Prediction Round 9, 2026: Changes vs Melbourne

[Byron_Clanger]

It's nut cuttin time for young Harv. Fail to show anything in however many games he gets and he's most likely delisted at the end of the year.

 

[omgfridge]

Great day for my boy THE BEEF

 

[Forget the Stats]

Was Hall utilised as Tagger last week, Mini maybe has a tagging role for him to play (Won't be Kosi, but could be Steele?)
If his successful in that role or not is the question.....

I see a potential that hall becomes a tagger. He’s hard at it and really competitive.

 

[BigBirdz]

Glad to so Harvey get a go.
I met him last year on the flight to the Richmond game at the MCG. He's a character and seems like a great kid, I hope he impresses and get an extension.

 

[txbyhull]

I don’t love it, but I certainly don’t hate it. Would’ve preferred Bo as the travelling E but with Hall going to Melbourne maybe he has a bigger midfield role tomorrow for Horsley.

Balance is key at the end of the day, so Grego, Gross types will have to bide their time. Guarantee if it was a Kelly or Yeo that got injured in place of one of Graham or Dev that Gross would already be in the side.

 

[Matera92]

Can't wait to see Cole flap about ineffectively while his man does whatever he wants.

Inspiring stuff.

 

[Coasters7]

Dropping Hewett is fine as long as you keep the same standards for Cole, Duggan etc, and not just a token scapegoat omission with Schoenberg because he’s the new guy and an easy target.

Have some balls and make a proper statement because these are the same selection issues we’ve had for a long time.

 

[flyinghi64]

After watching the past couple of WAFL games I could see Hutch being an automatic and we just need Edwards back, no brainer.

HJ, well there's the curve ball as would have expected Gross 100% to come in. Staggering he hasn't.
But on the other hand I must say HJ did provide a lot of run and carry and presented for the run on hand ball a lot. His decision making was also pretty good as was his disposal. Didn't get a heap of it but generally made the most of it when he did.
But yes, as a few have said, he won't be getting many more chances to prove he belongs at the AFL level.

 

[Ochre]

Dropping Hewett is fine as long as you keep the same standards for Cole, Duggan etc, and not just a token scapegoat omission with Schoenberg because he’s the new guy and an easy target.

Have some balls and make a proper statement because these are the same selection issues we’ve had for a long time.

We've dropped the most experienced player on the list and a member of the leadership group in the past month. Kelly was left out for round 1 and Cole has spent most of the year in the WAFL.

You can not like the Cole selection for this game but saying McQualter is scared to make a statement is unfair.

 

[RookiePick]

Can't wait to see Cole flap about ineffectively while his man does whatever he wants.

Inspiring stuff.

Over-commit, get ankled, watch opponent lace out forward for an easy goal as you sit on the grass contemplating your life choices #TCmethod

Bonus points if Duggan runs into frame a moment after his man takes the uncontested mark.

 

[Barrybran]

Cole survives. Hall emergency.

Is someone under an injury cloud? It doesn't make sense to take Hall and not play him.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Dropping Hewett is fine as long as you keep the same standards for Cole, Duggan etc, and not just a token scapegoat omission with Schoenberg because he’s the new guy and an easy target.

Have some balls and make a proper statement because these are the same selection issues we’ve had for a long time.

Cole has played more in the WAFL than he has at AFL level this season. Cripps and Flynn were dropped to the magoos. Kelly was omitted from the side in the first match and Owies needed a 5 goal game with the Beagles to get called up to the senior side.

We have a very young side and all of the veterans who haven't been playing well (don't give me Waterman; goal kicking aside he's been excellent this season and has been the only consistent forward 50 presence), besides Duggan (and arguably Baker, who's been poor but not bad enough to be omitted), have all been dropped. All of the younger players (Hewett, Allan, etc) who have been dropped were not playing well, and some younger players who haven't been producing (like Champion and CDT) have even held their spot. What is the issue?

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Need Cole to play. Who else can man up on Kosi?

 

[InTheWings]

Cole might help shore up the backline, but is he too slow for the 2026 game?
Also, takes way too long to get rid of the ball when he has it, as does Duggan.

 

[Smotie2]

Can't wait to see Cole flap about ineffectively while his man does whatever he wants.

Inspiring stuff.

Who can he play Into goal kicking form this week?

 

[Barrybran]

Cole might help shore up the backline, but is he too slow for the 2026 game?
Also, takes way too long to get rid of the ball when he has it, as does Duggan.

Given Allan is playing defense at WAFL level, I think Cole's stay in the AFL side is short lived.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

It's nut cuttin time for young Harv. Fail to show anything in however many games he gets and he's most likely delisted at the end of the year.

I'm glad he's getting a chance. He's got good running ability and work ethic and can use the ball pretty well. Production hasn't been there and he definitely seems like he's towards the top of the "to be delisted" pile, but that being said, our small forward stocks are terrible so if he does some good things and earns a spot in the team he's got every chance to get another contract.

 

[Wellillbe]

I wanna see our Captain go tag Kosi, his out of touch, i reckon he would be a beast as a tagger hard as hell, sneaky quick and has the smarts and mongrel to get in his face. Put your team on ya back Bakes and get it done

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I wanna see our Captain go tag Kosi, his out of touch, i reckon he would be a beast as a tagger hard as hell, sneaky quick and has the smarts and mongrel to get in his face. Put your team on ya back Bakes and get it done

No chance he can slow kosi

 

[Bacchus]

I see a potential that hall becomes a tagger. He’s hard at it and really competitive.

But very slow unfortunately.

 

[Astro7]

Bo and Hall get an honourable mention.
Groan...not Cole again.
Curious to see what Hutch and HJ can bring.
Edwards might make a difference albeit slightly underdone.

 

[ziad]

Bo and Hall get an honourable mention.
Groan...not Cole again.
Curious to see what Hutch and HJ can bring.
Edwards might make a difference albeit slightly underdone.

We know Cole can play but his form is low at the moment. A solid role player.
Bo hasn't demonstrated he can play AFL nor has Hall. lets hope they do.

 

[Bacchus]

Why is Cole playing - benefit game?

 

[WeaponX]

I hope Hall plays well, I think personally he slows us down playing with Kelly who has also slowed down considerably. Bo getting a crack after only one week off is a mistake, he needs to start playing like its his career on the line, his skills are lacking with no right side and the ball butchering makes me close my eyes when he gets the ball in his hand.

 

[Bacchus]

We know Cole can play but his form is low at the moment. A solid role player.
Bo hasn't demonstrated he can play AFL nor has Hall. lets hope they do.

Allan has shown more (albeit in glimpses) than Cole ever has.

At his peak Cole was a solid role player - he’s well past that now.