Team Rd 1

[Vader]

Tippett won't play:

Surely McKernan would be a shoe in now.

That was my first reaction too. Also means that Walker will be the primary focus of our forward line for the first time, having previously played 2nd fiddle to Tippett.

Must admit to being more than a little concerned about how long Jacobs is taking to overcome his hamstring injury. He hasn't played a game since the lightning carnival round of the MMC, yet according to that report he will probably miss two more weeks before he is available. That's a recovery time of 2 months for an injury which is normally good to go in just 2-3 weeks.

 

[Allefgib]

Step up in training caught Jaqcobs out maybe?

Anyway - big test for Tex now. Quality side, big occasion, no Tips. If he can come out and kick 4+ in that game and give off a few more he'll be on track for a ripper season - and so will we.

Tips got 2 weeks now to get himself right. I really think the decision to rest him sets his season up as well - he struggled so much last year by being played before fully fit.

Agree Smack almost a lock to play now. Hope he can contribute as well.

Good stuff crowies! Very excited we seem to be making smarter decisions re: players. Let's hope it pays off.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Surely McKernan would be a shoe in now.

After the line-up/minutes played in the Carlton match, i reckon McKernan was an almost 100% starter anyway.

Tippett's injury will give Moran a reprieve back into the 21 (supposedly played quite well in the West v Glenelg trial), while McKernan moves into Tippett's role for the week.

Come round 3 it will almost certainly be Moran out, Tippett in unless Moran has a sensational game, or Maric/McKernan play very poorly.

 

[macca23]

After the line-up/minutes played in the Carlton match, i reckon McKernan was an almost 100% starter anyway.

Tippett's injury will give Moran a reprieve back into the 21 (supposedly played quite well in the West v Glenelg trial), while McKernan moves into Tippett's role for the week.

Come round 3 it will almost certainly be Moran out, Tippett in unless Moran has a sensational game, or Maric/McKernan play very poorly.

I would have thought that the ruck situation becomes Maric and McKernan.

McKernan to take Tippett's role and also give Maric a spell in ruck each quarter, during which time we go smaller up forward with Walker as the main focus, supported by the smaller players.

That gives us the ability to rotate 3 mids off the bench.

 

[VSTone]

Step up in training caught Jaqcobs out maybe?

Anyway - big test for Tex now. Quality side, big occasion, no Tips. If he can come out and kick 4+ in that game and give off a few more he'll be on track for a ripper season - and so will we.

Tips got 2 weeks now to get himself right. I really think the decision to rest him sets his season up as well - he struggled so much last year by being played before fully fit.

Agree Smack almost a lock to play now. Hope he can contribute as well.

Good stuff crowies! Very excited we seem to be making smarter decisions re: players. Let's hope it pays off.

given injuries the smarter decision is to maintain a settled side
once the season begins... no favourites...the injured should have to prove themselves in the b-grade... no bockups...
only poor performance or injury as a reason to unsettle the starting 21.5...the position in the team can then be cherished...
rewarding perfomance...not potential... this will be one of NC's next challenges...

 

[Bockchoy67]

After the line-up/minutes played in the Carlton match, i reckon McKernan was an almost 100% starter anyway.

Tippett's injury will give Moran a reprieve back into the 21 (supposedly played quite well in the West v Glenelg trial), while McKernan moves into Tippett's role for the week.

Come round 3 it will almost certainly be Moran out, Tippett in unless Moran has a sensational game, or Maric/McKernan play very poorly.

I reckon the days of 2 genuine ruckmen are over. Unless the second ruckman is commanding a spot (Moran is not) then there's just no real point to it. Much better to have someone who can ruck decently but offer a lot around the ground.

Remember that each team really only has 21 players now.

McKernan will play, but I don't think Tippett being out changes anything in that regard.

 

[WALL-e]

I would have thought that the ruck situation becomes Maric and McKernan.

McKernan to take Tippett's role and also give Maric a spell in ruck each quarter, during which time we go smaller up forward with Walker as the main focus, supported by the smaller players.

That gives us the ability to rotate 3 mids off the bench.

That would have been my thoughts as well.

While it would be good to go in with a rotation that would would usually have and have that big stay at home forward that doesn't ruck, Moran hasn't been good enough (with the exception of last week, but that's not enough) to warrant selection.

Moran and Sellar would both be a chance, but unlikely at this stage.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

I reckon the days of 2 genuine ruckmen are over. Unless the second ruckman is commanding a spot (Moran is not) then there's just no real point to it. Much better to have someone who can ruck decently but offer a lot around the ground.

Remember that each team really only has 21 players now.

McKernan will play, but I don't think Tippett being out changes anything in that regard.

Tippett out but replaced by a mid/small certainly changes the structure if McKernan was going to play either way (as 2R/forward).

Leaves Walker as the sole tall forward when McKernan in ruck (don't want Maric clogging up the forward line). Nothing inherently wrong with that, especially given the other talent down there, i just wonder whether we set on our 'structure' or will go with a 'horses for courses' approach given the personnel change.

Also, with the Hawks potentially tall forward line, if one of our talls go down (esp Maric or McKernan), we could be caught short over the ground for options.

But yeah overall, good points made by all of you...a tall replacement for Tippett not inevitable, though I'd go that way.

 

[Schulzycrow]

Agree with TLF8 still think for structure that tall needs to be replaced with tall. Moran is the next best option and can go forward or ruck. We have enough runners to cover the bench and the old adage of tall players don't get shorter as the game goes on should apply.

Also sub needs to be a running type as well. Will be interesting who is the sub. Otto is my pick.

 

[Vader]

Also sub needs to be a running type as well. Will be interesting who is the sub. Otto is my pick.

Makes a lot of sense to me. Otten is able to play either tall (3rd defender) or small (genuine midfielder). He's also been a bit out of sorts since dominating the lightning carnival round - so coming on fresh when everyone else is a bit tired would probably be good for him.

 

[VSTone]

surely they'll save the sub for a big man... and include the extra runner in the 21...

only using the extra big man (sub) likely moran now...if required...

the extra rotations collingwood employed last year was a critical part
of their plan...

starting with only two runners on the bench would be against
the current best practice i would have thought?

 

[scoota10]

In what I seen yesterday MORAN is a BIG CHANCE to make the side this WK
B=}Johncock,Rutten,OTTEN
H/B}Doughty,Davis,Rielly
Mid}Mckay,Thompson,V.Berlo
H/F}KnightsSTEVENS,Dangerfield
Fwd}Sloane,WALKER,Mckernan

Ruck}Maric,Vince,Douglas

Int }Moran,Porplyzia,Janaech, SUB Tambling

I originally had Hendo,Martin, in but I think they require 1 more run in the
S.A.N.F.L

Moran and Janaech to replace them I would stretch their backline

OTTEN in to back pocket, Stevens to C/H/F, Walker to F/Forward

 

[Vader]

surely they'll save the sub for a big man... and include the extra runner in the 21...

I doubt it - and the fact that every one of our subs during the pre-season was a midfielder would tend to make my argument fairly strong.

only using the extra big man (sub) likely moran now...if required...

the extra rotations collingwood employed last year was a critical part
of their plan...

starting with only two runners on the bench would be against
the current best practice i would have thought?

There are a few good reasons why the sub will be a runner (or possibly a utility type player).

Lets look at what happens if the sub is a tall...

Lose a tall and it's a 1-for-1 swap, no problem. Lose a small and you're looking at a very tall bench, with extremely limited options for rotating the midfielders who are doing all the hard work. This is where the players start to suffer due to a lack of recovery time on the bench. Bad result!

On the other hand, here's what happens if the sub is a small..

Lose a small and it's a 1-for-1 swap, no problem. Lose a tall and it's not the end of the world either. 1 of the 3 bench players is normally a tall, so they go onto the field. The talls now have a very limited ability to interchange, but that's not necessarily a major problem - they don't work run as far/fast as the midfielders and usually don't require as much bench time as a result. Heck, Rutten has played 98%+ of every game for the last 5 years. Better yet, you get to run out the game with an extra midfielder - giving the mids more opportunities to rotate, leaving them fresher for running out the game.

The downside of having a tall sub is much, much greater than the downside of having a runner/midfielder.

Ideally, you'd have a utility - a player like Otten - who is capable of pinch hitting in either role.

 

[lunacy]

I would only contemplate the 3 talls up forward with one of those relieving briefly in ruck (Mckernan, Tippett, Walker) if all were very effective/damaging as forwards. IMO the decision to play those 3 tall forwards in the forward line together is based predominantly on personnel and not structure. Meaning it would only be 3 tall forwards if it were in fact those exact 3 forwards (Mckernan, Walker, Tippett) with Mckernan relieving as 2nd ruck and Tippett rucking in the forward line.

If Mckernan were not selected in best 21/22, I believe it would remain Walker and Tippett as tall forwards only, with Tippett relieving as 2nd ruck.

Therefore with only 3 on the bench, I believe the 2nd ruck has/will be eliminated and the short amount of time the 1st ruck rests on the bench will be covered by a KPP who can adequately ruck (Mckernan/Tippett).

So what am I saying? If Tippett is missing I dont think we'll bring in another ruck. I think Mckernan will play KPF with Walker, while relieving Maric temporarily in ruck. Meanwhile the forward line will only have 1 KPF for a few minutes.

If Mckernan gets injured, he is not replaced by another ruckman. Walker and Tippett share KPF duties while Tippett relieves in ruck.

Therefore imo at this stage Maric/Jacobs/Moran are all fighting for 1st ruck spot and the 3 KPF set up only applies to Mckernan/Walker/Tippett.

This week I think having Moran/Mckernan/Walker all up forward at one time looks a bit average and we'd be playing tall for the sake of playing tall. Plus it's a night game and Hawks aren't exactly blessed with good tall guys anyway except for Franklin/Roughead and lesser extent Hale, but I reckon we have match ups for them.

Tippett out, replaced by a the next in line small who was probably gonna miss out (Jaensch/Smith/Symes).

 

[VSTone]

fair enough...vader...

I think the key position posts are the ones that leave a larger hole
when an injury happens...

a trend will no doubt emerge fairly quickly when a few teams put their cards on the table...

i'd expect NC to only use it to cover after an injury anyway...

what ever happens as long as we get the points...

 

[lunacy]

Here is my team for this week. It is not my best 21/22 but rather very specific to this week's game against Hawthorn.

FB Johncock Rutten Stevens
HB Otten Davis Doughty
C Mackay Thompson Martin
HF Knights Mckernan Henderson
FF Porps Walker Dangerfield
1R Maric Douglas Reilly
Int. Sloane VB Jaensch/Vince
sub Vince/Jaensch

Emerg. Moran Smith Symes

Otten - I would play him across half back this week because if Davis stands Franklin he'll certainly have his hands full. Otten could help Davis in aerial contests against Franklin whist still providing sufficient run from defense. Normally Stevens would do this but Hawks have said they'll probably play Hale up forward with Franklin and Roughead so Stevens will be pretty occupied containing Hale. I would otherwise support calls for Otten to play sub, but I see this being an important role this week.

Martin - normally my preferred creative half back but due to the need (imo) for Otten to play across half back this week, Martin would be just as creative on wing.

Dangerfield - with Tippett missing, I predict Danger to spend more time up forward than previously anticipated. When Mckernan goes into ruck, Walker will be the soul KPF up there and guys like Porps, Danger, Knights and Hendo will become very important to provide marking options on the lead and playing a smaller forward line you have to make up for aerial deficiencies by being very good at keeping ball in area and taking marks on quick leads.

Jaensch - I have brought him in for Tippett and slightly changed the anticipated rd 1 structure. He is a small forward option though and we will probably try to have a dangerous small forwardline in periods on Saturday. Jaensch adds to our options up forward and releases Dangerfield and Porps to spend some time in midfield. Does he play a full game as a forward providing more options or is he the sub. Would be a good sub as he can play as a forward, wingman or creative defender.

Vince - can't decide out of Vince and Jaensch as this weeks sub. I still think Vince will be somewhat underdone especially now that every player is required to spend more time on the ground. He is normally definitely best 21/22, but I might play him as my sub with Jaensch being required up forward. Vince is versatile enough without being the most versatile player on our list to play sub.

 

[KUNG FU]

Sorry if I've missed something, but I don't think Hendo is going to play this weekend.

 

[Schulzycrow]

Last report says "sore" from the Centrals game. Given til later in the week, but iffy to say the least.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Therefore with only 3 on the bench, I believe the 2nd ruck has/will be eliminated and the short amount of time the 1st ruck rests on the bench will be covered by a KPP who can adequately ruck (Mckernan/Tippett).

I don't think Maric is capable of this type of workload (>75% ruck time) that you are suggesting. He practically said so in his media stuff this week, and his history also shows this (ie everyone previously saying he got too tired with the sole ruckman responsibility).

Moran would have the athleticism/tank for it, but hasn't proven his durability from injury...

Maybe Jacobs can do it when he is fit?

 

[lunacy]

I don't think Maric is capable of this type of workload (>75% ruck time) that you are suggesting. He practically said so in his media stuff this week, and his history also shows this (ie everyone previously saying he got too tired with the sole ruckman responsibility).

Moran would have the athleticism/tank for it, but hasn't proven his durability from injury...

Maybe Jacobs can do it when he is fit?

Well if that's the case, while Maric is 1st ruck, Mckernan and/or Tippett will have to ruck slightly more. Either way I dont think we'll play 2 primary ruckman (ie Maric/Moran, Jacobs/Moran, Jacobs/Maric). Even if Moran is more versatile than the other 2 ruckman.

I think the relief ruck will come from someone who is primarily a forward but is big enough to pinch hit in ruck. Maric, Moran and Jacob's primary skill set is still ruck.

 

[Vader]

Well if that's the case, while Maric is 1st ruck, Mckernan and/or Tippett will have to ruck slightly more. Either way I dont think we'll play 2 primary ruckman (ie Maric/Moran, Jacobs/Moran, Jacobs/Maric). Even if Moran is more versatile than the other 2 ruckman.

I think the relief ruck will come from someone who is primarily a forward but is big enough to pinch hit in ruck. Maric, Moran and Jacob's primary skill set is still ruck.

It may even be the case that Stevens gets to do a bit of ruck work. Why not? If Collingwood can get something useful out of a spud like Leigh Brown, then there's no reason why Stevens can't play an equivalent role for us.

 

[Cap]

I look forward to seeing what Maric serves up, he would know that with Jacobs around his spot is now under considerable pressure.

I still believe there is space in the team for 2 rucks - but two rucks who rest on the field as the third tall

 

[WALL-e]

I look forward to seeing what Maric serves up, he would know that with Jacobs around his spot is now under considerable pressure.

I still believe there is space in the team for 2 rucks - but two rucks who rest on the field as the third tall

It's the one problem I see for Ivan. He's yet to show he can go either end at AFL level to rest.

He can drop back into defense playing as a ruck, but that's without opposition just cleaning up scraps. When he goes forward he's slow, innefective and a liability defensively.

These are things you excuse a ruck who dominates the center for. He's yet to dominate a ruck that isn't smaller than him.

I'd rather see him play in our best team, but he needs to get going in one area to sure his spot up.

 

[pext]

I'm ready to call it! Team for round 1 will be:

Porplyzia Walker McKernan
Knights Dangerfield Sloane
Mackay Thompson Van Berlo
Tambling Stevens Otten
Johncock Rutten Davis

Maric Vince Reilly

Douglas Symes Doughty (Jaensch)

Martin & Hendo will need one more week in the snaffle before being considered. We won't risk blokes who aren't 100%.

 

[Cap]

It's the one problem I see for Ivan. He's yet to show he can go either end at AFL level to rest.

He can drop back into defense playing as a ruck, but that's without opposition just cleaning up scraps. When he goes forward he's slow, innefective and a liability defensively.

These are things you excuse a ruck who dominates the center for. He's yet to dominate a ruck that isn't smaller than him.

I'd rather see him play in our best team, but he needs to get going in one area to sure his spot up.

I fully agree with you, which is why I am looking forward to seeing what he serves up. He basically needs a statement to say that he can dominate the centre square and provide a reasonable target up forward...or like David Pitman fill a defensive role should his opposite number go forward.

He has infrequently shown he can take a grab up forward and convert, he just needs to be able to do this on a frequent basis.

I guess we also have to remember he is only 25 and was probably forced into the Number 1 ruck spot marginally earlier than anticipated.

If he can get his hitouts up by 25% and his possies up by 5 or 6 a game I'll happy.