swannies
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We're almost a third of the way throught the season already 
and the big surprise is the Tiges and Falcons being on top. But, don't worry, there's plenty of time for them to slip! Anyway, on to this round of matches.
Lions v Thunder - Ho hum, I hear you say. The Lions are starting to hit their straps and the thunder, well, they're the thunder. With an injection of youth and if the thunder stick to the game plan of running Subi off their feet, they may get there, just don't give the Lions time to put physical pressure on you.
The Lions have a relatively dysfunctional forward line, notwithstanding that Broadhurst works his butt off. Campbell hasn't contributed much, yet, Read and Cockie have been welcome inclusions, Pickett provided a much needed injection of flair and class and Kerr and Bristow don't stop running. But despite not have the A Grade forward line, they are still in, or close to, the top 4. Personally, I think this is as much the mental inability of certain teams to beat them and the fact they follow a plan that suits their strengths. Take the pace out of the game, close up the spaces and make it a congested, tight game and they will come out on top, most times.
This is where Peel need to have the run and stun approach of Claremont. It was wave after wave of Tigers players running at them that day and it became too much. The Thunder's mids need to be on their game, the half back line, which is Peel's strength IMO, must run at the Lions midfield. Guys like J Jones, Crichton, Luff, Wilson (if back), Mason in the backline become critical to not only hold the forwards but rebound off them. The Bennell brothers, O'Brien, Ware, Haines, Giumelli etc in the centre need to provide the spark. Lions should win.
Bulldogs v Demons - Last year the demons had a good win down at Freo Oval and last week, against Swans, when they moved the ball through the middle of the ground the dees looked good. Souths are in some poor form at the present, could it happen again?
The Bulldogs still have a very decent side on paper, so why are they being beaten regularly? Graham, McGrath, Murphy, McCarrey, Head, Wilson, Siegert, Mgumbwa, Hams and Bairstow should be able to handle most teams. Injecting Phillips and Guglie on to the wings gave some more pace and then there's Carter, Collica, Fielding, Palumbo and other young players rotating through the team, to provide some enthusiasm and freshness.
Perth generally rely on the same players, Armstrong, Young, Cook, Sprigg, Thornton, Moody, Ferguson and Sullivan. However, some more players are gradually putting their hands up, Smith, Bollenhagen, Billings, Mzungu, Warner, et al. This match should go to the wire I reckon, but Souths, just, for mine.
Falcons v Sharks - Both teams going reasonably well at present and this will be the opportunity for 1 to sneak a bit of a break on the pack below 4th. AFL ins and outs will be critical to this game, I believe, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
The Falcons have one of the toughest forward lines to match up on, with LeCras, Tsalikis, Darling and Saylor. Midfield they have a good group of running players with Salecic, Crossland, Guadagnin, Bewick, Lamb, all giving 100+%. In defence they are unheralded, with Hunt, Tedesco, Pearce, Lasscock, Zanetti, all showing they can shut down forwards.
The Sharks problem of goal kicking was partly addressed by Dunn playing as a permanent forward (as I suggested last week, I might add.) but their defence is going to have their work cut out, especially at the windy Arena. Brennan received rave reviews after last weeks derby, so does he take LeCras or Tsalikis? I'd play Dodd on Slick. If Spangher comes back he could go to CHF because Warren's been playing good football down back. The mids of Palmer (if avail), McNamara, McGough, Monteath, Monk, Stevens, along with Fasolo, Cripps and Stephen look to have a bit more bite. This should be a cracker with the Falcons falling over the line for the second time against a port team.
Swans v Tigers - can anyone break the blistering start to the season by the tigers? Of course, Swans can, totally confident, well, no I'm not but hey.....
The Swans have a decent defence, with Ames likely to take Cones, Twomey to take Richardson, or Clancee if he's back, Notte to take Wilkes, although I have heard Notte may play forward. I think the Swans can handle the key positions of the Tigers, it's the runners that cause mayhem. Roberts, Riggio, Walters, Garlett, Davis (if back), Fleay, Wolfenden, van Groningen, Hinkley, Roach, Krak will have to play out of their skins. van G, Hinkley, Roach, Krak, Wolfy and Davis become pivotal because they have blistering pace.
The Tiges have an impressive defence, with Thomson and Mackenzie as the mainstays and great support from Starling, Laurie (if avail), Lee, Swift (hopefully gets a call up). Hansen, Geappen, Spencer, Krak, should keep them with their hands full and maybe play Riggio or Fleay as a defensive forward. But it's this midfield that has the tongues wagging - Blackwell, Stevenson (higher duties again please), Rudeforth, Brabazon, Foster, Mitchell, Ninyette, Schammer, Browne, Walton, Orzel.
Still hard to see where the Swans will beat the Tigers, in both teams' current form, so Tiges for me.
Hopefully the rain holds off and we have a fine day for our footy fix on Saturday.
and the big surprise is the Tiges and Falcons being on top. But, don't worry, there's plenty of time for them to slip! Anyway, on to this round of matches.Lions v Thunder - Ho hum, I hear you say. The Lions are starting to hit their straps and the thunder, well, they're the thunder. With an injection of youth and if the thunder stick to the game plan of running Subi off their feet, they may get there, just don't give the Lions time to put physical pressure on you.
The Lions have a relatively dysfunctional forward line, notwithstanding that Broadhurst works his butt off. Campbell hasn't contributed much, yet, Read and Cockie have been welcome inclusions, Pickett provided a much needed injection of flair and class and Kerr and Bristow don't stop running. But despite not have the A Grade forward line, they are still in, or close to, the top 4. Personally, I think this is as much the mental inability of certain teams to beat them and the fact they follow a plan that suits their strengths. Take the pace out of the game, close up the spaces and make it a congested, tight game and they will come out on top, most times.
This is where Peel need to have the run and stun approach of Claremont. It was wave after wave of Tigers players running at them that day and it became too much. The Thunder's mids need to be on their game, the half back line, which is Peel's strength IMO, must run at the Lions midfield. Guys like J Jones, Crichton, Luff, Wilson (if back), Mason in the backline become critical to not only hold the forwards but rebound off them. The Bennell brothers, O'Brien, Ware, Haines, Giumelli etc in the centre need to provide the spark. Lions should win.
Bulldogs v Demons - Last year the demons had a good win down at Freo Oval and last week, against Swans, when they moved the ball through the middle of the ground the dees looked good. Souths are in some poor form at the present, could it happen again?
The Bulldogs still have a very decent side on paper, so why are they being beaten regularly? Graham, McGrath, Murphy, McCarrey, Head, Wilson, Siegert, Mgumbwa, Hams and Bairstow should be able to handle most teams. Injecting Phillips and Guglie on to the wings gave some more pace and then there's Carter, Collica, Fielding, Palumbo and other young players rotating through the team, to provide some enthusiasm and freshness.
Perth generally rely on the same players, Armstrong, Young, Cook, Sprigg, Thornton, Moody, Ferguson and Sullivan. However, some more players are gradually putting their hands up, Smith, Bollenhagen, Billings, Mzungu, Warner, et al. This match should go to the wire I reckon, but Souths, just, for mine.
Falcons v Sharks - Both teams going reasonably well at present and this will be the opportunity for 1 to sneak a bit of a break on the pack below 4th. AFL ins and outs will be critical to this game, I believe, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
The Falcons have one of the toughest forward lines to match up on, with LeCras, Tsalikis, Darling and Saylor. Midfield they have a good group of running players with Salecic, Crossland, Guadagnin, Bewick, Lamb, all giving 100+%. In defence they are unheralded, with Hunt, Tedesco, Pearce, Lasscock, Zanetti, all showing they can shut down forwards.
The Sharks problem of goal kicking was partly addressed by Dunn playing as a permanent forward (as I suggested last week, I might add.
) but their defence is going to have their work cut out, especially at the windy Arena. Brennan received rave reviews after last weeks derby, so does he take LeCras or Tsalikis? I'd play Dodd on Slick. If Spangher comes back he could go to CHF because Warren's been playing good football down back. The mids of Palmer (if avail), McNamara, McGough, Monteath, Monk, Stevens, along with Fasolo, Cripps and Stephen look to have a bit more bite. This should be a cracker with the Falcons falling over the line for the second time against a port team.Swans v Tigers - can anyone break the blistering start to the season by the tigers? Of course, Swans can, totally confident, well, no I'm not but hey.....
The Swans have a decent defence, with Ames likely to take Cones, Twomey to take Richardson, or Clancee if he's back, Notte to take Wilkes, although I have heard Notte may play forward. I think the Swans can handle the key positions of the Tigers, it's the runners that cause mayhem. Roberts, Riggio, Walters, Garlett, Davis (if back), Fleay, Wolfenden, van Groningen, Hinkley, Roach, Krak will have to play out of their skins. van G, Hinkley, Roach, Krak, Wolfy and Davis become pivotal because they have blistering pace.
The Tiges have an impressive defence, with Thomson and Mackenzie as the mainstays and great support from Starling, Laurie (if avail), Lee, Swift (hopefully gets a call up
). Hansen, Geappen, Spencer, Krak, should keep them with their hands full and maybe play Riggio or Fleay as a defensive forward. But it's this midfield that has the tongues wagging - Blackwell, Stevenson (higher duties again please), Rudeforth, Brabazon, Foster, Mitchell, Ninyette, Schammer, Browne, Walton, Orzel. Still hard to see where the Swans will beat the Tigers, in both teams' current form, so Tiges for me.
Hopefully the rain holds off and we have a fine day for our footy fix on Saturday.
