Wakes/Presti

[thewhitelama]

Is Wakes still under an injury cloud? Because i heard reports he trained well, and it has got me stuffed why Presti has been selected for this weekends match ahead of Wakelin?

Dont get me wrong, love Presti...but seriously, he has had one game all year, where as Shane has been consistently playing well down back for the whole year...it is just baffling how/why Shane Wakelin would not be included.

He, in my opinion is pivotal to our backline, and should be in there before Simon.

Thoughts?

 

[mdc]

Simon's best is better than Shane's best. Obviously the coaching staff think Simon can produce it tomorrow. Simon will be especially useful against the tall team that Adelaide's named.

However, if it rains tomorrow as expected, don't be surprised to see Adelaide drop a tall, and Simon make way for Shane.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I think Wakes must be fit for him to be named as an emergency. Agree that he may come in as a late change.

 

[Optimax]

Presti is better with the Moran type leading forwards, even tippett is more a leading type. Thats presti's strength.

If it rains then i have no doubt that wakes will come in becaus it'll turn into a more physical slog, although i feel presti is still pretty good man on man

 

[Pies_10]

I say if it rains they may even drop Brown and put Wakes in.

 

[jimmy35]

I would have gone for Wakes , he's more assured with the ball in his hands .

 

[3066]

"Magpies agonised over defenders"

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/magpies-agonised-over-wakelin/2008/09/05/1220121510296.html

 

[Pies_10]

No offence but Wakes has been here all year working his ass of and Presti's played one game.

 

[Axl the great]

I am so pissed right now i have to hold my tongue!
Wakelin deserves to be in that team before Presti hands down, you dont risk a guy whos played 1 game all year in a major final still probably short of fitness.
Wakes has been awesome all year, has rarely been beaten, provides run sure hands and has better disposal under pressure, I hope for our sake Presti doesnt get towelled up or we should all demand serious answers from the match commitee.

 

[mdc]

"Magpies agonised over defenders"

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/magpies-agonised-over-wakelin/2008/09/05/1220121510296.html

Sounds like it was Wakes/Brown rather than Wakes/Presti.

 

[Mansons Haircut]

Saying it from start of year - dont forget Presti. When fit is the first defender picked. I dont care how they fit him if fit must play - if an oppo forward starting dominating there is no one else i'd rather see walk over to them than the Glove.

 

[PieLebo87]

I don't understand what all the drama is!

Presti's best is better than Wakelin's best.

Presti has played a fair few VFL games so is match-fit, and wouldn't have been risked in a final otherwise.

Relax!

 

[Daicos Mullets]

Agreed, he's the bloke we missed against forwards like Fevola & Franklin.

 

[Smoky]

I don't understand what all the drama is!

Presti's best is better than Wakelin's best.

Presti has played a fair few VFL games so is match-fit, and wouldn't have been risked in a final otherwise.

Relax!

WTF???

Presti's best (2 years ago) is better than Wakelins best? Maybe we should play Craig Kelly because his best was better than both of theirs!

Wakelin not being selected is utterly ridiculous - everyone on earth knows what role Wakelin has played in defence this year has been similar to the sort of role that Jimmy Clement played last year... "A LEADER/ DIRECTOR". Presti cannot fill that role, and after his game last week compared to how Wakes has performed over the past year and a half (mind you while Presti has not played any AFL at all) i am absolutely shocked at this this selection MISTAKE.

So will Presti direct the youngsters, fire them up, give them advice and encouragement during the game... who the hell is going to play the general in defence, control the ball movement out of defence, steady the ship???

For crying out loud it is an ELIMINATION FINAL! No time to be trialling an unproven combination.

What an ignorant move.

 

[mdc]

WTF???

Presti's best (2 years ago) is better than Wakelins best? Maybe we should play Craig Kelly because his best was better than both of theirs!

Wakelin not being selected is utterly ridiculous - everyone on earth knows what role Wakelin has played in defence this year has been similar to the sort of role that Jimmy Clement played last year... "A LEADER/ DIRECTOR". Presti cannot fill that role, and after his game last week compared to how Wakes has performed over the past year and a half (mind you while Presti has not played any AFL at all) i am absolutely shocked at this this selection MISTAKE.

So will Presti direct the youngsters, fire them up, give them advice and encouragement during the game... who the hell is going to play the general in defence, control the ball movement out of defence, steady the ship???

For crying out loud it is an ELIMINATION FINAL! No time to be trialling an unproven combination.

What an ignorant move.

I know you're a big Wakes fan, Smoky, but that's very harsh on Presti.

Do you know for sure he's not a leader down there? Do you know that he doesn't encourage the young players?

You're showing a lot of disrespect to a player who's never, ever let this club down. It would have been harsh on whoever missed, but there's no need to put one down guy because of it.

 

[Smoky]

I know you're a big Wakes fan, Smoky, but that's very harsh on Presti.

Do you know for sure he's not a leader down there? Do you know that he doesn't encourage the young players?

You're showing a lot of disrespect to a player who's never, ever let this club down. It would have been harsh on whoever missed, but there's no need to put one down guy because of it.

Its more the anger that Wakelins worth has been under rated by his non selection. I do rate Presti very highly, but Wakelin didnt play last week and there was very little leadership shown in defence (no one can argue against that). I would prefer they both play because they bring different things to the table. Presti will spend his whole game on focasing on shutting one player out for the entire game and Wakelin will focas on the bigger picture. They both play their individual roles better than the other... But Presti could never do what Wakelin does... its just not him, he is not a high posession defender. You cannot direct play and set up goals from defence if you dont have the ball in your hands? Presti has spent his entire career focasing on his direct opponent.

Its finals football - and we need leaders.

 

[Snag Breac]

MM might bring Wakes in at the last minute.

 

[i_hate_scams]

no offence but Presti is automatic selection if fit, by far our best tall defender, rarely get beaten only thing wakes got on presti is that he can counter-attack.

the real question is whether we should play wakes or brown.

 

[Mansons Haircut]

^^^ thats it in a nutshell for me, spot on.

Love Wakes as well but if your worry is needing more rebound/leadership, the 2 issues that seem to be thrown up here, then drop someone else for Wakes. If your on the bandwagon that Wakes must play but the only player you think he could replace is Presti that not the biggest show of confidence is it? By all means push the Wakelin bandwagon i wont fight you but dont make this is a Wakes vs Presti argument.

 

[Mansons Haircut]

Also just to develop the point further 2 other things to consider IMO:

1. If we are to win a flag this year i think Presti is vital to the team. He has played a few VFL games & in the ones last week. Even though no big elite forward for him this week they will come up if we progress & if we dont play him much harder to bring back next week. This isn't the main reason to play him this week but as a side issue worth considering. Wakes can come striaght back any time, could be seen as a calculated risk. (i dont think it is).

2. Looking further forward if you accept the premise that Presti must play (as i do) then to bring Wakes in the obvious outs would be Brown/Harry. They are the future & need to play finals so i want them in as well.

Before you attack i think above are very much side issues and best team should be picked for any final. I think we have picked the best back 6, others will disagree, time will tell.

 

[Thommo 42]

No offence but Wakes has been here all year working his ass of and Presti's played one game.

and Presti has been working his ass off to get fit, he is without doubt our best defender when fit.

He played 5 odd games in the reserves and one senior game, so is an automatic selection in my book.

 

[Smoky]

^^^ thats it in a nutshell for me, spot on.

Love Wakes as well but if your worry is needing more rebound/leadership, the 2 issues that seem to be thrown up here, then drop someone else for Wakes. If your on the bandwagon that Wakes must play but the only player you think he could replace is Presti that not the biggest show of confidence is it? By all means push the Wakelin bandwagon i wont fight you but dont make this is a Wakes vs Presti argument.

Sorry... i must have misread the thread title

 

[Smoky]

Also just to develop the point further 2 other things to consider IMO:

1. If we are to win a flag this year i think Presti is vital to the team. He has played a few VFL games & in the ones last week. Even though no big elite forward for him this week they will come up if we progress & if we dont play him much harder to bring back next week. This isn't the main reason to play him this week but as a side issue worth considering. Wakes can come striaght back any time, could be seen as a calculated risk. (i dont think it is).

2. Looking further forward if you accept the premise that Presti must play (as i do) then to bring Wakes in the obvious outs would be Brown/Harry. They are the future & need to play finals so i want them in as well.

Before you attack i think above are very much side issues and best team should be picked for any final. I think we have picked the best back 6, others will disagree, time will tell.

Or Goldsack (Back pocket) Maxwell (CHB), Marty Clarke (HBF), Cox, or a spot on the bench.

If Wakelin didnt play this year, I doubt we'd be playing this week.

 

[Mansons Haircut]

Or Goldsack (Back pocket) Maxwell (CHB), Marty Clarke (HBF), Cox, or a spot on the bench.

Was only trying to compare like to like, you seem to think Wakelin is a must & i think Presti is a must. I'm a huge Wakelin fan as well so if you can find a way to fit them both in you wont get any arguments from me. Would seem a bit top heavy having Wakes/Presti/Brown. Dont think you can carry a specialist backman on the bench with the huge need for midfield rotations in modern footy.
I believe this would have been a tough lineball decision and it came down to having 2 of Wakes/Presti/Brown.
Out of interest would you just swap Presti/Wakes or try & fit both in & rejig the backline some other way?

 

[Smoky]

Was only trying to compare like to like, you seem to think Wakelin is a must & i think Presti is a must. I'm a huge Wakelin fan as well so if you can find a way to fit them both in you wont get any arguments from me. Would seem a bit top heavy having Wakes/Presti/Brown. Dont think you can carry a specialist backman on the bench with the huge need for midfield rotations in modern footy.
I believe this would have been a tough lineball decision and it came down to having 2 of Wakes/Presti/Brown.
Out of interest would you just swap Presti/Wakes or try & fit both in & rejig the backline some other way?

Utlimately with both fit and matchfit I have always believed they are both automatic starters. Presti goes to the spearhead and Wakes plays 2nd man in defence. Outside of "spoiling a marking contest" I think Wakelin is miles ahead of Presti as a footballer. But when it comes to spoiling a marking contest and shutting somone out of a game I think Presti is one of the best ever.

I really dont think Presti is fit enough at the moment. Last week he looked slow and out of place. I hear your point about Wakelin starting on the bench... Wakelin has showed this year that when he plays he playss 95% game time every single game.

By reshuffling Cox, Clarke, Maxwell, Goldsack, Cook, McCarthey and Wakelin one would have to miss out and positions would need to be changed. Im not going to say which i think should go... because well I cant decide. But we're going into an elimination final! And after the year we've had and the position we're in now IMO Wakelin would be first picked of the lot.