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Preview R2: Changes vs. Essendon

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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
 
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.
 

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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.
 
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.
 

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Fun Facts with Grotto

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

1995 was the last time they met at the G.

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

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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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 

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Preview R2: Changes vs. Essendon

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