Prediction Lions v Dogs Gabba 7.35 pm Saturday 7th March

[Sentinel]

Changes from Brisbane's grand final team:
IN: Coleman, Berry, Allen, Zakostelsky
OUT: Starcevich, Marshall, Ah Chee, McInerney
Notable players missing both games: Hipwood, Doedee, McCarthy, Payne, Answerth

Changes from our round 24 team:
IN: Jacques, Buderick, Khamis, Hynes, Sellwood
OUT: Cleary, Johannisen, Garcia, Busslinger, McNeil
Notable players missing both games: Treloar, Weightman, Sanders, Vandermeer

 

[House_of_Dahl]

I think L.Kennedy is travelling up with the team.

Interesting. Late Dale out and Kennedy in would balance Sanders being an out.

 

[TiAn_]

Some challenging match ups in our forward line for them. All of our KPFs will have a size advantage, particularly Croft.

Hynes should also have a physical advantage on one of their smalls. But I’m still torn about whether that spot is better with a quicker player.

At the other end, Khamis is probably going to be battling in a size mismatch. Sellwood will probably have to go to Rayner when he’s forward. At least we have an ostensible match up for medium forwards. Budarick to Cameron, or whichever small is giving us the most grief.

 

[JTCWBFC]

Hopefully this defensive 7 can get a good string of games together to really try gel

 

[Dale4captain]

Believe Darcy is still a chance to miss. Same with Dale. Wait and see I guess.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Majak candidate has appeared

First game so don’t think he can qualify.

 

[dogwatch]

Believe Darcy is still a chance to miss. Same with Dale. Wait and see I guess.

Agree with this from the simple fact that Lewis is an emergency. I doubt he’d even be listed if Darcy was 100%.

And early in the week Dale was the one who was supposed to be the more unlikely.

I’m going to assume both will miss. I’ll treat it as a bonus if either plays.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Some challenging match ups in our forward line for them. All of our KPFs will have a size advantage, particularly Croft.

Hynes should also have a physical advantage on one of their smalls. But I’m still torn about whether that spot is better with a quicker player.

At the other end, Khamis is probably going to be battling in a size mismatch. Sellwood will probably have to go to Rayner when he’s forward. At least we have an ostensible match up for medium forwards. Budarick to Cameron, or whichever small is giving us the most grief.

The best version of Croft really can make some opposition defensive units seem imbalanced. Too tall for running defenders, but if the opposition's main tall defender is one that also one that organises the defencwe (like Harris Andrews), if he has to match up with Croft depending on rotations etc. Croft can just try and pull him away from the action with his running ability.

There's certainly our blueprint to win. Their blueprint is also obvious - back in their half back and midfield ball users to be better decision makers and more patient than our band of role playing and inexperienced half back and wings to be able to stop it.

 

[Dogsfan1]

Believe Darcy is still a chance to miss. Same with Dale. Wait and see I guess.

Darcy went over on the plane

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I'm still not convinced Dale plays even if he is named.
Expecting a late Gags call up

Certainly looks that way - because we've named 8 defenders. Even with the 23rd you still really only need seven defenders, especially as one of Baker or Wililams will probably play some defensive minutes to cover rotations or in a pinch for a few minutes here and there.

Purely for team balance Gags in for Dale looks a lot more like how we should be setting up best 23.

 

[dogwatch]

Darcy went over on the plane

Why not? He’s got nearly 48 hours to come good. And he’s young. They can recover much faster from “soreness“ than the older blokes. Let’s hope he does.

An earlier post said that L Kennedy was the travelling emergency. Surely they didn’t just send one? Why not send all 3 emergencies? There’s no VFL. Sure, a couple of them will miss the final VFL practice game but that’s of little importance compared to giving ourselves the best chance of beating Brisbane.

 

[Mojorisin]

Why not? He’s got nearly 48 hours to come good. And he’s young. They can recover much faster from “soreness“ than the older blokes. Let’s hope he does.

An earlier post said that L Kennedy was the travelling emergency. Surely they didn’t just send one? Why not send all 3 emergencies? There’s no VFL. Sure, a couple of them will miss the final VFL practice game but that’s of little importance compared to giving ourselves the best chance of beating Brisbane.

I dont know who else is flying across but would expect Lewis is going aswell. He is one that won't miss much by having the weekend off and also the most natural positional replacement for Darcy.

 

[ossie_21]

Majak candidate has appeared

The esteemed Majak Award is a possible award for a run of the mill player that has been in the system for years, never shown anything elite until they play a career game on us.

Brisbane’s only candidate will be Oscar Allen if he kicks a bag on debut, after being so injured and crap over the last few years at the Eagles.

They are too good of a team and all of their other players have enough runs on the board, are are too young. Could maybe add Fort and Reville to the list if they play their best game ever.

 

[BigFloppa]

We're gonna discombobulate these clowns

 

[Optimistic Dog]

If Darcy and Dale miss surely, we do not replace them with Lewis and Kenned meaning 4 first gamers in the the team. Darcy will play and if Dale misses Gallagher will come in.

On the evidence of last night i think the new rules will see big blow outs once a team gets on top it becomes very hard to defend.

A win is going to be very difficult just do not want to see a big blowout. I know that is being pessimistically optimistic or as Dennis would say I am optimistically but misty optically.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

We haven’t lost by more than 4 goals in 18 months. Just saying …!

 

[Libba39]

One thing that might have been overlooked, but could this be one of the tallest, if not the tallest team to ever take an afl field?

Darcy 208
English 208
Lobb 207
Croft 201
O'Donnell 197
Naughton 196
Bont 194
Khamis 191
Freijah 191
Davidson 191
Hynes 190

Not to mention some other tall flankers and mids at 185-188cm

 

[Mofra]

The best version of Croft really can make some opposition defensive units seem imbalanced. Too tall for running defenders, but if the opposition's main tall defender is one that also one that organises the defencwe (like Harris Andrews), if he has to match up with Croft depending on rotations etc. Croft can just try and pull him away from the action with his running ability.

There's certainly our blueprint to win. Their blueprint is also obvious - back in their half back and midfield ball users to be better decision makers and more patient than our band of role playing and inexperienced half back and wings to be able to stop it.

Harris Andrews is possibly the only tall in the comp who can run with Croft, Blicavs aside. Insane tank for a big guy.

I'd be happy with that if it frees up Naughton though.

 

[RWnBluey]

One thing that might have been overlooked, but could this be one of the tallest, if not the tallest team to ever take an afl field?

Darcy 208
English 208
Lobb 207
Croft 201
O'Donnell 197
Naughton 196
Bont 194
Khamis 191
Freijah 191
Davidson 191
Hynes 190

Not to mention some other tall flankers and mids at 185-188cm

Could be to our detriment with the rain that’s forecast.

 

[ScottyDogg]

I would like another pure pressure forward. I'm confident in what Jones and West will bring, would be nice to have someone else. Maybe Luke Kennedy is someone who can push for that position this year. I'm also confident in what Weightman will bring pressure wise if and when he returns

Agree. If fit adding Weightman/Dolan would be my only improvement on this side. Anyone know how Dolan’s summer has been and if he’s far off?

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

BULLDOGS GET JUMP ON DARCY IN RUCK

BULLDOGS GET JUMP ON DARCY IN RUCK

todayspaper.theaustralian.com.au

 

[the conch]

The best version of Croft really can make some opposition defensive units seem imbalanced. Too tall for running defenders, but if the opposition's main tall defender is one that also one that organises the defencwe (like Harris Andrews), if he has to match up with Croft depending on rotations etc. Croft can just try and pull him away from the action with his running ability.

There's certainly our blueprint to win. Their blueprint is also obvious - back in their half back and midfield ball users to be better decision makers and more patient than our band of role playing and inexperienced half back and wings to be able to stop it.

I like Croft’s determination not to be beaten in the air .. so will Arty and Rhylee I reckon

 

[geoffjennings79]

Brissy playing a debutant in Zane Zakostelsky (what a name) to play back up ruck and down back I believe. Freak athlete.

I'm guessing his nickname is "Top", "Legs" or "Beard"...!?

 

[bulldogjuzlyy]

Dogs by 30 ive seen mick selly big AFL debut, going to Point Cook town centre for a little jog. He told me pre-season was good and shagging plenty of wa birds #dogs by 30 #micky debut. bevo get the job down or imma use my sack on you

 

[BigFloppa]

Dogs by 30 ive seen mick selly big AFL debut, going to Point Cook town centre for a little jog. He told me pre-season was good and shagging plenty of wa birds #dogs by 30 #micky debut. bevo get the job down or imma use my sack on you

Welcome to the board, Marcus. We've been waiting for you