Coast hospital was meant to be tongue-in-cheek but it summed the plight of the Suns who will have at least five forced changes, possibly seven, for the match-up between the AFL's two development clubs.
The Suns limped home from Melbourne on Sunday night with their casualty ward overloaded and their confidence all but shot.
Karmichael Hunt (shoulder), Luke Russell (shoulder), Dion Prestia (hamstring), Michael Rischitelli (knee) and Zac Smith (ankle) have all been ruled out for the weekend after they broke down during the disappointing loss to the Demons.
Serious doubts also linger over over the fitness of forward Sam Day (foot) and glamour boy David Swallow (knee).
"It (the injury situation) is not great but, then again, we knew there was going to be a bit of pain in the first couple of years," McKenna said.
"Obviously not the pain with injuries, but the good thing out of it is turning over the playing group and having a look at them.
"And that's what we'll take into this week's game, the opportunity for some blokes to play for their careers, to play for the jumpers and play for our first win at Metricon."
McKenna agreed the timing of the Suns' injury plague is not good -- a week before they try to avoid becoming the first side to lose twice in a season to the Giants.

"It's hard to lose seven players in any round, to lose almost a third of your side, when you're preaching continuity and chemistry at the start of the year," he said.
"It has been one of those trying years but, again, I think it's only going to make us stronger quicker and stronger for longer."
The new injury problems only add to a major injury list that also includes boom recruit Jaeger O'Meara, Nathan Bock, Rory Thompson, Alex Sexton, Seb Tape and Daniel Gorringe -- all out for the season -- along with Sam Iles (hamstring), Danny Stanley (hamstring) and Joel Wilkinson (ankle).
The situation is so severe the Suns may have only 35 players available for AFL and NEAFL duties on Saturday.

The last line gets me, may have only 35 players available to field 2 teams. I might bring my boots down

 

[eastcoastcrow]

50/50 game for mine, though I cannot shake the feeling that the Giants will get up on us.

Something would have to go seriously wrong for us to lose by 40+.

The back line remains largely in tact. In fact it probably gets a little stronger with Stanley coming back. The forward line also gets Dixon with Day out, so it's an even swap.

It's just the midfield that worries me. Hopefully Ablett, Bennell, Horsley and Caddy will be enough.

When you mention the Ablett in their thats enough for me to say your midfield is already right up there.

I just cannot help but feel that with so many outs for the GC surely this would be a game that GWS could pencil in.

If GWS cannot beat this team then you would have to wonder how bad the Power really are!

The excitement with 40+ is merely from a punters perspective, the season is well and truly over for both clubs. However I feel that GWS has a lot to gain from winning and take some momentum into next season.

Surely McKenna is aware that there is a huge prize on offer for a loss. He wont tank, however his enthusiasm for a win will be far different to his in R1 2013!

That enthusiasm is picked up by the players.

 

[eastcoastcrow]

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/08/07/436199_gold-coast-afl.html


The last line gets me, may have only 35 players available to field 2 teams. I might bring my boots down

Could you please inform me with the players out, how many would be in your starting 18 if you had an entire squad to pick from?

I mean if the 40th player is injured it will NOT make a difference, however if your number 1 player in Ablett is injured thats massive as he is your number 1 player

 

[Sunny_]

Swallow, Rischitelli, Smith, Prestia and Bock are probably all in our best 10 players when fit.

Stanley and Iles are not far behind. Top 12.

So that's potentially 7 of our best 12 players not playing this week. Waiting on Stanley and Swallow of course.

We can arguably cover the losses of the others. But we would struggle to replace those I listed above.

 

[Whabbaghetti]

I'd suggest that the club needs to throw everything it has at its disposal at winning this game. Treat it like it is the last game of the season, because if they go down, another cooking utensil will surely be decorating the trophy cabinet. GWS can relax knowing that even if they loose this, they would have a chance against Melbourne at Manuka. The players can give everything they have for this game, and if it comes down to it, limp out the rest of the season.

Hopefully if all the players on the ground are fit at least, they'd stand a good chance to get a win. A number of players clearly were only 50% fit at best in the Melbourne game, so that certainly didn't help things.

I would probably consider Tape and Thompson as being in the best 22 as well who are on the injury list.

 

[eastcoastcrow]

Swallow, Rischitelli, Smith, Prestia and Bock are probably all in our best 10 players when fit.

Stanley and Iles are not far behind. Top 12.

So that's potentially 7 of our best 12 players not playing this week. Waiting on Stanley and Swallow of course.

We can arguably cover the losses of the others. But we would struggle to replace those I listed above.

wow thats massive, no wonder you guys lost to the Demons.

Any AFL club that loses that many players would lose to any fit club.

It begs the question then if GWS cannot beat you with you guys missing so many players, then just how bad is the Power for them to beaten by GWS then????