Preview R17: Changes vs. Melbourne Demons

[1970crow]

Unfortunately, I think you are right - the only significant change other than them trying to work Murray back in, will be due to injury.

Potentially Crouch could come back too, but he’s running out of time.

 

[Mostyn]

Edwards was pick 16 in the open draft of players we had access to

He was the 21st best player.

I think I agree. First rounder has become meaningless. Top 18 or top 20 is more relevant.

 

[Mutineer]

He was the 21st best player.

I think I agree. First rounder has become meaningless. Top 18 or top 20 is more relevant.

What pick was Joel Freijah?

He's the biggest steal of that draft.

 

[Scorpus]

He was the 21st best player.

I think I agree. First rounder has become meaningless. Top 18 or top 20 is more relevant.

It's always been meaningless.

Back in the day, father son picks were taken at the back end of the draft even though in an open draft some would have gone in the first round. There were also various zone selections (eg Taylor Walker)

 

[Mostyn]

Realistically if we were proactive we could have had Edwards up to 6-7 games by now.

I think we're past the kids get a golden ticket stage.

I disagreed with the Murphy selection because I don't think he's been good enough at the lower level. But Edwards hasn't been smashing the door down either. He tends to have one good game in three. They obviously chose Smith and Murphy because they felt they were the two next best players - I mean, Smith certainly was.

 

[Mostyn]

What pick was Joel Freijah?

He's the biggest steal of that draft.

Yeah, I agree. Great prediction by you on his potential at the top level, that's been one of your best.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

I know it’s been said a thousand times before, but can we please just shoot Murphy into the sun so Nicks can’t pick him.

I can even live with Smith getting a game - I think he’s past it and good back up depth but atleast he still has AFL attributes to offer.

Murphy never has been AFL level and never will be.

We have a shopping list of first and second round draftees running around in the twos (and that’s before you start listing guys like Nank and Sholl as other options) yet Nicks is still pumping games into this ammo level footballer.

 

[steve9798]

Well, we’re hardly going to trust them with that.

 

[dude316]

Couldn’t they just “manage” Murphy back to the SANFL with the old “important to get a full game, especially coming off the bye” spiel?
Nicks and co can save face etc.

 

[FR0GGY]

He was the 21st best player.

I think I agree. First rounder has become meaningless. Top 18 or top 20 is more relevant.

Even the numbers are irrelevant unless drafts are equal in talent.

 

[Mostyn]

Don’t agree with wasting hinge away he’s going well back there.
We have too many halfbacks is the issue.
If Cumming was the price to pay to get peatling here, it might just pay off.

Honestly, I'm fine with Cumming. Reasonably strong in the contest, good defensively, makes smart decisions and his skills are very reliable.

I'd rather he was getting it 20 times than 15, but I can live with this.

 

[FR0GGY]

Honestly, I'm fine with Cumming. Reasonably strong in the contest, good defensively, makes smart decisions and his skills are very reliable.

I'd rather he was getting it 20 times than 15, but I can live with this.

It’s a bit like our forwardline, not everyone can be racking it up every week.
Listening to Adam Simpson and he used to run with a wing that was told to basically stay away from the ball.
Not sure if I want that player to be cumming but he’s not my biggest issue in the side.

 

[spenze]

It’s a bit like our forwardline, not everyone can be racking it up every week.
Listening to Adam Simpson and he used to run with a wing that was told to basically stay away from the ball.
Not sure if I want that player to be cumming but he’s not my biggest issue in the side.

Does Nicks give Murph that instruction?

 

[Gtowncrow]

Murphy out

Smith retired

Absolutely perfect time and place for a Smithers retirement game.

He won't do it but the fact remains...it's a perfect opportunity for him to finish on his own terms.

 

[Gtowncrow]

Looks like this one will be played with a straight bat:

Out: Murphy
In: Taylor (or Pedlar).

I would like to see Draper come in, but at this point, it doesn't seem like we're willing to pull the trigger on Sid being a small forward.

Pedlar's last two games were played in slippery conditions and he was very poor in both. He doesn't warrant a recall.

 

[spenze]

I think we're past the kids get a golden ticket stage.

I disagreed with the Murphy selection because I don't think he's been good enough at the lower level. But Edwards hasn't been smashing the door down either. He tends to have one good game in three. They obviously chose Smith and Murphy because they felt they were the two next best players - I mean, Smith certainly was.

JFC you post such bullshit to justify your kowtowing to the club at all opportunities.

"Edwards has one good game in three, but Smith was the next best player." Can you look at their stats in the SANFL and then reevaluate your position? Their stats are identical.

It isn't about a golden ticket it is about having your foot soldiers ready to go. We will play finals this year but did we use Sunday as an opportunity to get a game at the MCG into two youngsters against a near bottom side, or do we really need to see what Smithers or Murph can produce (which besides the look away handpass to nobody, spin into holding the ball decisions and clangers), appeared to be nothing much to hold a kid out of gaining experience.

They chose Smith and Murph because Nicks rates experience over opportunity and it holds the club back.

Collingwood had a game against the bottom side on the weekend, did they pick Mason Cox for experience or blood a youngster?

 

[spenze]

Absolutely perfect time and place for a Smithers retirement game.

He won't do it but the fact remains...it's a perfect opportunity for him to finish on his own terms.

he isn't retiring this close to finals and to be fair, plays the rest of this season and some finals, he'd be champing at the bit for one more year to try and get 300

 

[Slim258]

he isn't retiring this close to finals and to be fair, plays the rest of this season and some finals, he'd be champing at the bit for one more year to try and get 300

Makes you wonder what his games clause is this year...
Currently at 5 games for the year, with 8 Regular season games left - noting he played 15 last year.

 

[spenze]

Makes you wonder what his games clause is this year...
Currently at 5 games for the year, with 8 Regular season games left - noting he played 15 last year.

I'd doubt he'd have a games clause this year but disappointed we played him through injury to activate his clause last year. It left us with little flexibility in a year described as a bumper draft year

 

[CharlieCrow]

This is probably the last opportunity to be brave to be creative at the selection table - but we won't be.

We will need a fit selectable squad of about 28 ready to go for the finals - to cover for injuries, specific selection criteria etc - with representatives across all lines. We saw 23 of them running around against Richmond - like it or not. And that won't change.

That means we need to have five more than the existing team ready to go. Based on current and previous selection policy those five - ie the ones currently not in the team - would be from these seven - Crouch, Murray - both if fit - Pedlar, Borlase and Taylor and to a lesser degree Nankervis and Draper. Out of the others, Burgess might come in to replace a tall forward but I think Michalanney was auditioned for that on the weekend. And McAndrew would be considered if ROB went down.

That means that, unless there is one highly unlikely last grasp at bravery or creativity, Edwards, Ryan, Dowling and Bond will have to wait until next year, which is terrible development policy, culture killing and downright disrespectful. Some might say they have not deserved selection but they have definitely deserved an opportunity. That opportunity was certainly missed last weekend. No-one would blame these guys for wanting out, should the opportunity present.

This also means that Jones, Cook, Schoenberg and Sholl are done and should look for other opportunities.

For me? Well it would certainly be dropping Murphy and Smith and bringing in Edwards and Taylor and perhaps even Dowling and putting Neal-Bullen, Cumming or Milera - or Walker!!! as sub or even Soligo.
And I would be doing another Max and trying Hinge out in the midfield and giving starting midfield time to Rachele.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

This is probably the last opportunity to be brave to be creative at the selection table - but we won't be.

We will need a fit selectable squad of about 28 ready to go for the finals - to cover for injuries, specific selection criteria etc - with representatives across all lines. We saw 23 of them running around against Richmond - like it or not. And that won't change.

That means we need to have five more than the existing team ready to go. Based on current and previous selection policy those five - ie the ones currently not in the team - would be from these seven - Crouch, Murray - both if fit - Pedlar, Borlase and Taylor and to a lesser degree Nankervis and Draper. Out of the others, Burgess might come in to replace a tall forward but I think Michalanney was auditioned for that on the weekend. And McAndrew would be considered if ROB went down.

That means that, unless there is one highly unlikely last grasp at bravery or creativity, Edwards, Ryan, Dowling and Bond will have to wait until next year, which is terrible development policy, culture killing and downright disrespectful. Some might say they have not deserved selection but they have definitely deserved an opportunity. That opportunity was certainly missed last weekend. No-one would blame these guys for wanting out, should the opportunity present.

This also means that Jones, Cook, Schoenberg and Sholl are done and should look for other opportunities.

For me? Well it would certainly be dropping Murphy and Smith and bringing in Edwards and Taylor and perhaps even Dowling and putting Neal-Bullen, Cumming or Milera - or Walker!!! as sub or even Soligo.
And I would be doing another Max and trying Hinge out in the midfield and giving starting midfield time to Rachele.

All of Jones, Cook, Schoenberg and Sholl belong on an afl list and could help a rebuilding side.

The likes of Richmond and West Coast should be sniffing around these guys as cheap additions to their squad who can come in as a hard body and play a dozen games a year.

 

[Syd Crow]

I know it’s been said a thousand times before, but can we please just shoot Murphy into the sun so Nicks can’t pick him.

I can even live with Smith getting a game - I think he’s past it and good back up depth but atleast he still has AFL attributes to offer.

Murphy never has been AFL level and never will be.

We have a shopping list of first and second round draftees running around in the twos (and that’s before you start listing guys like Nank and Sholl as other options) yet Nicks is still pumping games into this ammo level footballer.

Should we shoot the bloke or the guy who keeps picking him off to the sun?

 

[Syd Crow]

This is probably the last opportunity to be brave to be creative at the selection table - but we won't be.

We will need a fit selectable squad of about 28 ready to go for the finals - to cover for injuries, specific selection criteria etc - with representatives across all lines. We saw 23 of them running around against Richmond - like it or not. And that won't change.

That means we need to have five more than the existing team ready to go. Based on current and previous selection policy those five - ie the ones currently not in the team - would be from these seven - Crouch, Murray - both if fit - Pedlar, Borlase and Taylor and to a lesser degree Nankervis and Draper. Out of the others, Burgess might come in to replace a tall forward but I think Michalanney was auditioned for that on the weekend. And McAndrew would be considered if ROB went down.

That means that, unless there is one highly unlikely last grasp at bravery or creativity, Edwards, Ryan, Dowling and Bond will have to wait until next year, which is terrible development policy, culture killing and downright disrespectful. Some might say they have not deserved selection but they have definitely deserved an opportunity. That opportunity was certainly missed last weekend. No-one would blame these guys for wanting out, should the opportunity present.

This also means that Jones, Cook, Schoenberg and Sholl are done and should look for other opportunities.

For me? Well it would certainly be dropping Murphy and Smith and bringing in Edwards and Taylor and perhaps even Dowling and putting Neal-Bullen, Cumming or Milera - or Walker!!! as sub or even Soligo.
And I would be doing another Max and trying Hinge out in the midfield and giving starting midfield time to Rachele.

Most of our "brave" moves seem to be the players suggestion thus far under this coach.

 

[Geoffa32]

If Murphy plays, would love to hear how they justify it.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Realistically if we were proactive we could have had Edwards up to 6-7 games by now.

Its hard to complain too much about the season thus far but for mine the handling of Draper and the determination to return to Murphy as soon as the option arrives still boils my pi$$