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Preview R24: Changes vs. North Melbourne

Do you think the Crows will bring Sid Draper into the 23 this week?

  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .

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I've watched the last 3 weeks posters call every game 'must-win' which I've not really agreed with personally.

However this week I think the game is a new category. 'Must Destroy'.

I think this team needs to put on a ruthless, relentless scoreboard bashing. Put these guys to the sword for 4 quarters with no mercy. I want the game over at quarter time, but for us to never take our foot off the gas!

I have nothing against North as a club, but they fall into the category of "Them All".

And for the rest of 2025, F**k Them All!
 

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Betts are off said:
I've watched the last 3 weeks posters call every game 'must-win' which I've not really agreed with personally.

However this week I think the game is a new category. 'Must Destroy'.

I think this team needs to put on a ruthless, relentless scoreboard bashing. Put these guys to the sword for 4 quarters with no mercy. I want the game over at quarter time, but for us to never take our foot off the gas!

I have nothing against North as a club, but they fall into the category of "Them All".

And for the rest of 2025, F**k Them All!
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I agree. Need to show the league we aren't letting this opportunity for a flag go begging.
 
Smith should be sub.
Max comes in for Bond (unlucky for Bond)
Taylor, Dowling, Draper 1 of them to be dropped for Rash. Maybe another for Peds.

looks like out team going for finals.
 
Cromulant said:
Pedlar cant be trusted
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Recent history has shown that the pecking order is: Pedlar, Taylor, Murphy, Dowling/Draper. If Pedlar is fit, he will be selected, regardless of what you think of him.

Having said that, they seem to need constant reminding that Murphy should be behind the last pair. He seems to go through a cycle of getting picked, failing, and getting dropped - only to somehow get picked ahead of them again next time a best 22 player gets suspended/injured. The sooner the list managers delist him, thereby negating the team selectors' collective amnesia, the better.
 
Vader said:
Recent history has shown that the pecking order is: Pedlar, Taylor, Murphy, Dowling/Draper. If Pedlar is fit, he will be selected, regardless of what you think of him.

Having said that, they seem to need constant reminding that Murphy should be behind the last pair. He seems to go through a cycle of getting picked, failing, and getting dropped - only to somehow get picked ahead of them again next time a best 22 player gets suspended/injured. The sooner the list managers delist him, thereby negating the team selectors' collective amnesia, the better.
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The only reason Draper is selected is as Rankine's replacement IMO, in that they see him possibly adding some X factor with his speed and agility up forward. Unless he really turns it on he'll be out when Rachele is ready. Dowling is replacing Schoenberg because he's knocked the door down, not that Schoenberg did much wrong when he came on.
 

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Bond needs to stay in for finals. We can use Max in almost any role as needed then (a 2nd lock down defender, a hybrid attacking defender, an accountable forward or mid). Max has elite IQ and talent, he can play any role with minimal prep.

Somehow we need to add something to this midfield group who are struggling. Max? Curtin? Dowling? Hopefully we see some answers tomorrow.
 
NSolis said:
Will be interesting to see what Dowling’s role is, as he’s been performing as a midfielder. Feels like we are one forward option down on where we’ve been earlier in the season, so he might spend some time up there as well.

Still Pedlar as an option to come back for finals along with Max and Rachele, likely competing with Draper/Dowling/Taylor for the last spot, noting Smith can still come out with someone else to be used as sub. Plenty for the players coming in to play for.
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I reckon Peds isn't reliable in finals - cannot trust his body, and isn't defensive enough in the forwards, with insufficient hurt factor to make up for it. Hope I'm wrong, but I think the game has passed him by
 
I Lost My Keays said:
Please play Curtin in the middle, let’s see what he can do.
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Yup, that's the answer. Dowling is a solid winger, and we need someone who could be a high-volume clearance winner in there.
 
jimvic said:
I reckon Peds isn't reliable in finals - cannot trust his body, and isn't defensive enough in the forwards, with insufficient hurt factor to make up for it. Hope I'm wrong, but I think the game has passed him by
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Not so much the game, but our list and needs have passed him by.
 
Mutineer said:
The only reason Draper is selected is as Rankine's replacement IMO, in that they see him possibly adding some X factor with his speed and agility up forward. Unless he really turns it on he'll be out when Rachele is ready. Dowling is replacing Schoenberg because he's knocked the door down, not that Schoenberg did much wrong when he came on.
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Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy to see Draper & Dowling being selected ahead of Murphy & Schoenberg, both of whom should be delisted in the next few months.

I'm just pointing out that Pedlar is at the front of that group, and will be selected ahead of all of them if/when he is fit.
 

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Vader said:
Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy to see Draper & Dowling being selected ahead of Murphy & Schoenberg, both of whom should be delisted in the next few months.

I'm just pointing out that Pedlar is at the front of that group, and will be selected ahead of all of them if/when he is fit.
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Nah, Pedlar isn't. We're just as unhappy with him as we are with Murphy/Cook etc (which is why we've been cycling between the three for the last 12 weeks). We know we've got nothing from this slot for months.

As long as Draper doesn't fluff his lines and puts up a decent performance, he'll be in front of Pedlar in the queue.
 
1990crow said:
I agree. Need to show the league we aren't letting this opportunity for a flag go begging.
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The main focus so far has been on securing the double chance and we have done that. Time to reset once we know who we will play in a qualifying final. One week at a time and remember the lessons of 2017.
 
Not Darryl Moss said:
The main focus so far has been on securing the double chance and we have done that. Time to reset once we know who we will play in a qualifying final. One week at a time and remember the lessons of 2017.
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Bit hard to avoid injuries.
 
Mutineer said:
The only reason Draper is selected is as Rankine's replacement IMO, in that they see him possibly adding some X factor with his speed and agility up forward. Unless he really turns it on he'll be out when Rachele is ready. Dowling is replacing Schoenberg because he's knocked the door down, not that Schoenberg did much wrong when he came on.
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I dont mind Draper with a fixed role in the forward line. His speed and clean hands below his feet could do well.

If he has a very simple instruction to get to the feet of every contest and tackle anything that moves I'd not be surprised if he makes it stick.
 
It’s not surprising that our fringe players are less effective than our genuine best 22 players. This is the same for all teams

We have added three above average players this year, Cumming, Peatling and ABN, plus we have had full seasons from Thilthorpe and Milera. We have seen dramatic improvement from Keane and Worrell and the explosion of Daniel Curtin

Looking at players that were not best 22 at the start of the season, Berry and Taylor have improved but are yet to put their position in the team beyond doubt.

We have good depth in defence with Butts, Borlase, Smith and Bond all stepping up when required.

Our back up midfielders, Nankervis, Taylor, Cook, Schoenberg and Crouch (due to injury) are a long way off the pace.

Our back up forwards, Pedlar, Murphy and Cook have really struggled.

Our only back up tall forward is Burgess and we currently have no back up ruck available.

We really need Draper and Dowling to stand up this week. The other options don’t look attractive.
 

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Preview R24: Changes vs. North Melbourne

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