Opinion Qualifying Final Changes vs. Sydney

[Freo88]

So to summarise, all 25 players are currently sitting on the tarmac in perth ready to take off only to find out their flight has been cancelled? Was the flight really cancelled or is this some sick joke?

 

[JamFrank]

So to summarise, all 25 players are currently sitting on the tarmac in perth ready to take off only to find out their flight has been cancelled? Was the flight really cancelled or is this some sick joke?

I believe they had been sitting in the plane for 2 hours before they were informed

 

[Grape Bear]

So to summarise, all 25 players are currently sitting on the tarmac in perth ready to take off only to find out their flight has been cancelled? Was the flight really cancelled or is this some sick joke?

the issue is the sydney airport curfew. the ship has we and truly sailed on us being able to make it tonight.

 

[Freo88]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/af...048144337?nk=d95bd5f58cc9516eacd214675b4e3fa8

Sitting down for 2 hours too before being allowed off...

 

[Freo88]

the issue is the sydney airport curfew. the ship has we and truly sailed on us being able to make it tonight.

You would hope theyll fly into a smaller airport and bus it to Sydney

 

[Freeeoo]

F*ckn Virgin.

 

[The Black Sheep]

Don't start me!

At least now I can sit back and enjoy football. My thoughts at the start of the year was why are we wasting 23 rounds of pointless football when we could just play Freo, Cats, Hawks and Swans in a final series straight of the cuff! We could all be in Bali right now.

I was having a dig at the fact Collingwood don't do too much interstate travel during the regular season. Not that you guys aren't in the eight. All in fun though.

 

[Kram]

The plane's mechanic is probably a bitter Eagles' supporter.

 

[calaisking]

I wonder what time we'll get into Sydney now? I take it they won't leave until tomorrow morning/mid morning, get to Sydney late afternoon. Sleep and have to wake up for the big game

what a joke. Puts a big dent into our game preparation

 

[Freo88]

It would almost be worth flying to melbourne tonight and catch the 1 hour flight first thing tomorrow morning

 

[JamFrank]

I wonder what time we'll get into Sydney now? I take it they won't leave until tomorrow morning/mid morning, get to Sydney late afternoon. Sleep and have to wake up for the big game

what a joke. Puts a big dent into our game preparation

I guess a big part of game preparation is mental - getting the mind focused for the job at hand. All we can hope for is that the team feels galvanised by the string of bad luck this week has held for them and by their underdog status.

 

[yoong]

Heh, Sydney Airport's curfew. Next time any of you think of being NIMBYs about something remember this.

Shouldn't their airport be available by more than 9.8% of the time?

 

[Redgum]

There is a possibility that they may use Griffin as a sub as a precaution for Sandi or even if Sandi tires from soreness. Need to be always in command in the ruck, of the other 21 players , I am not sure who they would then use as a sub. , doesn't add up , Ibbotson ? surely not who ? other then Griffin

 

[wild side]

I wonder what time we'll get into Sydney now? I take it they won't leave until tomorrow morning/mid morning, get to Sydney late afternoon. Sleep and have to wake up for the big game

what a joke. Puts a big dent into our game preparation

Apparently we leave at 10am in the morning now.

 

[Freeeoo]

There is a possibility that they may use Griffin as a sub as a precaution for Sandi or even if Sandi tires from soreness

No chance.

 

[Kram]

There is a possibility that they may use Griffin as a sub as a precaution for Sandi or even if Sandi tires from soreness

Really doubt almost nobody has used a ruck as a sub, need a fresh runner.

 

[StingBitten]

Think the Griffin inclusion is a stroke of genius from Ross.

Clarke isn't a bad defender and adds that extra height in the defence; between Clarke, Silvagni, Dawson and Ibbo we'll be tight as a snare drum down back.

Griffin's not a bad pair of hands in resting-ruck/forward either; there will be 3 Tall Targets to choose from between Taberner, Pav and Griffin - not to mention Mayne and Ballas and Son-Son to find space if the giants can't.

Our best midfield is back together as well - Fyfe, Barlow and Mundy can win the contested ball in the middle. Crowley and Mzungu will play their roles well.

The biggest and most important element for us now is our speed. It all boils down to Hill and D. Pearce, and to a lesser extent Neale and Sutcliffe. I think Hill and Pearce will need 50 + disposals for us to win this game; Hill needs to break his tag and Pearce needs to increase his disposal efficiency. Ironically, a player like Crozier would provide a great deal of X-factor and agility for a game like this, but he's missed out. We'll need big games from Duffield as the rebounding defender and greater support from Son-Son and Taberner in the middle.

I think we'll make it work though.

 

[calaisking]

^ Remember though, wet, muddy like conditions at Homebush. 3 ruckmen in that type of weather is a risk

 

[Grape Bear]

Think the Griffin inclusion is a stroke of genius from Ross.

Clarke isn't a bad defender and adds that extra height in the defence; between Clarke, Silvagni, Dawson and Ibbo we'll be tight as a snare drum down back.

Griffin's not a bad pair of hands in resting-ruck/forward either; there will be 3 Tall Targets to choose from between Taberner, Pav and Griffin - not to mention Mayne and Ballas and Son-Son to find space if the giants can't.

Our best midfield is back together as well - Fyfe, Barlow and Mundy can win the contested ball in the middle. Crowley and Mzungu will play their roles well.

The biggest and most important element for us now is our speed. It all boils down to Hill and D. Pearce, and to a lesser extent Neale and Sutcliffe. I think Hill and Pearce will need 50 + disposals for us to win this game; Hill needs to break his tag and Pearce needs to increase his disposal efficiency. Ironically, a player like Crozier would provide a great deal of X-factor and agility for a game like this, but he's missed out. We'll need big games from Duffield as the rebounding defender and greater support from Son-Son and Taberner in the middle.

I think we'll make it work though.

my worry about this approach is that griff has barely played this year and hasn't really been tearing it up in the WAFL. it takes time to find touch and get used to the pace of the AFL, and he will be a liabilty. which is why i doubt that we will go in with this line up.

 

[Ripper]

Maybe they are expecting stoppage after stoppage , which will run Pyke into the ground.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

^ Remember though, wet, muddy like conditions at Homebush. 3 ruckmen in that type of weather is a risk

I have no doubt that Griffin is going over as a contingency for Sandi.
In the conditions expected, we would not go in with three ruckmen.
Freo's advantage in this game is going to be our small forward line. Sydney will go with their big giants because they have no alternative.

 

[Redgum]

The way I see it then, either Sandilands will be given to the last minute to see if he is 100% in which case Griffin doesn't play. I that instance Grozier will be the sub to provide run and goal scoring options.

 

[PeelnThunder]

Ibbotson sub, Clarke play back, Griffin 2nd ruck with Sandi.

 

[kingswood71]

I think Clarky will play down back too....be given a run with role on Goodes also...this would obviously Griff and Sandi rucking all day.....I suspected this way early on !! Someone needs to follow Goodes, Clarky is the logical choice!
BTW, I will never fly Virgin again out of protest!!

 

[teamex]

Think the Griffin inclusion is a stroke of genius from Ross.

Clarke isn't a bad defender and adds that extra height in the defence; between Clarke, Silvagni, Dawson and Ibbo we'll be tight as a snare drum down back.

Griffin's not a bad pair of hands in resting-ruck/forward either; there will be 3 Tall Targets to choose from between Taberner, Pav and Griffin - not to mention Mayne and Ballas and Son-Son to find space if the giants can't.

Our best midfield is back together as well - Fyfe, Barlow and Mundy can win the contested ball in the middle. Crowley and Mzungu will play their roles well.

The biggest and most important element for us now is our speed. It all boils down to Hill and D. Pearce, and to a lesser extent Neale and Sutcliffe. I think Hill and Pearce will need 50 + disposals for us to win this game; Hill needs to break his tag and Pearce needs to increase his disposal efficiency. Ironically, a player like Crozier would provide a great deal of X-factor and agility for a game like this, but he's missed out. We'll need big games from Duffield as the rebounding defender and greater support from Son-Son and Taberner in the middle.

I think we'll make it work though.

won't work; griff will be subbed


We were all frothing at the prospect of sydney coming in too tall with the wet weather