Preview Rnd 6 - Carlton v Hawthorn Sunday April 28th 3.20PM @ UTAS - Team Post #1331

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gbatman

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Not sure we would of won the game, but richmond rnd1 last year Kennedy and Cripps were tearing them a new one. We turned to shit once he hurt his ankle. He is a very good footballer, not athlete, footballer.
Don't think that had much to do with Kennedy, his performance in that game was nothing special. Our midfield this season is better than it was at any point last season.
 

HARKER

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I have already stated that Polson should do a stint in the VFL, but I wouldn't be bringing Cuners in until he has had at least one run in the VFL
Cuners is and will be best 22, no need to rush that, for him or the team
How exactly does the term 'rushed' come into the things?

Cuningham played the first game this year (22 possessions) after a terrific pre-season and JLT series.
Cuningham had a training mishap that has kept him out of playing for the following 4 weeks, yet has been in full training, with us being extra cautious.
Cuningham is clearly a better prospect than some that are currently playing in the role he fared so well in, through the pre-season.
So, it seems to me the only real factor that should come into the equation is; How many weeks not playing, before having to come back via the NB's ?

Again, I can understand if the MC choose to go with a 'No Change' for the Hawks match, if they deem that team being the best squad for match-ups.
What I don't is why players that are clearly ready wouldn't be considered for senior selection because it may be seen to be 'rushing' them.
 

SkyhorseTamer

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How exactly does the term 'rushed' come into the things?

Cuningham played the first game this year (22 possessions) after a terrific pre-season and JLT series.
Cuningham had a training mishap that has kept him out of playing for the following 4 weeks, yet has been in full training, with us being extra cautious.
Cuningham is clearly a better prospect than some that are currently playing in the role he fared so well in, through the pre-season.
So, it seems to me the only real factor that should come into the equation is; How many weeks not playing, before having to come back via the NB's ?

Again, I can understand if the MC choose to go with a 'No Change' for the Hawks match, if they deem that team being the best squad for match-ups.
What I don't is why players that are clearly ready wouldn't be considered for senior selection because it may be seen to be 'rushing' them.
Hangover from when the club used to rush players back.

If you want to reward the players for a win, you put your best team on the park to put them in the best possible position to win again. No change to a winning team is a policy to adopt when the 21st/22nd rated players on game day aren't at obviously different levels to players coming back. Cuningham comes in, he is so much further in front of Polson it would be a disservice to the rest of the team to not play him.
 

HARKER

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Hangover from when the club used to rush players back.

If you want to reward the players for a win, you put your best team on the park to put them in the best possible position to win again. No change to a winning team is a policy to adopt when the 21st/22nd rated players on game day aren't at obviously different levels to players coming back. Cuningham comes in, he is so much further in front of Polson it would be a disservice to the rest of the team to not play him.
If the thoughts of the MC were; 'We know Cuningham would be the better option and we know he's 100% good to go, but we're just not going to change a team that won.....Well that makes for more than a disservice to the player and the team. It's a disservice to the supporters.
I don't think the MC would do that but no doubt it's happened before.........and if it's about development? Spare me, please.

I still see us as a good bet against Hawthorn, but should we lose; Just watch the changes next week.
You don't wait for that to come about. Never should you 'wait and see'.
You make things happen by putting your best & healthiest possible squad, out onto the park. That's development.
 
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100%. People thinking too much about 1 week instead of what we are trying to do.

We are still very much about development. Big Picture
I get that Soapy. But winning every week is very high on Bolts agenda.
For me, pick the best team every week. Trust the medical & conditioning staff.
Look at Collingwood. They brought in Hoskin-Elliot straight in. And he did the job.
 

Soapy V

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I get that Soapy. But winning every week is very high on Bolts agenda.
For me, pick the best team every week. Trust the medical & conditioning staff.
Look at Collingwood. They brought in Hoskin-Elliot straight in. And he did the job.
Different for a seasoned player to come into a good side. Big difference. Last year many were questioning if he was any good?

I have no issue if Cuningham is picked but I don't think it's the "certainty" that people believe. He is young (17 games) and so is our side. Missed 4 weeks and is a confidence player. To get a full game in the 2's this week wouldn't be a bad thing in so many areas.
 
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HARKER

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Different for a seasoned player to come into a good side. Big difference. Last year many were questioning if he was any good?
I have no issue if Cuningham is picked but I don't think it's the "certainty" that people believe. He is young and so is our side. Missed 4 weeks and is a confidence player. To get a full game in the 2's this week wouldn't be a bad thing in so many areas.
Confidence player. That's a fair point. Didn't think of that.

Given how strong he looked before his injury, one wouldn't want to be losing confidence so quickly, but we are all different.
Playing in the forward line with the NB's (no matter how good the effort has been to date) isn't necessarily the best place to gain confidence, either
 
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I am surprised to discover that the Launceston oval dimensions are 175m x 145m.
Almost the same size as the MCG 171m x 146m.
Marvel stadium is a lot smaller at 160m x 129m.
Will the extra size suit our clearance advantage & midfield strength?
You would think it also give the tall forwards more space to work with.
What are your thoughts folks?
 

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JustaBattler

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Both Polson and Cuningham deliver leg speed - which is always handy - Gibbons is probably a tad below Cuningham as far midfield impact goes but above Polson - based on previous exposed form - Cuningham is also better at kicking goals as a forward and making something from nothing much - so i think Bolton and MC are choosing between Polson and Gibbons V Cuningham.

The Levi experiment worked well enough last week in two ways - firstly keeping Harry forward and creating mayhem - tick and secondly providing a decent alternative tall mark - the goals were a bonus. I don't see Charlie V Levi as the decision - because if Levi is out Harry has to play ruck time- which might be okish against Ceglar but a definite issue if he had to play long periods against McEvoy.

Charlie can 'fit' easily into a wing position....if he is good to go..

but for mine - there has to be some consideration given to the fact that Simpson has been named on the extended bench - fully fit he will struggle to match direct opponents from Hawforn, less than 100% and it becomes a serious concern ...and there doesn't seem to be a direct replacement for him - Garlett's leg speed might be the reason why he has been named on the extended bench - along with Stocker....interesting situation there.

Who'd want to be on the MC - not me.
 
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Confidence player. That's a fair point. Didn't think of that.

Given how strong he looked before his injury, one wouldn't want to be losing confidence so quickly, but we are all different.
Playing in the forward line with the NB's (no matter how good the effort has been to date) isn't necessarily the best place to gain confidence, either
Surely being brought straight back in to the 1's after a month out is a big boost to Cuningham's confidence and would have him thinking he belongs with his fellow 2015 first rounders.
 

Soapy V

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Surely being brought straight back in to the 1's after a month out is a big boost to Cuningham's confidence and would have him thinking he belongs with his fellow 2015 first rounders.
How do we know? Everyone is different and he is still very inexperienced. Did well Rd One because he had a great pre season and played all the practice matches. Got confidence and got on a roll. This was the issue with him previously being injured a lot. Never got a clear crack at it. Easing him back may be best for him?
 

HARKER

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Surely being brought straight back in to the 1's after a month out is a big boost to Cuningham's confidence and would have him thinking he belongs with his fellow 2015 first rounders.
The point was that some players need the touch to develop confidence. I don't know Cuningham but the club do.

The only concern though is that even though the NBs have won their two matches, it's still not showing up as a place to gain confidence and especially so in attack. Garlett looked hopeless last time around. Lang played a good half the week before and was put onto the wing/forward line and looked completely lost, also.
 

Arr0w

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How exactly does the term 'rushed' come into the things?

Cuningham played the first game this year (22 possessions) after a terrific pre-season and JLT series.
Cuningham had a training mishap that has kept him out of playing for the following 4 weeks, yet has been in full training, with us being extra cautious.
Cuningham is clearly a better prospect than some that are currently playing in the role he fared so well in, through the pre-season.
So, it seems to me the only real factor that should come into the equation is; How many weeks not playing, before having to come back via the NB's ?

Again, I can understand if the MC choose to go with a 'No Change' for the Hawks match, if they deem that team being the best squad for match-ups.
What I don't is why players that are clearly ready wouldn't be considered for senior selection because it may be seen to be 'rushing' them.
Sure we are going over old ground here

For the last time, Cuners played one exceptional half of football, 17 disposals, for the year and has now missed 4 weeks of football. Surely recent game time and touch is an important factor?

While I see him as best 22, he has NEVER cemented a spot, so having a run at VFL is not an unconventional option

Personally, I would recall Kennedy for Polson as the only change
 

Soapy V

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The Marchbank inclusion a couple of weeks ago suggests the match committee are not concerned about selecting someone due to lack of playing time. if Cuningham is deemed fit you’d think he’d play.
Every player is different. Can't compare one with another

So many variables and a lot we don't know
 

footyfan78

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Liam Jones on Roughy and Weitering on Mitch Lewis. Marchbank probably for Gunston, assuming Gunston played forward. Plowman on whom ?
Are we too tall again down back? That is often my one main concern in last two years. Bruest, Wingard and Poppy need some proper attention too. Not sure a Garlett is the answer there if he played. Lets hope we win the clearances by a wide margin.Mid season draft looms for either a small defender or goal kicking small forward.
 
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It's difficult because you don't want arguably your best forward playing in the ruck for spurts. But realistically long term the Harry, Charlie and Gov forward line probably can't exist if Harry doesn't take time in the ruck. We can't afford another tall down there so Charlie would probably have to play midfield which I believe is the wrong option full time.
Harry playing ruck at 20% of centre bounces and in F50 is fine, Jarryd Roughead has done it his whole career, didn't seem to affect him too much
 

HARKER

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Sure we are going over old ground here
For the last time, Cuners played one exceptional half of football, 17 disposals, for the year and has now missed 4 weeks of football. Surely recent game time and touch is an important factor?
While I see him as best 22, he has NEVER cemented a spot, so having a run at VFL is not an unconventional option
Personally, I would recall Kennedy for Polson as the only change
Put a good claim forward I'd say and a lot better than Gibbons (5 games) and Polson (16 games) who haven't exactly cemeneted spots, either.
A better bet than ECurnow playing forward, also.

If he's been in full training and is showing up to be ready to go and is a better bet than the aforementioned, who haven't exactly cemented anything just yet.......Where's the argument? There isn't one, unless he is indeed a player that somehow requires the extra TLC.
 

Soapy V

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Just saying if he has something we need lack of playing time will not be an impediment. Marchbank inclusion suggests that.
Marchbank actually played a number of match sims and did a lot of contact work before playing. Cuningham has only just joined full training and had no contact work for 4 weeks.

Like I said can't compare one with the other
 
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