Snoops Crows Semi Final Preview

[Snoop Dog]

This is a massive game. After finishing top 4 our last 2 weeks have been pretty insipid. The performances of the last 12 wks are starting to look like a side that can 'beat up' lesser sides but not match the physicality of the better ones. This side does not appear to have the types like Burns, Freeborn, Licca and Holland that ensured we were never soft....of course they lacked the class which this side has. What we need is the middle ground.

Its really simple this week. We have to win 4 elements;

1. Behind the ball;

have to be better behind the ball than they are which means closing off space for their mids to hit Burton, Porps, Knights and Tippett. They push a heap back and it becomes a game of attrition. They nearly had us last time so this wont be easy.

2. Rebound strongly and accurately

Our skill level has been atrocious in last 2 weeks and this week the ball needs to get into Shaw and Maxys hands and then Davis and Didaks hands thru the middle. They will have #s back so we need to hit targets. This means the fwds need to spread hard and get 1:1s going.

3. Apply pressure to their backs.

We weren't bad at that last week but we weren't great. Its why rocca should be out and dick in for mine. Its also why a goldsack comes in for a role in this area.

4. Win contested footy. Best way to win games of footy that are going to be played in this manner is good effective clearances. Its why we need a second ruck potentially and why a Stanners or Cook would really come into play.

For me the out and ins are;

Out: Rocca, Pendlebury, Macca and Sidey or Beams (beams based on last wk and he looks stuffed)

In: Dick, Wood or Dawes, Goldsack, Clarke

B Clarke, Prestigiacomo, OBrien
HB Maxwell, Brown, Shaw
C Toovey, Swan, Goldsack
HF Thomas, Cloke, Lockyer
F Dick, Anthony, Medhurst
Foll Fraser, Davis, Didak
Int Wood, Sidebottom, Johnson, OBree

Who we need to stand up;

OBree - i hate smashing players on public forums but Shane OBree needs to stand up and be in the running for a BOG in a final. He has never done that and I think he is over rated to be honest. His form early season was good but finals are different.

Thomas - wasn't bad last week when had footy but Murphy, Pendles and these blokes are miles past him and he has more natural than either of them.

Johnson - if he doesn't then I don't like his chances for next year.

Fraser - we need him to step up in a final. Last time he did was 02 GF. I wouldnt mind seeing him go fwd at times.

Davis and Lockyer - these blokes have been ave in the last 6 weeks are to of the senior blokes and highest paid.

Key matchups

Presti on Tippett - cannot see him having two bad games in a row so bet him to do well.

OBrien on Burton - whilst Burton went off in the last game OBrien had his number until then so he gets him.

Knights - I would send Clarke to him. Knights isnt that hard so Clarke wont get taken to places he may not want.

Porps - I would send Maxwell to him. Crows will want Porps at the fall so Maxy will get taken there which is good for us.

Thompson - I think the he is crucial. I would send Goldsack to him as it will mean Goldsack goes to contests which I think is a good thing. He is hard and can hurt on the flip.

Vince - Toovey for mine. Vince is very good and very unheralded. Toovey to smarten him up is the go.

 

[Porkaspies09]

just heard josh fraser is doubtful, but woody will have to come back in this week, lso dick needs to be put back in, 5 goals i know it was only at vfl but still good effort. players we have to watch are , mcleod, thompson, porplezia, goodwin, and the one that i think could tear us apart is bernie vince.

 

[Snag Breac]

Good read with the 4-pronged approach, Snoop. We had certainly better win that contested footy, or we're stuffed. If Josh is out, who will help Wood in the ruck?

 

[HFF]

Good read with the 4-pronged approach, Snoop. We had certainly better win that contested footy, or we're stuffed. If Josh is out, who will help Wood in the ruck?

Wood is alot fitter than Josh currently and is not carrying niggling injuries like Josh is.

He did it by himself last time we met the Crows at AAMI and was very close to BOG behind Dids.

I have faith in him to carry it on his own (with Cloke perhaps rucking in the forward line).

I still expect Josh to play though.

I would bring in both Dawes and Dick this week. Many wanted Dick to be dropped because of his "fumbles" however they undervalued his creativity, spark and defensive pressure he provides when the ball hits the deck. He is also the best pure crumber on our list (maybe Leon could be better). He also averages 2 goals a game or thereabouts this year too which makes his contributions and selection paramount IMO.

Dawesy has been quite good when selected in the senior side and should replace Pebbles. I very much like our 3 tall forwards structure and whilst it looked dysfunctional on the weekend, it looks better with Dawes or Rus when in it. Obviously Rus is out of the running but Dawesy has a very good track record vs the Crows.

With Bock in the mix to play, we should stretch their defence and bring in Dawes. Has taken some very big grabs and kicked very important pressure goals against the Crows in big games.

Marty Clarke would also be a better option than BJ but we all know that Mick won't allow that to eventuate.

 

[wicksy]

Players that need to pull their fingers out the most are:

DIDAK
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
O'BREE
DAVIS
JACK

 

[jackcass]

I'm starting a pick Macaffer push.

Impressed me off half back at VFL level last week and might be considered for Birdman, Porp, or Knights match-up.

 

[Riggy1]

If Josh is out, who will help Wood in the ruck?

Scott Reed
He has experience in U15s. Stupid coach make me stuck at FF and let Scott replace me in the ruck after 1 game where I get beaten for the first time

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

If Josh is out, who will help Wood in the ruck?

Dawes. If our two best ruckman arent both available we'll revert to a one ruck policy.

 

[3066]

For me the out and ins are;

Out: Rocca, Pendlebury, Macca and Sidey or Beams (beams based on last wk and he looks stuffed)

In: Dick, Wood or Dawes, Goldsack, Clarke

Nice work Snoop.

Rocca and Pendles are certain misses and J Mac ... well it's understandable he just aint up to speed this year so let's hope MM doesn't play him because he is a favourite and then turn on him when he doesn't deliver the goods. I'd like to keep Sidey and think he should remain rotation as ruck rover because he knows how to find the pill, evades and gives off in tight. Dropping Beams is probably a good call. MM did name him last week as disappointing.

Dick has to come back. 5 goals is 5 goals even though it was a cakewalk last week in the VFL he probably needed a little bit of confidence. Dawes is a must back in .... yadda yadda yadda Rocca last chance last week Dawes is playing very well and he played in our victory against the Crows round 19 so MM's horses for courses policy should apply. Same with Goldy too. Bringng back Marty - heck yes!! Seriously don't know why he is out of favour? Might not have been smashing it up in the 2's but if anything I'd have him over Benny J any day of the week if you want that role filled. Can't see Benny being dropped so if Beams is then Marty's run will cover that.

So what about Wood? Does MM do the horses thing again because Woody played fantastic last time against the Crows. Does he persist with Josh who is down on form and maybe carrying something? We can't play them both.
I want Wood to play but think Josh will. I only hope he finds form.

 

[DaVe86]

I'd like to see a bit more of Didak and Davis up forward. They can play predominantly midfield...but I think our forward line looks weaker without them.

Good write up Snoop.


Pressure is the key...especially in our own forward line.

 

[ksardog]

wood has to be first ruck, why he wasnt last week is still baffling. id prefer dawes in the side over fraser to. i know this will never happen but im continually pissed off watching fraser let us down in important games against good opposition.dick and wellingham in to add some much needed pace. players to miss rocca,pendlebury and johnson.i think that sidebottom, beams and even mccarthy showed enough on the weekend to deserve another game.

 

[swooping seagull]

Dawes. If our two best ruckman arent both available we'll revert to a one ruck policy.

i can tell u guys now that fraser is def out wood and goldsack r in not sure what other changes but wood and goldy def in was just speaking to a mate who is friends with goldy glad to see him in was very stiff to be out in the 1st place

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re Fraser being out - i would bring in dawes. Brings a bit of optionality.