Preview Round One - Freo VS Collingwood

[jmac70]

Admittedly the 5 minutes it takes to walk the 200m or so on that bridge is a tad annoying with that huge bottleneck after a game, but if that's the reason you boycott a venue then I reckon you're probably the softest supporter in the league.

Just between you and me, I gave up my seat at Etihad to appease the 'trouble and strife'.

 

[theGav56]

I think it will be a development year for the Pies and as such I expect Bucks to continue to blood a lot of youngsters. We still have a good core of players so I think we could still be in the mix for a lower half of the top 8 finish. We have a tough opening to the season and would not be surprised to lose more than we win.

That is more pessimistic than I expected. You have had great drafting/trading and best practice development in the AFL. You wouldn't want to start the season too slowly. If you are in development year i would be looking for a strong start before a possible fade???

 

[jmac70]

That is more pessimistic than I expected. You have had great drafting/trading and best practice development in the AFL. You wouldn't want to start the season too slowly. If you are in development year i would be looking for a strong start before a possible fade???

For me the 2014 season is more about attitude that win/loss. I don't think we are a realistic chance of a top 4 finish given the age of our list. A competitive season in which we demonstrate committment to the coach will satisy me with an eye towards 2015.

 

[rgauci]

I think the pies have the building blocks but lack depth. Without injury their best 22 is very competitive. Moving on Wellingham, Thomas and Shaw has contributed to the problem. They are also decisively thin in the ruck department, as good as Brodie Grundy will become, playing a full game opposed to Sandilands will be beyond his capabilities. He looked out of his depth against Lobbe from Port in the final and was a major contributing factor to them losing.

Their midfield will ask serious questions of ours; Pendlebury, Swan, Beams, Ball, Sidebottom, Adams, Young, Dwyer is neither inexperienced nor lacking star power. Their forwards have some size, Travis Cloke and Jesse White are a reasonable set of tall forwards. The backline looks thin to me but the pies fans seem to be spruking they won't miss Shaw. I'm not so sure. Though Seedsman and Harry O'Brien or whatever the **** he's called these days provide a fair bit of dash I may be wrong.

I'm hoping they need to send Ben Reid back as Pavlich, Gumbleton, Mayne are causing too much damage, whether that occurs will depend on our midfield getting the ball moving our way most of the time.

 

[willoblue]

Again, you should try attending a game at Subi

Have been to both the MCG and Docklands, both are a world above subi!

Hell even Skoda is worlds better

All good. I didn't mean to suggest that you personally had such a view, more that it was a generic feeling amongst many Vics IMO

 

[Righteo]

As good as Beams and Pendles are it shouldn't be forgotten that Swan was the catalyst for their big third quarter comeback last year, not as classy maybe but every bit as dangerous as the aforementioned two IMHO. I think apart from Crowley, Mzungu and De boer (assuming he plays which he should) will have babysitting duties too although it won't be a super heavy tag like Crowls will put on his opponent.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Collingwood have a fantastic midfield. It's not like Swan's been someone to rely on his uber fitness and speed. I mean his attributes will still stand up. Pendlebury and Beams won't get worse and Thomas barely even played. People are underplaying Grundy as well.

It's not Freo to walk into a game expecting a win. It'll be a good little contest I think, but I reckon we're a better side. Their backline is pretty soft in comparison to our forwards. Plus the midfield battle won't be dominated by either side, so it's not like Cloke'll be inundated with supply. Freo are probably favourites and I'll be disappointed if we lose it, but it's far from an absolute.

It's punks and pretenders like Richmond that we should be flogging.

Anyway, the main detractor from this is that I'll have to pre-book, probably. I've got a few Pies mates too so it'll make a good night out. Looking forward to it.

 

[caterina]

Sandi has to make it to round 1 yet before we wax lyrically about him pummelling Grundy.
With Clarke and Griff likely to be unavailable, Sandi needs to play NAB cup this year like I need a hole in the head.

 

[FreoRicci]

Admittedly the 5 minutes it takes to walk the 200m or so on that bridge is a tad annoying with that huge bottleneck after a game, but if that's the reason you boycott a venue then I reckon you're probably the softest supporter in the league.

Try taking the 10-20 minute walk after the game, depending on what time it finishes, underneath the 10 m wide (if that) pissant of a walkthrough underneath West Leederville train station to get onto the train to the city. Etihad's walkthrough/bridge is heaven compared to that..

 

[Freo_4eva]

Your sig is a good call Freo_4eva.

Assuming no promotion thanks to injuries I'd back him as the favourite to take their B&F.

Has the Viv Michie factor about him.. upper echelon of WAFL players every week, but no injury crisis (touch wood) to the senior midfield to get a game.

 

[pokerspiv]

Can you pronounce Heretier's new name yet?

 

[theGav56]

Can you pronounce Heretier's new name yet?

Doesn't it have a silent P in it? Or is it a silent 7? Can't remember.

 

[yoong]

Anyone want to take guesses which of these players will start in round 1?

Morabito, Gumbleton, Kepler, Neale

 

[theGav56]

Anyone want to take guesses which of these players will start in round 1?

Morabito, Gumbleton, Kepler, Neale

For me only Gumbleton and Neale.

Gumby because he seems to be in intense drills with Pavlich and fits the criteria for what we badly need.

Neale because he is terrific, and we will be missing Suban.

 

[Lach72]

Doesn't it have a silent P in it? Or is it a silent 7? Can't remember.

??

 

[E Shed]

Can you pronounce Heretier's new name yet?

The artist formerly known as?

 

[theGav56]

The artist formerly known as?

Can you be known as ?

Whatever happened to good old names. Like Shed.

 

[DoctorPav29]

I think it will be a development year for the Pies so really don't have huge expectations. That being said we probably have our best chance of an upset in round 1. Regardless of the result I expect you guys to be there on the last Saturday in September. Hopefully beating the cheating Swans!

I hope we don't beat the cheating Swans on the last Saturday in September because that would mean they make the grand final!

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Anyone want to take guesses which of these players will start in round 1?

Morabito, Gumbleton, Kepler, Neale

Gumbleton & depending on Sylvia's fitness if Lachie plays.

 

[Whatname]

I think the major difference between the sides is in the coaching box, not saying Buckley is a bad coach but compared to Ross he does lack a little experience. Expecting to win especially at Ross's Fortress, if the game was at the MCG I would'nt be so confident.

In terms of Collingwood playing all the time at the G, I dont see what all the fuss is about as it is not their fault.
Every poor Victorian club goes to the AFL and asks to play Collingwood at the MCG for revenue reasons, I prefer this to the other method of propping these clubs up, handing over endless cheques.

 

[Bad Brain]

I think the major difference between the sides is in the coaching box, not saying Buckley is a bad coach but compared to Ross he does lack a little experience. Expecting to win especially at Ross's Fortress, if the game was at the MCG I would'nt be so confident.

In terms of Collingwood playing all the time at the G, I dont see what all the fuss is about as it is not their fault.
Every poor Victorian club goes to the AFL and asks to play Collingwood at the MCG for revenue reasons, I prefer this to the other method of propping these clubs up, handing over endless cheques.

Buckley has got to be the worst coach in the AFL. Has a good side but makes mystifying awful decisions at times. I reckon he gets off too lightly on BF.

 

[Simmofreo]

When do tickets go on sale for this game. I'm coming down for my spot in the cheersquad for this one. Seppo save me a seat !!

 

[FreoGirl]

I'm scared

 

[FreoGirl]

When do tickets go on sale for this game. I'm coming down for my spot in the cheersquad for this one. Seppo save me a seat !!

when are you coming over to Perth?

 

[Simmofreo]

when are you coming over to Perth?

Round 2