Preview Changes v North Melbourne

[Xsess]

I'm buggered if I know what I'd do. For the first time in years we have more good players than positions on the ground. Lots of bloody good players are going to start missing out

Butler (calf) TestEmbley (foot) Test
Kerr (knee) TestMasten (ill) Test
Nicoski (hamstring) Test
Waters (adductor) Test

 

[flamingEMBERS]

Hopefully Embley has a few weeks of WAFL to earn a recall. Definitely not a given.

 

[Chris_6678]

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 31m
Beau Waters is ticking all the boxes as he looks to return to the side this weekend

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 15m
Woosha says they won't know Kerr's availability until main training takes place tonight. Embley ready to play #goeagles

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 14m
Woosha says Embley's experience will go a long way in pushing his case for selection for Friday night #goeagles

Woosha says he would put skipper Darren Glass in the best players to play at the @WestCoastEagles #goeagles

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 10m
Woosha says the team are going through the normal procedure for this Friday's match. No special attention for Majak Daw #goeagles

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 8m
Woosha says the team certainly wasn't their best against Brisbane, but feels the side is getting close to playing their best footy

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 7m
Woosha says Mark Nicoski will play around 60 mins in his WAFL return this weekend #goeagles

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 5m
Woosha says Coxy should be right to go this weekend. Said there is no indication he was suffering ill-effects from last weekend's fall.

 

[ChampRevesby]

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 10m
Woosha says the team are going through the normal procedure for this Friday's match. No special attention for Majak Daw #goeagles

Ok so Magic Door kicked 6. Looking at the reply, 2 were from dodgy frees and there rest were uncontested marks 5 of which were from nearly straight in front. His first was not bad though. He got into pretty good position the whole game.
Having said that, NONE of his goals would be what I call contested. He is a huge bloke but I think with a bit more pressure he will crumble. Put EMac on him and slow the supply and we will have his measure.

 

[kempy]

Reading between Woosha's lines it wouldn't surprise me if Embley was the sub ...

 

[Agent93]

Smith didn't have a crash hot game out there. He probably needs a better run to develop, but it's him and Brennan for that quick small defender spot. The other alternative is that Brown or Schofield goes out. At this stage Brown / Mackenzie provide good match ups for Petrie / Daw, seems to be playing better than Smith. Brennan gets Thomas, Glass gets Tarrant.

Reading into Woosha's press conference statements I'd imagine he wants Embers back, and Kerr won't play. Presuming Masto's over his flu I've got:

Out: Smith, Hutchings, Dalziell
In: Waters, Masten, Embley

Like for like. Butler and Nico to come back through the WAFL.

Looking further down the line I think we'll see Brown return to the WAFL if Schoey maintains form, and hopefully Dick can force his way in, I imagine at the expense of Sheppard, but I'd prefer it be Embley.

 

[Chris_6678]

Reading between Woosha's lines it wouldn't surprise me if Embley was the sub ...

Who would he place though? Shep or Dal?

 

[ChampRevesby]

Dick can force his way in

 

[TheKanga]

I am nervous yet very excited for the game.
Our best is more than capable of winning over there.

 

[hudson2006]

I think retaining our tall defense is a good idea considering North's lineup. Schofield gave good run and drive last week, and with a good-to-go Waters we're looking very strong indeed. The only issue is pace to deal with Thomas/Wells types, for which I would retain one of Smith or Brennan.

IN: Waters, Kerr, Masten
OUT: Smith/Brennan, Hutchings, Dalziell

Although if Kerr gets another weeks off I expect Hutchings to scrape through, and I'm happy to see him get another good run at it.

 

[mad_eagle]

West Coast Eagles ‏@WestCoastEagles 7m
Woosha says Mark Nicoski will play around 60 mins in his WAFL return this weekend #goeagles

Fu*k yeh...Nico!!!!!!!

 

[jaxxon]

Don't bring Embley back...please.
So Sinclair is now back on the rookie list again?

 

[The Passenger]

Waters and Masten are in's. I would like to think Embley is not an automatic. Just hasn't being playing good enough in recent times to demand selection after being injured. Doesn't sound like Kerr will be fit. Nor Butler.

But there is a potential for five ins there, who I would consider best 22 when fit and firing.

Mind you even if they were all ruled fit I think it would be a big risk to bring in five players from injury against anyone that isn't GWS or Melbourne.

As for potential outs:

Smith is first one out after that display on the weekend. He's completely gone off the boil from 2011. Shame because his pace is something we need down back and 18 months he looked a real prospect. Now it's impossible to know what to think about him. Regardless of who or how many are fit this weekend Smith's gotta get the chop. That's probably our worst individual performance this season so a message has gotta be sent.

Brennan is probably also in trouble but his pace could still be useful.

I also don't think we can keep going with the four tall defenders, which means Brown is probably the unlucky one as he's not really done much wrong when given a run. Schofield was very ordinary for three quarters on the weekend, but hardly gonna be crucified for one poor match (although i don't think it's been a great start to the season for Schoey)

Hutchings also played well but being a debutant your position in the team is always under threat unless you come out Ollie Wines, Jaeger O'Meara style and he didn't get to that sort of level.

Dalziell is a week to week proposition but that was probably his best performance as sub. Probably our clubs best performance as sub really.

Probably the order in which I'd say players are on the chopping block from last weekends 22:
1 - Smith
2 - Brown (unlucky but 4 tall backs is a tough set up to pull off)
3 - Brennan
4 - Hutchings
5 - Sheppard
6 - Dalziell (probably won't get elevated from sub any time soon though)

Smith, Brown/Brennan to eventually make way for Waters and Butler down back.

The midfield/wing trio Hutchings, Sheppard and Dalziell to eventually make way for Masten, Kerr and Embley although as said Embers is not a definite starter any more imo.

Also Shepp might get saved cause he could move into the back line and take Brennan's spot once all the midfielders come back. Unless of course Woosh continues with the four tall backmen set up... Shepp is playing better than Brennan but Brennan is quick and with all of Hurn, Butler and Waters down there a bit of speed won't hurt.

I can't see any of the other 16 gone any time soon. Would like to see Hill lift his game a bit but he won't get dropped on current output.

 

[Agent93]

I am nervous yet very excited for the game.
Our best is more than capable of winning over there.

You mean Hobart?

 

[Agent93]

I also don't think we can keep going with the four tall defenders, which means Brown is probably the unlucky one as he's not really done much wrong when given a run.

Disagree. I think the MC will sum up the Petrie, Hansen and Daw forward line and line them up against Mackenzie, Glass and Brown respectively. If North's forward line comes in as named last week Schoey will take Black, Adams will probably tag Hurn, Brennan on Thomas, and Waters/Smith gets Wright.

Also Shepp might get saved cause he could move into the back line and take Brennan's spot once all the midfielders come back.

I doubt Sheppard moves to a full time small defender, over Brennan who has basically stolen A Selwood's spot. The coaches obviously deem Sheppard too valuable to keep as a defender primarily, seeing him as a midfielder first. That and Brennan's attack on the contest is far greater at this stage.

 

[timmy22]

I can't remember the last time we beat someone half decent on the road. Those were good performances but they were in Melbourne and Port was disappointing... in Tasmania. We should have beaten them by 10 goals.

I am nervous about this game because for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to get our shit together on the road.

Agreed^

The only reason I wouldn't put $500 myself on North, even when their so under valued
Is that they don't have a good history when travelling. If this was played on a Neutral Ground
I would put my own money on North. Yeah this Eagles side has to click at some stage
but on current form North Melbourne have played better football this year

 

[Xsess]

I am a fan of Brennan. His speed, body strength and attack on a contest is what we need. He kept his opponents quiet on the weekend and the week before. Obviously his disposal needs to lift, but he has played 21 games, so I expect it will over time. You wouldn't drop him with both Thomas and Harvey in the same team.

Players that are probably naturally "under threat" would be the following, for various reasons:
Sheppherd - not in our best 22, played ok
Dalziell - not in our best 22, played ok
Hams - Not in our best 22, played inconsistantly
Smith - not in our best 22, played badly
Gaff - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Wellingham - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Brown - not in our best 22, played ok, has been playing well
Schofield - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Hutchings - probably not in our best 22, played ok

Players that could be back, under consideration for selection:

Kerr - straight in if fit, in our best few players
Waters - straight in if fit, in our best dozen easily
Masten - straight in if fit, in our best 22 easily
McGinnity - Best 22 just, very good small defender, defensive forward or tagger
Butler - Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind
Embley- Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind
Selwood, A - Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind, good small defender, versatile
Sinclair - Not in our best 22 but has performed well, dropped for "structure"
Wilson - Not in our best 22 but improving well. Playing consistent good footy at WAFL
Dick needs to play good footy consistently, as does Lycett.

For me, given who we are playing, and how we are not playing well, I'd make a few changes, assuming all fit.

In: Kerr, Waters, Masten, Selwood A
Out: Hutchings, Schofield, Shepherd, Smith

Each for each (i.e. Kerr for Hutchings, Waters for Schofield, Masten for Sheppherd, Selwood for Smith.

I think we would then be getting close to our best 22.

FF: Cox Kennedy Le Cras
HF Hill Darling Masten
M: Gaff S Selwood Rosa
HB: Waters Brown Hurn
FB: A Selwood Glass MacKenzie
Foll: Naitanui Kerr Shuey
Bench: Brennan Priddis Wellingham S: Dalziell

Only change would probably be Schofield & Embley in there. Embley as Sub, and Schofield for Brown?

This is how it should be, extremely tough to get into the team.

 

[The Passenger]

Disagree. I think the MC will sum up the Petrie, Hansen and Daw forward line and line them up against Mackenzie, Glass and Brown respectively. If North's forward line comes in as named last week Schoey will take Black, Adams will probably tag Hurn, Brennan on Thomas, and Waters/Smith gets Wright.

Forgot about Hansen. You could probably run this set up, but I don't know against how many teams.

A couple of the better teams are going to run with a big forward line - Swans will have Reid, Tippett and Goodes with Pyke/Mumford floating about. Hawks - Roughhead, Franklin, Gunston, Hale.

I doubt Sheppard moves to a full time small defender, over Brennan who has basically stolen A Selwood's spot. The coaches obviously deem Sheppard too valuable to keep as a defender primarily, seeing him as a midfielder first. That and Brennan's attack on the contest is far greater at this stage.

Sheppard would only move out of the midfield if all those blokes come back i guess.

We had nine blokes run through those midfield/wing/forward flank roles on the weekend - Dalziell, Gaff, Hutchings, Priddis, Rosa, Selwood, Sheppard, Shuey, Wellingham

Masten and Kerr are certain ins, probably for Hutchings and Dalziell. With a fully fit and in form Embers first 22 then he's gotta get in somewhere, which is probably at Sheppard's expense. From there you gotta gauge is Shepp going to be better than Brennan, considering whichever one is picked is likely to start off the bench. It's probably likely to be Shepp getting picked over Brennan, with Shepps on field time is split between a midfield rotation and giving the small-med backmen a rest. Playing four small-med backs (assuming Hurn, Waters and Butler in), how much on field time is Brennan going to get given the other 3 we would like to have on the field for 85%+

Mind you for any games where we got the 4 tall defenders, Waters and Hurn are obviously playing and you'd think Butler is in there too - So we're playing 7 blokes who aren't really going to move out of the backline. That's also going to be a hard one to fill, but in these situations you could swing Butler onto a wing for periods, or something I think we should be doing more often from time to time which is moving Hurn or Waters to a half forward flank.

The other thing that could happen is if Hutchings gets another game and tackles like he did on the weekend he could well find himself as our small forward terrier. Josh Hill is tracking ok, but hardly untouchable.

 

[WCEbrody]

I don't think Sheppard is far from best 22, he offers more than Embley on 2013 form.

 

[ioppolo]

Ins: Waters, Kerr, Butler, Masten
Outs: Smith, Hutchings, Brennan, Dalziell

 

[Spooky17]

I am nervous yet very excited for the game.
Our best is more than capable of winning over there.

What a handsome avatar my friend

 

[Spooky17]

I am a fan of Brennan. His speed, body strength and attack on a contest is what we need. He kept his opponents quiet on the weekend and the week before. Obviously his disposal needs to lift, but he has played 21 games, so I expect it will over time. You wouldn't drop him with both Thomas and Harvey in the same team.

Players that are probably naturally "under threat" would be the following, for various reasons:
Sheppherd - not in our best 22, played ok
Dalziell - not in our best 22, played ok
Hams - Not in our best 22, played inconsistantly
Smith - not in our best 22, played badly
Gaff - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Wellingham - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Brown - not in our best 22, played ok, has been playing well
Schofield - easily in our best 22, but playing well below par
Hutchings - probably not in our best 22, played ok

Players that could be back, under consideration for selection:

Kerr - straight in if fit, in our best few players
Waters - straight in if fit, in our best dozen easily
Masten - straight in if fit, in our best 22 easily
McGinnity - Best 22 just, very good small defender, defensive forward or tagger
Butler - Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind
Embley- Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind
Selwood, A - Fringe of our best 22, believe best days are behind, good small defender, versatile
Sinclair - Not in our best 22 but has performed well, dropped for "structure"
Wilson - Not in our best 22 but improving well. Playing consistent good footy at WAFL
Dick needs to play good footy consistently, as does Lycett.

For me, given who we are playing, and how we are not playing well, I'd make a few changes, assuming all fit.

In: Kerr, Waters, Masten, Selwood A
Out: Hutchings, Schofield, Shepherd, Smith

Each for each (i.e. Kerr for Hutchings, Waters for Schofield, Masten for Sheppherd, Selwood for Smith.

I think we would then be getting close to our best 22.

FF: Cox Kennedy Le Cras
HF Hill Darling Masten
M: Gaff S Selwood Rosa
HB: Waters Brown Hurn
FB: A Selwood Glass MacKenzie
Foll: Naitanui Kerr Shuey
Bench: Brennan Priddis Wellingham S: Dalziell

Only change would probably be Schofield & Embley in there. Embley as Sub, and Schofield for Brown?

This is how it should be, extremely tough to get into the team.

Good write-up with some valid points... though i thought a bit harsh on Skrillex-Sharrod after just a couple of games after a long lay-off, and thought was a bit kind on Paddy Mac. P-Mac is good depth, but not starting 22 for mine. Best attributes are his mongrel and ability to play a variety of positions but really can't kick.

 

[Xsess]

Good write-up with some valid points... though i thought a bit harsh on Skrillex-Sharrod after just a couple of games after a long lay-off, and thought was a bit kind on Paddy Mac. P-Mac is good depth, but not starting 22 for mine. Best attributes are his mongrel and ability to play a variety of positions but really can't kick.

I rated Wellingham in the best 22 but he's still a couple of weeks off due to those injuries. He'll come good. McGinnity has stood up in finals footy. I rate that. I rate that high.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

For me, given who we are playing, and how we are not playing well, I'd make a few changes, assuming all fit.

In: Kerr, Waters, Masten, Selwood A
Out: Hutchings, Schofield, Shepherd, Smith

Each for each (i.e. Kerr for Hutchings, Waters for Schofield, Masten for Sheppherd, Selwood for Smith.

Dont agree with your ins and outs. Taking out some pace there, teams slow enough as it is

 

[Chris_6678]

I rated Wellingham in the best 22 but he's still a couple of weeks off due to those injuries. He'll come good. McGinnity has stood up in finals footy. I rate that. I rate that high.

Mcginnity has some pace and think he could become a good addition to the backline. I really think Brennan can come on and become a really good player and i think all he has to do is tidy up his ball skills.