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Unofficial Preview Semi Final vs Dogs/Dona

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Jason mp said:
Most of them make sense, but Lester for Andrews is way out there, Starcevich is zero chance of moving to the midfield and Blake Coleman is nowhere near fit enough to play senior footy.
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Andrews can't play. Simple as that. He is a liability out there and Bulldogs don't have the tallest forward line. Essendon only have two metre Peter (which Adams can easily cover) and I think a smaller defensive line that can rebound the ball quicker is the better option. Adams and Payne will take the talls, Birchall and Lester will dominate the positions and both Coleman's and madden will bring it out with speed. Starce also in the midfield is a huge change up, which we need. We were smashed in the midfield last night and playing the same game again Is the biggest mistake we could make. I also think ballanden could playFullarton's role much better
 
ForzaRoma said:
Andrews can't play. Simple as that. He is a liability out there and Bulldogs don't have the tallest forward line. Essendon only have two metre Peter (which Adams can easily cover) and I think a smaller defensive line that can rebound the ball quicker is the better option. Adams and Payne will take the talls, Birchall and Lester will dominate the positions and both Coleman's and madden will bring it out with speed. Starce also in the midfield is a huge change up, which we need. We were smashed in the midfield last night and playing the same game again Is the biggest mistake we could make. I also think ballanden could playFullarton's role much better
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We'll agree to disagree on this one Forza, I like your lateral out of the box ideas though, good discussion points.

Oh and I agree Andrews shouldn't play IF he can't play up to around his usual best due to a publicly unknown injury, I'd also be ok with Ballenden for Fullarton.
 
Ballenden gets rightfully criticised for his “softness” at the contest but it surely can’t be any worse than what Fullerton gave us in that regard last night.

I think he probably has more footy smarts then Tom too, and definitely a better kick anyway.

I think if they make that switch it would be dependent on who they think could give more when having to go into the ruck. Neither are great obviously but I think that’s what they’ll be weighing up.
 

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Clarkythelion said:
Payne played well last year when Harris was out, not quite so well this year but personally I think he goes better when Harris is not there cutting across to help him out. I give Harris a crack up forward against either Dogs or Dons and bring Payne into the back line, he is big and quick and as long as someone slaps him around in the dressing rooms first he will be fired up. Dizzy looks to be playing injured, just cant carry him so Lester has to come back and along side Payne that helps Payne. 2 changes in the back end is enough. Harris up forward is something the opposition wouldn't have seen as a one off and he is one player we could bomb long to and know he wont be outworked. I thought Matho played well when he came on, help Petracca until the last Qtr, he makes our midfield slower but he is dependable in his own way. (assuming Ah Chee remains injured). We do have some 2-way running issues with the mid-field that cant be fixed without and off season and recruiting/development so we have to persist now and try to win this one. Zorko is the leader in there, so much seems to depend on his energy and his tackle count, with 4 last night it wasn't up near the 10 - 12 he has when we win well.

Cant underestimate the McStay injury, we lost Cockatoo out of that as well with guilt. Those around the incident would have heard it and it was a bad one. We just need to dust ourselves off. Fagan is great, he will get their heads back into the right place and in front of a hame crowd we can advance 1 more game.
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In the last quarter (or the later part of it), against Hawthorne Harris played forward, but I would leave him in the backline surely he plays better next week
 
Jason mp said:
We'll agree to disagree on this one Forza, I like your lateral out of the box ideas though, good discussion points.

Oh and I agree Andrews shouldn't play IF he can't play up to around his usual best due to a publicly unknown injury, I'd also be ok with Ballenden for Fullarton.
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I know the changes are drastic, but let's be honest. We are not winning the grand final with the team we had last night. It's that simple. if Fagan makes one change, then it's season over for us given the fact that we can't match it with the other teams. Only a single change will also tell us that Fagan refuses to change his gameplan, even though it doesn't stack up in finals. If it did, we wouldn't be 1-4 with 1-5 being a possibility. So if we're not winning the flag with our current squad and structure, why not go for something different? Why not make some huge changes that alters the dynamic of the squad and the positions. Even if we go down, at least Fagan is trying something different (something that might help us win the flag next year) for example, what if Starce kills it in the midfield? What if Payne and Adams is a better duo than Andrews and Adams? I would rather lose next week with Fagan doing something different, because if we somehow win with minimal changes, we'll only lose the week after. If we lose, then Fagan and co obviously don't have a plan B. Seriously, I wish Fagan would just risk it all and do something besides the crap he's doing now, because it isn't working.
 
The thing is im not sure an elimination final is the time to make massive structural or game plan changes. At this stage we almost have to go with what we have. If it fails that sucks but then we move on and address it over the off-season
 
Need a bit of hardness: bring in Dev R.

I seem to remember Lester kicking three goals in a game about ten years ago but he ain't the answer up forward.

Archie, Fullarton and Balleden are list cloggers at this stage.

Paine is the future.

Fages will make only forced changes so someone comes in to replace McStay.
 

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How much would it suck to lose to a team with Josh Schache in it. :(

I think we need to pull out a bit of an unexpected rabbit from the hat, so fire away at me:

B: Ryan Lester, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich
HB: Daniel Rich, Marcus Adams, Keidean Coleman
C: Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Mitch Robinson
HF: Lincoln McCarthy, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko
F: Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Connor Ballendon
Foll: Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons
I/C: Devon Robinson, Zac Bailey, Callum Ah Chee, James Madden
Medi-Sub: Eli Smith

I know it won't happen but it provides a bit more size, pace and unknown both to us and the opposition hehe
 
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Not looking forward to playing the Dogs on a final. Absolute 'golden child' with the umps, mark my words - they will be on the good side of umpiring all night.

I have zero investment in the game and the umpiring today was a disgrace. I don't think I've seen a game so controlled by umpiring, let alone a final.
 
DT_35 said:
Good luck next week. You’re gonna need it 22 vs 25
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Last time we played the Dogs it was something like 30-18 free kicks in their favour.
 
lioninthesand said:
Not looking forward to playing the Dogs on a final. Absolute 'golden child' with the umps, mark my words - they will be on the good side of umpiring all night.

I have zero investment in the game and the umpiring today was a disgrace. I don't think I've seen a game so controlled by umpiring, let alone a final.
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Any other profession you would be fired for such incompetence let alone professional sport.
 

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Umpires or not they'll be hard to beat.

I really feel we'd benefit from some fresh legs but you wouldn't think we'll do anything different listening to Fages.
 
Gabba but time TBC
Below from AFL site

WEEK TWO FINALS FIXTURE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Second semi-final
Geelong v Greater Western Sydney at Optus Stadium, 5.50pm AWST

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

First semi-final
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, start time TBC
 
Lester in for McStay. Adams plays deep forward. Ah Chee for Birchall. Literally anyone for Fullarton. I mean anyone.
 
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