Analysis Mihocek-Cox-Reid: Yes, No, or Maybe going forward?

[Markfs]

That's a fabulous point, I think I confused the names that annoy from West Coast with their intercept-marking game... which has made me look rather foolish in hindsight! Oh well, a horrible example, we all make them now and again. The question of what to do with the talls remains though...

It takes a brave man to admit a mistake. My father did the same on the day I was born...

 

[Saintly Viewed]

We can’t beat the better teams with this three tall set up.

I live Reidy, but it’s not worth throwing a chance at a flag away just to give everyone a warm fuzzy that he’s in the side.

We need to be ruthless.

Im not convinced anyone is particularly picked to get a warm fuzzy feeling.

Over the last couple of years, Ben Reid has been dropped.

We’ve seen Varcoe dropped here and there.

I’d even venture Ben only played this week due to Stephenson having his rest.

Best warm fuzzy feel is winning a flag.

 

[Markfs]

Except for early in a VFL game a few weeks ago, I havent been impressed with Reid's attack on the footy. I dont see the point in having a big guy if he's not going to use his body or take a strong mark. However, yesterday I thought he looked good.... which might have because he was up against a small backline. Another factor is that he might have some confidence in his body now. On the other hand, Cox looks far more integrated into the forward line when Stephenson is around, so he's a bit like a pimple on a bum without him. Cox's lack of kicking strength is an issue too.

A few weeks back I would have bet on Mason every time but Reid is looking more flexible.

I was a bit surprised when Reid went into the ruck instead of Cox. Im not sure if Cox had a stint in there. Mason might need a chant of USA to get him going next week. It's a risky strategy. Trump might interpret as Aussie support for an Iran invasion.

 

[jackcass]

Today when the ball came in and it hit the floor after a marking contest, the Bulldogs took it away with minimal pressure. Our shocking tackles inside 50 numbers showed that. Playing them all is not the way forward if we want to lock that ball in and create forward pressure.

More often than not that was due to an outnumber at the fall of the footy. One instance there we kicked to Cox who had 4 opponents. That says to me it is more about decision making and work rate in our transition rather than anything about the efficacy of the 3x talls.

 

[jackcass]

That's a fabulous point, I think I confused the names that annoy from West Coast with their intercept-marking game... which has made me look rather foolish in hindsight! Oh well, a horrible example, we all make them now and again. The question of what to do with the talls remains though...

Their preferred defensive lineup includes McGovern (196cm), Barrass (194cm), and Schofield (196cm)

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

We can’t beat the better teams with this three tall set up.

I love Reidy, but it’s not worth throwing a chance at a flag away just to give everyone a warm fuzzy that he’s in the side.

We need to be ruthless.

I’d ruthlessly stick with our top scorer from yesterday’s game.

He’s kicked two bags of three and a two in his six games. Add to that an inaccurate 1:4 in his first game v the Power and he’s done very well. In fact on almost every measure he’s actually doing better than Cox this year.

 

[jackcass]

Hard to judge off that one game, especially coming off a bye where strange things happen.

I think it depends on the opposition. I think it is handy to have players that can be thrown around the ground. Cox can play forward and ruck, reid and checkers can play forward and defence. Could really allow us to change things up when things aren't going our way.

I'd agree, it should be opposition dependent but I'd also argue that the Doggies with their smaller more mobile defense are probably the worst opposition to try the 3x talls option against and we still got through.

 

[Brad Goodman]

It is a tough one because they are all deserving of their spots. Reid is the default option to go out however he was comfortably our best forward yesterday so he'd be pretty stiff to be a horses for courses omission.

 

[neilk]

Is it a given that Reid playing as a KPD is not going to happen?

 

[jackcass]

Is it a given that Reid playing as a KPD is not going to happen?

Never say never but it seems unlikely, barring injuries off course.

 

[adammania9]

Their preferred defensive lineup includes McGovern (196cm), Barrass (194cm), and Schofield (196cm)

Not Schofield. He’s basically first reserve - came in for Sheppard last year and Barrass this year. Shannon Hurn would be the third tall at West Coast.

 

[ClaytonM]

Not when/if Elliott and Stepho are available, but in the meantime I think we persist for a while to see how it pans out.

 

[Gone Critical]

Yes, I'd persist.

I'd be interested to know wht Cox didnt ruck though

Probably Reid has been as effective rucking this year and his mobility around the ground is harder to play against than Cox

 

[omen_au]

Elliot takes Stevo’s spot when fit

Mihocek wasn’t as effective with the two others playing in the forward line.

Cox is better as a relief ruck


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[Timmy from Thomastown]

Probably Reid has been as effective rucking this year and his mobility around the ground is harder to play against than Cox

I find it hard to believe cox has gone backwards as a ruckman against a 30 year old who has never before rucked in his career.

It’s a mystery. I suspect cox is still carrying that ankle injury and doesn’t want to risk it in ruck contests

 

[Saintly Viewed]

1

I find it hard to believe cox has gone backwards as a ruckman against a 30 year old who has never before rucked in his career.

It’s a mystery. I suspect cox is still carrying that ankle injury and doesn’t want to risk it in ruck contests

im sure it’s a precaution with Cox.
No point aggravating or over stretching his leg than absolutely necessary.

Give it a bit of time and he’ll be doing the rucking.

Just think of this (fun aside):
Grundy is our main ruck.
But ruck relief we have all these options:
Cox, Moore, Roughead, Reid all of those imagine in one side as has happened this week.

They can all do ruck minutes if needed.

 

[ZEV]

We can’t beat the better teams with this three tall set up.

I love Reidy, but it’s not worth throwing a chance at a flag away just to give everyone a warm fuzzy that he’s in the side.

We need to be ruthless.

History says we just need to be patient with Reid's injury history.

 

[Gone Critical]

I find it hard to believe cox has gone backwards as a ruckman against a 30 year old who has never before rucked in his career.

It’s a mystery. I suspect cox is still carrying that ankle injury and doesn’t want to risk it in ruck contests

I agree, Cox is a superior ruck but Reid had done as well this season when placed there and is more mobile.

I was looking for the answer to the question as I also was suprised to see Reid ruck.

 

[sirlothie]

It's a forced return to a more traditional forward set up but I like it and think we still have a point of difference because there is no set hierarchy among them. Each can become a focal point depending on match ups and each brings something slightly different to the table. There's a chaos about them operating together which would make it difficult to counter all 3 at the same time. Persist I reckon, now Stevo's out of the picture.

 

[noideaatall]

Maybe giving Reid a go in the ruck is seeing if he could hold his own should we leave Cox out of the side....

 

[Saintly Viewed]

I’d ruthlessly stick with our top scorer from yesterday’s game.

He’s kicked two bags of three and a two in his six games. Add to that an inaccurate 1:4 in his first game v the Power and he’s done very well. In fact on almost every measure he’s actually doing better than Cox this year.

What about no Mihocek instead?

HF. De Goey - Reid - Stephenson
F. Elliot - Cox - Hoskin-Elliott

I

 

[10571z]

Not sure when we press up Cox is set closest to the goals. IMO De Goey or WHE should be deepest forward. Cox was caught out many times not being able to push back quick enough.

IMO Cox is on thin ice. They kick to him terribly to be fair. He needs to start 50 away and lead to 40 and jump. Cox cannot wrestle.

 

[sirlothie]

Maybe giving Reid a go in the ruck is seeing if he could hold his own should we leave Cox out of the side....

Big Cox straight into the ones after an extended lay off and not through necessity suggests he is considered automatic best 22.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Not sure when we press up Cox is set closest to the goals. IMO De Goey or WHE should be deepest forward. Cox was caught out many times not being able to push back quick enough.

IMO Cox is on thin ice. They kick to him terribly to be fair. He needs to start 50 away and lead to 40 and jump. Cox cannot wrestle.

I’d have to suggest, that Cox has the great point of difference.
That incredible height.
He can never be left alone.

He brings the ball down.

Has the rucking ability.

But that greatest maxim of all, as the game goes on, as everyone tires, you don’t get any smaller.

So for me he’s such a weapon that he’s superior to what else we have.

Be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[Gone Critical]

I think it is an option going forward the 3 big men but no where hear proven. Also dont see Cox as a certainty v Reid. While Cox has structural benefits REid is AFL quality and if he continues to out perform Cox like he did yesterday the spot should become his. Cox's body of work doesnt give him long term best 22 status

Another point of interest for me is our general potency up forward. In the darker years 13-17 this was a glaring weakness and entering 2018 to me the biggest reason we might struggle to perform.

2018 was a revelation with all of De Goey, WHE, Stevo (obviously), Thomas and Mihocek (totally unpredictable) having best ever goal scoring seasons, all performing at or even above what would have been the most optimistic expectation entering the season. With those 5 and Ben Reid we had 6 players in the top 50 for average goals per game. Remarkable. Cox was our seventh best.

Look at previous seasons and we had 2017 (2), 2016 (2), 2015 (4), 2014 (2) and 2013 (2)

This season we again have 6 players in that top 6 which is clearly best compared to toher sides but there is an * as Reid, Elliott and Stevo, who are 3 of those 6 have ? on them. Still WHE isnt in the 6 nor is Thomas so we have plenty of cards to play. Reid, Cox and De Goey are the other 3.

Its not the be all and end all stat but gives some idea of spread and potency. Currently in that metric (goals per game) we have 6 in the top 50 and the other teams in the 8 are as follows. Cats 4, WCE 4, Giants 3, Dockers 4, Bris 2, Adel 3and Power 2.

Settling our best mix with the uncertainty around the 3 big men, Elliott and whether we risk Stevo in finals is going to occupy the coaches.