Opinion Round 2 Changes vs. Geelong

[smokingjacket]

I don't really buy the "it's Geelong" thing. If he's in the team, in form, fit and ready to go, select him. He's not a child anymore. He'll face younger opponents than him at the Cats.

Fair point. Despite us playing the ground well there's a reason why Geelong have such a good record at Skilled though.

And unlike Mayne, De Boer, Taberner and Mzungu he ran out a full AFL game, and did some handy things. If Mzungu and Taberner come in for someone it should be those in bad form (Suban) or those who had limited minutes (Mayne, De Boer).

I'd much rather a guy who we know can get through a full game than one who has a niggle or has had limited game time. I think that's the best way to have a side deliver consistent performances.

I get what you're saying but I just think that structurally we're a heap better with Pavlich, Taberner and Mayne in the team, even if he's a bit dodgy, just because I don't think we have anyone else who can cover fourth tall/pressure forward like Mayne. Against a team like Geelong who'll look to mop up all our long balls in to 50 having genuine, dangerous opponents for all of Geelongs defenders will be important. Sheridan's role is taken by a superior player in Mzungu (assuming he's absolutely 100%) so you would have to find something else for him to do, ie. the sub which as I mentioned I have my reservations about him coming on late in games.

Also I don't think the limited minutes argument stacks up well for de Boer because it's round two. Still had a big preseason under his belt.

 

[Moo]

Geelong were terrible yesterday but having Stevie J stay in the side is a big plus. With no Crowley to torment either Selwood/Johnson I imagine they'll have a level more freedom against us than they've had recently. I'm sure Fish Pub will play his role well but he'll have his work cut out for him... the only way we can get over them is to have a quicker and more effective midfield.

That means Fyfe/Mundy/D. Pearce continuing to be awesome.
Means Barlow/Hill/Neale need to get their finger out.

Our ruck advantage is a substantial part of winning this midfield battle, they really have no one to compete and go with Sandi/Clarke.

I would think Mitch C will be asked to carry a large part of the load, which will be a big relief as it allows MJ to drift.

 

[Agenfrida]

Had a lurk in the Geel board. They're not too confident over there.

 

[Moist Biscuit]

I don't think they have great outside run besides Murdoch and Motlop so i think we can beat them on the outside. Also think we have a huge advantage in the ruck, so Fyfe, Mundy and Barlow should be licking their lips. If both sides play at their best, we should win by about 30 points.

 

[toenail11]

Reckon Clancee will take Selwood. Surely he isn't in the team to completely blanket the oppositions best player like Crowley, he has the advantage of being able to hurt them the other way unlike Deboer and Crowls

 

[clogged]

Fair point. Despite us playing the ground well there's a reason why Geelong have such a good record at Skilled though.



I get what you're saying but I just think that structurally we're a heap better with Pavlich, Taberner and Mayne in the team, even if he's a bit dodgy, just because I don't think we have anyone else who can cover fourth tall/pressure forward like Mayne. Against a team like Geelong who'll look to mop up all our long balls in to 50 having genuine, dangerous opponents for all of Geelongs defenders will be important. Sheridan's role is taken by a superior player in Mzungu (assuming he's absolutely 100%) so you would have to find something else for him to do, ie. the sub which as I mentioned I have my reservations about him coming on late in games.

Also I don't think the limited minutes argument stacks up well for de Boer because it's round two. Still had a big preseason under his belt.

I think playing Mayne for the majority of last year while he was underdone was a mistake, and cost the side long term. One of many instances where more experienced players were given extended runs in the side for zero short term or long term benefit.

Don't see why Mzungu doesn't come in for whatever Suban does.

 

[JamFrank]

Lyon definitely rates Mayne's pre-season and said so in all his post Rd 1 interviews. Seems very keen to see a forward line with Tabs, Mayne and Pav all in it.

So if Mz is coming in for Suban, who makes way for Tabs?

Maybe Mzungu will have to wait a little while longer in the twos until injury makes an opening for him? Could be as simple as

OUT: Suban
IN: Tabs

It's certainly the way RTB tends to manage a winning team - lets the winning team play, and someone has to really force their way in. 4 goals straight to Tabs seems to do that, did Mzng do enough?

 

[fpm84]

Had a lurk in the Geel board. They're not too confident over there.

Our supporters tend to take the 'sky is falling' approach whenever we lose a game.

Reality is, Hawthorn smacked you guys by even more early last season and it didn't hurt your run for top 4.

I'm as unimpressed as anybody by our very poor performance yesterday but I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water (yet). The epic Cats v Freo battles since 2012 make you guys our toughest opponent in my eyes, so a win on Sunday would do wonders for our confidence and that of our supporters.

Likewise, if you guys win you can rightfully claim an exceptional start to the season with two very tough games to open with.

 

[StingBitten]

INJURY LIST - UPDATED TUESDAY 7 APRIL
Player Injury Duration
Alex Silvagni Hamstring 3 weeks
Zac Dawson Groin 4 weeks
Anthony Morabito Knee TBA

Smallest injury list I've seen in a while... looks like our defenses will have to hold for a few more weeks... still got to get through Geelong and Swans! Hopefully Macca and Johnson take control as they've done so many times in the past.

Wondering when we're going to find out where Morabito's at... get the feeling this is the year's he's got to take his chance at the big time again.

 

[StingBitten]

Our ruck advantage is a substantial part of winning this midfield battle, they really have no one to compete and go with Sandi/Clarke.

I would think Mitch C will be asked to carry a large part of the load, which will be a big relief as it allows MJ to drift.

Agreed, but if Sandi/Clarke tap it straight into Barlow's hands and he fluffs it 30 metres in the direction of Clarke/Hawkins we're going to be in trouble. Need to get it out lightning quick to a pair of one of our quicker legs.

 

[couldhavebeen]

I wouldn't call Boak ending up with 25 disposals quiet.I reckon de boer will probably become our preferred # 1 negating mid in time IMO.

Clancee played a great game and with a few more lessons from Crowls he will be even better .

 

[smokingjacket]

did Mzng do enough?

Was BOG for Peel by most accounts so I'd say yes.

 

[JamFrank]

Agreed, but if Sandi/Clarke tap it straight into Barlow's hands and he fluffs it 30 metres in the direction of Clarke/Hawkins we're going to be in trouble. Need to get it out lightning quick to a pair of one of our quicker legs.

Why would Barlow be kicking into Geelong's forward 50? Him kicking it straight to Harry Taylor is the bigger concern. 19 marks last time we played...

 

[Moo]

Clancee played a great game and with a few more lessons from Crowls he will be even better .

Great game coulda?

Solid perhaps.

 

[smokingjacket]

Don't see why Mzungu doesn't come in for whatever Suban does.

You missed the subtlety of my argument. Suban was so ineffective as a HFF/Midfield Rotation that he could be swapped for a true CHF with no discernible difference to the team

I agree with your comments on Mayne last year but we'll see if this ankle affects him as much as his back injury did. I still don't think that Taylor/Enright/Mackie/Lonergan are going to mark tight anyone else we can throw forward as a medium tall, apart from Fyfe, to stop them zoning off.

 

[purplerunsdeep]

Why would Barlow be kicking into Geelong's forward 50? Him kicking it straight to Harry Taylor is the bigger concern. 19 marks last time we played...

that's the kicker. Run - carry - speed inside 50 to get to our smalls or at least a 1 on 1 contest. We then will avoid taylor coming 3rd man up for the easy mark and challenge him on the ground with our smalls. Need to make rivers accountable

If we long bomb it we will be in trouble. I can actually see taylor going forward a little if they are doing ok back or if Clark has to help in the ruck. That will be a problem for us

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Agreed, but if Sandi/Clarke tap it straight into Barlow's hands and he fluffs it 30 metres in the direction of Clarke/Hawkins we're going to be in trouble. Need to get it out lightning quick to a pair of one of our quicker legs.

So, you are suggesting Hawkins and Clark will be playing in defence .

 

[Moo]

So, you are suggesting Hawkins and Clark will be playing in defence .

I think he's suggesting Hawkins is going to go to CHB to play on Zac Clarke @ CHF.

 

[Carnthedockers]

INJURY LIST - UPDATED TUESDAY 7 APRIL
Player Injury Duration
Alex Silvagni Hamstring 3 weeks
Zac Dawson Groin 4 weeks
Anthony Morabito Knee TBA

Smallest injury list I've seen in a while... looks like our defenses will have to hold for a few more weeks... still got to get through Geelong and Swans! Hopefully Macca and Johnson take control as they've done so many times in the past.

Wondering when we're going to find out where Morabito's at... get the feeling this is the year's he's got to take his chance at the big time again.

Can anyone remember the last time we weren't forces to make a change due to injury??

 

[MadDocker]

Round 1, 2015.

 

[Schauermann]

INJURY LIST - UPDATED TUESDAY 7 APRIL
Player Injury Duration
Alex Silvagni Hamstring 3 weeks
Zac Dawson Groin 4 weeks
Anthony Morabito Knee TBA

Smallest injury list I've seen in a while...

Smallest in the league atm. But somehow a best 22 player and his first replacement on it...

 

[greatgatsby]

Silva must have really done that hammy. On the upside didn't someone say RTB said Dawson will be back early season?

 

[StingBitten]

So, you are suggesting Hawkins and Clark will be playing in defence .

Boots it into the Selwood's head and ricochets to the opposition 50.

 

[FreoRicci]

In: Croizer, Taberner Out: Sheridan, De Boer
Reckon we should play Tabs all season alongside Pav and build up that relationship. Pav by himself won't be the best idea as the season goes along, and especially against Taylor who mauled us last season. Croizer speed and knack for a goal trumps De Boer for me.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Boots it into the Selwood's head and ricochets to the opposition 50.

Oh. Fair enough, I didn't think of that.