Prediction Changes vs. Brisbane

[portly]

Timid Ken or brave Ken?

Timid Ken it is.

Jake is an excellent defender, but I want a goal kicker as well. How long since Jake has had an attacking thought?

Would have preferred Hamish out rather than Jasper.

 

[Sewer de Lance]

Carn there wouldnt be one person here that knew exactly what would happen tonight

Its always been shuffling the fringe player deckchairs with Ken. I dont buy that Jasper has been dropped. He is "sore" or "injured"

In my opinion its one of the reason our players are so soft. There is no fear of being dropped if you are one of the "core group"
They can play shit week after week after week and they know they are safe

Nothing will change while Ken is in charge.

Neade in was always going to happen. Young in was always gonna happen. Same With Toumpas and Ah Chee. Its those same deckchairs over and over again.
This was a perfect opportunity to make a real statement. Atley should have been in. Howard should have been in. Hartlett and S Gray should have been out.. Hell perhaps even R Gray. Put this soft as butter group on notice.

I wish Ken had some Luke Beveridge sized balls

Yep, I tend to agree that Pittard might be playing restricted. That and his contract status makes his omission somewhat not surprising.

As pathetic as team selection has been since Ken's taken charge with his gold pass system, he also has to take sole responsibility for his insistence in playing players out of position, & naming injured players who are obviously playing under duress, then with a straight face blatantly deny their injured during his mundane post game pressers. Nice work Ken.

 

[Sleezy]

Just annoying we dont blood a drew or atley even a palmer or howard against the lowest side in the comp.

This would have been a perfect week to debut Atley or Drew

Brisbane at home would be a nice little test to integrate him back into the side

Perfect time to bring Howard in against Brisbane this week to build his confidence back at AFL level.

when we play Brisbane at home.

The more I read it, the more I actually hate this line of reasoning. It's thinking like this that causes sides to under-estimate opponents, think all they have to do is turn up to win, resulting in what we saw against Essendon last week (and Freo against Brisbane, GWS against Carlton, Adelaide against North Melbourne, etc.). Respect your opponent, don't treat them as a training ground for young players.

The worst part is, resorting to this line of argument isn't even necessary. If a player makes our side better the opposition doesn't matter. Dougal is our best option as second tall. He should be in the side. Doesn't matter if it's Brisbane or GWS.

 

[tribey]

The more I read it, the more I actually hate this line of reasoning. It's thinking like this that causes sides to under-estimate opponents, think all they have to do is turn up to win, resulting in what we saw against Essendon last week (and Freo against Brisbane, GWS against Carlton, Adelaide against North Melbourne, etc.). Respect your opponent, don't treat them as a training ground for young players.

The worst part is, resorting to this line of argument isn't even necessary. If a player makes our side better the opposition doesn't matter. Dougal is our best option as second tall. He should be in the side. Doesn't matter if it's Brisbane or GWS.

You're overthinking it. It's not about underestimating or disrespecting the opposition, at least from my perspective, it's just the reality of circumstance. Logically we're going to be in a position to do our usual downhill slalom, resulting in copious forward opportunities for him.

Brisbane also have some quality young defenders, but we're not talking Ben Reid or Alex Rance-caliber yet, so it's a firm, yet passable test, that's all.

The last thing we want to do, especially with Hinkley's attitude towards tall forwards, is chuck him in against say, West Coast at Subiaco, have him battle to take 2 marks and get one shot at goal in a 7 goal loss against McGovern and co and then have Ken draw a line through him like he'd do with Butcher.

 

[TeeKray]

Pittard being dropped is a positive as it proves Ken is in fact capable of holding poorly performing senior players to account. Now he just needs to apply those standards to a few more of our regular passengers.

 

[Sleezy]

You're overthinking it. It's not about underestimating or disrespecting the opposition, at least from my perspective, it's just the reality of circumstance. Logically we're going to be in a position to do our usual downhill slalom, resulting in copious forward opportunities for him.

Brisbane also have some quality young defenders, but we're not talking Ben Reid or Alex Rance-caliber yet, so it's a firm, yet passable test, that's all.

The last thing we want to do, especially with Hinkley's attitude towards tall forwards, is chuck him in against say, West Coast at Subiaco, have him battle to take 2 marks and get one shot at goal in a 7 goal loss against McGovern and co and then have Ken draw a line through him like he'd do with Butcher.

I think there is a bit of both going on. Part of it is wanting a key tall to have a good run (and knowing the best way for that to happen is for them to get a good start). Poor Scorch has Key Forward PTSD.

But there is definitely an element of "Brisbane are shit, lets blood a few kids and give em a taste when it doesn't matter". (We should drop all our half back line, captain, leading goal scorer and B&F winner and play all our draftees etc etc etc)

There is obviously a balance between development and winning games. However I think Houston, DBJ, Clurey & SPP show the benefits of playing kids when they are ready and not before. They get a chance and hold their spot. For what it's worth I think Dougal will do the same.

Atley & Drew I'm not so sure on. I've argued a couple of times that we are at the limit for big bodied midfielders as it is. I feel they get a shot if, and only if, one of our incumbent mids needs a rest or gets injured. (I wouldn't be averse to Atley getting an extended run as we rest SPP, Ebert, Ollie, Boak in consecutive weeks for example).

 

[MrChow]

Im ok with youngsters being held back for development. Impey probs shoulda had more SANFL time. But in saying that- you need a gun team to do so. Our leaders/senior players are as inconsistent as you can get. Besides Ollie and Brad and Ryder this year - who else is reliably consistent? Chad/Amon/Clurey and Dixon have built their games...

Our team just has too many cooked or inconsistent players - but it starts at the leaders. Until Boak, Hartlett, Hoff, and that era of loser culture is gone, I have resided to the fact we are a 5-12 team, stuck in mid tier loser land

 

[Kingfish73]

Timid Ken it is.

Jake is an excellent defender, but I want a goal kicker as well. How long since Jake has had an attacking thought?

Would have preferred Hamish out rather than Jasper.

Excellent defender? Serious? The guy has no tank. Yes you will see a couple good chases and a tackle or 2. But you miss the time his opponent storms out of defense (as he out of camera) with hands on knees sucking in the big ones. He is not a serious AFL footballer and only is some icing on cake if playing in a gun team in form. Not in a team that cant beat an opposition team near the 8 or a team that rolls over when a team challenges and close game. He is another roll over and watch team loose player. We have enough of them. Atley, Drew, Howard, Frampton and others dont have this history. We have nothing to loose. Its impotent selections imo

 

[Kingfish73]

Our team just has too many cooked or inconsistent players - but it starts at the leaders. Until Boak, Hartlett, Hoff, and that era of loser culture is gone, I have resided to the fact we are a 5-12 team, stuck in mid tier loser land

These are the three. Between them not once dropped. And the three with the most spineless and cliche comments to media and fans on our performances. Breeding poor culture.

 

[Finest of Wines]

Hartlett must have a clause in his contract that stipulates he plays every week unless injured, he has been terrible/average im every game except v Hawthorn.

 

[TheFVK]

This.

I'd quite happily delist Jake Neade tomorrow, but even if we absolutely had to pick him for 21 out of 22 games, this is the one game that he especially shouldn't be playing. A golden development opportunity has been pissed away on a bloke who's been on the list for 5 years and 51 games without showing an ounce of development.

God damn this

 

[Raffo]

Yes you will see a couple good chases and a tackle or 2

A tackle or two? How is that even possible when he averages 3.5 a game? And just got most tackles on the field 3 weeks in a row in the SANFL.

Like every player Jakey has some weaknesses but defending certainly isn't one of them. From memory in 2016 he was 1st-3rd for pressure acts in the AFL.

 

[Freak Dodgeball Accident]

Schulzenfest and El Scorcho probably get sick of the notifications from me liking their posts, but they always say exactly what I want to say, just in a much more succinct manner.

I just can't believe this selection. It's like the Butcher/Gray Brisbane game from the other year.

 

[Chachi]

Irrespective of my own opinion on picking Neade, I am actually looking forward to seeing what he can do. He's always played a team focused role, so maybe that's what we need.
I really like Houston and see him as an integral part of our defence now and in the long term.
Youngy has what it takes, probably needs to be a little more selfish for his sake and the team.

All the outs were correct even though I'm sure we could nominate others.

All said and done we're positioned well enough to have a big impact on the Premiership this year. There's probably half a dozen sides who could win it and it will come down to injuries, form and desire. How bad to we want it is the question. I'm sure the players would all say yeh we want it bad but so far it's fair to say other clubs want it more.

 

[MitchIn3D]

win this week, 10 goals, everyone will be slaps on the back. Go to Collingwood and lose by a couple of points, "boys played well". We'll yo-yo for the rest of the year, scrape into finals and then bomb out. Ken will be safe, because finals, and we can go about becoming the next Richmond. Proud club, lots of history, never a threat.

 

[PowerBaz]

Young, Sam Gray and Neade won't be in a finals September team...

 

[Jonts]

Young, Sam Gray and Neade won't be in a finals September team...

I've seen some poor players win premierships, the above all seem to have specific roles. To me the problem is we probably only have room for one of them in the side, not all 3

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

Pittard being dropped is a positive as it proves Ken is in fact capable of holding poorly performing senior players to account. Now he just needs to apply those standards to a few more of our regular passengers.

What's his excuse for Hartlett then?

 

[Magus]

These kinds of bullshit selections go back to 2013 when we were hanging out for a tall backman, only to overlook Hombsch for several weeks and to opt for Hitchcock instead. Nothing will change til Hinkley is gone.

 

[El Zorro]

win this week, 10 goals, everyone will be slaps on the back. Go to Collingwood and lose by a couple of points, "boys played well". We'll yo-yo for the rest of the year, scrape into finals and then bomb out. Ken will be safe, because finals, and we can go about becoming the next Richmond. Proud club, lots of history, never a threat.

Yes, I can picture this happening.

 

[Janus]

Irrespective of my own opinion on picking Neade, I am actually looking forward to seeing what he can do. He's always played a team focused role, so maybe that's what we need.
I really like Houston and see him as an integral part of our defence now and in the long term.
Youngy has what it takes, probably needs to be a little more selfish for his sake and the team.

All the outs were correct even though I'm sure we could nominate others.

All said and done we're positioned well enough to have a big impact on the Premiership this year. There's probably half a dozen sides who could win it and it will come down to injuries, form and desire. How bad to we want it is the question. I'm sure the players would all say yeh we want it bad but so far it's fair to say other clubs want it more.

Young just has to hit the scoreboard more. Just doing his job isn't enough - but at least he DOES his job, unlike Ah Chee.

Neade is exactly what this team needs. A defensive forward who can provide a chop out for Sam Gray off the bench and really help lock the ball in our forward line so our defence can set up against transition.

When Pittard was dropped for Houston, it was understandable because Pittard was meant to be the running line breaker that helped us move the ball even better - but he's done none of that. So Houston comes back in and - like I said at the beginning - our prospects of winning the flag will rise and fall with his development. Jasper will come back in - if he comes back in - for one of Hartlett/Byrne-Jones/Broadbent (Byrne-Jones for mine. I think Pittard would offer more in the same role). But Houston stays in the side from now on.

People crying because Howard or Atley weren't selected are just pathetic cry babies who want their bottle. Howard had a good performance, which is why he is listed second emergency, but he's not John Butcher, where we have to bring him in quick just in case the pixie dust fades. He's putting pressure on Trengove, who puts pressure on Hombsch. Anyone who thinks we're going to play 3 key forwards in our forward line (Dixon, Howard, Trengove) is as nuts as anyone who thinks we're going to play 4 key defenders in our backline (Trengove, Hombsch, Clurey, Jonas).

The thing about our performance this year is that no one could say we've had the kind of performance that most teams have had this year where everything we touch turns to gold against a quality opponent. Even last year against Collingwood we had a game like that. We've been smacking lower teams without being impressive, because the way we've done it people can feel that we are still off.

We're right in this. When Kern says that he reckons Marshall will get an opportunity by the end of the year, it makes me excited. When I know that Drew and Atley are stringing good form together but they have to bide their time while we give existing players an opportunity to see if they can perform in our system, I understand it.

Make no mistake, this is about winning the flag this year, but also winning it next year and the year after. Finding out who is up to it, and who isn't.

 

[Killer Power]

A tackle or two? How is that even possible when he averages 3.5 a game? And just got most tackles on the field 3 weeks in a row in the SANFL.

Like every player Jakey has some weaknesses but defending certainly isn't one of them. From memory in 2016 he was 1st-3rd for pressure acts in the AFL.

Pressure acts would have to be the most overrated stat ever. Tackles, yes. Of which he averages 3.5 per game which is good. But seriously what else? Give us marks, goals, I50's and goal assists or GTFO.

 

[GoPorts]

Young just has to hit the scoreboard more. Just doing his job isn't enough - but at least he DOES his job, unlike Ah Chee.

Neade is exactly what this team needs. A defensive forward who can provide a chop out for Sam Gray off the bench and really help lock the ball in our forward line so our defence can set up against transition.

When Pittard was dropped for Houston, it was understandable because Pittard was meant to be the running line breaker that helped us move the ball even better - but he's done none of that. So Houston comes back in and - like I said at the beginning - our prospects of winning the flag will rise and fall with his development. Jasper will come back in - if he comes back in - for one of Hartlett/Byrne-Jones/Broadbent (Byrne-Jones for mine. I think Pittard would offer more in the same role). But Houston stays in the side from now on.

People crying because Howard or Atley weren't selected are just pathetic cry babies who want their bottle. Howard had a good performance, which is why he is listed second emergency, but he's not John Butcher, where we have to bring him in quick just in case the pixie dust fades. He's putting pressure on Trengove, who puts pressure on Hombsch. Anyone who thinks we're going to play 3 key forwards in our forward line (Dixon, Howard, Trengove) is as nuts as anyone who thinks we're going to play 4 key defenders in our backline (Trengove, Hombsch, Clurey, Jonas).

The thing about our performance this year is that no one could say we've had the kind of performance that most teams have had this year where everything we touch turns to gold against a quality opponent. Even last year against Collingwood we had a game like that. We've been smacking lower teams without being impressive, because the way we've done it people can feel that we are still off.

We're right in this. When Kern says that he reckons Marshall will get an opportunity by the end of the year, it makes me excited. When I know that Drew and Atley are stringing good form together but they have to bide their time while we give existing players an opportunity to see if they can perform in our system, I understand it.

Make no mistake, this is about winning the flag this year, but also winning it next year and the year after. Finding out who is up to it, and who isn't.

Agree with most of this but the last paragraph. Haven't we had the last two years to see which of these blokes are up to it and which aren't. My frustration comes with the same changes over and over and this year looking very much like it may be a repeat on the last two.

Hope to be proven wrong

 

[badbeats]

In before Pittard gets 25 in the SNAFL and Houston finds some tightness somewhere.

 

[Zakk Wylde]

View attachment 381978

He might push for an early return to Melbourne to play with his brother

View attachment 381977

You know we'll trade Hartlett for Shaun Atley....