Prediction Round 3, 2026: Changes vs Port Adelaide

[unty11]

Are we all forgetting how bad Big Bailey Williams is? Will the new ruck rules really turn him into the next Nic Nat? We just won a game with Flynn who's a good honest tryer.

 

[bzparkes]

Are we all forgetting how bad Big Bailey Williams is? Will the new ruck rules really turn him into the next Nic Nat? We just won a game with Flynn who's a good honest tryer.

Yes.

 

[Matele]

Yes.

Thank you.

 

[Kegs15]

Are we all forgetting how bad Big Bailey Williams is? Will the new ruck rules really turn him into the next Nic Nat? We just won a game with Flynn who's a good honest tryer.

Honestly think ruck is an easy position to cop hate for since you're matched up in an easily observable 1-1 the whole game. We might miss a small defender getting beaten or a wing getting outran but ruck is super obvious.

Thing is losing the hitouts doesn't always equate to winning. Go through the last 10 grand finals and I think it's something like 3 of 10 winners won the hitout count.

Think ruck is about setting the vibes for the team and competing in the midfield arm wrestle more than anything. Flynn constantly has his opposition ruck be BOG. BW looks worse, is super random and plays weird and is a bit of a chaos merchant, but when he matches up on good rucks they never seem to get their own game going, not nearly as much as with Flynn.

If we're going to lose the ruck battle I'd rather lose chaotically than lose consistently like we do with Flynn. BW has better ground level agility and clearance work which is something our side needs.

Flynn is a bit better as an option down the line but if we're playing 4 tall forwards this isn't as big a priority.

BW is also, from an athletic perspective, a closer match to CDT/AReid. Will at least give our midfield more consistency in playing under a similar type of ruck who's losing the hitouts for similar reasons, rather than switch modes when Flynn is in. Honestly in 2 years, if we're just working with the rucks already on our list, I'd back in a AReid/CDT 65-35 rotation - while our midfield is developing think BW would more closely reflect that than Flynn.

 

[flyinghi64]

Woodcock said on the West podcast yesterday that Merriman grabbed the leadership group immediately after the win to discuss the prep going into this week's game.

May mean nothing to the overall results but at least it sounds like they're onto doing whatever they can to prepare for it.

Yeah watched it last night before bed, got me a little riled up hence the post

 

[flyinghi64]

They have been some pretty handy Rucks the oppo have put up the past few weeks.
Pretty sure there will be a few rucks that will struggle against them as the year progresses.
Let's see how he goes against one with not as many credentials this week.
We are coming off a win, let's not get too hasty.

 

[Barrybran]

Are we all forgetting how bad Big Bailey Williams is? Will the new ruck rules really turn him into the next Nic Nat? We just won a game with Flynn who's a good honest tryer.

Bailey should be better with the new rules. He's improved over the last two years and I think it is likely he will continue to improve. The question is can he be competitive. I think it is more likely that he chops out with Flynn than replacing him, which means one of CDT or Archer make way for him, and I don't see that happening at the moment. The kids are alright.

 

[WCEswift]

Did some wheelo ratings digging, 2 rounds so very limited sample. But port are best at locking it in their front half of the ground and getting it back inside 50. we MUST look after the ball till about 70 meters from the port goal, then go fast, make the port defenders turn their backs and chase forwards running back to goal. However we need to play one of Shanahan, CDT, archer reid or loosh as a deeper forward to lead up while people are running back. its what larkey did to them and us. what JHF did to the bombers. also make Allir and ratagolea split to different sides of the ground. seperate them

 

[FKASC]

Will the new ruck rules really turn him into the next Nic Nat?

Yes

 

[WCEswift]

Weirdly simmo talks about what i said is a key to the game for us in this clip

 

[Cuzz09]

930am means WCE BF longest ever positives and Negatives thread post game.

Hours of fun/tears

 

[duffmalind]

Weirdly simmo talks about what i said is a key to the game for us in this clip

I watched this clip. For our defence (pronounced deaf ens not deefence) we would do well to develop speedy intelligent fullbacks. Probably Sandy Brock and Young fit this at their best. Edwards slow as a carthorse and we have probably seen the last of him to be honest. Bazzo was so promising early and I hope he miraculously improves to Weitering level.

 

[duffmalind]

Allir 21 kicks and 19 marks last week. Bombers bombing it in badly. Ratugoglialea played very deep.
Need a A.Reid, Waterman, CDT, Shanahan to stay deep and 1 on 1. We just got to lower the eyes going inside 50. Keep Duggan inside our defensive 50, he is banned from fwd of centre. Kelly, Yeo, Lindsay (if played) and Mcarthy kicking inside 50 after handball recieves from Deven and schoenberg please. We must break even at the coalface and tighten up in defensive transition (skills and speed retaining the ball in fwd movement will assist that so much). Bo Allen embodies the way Eagles want to play moving forward, and he can be anything. There is no place moving forward for Cole or Duggan.

 

[duffmalind]

Bailey should be better with the new rules. He's improved over the last two years and I think it is likely he will continue to improve. The question is can he be competitive. I think it is more likely that he chops out with Flynn than replacing him, which means one of CDT or Archer make way for him, and I don't see that happening at the moment. The kids are alright.

I don't think we can ever play Flynn and Bailey in the same team if the list is fit (CDT and AReid). Slows us too much for the modern game. Evidence: the last 2 years.

 

[duffmalind]

I know Bazzo isn't highly rated but I could see him coming into the squad as a key position back over Maric and Brock. Brock is a little underdone and Maric can be a bit poor defensively against the bigger boys.

Bazzo, JWilliams and Hughwitt would need time in WAFL. Annoying that WAFL season is delayed, that is a disadvantage. I really don't want Bazzo or Maric playing in this side. Brock was not bad in the pre season. More than likely Shanahan plays back more this week as we can cover forward with Archer and CDT height. This week is all about Butters and JHF. We need to massively limit their influence more than anything. Rozee is a huge loss from their half back line.... (I hope )

 

[Avalor]

Bazzo, JWilliams and Hughwitt would need time in WAFL. Annoying that WAFL season is delayed, that is a disadvantage. I really don't want Bazzo or Maric playing in this side. Brock was not bad in the pre season. More than likely Shanahan plays back more this week as we can cover forward with Archer and CDT height. This week is all about Butters and JHF. We need to massively limit their influence more than anything. Rozee is a huge loss from their half back line.... (I hope )

Hughwitt - someone on the list I didn't know about???

 

[unty11]

Bazzo, JWilliams and Hughwitt would need time in WAFL. Annoying that WAFL season is delayed, that is a disadvantage. I really don't want Bazzo or Maric playing in this side. Brock was not bad in the pre season. More than likely Shanahan plays back more this week as we can cover forward with Archer and CDT height. This week is all about Butters and JHF. We need to massively limit their influence more than anything. Rozee is a huge loss from their half back line.... (I hope )

To be honest I'd prefer Shanahan played as a forward/swingman only. I don't want him to spend a lot of time down back. I know he can play that position perfectly well but I think his potential up forward vastly outweighs what good he can do down back. I don't mind if say we want to stabilise the backline he swings down their and plays as an interceptor or if we want to ice the quarter/game we send him down back but I don't want him to be a permanent back. Basically what I'm saying is I don't want his developing years to be wasted down back.

 

[ArdentEagle]

Hughwitt - someone on the list I didn't know about???

Must be my Brother as my Wife often calls me Farqwitt

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

B: Hough, Young, Baker
HB: McCarthy, Ginbey, Duggan
C: Duursma, Reid, Allan
Hf: Schoenberg, Shanahan, Kelly
F: Cripps, Waterman, Reid
R: Flynn, Graham, Yeo
I: Brock, Maric, Davis, Robertson, Newton, CDT, Champion, Cole

Schoenberg named on field as the replacement for Murdock, confirming his club debut.

Brock and Maric in the mix to replace Edwards.

Cole in the squad as the experienced player taken over as cover, while the kids get a practice game in.

Champion in the squad to reward his form.

 

[Eaglemaniac]

Bailey’s issue isn’t his athleticism, it’s his propensity to tap the ball straight to the opposition constantly. On the other hand, Flynn is the worst ruckman I’ve ever seen at ruck contests, but not too bad around the ground.
Why is this reminding me of a South Park upside where they had to choose between two less than good things?

 

[WCE777]

Todd Marshall

4

Todd Marshall

Age

27

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.0

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

2.5

2star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.9

2star

K

7.1

3star

HB

1.8

1star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.0

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.6

5star

to miss against WC with a hurt ankle at training, Josh Lai in

 

[bzparkes]

Bailey’s issue isn’t his athleticism, it’s his propensity to tap the ball straight to the opposition constantly. On the other hand, Flynn is the worst ruckman I’ve ever seen at ruck contests, but not too bad around the ground.
Why is this reminding me of a South Park upside where they had to choose between two less than good things?

Now we know what needs to happen.

 

[NeedForTheReids]

Harry Schoenberg in! Let’s goooo

 

[Mop]

Now we know what needs to happen.


View attachment 2562437

Batt Flynnliams?

Mailey Wlynn?

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Congrats to ol' Cement Head