Game Day Round 21 MUST-win vs Hawks at AO

[FR0GGY]

Thats why we have Burgess. Jones has been in the system a long time. Its pretty rare you lose someone in the first quarter, but even if it happens once he can push through.



You want a seasoned high energy player as a sub.



Smith can only play one role - Jones has versatility.

Sounds like you rate him to me

 

[Hodgy]

Think it's a smart rest for Laird. Looks as though for the first time under Nicks we have the opportunity to be proactive with our players minutes.

I can’t believe it’s a rest. We’re playing a side whose strength is their small forwards. Moore, Ginneven, Watson and McDonald are all genuine threats, and our other small defender is injured. Surely this is the one game you wouldn’t think of resting Laird if he is fit.

Next week against a weak side and with a long flight, sure, makes perfect sense, but this game is way too important to be managing minutes in, especially to a small defender.

 

[AFC979810]

He's a 31 year old non essential player coming off two back to back 6 day breaks

It's not that crazy of a rest

Agree. Its smart.

Now if Laird is genuinely injured and needs the week; different story. If this is pre-emptive the question has to be asked, why not West Coast?

Because we will no doubt want to rest numerous others against WC and also North.

It's not a must win game. Be great if we win, but we are pretty much secured of a top 4 spot considering we will beat WC/Nth and have superiors percentage. Our # 1 focus from here is no injuries and resting our senior players.

 

[PCORF]

Is it Must Win?

I want to win every game, but if we lose the season is not over, finals are not over, top 4 is not over, top 2 is not over, and the race for the minor premiership is not over, and 2 of the remaining 3 games are against the bottom 2 sides.

In terms of must win games, this would have to be one of the most low consequence losses we could take.

Must win if we're a chance to finish 2nd or 3rd (or 1st if other results go our way), I am not sure if we will beat Collingwood in 2 weeks. Tonight kinda feels a bit like that game against West Coast at Adelaide Oval in 2015, we smashed the Eagles on that lovely perfect clear day to secure a finals spot.

 

[AFC979810]

Sounds like you rate him to me

Would be an advocate for McHenry being a permanent sub as well. Didnt rate that bloke.

For me - it's smart to have a specialised versatile as we head into finals footy. Our two best options are Jones and Nank IMO.

 

[FR0GGY]

Agree. Its smart.



Because we will no doubt want to rest numerous others against WC and also North.

It's not a must win game. Be great if we win, but we are pretty much secured of a top 4 spot considering we will beat WC/Nth and have superiors percentage. Our # 1 focus from here is no injuries and resting our senior players.

You reckon we’ll rest against north with a rest the following week? Plus the possibility of a rest in the second week?

 

[FR0GGY]

Would be an advocate for McHenry being a permanent sub as well. Didnt rate that bloke.

For me - it's smart to have a specialised versatile as we head into finals footy. Our two best options are Jones and Nank IMO.

I just find it hard to be an advocate for anyone I don’t rate.
Be happy for Nank to be sub.

 

[AFC979810]

You reckon we’ll rest against north with a rest the following week? Plus the possibility of a rest in the second week?

Yup. Especially the likes of Laird, Walker, Dawson, ANB, FOG, Milera. Seasoned pros.

 

[FR0GGY]

Yup. Especially the likes of Laird, Walker, Dawson, ANB, FOG, Milera. Seasoned pros.

Reckon we won’t rest against the Roos.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Does the sub normal come from the players named on the field though?

Not normally but has happened before.

 

[Cromulant]

Reckon we won’t rest against the Roos.

Depends when our game is scheduled I reckon.

I suspect we'll play Saturday or Sunday arvo, thats a 7 or 8 day break.

 

[Betts are off]

Must win if we're a chance to finish 2nd or 3rd (or 1st if other results go our way), I am not sure if we will beat Collingwood in 2 weeks. Tonight kinda feels a bit like that game against West Coast at Adelaide Oval in 2015, we smashed the Eagles on that lovely perfect clear day to secure a finals spot.

I think the more accurate thing to say would be we lose tonight and Collingwood game has far higher stakes. Not that tonight is Must Win.

By no means does that mean 2nd or 3rd are off the table either, or even 1st in some scenarios. Brisbane, Geelong and Pies all have equally losable games to close out the season.

The Cats have the softest draw, but could still get caught up against the Swans in Sydney. And 1 game and 12% back, which is essentially 2 games.
Pies could lose none, or potentially 3 (Crows in Adelaide), Brisbane and Hawthorn on the way home.
Brisbane could lose none or all of their games, hardest run home by far Pies (MCG), Syd, Freo (Optus), Hawthorn.

Tonight I predict we win and win well. But if we don't the season, and the race for top 2 is still very much alive!

 

[BRL121]

Reckon we won’t rest against the Roos.

We'll be needing to keep our percentage above Geelong's.

 

[AFC979810]

Reckon we won’t rest against the Roos.

We should IMO.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Reckon we won’t rest against the Roos.

Particularly with a week off.

West Coast away we should rest some players, particularly Tex.

 

[PeterSalt]

Wonder if one of their talls will be a late out. Playing four seems an extraordinary gamble for such an important game.

Curtin is living in Mitchell's head

 

[feenix67]

I can’t believe it’s a rest. We’re playing a side whose strength is their small forwards. Moore, Ginneven, Watson and McDonald are all genuine threats, and our other small defender is injured. Surely this is the one game you wouldn’t think of resting Laird if he is fit.

Next week against a weak side and with a long flight, sure, makes perfect sense, but this game is way too important to be managing minutes in, especially to a small defender.

Unless Nicks and the coaching group are doing what we've been crying out for them to do and, you know, trusting youth.

 

[Hell Boy6669]

Surely a crowd of 50k+ this eve, AO should be rocking.

 

[PeterSalt]

Woz FTW

 

[FR0GGY]

We should IMO.

Wonder if we’ll rest Rob at some point.

 

[FR0GGY]

Woz FTW

Seems very much like a 100+ game player

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Wonder if we’ll rest Rob at some point.

Problem is McAndrew is injured.

 

[PeterSalt]

Wonder if we’ll rest Rob at some point.

When we draft trade in Draper

 

[FR0GGY]

Problem is McAndrew is injured.

Yeah but robs probably carried the biggest load of anyone

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Yeah but robs probably carried the biggest load of anyone

Perhaps sub him out & use Thilthorpe in ruck for last part of the game. Bring in Toby Murray for Tex?