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Analysis Changes vs Melbourne

  • Thread starter Thread starter ioppolo
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We cant afford to take melbourne lightly.Forget 2018; every team this year turns up at some stage and usually when you least expect it! The Dees have [like us ] had a flat spot and are on the up.Any "yawn,ho-hum" will find you out. Wherever we look, we must look for more pace.Sides are short passing more and trying to thread through defences instead of over.
 
Our backline operates as a unit, not a bunch of individuals. In the past fortnight they've held the opposition to 57 and 70, at an average of 63.5 for two wins. I'm not a fan of change for changes sake. We know there will be changes elsewhere so I think as long as the collective backline are getting the job done we give them an opportunity to continue to build that chemistry.

If the lineup settles and we have one or two guys still looking rusty in the backline then we should start to tinker with it.
 
I’m not as confident with Tom Cole as I was last year - he is blind kicking and not holding tackles. Not shouting to be dropped but he appears to be playing sore.

There were 40 players on the oval when I arrived at training yesterday, 39 were walking/jogging laps to warmup and one was in the middle of the ground handballing with an assistant coach - Cole. And he didn’t do anything for energetic than that at any stage so fair to say he is sore

For the record the 6 absentees were :
JK (not unusual for a Monday session)
Sheppard (who did come out late - again not unusual)
Bines (hernia)
Brayshaw and Barrass (both foot related and both wandered out briefly later in the session)
Schofield didn’t appear at any stage so every possibility he’s also injured
 

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Schofield didn’t appear at any stage so every possibility he’s also injured

On Eagle review I felt like they were suggesting Schoey is banged up. Basically said they weren't able to comment on it until our SJOG injury report is released. If he is likely to miss I reckon Melbourne will park that Preuss bloke deep forward and try to expose us for height.
 
On Eagle review I felt like they were suggesting Schoey is banged up. Basically said they weren't able to comment on it until our SJOG injury report is released. If he is likely to miss I reckon Melbourne will park that Preuss bloke deep forward and try to expose us for height.
we are never tall enough you all tell me!~
 
I seem to be one out rating Vardy's game against the Saints as a pass. Granted he offered us nothing around the ground but his tap work seemed way better than usual - managed quite a few taps directly to Shuey, a few other others into reasonably dangerous space and if nothing else didn't let the Saints get first use too often. Granted the Saints don't have a great ruck but I thought it was promising stuff. I would be OK if the MC decide to keep him in to double team Gawn like we did last year.

Not really sure who Hickey comes in for if that's the case and gut says Rioli won't play. If Schofield was playing to his baseline I'd be happy for him to stay in but it looked like he got a bad knock on the weekend and has been next to useless the last few weeks anyway. I'd be tempted to drop him, swing Allen back and bring in Hickey.

Vardy was serviceable - Hickey has been better than that and has better claims to first ruck.

Given we are playing Gawn - i think we go with both of them - any other team and I think Vardy goes one out.

The issue is the balance when Nic comes back - as i think Vardy is a more effective forward.
 
Coach Adam Simpson said Rioli only had to get through the week unscathed to play against the Demons.

“There’s a good chance of that,” Simpson told 7News.

“If he’s available, I think we’ll play him. He’s done a fair bit of training.

“He’s missed a fair chunk of football, but he’s been training for a while and if he’s on available minutes I think we’ll play him in the seniors.

“If he gets through training then he will be available.”

Melbourne will be without experienced defender Michael Hibberd (broken collarbone) and forward Jake Melksham (leg) for their trip west, but Jordan Lewis (ankle) is expected to be available.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-c...oast-eagles-coach-adam-simpson-ng-b881197219z
 
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Vardy was serviceable - Hickey has been better than that and has better claims to first ruck.

Given we are playing Gawn - i think we go with both of them - any other team and I think Vardy goes one out.

The issue is the balance when Nic comes back - as i think Vardy is a more effective forward.

Yep, with Gawn and Pruess, we need to go in with 2 rucks. Willie in and either Waterman or Allen out, maybe both out. If no Schoey, it will be tricky but there are options - Rotham, Brander, Allen back. Really missing Barrass - one of my favorites.
 

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I bet masten will come in

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He was dropped with things to work on, and there was a WAFL bye this week so he’s had no chance to work on anything. The Eagles won. He’s not coming back in. The Eagles don’t exist just to spite you.
 

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I still reckon Rioli will miss. Adam Smoke and Mirrors Simpson. He might get through training but not yet be ready to play X minutes on Friday night, thus he might be managed through the twos this week. By the time it's announced Melbourne will be here.

It seems very unlike us to say "Oh the Optus broke my Willie" and then bring him back for his first hitout in what - two months? - on the deck we are accusing of breaking him.
 

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