Changes vs Collingwood

[Crowboy#32]

What does everyone think should we go in unchanged or make some changes?
Out Gill - In Moran
Gill kicked 5 against Essendon but goal-less since. Works hard but Moran would give more value. The option of playing tippet full time at Full forward is also possible with Moran to do more ruck work whilst Maric is resting. Think Moran gives the team better balance

 

[Campbell's Chunky]

I'd go in unchanged.

 

[Gary17]

Douglas out Moran in?

Differnet types of player of course, but Crows have been indicating that Moran is a chance if the weather is fine. Douglas didn't add much against the Dogs, but Moran might against a bigger team in Collingwood.

 

[Porps is a star!!]

I hope that radar gets a game.. I love watching him play.

Hard to say who to drop, Mackay was OK as was douglas but neither set the world on fire... Massie and Stevens for mine get the ball alot but don't generally use it very well... not saying they should be dropped but that is an issue atm. Knights had a stinker of a game...

Would like to see Moran get another go but not at the expense of Gill, i have been a critic of Gill's for a long time but his effort alone is enough to keep him in the team, having said that the further away from the goals the better...

 

[ruscy002]

I think we have to get over Gill’s five goal haul against Essendon…it’s pretty damn obvious that they don’t have the slightest clue when it comes to defensive pressure. Gill is an outstanding player at SANFL level and average at AFL level. Lots of effort but no consistency. Perrie was more reliable.

As we’ve all said numerous times, we’re let down by a shithouse forward line structure in general. Gill is often the only tall (i.e. when resting ruckman is on the bench and Stevens is filling gaps in defence) so in those circumstances we’re screwed when he leads up (no talls to kick to) and when he goes deeper into the forward line he’s well covered.

Despite me being champion of the “play Bock at CHB” bandwagon, I want to see him play the lead up forward role. Stevens goes back PERMANENTLY. Had enough of him in the forward line. FFS his career best goal haul is 3, not potent enough for a guy who spends a lot of his time inside 50 when up forward. Our defence was still one of the best last season with Bock up forward. With Massie fit and firing we won’t miss Bock’s run from defence as much.

Moran comes in and plays as a tall forward rotating with Tippett and Maric, ensuring that we always have one of them up forward and we should have two of them up forward at about 50-70% of the match.

In: Moran
Out: Gill

Also, I’m um and ahs as to whether or not Johncock comes out for Reilly. Stiffy’s confidence is shot to bits, but he had an ok 4th quarter and we’re probably going to need him in defence against the Pies.

 

[ruscy002]

Douglas out Moran in?

Differnet types of player of course, but Crows have been indicating that Moran is a chance if the weather is fine. Douglas didn't add much against the Dogs, but Moran might against a bigger team in Collingwood.

Douglas is on thin ****ing ice. I get violent thoughts when he does that snapping across the body when he could easily run straight at goals bullshit. So help me god if he does that again this week…

 

[Thylacinus]

Gill will play. Have a good look at the replay. He was very competitive. Athletic, agile big guys who have a good attack on the ball are hard to find.

 

[jo172]

Assuming no injuries I'd go in unchanged.

Only change I would consider is Moran in for Mackay if it's going to be a dry day which I doubt.

People underestimate just how hard Gill works leading from one side to the other and how much space that creates behind him. It's the role Ian Perrie played for years.

It's not flashy and rarely wins the supporters plaudits, but it has to be done.

 

[jamesclean]

i can't really remember seeing douglas kick a goal that wasn't around the body though... considering his playstyle and ideal position in the forward line, doesn't bother me that much. not sure he'd be any more accurate fronting up.

 

[Crows4Flag]

Irrelevant but thought of it with the call for Gill to be dropped. In Zoo this week Billy Brownless's column says that the crows have alot of experience and should do well in the finals with young gun speahead Nick Gill, or something along those lines

 

[Eastern Crow]

IMO The Pies are a little thin down back, I would go tall and select Moran and try to stretch them

who to leave out ? I am not sure at this stage

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Would like to see us play another tall in Moran. Johncock would be my contraversal selection to make way. Massie, Doughty, etc more deserving as HBF's & Douglas as a HFF.

Would love to see Reilly come back in - but is he more deserving than say Mackay? May need to wait his turn.

 

[Eastern Crow]

I must live on another Planet

Drop Gill

Gill's work rate is unquestionable
Gill is our only fit experience and natural tall forward
Gill gives our forward line structure and straightens up our side
Gill gives our midfield someone to kick too with confidence.
Gill takes the opposition #1 tall defender, this takes pressure of Tippett or Moran

Some people need to start watching the games and not just read the stats in the paper

 

[TheLeftFist8]

I think it's time to get the structure we want for the coming month, especially as regards to our forward structures.

Think back to the last St. Kilda game. Think about the talls up forward for Hawthorn, where we may need a Plan B after Bock and Rutten. It is my strong conviction we need another mobile, versatile tall in the structure...enter Brad Moran.

The bloke to drop out comes from Douglas, Johncock and Mackay.

Despite his sketchy season Johncock imo is a better small forward than Douglas but also may be needed back against a quality small. Given we need to lift a notch for finals, Stiffy is the player that has another 50% improvement in him.

Mackay is a better midfielder than Douglas atm (perhaps simply due to opportunity in that position, but nevertheless that's the current status). His skills and maturity under pressure will suit finals.

Douglas has had a good year overall, not bad not great. Perhaps due to a lingering knee injury, Edwards spent more time forward. Despite almost opposite accountability (Edwards was far worse defensively) as a forward he kicked goals, looked dangerous, and could easily kick multiple goals again.

Harsh call but for mine its Moran in, Douglas out.

Reilly is vying for Mackay's position and hasn't yet done enough to dislodge him. The only reason a swap is necessary is if we need a stronger body on the inside but for mine, the pace of Mackay is more valuable to the Crows.

A bad week for Mackay or Johncock would see them under immense scrutiny for the Semi.

 

[ruscy002]

I must live on another Planet

Drop Gill

Gill's work rate is unquestionable
Gill is our only fit experience and natural tall forward
Gill gives our forward line structure and straightens up our side
Gill gives our midfield someone to kick too with confidence.
Gill takes the opposition #1 tall defender, this takes pressure of Tippett or Moran

Some people need to start watching the games and not just read the stats in the paper

And some people need to get over forwards with unquestionable work rates who do absolutely nothing. Bock would do all of what you say Gill can do but we'd know what we're getting from him each week because he's consistent.

Stats for lead up forwards do matter. They are a crucial link from our defence to the forward fifty. Look at Ian Perrie's 2005 season stats and you'll see the sort of output and consistency we're looking for in our workhorse forward. We are not getting that and we'll never get that from Gill.

 

[Elite Crow]

There were times on Saturday when we went long and had only players under 6ft going for the mark. We need height. Thats why I would consider leaving Tippett as the tall waiting for the long kick in. Moran has pace and on a lead can be quite damaging. I would play him from the forward pocket and they can alternate with Maric. Thats a pretty tough match up for any defence. The only issue is the weather. But Tippett and Maric proved big guys can mark in the wet. As much as we love Porps, he was clearly not fit on the weekend. Couldnt put 2 hands up and couldnt tackle. You cant risk going a player down in a final.

In: Moran
Out: Porps

Fwd Line:
Moran Tippett Douglas
Edwards Gill resting midfielder

 

[dplggr47]

i want Moran in...an extra tall could be good
...i don't want to drop Gill, as i watched the Bulldogs game, and he ran hard and presented and chased well. just had that crappy shot on goal...which reminded me of his terrible kicking.
i don't really want Porpz out...nor Douglas...

i'd love to have Reilly in the team again, but i don't want to drop Douglas or Mackay...esp Mackay; i think he deserves to be there.

tough decisions; i can see them going unchanged, but Moran might come in as an extra tall...or someone tall to help out defensively.

 

[jenny61_99]

There were times on Saturday when we went long and had only players under 6ft going for the mark. We need height. Thats why I would consider leaving Tippett as the tall waiting for the long kick in. Moran has pace and on a lead can be quite damaging. I would play him from the forward pocket and they can alternate with Maric. Thats a pretty tough match up for any defence. The only issue is the weather. But Tippett and Maric proved big guys can mark in the wet. As much as we love Porps, he was clearly not fit on the weekend. Couldnt put 2 hands up and couldnt tackle. You cant risk going a player down in a final.

In: Moran
Out: Porps

Fwd Line:
Moran Tippett Douglas
Edwards Gill resting midfielder

Absolutely spot on..... Word for word my thoughts.

 

[Damp Squarie]

IN:
Moran, Reilly

OUT:
Johncock,Tippet

 

[beartoo]

I predict that Gill will be CHF in this Crows' side for the entire finals campaign 2008 unless injured. And rightly so. I also predict that he'll be there for the opening game 2009, again, unless injured.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

IN:
Moran, Reilly

OUT:
Johncock,Tippet

Just like Moran was a harsh omission last week, i reckon Tippett would be shafted if he got dropped.

I thought he fought hard, used the ball well, and offered a very important contribution to the win.

Gee i hope the weather is fine because the extra tall option is what we need.

Looking at TOG stats, usually at least 2 smalls have only 60% TOG. With the extra tall, if the game dictates a 'smaller style' then they can increase the TOG across the board for the lesser light smalls (Douglas or Mackay...whoever stays).

The only risk, as with every game, is an injury leaving us a little short in the rotations...but the same could be said of the talls if we don't bring Moran in. Imagine last weeks team with Tippett, Gill or Maric going down.

 

[SydCrow]

And some people need to get over forwards with unquestionable work rates who do absolutely nothing. Bock would do all of what you say Gill can do but we'd know what we're getting from him each week because he's consistent.

Stats for lead up forwards do matter. They are a crucial link from our defence to the forward fifty. Look at Ian Perrie's 2005 season stats and you'll see the sort of output and consistency we're looking for in our workhorse forward. We are not getting that and we'll never get that from Gill.

So who plays CHB? Not Stevo, he isn't strong enough.

Right now, Bock is our best CHB and Gill is our best CHF. People tend to forget that CHF is the hardest position on the ground and Gill has played, what, 15 games? Hopefully he will get more consistent with more games under his belt.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

So who plays CHB? Not Stevo, he isn't strong enough.

Right now, Bock is our best CHB and Gill is our best CHF. People tend to forget that CHF is the hardest position on the ground and Gill has played, what, 15 games? Hopefully he will get more consistent with more games under his belt.

Stevens isn't overly strong but he is very clever and a great judge of the incoming ball. I wouldn't be too worried if he was our CHB, is far better in contested situations than he is given credit for.

However, i agree with your conclusion: Bock=best CHB, Gill=best CHF

 

[johnnypanther]

i'ld like to see Moran (& Reilly ) in but who out????

some have mentioned Gill, Douglas as outs but IMO they are the only 2 forwards that chase and apply any real defensive pressure.
if it was Moran in and a small out then we take the risk that if Porps does his shoulder that we may not have enough midfield interchange strength.

the selectors have a habit of picking a 22 to go with match-ups for the opposition therefore perhaps we need to analyze Collingwoods likely lineup before we look at choosing our relevant 22.

 

[hellfire]

IMO The Pies are a little thin down back, I would go tall and select Moran and try to stretch them

who to leave out ? I am not sure at this stage

We're thicker down back that we've been all year. Brown, Wakelin and Presti all available as FB/CHB. Harry, Goldsack and Maxwell for others.

As for your changes: OUT - Mcleod, Thompson, Porplyzia, Edwards. Not sure who to bring in though.