Opinion Round 20 changes vs. GWS

[Clems Knee]

Well, to be perfectly fair, I'll admit that Crichton's ability to play in a few spots isn't worth overlooking. And it's not like Max Duffy's coming in at Michie's expense.

But Michie is surely more deserved than Sheridan – a player who I think is just a coaster.

Don't tell me: Sheridan's neck is too thin.

 

[RickSanchez]

I just thought since Mundy seems unlikely, Michie was a good replacement for him to come in or at least be cover.
Sheridan has been alright and I can see why they want to play him - out of contract, first rounder - either convincing to stay or setting up for trade. Michie has had great WAFL form but not really proven at AFL level, so he may not have as much value. That being said though, Sheridan has had a few games now, think Michie should be given a run now. Perhaps next week they'll give Michie a game for Sheridan, game being in Melbourne etc. He has been in great form and this isn't just based on stats, each time I've watched him play I feel he impacts the game far more than Sheridan.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Lower didn't get played in the back half of last season either

Michie has trade value, Chrichton has cult value (and that's about it)

Though wasn't Lower offered a rookie spot?

Palmer didn't play when he'd signed with the Giants. That was under a bit of a different hierarchy, though.

 

[PapaJ]

The other thing to consider is that players like Sutty, Neale and to a lesser degree Shero and Crozier are not just young kids we're getting games into for interests sake. They've genuinely become part of a group of 25-26 players that may well be called upon through the finals. You want to get games into them. We're not the Saints or Doggies looking to run kids for the sake of it.

They're not likely to take them out for a player like Viv that is not going to get a finals gig at this stage of things just to see how he'd go.

 

[Righteo]

The other thing to consider is that players like Sutty, Neale and to a lesser degree Shero and Crozier are not just young kids we're getting games into for interests sake. They've genuinely become part of a group of 25-26 players that may well be called upon through the finals. You want to get games into them. We're not the Saints or Doggies looking to run kids for the sake of it.

They're not likely to take them out for a player like Viv that is not going to get a finals gig at this stage of things just to see how he'd go.

I think the issues some posters probably have is that had Viv gotten games earlier in the season, and you could say it would have been justified going on his WAFL form, by now he'd be in the same group of players you mentioned.

 

[malpaso]

Yeah Crichton over Viv makes no sense, it's just a waste getting games into Jesse when he's surely headed for the scrapheap.

It makes sense when Crowley comes out either tomorrow or a late change on Sunday.

 

[Sully90]

Lyon's made it clear before just how high he rates WAFL standards (ie: not very). In the scheme of thing's Michie getting 30+ disposals looks pretty but we have to remember the calibre of opposition that this is against. IMO he does have a future at Freo but this week Chrichton must have played his own role better, whatever that may be, and has earned his call-up. Sheridan as well has done nothing wrong while he's played. Sure he doesn't bust open packs but why do we need him to with Mundy, Barlow, and Fyfe there.

Although maybe everyone's right and Michie is leaving at the end of the year. He can follow in the footsteps of Broughton, Roberton, Lower, and other players who have apparently been setting the world on fire this year.

All in all, how about we just trust the selection committee on this one.

 

[PapaJ]

I think the issues some posters probably have is that had Viv gotten games earlier in the season, and you could say it would have been justified going on his WAFL form, by now he'd be in the same group of players you mentioned.

Yeah, fair enough, wouldn't argue with that.

Just saying in the here-and-now and at this stage of the season, I don't think Viv's going to be a likely replacement in place of some of those other young players, even with continued ripping WAFL form.

 

[Kenny_01]

What is everyone's fascination with Viv? My assessment from the Geelong game was he had excellent ball winning ability back lacked a little pace and his kicking lacked penetration. Ross also says he needs to build his fitness base. So if we use 4 categories to rate our youngsters (pace, disposal skills, ball winning ability, endurance), Michie only excels in one of them. Sutcliffe and Sheridan both have pace and endurance while Sutcliffe is also an excellent kick. Crozier has beautiful skills and pace. Neale (who Michie is closest to) has the ball winning ability but edges Michie in the other categories IMO.

Don't get me wrong, Michie is a promising kid, but people are overrating disposal numbers at WAFL level. The coaches have a variety of performance indicators and clearly they feel Michie is behind the others.

 

[believe_it]

If I recall correctly at some point Lyon made mention about replacements being determined by the role required. This in contrast to a merit based selection which had not been particularly successful.

The emergencies selected this week are likely based on who in the 22 could be considered a greater injury risk and the role they play.

Mitchie has stuck around for 2 long term foot problems. Now it appears his stats show he could be "giving great effort". Remember Walters was relegated for a long time and I recall thinking perhaps his treatment was a bit harsh. I don't think that now - he is a gem.

So Mitchie can either stay with a team that looks to be on the verge of great things or he will go - His chance will surely come - it is what it is.

 

[Rob]

What is everyone's fascination with Viv? My assessment from the Geelong game was he had excellent ball winning ability back lacked a little pace and his kicking lacked penetration.

So did Kieren Jack.

Even just based on what I saw in the Geelong game, I rate the guy as a potentially decent AFL footballer. I guess it would just be nice to see him in action against a couple of the crab sides, preferably whilst we're resting a few players that need it.

 

[Proud SJW]

So did Kieren Jack.

Even just based on what I saw in the Geelong game, I rate the guy as a potentially decent AFL footballer. I guess it would just be nice to see him in action against a couple of the crab sides, preferably whilst we're resting a few players that need it.

I agree. There's mo point in discussing the relative merits of Michie over Crichton until both have been given a decent run. In addition, there are plenty of first and second year players around who are doing ok at AFL levels where you get the feeling they'd be struggling to break into the side over here because they're not big enough, fast enough, fit enough or what have you. Port have shown us what youngsters can do given half a chance to settle in.

But then again, I'm the guy who stated pre-season that Ibbo wasn't worth another run this season and we should get some games into potentially better younguns.

So I suppose I should just shut up.

 

[The Anchorite]

Ibbo is Clancee's obvious replacement. Michie isn't going to be picked for that position. It's like when Neale was suggested as a replacement for Ballantyne.

 

[couldhavebeen]

Viv is as far as I'm concerned is not getting a fair go .
RTB and the match committee should give the kid a couple of games in a row the same as Sheridan .

He has done everything in his power to show them that he is ready willing and able to play at the highest level and I would hate to lose him to another club and have it come back and haunt us or worse still bite us in the bum .

He showed in the Geelong game that he's not overawed at the top level against a top team ,14 disposals told us that and that was for only 2 & 1\2 quarters of football .
What would his disposal numbers be for a whole game ,something like 20 \25 where's the shame in that .
IMHO he has what it takes to be a great asset to the club and not just as a backup player either .

We are blessed with a number of players with some serious ability to play this wonderful game .
We also have a few that are good triers that won't make it at the elite level and those should be shown the door BUT VIV is not an also ran type player he will carve out a career in this game and if we won't
play him he will move on to another club that will and again we will be saying OH NO NOT ANOTHER CLEMENT SITUATION AGAIN .

 

[tofushark]

from watching his WAFL games, Michie's kicking doesn't lack penetration nor does he lack pace. But hey lets make judgements on a half of an AFL game.

 

[Nodgey]

We're travelling pretty bloody well as a club when the biggest whinge we can find is which kid gets a spot on an extended interchange bench before they're inevitably released to play WAFL.

I agree with what PapaJ said previously: We have our core of 26/27 players and they are the ones getting game time in the lead-up to finals. We've moved on from seasons past when our only salvation come August was checking the form of the kids.

 

[Ripper]

We're travelling pretty bloody well as a club when the biggest whinge we can find is which kid gets a spot on an extended interchange bench before they're inevitably released to play WAFL.

I agree with what PapaJ said previously: We have our core of 26/27 players and they are the ones getting game time in the lead-up to finals. We've moved on from seasons past when our only salvation come August was checking the form of the kids.

Exactly! The thing that has always stymied us is that we have never, ever have a core this big. Now it does not cause great stress when someone (anyone) misses. I never thought I would ever see it and still can't quite believe it.

 

[36Crazyfists]

Like i said before i guess i'm more interested on what you have to do to crack a game. He has been doing it all season long. I agree it's a pretty good problem to have come this time of year compared to what we have had before. I guess i kinda just feel sorry for the bloke. Would be pretty draining playing that well week in and week out and seeing guys like Sherridan, Neale, Crozier and Sutcliffe all get games in front of you early/mid way in the year when arguably you were in the better form at WAFL level. I agree now it's probably too late to introduce him into the team but i just would have liked to see what he had to offer!

 

[UFO Tatsu]

My tips for tonights changes: (squad of 25)

IN - Pav, Ibbo, Crozier, Michie
OUT - Clancee (inj)

so close

 

[Alfonz]

Michie would have every right to walk out on the club. Screw having to be loyal cause we stuck with him through his injuries. It's quite possible Freo were the cause of his injuries due to poor training methods. If I were him, I would pack my bags and head back to Victoria.

 

[willoblue]

except ball was captain and michie's played half a game.

Maybe Michie is our Michael Tuck.
he played a fair few games of ressies b4 his stellar career didn't he?

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

Maybe Michie is our Michael Tuck.
he played a fair few games of ressies b4 his stellar career didn't he?

haven't the foggiest, although it's the contract coming to an end that's getting people worked up. we don't seem to have enough to worry about it.

 

[Sman-21]

Michie is getting a fair go, his problem is that he is an inside mid in the Barlow style.
Advantages of Michie over Barlow are kicking skills and speed.
Barlow has massive endurance and experience.

For Michie to get games it needs to be in place of Barlow or possibly Mundy but Mundy they could choose to go with a more outside player to replace him.
So unless Barlow is rested,dropped or injured others get picked ahead of him.

Harsh on him but unfortunately thats the style of player he is.

I think he should of been given a few games throughout the year to reward his form/gain experience and rest Barlow but Lyon doesnt like changing for the sake of change.

 

[willoblue]

Michie is getting a fair go, his problem is that he is an inside mid in the Barlow style.
Advantages of Michie over Barlow are kicking skills and speed.
Barlow has massive endurance and experience.

For Michie to get games it needs to be in place of Barlow or possibly Mundy but Mundy they could choose to go with a more outside player to replace him.
So unless Barlow is rested,dropped or injured others get picked ahead of him.

Harsh on him but unfortunately thats the style of player he is.

I think he should of been given a few games throughout the year to reward his form/gain experience and rest Barlow but Lyon doesnt like changing for the sake of change.

mate with all due respect
who wouldn't want 2 Mick Barlows?

 

[Kunna17]

exactly the point, 2 mcik Barlows would be amazing but somebody does have to make way. Think he should have been the sub a little more. More than capable of replacing a mid, if a kpf got hurt you could send barlow/fyfe forward and shove michie in the guts or if a small defender got injured suban can go back. Think is main problem is flexibility as almost every1 in our playing squad can play more than 1 position and he might suffer if not playing the inside mid role