Changes for Adelaide

[DeeSpencer 23,686]

A few good issues this week at selection table.

Craigy hates making changes - has made only 12 in total in eight selection nights - that's 1.5 a game despite the fact that we've been belted in at least four games under his watch.

But he has to make a minimum of three changes for injury - Blease, Strauss and Byrnes.

He also has to get rid of Davis or risk further ridicule at AAMI Stadium - poor fella has had 12 disposals in two games (that's 6 per game) and kicked one goal from a handball over the top to him. It's not his fault, he's a defender after all.

Tapscott, Howey and Fitzy all were quiet again last week but I'd expect all to survive again because Craig will have go apopleptic if he makes that many changes and has to tell them they are dropped.

Apart from Frawley and Dawes returning, he also has to decide if he can upset Pedersen, who was 23rd man last week, and did well, by his standards, in game against Suns.

Then he has to decide if the two who dominated in the magoos for the second week in a row - Gawn and Magner - get a call up.

I'm sure we will go bigger than last week when we were saved by Sandilands injury, but we won't go three ruckmen and Dawes, especially as Crows usually only have one ruck - Jacobs.

And if Frawley plays, then there's no room for Pedo down back anyway.

Grimes hopefully will go back to defence where he made his name and replace Strauss, which will free up a spot in midfield rotation for Magner.

The last spot has to go to a midfielder and IMO will get down to a battle of three - Nicholson (yes I know he does howlers, but who else has the speed to tag Dangerfield), Toumpas (which would mean he can't play for Casey in finals) and Taggert (who kicked five in VFL and deserves a shot just as much as Jimmy T). If they go Jimmy T, then Jordie will have to play on Danger which is a big ask, especially when Sloane and Crouch are other good options for him.

So, Out: Blease, Strauss, Byrnes (all inj), Davis. In: Frawley, Dawes, Magner, Nicholson.

Personally I'd like to see both Gawn and Taggert play this week ahead of Fitzy and Tappy, who have both now had plenty of chances, but I don't reckon it will happen for reasons stated above.

McKenzie is a much better tagging option than Nicholson for Dangerfield regardless of speed. McKenzie has shown he can position himself and restrict players, just like Ling did for a long time without speed. Nicholson doesn't have that ability, he really just chases someone around and wouldn't compete with Dangerfields strength. We also can't afford to have 2 taggers in the inside midfielders. We need someone to win the ball. Garland to take Dangerfield when he goes forward similar to the way we did a nice job on Ablett.

[Mono 454]

Reckon Bail will get a call up (ahead of Nicholson and Rodan)

You'd think Magner MUST get a game - why promote him to senior list.

Maybe Taggert.

Suspect they'll keep Frawley and Dawes for Dogs game.

[Deespicable 2,574]

McKenzie is a much better tagging option than Nicholson for Dangerfield regardless of speed. McKenzie has shown he can position himself and restrict players, just like Ling did for a long time without speed. Nicholson doesn't have that ability, he really just chases someone around and wouldn't compete with Dangerfields strength. We also can't afford to have 2 taggers in the inside midfielders. We need someone to win the ball. Garland to take Dangerfield when he goes forward similar to the way we did a nice job on Ablett.

Agree with your logic and think there are quite a few options in tagging department.

I personally like the idea of Jordie tagging Crouch because he has been influential in past few weeks and being so young he has probably never had a decent tag before so he might really struggle.

Sloane usually plays outside mid on a wing. Trenners did well out wide last week but I'm not sure if he'll have pace to go with Sloane and nor does Toumpas if he comes in, so it probably gets down to a choice between Nicho or Bail on a wing.

If Jordie did go to Crouch, then it would allow Jack Viney and Nathan Jones to go head to head in middle with Danger trying to win the ball out and then as you suggest, Col picks him up when he rests forward.

Either way I'm sure selectors will [censored] it up and we'll end up with no Magner, no tagger for Sloane and Jack Watts playing down back again as a sweeper.