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Changes Vs Fremantle

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I really don't see why Mackay is an automatic inclusion without someone abysmal or injured dropping out ahead of him.

He's been in ordinary form all year and remains one of our most disappointing players this season, nothing about him screams out straight back in. He's one of the few 50+ game players who has stagnated this year, rather than improving as a player or returning to previous form.

I'd rather let Mackay try and find some touch in the SANFL while we see if Tambling can do better with four quarters.

I don't think anyone else is back from injury this week, possibly Martin, still listed as a TBC, and possibly Tippett, also TBC. Brown, McIntyre and Kerridge were all quiet. Johnston kicked 4 for the *****, but I don't see a way in for him at all. Lynch saw plenty on the HBF, but again, don't see a way in for him.

Mackay is having a good season. He will be picked because we want to win and he is better than all our other small defenders (Smith is catching him - was brilliant)
 
If passed fit Mackay will be straight back in.

Tippett a 50:50 to play, then there's a chance he could get a warm up game in the SANFL.

The 3 big issues are:

1) Small defenders

I agree with others that our defensive unit is a concern with regard to the slowness of the old guard, but we've left it too late. Have put all our faith in Doughty...he better not let us down because any sentimentality over him will dissipate into thin air if his opponent destroys us on the big stage. Not to mention the lack of rebound. Wish Hendo or Otten were fit. Too late for Brown and he's doing nothing. Jaensch a worry defensively. Ditto when Martin fit. Tambling a worry in both aspects but wasn't shocking this week. Johncock didn't look up to it but good to have him in the 22 for cover. Thank God Smith is standing up. Has surely relegated Doughty to defender number 7 out of 7?

2) Small forwards

Callinan doing nothing but big game reputation will count for something. Has to lift offensively because can't do any defending. Johncock an obvious replacement. Also love Riley in the mix as i reckon we need 2 forward will excellent defensive pressure come finals and Riley can play that role. Callinan has maybe one more week to get busy, unless Tippett returns...see point 3.

3) Structure and the 21st man

The weekly debate we will have for the rest of the year post Tippett's return is who should be the 21st man. I love Jenkins but it will be interesting to see how he contributes when Tippett is back. Perhaps Lynch will offer more (except a ruck option). Or will we simply swap out Jenkins and stay small (my least preferred option structurally but may suit for specific opposition and weather.


After all that this week will be as simple as MACKAY for TAMBLING.
 
Taken from a Freo discussion (thanks NNN). Pav has been on fire for the last 9 weeks and will be a big blow to their chances if he's suspended.

I have done a "back of the ciggie packet" calculation and I reckon the following outcomes are likely:

Pav

Reckless (2 points); low impact (1 point); and head contact (2 points). That makes 5 activation points which is a Level 2 offence. Level 2 Striking gets him 125 demerit points. The 25% early plea discount means he avoid suspension (100 demerit points per week).

The complicating factor is the "victim's" reaction. That may mean that the "impact" is rated higher. If it is "medium", he moves to 6 activation points (which is a Level 3 offence). That means 225 demerit points. Even with both discounts (early plea and good record), he sits out for a week.

De Boer

The good news is that the "impact" may be rated as "negligible". If that is the case, the MRP must reject the charge and he will be safe.

If that does not happen, the outcome could be very bad: He is likely to be assessed as intentional (3 points); low impact (1 point) and groin contact (2 points). 6 points is a Level 3 offence. Level 3 Kicking carries 400 demerit points which, even with an early plea, is three weeks. If the conduct is only deemed "reckless" (i.e. not intentional), it goes down to 5 points/Level 2/250 points. That takes it down to 1 week after an early plea discount.

McPharlin

I personally doubt he will be cited because he missed the head, but assuming a rough conduct charge is forthcoming, he could get negligent (1 point)/high impact (3 points)/body contact (1 point). 5 activation points is Level 2. Level 2 rough conduct brings 225 demerit points which, after an early plea discount, carries a one-week suspension.

I may be wrong on some or all of this, but figured it may help inform the discussion.
 

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I really don't see why Mackay is an automatic inclusion without someone abysmal or injured dropping out ahead of him.

He's been in ordinary form all year and remains one of our most disappointing players this season, nothing about him screams out straight back in. He's one of the few 50+ game players who has stagnated this year, rather than improving as a player or returning to previous form.

I'd rather let Mackay try and find some touch in the SANFL while we see if Tambling can do better with four quarters.

I don't think anyone else is back from injury this week, possibly Martin, still listed as a TBC, and possibly Tippett, also TBC. Brown, McIntyre and Kerridge were all quiet. Johnston kicked 4 for the *****, but I don't see a way in for him at all. Lynch saw plenty on the HBF, but again, don't see a way in for him.

Wow, you really believe mackay has been 'ordinary all year'?! Would be top dozen in the b&f and has played a couple of nice roles for us IMO. Jaensch and Martin have been tried in the back half and both failed miserably. Mackay has only played a few games back there and has been streets ahead of those two, and also streets ahead of stiffy, who will now surely only be used as a forward for the remainder of his career.

Mackay has significantly improved his inside work and tackling this season too. Without looking at the stats, I'd be pretty confident that he is in our top 6 for tackles per game, which he wouldn't have been close to prior to 2012.

There's more to 'form' than possessions. Mackay is in the first dozen picked if fully fit.
 
Callinan needs tip if he is going to be predominantly in the forward 50. But did anyone notice when he does veture outside of it he usually makes it count, doesnt rush/panic like and makes good desisions then can pull them off. If Tip is going to be out of the forwardline should callinan be playing up further trying to rove the packs that form on the wings?

Also cant under estimate the need for calm users of the football in finals.
 
Out: Riley and Tambling
In: Mckay and Tippett (if fit).

Otherwise: Riley Tambling Knights and Jaensch youd think would also be gunning for or trying to retain a spot
 
Can people give me their thoughts on Riley's game?

Did he do enough to keep his spot for the time being?

I'm a fan so I'd like to see him get a few more games at least.
Riley played a fairly good game and would not ordinarily be expecting to be dropped after performing that well.

The reality though is that his continued selection depends more upon the players who are set to return (hence forcing him out of the 22). Hopefully Mackay will be back next week - but Tambling should be the one to drop out in this instance. The other player due back shortly is Tippett. Jenkins has been performing well lately and I can see us dropping a small instead. That decision could come down to two players - Riley & Callinan. Callinan has now had 3 poor games in a row and must surely be skating on thin ice. Riley doesn't offer the scoring power that Nutta does (when he's on song). Could go either way.
 
As for comments about Mackay not having a good season.. I find them somewhat mystifying. He's been very good. Mackay has been a tackling machine this year, averaging 4.7 tackles per game (75 from 16 games). Only VB, Thompson & Sloane have more tackles in total. Excluding McIntyre (5 tackles, 1 game) as a statistical anomaly, Mackay is our 3rd best tackler on average.

More to the point, moving him to defence has settled the one position which was still something of a merry-go-round as recently as a month ago. Our defensive group now consists of Rutten, Doughty, Talia, Mackay, Shaw & Smith, with Reilly playing as a "spare man". That group has been much more settled and has looked a lot better than it did when the likes of Jaensch & Martin were back there, making a mess of things.
 
As for comments about Mackay not having a good season.. I find them somewhat mystifying. He's been very good. Mackay has been a tackling machine this year, averaging 4.7 tackles per game (75 from 16 games). Only VB, Thompson & Sloane have more tackles in total. Excluding McIntyre (5 tackles, 1 game) as a statistical anomaly, Mackay is our 3rd best tackler on average.

More to the point, moving him to defence has settled the one position which was still something of a merry-go-round as recently as a month ago. Our defensive group now consists of Rutten, Doughty, Talia, Mackay, Shaw & Smith, with Reilly playing as a "spare man". That group has been much more settled and has looked a lot better than it did when the likes of Jaensch & Martin were back there, making a mess of things.
Really can't argue with this. Mackay has been very good since taking over from Jaensch in defence. He was a bit patchy earlier on the season, but I would be very surprised if he doesn't come straight back in.
 
I agree with Vader........

Mackay has been fairly good. Good user of the ball and is composed. Something we lack.

Riley played quite well, I would like to see him stay. Didn't really think much of Tambling. He will probably go out.

Callinan had an off game and has been a bit quiet but I just dont want to see him out of the side. Like Lawrst said is super classy when he has the ball, on both feet. I think when were up and about (not like yesterday) he is very good to have in the forward line.
 

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Is it my imagination? Callinan has played poorly for the last two weeks and both games have been in the wet. Does he have an issue with his skills when the ball gets wet. I dont want to see him dropped because he can be a great gatherer around the packs. He has demonstrated that he does have what it takes so we need him. I just question his wet ball skills.

Not convinced that the Porps will play this week either.

As for Stiify...everyone wants him up forward. I dont think its matters too much so long as we have him in the team. He has the ability to play well in defence and if he is having a bad day he can then be moved up forward. So start him where you like so long as he starts.

I think this week will be a major hurdle for us. The way Freo played aginst the Eagles was very good. If they bring that against us we will have another close result. The upside is that if we win we can be top of the ladder come the end of the season. Given that Sydney have to play the Pies, Hawks and the Cats it should open the door for us. We just need to beat Freo and the rest should fall into place. SO this is a big game for us.
 
a question I have in regards to leg speed...

the leg speed of Freo compared to Essendon? and then compared to Adelaide.

we looked at times to be standing still as Essendon ran away with the ball, easily cutting through our defensive actions.

I'm not sure if Freo has the same pace as Essendon, but if it is still quicker than the Crows, then we are going to be in for a treat, because Freo have a power forward.....
 
Dont understand why stiffy has fallen off as a defender. has been 1 of the best defenders of the afl and consistant too since playing there.

He seems to be lacking in composure. Everytime he's played in defense he's losing one v ones, his positioning is poor and his disposal has also been questionable. He seems to be rushing himself a bit. When Johncock is played forward he's explosive and creating chances at least. I think he's very been very useful as a small forward.
 

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Mackay will be straight back in if fit. Danger said on the radio this morning there was no run from defence in 1st half..
Heard that and thought same thing.

Dont want to see Tambo out after one game, but he could the one out for Mackay.

I hope we use the three games after the Freo one to get guys like

Lynch
Johnston
Brown
Tambo
Kerridge
McKernan
McIntyre
Jeanch
etc

some game time. As we never know what could happen in a Final and some of these in form SANFL fringe players could be important if we cop some injuries in September. They need some AFL "touch".
 
Heard that and thought same thing.

Dont want to see Tambo out after one game, but he could the one out for Mackay.

I hope we use the three games after the Freo one to get guys like

Lynch
Johnston
Brown
Tambo
Kerridge
McKernan
McIntyre
Jeanch
etc

some game time. As we never know what could happen in a Final and some of these in form SANFL fringe players could be important if we cop some injuries in September. They need some AFL "touch".

The lead in to the finals will be used to settle positions and the side, it wont be used to give fringe players some game time.
Some of those you have mentioned will only be considered if we have injuries, others may get a crack depending on team structure and balance.

I only think McKernan and Henderson are a realsitic chance to come in for structural puproses. The others have had very little or no opportunity during the year, therefore will only come in for injuries.
 
Tippett - I would be err on the side of caution & give him another week off. With Walker, Sauce & Jenkins, we can cover him.

Mackay will come straight back in if fit - talk otherwise is crazy stuff. Has been the missing link to our HB line. If he is not fit, would consider giving Tambling a full run off HBF.

Callinan - form is a worry as a few weeks now - is he carrying an injury as doesn't look 100%. Do we send him back to get some form with Centrals, leave Stiffy up forward (replaced by MacKay down back) & try say Jaensch or McInytre.

Porps - if injured, may open the door for Lynch or Johnson if we want to go taller.

This time of year, it is important to manage/rest players with niggling injuries.
 
I think Tambling did a good job in D and did not seem to get beaten 1 on 1 which many others did.
Sure Riley got more of the ball but played whole game and mainly on the ball and like Petrenko his skills are average for AFL but can we afford two in our team going forward. Least got more of ball than Petrenko
Key to changes is if Tippett plays and for posters to suggest him playing SANFL are off their rocker .
The real key with Kurt is ensuring health wise and team wise he does not have another concussion as if does then season over for him and probably big finals wins for us .
If Kurt does not play we have to put another bigger body in there to offer a contest especially when either ruck not down there or to lead . So would bring Lynch or Johnson in .
Much as love Callinan he has to be a out this week as not even getting possesion when on the ball .
If Kurt back might get a reprieve.
Stiffy very lucky to get those 2 goals as was terrible in D .
OUT
Callinan
Riley or Stiffy
IN
MacKay
Tippett or Lynch or Johnson
 
I think Tambling did a good job in D and did not seem to get beaten 1 on 1 which many others did.
Sure Riley got more of the ball but played whole game and mainly on the ball and like Petrenko his skills are average for AFL but can we afford two in our team going forward. Least got more of ball than Petrenko
Key to changes is if Tippett plays and for posters to suggest him playing SANFL are off their rocker .
The real key with Kurt is ensuring health wise and team wise he does not have another concussion as if does then season over for him and probably big finals wins for us .
If Kurt does not play we have to put another bigger body in there to offer a contest especially when either ruck not down there or to lead . So would bring Lynch or Johnson in .
Much as love Callinan he has to be a out this week as not even getting possesion when on the ball .
If Kurt back might get a reprieve.
Stiffy very lucky to get those 2 goals as was terrible in D .
OUT
Callinan
Riley or Stiffy
IN
MacKay
Tippett or Lynch or Johnson

No chance. When the game was there to be won Stiff was bloody good
 

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