Unofficial Preview Round 23, Friday, August 15th 8.20pm AEST @Optus v Dockers.

[braddsey]

Nat Fyfe has announced his retirement, but he will play out the season. Hopefully they don't play this game as a "Farewell Fyfe" match.

 

[twhowler]

Nat Fyfe has announced his retirement, but he will play out the season. Hopefully they don't play this game as a "Farewell Fyfe" match.

Doesn't sound like it, he is hoping for a flag.

Do people think Craven is a chance to debut if Lohmann doesn't come up?

 

[martinson]

I don't think it matters much who we select against Freo except to say the best player in our reserves besides Annabel is Beecken.

Really it's up to Fort and the midfield to throw everything into this game and we've got a good chance. If not we're in trouble.

 

[martinson]

Main concerns for mine are the obvious ones:

1. The attitude of our forwards and midfielders defensively (non-existent in 2 of the last 3 games). We probably need to get to minimum 10 tackles inside 50 and we only had 4 on Saturday.
2. The composition of our backline (less of an issue if #1 is adequate). I don't know who our best backups are but at this stage of the season we just need our best guys out there.

But also #3 is Freo's last quarters. Their come-from-behind wins are finally getting the warranted publicity, but it's not just on the scoreboard either. They're literally running over the top of teams. Craig McRae said after Collingwood lost to them "maybe they should play that way more often". Well they were only able to play that way because they ran Collingwood off their legs, who weren't able to sustain their suffocating pressure for the full 4 quarters. If you go back and watch that last quarter it's a VERY different game to the first quarter.

So I think we're going to need a pretty hefty lead at 3 quarter time, particularly on the back of a 6 day break and the longest trip in football.

I'm not sure Freo is overloaded with talent but what they do have this year is persistence and belief.

 

[BangyBangy]

I don't think it matters much who we select against Freo except to say the best player in our reserves besides Annabel is Beecken.

Really it's up to Fort and the midfield to throw everything into this game and we've got a good chance. If not we're in trouble.

I'll break it down to a simple boolean.

If we play with the same intent & appetite for the contest as we did against Hawks @ the MCG, Geelong @ GMHBA, Collingwood @ the MCG AND Ryan Lester plays then we win.

Sound good 3KZ is Football ?

 

[3KZ is Football]

I'll break it down to a simple boolean.

If we play with the same intent & appetite for the contest as we did against Hawks @ the MCG, Geelong @ GMHBA, Collingwood @ the MCG AND Ryan Lester plays then we win.

Sound good 3KZ is Football ?

Agreed BangyBangy. Having Lester in the team really helps. Unlike Doedee, who just isn’t up to it any more and Gardiner, who didn’t find the time to lay a tackle against Sydney, but did find time to point and bake his teammates, Lester provides genuine leadership through selfless example. Lester has a red hot go every game.

Getting Dev Robertson and Day into the team and sending Doedee, Smith and McLachlan back to the Reserves would also help.

 

[Elixuh]

Agreed BangyBangy. Having Lester in the team really helps. Unlike Doedee, who just isn’t up to it any more and Gardiner, who didn’t find the time to lay a tackle against Sydney, but did find time to point and bake his teammates, Lester provides genuine leadership through selfless example. Lester has a red hot go every game.

Getting Dev Robertson and Day into the team and sending Doedee, Smith and McLachlan back to the Reserves would also help.

Brother 3kz out here disparaging any defenders who may threaten Ryan Lester’s throne.

 

[BangyBangy]

Agreed BangyBangy. Having Lester in the team really helps. Unlike Doedee, who just isn’t up to it any more and Gardiner, who didn’t find the time to lay a tackle against Sydney, but did find time to point and bake his teammates, Lester provides genuine leadership through selfless example. Lester has a red hot go every game.

Getting Dev Robertson and Day into the team and sending Doedee, Smith and McLachlan back to the Reserves would also help.

A simple 'yes' would have sufficed lol

 

[braddsey]

A simple 'yes' would have sufficed lol

Considering the initial statement was boolean, I would have expected a simple TRUE.

 

[acuguy]

A bit tough of Doedee. He isn't ready, another full preseason, match simulation and practice matches will have him cherry ripe for 2026. Was on the verge of being an absolute elite defender of the competition before knees! The Brisbane bulldozer needs to come out Friday night.

 

[DevRoboGun]

I know this is a big call, but it feels like if we win this game, we are a good chance to win the premiership. If not, 2026..

 

[M Malice]

It is striking how a narrative whether deserved or not permeates through the whole media.

Both Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes now calling for Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

31

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

to be dropped to VFL level, had some stats up re his career worst/2nd worst season for possessions, goals, score involvements, marks being this season.

 

[Nathan Barley]

It is striking how a narrative whether deserved or not permeates through the whole media.

Both Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes now calling for Charlie Cameron to be dropped to VFL level, had some stats up re his career worst/2nd worst season for possessions, goals, score involvements, marks being this season.

Click bait

Dropping him this week would be a really stupid move

 

[M Malice]

Click bait

Dropping him this week would be a really stupid move

Yes, even though Charlie is down on form I don't think there is a standout replacement for him anyway.

With a rocket from Fages Charlie and the rest of the team can turn things around, they have done it before this season, defensive pressure is the starting point, no skills need to be worked on, it requires a competitive mindset, intent and desire.

 

[vic_LION]

In a top-8 with 1 game between 2nd and 8th that is significant.

In the end though, for me the draw against 17th North Melbourne is the reason we’re sweating on finals.
(Other games slipped, but this is the black mark on a game we absolutely should have won).

The draw against North is somewhat irrelevant by itself though, as if we’d won that game, our percentage is so bad we’d still be 6th and sweating

A bit of a cumulative effect of a whole season a bit up and down. But I take some consolation in the fact that no other team has really done much better, they’ve all had their ups and downs, and we’re right in it still

 

[Sherrinator]

I think the small forwards need to understand that they need to get out of the way of the talls and get front and centre. Infuriating watching small defenders run away untouched

 

[Sunny Land]

It is striking how a narrative whether deserved or not permeates through the whole media.

Both Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes now calling for Charlie Cameron to be dropped to VFL level, had some stats up re his career worst/2nd worst season for possessions, goals, score involvements, marks being this season.

Time for both Reiwoldt, Kornes, Whatley, Lyon & Dunstall to get into coaching because they all talk like they know more than the respective coach's of teams with problems.
I have a new respect for Buckley because he doesn't talk like he knows more that the coaching fraternity. When he has an opinion it's not an arrogant dis-respectful one against any particular person. Who knows what Charlie is dealing with??? We all know his head insn't in the right space but to just come out and say: "drop him" with no idea is wrong. Maybe he needs some time away from footy or who knows what he needs to get back in the game.
Obviously Reiwolt, Cornes & Co are smarter than most and that is why they should jump in and coach.

 

[Sunny Land]

Yes, even though Charlie is down on form I don't think there is a standout replacement for him anyway.

With a rocket from Fages Charlie and the rest of the team can turn things around, they have done it before this season, defensive pressure is the starting point, no skills need to be worked on, it requires a competitive mindset, intent and desire.

Giving players rockets is not the answer these days. It was back in the 80's but not now.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Yes, even though Charlie is down on form I don't think there is a standout replacement for him anyway.

With warm resassurance that we don’t want to upset them and a clear statement that they will never be held accountable at selection from Fages, Charlie and the rest of the team can turn things around, they have done it before this season, defensive pressure is the starting point, no skills need to be worked on, it requires a competitive mindset, intent and desire.

EFA

 

[M Malice]

Giving players rockets is not the answer these days. It was back in the 80's but not now.

I would have thought a rocket a couple of times a season is fine, doing it every 2nd round yes it's usefulness wears a bit thin.

Individual players would be getting honest feedback from the coaches most weeks wouldn't they SL, not to the level of a rocket though.

 

[Sunny Land]

I would have thought a rocket a couple of times a season is fine, doing it every 2nd round yes it's usefulness wears a bit thin.

Individual players would be getting honest feedback from the coaches most weeks wouldn't they SL, not to the level of a rocket though.

Honest & in-depth feedback is compulsary for them all and is one of the first things they do in the review of any/every game.
I also think the old school style of a rocket is good used sparingly/appropriately but again thats a bit old school and not what they do these days.

 

[M Malice]

Time for both Reiwoldt, Kornes, Whatley, Lyon & Dunstall to get into coaching because they all talk like they know more than the respective coach's of teams with problems.
I have a new respect for Buckley because he doesn't talk like he knows more that the coaching fraternity. When he has an opinion it's not an arrogant dis-respectful one against any particular person. Who knows what Charlie is dealing with??? We all know his head insn't in the right space but to just come out and say: "drop him" with no idea is wrong. Maybe he needs some time away from footy or who knows what he needs to get back in the game.
Obviously Reiwolt, Cornes & Co are smarter than most and that is why they should jump in and coach.

Nick Riewoldt is one of the few footy pundits I don't mind along with Nathan Buckley, Leigh Montagna and Josh Jenkins.

Tom Morris inhabits down near the bottom of the barrel along with David King, Matthew Lloyd, Tom Browne and Jon Ralph to name a few.

 

[Sunny Land]

Nick Riewoldt is one of the few footy pundits I don't mind along with Nathan Buckley, Leigh Montagna and Josh Jenkins.

Tom Morris inhabits down near the bottom of the barrel along with David King, Matthew Lloyd, Tom Browne and Jon Ralph to name a few.

I used to love Saint Nick but he's fallen in the same bucket of s**t that the rest of them are in. (in my opinion)

I like Hodgey, Bucks, Hamish & Adam Simpson. I'll pass on the rest.

 

[Section 5]

I am going to assume Starcevich misses another week. If not great.
So a lockdown defender comes in which only leaves Brain or give someone the job?.
Beecken is not a lockdown defender.
The only other option i would consider is Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

31

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

to do a job while Starch is out.
Crazy i know, but i can't see anyone else in the starting 22 that may be able to do it.
So it looks like it has to be Brain in for Starch. VFL stats last week for Brain:17D, 4M, 6T & 2 Clr.

Henry Smith out. I would go Day but maybe Oscar gets another go but that makes us way to slow.

Doedee out (or sub) for Lester. Doedee got through the game so that's a bonus, get ready for 2026.

Marshall has had 5 AFL games this year which is great, but i think he needs another preseason.

Out Marshall, in Beecken as defense relief so we can see what he has to offer at AFL level. Timing is right.
We tried Doedee last week and now it should be Beecken.
That means Fletcher to the wing and Reville back to wing relief.


B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester

HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), S Brain

C: J Fletcher, H.McCluggage, J.Berry

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, C.Ah-Chee

FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, W.Ashcroft


I/C: S.Day (F/R), L.Beecken (D), L.Ashcroft (M/W/F), B.Reville (wing relief).

SUB: one of Doedee, Marshall, McLachlan, Craven,

 

[Nathan Barley]

Starce listed as a test

Kai 1 week
Lachie 2 weeks