Prediction R13: Changes vs Carlton

[StingBitten]

Hughes was very good for Peel. Hughes in allows Connor to stay on ball. Hughes, Fyfe and Sandy for Pearce, Sonny and Jones.

I’m hoping for Hughes too - although it’s tricky replacing a 200cm giant like Pearce with a 188cm player like Hughes.

You’d had to put Hamling and Kersten on their two best and Hughes next in line.

Duman’s a fair bit taller, might he not make more sense?

 

[TheLastCall]

I'd go Duman over Hughes, as he's taller, but it depends on how bad his back is from getting out of his car?

 

[Halfbaked]

Are those calling for Ballantyne to be dropped at the game. Maybe his gut running and pressure did not show up on the the tv but he was good, really good.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

Even though Hughes is shorter than Duman he's probably actually going to be a hell of a lot better if he needs to play on anyone of size. A lot stronger than Duman and has a decent leap too.

 

[stax on the mull]

Are those calling for Ballantyne to be dropped at the game. Maybe his gut running and pressure did not show up on the the tv but he was good, really good.

Interesting that he had the least game time of any of our players 61%. (Tucker 66%, Giro 68%, Blakely 71%, Brayshaw 74%, Neale 75%).

 

[Square Peg]

Interesting that he had the least game time of any of our players 61%. (Tucker 66%, Giro 68%, Blakely 71%, Brayshaw 74%, Neale 75%).

Those Tucker numbers are pretty standard for him and never seem to improve. Even when he is on the field he never projects the sense that he is busting a gut. Does he cruise too much?

 

[GoFreo4eva]

The wording of the question made it easy for Ross to agree. I hope you're right though.

He also did not offer up Johnno immediately as the likely in to replace Pearce.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

He also did not offer up Johnno immediately as the likely in to replace Pearce.

He's suspended from an incident in the WAFL

 

[Superkoops]

Depends if Sandi and Duman are passed fit.

Jones > Sandi (if passed fit)
Walters > Fyfe
Pearce > Duman (if passed fit)

If Duman and Sandi don’t pass their fitness tests then Hughes and Jones play.

Jones gives good effort as a fwd. I’ve actually been mildly impressed with his Collingwood fwd efforts and yesterday, but in the ruck and around the ground is treacle slow and pushed out of the contest far too easily. He didn’t have much of a pre-season so if he can get a bit fitter, build his core strength and gain a yard of pace we might have a decent depth ruckman. He will go back to Peel soon but will do so a much better player.

Logue going down has opened the door for Hughes to get some game time. Would have been a great game for Logue to come back.

 

[GoFreo4eva]

He's suspended from an incident in the WAFL

Yeah saw that too late!

 

[Fyfster]

Jones is treacle slow as you say Sandi would beat him in a foot race you would think , Agree in Fyfe , Sandi and Duman , Out Jones , Walters and Pearce

 

[Superkoops]

There was a moment in the last quarter where Jonesy danced around (in slow motion) and then crawled forward before obviously being caught holding the ball. The commentator said “Jones was a bit slow there” and I heard Pav chuckle and respond with “A BIT SLOW!!”

 

[Del183359]

Even though Hughes is shorter than Duman he's probably actually going to be a hell of a lot better if he needs to play on anyone of size. A lot stronger than Duman and has a decent leap too.

Pick the player who can exit a car without injuring themselves.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

There was a moment in the last quarter where Jonesy danced around (in slow motion) and then crawled forward before obviously being caught holding the ball. The commentator said “Jones was a bit slow there” and I heard Pav chuckle and respond with “A BIT SLOW!!”

That was funny

I also saw Jones with less than 5 mins to go on the ground spent
You could tell he gave it his all. Can't ever knock him for that. Just wished he was a bit quicker in pace and execution.

 

[Superkoops]

That was funny

I also saw Jones with less than 5 mins to go on the ground spent
You could tell he gave it his all. Can't ever knock him for that. Just wished he was a bit quicker in pace and execution.

His effort in reversing back into two Adelaide players on the wing and forcing a contest and a boundary throw-in was impressive. In saying all this I still see him as another Jack Hannoth who won’t make the grade but I’m happy to be pleasantly surprised - doubt it though.

Sandi had a crack at selling some candy in the last line of defence against Port Rd 1 and was equally as funny as Jonesy’s HTB effort. The old know your strengths saying that an old coach drilled into me comes to mind

 

[stax on the mull]

Those Tucker numbers are pretty standard for him and never seem to improve. Even when he is on the field he never projects the sense that he is busting a gut. Does he cruise too much?

Including the weekend game Tucker is averaging 75% on ground time during matches. I'm not sure how you come to the "cruising" conclusion. Its not the impression I was trying to create.

I was just using the figures as a comparison to show Ballantyne was the lowest on the weekend along side the next 5 in ascending order for time on ground. Not sure what to read into it.

Perhaps using him in shorter intensive bursts. Could have had 3 goals by early in the 2nd quarter. He kicked the most difficult of the 3, but he definitely found a lot of space in the Adelaide defence early in the game, and didn't notice him going to ground as much on the weekend - but also didn't notice him much at all in the second half. Not making the most of all his chances at goal is an issue though.

Really don't have the knowledge to assess the rest of Ballantyne's game. Imagine a players role changes during a game, or there's less supply, or they get clamped down on by the opposition.

Have seen similar with a couple of the younger players this year playing forward and covering huge km distances but having very few possessions in a game. Ostensibly I'd say they had little impact.

 

[Frigate]

Are those calling for Ballantyne to be dropped at the game. Maybe his gut running and pressure did not show up on the the tv but he was good, really good.

I was thinking the same thing. I think Ballas is just one of those players that will be on the list of some people forever. The fact that he is hated by the toast ensures he always generates a lot of negative media coverage in WA. The guy was all Australian 2014 and truth is he had one of his better games that I can remember in some time.

I think he actually was a major difference in us winning the game, playing with Matera. Sure, if he kicked one more goal, then it would have been more polished game, but he set up at least two other goals in a low scoring match. As to game time, it is his high octane running that requires him to need more time off. He is a freak with the constant sprinting he does. He is 30, but Eddie Betts is 31, as is Le Cras (All Australian 2010).

Sorry for a long post, in a deviation from the thread, however the opening posts called for his head without much reason based on his game vs Adelaide.

I will point out, that with our list, the more smaller impact runners we have, the more we can play this style of footy that dashed the hopes of a premiership favorite side. This style won Richmond a premiership.

 

[banners87]

Outs: Walters, Pearce, Jones
Ins: Fyfe, Duman (would prefer Hughes), Sandi

Think we will bring Sandi back because we desperately need to get the win before the bye and to make the most of the momentum from this win.

Jones unlucky - was pretty impressed with a lot of what he did yesterday.

 

[Taylor]

Alex Pearce played half a game with a busted thumb and didn't look too bad after the main break, pun absolutely intended.

Maybe they will strap it and play on?

 

[Belnakor]

Alex Pearce played half a game with a busted thumb and didn't look too bad after the main break, pun absolutely intended.

Maybe they will strap it and play on?

He needs a break anyway to rest his ankle and lower leg.

 

[FreoMonocle]

Alex Pearce played half a game with a busted thumb and didn't look too bad after the main break, pun absolutely intended.

Maybe they will strap it and play on?

I hope that we dish out a sound spanking to 22 blue and white submissives, so someone, give APearce a strap on thumb and a whip please.

 

[FreoMonocle]

With Blakely back in the Midfield (finally) and Cerra looking a million dollars down back (until he looks a million dollars in the Midfield - might take another preseason with the weights) and Fyfes return...

Brayshaw goes forward with a bit of midfield to replace Walters? Yes he's a midfielder, but still a journeyman and with Fyfe/Blakely/Neale it is kinda covered. We could do with a defensive forward to lock the ball in, particularly hurt us last year. He has a cool head, reminds me of Mundy for that, so pressure wouldn't get to him for set shots you'd think.

 

[ydraw]

Sorry for a long post, in a deviation from the thread, however the opening posts called for his head without much reason based on his game vs Adelaide.

The calls to drop Ballantyne aren't based on this 1 game, but on his entire body of work over the last 3 seasons, which has been average at best. That, and his age.

 

[dominguez]

Are those calling for Ballantyne to be dropped at the game. Maybe his gut running and pressure did not show up on the the tv but he was good, really good.

He works hard but watching Ballantyne constantly falling over is frustrating.

Personally I prefer Crowden's tenacity.

 

[dominguez]

With Blakely back in the Midfield (finally) and Cerra looking a million dollars down back (until he looks a million dollars in the Midfield - might take another preseason with the weights) and Fyfes return...

Brayshaw goes forward with a bit of midfield to replace Walters? Yes he's a midfielder, but still a journeyman and with Fyfe/Blakely/Neale it is kinda covered. We could do with a defensive forward to lock the ball in, particularly hurt us last year. He has a cool head, reminds me of Mundy for that, so pressure wouldn't get to him for set shots you'd think.

With the midfield playing well on the weekend could Fyfe spend more time forward this week? A forward line with Cox, Apeness and Fyfe has plenty of marking power.