Prediction Round Four Changes vs. Adelaide

[Jezzitizle]

I'd really want Walker in. Don't know how serious the soreness is (did he play WAFL?) but we need a shutdown to stop the rotation of forwards in Pedlar, Rachele, Rankine. Lethal when they can get the ball on rebound; we need someone who can keep pace with them.

Pedlar is struggling big time, lots of crows supporters seem to want him out of the side.

Rachelle seems to be playing mid. Rankine is a great match up for Walker though. I think we will use Clark on him, or Chappy.

 

[The Lobbster]

Still McVee is making too many mistakes and not doing anything to justify his position in the side.

There also still seems to be a strong recently traded in bias here. 5 games is more than enough.

McVee out.
Worner out.

Simpson in.
Walker in.

McVee lined up on Maurice Rioli to begin the game. Not sure the matchup stayed the whole game but Rioli only had 10 touches (4 in defensive half), 2 score involvements and 2 turnovers. No scores at all. Seems like a pretty good job to me.

I know we’re all obsessed with ball movement but we do need some defenders to play in defence

 

[worsemim]

Pedlar is struggling big time, lots of crows supporters seem to want him out of the side.

Rachelle seems to be playing mid. Rankine is a great match up for Walker though. I think we will use Clark on him, or Chappy.

Pedlar will find his way, he's a good player imo. But even if he has a crappy game, what worries me is more the overabundance of options that they can rotate through. Zac Taylor also kicked 3 goals on Geelong. Throw in ANB at half-forward. They're all significantly faster off a step than Worner, Ryan, any of our KPDs who accidentally end up on them in hand-over, and even Chappy and McVee will struggle against Rankine or Rachele. Our system was not very resilient to multiple rebounding smalls last year.

 

[ubiquitous226]

5 games.

And he's still not performing.

I will keep harping on this.

If his name was Karl Worner you would all be saying he should've been dropped after round 1. We both know this to be true.

I've noticed.
It is a bit of a trendy approach to keep saying wrong things and trying to make them true.

checks AFL record
Yep, 3 AFL games with Fremantle

 

[go_the_dockers]

Surely Dawson doesnt get up off a one week calf "tightness". If he doesnt play, it's simply a game we have to bank. Jackson gets to beat up another sub 10 gamer in the ruck (got to feel for poor Gray yesterday) and our midfield with Bolton and Reid now really adding to it should just give us too much dominance. Speaking of, because I've had this discussion you before Dockeroo , with Reid going through their successfully in parts and Bolton tearing it apart, interested to see where you rank our midfield now against the best teams?

From all reports, Dawson is expected to play. There midfield is still weak.

We need to put some work into Rachele. He has been very good this year.
Rankine has not hit form this year, but is still an A grader. Copped a heavy tagged last week.

I think we should win that battle but we only won once vs Adelaide in Adelaide from memory.




Erasmus, Johnson, Reid and Bolton have all improved massively this year. It has given our midfield another level or 2 this year.

If we add a fit young, then surely we are top 4 in the comp.

 

[King Tenz]

I've noticed.
It is a bit of a trendy approach to keep saying wrong things and trying to make them true.

checks AFL record
Yep, 3 AFL games with Fremantle

5 games because people are choosing to ignore preseason games which he wasn’t great in either.

And the only reason I mention it is because people keep saying he needs to gel in the team… no he doesn’t. He’s had enough games.

Again, if his name was Bailey Banfield, you all would have wanted him dropped in round one.

We both know this to be true.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

From all reports, Dawson is expected to play. There midfield is still weak.

We need to put some work into Rachele. He has been very good this year.
Rankine has not hit form this year, but is still an A grader. Copped a heavy tagged last week.

I think we should win that battle but we only won once vs Adelaide in Adelaide from memory.




Erasmus, Johnson, Reid and Bolton have all improved massively this year. It has given our midfield another level or 2 this year.

If we add a fit young, then surely we are top 4 in the comp.

Ras has proven me wrong, and he's an AFL level player now but I'm most over the moon with where Johnson is heading. So many flashes over the years so far only to fall back a bit. He's now making the correct decision most of the time and using his speed and size as a real weapon. I really think he could be a starting on baller at a quite a few clubs. His "counting" stats are more a reflection of his role and spot in the pecking order than talent.

 

[PrancingPony]

Reckon McAndrew may get underrated by some on here this week, he's still a new ruck but you could argue he got the better of English last week or at least kept up with him, he'll be no easy slouch.

No I'm not just saying this because he's in my fantasy team either.

 

[Catalpa]

Why the calls for Simpson in? He has potential ️, he looked great before injury last year ️, but for how many games in the backline? I don't remember. Not many. I hope he pushes into the team this year after great form at Peel, because I hope the quality of his kicking can become a weapon for us. But why call for him now?

And while I'm on it why replace Scerri with Murray? Scerri was selected after being named in the bests for Peel. Is Murray named in the bests for Peel this week? He probably should be as a forward in a 93 point win. Surely we're better off giving Scerri a block of games at the level, back in his speed while Frederick is injured. Why would Murray be an upgrade?

I can see the argument for Walker in, but I'd go in unchanged. I can live with Worner's mistakes. He's hard at it.

 

[King Tenz]

McVee lined up on Maurice Rioli to begin the game. Not sure the matchup stayed the whole game but Rioli only had 10 touches (4 in defensive half), 2 score involvements and 2 turnovers. No scores at all. Seems like a pretty good job to me.

I know we’re all obsessed with ball movement but we do need some defenders to play in defence

So he’s a lockdown defender? That’s not what I’ve seen him as.

If that’s the case Brandon Walker is right there who is much more capable one on one defender from what I’ve seen so far.

 

[mattis117]

Our absolute best team IMO would be Walker, Young, Frederick in for Worner, Scerri, JOM.

But a JLo classic saying -it's horses for courses.

Young being a top 5 player is the only one of those three that has a substantial impact.

If it was just Young in it would be for Scerri. Young isn't fit yet though, obviously.

This week, I'm predicted no change, however, I want to see Walker back, especially to take Rankine.

 

[Spirit Level]

Out: Worner
In: Walker

I've been really impressed by the player Worner has been able to come considering I wasn't convinced he'd be able to contribute at AFL level, but I think he's the type of player that needs to become depth if we're to take the next step forward

 

[Deveraux]

I’m really big on Young returning to half back, at least initially.

What Bolton adds as a third genuine mid is creativity and different type of player to the workmanlike Serong and Brayshaw. Reid the same if he goes in there. Johnson and Erasmus also spending a bit more time through the middle which is good.

I think Young, at least to start with, being eased back in with a role off half back is wise, as his body has been letting him down a bit.

Agree eventually he is our best midfielder, but we’ve found something that works with him out, and I’d be quite happy to roll with it for a while and just allow Young to be damaging off half back alongside Clark.

Don't agree with much you say but I'm with you here.

I think Young in for McVee or Worner would make our team a lot better.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

I’m really big on Young returning to half back, at least initially.

What Bolton adds as a third genuine mid is creativity and different type of player to the workmanlike Serong and Brayshaw. Reid the same if he goes in there. Johnson and Erasmus also spending a bit more time through the middle which is good.

I think Young, at least to start with, being eased back in with a role off half back is wise, as his body has been letting him down a bit.

Agree eventually he is our best midfielder, but we’ve found something that works with him out, and I’d be quite happy to roll with it for a while and just allow Young to be damaging off half back alongside Clark.

I'm not sure the backline is going to help him ease into it. A lot of the hamstrings going around seem to be stretching for a tackle or spoil but I do agree putting him in the backline could really help the team with the midfield and forwardline humming as it is at the moment.

 

[ubiquitous226]

5 games because people are choosing to ignore preseason games which he wasn’t great in either.

And the only reason I mention it is because people keep saying he needs to gel in the team… no he doesn’t. He’s had enough games.

Again, if his name was Bailey Banfield, you all would have wanted him dropped in round one.

We both know this to be true.

To be clear I'm not singing McVee's praises saying he's undroppable, far from it.

But I also understand we recruited him for a reason and they want to give him a chance to develop within our system.
Banging on about practice games, where the intensity, TOG and structure are different, doesn't mean they're suddenly the same.
Giving McVee a block of games if he isn't a liability to aim for our best possible team makes complete sense to me, if he doesn't show what he needs to after 6 or so (real) games then pull the trigger.

In general this board overrates draftees and is very critical of new recruits.

 

[Deveraux]

Yeah, that's my reasoning with Young as well, don't fix what aint broke in the mid/fwd area.

 

[pK75]

Walker for Worner, purely because we are a slow backline now, B Cox, Ryan, Worner and McVee are not fast, Chappy is fast for 193cm but isn’t fast enough for the speedy smalls, same as Pearce is fast for a 200cm tall.
Something has to give to nullify the speedy smalls of the better teams and Worners brain freezes are going to cost us in a close game.

 

[Dockeroo]

Surely Dawson doesnt get up off a one week calf "tightness". If he doesnt play, it's simply a game we have to bank. Jackson gets to beat up another sub 10 gamer in the ruck (got to feel for poor Gray yesterday) and our midfield with Bolton and Reid now really adding to it should just give us too much dominance. Speaking of, because I've had this discussion you before Dockeroo , with Reid going through their successfully in parts and Bolton tearing it apart, interested to see where you rank our midfield now against the best teams?

Yeah I’m enjoying Boltons contribution to the middle of the field this year in particular. I’d nearly argue he’s more effective in the midfield than in attack as he’s just burns so many chances to kick goals.
Brayshaw and Serong don’t have that flair.
Reid has been great too as a creator going forward.
Look I think we are maybe 4th or 5th best - you’d probably have Brisbane, Dogs and Gold Coast midfields then you are looking at ourselves/sydney. But that could definitely change too. We seem to have improved on last year a bit.

The Jackson/Darcy combo is good but still a bit inconsistent I feel. There’s more potential for improvement there too.

I really want to see Walker back in this week. Worner just doesn’t do it for me. Carrying guys prone to errors like that in finals games will hurt us (like it did last year too).

 

[FreoRicci]

Maybe rest cherry, now he's had the taste. Go back and work on a few things

Murray to debut

Out: chez
In: Murray

Watch list: Switta, Chapman
Extended watch list: Worner

Why not Switta? He’s been very ordinary.

 

[EastcoastDocker]

Having periodically being on the drop switta bandwagon over the years I can safely say that he will work his way into the season. He's earnt some grace, as long as he's always doing the team things.

Re: Mcvee as a recruit its easy to forget that he's only 22. He's not veteran and in many ways is still learning his craft. Think he should stay in for a period to give him time to adapt.

 

[freoextra]

Why the calls for Simpson in? He has potential ️, he looked great before injury last year ️, but for how many games in the backline? I don't remember. Not many. I hope he pushes into the team this year after great form at Peel, because I hope the quality of his kicking can become a weapon for us. But why call for him now?

And while I'm on it why replace Scerri with Murray? Scerri was selected after being named in the bests for Peel. Is Murray named in the bests for Peel this week? He probably should be as a forward in a 93 point win. Surely we're better off giving Scerri a block of games at the level, back in his speed while Frederick is injured. Why would Murray be an upgrade?

I can see the argument for Walker in, but I'd go in unchanged. I can live with Worner's mistakes. He's hard at it.

Apparently Murray kicked 4 and kicking goals does not appear to be Scerri’s strong point, nice to have options.

 

[Lach72]

Apparently Murray kicked 4 and kicking goals does not appear to be Scerri’s strong point, nice to have options.

Or Switta’s

 

[freoextra]

Or Switta’s

Absolutely, the forward line is obviously working ok but wouldn’t mind another true goal kicking option and probably only one of Switta and Scerri.

 

[wakojako]

If Young moves down back I would love to trial Clark attending few centre rotations. A lot of similarities to Holmes.

 

[Rockmelon]

If Young moves down back I would love to trial Clark attending few centre rotations. A lot of similarities to Holmes.

id rather move chappy up the ground to play wing