Preview R2: Changes v Port

[FR0GGY]

Worth noting Mackay played the least game time (67%) of the entire side. That's almost a full qtr and a half on the bench.

So we did sub him.

 

[Elite Crow]

Vb needs to be dropped as just out of form at Afl level. I fear it may be permanent as he has lost the lateral movement since the injury. Needs a big stint in the Sanfl to recapture form & movement... Mind you I said this last year.

Mackay was ok - not great, not terrible. Knight needs to come back in as is the future. Question is who does he come in for? Do we persist with both of the inexperienced milera & McGovern or drop one instead of MacKay? I'm not a fan of dropping 1st gamers.

Milera to half back

 

[Elite Crow]

Worth noting Mackay played the least game time (67%) of the entire side. That's almost a full qtr and a half on the bench.

AFC979810 thoughts?

 

[Mego Red]

Maybe Pyke was fed up mid game. Or didnt have a say at selection and instead kept him on the bench.

Pyke didn't have a say at selection. LOL.

 

[Paladin]

I'm not convinced that Hendo is better than Mackay - not the dodgy version of Mackay we saw mid-2015 and certainly not the improved version we saw last night. Hendo is one of the most overrated players on our list - all the physical attributes to be a genuine gun, but he has never put it together to be anything more than a limited player.

I'm also not convinced that Menzel is anywhere near ready for AFL football. I would be surprised to see him selected before R6 at the earliest.

That leaves Knight and Cameron. I would drop VB and Milera, replacing them with Knight and Cameron. I have no qualms about dropping VB after last night's performance. It's harsh on Milera, but someone has to be make way for Cameron and he's the most obvious candidate. Milera oozes class and has outstanding disposal, but right now he just doesn't get enough of the pill. I expect that he'll have plenty more opportunities as the season progresses.

Having said that, I strongly suspect that they'll give Knight and Cameron another run in the SANFL. Match fitness isn't just about a player's ability to run out a single game, after a long layoff (i.e. the pre-season). It's about their ability to back that performance up week after week. I suspect they'll want to see how they go next week, before promoting them to the senior team (where they belong).

I can also see the possibility of Hartigan replacing VB this week, given Port's tall forward line, if they choose not to go with Knight & Cameron. Cheney would then fill the defensive role played by VB, minus the midfield duties.

If your not convinced Hendo is better than Mackay you need to watch some games from last year in particular our finals series. Improved version lol

Hendo had a fantastic final v the dogs.

Mackay looked like the worst player to ever pull on our guernsey. Should be enough for you to be convinced.

Hartigan better come in unless Pyke is from the Neil Craig school of stubbornly stupid.

You would drop future star in Milera to leave Mr below average Mackay in says a lot about you.

 

[1970crow]

Don't think it's a case of "find form" for VB anymore. He just might not be good enough for AFL football.

As long as he's punching his hand as a sign of disappointment, then I reckon he stays. He may be shit but he wants to be better and that has always been good enough for our selectors.

 

[Archie87]

Cameron is unlikely IMO. He was a bit fumbly yesterday, although he tried hard. He's never had the biggest tank so probably needs another game in the SANFL.

Knight is a naturally good runner and would be fine to come back. He played well yesterday.

In terms of Menzel, I'd love to see him as he's a big game player and would rise to the occasion but I think he needs a bit more time to build form and fitness.

Depending on how we want to structure, one of Hartigan/Shaw/Hendo to come in. I wouldn't play Lever as a second tall vs. Schulz who is probably a little big for him at this stage of Lever's career therefore he's probably athletically well suited to Westhoff when he floats forward. When he's roaming up the ground, let him as he's not that damaging and that's when Lever can help out as a spare tall. Therefore, Hartigan to come in and battle Schulz IMO. Wouldn't be surprised to see Shaw play soon given his SANFL form but not certain that a high-pressure Showdown is the game to do it in.

We must persist with Milera for a few more games at least. Everything he does is pure composure and class. Every club carries young guns who are new to AFL level at the start.

 

[Houston]

I don't have time to check 13 pages to see if it's already been suggested but Beech was just about BOG in the SANFL and would be a great replacement for VB.

 

[Mego Red]

Worth noting Mackay played the least game time (67%) of the entire side. That's almost a full qtr and a half on the bench.

That's actually interesting.

Perhaps VB and Mackay are the ones they'll drop, considering Mackay was low on their priorities and VB didn't fulfil his role in the side.

I think Hartigan/Shaw and Knight should be definite ins. I think Henderson, Menzel, Lyon and Cameron all could do with another week in the 2's.

I think it's worth giving McGovern another week. Milera also could do with more time in the 2's and maybe the heat of this week's showdown won't suit him yet. But I'm 50/50 on that.

 

[Barneythecrab]

I've noticed no one (I think) has put beech up for selection. Is it possible for him to be upgraded for jaensch or has this been done? He played off the wing and could be a great replacement for Mackay.
However I didn't actually think Mackay had a bad game I just think we can improve on him.

Can Shaw slot in for VB?

Who takes Crouchs spot if he is rubbed out? Lyon or Grigg?

If it wasn't a showdown I would drop Thomo for Lyon personally.

How long til we trust ROB and bring him in as the back up ruck and half back? I would do it asap but I'm just a crab and not a coach.

 

[ams4crows]

ROB will win the Magarey if he stays in the SANFL.... I hope when we Play Essendon we give Sauce a break and just play ROB

 

[hendo8888]

ROB will win the Magarey if he stays in the SANFL.... I hope when we Play Essendon we give Sauce a break and just play ROB

With our draw, there's no opportunity to rest players for easy games this year. We have to make sure of them.

 

[ams4crows]

With our draw, there's no opportunity to rest players for easy games this year. We have to make sure of them.

It's Essendon... Mckernan is their first ruck... pretty sure ROB would be fine

 

[hendo8888]

It's Essendon... Mckernan is their first ruck... pretty sure ROB would be fine

Essendon will beat someone this year. It can't be us.

 

[1970crow]

I cant wait for all the head explosions if VB stays in

I doubt anyone actually expects him to be dropped. Basically played at his very best last night and I doubt that the coaches expect any more from him. pHe can serve that up all year and hold his spot. He's VB, and at our club that means something.

 

[1970crow]

I've had enough. I've had enough of senior players getting away every week with merely "okay" games like they're making some sort of great contribution to the team.

We have almost a full list to choose from and it's time to get rid of Mackay in favor of someone with promise

Typical Mackay game, 13 touches. Again, that's all we can expect from him because it's basically all he's got to deliver. He'll be the next plodder to be celebrated as a 200 gamer.

 

[Hodgy]

Can someone tell me why we went with 4 guys 6 foot 4 or more forward and only 2 in our back 6 last night. I actually love the look of McGovern but his selection totally unbalanced us and I think took Lynch out of the game somewhat. You don't want to make too many changes after one game, especially as there were some great signs, but I think they have to address some glaring errors from last weeks selection.

- Cameron for McGovern.
- Hartigan for Cheney
- Knight for VB

Then probably our traveling emergency (Ironic he got more game time when we still had the vest).

- Lyons for Mackay (Sloane to his wing and Lyons into the midfield).

Atkins and Milera didn't get much of it but what they did looked classy and I would love them both to get 5 games to get a really good feel for the level.

 

[1970crow]

Knight replaces Atkins who apart from a couple of nice moments was virtually invisible.

I obviously need to watch the replay. Rat I thought was ok, got it 18 times which isn't bad for a kid. 150 game star Mackay got it 5 times less.

 

[Pdub]

Can someone tell me why we went with 4 guys 6 foot 4 or more forward and only 2 in our back 6 last night.

The hope was probably to back our forward line against theirs and pick the best 22 players not the best fit. If the forward line dominated a little bit more, we probably hoped Scott would be forced to move one of his forwards into defense.

McGovern should have been played as a loose man in the back half but probably lacks the experience to play that role just yet. Otten would have been very valuable in that defense.

 

[dogs105]

I doubt anyone actually expects him to be dropped. Basically played at his very best last night and I doubt that the coaches expect any more from him. pHe can serve that up all year and hold his spot. He's VB, and at our club that means something.

I expect that he will.

He deserved to be picked round 1 (just)
He deserves to be dropped now. No reason to think selectors won't think the same way.

 

[1970crow]

Honestly how many on here really do expect either of VB or DMac to be dropped?

No chance. Minimum 12 games off the back of an outstanding preseason in their running shoes. Their 350 games of experience is worth at least 10 goals to us.

 

[FR0GGY]

We need to turn the tide or draw a line in the sand, beech or shaw in.

 

[dogs105]

Seed did some good things, but needs to get more of the pill

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I don't have time to check 13 pages to see if it's already been suggested but Beech was just about BOG in the SANFL and would be a great replacement for VB.

Beech was good but don't believe he was playing hbf...

 

[MRB37]

I don't have time to check 13 pages to see if it's already been suggested but Beech was just about BOG in the SANFL and would be a great replacement for VB.

Would have been really good for Beech to get some time in the NAB games. He's a mature ager, we know he can play in the SANFL, that's why we drafted him, because we thought he was the best player at that level, so why not give him a shot? Unless we just drafted him to help prop up the SANFL side after losing Callinan and Pods.