Unofficial Preview Round 4, 2021: North Melbourne vs Adelaide @ Marvel Stadium | Sunday, April 11 @ 1:10pm

[DesertRoo]

People may have noticed a relative of our McKay kicking a few last week. I know I bang on about this but there is one very obvious positional change that could be made. Larkey and McKay straight swap.

Could you imagine Larkey playing on Tex?

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Could you imagine Larkey playing on Tex?

Unfortunately, I can imagine that.

I wish all the porn I consume would hurry up and destroy my vivid footballing imagination. It may stop me from making stupid calls like Wells/Dal/Harvey/Higgins making us premiership contenders...

 

[Event Horizon]

And I don't disagree with that either, but obviously he can't play at both ends, and I'm happy for him to stay where he is, with Xerri a structural fix up front (at least until we get to another recruiting round)

I think forward line is the main source of our problems. Xerri isn't setting the world on fire in VFL, and he isn't very durable at this stage. Can't see him playing anywhere near 19 games even if he is to come in. Jack with his experience can help both structurally, as well as locking the ball down there which is a major issue. I think that by far outweighs the value he is providing in the backline.

 

[Long Live the King]

I wouldn't shuffle the FF and FB deckchairs. Dont see the point. I think once Corr, L Mac and Taz return that may free up JZ to go forward.

 

[rooboy_07]

So are we allowed to stand this weekend?

 

[Horizons_00]

We looked dangerous as soon as we are the ones applying pressure (first quarter of the games we’ve seen in 2021). If we can become a team that can sustain that among 3-4 quarters we could win against anyone.

In saying that we are so far from being that team. As soon as that pressure and excitement from the initial start disappears or lowers a gear, we completely lose all effort. Massive confidence thing, if we can feel the opposition pressuring us, we never feel like we’re going to win = cue in the rack

I think a lot of it is between the ears. Once we gain that confidence the team will gel. Oh and our constant injuries don’t help with our confidence either!

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Could you imagine Larkey playing on Tex?

I think it would be a wonderful learning experience. It could be the making of him.

 

[King Corey]

So are we allowed to stand this weekend?

You can but you can't move until they call play on.

 

[rooboy_07]

You can but you can't move until they call play on.

Good advice. Val clearly did.

 

[Sillygit]

I think it would be a wonderful learning experience. It could be the making of him.

That learning experience being larkey isnt a full back?

 

[King Corey]

Could you imagine Larkey playing on Tex?

Right now I'm finding it hard to imagine Larkey winning at Texas Holdem.

 

[DesertRoo]

Right now I'm finding it hard to imagine Larkey winning at Texas Holdem.

I can imagine Larkey walking out of the casino after playing thou.

 

[The Dingrel]

I know its hard to remain positive,,,,BUT lets face it, Port and Dogs are genuine contenders, we always play crap at Metricon, Crows are hardly contenders we smashed them last year, we won first and 4th quarters against Port, yes all 3 score lines are demoralizing,,,,,,,,yeah Im a glass half full kinda guy, but what choice do we have, things aren't as bad as they seem, lets start with a competitive effort this week. Bruce kicked 10 because of a lack of pressure up the ground. Look at the job McKay has done on Dixon! Our backs can stand up and defend as long as there is pressure up the ground and on the ball carrier. The contest must start in the middle. With cunners better for the run, I think we'll give a much better account of ourselves and make a close contest of this one.........what else can we do but hope, keep supporting the club, players, and coaches.

 

[Tas]

Assuming Anderson and Polec miss with injuries whilst McDonald, Boner and Taylor pass fit.

FB: Atu McKay Boner
HB: Atley Walker McDonald
C: Powell LDU Scott
HF: Thomas Ziebell Stephenson
FF: Zurhaar Larkey Mahony
F: Goldstein Cunnington Simpkin
I: Phillips Lazzaro Taylor Young

In: Boner, McDonald, Taylor, Atu
Out: Anderson (inj), Polec (inj), Turner (sht), Hall (sht)

 

[Event Horizon]

Assuming Anderson and Polec miss with injuries whilst McDonald, Boner and Taylor pass fit.

FB: Atu McKay Boner
HB: Atley Walker McDonald
C: Powell LDU Scott
HF: Thomas Ziebell Stephenson
FF: Zurhaar Larkey Mahony
F: Goldstein Cunnington Simpkin
I: Phillips Lazzaro Taylor Young

In: Boner, McDonald, Taylor, Atu
Out: Anderson (inj), Polec (inj), Turner (sht), Hall (sht)

I agree with most of that, except I wouldn't be dropping Hall. With all his obvious deficiencies he has some class in the forward half and as a link man/outside runner which we desperately lack. I'd keep him in for that reason alone. His goal last week shows what he can do, and if we are more dominant and are in the game for longer, his forward work may be required even more. If we can't drop anyone else who needs rest or has niggle, I'd make Atu wait one more week, especially given we have two defenders back with Bonar and LMac.

 

[ChoppyGun]

I know its hard to remain positive,,,,BUT lets face it, Port and Dogs are genuine contenders, we always play crap at Metricon, Crows are hardly contenders we smashed them last year, we won first and 4th quarters against Port, yes all 3 score lines are demoralizing,,,,,,,,yeah Im a glass half full kinda guy,

 

[7577969923]

I agree with most of that, except I wouldn't be dropping Hall. With all his obvious deficiencies he has some class in the forward half and as a link man/outside runner which we desperately lack. I'd keep him in for that reason alone. His goal last week shows what he can do, and if we are more dominant and are in the game for longer, his forward work may be required even more. If we can't drop anyone else who needs rest or has niggle, I'd make Atu wait one more week, especially given we have two defenders back with Bonar and LMac.

I'd keep Hall and flick Atley. Dropping Turner and Atley would send a good message to me that senior players need to contribute consistently. Both have been poor this year.

 

[King Corey]

Crows supporters are now smack talking me.

In the words of Milhouse - "this is what it sounds like, when doves cry."

 

[Swallow_Wood]

In: Bonar - McDonald - Xerri
Out: Polec (inj) - Anderson (inj) - Young

B: Bonar - McKay - McDonald
HB: Atley - Walker - Ziebell
C: Scott - Cunnington - Stephenson
HF: Lazzaro - Larkey - Thomas
F: Mahony - Xerri - Turner
R: Goldstein - Davies-Uniacke - Simpkin
Int: Powell - Phillips - Zurhaar - Hayden
Sub: Hall

Assuming Polec and Anderson are injured, and Young had an utter mare.

Bonar and McDonald in are no brainers if fit, and Xerri to hold down the deepest key forward post and allow Larkey to roam a bit.

Phillips and Powell onto the ball a bit more this week, Zurhaar to spend time behind the ball again, utilising his kicking to open up the play. Thomas needs to be used as a hit up outlet where possible. Stephenson, Lazzaro to get a taste in the centre square at times.

Desperately need Corr and Taz back to shore up the defence and compensate a bit for mistakes made in transition. McDonald's experience in marshalling the defence will be a bonus this week. Both he and Bonar should help stiffen us up somewhat down there, and Xerri will straighten us up a bit too when going forward.

Hall as sub cos he is bog average and we are better off getting miles into the legs of younger guys on gameday.

 

[Crow till I die]

all banter aside, I am looking forward to seeing Phillips as the kid has had a bit of hype as being a future captain of yours. Also I have a soft spot for Tommy Powell - played at my Double Blues like his old man and racked them up at underage level last year - sounds like he has taken to league footy quite well

 

[Psicosis]

all banter aside, I am looking forward to seeing Phillips as the kid has had a bit of hype as being a future captain of yours. Also I have a soft spot for Tommy Powell - played at my Double Blues like his old man and racked them up at underage level last year - sounds like he has taken to league footy quite well

Do you have concerns around how little kids you are playing despite being year 2 into a rebuild?

I was shocked to see how few decent kids were playing for Adelaide last week.

 

[Crow till I die]

Do you have concerns around how little kids you are playing despite being year 2 into a rebuild?

I was shocked to see how few decent kids were playing for Adelaide last week.

not really - this year they have blooded a number of kids. When we beat Geelong I think we had something like 13 players that had played 10 or less games (not 100% on this but it was quite a number) in the side and our full back that stood Hawkins having 3 games under his belt. Most of us on our board want to see Thilthorpe get the nod this week along with Worrell preferably for Lynch and Frampton

 

[Psicosis]

not really - this year they have blooded a number of kids. When we beat Geelong I think we had something like 13 players that had played 10 or less games (not 100% on this but it was quite a number) in the side and our full back that stood Hawkins having 3 games under his belt. Most of us on our board want to see Thilthorpe get the nod this week along with Worrell preferably for Lynch and Frampton

Interesting.

Yeah I was just surprised with the 22 you put out against GC with the lack of quality u22’s. Winning is great, however you’d hate to miss out on another top 3 Pick this year. Nicks is a great coach though so can see you guys finishing higher.

 

[7577969923]

all banter aside, I am looking forward to seeing Phillips as the kid has had a bit of hype as being a future captain of yours. Also I have a soft spot for Tommy Powell - played at my Double Blues like his old man and racked them up at underage level last year - sounds like he has taken to league footy quite well

Tom Powell is an absolute ripper. Best vision, creativity, and disposal of any young player we have had come through since at least Daniel Wells IMHO.

 

[Crow till I die]

Tom Powell is an absolute ripper. Best vision, creativity, and disposal of any young player we have had come through since at least Daniel Wells IMHO.

good to hear. Wait till he really gets his feet under the table and gets a season or 2 under his belt as he was an absolute ball magnet last year.

Have faith in Noble - they guy is no mug and it will be some pain but when you have got the core group of kids blooded in and things start to turn, these times fade. Hell I almost forgot we lost 13 on the spin last year!!