Prediction Round 2: Changes v Melbourne

[FreoRicci]

I’ve been thinking more and more we could use Young’s class and skill back at half back too. Play more of Erasmus/Johnson in the guts, in their natural positions.

I know we love Young delivering inside 50, but if we have him driving from half back, it should give our forwards a better chance for a clean entry from whoever ends up putting it in there.

He’s a great mark too. If he can drive off half back and use his kicking, then watch out.
Have too many midfielders to worry about Young IMO.

 

[PrancingPony]

He’s a great mark too. If he can drive off half back and use his kicking, then watch out.
Have too many midfielders to worry about Young IMO.

Defence is his main role too is it not? He only really became a midfielder around mid to late 2024 didn't he?

 

[Minz]

I think this makes a good point.

Everyone assumes that all this scanning that identifies all these injuries somehow leads to better outcomes.

It's this blind faith that enablement by technology always must be better.

The evidence as far as I understand it is actually more mixed, undoubtedly it provides highly accurate anatomical information, but it can't tell you about function so whether it improves things like re-injury or return to play is actually a much more nuanced debate then telling you where the tear is and what grade it is. Functional assessment still matters.

In some cases as far as I understand it, scanning can actually lead to unnecessary caution especially for things like back injury, but even in soft tissue scanning because elite athletes will often have lots of scar etc on scans that means nothing except they exercise very hard. I believe there is even an acronym for it, VOMIT - a Victim Of Modern Imaging Technology.

Minz I'd value your thoughts?

Correlation between imaging findings and clinical is certainly poor for the back. Don’t get a back scan unless you have done all the physio and such or have objective weakness or findings. Personally, I would be 100% confident of having some sort of bulging disc or such given my sporting history and age, but anatomy and function aren’t the same thing; my back is absolutely fine. It’s function that counts.

If Young has symptoms then the scan is probably meaningful, but it’s function that will dictate return to play. Generally they wouldn’t re-scan to check it’s healed for example.

 

[oldgoat]

SPRINTER would suit better...

Peregrine!

 

[theGav56]

Sorry if I seemed so serious. I was TTP,
Meaning Taking The Piss.
Didn't my wink give that feeling?

I thought you winked because you like me

 

[BStaff17]

Gee need to win this week.

I already have 2023 PTSD losing to North at home in round 2.

Bit concerned actually as i think the Demons are up and about.

If we go 0-2 its almost top 2 hopes over already.

 

[BurnedScones]

Gee need to win this week.

I already have 2023 PTSD losing to North at home in round 2.

Bit concerned actually as i think the Demons are up and about.

If we go 0-2 its almost top 2 hopes over already.

I've got that same feeling. Swans at home last year too.

 

[jusjoshin]

Murphy into the middle for Young, Tobyn into the forward line. Darcy into the WAFL to get match fit, Jackson to R1, Mason into the F/R role.

 

[wakojako]

Out: Young, McDonald, Darcy
In: M. Cox, Davies, Simpson

Simpson is the best kick out of the team, get him in.

Is Simpson fit?

 

[swanny1234]

Gee need to win this week.

I already have 2023 PTSD losing to North at home in round 2.

Bit concerned actually as i think the Demons are up and about.

If we go 0-2 its almost top 2 hopes over already.

King looks like he's brought the positive vibes back and had them playing more entertaining footy than I'd seen for years under Goodwin, Gawn was epic.

We're going to be right up against it.

Reid into the midfield for mine, play Murray as a small forward. Mason actually has a good history against Max so I'd play him along with Jackson. Darcy needs to play WAFL for a month and prove himself again.

 

[BREATHLESS_987]

Gee need to win this week.

I already have 2023 PTSD losing to North at home in round 2.

Bit concerned actually as i think the Demons are up and about.

If we go 0-2 its almost top 2 hopes over already.

This game is a good measuring stick in that regard. Exactly the sort of game Freo 2022-2025 would have tripped over.

If the build is on the right trajectory, we show the improvement, and get the job done without too much fanfare.

 

[swanny1234]

Johnson and Erasmus will be fine. They have both showed they are capable.

Reid should play midfield, better than both of them.

 

[Minz]

Gee need to win this week.

I already have 2023 PTSD losing to North at home in round 2.

Bit concerned actually as i think the Demons are up and about.

If we go 0-2 its almost top 2 hopes over already.

I was at work for that North game, and accompanying a patient to imaging… he was watching the game on his phone and when I saw the score I involuntarily said “F***ing Freo!” loud enough that he looked up at me, startled. It was a bit embarrassing

He was not a Freo supporter.

 

[Quazar2]

M. Cox family in town according to Schmooky. I have no idea if that means they've travelled from the States (???), but if so, is that an indicator the Big Texan will debut?! I hope so.

Surely they won't play all 3 of Cox, Darcy & Jackson?!

 

[Quay Club]

I was at work for that North game, and accompanying a patient to imaging… he was watching the game on his phone and when I saw the score I involuntarily said “F***ing Freo!” loud enough that he looked up at me, startled. It was a bit embarrassing

He was not a Freo supporter.

We've all been there!

 

[FreoBraddles]

M. Cox family in town according to Schmooky. I have no idea if that means they've travelled from the States (???), but if so, is that an indicator the Big Texan will debut?! I hope so.

Surely they won't play all 3 of Cox, Darcy & Jackson?!

They were over in Melbourne last week too so not reading too much into it.

That said, think there's still a chance he debuts.

 

[PrancingPony]

Melbourne could be up for it this weekend, however....let's be real, they only beat St Kilda.

 

[Quazar2]

They were over in Melbourne last week too so not reading too much into it.

That said, think there's still a chance he debuts.

Ah, didn't know that. I just read what was on the AFL website. Schmook made it sound like they'd been specifically flown in for this round.

I hope so too

 

[Minz]

Melbourne could be up for it this weekend, however....let's be real, they only beat St Kilda.

I do wish our team had beaten St Kilda last year...

 

[David Bubb]

 

[PrancingPony]

I do wish our team had beaten St Kilda last year...

Good thing we did beat St Kilda last year.

 

[PowerToThePurpl]

Ideally:
Out - Darcy (fitness), McDonald (got 5 kicked on him), Young
In - Mason, Davies/Draper, Murray

More CBA's for Johnno, Ras, and Shai to accommodate for Young's time in the middle. Tobyn to play fully as a pressure forward.

Swag simply didn't look fit enough which is a real selection blunder. He should be playing at LEAST +60% TOG.

I have no doubt they're going to bring in BB for Young though, it's unreal how lucky that bloke is.

 

[Footskill]

Ideally:
Out - Darcy (fitness), McDonald (got 5 kicked on him), Young
In - Mason, Davies/Draper, Murray

More CBA's for Johnno, Ras, and Shai to accommodate for Young's time in the middle. Tobyn to play fully as a pressure forward.

Swag simply didn't look fit enough which is a real selection blunder. He should be playing at LEAST +60% TOG.

I have no doubt they're going to bring in BB for Young though, it's unreal how lucky that bloke is.

Availability and taking your opportunities when you're on the fringe is not lucky. You may not like a player, but there is no reason to discredit them. When Simpson went down last year and banners stepped up and performed or the countless times he was sub and came on to kick goals.

May not think he is b23 but we should be lucky to have a utility who can step in when called upon.

 

[Alfonz]

Can't believe people actually think Murray will come in and Banfield won't. Maybe both of them come in if there is some other mystery injury (a Freo special like JOM last week), but Banfield will surely be the first one they bring in for Young.

 

[Quazar2]

I'd like Simpson to come in.

Is he fit/is he ready to go? I don't know, he played the Peel scratchie I think the other week.

We need more speed on the ball and flair, he has that in spades. Needs to be in this 2026 Fremantle team now, he's missed out a lot through injury and team selection in the past, needs to force his way in, find his place and show off his wares. Talented