Round 4: Changes Vs Eagles (DERBY TIME)

[fnerd]

I think Hughes allows Luke Ryan to play looser.

Undoubtedly.
That certainly shouldnt mean he’s irreplaceable tho.
As I said I think once Duman becomes better 1v1 defender you ll see Hughes struggle to be picked.
( easier to teach a player defensive techniques ala Duman than teach a player composure and good decision making-Hughes)
Likewise Logue coming back will give us another upgrade/option

I had hope for him early on, but freo have made him to mechanical - you can just see his brain turning over so slowly when he’s got the ball, just not intuitive or has intuition to know what to do next

nah think you ll find that’s just a product of Hughes growing up with football not being his first sport(motor X was)
Is very much athlete first and footballer second.
Projects as a poor mans ibbottson(who btw also played another sport as a junior , water polo ,while juggling football commitments)

 

[Quokka]

If we win this. It will 100% be the biggest upset in our history imo. Yes it will overtake that win against Geelong in 13.

Like the changes.. keep the i50 deliveries low to bring our smalls in and keep McGovern out. Worried about centre clearances, but confident our defence will hold up.

Kind of feels like it, there's no reason to back Freo to win this with the Eagles form and Freo missing players and still searching for our best 22.

Like everyone else I love the changes and hope its a sign of Freo's intent. The only way to win this is to outscore them (yeah I know it usually works out that way)... But it wont work to try and slow it down and choke out a win and we can't gift McGovern a Glendinning-Allen medal by bombing it long all day and so here's hoping mixing it up works better. At least it could be more fun to watch.

 

[Taylor]

The only way to win this is to outscore them

I think this is why opposition sides have heavily flooded against us since North, because a shootout is a game we can win.

 

[Joao]

Am I allowed to like Hughes and Tabs? Or must I pick a side

I like both. Hughes is one of those high ceiling, low floor types that will probably look pretty average often but could one day explode to be brilliant.

Tabs consistently takes marks around the ground and is good for 1-1.5 gpg. That's pretty handy.

 

[maccamk]

I think this is why opposition sides have heavily flooded against us since North, because a shootout is a game we can win.

West Coast are too top heavy to flood.

There are 3 ways to break a zone. Kick through it. Kick over it or run through it.

Game on with the changes I reckon!

 

[wayToGo_]

Rather than flood the changes thread with criticisms of Hughes and Tabs can you please create new "Can someone please explain what Ethan Hughes/Matthew Taberner brings to the team?" threads?

If you need guidance just PM Docker82

 

[arsesmart]

Pretty similar team profile, we should get the job done...


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The fact that Freo are above a sweet spot average age of mid-24's hopefully will reduce the difference in experience levels. The eight players under 50 games is significant, over a third of the team and likely one of the highest loads of inexperienced players

I think this is why opposition sides have heavily flooded against us since North, because a shootout is a game we can win.

The Sun's and the Saints are classic fall back on the flood teams too.

 

[freo_leo29]

West Coast are too top heavy to flood.

There are 3 ways to break a zone. Kick through it. Kick over it or run through it.

Game on with the changes I reckon!

West Coast always flood tho!
The game plan is to flood the backline and long bomb it forward to their gun forwards who will either mark it or crumb it down to the smalls, West Coast have always flooded their defense, how do you think McGovern/Sheppard are always roaming free to take so many intercepts.

 

[FreoRicci]

West Coast always flood tho!
The game plan is to flood the backline and long bomb it forward to their gun forwards who will either mark it or crumb it down to the smalls, West Coast have always flooded their defense, how do you think McGovern/Sheppard are always roaming free to take so many intercepts.

They flood.. well specifically ‘zone’ the defence. McGovern is often given a zone or space to sweep around. Let the Barrass type go one on one.

 

[Alfonz]

West Coast always flood tho!
The game plan is to flood the backline and long bomb it forward to their gun forwards who will either mark it or crumb it down to the smalls, West Coast have always flooded their defense, how do you think McGovern/Sheppard are always roaming free to take so many intercepts.

They're roaming free because they often choose not to even worry about their opponent. McGovern especially. You can cover an awful lot of ground in the time it takes a long bomb to come in.

 

[freoishnchips]

Really looking forward to finally having Pearce v Kennedy and Hamling v Darling. Not sure that this has happened in a derby yet? Injuries at different stages the last couple of years (all four players). This should put Ryan/Hughes on Allen/Vardy (3rd tall). I would have really liked to see nyhuis given a run in the team...perfect match up for Liam Ryan or Cripps. Has the potential to be one of the better lock down small-mid defenders in the league and as his confidence grows start to provide sound rebound.

 

[youmewe]

Flood hey?

Well there goes option 4...go under it, Shawshank Redemption meets The Great Escape style.

Sneaky buggers have thought of everything.

 

[Docker82]

Rather than flood the changes thread with criticisms of Hughes and Tabs can you please create new "Can someone please explain what Ethan Hughes/Matthew Taberner brings to the team?" threads?

If you need guidance just PM Docker82

Nah.

I stand by everything I wrote in that thread though. I was prepared to call him out before he played a game and state me opinion on him. He played what history shows will be his only good game in at least half a season. That hasn't changed my opinion. If he's not kicking goals I don't know what he brings to the side - and he doesn't kick more than one often.

I thought Matera was worst on ground at half time. Credit where credits due his first goal was a boody good piece of play I've got to say. Played a good second half. Summed up his career really - flashes of brilliance but a lot of rubbish.

As I stated in that thread - you're good enough consistently or you aren't good enough at all at AFL level.

My thread will probably be re-opened within a month.

 

[PapaJ]

Pretty similar team profile, we should get the job done...


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If you put that up and didn't mention that the more experienced team are also the current premiers, has a proven game plan agaist most teams and most definitly against Freo, then that sheet says Fremantle lose by a fair bit. When you add in the other factors, it says thrashing of the highest order.

Like the changes. I'm glad Schultz has come back in. Except for kicking goals (I know that matters), he did quite a bit right in the first couple of games. For a first year in the AFL, I think he's shown enough to slot in where players like Walters and Colyer can push up the field more and do something with it.

I think the changes gives us a chance to score enough not to make it embarrassing, but experience and bedded in game style etc. will still win the day.

 

[sherrif]

Haha triggered much? Anyone with eyes can see Hughes is spud. Turns the ball over every time he touches it and makes horrible decisions. Was poor on Sexton, you give him credit for beating Wood when the ball rarely went near Wood. Hilarious how people defend him yet bash Tabs, I'll put good money on Hughes being delisted in a year or two.

Triggered. Are you taking the piss? I disagree with your view, which most seem to judging by this thread alone. Actually North targeted Wood a lot as Brown was always covered. Even in the Freo bf game day thread during the Gold Coast game Ethan was receiving positive comments on his play during the game. I havent watched the game again, but WayToGo posted only one of Sexton's goals was when Hughes was manning Sexton and WTG watches games with terrific attention to what happens in terms of match-ups.

I think Tabs is underated as well. Neither Hughes nor Tabs are perfect. Both with flaws. Both also miles away from being spuds.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Hughes is your typical RTB type. Works hard, defends alright, gives his all. Absolutely shambolic offensive side and decision making.

 

[rgauci]

Hughes is your typical RTB type. Works hard, defends alright, gives his all. Absolutely shambolic offensive side and decision making.

This year he looks pretty good to be honest. He just doesn’t get excited enough. Same expression when he kicks a goal as to when he overruns the ball in defense. A bit more emotion and fans would get onboard.

 

[MadEyeEmmy]

I like Hughes but he has a constant look on his face like he’s shitting himself

 

[Lord Rod]

I may well be overly optimistic but this game is cherry ripe for an upset. Backs against the wall, up against a really good side with our best player out and a hostile crowd giving it to us..

Freo by 6 in a classic..

 

[freo1997]

Hopefully those changes doesn’t force Matera up the ground?!!

Bet ya Ross puts him up the ground and Schultz deep. The guy is clueless these days. Blind Freddy can see that Matera needs to be deep fwd.

 

[Fyfster]

Hopefully those changes doesn’t force Matera up the ground?!!

Bet ya Ross puts him up the ground and Schultz deep. The guy is clueless these days. Blind Freddy can see that Matera needs to be deep fwd.

He kicked three goals deep last week can't have that .Need to push him up the ground and see what Schultz can do . Good thing Ballas is not available probably would have been dropped!!

 

[arsesmart]

He kicked three goals deep last week can't have that .Need to push him up the ground and see what Schultz can do . Good thing Ballas is not available probably would have been dropped!!

Pretty sure I saw Matera up the ground plenty of times last week.

It's a pretty fraught existence if you're sticking near goals and glued to by a defender.

I don't think I've ever heard a small forward who's said that getting more involved in play up the ground has hurt their goal kicking (from what I know they say pretty much the opposite).

 

[Fyfster]

Pretty sure I saw Matera up the ground plenty of times last week.

It's a pretty fraught existence if you're sticking near goals and glued to by a defender.

I don't think I've ever heard a small forward who's said that getting more involved in play up the ground has hurt their goal kicking (from what I know they say pretty much the opposite).

It was very tongue in cheek , Of course all small forwards push up the ground these days .

 

[vidwhal]

He's a little tidbit from the Footy Live app regarding Hughes...

On SM-G955F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[FreoRicci]

Hopefully those changes doesn’t force Matera up the ground?!!

Bet ya Ross puts him up the ground and Schultz deep. The guy is clueless these days. Blind Freddy can see that Matera needs to be deep fwd.

Ross will go super defensive and probably blast Matera for bring too offensive and not applying enough defensive pressure..