Prediction R6: CHANGES vs Eagles

[StingBitten]

Is it assumed that Johnson will spend time in forward?

My assumption was he part time rucks and goes into defence, this causes a knock on effect which allows Mundy to full time forward.

 

[freo_leo29]

Is it assumed that Johnson will spend time in forward?

My assumption was he part time rucks and goes into defence, this causes a knock on effect which allows Mundy to full time forward.

Yep pretty much what Ross said on the changes livestream on Facebook minus the Mundy part, he didn't mention that

 

[StingBitten]

As long as Duman isn't ousted I won't be too upset.

Those are 5 very unappealing ins though.

I think Hughes back in the side would be a win. He has incredible upside.

 

[PapaJ]

Not as strong mark, clearly not as good a kick for goal but pretty much the same in ruck or perhaps a touch better. The most like for like change we had other than Cox. No major surprise and if his back is ok he could certainly have an impact around the ground - kicks the occasion nice goal.

That's about it. The big difference, however, is MJ's mobility is no where near what it used to be and I seriously doubt he has anything like the running power that Tabs has.

Not sure how it will work out, but that change is expected so don't see the need for big melts if it turns out. All the options on the table have shortcomings - some of them literally being shortness.

 

[rgauci]

I’d be tempted to include Johnson and Hughes. Either Alex Pearce or Hamling forward.

 

[Taylor]

Meek

He has played 3 preseason AFL games as well as WAFL games against big bodies

Didn't Jones play WAFL a while before Meek?

 

[kingswood71]

I think Johnno and Jones will both play.....
Johnno for Tabs, Jones in for Brayshaw.
Not overly keen on that really, but it does offer a bit of versatility....Both can ruck, both can go foward, Johnno can go down back.....

 

[Johnny Dalmas]

We will win or lose this game based on midfield dominance, so anything that takes away from the engine room hurts our chances of winning. I can't see us dropping players like Brayshaw, etc unless they physically can't get up for the game.

 

[Quay Club]

Johnson has pinch hit in the ruck before but that was a fair while ago.

Hopefully he has a bit of spring in his legs after the week off.

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2013-05-15/johnson-puts-hands-up-for-fremantles-ruck-role
http://news.nirs.org.au/johnson-enjoys-playing-in-the-ruck/

 

[andrew99]

Johnson, Hughes, Sheridan, Jones and Kersten in.

Taberner out.

We'll end up just picking Johnson. I wonder if one of Hughes / Sheridan may come in for one of the Fantastic 4.

We really need to work on our depth.... Any injuries and we are left exposed.

 

[TheLastCall]

I think
In Jones, Johnson
Out Tabs, Brayshaw (managed). One rookie will miss and you could raffle who that is.

 

[freo_leo29]

Didn't Jones play WAFL a while before Meek?

yeah but Jones hasn't played at AFL level yet, Meek has played both

 

[StingBitten]

We will win or lose this game based on midfield dominance, so anything that takes away from the engine room hurts our chances of winning. I can't see us dropping players like Brayshaw, etc unless they physically can't get up for the game.

I reckon Johnson coming in releases Blakely to the midfield, which immediately makes that department better.

I reckon Mundy will be full time forward for the game, which I think he was only doing about 50% before. I genuinely reckon he’s a contested marking option.

 

[Alfonz]

We will win or lose this game based on midfield dominance, so anything that takes away from the engine room hurts our chances of winning. I can't see us dropping players like Brayshaw, etc unless they physically can't get up for the game.

Yes and no. We controlled the midfield last derby, smashed them in clearances and inside 50s, and still got thrashed. But I agree, we must dominate the midfield again, just stop kicking to McGovern and co. And kick straight at goals.

 

[Taylor]

yeah but Jones hasn't played at AFL level yet, Meek has played both

I do see what you're saying but preseason cup isn't AFL

 

[Docker82]

yeah but Jones hasn't played at AFL level yet, Meek has played both

We could argue all day from behind our keyboards whether AFL Pre Season or more WAFL experience is more valuable. The original question was who’s played more against men - that’d be Jones.

I doubt Jones plays tbh and don’t really think him being emergency means much either. More would’ve been made of it if he was playing and the man with the best WAFL form will get the nod when they actually name another with or without Sandilands in the side.

Honestly Johnson isn’t much worse in the ruck than Taberner. He can just follow Lycett all day except when Nic Nat rests forward perhaps. The only question is whether we find room for Kersten or if we go small and try and replicate what we did on Saturday night when we go up against superior opposition in the eagles. Unfortunately the dogs were playing like a bottom two/four side on Saturday night and the eagles won’t be close to that bad - could still work though but not nearly as well.

 

[WeaselWJ]

Looks/sounds like Johnno will play defence/ruck and we'll either play a smaller forward line or maybe bring in Kersten.

 

[Rion]

I think Hughes back in the side would be a win. He has incredible upside.

Not very convinced by him so far. More an athlete than a footballer imo.

 

[Del183359]

Hope Jones keeps his knees well clear of Nic Nats ribs..wouldn’t want a repeat of the Sandi incident

 

[Tbonefreo]

It would be bad if Duman gets dropped after a very reliable game down back.

Where is Cox at?

 

[Heart Of Purple]

I reckon Johnson coming in releases Blakely to the midfield, which immediately makes that department better.

quiet possible actually, though I think it weakens our defense. If this happens I'd expect to see Mundy/Fyfe forward more as well, which probably outweighs Blakely in the middle, so really we'd be robbing peter AND patsy to pay paul.
Would prefer to start with Johno/Duman forward, and if the connections shocking and our midfields on top, send Fyfe forward to fix it up.

 

[wild side]

Fyfe has to star in the midfield for us to win this

 

[Deathly]

Fyfe has to star in the midfield for us to win this

I think someone needs to star with him this weekend, hard to star more than he already has in the last month.

 

[wild side]

I think someone needs to star with him this weekend, hard to star more than he already has in the last month.

Yes, I'm hoping Cerra gets a run in the midfield this week. He's a good runner, and can hurt the opposition. If Mundy goes forward, Cerra and Blakely could help out in the mids

 

[Joao]

Hope Duman gets another game. I am "happy" enough to just swap Tabs for Johnno.

Can't see how Hughes (I like him a lot) gets a run here given Duman is ahead of him in the backline atm and he might be dropped. Hughes is who I hope takes over from Blakely when he eventually goes back mid.

We really need to work on our depth.... Any injuries and we are left exposed.

In a rebuild your depth is kids (or blokes that are past it/****). There is not "quick" fix. You have to give them games and that takes years. Buckle in for a couple more years of lack of depth. Especially in KPFs where all our non-Tabs options are <5 gamers.

I reckon Johnson coming in releases Blakely to the midfield, which immediately makes that department better.

I reckon Mundy will be full time forward for the game, which I think he was only doing about 50% before. I genuinely reckon he’s a contested marking option.

I put the odds of us moving Connor to midfield this week at roughly zero. Backline has easily been our strength this year it would be nuts to take key personnel out.

Fyfe has to star in the midfield for us to win this

Certainly won't hurt. Lowering our eyes and hitting targets on the lead most important. Their whole game relies on long bombs to Gov and Co.