Prediction R6: CHANGES vs Eagles

[DMan 11]

My prediction :

Out - Taberner
In - Brennan Cox

While Cox has little form to justify the inclusion he has the versatility to ruck, play forward and/or back if need be.

What will likely happen though:
Out - Tabs
In - Johnson
Rucking Jhonno is not pretty .... but knowing freo’s preference for stability and continuity in selection I reckon he’ll get a run.

 

[Lach72]

We have an international rookie called Brock McBiggun, 215cm and 128kg. 105cm vertical leap.

He look exactly like Michael Johnson

O rly...I worked with a fella called Gagandeep for a while...true story

 

[hoss]

Hope it will be out Tabs, in Cox. In reality I think it will be, in Johnson.

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[Quay Club]

I am tipping Kersten in for Tabs.

I know he hasn't set the world on fire at Peel but he has a decent tank and could pinch hit in the ruck.

 

[yakamoto]

Just a pity he’s not very good at football.

 

[kingswood71]

You don't throw a rolls royce defender into the ruck!

So much this!
Ross said ""The obvious one (to replace him) is Michael Johnson who could play forward, or do we push Alex Pearce forward, or Shane Kersten and Brennan Cox have been down there at Peel whacking away".
I would hope that AP stays where he is. No point robbing Peter to pay Paul or even Mary for that matter.
AP takes JK simples

 

[Buggerations]

What's the deal with Jones? Surely he was recruited as a stop gap for this exact kind of situation? Don't upset the applecart with Pearce in the ruck or forward. Especially with Kennedy to defend... Jonno forward isnt the answer either (remember the harvey days)? Give Jones, meek or apeness a go. I know they are not in the best form (maybe underdone too) - but maybe 1 of them could at least throw their weight around outta the goal square and at least keep one of their KP defenders honest? Will Duman be the unlucky man and make room for Jonno? I can't see who else would come out of the side if jonno plays?

 

[DaveLister]

I am tipping Kersten in for Tabs.

I know he hasn't set the world on fire at Peel but he has a decent tank and could pinch hit in the ruck.

Don't think he's tall enough or has the vertical to compete in the ruck, we'd be better off having Banfield compete.

 

[Son of a Wizard]

Johnson will play and will ruck. End of debate.


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[Buggerations]

Structurely, we need another ruck/forward in our 22 (especially against the eagles) and Jonno is less than impressive in this space. Bar strndica (only played 1 league game), we have three other available ruck/fowards on our list (or at least rucks who can take a mark)... Yes, it would be more ideal if they were banging Ross' door down, but it aint a perfect world. Sometimes opportunities come prematurely. Id much rather give an inexperienced player an opportunity rather than play an old fart out of position who's likely in his last year. Dual narrative remember

 

[WeaselWJ]

Thinking what if Cox plays a defensive forward role on McGovern. We are not going to stop bombing it in and he will eat it all up. Have the crumbers ready. Matera finishes so well try and position him front and square trying to get it over the top with his left boot.


I hope the ape is ready

Both are slow but Johnson is a smarter footballer. I think Johnson comes in for Taberner and makes McGovern accountable, plus gives Sandi a break in the ruck. Kersten an unappetising option but possible, and Cox and Ape haven't put in a good enough body of work, although I am bullish on Ape.

 

[Tbonefreo]

Both are slow but Johnson is a smarter footballer. I think Johnson comes in for Taberner and makes McGovern accountable, plus gives Sandi a break in the ruck. Kersten an unappetising option but possible, and Cox and Ape haven't put in a good enough body of work, although I am bullish on Ape.

Yeah Johnson can perform that role. Change is as good as holiday may light it up

 

[kp junior]

Yeah Johnson can perform that role. Change is as good as holiday may light it up

Would hav to be Johnson, Cox or Meek wouldn’t it. Meek might be a smoky. The Eagles play a legit 2nd ruckman so I’d like to see Meek come in if he’s training well


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[Buggerations]

Meek, Apeness and Jones may as well not be on Freo's list if Jonno is brought in for the second ruck role against nic nat and lycett. I'd be happy with cox though... At least he can take a mark up forward and maybe keep Gov honest? We'd also be investing in the development of another young player...

 

[malpaso]

If Johnson plays forward, he just has to stay deep. He has the nous and experience to pop up once a quarter..

 

[theGav56]

Would hav to be Johnson, Cox or Meek wouldn’t it. Meek might be a smoky. The Eagles play a legit 2nd ruckman so I’d like to see Meek come in if he’s training well

Fair enough, although the main position we are replacing is Taberner/forward.

I am disappointed Jones isn't strongly considered. I get that he has done nothing much, but as a mature recruit he should be on your list.

 

[Del183359]

Jones could potentially take McGovern out in a legitimate marking competition.. just saying

 

[Frank J Moose]

Fair enough, although the main position we are replacing is Taberner/forward.

I am disappointed Jones isn't strongly considered. I get that he has done nothing much, but as a mature recruit he should be on your list.

Jones could only replace Sandilands in a game. You can't play both. Treacle slow and agility of a Hippo. Emergency insurance if we lost Darcy and Sandilands.

And if he proves capable, a backup to Darcy when Sandilands retires end this or next season. Battling with Meek for that role. I have Meek inheriting that stop at the moment.

 

[Wizard]

If Johnson plays forward, he just has to stay deep. He has the nous and experience to pop up once a quarter..

If he plays forward he plays defensive forward on McGovern and just makes him compete in the air IMO.

 

[Mr Peabody]

I’d think RTB will revert to instinct and play Johnson who will be instructed to defend when rucking on ball as well as up front. Plus he rolls back with their Ruck as an extra number in our defence too hopefully messing with their leading patterns. Makes a lot of sense that’d he’d be primarily used to stop their run wherever he roams but he gives us some run (and class if in form) too on the rebound when we have the ball. Our pace and speed of ball movement has been a standout in our wins which has resulted in these higher scores. It should be a strength over West Coast too. I hope we stick with an experienced campaigner in Johnson to provide better flexibility and he best suits the current game plan too. I can’t see them compromising our current style of play by risking the inclusion of an untested and potentially lumbering Ruck when we have not structured up and played that way in the first five rounds.

 

[malpaso]

Well with A.Pearce having a bruised heel/achilles tendonitis then it makes even more sense to bring in Johnson as in-game cover.

 

[Rion]

I'm fully expecting it to happen but Johnson up forward is a very, very stupid move. We either go like for like (with a genuine KPF) or we go small and try to run them off their feet. There is no point compromising your structure to include a sub par 2nd ruck nowdays. A guy like Banfield for example could go in there when Nic Nat is off and do alright. Johnson doesn't have the contested marking ability nor the pace/agility to play anything like Tabs.

We've finally moved on from Johnson and played great without him and the first move we want to make is to bring him back (even worse, into an unfamiliar position). I understand we want to win the derby and hence are want to bring back the old head (although I actually think the move makes us less likely to win) but what is the plan then for the next 7+ games after?

Cox showed a bit playing KPF last year, can play that 2nd ruck role and even offers the ability to cover down back if we need it. More importantly unlike Johnson he might actually be playing the role for us in 3-4 weeks.

 

[Purple dynamite]

I think the biggest issue covering for Tabs is the ground he covers.
The guy is an athlete that runs up and down the wings all game to present.
This also why he isn't the KPF locked in the attacking 50. McCrafty doesn't have the same running capacity.
So who are we going to get the most run from, but can also take a mark and present on the wing, oh and ruck.
Reluctantly I think it will be A Pearce in attack and Jonno in to defence, or a speedy mid forward with the ability to kick bulk goals....

 

[Buggerations]

I'm fully expecting it to happen but Johnson up forward is a very, very stupid move. We either go like for like (with a genuine KPF) or we go small and try to run them off their feet. There is no point compromising your structure to include a sub par 2nd ruck nowdays. A guy like Banfield for example could go in there when Nic Nat is off and do alright. Johnson doesn't have the contested marking ability nor the pace/agility to play anything like Tabs.

We've finally moved on from Johnson and played great without him and the first move we want to make is to bring him back (even worse, into an unfamiliar position). I understand we want to win the derby and hence are want to bring back the old head (although I actually think the move makes us less likely to win) but what is the plan then for the next 7+ games after?

Cox showed a bit playing KPF last year, can play that 2nd ruck role and even offers the ability to cover down back if we need it. More importantly unlike Johnson he might actually be playing the role for us in 3-4 weeks.

This, this and this!

 

[scon]

Reluctantly I think it will be A Pearce in attack

Would seem unlikely they give Moose a hard running forward/Tabs-like role, given the news of his bruised heel.
That swings us back toward Cox I'd guess, but although he's got pace I'm not sure about the 'long run'?
Not having watched Peel I'm only fumbling about really.
Certainly Tab's absence leaves a bigger hole than previous years.