- Sep 25, 2005
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- Gippy Power
All year I have (along with a few helpers) have done a player review at the end of each game. For this week I thought I would do a player preview. I will start with the matchups to give some context. I have left the side unchanged but for what it is worth I would make at least one change being Wood in for Brown. I have done it on the 25 from last week though to give some flavour for how it will play out;
B Maxwell, Tarrant, OBrien
F Ottens, Podsially, Johnson
HB Toovey, Reid, Shaw
HF Varcoe, Hawkins, Chapman
C Wellingham, Ball, Johnson
C Kelly, Selwood, Mackie
HF Blair, Cloke, Thomas
HB Enright, Lonergan, Wojcinksi
F Krakouer, Dawes, Sidebottom
B Scarlett, Taylor, Hunt
FOLL Jolly, Pendlebury, Swan
FOLL West, Ling, Bartel
INT Brown (or Wood), Didak, Davis, Beams (sub)
INT Christensen, Corey, Stokes, Duncan (sub)
Leon Davis – An enormous occasion for Leon after a really poor history in finals. Has been an absolute standout this year and wouldn’t be surprised if he lands a top 3 or 4 finish in the Copeland (yes I think he has been that good). In the finals to date he was superb against WCE and average against the Hawks when he got exposed 1:1 vs Puopolo. I think he will start HB again this week with a job probably on Varcoe but I would consider starting him on the bench as well. If in defence highly unlikely to be left one out as the Cats are committed at going long to Pods and Hawkins. If we get behind though suspect he will be moved fwd fairly quickly.
Chris Tarrant – Another who has a huge week in front of him. Performed pretty well in the ’02 final and has been good to date but all the mail is he has something to prove. Will get the job on Pods and I would think he has to play him in front or at least side on like he did Buddy. Pods is very good at leading at the ball and using his body to out position his opponent (he is also willing to go in knees first). I don’t often see Pods dominating when he is behind.
Alan Didak – Been some suggestion that he shouldn’t be in the side. Goals from our small fwds have dried up and hence why I don’t think there is any chance at all he wont play. The Cats are quick and you beat them by catching them out with turnovers and making them run the other way. I would start Dids close to goal and have him run up and then double back (much like his goal in 2nd GF last year) and hence try and get his man 1:1. Had a super GF last year so lets hope he can do it again. Very important he steps up.
Nick Maxwell – Probably underestimated his contribution to that back half. Was amazed how Harry happily admitted how important he is to marshalling their ‘structure’. Had a super final vs WCE and was v good in last quarter against the Hawks. Not sure what matchup he gets this week. In fact suspect he may not get one at all as Mick is usually happy to have Nick loose. Problem with that is it creates a loose for them which is usually Scarlett. I don’t think thats good for us so I would give him the resting ruckmen......but I aint an AFL coach so don’t listen to me!
Tyson Goldsack – For me it comes down to whether Mick wants to play a spare man in defence or go 1:1 all over the ground. All year he has been happy going 5 fwd and 7 back. In this game that means Scarlett roams free. Personally I don’t want that to happen so I would have Goldsack come in and tag him. Suspect we will go in unchanged though but he will be 1st Emerg.
Andrew Krakouer – Another great story for the year and is a guy who has dealt with the pressure of his first finals series pretty well and loves a Saturday afternoon at the ‘G’. I think his performances have been slowly improving and in a more up tempo game could well have a blinder. Watched his fwd movement closely when watching replay and he was in some outstanding positions all night but wasn’t used. They should look for him a bit more this week. I would also have him one out more in the goal square as opposed to Blair.
Harry Obrien – Hasnt had a great year (WCE was his best game I thought) and much like in last years first final he seemed tentative with the ball. He fumbled it and threw it on the boot a few times. Lets hope he settles down this week as he did in the replay last year and gives us the drive we need from him. Suspect he will get SJ and should get the job done on him as he has in the past.
Scott Pendlebury – Given we are behind the ‘8 ball’ before the game starts with injuries etc we need another Norm Smith from this bloke. Chances are he wont be as it rarely happens but he needs to get on top of Ling who I am sure they will send to him...maybe kelly. I would be inclined to send him to Selwood or bartel and let them go one out.
Jarryd Blair – Hasnt been in great form but going well enough not to be an issue. Job on Hurn was a feature 2 weeks ago and hence I wouldn’t mind betting he gets the job on Enright or Wojcinski actually. Wojo gives them a heap of run and i think he needs to be stopped off the HB. Could he tag Scarlett? Odd matchup but just might be so crazy it catches them out?
Luke Ball – Wasnt he sensational the other night. Wow when you watch the replay he was terrific. I would think about sending him to Selwood and asking him to do go with him at the stoppages. He is their best clearance player along with Kelly and has to be watched.
Dale Thomas – I always worry about blokes 2nd week up and even heard Shaw say he was happy he didn’t have to back up. Such a special player who would be hurting after Friday and personally am not expecting him to have a huge one. If he did it would be herculean. Another that I would think about sending to a HF flank so we can try and get some more goals from the small / medium fwds. Left field but I could see Dawes and Cloke pushing up to CHF and leaving him one out at FF. Be a very hard matchup and would cause havoc with their structure.
Leigh Brown – Hasnt been in great nick for some time now and whilst he usually plays a blunting role in the ruck he can usually be relied upon for a goal or two. The absence of those goals and the risk with Jolly says he may go out for Wood so in the event of Jolly going down we have a ruck replacement. If he plays then he needs to hurt a few of their blokes early on. From what I am told he is a disciple of Coach Mick so will do whatever it takes.
Dayne Beams – A lot of chatter about his performance on Friday night but I expect him to play. Had 29 touches vs Cats last time around and was one of the better ones that night and then backed it up with 20 odd vs WCE. Against that wasnt great in last years finals and had a terrible night last Friday but you don’t toss players out on one poor game (unless its structural) and in fact form line against them generally been good. Not saying its not a risk but it has to be measured against Fasolo. I love Fasolo but his performance against Cats in ’24 will be in their mind – he just looked a little out of his depth. On balance i would stick with the boy Beams. As I said the only way I think he gets left out is if they want to bring in Goldsack to do a job or have him as a back up for Reid. I would start him as the Sub though.
Darren Jolly – Look I hope he plays but am usually horrified of taking players in who are inj bc other than the ’03 GF I don’t know when its worked. In saying that he is a special player who was dominant early last week. Ottens is a good match up for him and I would play him but I would have Wood come in as back up.
Ben Reid – Another player who simply must play even if he is 90%. Without him we will get monstered by their fwds and consigned to loss. Play him and send him to the ever improving Hawkins. Question is do you bring in Goldsack as insurance?
Sharrod Wellingham – He is due isn’t he. Was a sensational performer in last years GF and really likes the game when it opens up. Should be getting back to full fitness and that would be handy as he has struggled to run out games. His injuries have just curtailed his ability to run aggressively fwd of the ball which I think is a huge issue for why our goals have dried up. I think he might get James Kelly actually. Likes it rough early so definitely starts in the 18.
Steele Sidebottom – For me his form in the last two games has been ominous. Got better against WCE when he started to run fwd again and then backed it up with a really good game vs Hawks. Set up the first in the last which got us going and ran game out pretty well. Super finals player and me thinks he would be a chance for at huge odds for ‘Norm’ if we won.
Ben Johnson – Was good last week and will be hugely important vs Cats. He had a shocker vs them last time and being the proud guy he is and his want to send Mick off well and get his mate Tazz a medal think he might be set for a ripper. When playing well he drifts fwd and kicks goals. Havent seen one for a while and he will need to do it on Saturday for us to be any show.
Chris Dawes – Another who started to show a bit on Friday night. Whilst his first few touches were terrible he finished with 3 in a low scoring game and was a terrific competitor all night. Will probably get Taylor this week so frankly best we can hope for is a contest and that he jags one or two. I don’t think we can go in relying on him to kick 5. Would prefer they send Lonergan to him.
Travis Cloke – Big boy would be on cloud 9 after Friday night. Kicks a clutch goal and set up the win with a great performance. Probably gets Lonergan and as under rated as Loners is I think Clokey might have a big one. Will lead up a lot and then push back so is a chance to work Lonergan over – would certainly blow Taylor up if he got him. Cloke will need to be very physical with them (as Pods is for them) and make them think twice about what might be coming at them when they back into him. Get it done early Trav!
Alan Toovey – seemed a bit lost the other night and I think it was because he didn’t really have a tagging job. Hawks are hard to play bc of that bc half their fwds are defensive types. Wont have that problem this week and suspect he will get Varcoe, Stokes or Christensen.
Alex Fasolo – probably doesn’t get a game for mine. Showed he could play a role with a couple of cameos vs WCE but I thin they will stick with Dayne as he was in ok nick up until recently. The argument for him to play is that we haven’t had goals from our medium fwds. He has shown he can do that but would have liked to have seen better game in Rd 24.
Dane Swan – Wont get a replay to redeem himself this time around and will be motivated to go better this time around. Hugely important for us and needs to push fwd and hurt them.
Heath Shaw – Geez I hope he puts in a performance like last years replay. Didnt play in ’24 and we will be much better bc of it. His ability to zone off and then hurt them offensively will be a huge part of the game. They wont tag him so if the tempo is up he could have a blinder. Shane Crawford could be right – he just may end up as the player of the finals.
B Maxwell, Tarrant, OBrien
F Ottens, Podsially, Johnson
HB Toovey, Reid, Shaw
HF Varcoe, Hawkins, Chapman
C Wellingham, Ball, Johnson
C Kelly, Selwood, Mackie
HF Blair, Cloke, Thomas
HB Enright, Lonergan, Wojcinksi
F Krakouer, Dawes, Sidebottom
B Scarlett, Taylor, Hunt
FOLL Jolly, Pendlebury, Swan
FOLL West, Ling, Bartel
INT Brown (or Wood), Didak, Davis, Beams (sub)
INT Christensen, Corey, Stokes, Duncan (sub)
Leon Davis – An enormous occasion for Leon after a really poor history in finals. Has been an absolute standout this year and wouldn’t be surprised if he lands a top 3 or 4 finish in the Copeland (yes I think he has been that good). In the finals to date he was superb against WCE and average against the Hawks when he got exposed 1:1 vs Puopolo. I think he will start HB again this week with a job probably on Varcoe but I would consider starting him on the bench as well. If in defence highly unlikely to be left one out as the Cats are committed at going long to Pods and Hawkins. If we get behind though suspect he will be moved fwd fairly quickly.
Chris Tarrant – Another who has a huge week in front of him. Performed pretty well in the ’02 final and has been good to date but all the mail is he has something to prove. Will get the job on Pods and I would think he has to play him in front or at least side on like he did Buddy. Pods is very good at leading at the ball and using his body to out position his opponent (he is also willing to go in knees first). I don’t often see Pods dominating when he is behind.
Alan Didak – Been some suggestion that he shouldn’t be in the side. Goals from our small fwds have dried up and hence why I don’t think there is any chance at all he wont play. The Cats are quick and you beat them by catching them out with turnovers and making them run the other way. I would start Dids close to goal and have him run up and then double back (much like his goal in 2nd GF last year) and hence try and get his man 1:1. Had a super GF last year so lets hope he can do it again. Very important he steps up.
Nick Maxwell – Probably underestimated his contribution to that back half. Was amazed how Harry happily admitted how important he is to marshalling their ‘structure’. Had a super final vs WCE and was v good in last quarter against the Hawks. Not sure what matchup he gets this week. In fact suspect he may not get one at all as Mick is usually happy to have Nick loose. Problem with that is it creates a loose for them which is usually Scarlett. I don’t think thats good for us so I would give him the resting ruckmen......but I aint an AFL coach so don’t listen to me!
Tyson Goldsack – For me it comes down to whether Mick wants to play a spare man in defence or go 1:1 all over the ground. All year he has been happy going 5 fwd and 7 back. In this game that means Scarlett roams free. Personally I don’t want that to happen so I would have Goldsack come in and tag him. Suspect we will go in unchanged though but he will be 1st Emerg.
Andrew Krakouer – Another great story for the year and is a guy who has dealt with the pressure of his first finals series pretty well and loves a Saturday afternoon at the ‘G’. I think his performances have been slowly improving and in a more up tempo game could well have a blinder. Watched his fwd movement closely when watching replay and he was in some outstanding positions all night but wasn’t used. They should look for him a bit more this week. I would also have him one out more in the goal square as opposed to Blair.
Harry Obrien – Hasnt had a great year (WCE was his best game I thought) and much like in last years first final he seemed tentative with the ball. He fumbled it and threw it on the boot a few times. Lets hope he settles down this week as he did in the replay last year and gives us the drive we need from him. Suspect he will get SJ and should get the job done on him as he has in the past.
Scott Pendlebury – Given we are behind the ‘8 ball’ before the game starts with injuries etc we need another Norm Smith from this bloke. Chances are he wont be as it rarely happens but he needs to get on top of Ling who I am sure they will send to him...maybe kelly. I would be inclined to send him to Selwood or bartel and let them go one out.
Jarryd Blair – Hasnt been in great form but going well enough not to be an issue. Job on Hurn was a feature 2 weeks ago and hence I wouldn’t mind betting he gets the job on Enright or Wojcinski actually. Wojo gives them a heap of run and i think he needs to be stopped off the HB. Could he tag Scarlett? Odd matchup but just might be so crazy it catches them out?
Luke Ball – Wasnt he sensational the other night. Wow when you watch the replay he was terrific. I would think about sending him to Selwood and asking him to do go with him at the stoppages. He is their best clearance player along with Kelly and has to be watched.
Dale Thomas – I always worry about blokes 2nd week up and even heard Shaw say he was happy he didn’t have to back up. Such a special player who would be hurting after Friday and personally am not expecting him to have a huge one. If he did it would be herculean. Another that I would think about sending to a HF flank so we can try and get some more goals from the small / medium fwds. Left field but I could see Dawes and Cloke pushing up to CHF and leaving him one out at FF. Be a very hard matchup and would cause havoc with their structure.
Leigh Brown – Hasnt been in great nick for some time now and whilst he usually plays a blunting role in the ruck he can usually be relied upon for a goal or two. The absence of those goals and the risk with Jolly says he may go out for Wood so in the event of Jolly going down we have a ruck replacement. If he plays then he needs to hurt a few of their blokes early on. From what I am told he is a disciple of Coach Mick so will do whatever it takes.
Dayne Beams – A lot of chatter about his performance on Friday night but I expect him to play. Had 29 touches vs Cats last time around and was one of the better ones that night and then backed it up with 20 odd vs WCE. Against that wasnt great in last years finals and had a terrible night last Friday but you don’t toss players out on one poor game (unless its structural) and in fact form line against them generally been good. Not saying its not a risk but it has to be measured against Fasolo. I love Fasolo but his performance against Cats in ’24 will be in their mind – he just looked a little out of his depth. On balance i would stick with the boy Beams. As I said the only way I think he gets left out is if they want to bring in Goldsack to do a job or have him as a back up for Reid. I would start him as the Sub though.
Darren Jolly – Look I hope he plays but am usually horrified of taking players in who are inj bc other than the ’03 GF I don’t know when its worked. In saying that he is a special player who was dominant early last week. Ottens is a good match up for him and I would play him but I would have Wood come in as back up.
Ben Reid – Another player who simply must play even if he is 90%. Without him we will get monstered by their fwds and consigned to loss. Play him and send him to the ever improving Hawkins. Question is do you bring in Goldsack as insurance?
Sharrod Wellingham – He is due isn’t he. Was a sensational performer in last years GF and really likes the game when it opens up. Should be getting back to full fitness and that would be handy as he has struggled to run out games. His injuries have just curtailed his ability to run aggressively fwd of the ball which I think is a huge issue for why our goals have dried up. I think he might get James Kelly actually. Likes it rough early so definitely starts in the 18.
Steele Sidebottom – For me his form in the last two games has been ominous. Got better against WCE when he started to run fwd again and then backed it up with a really good game vs Hawks. Set up the first in the last which got us going and ran game out pretty well. Super finals player and me thinks he would be a chance for at huge odds for ‘Norm’ if we won.
Ben Johnson – Was good last week and will be hugely important vs Cats. He had a shocker vs them last time and being the proud guy he is and his want to send Mick off well and get his mate Tazz a medal think he might be set for a ripper. When playing well he drifts fwd and kicks goals. Havent seen one for a while and he will need to do it on Saturday for us to be any show.
Chris Dawes – Another who started to show a bit on Friday night. Whilst his first few touches were terrible he finished with 3 in a low scoring game and was a terrific competitor all night. Will probably get Taylor this week so frankly best we can hope for is a contest and that he jags one or two. I don’t think we can go in relying on him to kick 5. Would prefer they send Lonergan to him.
Travis Cloke – Big boy would be on cloud 9 after Friday night. Kicks a clutch goal and set up the win with a great performance. Probably gets Lonergan and as under rated as Loners is I think Clokey might have a big one. Will lead up a lot and then push back so is a chance to work Lonergan over – would certainly blow Taylor up if he got him. Cloke will need to be very physical with them (as Pods is for them) and make them think twice about what might be coming at them when they back into him. Get it done early Trav!
Alan Toovey – seemed a bit lost the other night and I think it was because he didn’t really have a tagging job. Hawks are hard to play bc of that bc half their fwds are defensive types. Wont have that problem this week and suspect he will get Varcoe, Stokes or Christensen.
Alex Fasolo – probably doesn’t get a game for mine. Showed he could play a role with a couple of cameos vs WCE but I thin they will stick with Dayne as he was in ok nick up until recently. The argument for him to play is that we haven’t had goals from our medium fwds. He has shown he can do that but would have liked to have seen better game in Rd 24.
Dane Swan – Wont get a replay to redeem himself this time around and will be motivated to go better this time around. Hugely important for us and needs to push fwd and hurt them.
Heath Shaw – Geez I hope he puts in a performance like last years replay. Didnt play in ’24 and we will be much better bc of it. His ability to zone off and then hurt them offensively will be a huge part of the game. They wont tag him so if the tempo is up he could have a blinder. Shane Crawford could be right – he just may end up as the player of the finals.
