Opinion Qualifying Final Changes vs. Sydney

[Malc]

Nick Smith still unavailable. Good for our smalls.

 

[Banker]

With Franklin out, if Freo can't win we don't deserve the premiership.

I think if Fyfe isn't alright let him rest, we have the luxury now.

 

[Tas]

Exactly, I'd be playing Reid up the field for linking transition but now that would mean Tippett is double teamed deep inside fifty and the ball turns over.

I think the last 4 weeks the Tippett/Reid combo up forward has been working well, granted, not against the strongest opposition. I think Freo will lock down Tippett/Reid a lot better and without Franklin then someone like McPharlin wont be dragged up the field following Buddy.

With Jack and Parker down as well it is a fantastic opportunity for Freo to make the PF.

 

[beetz]

Thoughts on Ballantyne as the sub?

Hopefully by the time he comes on the game is done and dusted and he can ease into some much needed game time, he could possibly play at Peel the following week too.

 

[Big Animal]

Buddy is a massive loss for them, almost single handedly won the game for them last year when we were making a come back. From what I remember anyway...

That's what i remember too.

Hope he is ok. Isn't he getting married soon? Hope it's nothing too serious or long term.

Disappointing for the Swans.

 

[noise36]

If we can't beat this Sydney team we don't deserve a GF.

 

[Wizard]

I think if Fyfe isn't alright let him rest, we have the luxury now.

No we don't. This is a HUGE final with massive implications, if he is 80% or above he must play.

We win then he gets another week of rest.

All out this Saturday.

 

[Zacy boy]

Nick Smith still unavailable. Good for our smalls.

has this been confirmed? i was under the impression he was still in a race to prove his fitness?

 

[beetz]

has this been confirmed? i was under the impression he was still in a race to prove his fitness?

Yep, straight from the Horses mouth

(pun intended)

 

[StingBitten]

Kept repeating 'what?!' over and over again when I heard this over the radio. Has there been any mention of his mental health before?

It's tough and lonely at the top. Get well Buddy.

 

[PurpleReign]

Buddy being out changes the landscape of this game. Sometimes it's better the devil you know. I actually think I'd prefer an unfit Buddy (physically not mentally) to be playing, at least that is a known quantity. In recent weeks Sydney have spread the goal kicking load in the absence of Buddy which is more difficult to defend. I assume Reid and Tippett's roles which change slightly now. Reid did very well against us in the midfield last time we played, I guess he's less likely to play there this time around. Shame Buddy is missing, he adds a unique element of theatre when he plays.

 

[FUS_RO_DAH]

Thoughts on Ballantyne as the sub?

Hopefully by the time he comes on the game is done and dusted and he can ease into some much needed game time, he could possibly play at Peel the following week too.

Would be pretty happy with this to be honest. Ease him in

 

[malpaso]

Franklin out means they might bring in Nankervis to allow Tippett and Reid to stay in the forward line more.

 

[sproketman]

Franklin out means they might bring in Nankervis to allow Tippett and Reid to stay in the forward line more.

I doubt they'd be that desperate.

 

[Arcassius]

Buddy being out changes the landscape of this game. Sometimes it's better the devil you know. I actually think I'd prefer an unfit Buddy (physically not mentally) to be playing, at least that is a known quantity. In recent weeks Sydney have spread the goal kicking load in the absence of Buddy which is more difficult to defend. I assume Reid and Tippett's roles which change slightly now. Reid did very well against us in the midfield last time we played, I guess he's less likely to play there this time around. Shame Buddy is missing, he adds a unique element of theatre when he plays.

Yeah I'm with you there. An unfit Buddy would have been towelled up by us - I was looking forward to them being effectively down a player, the same as having Goodes play.

 

[FreoRicci]

Franklin out means they might bring in Nankervis to allow Tippett and Reid to stay in the forward line more.

Reckon we'll name McPharlin, Dawson anyway. As we get closer to bouncedown, Ross will probably keep him in or rest him depending on the rain as well as who Sydney flies over on Thursday/Friday. Massive tactical advantage having it Saturday.

 

[FreoRicci]

Nick Smith still unavailable. Good for our smalls.

Just name Walters and Ballas now. Ballas' pressure on their slower defence will be huge, even if for three quarters.

 

[duncs]

Ballas hasn't been stopped from running while out with the pec so I would expect him at full fitness. Yes, he's lacking some match hardening but that's no reason to start him as sub. Particularly with Smith out, get him on the field and let him and Walters cause chaos!

 

[mayne iac]

I hope Ross takes particular interest in shutting McGlynn down. Very dangerous player.

 

[sproketman]

Yeah I'm with you there. An unfit Buddy would have been towelled up by us - I was looking forward to them being effectively down a player, the same as having Goodes play.

He'd still draw a defender. An unfit Buddy is still a risk in any opposition coach's eyes.

 

[Freoforever86]

Just name Walters and Ballas now. Ballas' pressure on their slower defence will be huge, even if for three quarters.

Yep, no smith is huge. Always towels up ballaz/Walters.

 

[malpaso]

I hope Ross takes particular interest in shutting McGlynn down. Very dangerous player.

Longmire just said he's available, doesn't mean he'll play. He's been out for a while.

 

[Taylor]

That Shaw matchup is looking like a bit of a headache for Sydney

 

[sproketman]

I think this game, and the next four weeks, is what the entire season has been planned around.

The lessons at the end of last year would have influenced decisions made in pre season. We started slowly in 2014, and had to scramble at the close of the season just to make top four. Ultimately that cost us, with injuries to important players hurting our squad in finals, and we went out in straight sets. We were tired and it showed.

I think Ross knew that with the age of our squad we couldn't start poorly again this year, and he set out to win a number of games early. We established a break on the competition in the first half of the season and effectively coasted into first place in the second half.

For all our poor form, this is what we have been building to. I don't doubt that Ross hasn't loved the way we've played, but we go into finals with McPharlin, Johnson, Ibbotson all fit, Ballas available and Fyfe on the cusp of returning, having rested for two weeks. Half the squad sat out the last round as well.

The only vulnerability is that Fyfe is not ready, but compared to Sydney's issues this is minor.

 

[StingBitten]

I don't think we should change our own structure and hold players out of the side that can play or swap key position players around. Sydney's an experienced finals side and we'll need to bring our A game.