Opinion Changes vs. Collingwood

[Papa G]

Bonner is still a train wreck waiting to happen. Potential to single handedly lose a final.

There was a play on the outer wing in the third quarter where he received a handball where he just had to keep going and kick on his natural left foot, but instead inexplicably turned right, back into traffic. I don't want him anywhere near the finals.

 

[ROBBBO]

I just don't think Woodcock has a strong enough body for defensive pressure in the forward line. Watched Farrell closely at the game yesterday was quiet but strong defensively did a couple of smart things. Personally I'd persist. If not Georgiadis as a replacement

 

[Jello_B]

There was a play on the outer wing in the third quarter where he received a handball where he just had to keep going and kick on his natural left foot, but instead inexplicably turned right, back into traffic. I don't want him anywhere near the finals.

When the opposition have the ball he looks timid or unco when he tries to defend. Always seems to approach them on the wrong side or in the wrong way. When he has the ball in traffic he looks frightened and rushed.
I think the smother he is being lauded for was just the opposition player kicking the ball into him.

 

[MrChow]

Do you remember that game, I think it was round 1 last year, where Bonner was running from half back like a madman? Then from R3-4 onwards we never saw this again.

Has Bonners natural instincts been stifled by our game plan. Perhaps he would be better suited personally at Etihad with Essendon or Western Bulldogs, etc.

Or perhaps there is a way to unlock his potential. I mean he definitely has some weapons? Is he an Impey type player?

 

[Interstater]

I just don't think Woodcock has a strong enough body for defensive pressure in the forward line. Watched Farrell closely at the game yesterday was quiet but strong defensively did a couple of smart things. Personally I'd persist. If not Georgiadis as a replacement

*Gets on his soapbox*

You've hit on the biggest issue I have with AFL in 2020. I have had a gutful of playing wingers and mids as forwards simply because they are better at applying defensive pressure.

I want to see three talls up forward with the instruction not to get within 10 metres of each other.

I want to see three nippy small forwards with the instruction of getting to the fall of the ball and taking the crumbs.
If the defender on them tries to "team defence" our tall then guess what, you as the small are now free and you have no reason not to get the crumbs.

I'm done with Farrell up forward.
I'm done with Ebert up forward.
No more!
They have roles elsewhere, rotating through the mids and wings.

Get 3 of Dixon, Marshall, Ladhams and MG playing as tall forwards, tell them to stay away from each other and tell them to kick at least 2 goals each.

Get 3 of Butters, Rozee, Gray, Motlop, and Woodcock at their feet, and tell them to kick 2 goals each.

Make forwards great again !!
Every time the ball goes forward I want to think that a goal is inevitable.
And not from locking in it there and playing under 10's, trench warfare, keepings off, blah ball while waiting for the ump to give a free to the opposition while our players throw their heads back on every tackle like some god-awful tribute to soccer.

We have all heard about Hawkins Island, I want to see Ports archipelago, I want to see islands everywhere.

*Takes a breath and gets off the soapbox*

Now let me talk to you about clouds. *shakes his fist*

Maybe I should just buy a tie-dye shirt, some flares and watch reruns of 70's football...

 

[davesnothere]

Bonner has the athletic ability to be a very good AFL footballer. You can not train harder and match his athletic ablitiy.

Generally you look at about 50 games before players really get their head around what they should be doing out there. That's for a good average player that gets that far. Bonner is about there. I'd be looking to see if he does more right from wrong from about here on.

There's no risk of him not playing against Collingwood see how he goes from there.
If we don't want him there would be no shortage of clubs that would be more than happy to take him off of our hands at the end of the year.

 

[jdeezy]

Farell out. Westhoff in.

I like this. As others have said in other threads, a finals series / possible premiership without Hoff there won't feel 100%. Give the big man a chance floating in that wing / hff position, in a game that ultimately doesn't mean a lot and see if he can have one last go at grabbing the chance with both hands.

The other, less sentimental version, is Stiffy instead.

 

[Papa G]

There's no risk of him not playing against Collingwood see how he goes from there.
If we don't want him there would be no shortage of clubs that would be more than happy to take him off of our hands at the end of the year.

Yep. He's our best tradeable player (The one we'd get most for). As you say he has an attribute that other clubs would want. I'd live to see him packaged up in a deal that gets us up the draft order.

 

[rumoursofwinter]

Georgiades for Farrell. I want to see our forward line with more targets.

 

[TeeKray]

Woodcock hasn't played a bad game for the club at AFL level, and it's been about two months since Farrell played a good game for the club at AFL level.

Why does there need to be a 'point'? Woodcock is just a better footballer in better form. That's the point.

What if I told you that it's actually Sutcliffe not Woodcock who is next in line for that position, would you still be advocating that Farrell be dropped?

 

[Chachi]

I thought having the resting ruckman forward worked well yesterday, particularly when Scooter played forward.

If we do go tall I lean towards Westy, purely on his versatility and tbf MG isn't in that much better form, if at all.

I personally would go Woodcock though. He's the sort of personality that would embrace the big stage and have more impact. Game for game v's Faz, Woodcock is clearly in front. The coaches are romanced by how smooth Faz moves at training and his leg but I'm sure they've seen enough game day by now.

 

[raptalia]

Credit where it is due Riley Bonner played well yesterday. His disposal was pretty good and he actually took a few intercept marks. The question is will he do it again next week? I guess you could say the same about Steven Motlop as he was better yesterday but will he repeat the effort against Collingwood?

At this stage Boyd Woodcock is certainly a better bet than Kane Farrell but knowing Ken it will be Sutcliffe for Farrell this week.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

Definitely some crazy overrating of Bonners game I think.

Overall it was passable, some good moments and after quarter time I enjoyed it. Showed promise and something he will get a chance to build on next week. Id call it a strong step in the right direction.

But he was nowhere near our best, not even anywhere near our best defender. McKenzie, Houston, DBJ and Hammer were all far better. Its their level he needs to get to consistently to cement a spot.

 

[FishingRick04]

I do think we have get ball players this year and other players getting less ball but doing more team orientated roles like leading to create space and blocking for others

 

[Byron!!!]

Yep. He's our best tradeable player (The one we'd get most for). As you say he has an attribute that other clubs would want. I'd live to see him packaged up in a deal that gets us up the draft order.

Until Burton can prove he is capable of playing without breaking down every second game, it seems our other options we must rely on for many games each season for this role are Bonner and Mayes and perhaps Garner. Given that I would persist with Bonner unless another ready made option comes along in the off season.


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[G3TWOTYAD3S3RV]

Do we rest Dixon ? Seems our MVP, unleash for finals


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[Byron!!!]

I do think we have get ball players this year and other players getting less ball but doing more team orientated roles like leading to create space and blocking for others

Richmond’s leading disposal getter in their great win against the Cats had 19. Half the team with 12 or less. They are lauded for their system and everyone playing their role rather than accumulating. They are seen as the team to beat.

I think you are right in that we are doing a similar thing. Clearly what we are doing is working consistently better than any other team this year. Perhaps we should take a breath and appreciate it more. Although with two home finals locked up the tone here does feel a little more optimistic than usual which is good to read.


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[robbo1981]

Can't bring in another tall for a small that would tip the balance out I think.
I'm a big rapt for 2 ruckman but I do worry that we will be to tall in a night grand final in Brisbane.
Could live with Farrell out for woodcock but I think they will give him 1 more chance before the terrier comes back.

 

[JUSTWORK]

Do we rest Dixon ? Seems our MVP, unleash for finals


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Collingwood getting players back are a good side.
This is match practice going into finals.

 

[dirty2]

Knocking Collingwood out of the 8... sound great.

 

[backtozero]

Definitely some crazy overrating of Bonners game I think.

Overall it was passable, some good moments and after quarter time I enjoyed it. Showed promise and something he will get a chance to build on next week. Id call it a strong step in the right direction.

But he was nowhere near our best, not even anywhere near our best defender. McKenzie, Houston, DBJ and Hammer were all far better. Its their level he needs to get to consistently to cement a spot.

No-one is overrating Bonner. The fact is that he doesn't deserve to be dropped.
It's fair enough having a player be a whipping boy when he deserves it, but you also have to give credit when it's due.

Based on form, Farrell should go out.

 

[Chachi]

Can't bring in another tall for a small that would tip the balance out I think.
I'm a big rapt for 2 ruckman but I do worry that we will be to tall in a night grand final in Brisbane.

Probably not any more slippery than yesterday though.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Knocking Collingwood out of the 8... sound great.

If Collingwood beat Gold Coast today, they're a game and a half ahead of 9th.

 

[dirty2]

If Collingwood beat Gold Coast today, they're a game and a half ahead of 9th.

Go the suns then.

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

Do we rest Dixon ? Seems our MVP, unleash for finals


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Lock him in the goal square for the match and he doesn’t leave the 50 arc and certainly doesn’t do any rucking.

Shouldn’t be taking any risks next week with anyone