So do we play Clive?

[Rob]

For those that didn't see his performance for Claremont, he played reasonably, however he did fumble the ball quite a bit. Do we take the risk of playing him this weekend? It seems that our backline is going to be the weakness, so it is worth taking a punt on Clive in the forward line to try and counter the Crows supposed dominance up the other end?

 

[Kenny_01]

No probably not. But having said that, if Longmuir doesn't play, we need some sort of target up forward.

 

[FreoDocker]

I've gotta say the team is starting to look pretty depleted by round 1, we'll be without Croad, Mcpharlin, I doubt clive will play as he still needs a few weeks in the WAFL, Parker and Koops are still having trouble with their hamstrings and Andrew Browne is out for a week with an ankle injury. J.Lo should play but will be pretty underdone.

I guess for round 1 we'll have to have Longmuir, Medhurst and Farmer as our primary forwards and push Simmo forward with Sandilands in the ruck. Hopefully pav can stay in the midfield and kick a few goals from there.

As much as I would have wanted Clive to play, he didn't play all that well for Claremont yesterday and by his own admission, he is probably at least a few weeks away. I guess we'll need a few blokes like troy longmuir to kick a few goals from the forward flank inorder to kick a fair total.

 

[Freo Hitman]

I dont think Waterhouse will be abck this week. But I imagin he will be around half forward when he does comeback

 

[Kenny_01]

If Sandilands can hold up in the ruck, is it an option playing Simmonds at CHB?

 

[Docker_Brat]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Byron Schammer make his debut in Round 1 after his performance with the Tigers.

 

[Adrian Shelton]

How did Clive end up allocated to Claremont? when did they get him from Swans?

 

[Freo Hitman]

Originally posted by Adrian Shelton
How did Clive end up allocated to Claremont? when did they get him from Swans?

When he decided that driving to Bassendean was crap. He didnt trust that dodgy playing surface holding his knees

 

[masai]

From what I saw of Clive on the weekend, he still is in the process of regaining his confidence to do all the twisting and turning. He showed flashes but I would expect at least another two - three games with the Tigers before he is really considered for senior selection.

Would be happier seeing him playing for the Black Ducks, but if he's happy to play at the Claremont AFL Retirement Home, so be it.

 

[sabre_ac]

Well if its the difference between Schammer and Waterhouse having a place in the side then I woudlnt play him.
As Schammer has earned his call up, that said I would prefer they both played.
Waterhouse though lacking touch is still match fit so playing him in the afl shouldnt really risk injury.

 

[dockertor]

Waterhouse looked right back in form ,dropping sitters and spraying kicks from 30m OOTF. Doesn't seem to be any different to the last time I watched him play. Clive truly is alive but the team has moved on. Memories of missed oportunities came flooding back as the ball skewed of his boots and hands in random directions.

Skills based pre-season huh?

Clive if the other options are NFG. I love him but reality set in on Saturday

 

[Ripper]

Clive said that he was about 6 weeks away in an interview after the game.

We should not, if possible, go in with any underdone /injured players round 1 regardless of reputation.

Many times a "understrength" side has surprised and won.

Melb vs E-girls at subi a few years back springs to mind.

 

[funky_monk]

Originally posted by dockertor
Waterhouse looked right back in form ,dropping sitters and spraying kicks from 30m OOTF. Doesn't seem to be any different to the last time I watched him play. Clive truly is alive but the team has moved on. Memories of missed oportunities came flooding back as the ball skewed of his boots and hands in random directions.

Skills based pre-season huh?

Clive if the other options are NFG. I love him but reality set in on Saturday

So a guy has two years basically out of footy and doesn't come back to top form straight away?

Clive hasn't played for two years and is still the greatest goal kicker in Freo history.

Clive just needs time...

Don't like the tone of your post at all dockertor!

 

[Rob]

Originally posted by Freo Hitman
When he decided that driving to Bassendean was crap. He didnt trust that dodgy playing surface holding his knees

I heard it was all the bogans hanging around Bassendean after training.

Although it turned out it was the Swans colts team.

 

[dockertor]

Originally posted by funky_monk
So a guy has two years basically out of footy and doesn't come back to top form straight away?

Clive hasn't played for two years and is still the greatest goal kicker in Freo history.

Clive just needs time...

Don't like the tone of your post at all dockertor!

Sorry Funky didn't mean to offend here on the board of the like minded but we cant be too precious about our "stars". My tounge in cheek point was that clive isnt that far from top form.

Being the enigma that Clive is he has always been heart stopping for us freo diehards, spraying easy set shots ,dropping sitters and then pulling the impossible out.

But watching his expliots last week raised the question in my mind have we become used to a higher standard?

He obviously still has a way to go to regain confidence and hopefully will come to realise the potential he has always had but getting into a fully fit Dockers lineup will not be an easy task for him.

Having said that Croady also displays some of those tendencies

 

[sabre_ac]

Docketor you have a point there, certainly from last season and glimpses of this year, I have come to expect allot higher calibre of football from the side.
But the days of Clive being our only target are long gone as well, hes finally goign to be givent he chance to play his natural position.
He was never intended to be our main focal point, nor was he ever going to be consistent.
That job rests with the likes of Longmuir hes consistent without being overly flashy.
If he gets a set shot there most likely going to kick it and have minimal chances of snaring the impossible.
Waterhouse can now be the impact player he was always going to be.
The type of player to take the game by the scruff of the neck at times or be totally useless.
This kind of player is vital to the side and its my opinion the sooner he is in teh side the better.
Why wait for him to hit form in the WAFL when he coudl hit form in the AFL.