Selections - Elimination Final v Essendon

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

This could be Dougie's opportunity to play midfield full time. The role he's been playing earlier in the year across half forward isn't really required with Burton, Porplyzia, Knights and Dangerfield all up there. Our forward line is pretty full at the moment, especially with Thompson rotating down there as well.

Carl, there is one little problem with your theory. In the third quarter last week, Stevens has collected very heavily by Fevola, and was lying on the ground for a while.

So, it is exceedingly possible that he does have a back injury from that collision.

I wasn't saying that Stevens didn't have a sore back. Just that every player has sore spots at this stage of the season, any of which could be spun to require a 'rest' on the sidelines when required.

But it doesn't matter, no Bock. So we'll never know.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

I'm happy for Dougie to get another opportunity however for team balance I thought maybe Sloane may of been the better option

One positive is that there is pressure for spots with both Bock and VB on the verge of selection

 

[TheLeftFist8]

I'm happy for Dougie to get another opportunity however for team balance I thought maybe Sloane may of been the better option

One positive is that there is pressure for spots with both Bock and VB on the verge of selection

I'm with you Ranger. Massive game for Douglas. Needs to show he is up to AFL finals tonight...huge question marks imo. Sloane showed more composure in his first game than Douglas shows under pressure. Having said that, he (Douglas) is far from useless and just needs to show his absolute best to contribute well tonight.

Also a huge game for other fringe players (not that we have many) as Bock and vB should return for the semi, while Moran would be a long-shot for a return depending on Sellar's finals form.

 

[joshie91]

leave it as is. if we can flog CarlTank then we can flog Essendon

 

[slippery crow]

I'm with you Ranger. Massive game for Douglas. Needs to show he is up to AFL finals tonight...huge question marks imo. Sloane showed more composure in his first game than Douglas shows under pressure. Having said that, he (Douglas) is far from useless and just needs to show his absolute best to contribute well tonight.

Also a huge game for other fringe players (not that we have many) as Bock and vB should return for the semi, while Moran would be a long-shot for a return depending on Sellar's finals form.

a good game from Dougy tonight and he can increase his trade value

I have a feeling Dougy may seek a trade to get more opportunity in a midfield role

 

[cmndstab]

I was going to mention Walker too. Yeah, he dropped out of favour a bit, but surely you'd want people who have actually played AFL (not to mention rise when the pressure is on) to be on the emergency list?


It amazes me that he's fallen so far out of favour in the past month. Never mind, next year is his breakout season.

 

[Vader]

It depends a bit on who the players most likely to drop out are - and hence who they're looking at replacing. Most of the speculation during the week centred around Bock & Stevens. Bock didn't come up, but Stevens has been named - Phil Davis is an ideal replacement for him, certainly better than Walker. I guess we could re-arrange the forward line (again) by bringing Walker in and sending Hentschel back, but why mess with something which is clearly working well at the moment?

 

[cmndstab]

Surely you'd list a forward as an emergency though? What happens if one of our forwards slips the wrong way during the warmup and does a hammy? It seems to me that you should list your best players in each position in your emergencies.

 

[Vader]

Davis is also capable of playing in the forward line. Walker is not capable of playing in defence. Besides which, none of our forwards have been mentioned as likely omissions at any stage this week - other than the speculation of Hentschel making way for Bock (and that had nothing to do with injury concerns).

 

[cmndstab]

Davis is also capable of playing in the forward line. Walker is not capable of playing in defence. Besides which, none of our forwards have been mentioned as likely omissions at any stage this week - other than the speculation of Hentschel making way for Bock (and that had nothing to do with injury concerns).

Sloane is capable of playing VB's role too but we've still gone with the experience of Douglas because this is a final. As much as I'm sure Davis is a very level-headed character, bringing him in for a debut in a final and chucking him up forward is not exactly ideal.

I agree with your point about our forward-line looking settled though, but surely we don't need both Sloane and Armstrong on the emergency list.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Surely you'd list a forward as an emergency though? What happens if one of our forwards slips the wrong way during the warmup and does a hammy? It seems to me that you should list your best players in each position in your emergencies.

No you select players who you are confident can handle finals pressure

Walker is clearly not up to this level yet ......and I emphasise YET

We have enough players who can be rotated through the FF role .....Dangerfield, Burton, ......even Thompson who I believe is an outstanding and natural forwrd

The emergencies should be midfielder to cover such an event ......and clearly Sloane is best of the rest

Davis is there in case Stevens injury has not recovered as the club has declared

 

[cmndstab]

No you select players who you are confident can handle finals pressure

Walker is clearly not up to this level yet ......and I emphasise YET

We have enough players who can be rotated through the FF role .....Dangerfield, Burton, ......even Thompson who I believe is an outstanding and natural forwrd

The emergencies should be midfielder to cover such an event ......and clearly Sloane is best of the rest

Davis is there in case Stevens injury has not recovered as the club has declared

Obviously, I agree with you. You have to select players you feel can handle the pressure of AFL finals football... so why would you select three players with a solitary game between then? Armstrong hasn't demonstrated that he can handle a tight game of league football let alone AFL finals.

I totally agree with the selection of Davis and Sloane as emergencies (incidentally, is Shirley fit yet? I thought he might make it on to the list) but can't help but feel that Walker would be a better choice than Armstrong for the third.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Obviously, I agree with you. You have to select players you feel can handle the pressure of AFL finals football... so why would you select three players with a solitary game between then? Armstrong hasn't demonstrated that he can handle a tight game of league football let alone AFL finals.

I totally agree with the selection of Davis and Sloane as emergencies (incidentally, is Shirley fit yet? I thought he might make it on to the list) but can't help but feel that Walker would be a better choice than Armstrong for the third.

Hamstrings are normally 2-3 weeks ....so doubt Shirley would be ready this game ....definately next game

Your point is well made re AFL exposure for Sloane & Davis ........there's not a lot of options for the roles they play and the team balance

But they are match fit .....wheras Moran would be a HUGE gamble

As for Sloane ......if Shirley is out, who's another midfield option cause I can't think of any