Prediction Round Five Changes vs. Collingwood

[freo_leo29]

Lol people asking for Longmuir to get sacked with Freo 3-1, and Freo only losing to the Cats by 10 points...

Either they're just telling a flat sarcastic joke, or worse they actually have this opinion and these people are secretly walking amongst us in society and that's genuinely unnerving.

Better to stick to an opinion rather than flip flopping because we have beaten two bottom 4 teams and just barely saved ourselves from a second all time choke within a month...

 

[Sean_09]

Only the two realistic changes this week:

In: Walker, Cox
Out: Worner, Darcy (Manage)

Love Worner, he's fearless but he's had a horror 2-3 games now. Walker's the long term option as our small stopper, so let's bring him back and get some run into hm. Cox in because it's the luxury we have. Looking after Darcy across a long season is the key to our flag chances. Plus if there's a team for Cox to play against, it's an undermanned Collingwood.

Too early to bring back Young and Freddy, no rush on either. JOM's fine if he's not kicking for goal. Switta does a lot of the dirty work inside, so gets the pass. Still hoping to see Simpson feature at some point, but not holding my breath.

 

[anchor man]

Only the two realistic changes this week:

In: Walker, Cox
Out: Worner, Darcy (Manage)

Love Worner, he's fearless but he's had a horror 2-3 games now. Walker's the long term option as our small stopper, so let's bring him back and get some run into hm. Cox in because it's the luxury we have. Looking after Darcy across a long season is the key to our flag chances. Plus if there's a team for Cox to play against, it's an undermanned Collingwood.

Too early to bring back Young and Freddy, no rush on either. JOM's fine if he's not kicking for goal. Switta does a lot of the dirty work inside, so gets the pass. Still hoping to see Simpson feature at some point, but not holding my breath.

Nothing realistic about Darcy being out. It wont happen.

 

[freo_leo29]

Nothing realistic about Darcy being out. It wont happen.

Resting him so he doesn't breakdown is actually realistic now that we have a competent backup

 

[Sean_09]

Nothing realistic about Darcy being out. It wont happen.

I'm a huge Darcy fan, believe our midfield is at it's best when he's up and about. It's just managing our stars. Same boat with Young IMO

 

[Tonga Bob]

Tonga Bob Bailey Banfield being mentioned as a potential in by the BigFooty masses.

We've gone full circle.

Ancient prophecy spoke of this moment.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

if they weren't going to drop or manage Darcy against Geelong or Melbourne when he was a genuine liability, doing it now when he's steadily improving (and we have a 7-day break) wouldn't make any real sense.

Fitness pending, Frederick for Scerri and Young for Worner would be my only forced changes.

 

[anchor man]

I'm a huge Darcy fan, believe our midfield is at it's best when he's up and about. It's just managing our stars. Same boat with Young IMO

I am of the opinion that Darcy does not need to be managed by resting him right now. He needs game time.

 

[Rockmelon]

I'm a huge Darcy fan, believe our midfield is at its best when he's up and about. It's just managing our stars. Same boat with Young IMO

I’d wait until Young is back to give Darcy a rest, possibly against Carlton.

Young can have his turn with a low TOG% and Darcy will be fresh to play against the doggies the week after

 

[anchor man]

Resting him so he doesn't breakdown is actually realistic now that we have a competent backup

It sounds so much like so many here want Darcy to actually break down, get injured so they can say.... I told you so.

 

[Sean_09]

I am of the opinion that Darcy does not need to be managed by resting him right now. He needs game time.

Also true - iron sharpening iron with top level minutes.

I’d wait until Young is back to give Darcy a rest, possibly against Carlton.

Young can have his turn with a low TOG% and Darcy will be fresh to play against the doggies the week after

This is probably the best approach

 

[freo_leo29]

It sounds so much like so many here want Darcy to actually break down, get injured so they can say.... I told you so.

I actually want the opposite which is why I want to rest him...

 

[freo_leo29]

if they weren't going to drop or manage Darcy against Geelong or Melbourne when he was a genuine liability, doing it now when he's steadily improving (and we have a 7-day break) wouldn't make any real sense.

Fitness pending, Frederick for Scerri and Young for Worner would be my only forced changes.

B2B away games, saves him a flight

He wasn't gonna be rested 2 rounds in, that makes little sense, 5th round in off a B2B flight makes more sense, then can hopefully get him through to the bye on his next stretch, be proactive rather than reactive

 

[anchor man]

I actually want the opposite which is why I want to rest him...

He doesn't need resting. He is building nicely. Wins early are vital. Right now he is a vital cog in the team.

 

[jakefooty23]

Give Darcy the week off, I'm all for him playing less gametime and gradually building it, but he played less this week then last. Get Cox in against his former side so we can see what he can do. I love Darcy more then most, and he does seem to be getting better, but we have to give Cox a go, he's fitter and has more strings to his bow, unleash him.
Scerri I would keep in for now, he has been quiet but its a hard role and he didn't make too many mistakes from what I saw. I'd give Frederick a game of Wafl to earn his spot back, but JL won't see things that way. It's hard to have 2 forwards in Switta and Scerri that don't kick goals, but I feel like they bring alot more defensively then Freddy and Murray (next in line).
Omeara was absolutely crap and missing that goal was pitiful, but I don't think Sharp or Odriscoll are the answer. When Young is back i would drop Jaeger for him but until then, omearas experience and leadership is too valuable for a young side.

 

[Barnabus]

Give Darcy the week off, I'm all for him playing less gametime and gradually building it, but he played less this week then last. Get Cox in against his former side so we can see what he can do. I love Darcy more then most, and he does seem to be getting better, but we have to give Cox a go, he's fitter and has more strings to his bow, unleash him.
Scerri I would keep in for now, he has been quiet but its a hard role and he didn't make too many mistakes from what I saw. I'd give Frederick a game of Wafl to earn his spot back, but JL won't see things that way. It's hard to have 2 forwards in Switta and Scerri that don't kick goals, but I feel like they bring alot more defensively then Freddy and Murray (next in line).
Omeara was absolutely crap and missing that goal was pitiful, but I don't think Sharp or Odriscoll are the answer. When Young is back i would drop Jaeger for him but until then, omearas experience and leadership is too valuable for a young side.

Hard to make too many mistakes when you have no kicks and only 6 handballs. There is no world where Scerri keeps Freddy out of the team. I like what Scerri has shown so far (quick and big kick) but he is not ready for AFL just yet.

 

[Dockernut]

Imagine winning 3 straight and having the luxury of bringing in Banfield

Under-appreciated post.

 

[Docker82]

Better to stick to an opinion rather than flip flopping because we have beaten two bottom 4 teams and just barely saved ourselves from a second all time choke within a month...

I haven't been too critical of JL lately but have been at the way the team is playing. I wouldn't be smug about how we've performed yet - tbh we've beaten two rubbish teams and a middle of the road team without a number of pretty decent players.

Having said that I think we've probably produced a quarter a week of football not many teams in the competition can produce. That's been somewhat encouraging even if we've other been mostly shite.

I have my fingers crossed with confidence it'll all click at some stage but with no confidence it'll all click against top four contenders.

 

[estibador]

People keep referencing Darcy's 50% game time like it's a hamstringing us, but what if it's by design?

Do we really want Jacko doing less than 50% of the rucking with these new rules favouring athletic rucks? And then he's free to do his unicorn floating thing for his other TOG while Darcy comes on and wears down the oppo rucks with a bit of bash and crash.

And when Darcy's done with his 50% rucking do we really want him up forward instead of one of the three headed monster? Just sit him down and use the extra bench spot.

 

[Docker82]

Imagine winning 3 straight and having the luxury of bringing in Banfield

In all seriousness he's not a bad player to have in the background.

As much as people on here will hate it he's the type that we could add to the team and plays just well enough to stay in for quite an extended period. We've seen that story quite a few times with Bailey Banfield.

 

[Dockernut]

People making a lot of having a shorter break than our opposition.

Whist true we are on a seven day break atm and have nine day break the week after. Removing our opposition from the equation it isn’t that bad and Darcy should be able to get through.

It's between Round Six and Round Nine resting players becomes an option where we have three six day breaks in a row.

I would argue that we need to use the strong Peel performances to put a few fresh runners into the side. This back and forth to Adelaide will tire some players. A real test of JLo’s intelligence as a coach for me will be whether he takes a sensible option and puts some fresh legs in. Obvious ones are Driz, Simpson and Walker. Could make those changes with little or no impact to team structure but introduce players who bring run and have energy.

Won’t do it though.

 

[anchor man]

I would argue that we need to use the strong Peel performances to put a few fresh runners into the side. This back and forth to Adelaide will tire some players. A real test of JLo’s intelligence as a coach for me will be whether he takes a sensible option and puts some fresh legs in. Obvious ones are Driz, Simpson and Walker. Could make those changes with little or no impact to team structure but introduce players who bring run and have energy.

Won’t do it though.

So glad you think you are more intelligent than JL.

 

[Docker82]

I would argue that we need to use the strong Peel performances to put a few fresh runners into the side. This back and forth to Adelaide will tire some players. A real test of JLo’s intelligence as a coach for me will be whether he takes a sensible option and puts some fresh legs in. Obvious ones are Driz, Simpson and Walker. Could make those changes with little or no impact to team structure but introduce players who bring run and have energy.

Won’t do it though.

For Rounds Six to Nine, I agree.

We also have a five day break from Round 10 to Round 11. Our opposition also has a five day break but it'd be more about getting our players up for the next week than impact vs our opposition.

For this seven day break, I think it's a non-issue, especially when it's followed by a nine day break.

 

[Catalpa]

Driz flew to Adelaide and back, then drove to Mandurah. It is possibly why he couldn't kick the ball yesterday. He ain't fresh.

Collingwood and Freo are both travelling two weeks in a row.

Davies, Sharp and Cox are the only players who put their hands up at Peel. Sharp as an inside mid, Cox against an opponent who didn't compete.

They need to select best available.

Interested to read that 4 of Scerri's 6 handballs led to scores.

 

[ubiquitous226]

I would argue that we need to use the strong Peel performances to put a few fresh runners into the side. This back and forth to Adelaide will tire some players. A real test of JLo’s intelligence as a coach for me will be whether he takes a sensible option and puts some fresh legs in. Obvious ones are Driz, Simpson and Walker. Could make those changes with little or no impact to team structure but introduce players who bring run and have energy.

Won’t do it though.

The trades off for fresh legs is disruption and lack of continuity.

One of the good things about our list now is we're getting settled and the team should know each other well now.

I still think we should be using the depth of the list appropriately, but it's not as simple as saying just put someone fresh in for the sake of it.