Preview R2: Changes vs. Essendon

[Cromulant]

I’m expecting Essendon to dial up the pressure gauge like pies did to > 200 knowing they need to for their season

If we aren’t prepared to bring similar heat we will be in for a super rude shock

If we can withstand it and fire it back our class will prevail

Normally Merrett and Parish torch us , is parish out at mornent ?

Parish still missing I believe

 

[Betts are off]

TBH I really don't mind Draper spending the first 3-4 weeks as the sub to start his career. On the proviso that we play him exclusively as a burst mid when he comes on, like we have this round, and the Brisbane scratchie.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not going to complain if he is named on the field. I'm just not going to throw the toys out to cot if it goes the other way.

 

[whattagun07]

Tex plays.

I'd be happy to rest him for:
R4 - GC away
R7 - Freo away
R12 - Syd away

Obviously it could all go pear shaped with some injuries, but this would be the ideal result.

 

[1990crow]

Looks like Langford and Ridley out for them

 

[Jars458]

This is a must win game to play finals IMO.
R4 onwards will be challenging.

It’s definitely a sliding doors game and one that we should easily win

 

[Cromulant]

It’s definitely a sliding doors game and one that we should easily win

I wouldnt say easily.

They'll be primed after running Hawthorn closer than expected, and we havent won at the G in 8 years.

We should win mind you

 

[Crow_Magnon]

Looks like Langford and Ridley out for them

Glad to see Langford out...he gives us headaches every time we play them!

 

[budget]

I think Keays could be a good sub.

A genuine injection of creativity against Essendon late in the game could be in inspired move.

You are right ,Keays, Draper anyone with a bit of zip just not curtin unfortunately.


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[Eddie Murphy]

It’s an awkward spot, because I haven’t seen enough to change my mind on believing Nank should’ve been ahead of Milera, but we haven’t seen enough to the contrary that I think he should be dropped this week. Can’t take anything out of Milera’s performance yesterday, positive nor negative.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

Looks like Langford and Ridley out for them

I thought this game was 50:50 before but if they’re out we really should be winning this.

 

[SellarStardom]

Pedlar and Nank the next 2 up which is great

 

[Footypie32]

Unchanged.

Leave Draper as Sub.

With the 6 day break it's likely someone does a hammy or something similar in the first half.

He should get more TOG.

 

[jenny61_99]

Unchanged for mine after a 10 goal win. Nankervis remains unlucky. We need to change who is sub though with Draper to start.

 

[Golumless]

Fun Facts with Grotto

The last time the Crows played Essendon at the MCG, the Crows had not yet won a flag.

1995 was the last time they met at the G.

I'll book in the 2027 and 2028 premiership parade then.

 

[Ciao Giacomo]

It’s definitely a sliding doors game and one that we should easily win

Easily Win?

The line for the game is 4.5 points.

I agree it is a rare winnable away match but it is far from a lay down misere

 

[Greenfinger]

Milera out, Nank or Bond in.
Draper - probably a fair discussion to be had regarding back to back subs, but given it's only SANFL trials, better to be sub than not AFL at all.

Draper had enough impact to start imo .Milera as sub

 

[Greenfinger]

Is Hinge an injury concern?

 

[1970crow]

I don’t think we played the 4 at any stage together yesterday

What I mean is playing 4 talls. When you have 3, then there’s only 2 lots of the time. When you play 4, there’s 3 lots of the time. 3 for most of a game is too many.

 

[1970crow]

I’d rest Tex .

Out : tex
In : nankervis

Curtin to play the Tex role .

Where does Nank play?

 

[skam85]

No Ridley in an already very shaky backline is very good news.

 

[1970crow]

This might be the go - they may well not have Tex travel much this year and thats fine with me.

I'd say it's a bit early in the year to be resting Tex. He won't be rested until we're at least a few rounds in, if at all.

 

[skam85]

I'd say it's a bit early in the year to be resting Tex. He won't be rested until we're at least a few rounds in, if at all.

I can get around us starting Tex in basically every game and subbing him once every 4-5 like yesterday. With 1-2 games rest through the year. Seems like the best way to manage him. And if he's flying during a game, we just don't sub him.

 

[Scorpus]

Easily Win?

The line for the game is 4.5 points.

I agree it is a rare winnable away match but it is far from a lay down misere

If we're genuinely pushing into finals and pushing ahead of other mid-table teams we should be easily accounting for sides like Essendon. Especially full strength vs their injuries

 

[LoBu]

There should be no change to this line up, and I dont' think there will be.

Some comments on specific players -

Milera - pretty difficult to be critical of our defenders in that game, but some are. Milera played ok considering how much footy he's missed. He played as well as Michalanney, but not hearing any criticism of Max. Play him into form.

Curtin - the lowest rating of our big men, it's pretty hard for any to get ahead of Fogarty and Thilthorpe, Curtin's stats don't look that far off Walker, he's definitely worth persisting with.

Sholl - I didn't particularly like his game, he plays a role but I think he finds it hard to play defensively when needed, too easily pushed off by Brad Hill (who had a shocker) on a couple of occasions, I think this role is the one that we have multiple options on. I think this is the 23 best player in our team, even though he did quite well on the stats sheet.

Lining up behind Sholl are Pedlar and Nank, hopefully Ryan soon too, and Jones. Wing spots are pretty specialist though, so not ready to drop Sholl yet, but my fear is he will go missing in winter.

 

[119others]

Draper had enough impact to start imo .Milera as sub

not sure how they play the sub

If I was a betting man, after 2 successful weeks as sub, I think Draper again is sub and comes on (assuming no injuries) during the 3rd qtr. It does make sense in many ways

Draper himself said today (afc.com.au)

He said making his debut as a substitute made the transition from State League footy to the AFL easier and getting a win capped a perfect day.

“It’s definitely a lot quicker than I’m used to,” Draper said.

“Coming on late in the third quarter, though, the sting was out of it a bit, but that was pretty fortunate for me, I was able to use my speed and have a bit of an impact.