I didn’t catch a minute of this one, but looking at the numbers the best I can make of it is that without Adams, Sier, Wills and with Beams on restricted minutes we struggled a bit at the stoppages. We overpossessed which is probably a sign of a more makeshift fwd setup. We had the 4 lowest TOG players so played with Rd 1 more in mind. Three goals between McKay, McGovern and Curnow is a tick for the defensive group.
For me the composition of the Rd 1 team is teetering between cause for concern and comfort in the knowledge that we will field a team strong enough to topple Geelong. Does Goldsack stay in as a FWD (assumption based on his stats)? Does Crocker stay in on a wing? Does Sier make his way back for an inside midfield role? Did Elliott really get through unscathed? You would hope all of Stephenson, JDG and Sier can make their return for Rd 1 so who misses?
In 2018 selection settled down a lot which played a massive role in our resurgence. It should be easy to come to 4 or 5 with Brown x 2, Crocker and one of Goldsack/ Roughead making way, but there’s still that lingering doubt for me when it comes to selection. Overall the past month of pre-season has gone almost to script pending Elliott’s fitness because I expected to enter the season with at least 4-5 walk up best 22 missing and right now it’s only Adams and WHE with fresh injuries that will rule them out. Tentatively optimistic is where I stand 11 days out 👍