Prediction Round 2, 2026: Changes vs North Melbourne

[Rids]

Out Cole; In Baker -> I would have had Cole ahead of Maric before today but Maric was excellent and Cole wasn't particularly influential so I'm swapping my preference order of that pairing.

Out: A.Reid; In: Kelly -> Thought we were too tall up forward and need some more runners - could easily swap A.Reid for CDT but personally I'd give CDT another game.

Out: Lindsay; In: Edwards -> Not sure on this one because I like Lindsay but didn't think he was influential at all tonight and need that extra tall

 

[wceeaglesfan]

in baker edwards Shoenberg
Out Cole Archer Cripps

 

[Rids]

You can't keep having the opposition ruckman be BOG every week, it's crazy. Have to change the mix.

Agree ... but I will die on the hill that Flynn hurts us less than Bailey Williams and Reid/CDT are nowhere near ready to lead the ruck (it would be a massacre). Think we've just got to stick with Flynn until A.Reid/CDT can ruck more regularly - and I think more than likely that will at least for this year. (Also think Witts is 2nd only to Gawn in terms of the type of ruck that Flynn matches up terribly against so not expecting it to get worse than that).

 

[sharps24]

Ah back to H&A season regular, that blessed time the time of year where fans get to suggest players who never should have been selected because they are not AFL standard, should be dropped for not being AFL standard, after they played like they are not AFL standard. Only for nothing to change so we get to do in next week.

Out: Cole, Graham, Cripps, Flynn.

In: Baker, Kelly, Edwards, Jack Williams.

B:Hough, Edwards, Ginbey
HB: Lindsey, Young, Baker
C: Duursma, Yeo, Allan
HF: Kelly, Shannahan, Murdock
F: Newton, Waterman, CDT
Fol: A Reid, H Reid, Robertson
Int: Duggan, McCarthy, Maric, J Williams, Davis [very lucky].

Was highly impressed with many of those in this 23 today, and all solid ins. When Starc and Hewett and Brock are fit it'll be interesting, could be a few sore 18 year olds by then though.

 

[wceeaglesfan]

Ah back to H&A season regular, that blessed time the time of year where fans get to suggest players who never should have been selected because they are not AFL standard, should be dropped for not being AFL standard, after they played like they are not AFL standard. Only for nothing to change so we get to do in next week.

Out: Cole, Graham, Cripps, Flynn.

In: Baker, Kelly, Edwards, Jack Williams.

B:Hough, Edwards, Ginbey
HB: Lindsey, Young, Baker
C: Duursma, Yeo, Allan
HF: Kelly, Shannahan, Murdock
F: Newton, Waterman, CDT
Fol: A Reid, H Reid, Robertson
Int: Duggan, McCarthy, Maric, J Williams, Davis [very lucky].

Was highly impressed with many of those in this 23 today, and all solid ins. When Starc and Hewett and Brock are fit it'll be interesting, could be a few sore 18 year olds by then though.

sadly graham will never get dropped

 

[Barrybran]

OUT: Cole, Cripps, A.Reid
IN: Edwards, Baker, Kelly/Schoenberg

Baker for Cole is fairly obvious but I think there's merit to Edwards coming in alongside Young and Ginbey rather than in place of. I think Lindsay, Allan and Maric should be given another chance and Murdock was everything I wanted Baker to be up forward so why not send Baker down there anyway. He'll cover the ground better than Cripps and a tag-team of Baker and Murdock is going to be a nightmare for defenders.

I'm a big fan of Badge's Reid-to-CHB idea (Shanahan is far too good as a forward and Archer's an incredibly intelligent player but can't kick for shit) so give him a couple of weeks in the WAFL and bring another runner in. Kelly if we want some polish or Schoenberg if we want another mongrel alongside Baker and Murdock. I wouldn't be against keeping Archer provided he's playing ruck/defense rather than forward.

We can't do much about Flynn. Playing Archer & CDT as our ruck combo is about 2-3 years premature.

Duggan is on notice for me as well. I understand we need experience and he'll likely keep his spot ahead of one of the kids but he's next in line after Cripps to be replaced in the best 23 (not including Cole as he's already not best 23). If he has to stay, chuck him forward instead of Baker.

 

[JackOutback]

We aren’t rolling out a ruck combo of Reid and CDT, it would be reckless, so Flynn is in, like it or not.

Cole for Baker is obvious, Edwards for one of Reid or CDT. Maybe Kelly comes in. This is a game we should be targeting to win, not just development, because nothing boosts development more than winning.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Ah back to H&A season regular, that blessed time of year where Sharps wants Cripps dropped every week.

 

[JackOutback]

Ah back to H&A season regular, that blessed time of year where Sharps wants Cripps dropped every week.

Like a broken clock, he’s likely to be right at least a couple of times this year.

 

[Monocle]

In: Baker, Edwards, Hall
Out: Cole, CDT, Maric

Gee we must have been watching different games.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

IN: Banfield
OUT: Cripps

 

[PremiershipNo4]

In: Baker, Edwards

Out: Cole, Davis

Edwards to FB, Maric to wing, Davis to emergencies

Baker straight swap for Cole.

Cole (held over), Davis, Macrae the emergencies. Kelly to play East Freo if he needs match fitness.

Would love to drop Flynn but realistically we should have been grooming Reid as our leading ruck over the offseason, as we didn’t do that we’re stuck with Flynn for now.

Will stick with the tall forward line for now, think it’ll be ok against North in fine weather but not against every opponent at every ground.

Too tall

 

[JackOutback]

Too tall

Baker is short enough for two. Murdock as well.

 

[Azza21]

Out: Flynn Newton Davis
In: Edwards Baker Kelly

B Hough Edwards Ginbey
HB McCarthy Young Allen
C Duursma Reid Lindsay
Hf Baker Waterman Murdoch
F Cripps Shanahan Yeo
R Reid Robertson Kelly
Int CDT Graham Duggan Cole Maric

 

[Tas]

I think we should abduct your Duursma and leave behind our Duursma as a decoy.

 

[Seadog]

sadly graham will never get dropped

I'm surprised he's getting a free pass in this discussion, was bog average and if he can't stick tackles I don't know what he's there for.

out- Cole, Graham, Flynn or CDT(I'd prefer Flynn out but that's unlikely)
in- Baker, Kelly, Edwards

 

[Sneh]

I think we should abduct your Duursma and leave behind our Duursma as a decoy.

 

[Cuzz09]

Could Milan be in trouble for one of his tackles? I read this somewhere on BF

I thought that when I saw his tackle. sort of half slammed the guy with his head in the ground

no doubt he'll get rubbed out

 

[kaiserchief13]

I think we should abduct your Duursma and leave behind our Duursma as a decoy.

As long as Xerri is left too

 

[InTheWings]

I’m going with the consensus of Baker & Edwards in, Flynn & Cole out.

 

[Tas]

As long as Xerri is left too

That would be tough, we don't have another ruckman.

 

[Cuzz09]

I feel like we aren't getting what we want from Graham. Dunno...

 

[kaiserchief13]

That would be tough, we don't have another ruckman.

Say no more. M Flynn is ready to go

 

[twadds]

Assuming no injuries.

In: Baker, Edwards
Out: Cole, Flynn

Reid and CDT in the ruck. New ruck rules have impacted Xerri most of all, our forward pressure is too slow to carry four key forwards, roll the dice on the younger and athletic guys to jump at it all day.

Kelly next in line if any mystery injuries pop up.

Xerri was excellent today mind you.

 

[King LeBron]

Surprised people dropping Davis, he was one of our best in the pre season and have heard Mini single him out a couple of times. It won't happen.

Out: Cole, A. Reid
In: Baker, Edwards