Match Preview and Team Selection - Round 2

[Undeeterred 3,123]

I agree with the no changes, but would be extremely surprised if there isn't at least one late one.

Neeld used to make 4 or 5 changes at a time and I always wondered what the point was. The players know where they are at - why not give them a few weeks together with the obvious and public support of the coach, rather than trying three different blokes who will make absolutely no difference to the result?

[samcantstandya 1,045]

He is one of 6 players that played on Sat night who has played more than 100 games of AFL footy.

That doesn't mean he is a good player. He's getting game time with us because Blease can't get his act together. Whilst we have him Pederson, Bail and Spencer in the side we are catcus.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

I'm just feeding "the lads" prior to heading off. I have a terrible feeling that I'll need to spend a fair amount of time in the bar today. I have little confidence in a good showing. I just don't think we'll be big enough against this mob.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

I'm just feeding "the lads" prior to heading off. I have a terrible feeling that I'll need to spend a fair amount of time in the bar today. I have little confidence in a good showing. I just don't think we'll be big enough against this mob.

Ha. I'll certainly spend some time in the bar - just been informed I'm a day early!!!

[sue 9,102]

Ha. I'll certainly spend some time in the bar - just been informed I'm a day early!!!

I just thought you lived a long way from the MCG.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Ha. I'll certainly spend some time in the bar - just been informed I'm a day early!!!

Don't lie to us - you've been drinking since about 7am this morning in anticipation of the game yeah?

[Bitter but optimistic 22,239]

Don't lie to us - you've been drinking since about 7am this morning in anticipation of the game yeah?

Biffen sent me some "get well" cookies. I've lost touch with reality since.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

... and then there is the continuing rise of the new skipper to the ranks of the elite.

We shouldn't underestimate the recent elevation of Nathan Jones' game now that he has some better and more experienced players surrounding him in the midfield. His quality 38 possession game shows what the club had in this player over the past two seasons and his ascension into a share of the main leadership role is the icing on top.

Bravo.

About time the football world appreciated his value and worth as a player approaching if not already at elite level instead of just a good player at a weak club.

[samcantstandya 1,045]

prefer neither. rather Blease, Evans or Kent

Ditto

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Jack Watts are all on current form in the elite category imo

if Vince kicked straight he could have had 30 touches and 4 goals, imagine what the Crows would have thought about that.

Jack watts 27 touches at 96% is insane, i never thought he was capable of that

most players on our list have improved their game by 30-40 % in one pre season under Roos, pretty amazing when you think about it

[DeeSpencer 25,687]

Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Jack Watts are all on current form in the elite category imo

if Vince kicked straight he could have had 30 touches and 4 goals, imagine what the Crows would have thought about that.

Jack watts 27 touches at 96% is insane, i never thought he was capable of that

most players on our list have improved their game by 30-40 % in one pre season under Roos, pretty amazing when you think about it

Jack Watts - 1 game against rubbish opponents. 0 tackles. He's a long long way from elite. He'll have to take his game to the next level just to back up his saints game against West Coast.

So are Vince and Jones unless we are kidding ourselves. But North have won a lot of games the last few years with their best midfielders being Wells/Ziebell/Swallow. Hawthorn got the job done last night with no Mitchell and largely without Hodge. No reason we can't win games with Jones and Vince as our best 2. And I'm excited about Viney, Tyson, Watts and Trengove playing games together as a midfield unit.

I don't think the Crows will lose sleep over Vince. They have Dangerfield, Sloane, Douglas, Van Berlo, Brad Couch, Mackay, Brodie Smith, Thompson, Kerridge, Grigg. Vince paid the price for their Tippett punishment. They made the deal knowing full well that Vince was likely to be a better player with the responsibility and opportunity at Melbourne than as a peripheral midfielder in a good side.

[beelzebub 23,364]

I have no particular wish to harp on re Watts as hes trying... I suppose...but 0 tackles for a mid is..'pick a word'

It just always seems that the side of his game that requires abject ferocity and a demand to make opponents accountable is plainly missing.

Some how we need to instill this.

Im hoping as Bernie settles into his role his kicking will return to dangerous. In the absence of much of our attack his long goals will be gold.

Edited March 29, 2014 by beelzebub

[Return to Glory 8,436]

This game will be significantly closer than what people anticipate. We shot ourselves in the foot through bad kicking against St Kilda and we are a much better side at the G(perhaps more so with an improved midfield).

Not brave enough to predict a win but will be surprised if the margin is over 30 points.

Ps- for what it's worth, this is a game I would have loved Michael Evans in. Knows how to find space and I would have thought that he could cause headaches if allowed to float around half forward.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Return to Glory

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,391]

its not about results...its about education

some valuable lessons coming up !!

Great point, a win would be nice but....Some people were calling for JKH to be dropped straight after our loss to the Saints. Are these the same people who complain about development? We can see the changes, Watts had some people(including myself) calling for him to sodd off last year, he has turned himself around in one pre-season. He has set the standard for himself, now it's time to build on that form and put together a similar performance against a more seasoned midfield.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,391]

I have no particular wish to harp on re Watts as hes trying... I suppose...but 0 tackles for a mid is..'pick a word'

It just always seems that the side of his game that requires abject ferocity and a demand to make opponents accountable is plainly missing.

Some how we need to instill this.

Im hoping as Bernie settles into his role his kicking will return to dangerous. In the absence of much of our attack his long goals will be gold.

Tackles and knowing when to attack the ball as opposed to always waiting on the outside will define him. Has explosive speed to break away as well as elusiveness to step through traffic. He's getting there.

[chook fowler 19,458]

well over 20+ passions at 96% is outstanding - give credit where it's due.

[T-34 409]

Jack Watts - 1 game against rubbish opponents. 0 tackles. He's a long long way from elite. He'll have to take his game to the next level just to back up his saints game against West Coast.

So are Vince and Jones unless we are kidding ourselves. But North have won a lot of games the last few years with their best midfielders being Wells/Ziebell/Swallow. Hawthorn got the job done last night with no Mitchell and largely without Hodge. No reason we can't win games with Jones and Vince as our best 2. And I'm excited about Viney, Tyson, Watts and Trengove playing games together as a midfield unit.

I don't think the Crows will lose sleep over Vince. They have Dangerfield, Sloane, Douglas, Van Berlo, Brad Couch, Mackay, Brodie Smith, Thompson, Kerridge, Grigg. Vince paid the price for their Tippett punishment. They made the deal knowing full well that Vince was likely to be a better player with the responsibility and opportunity at Melbourne than as a peripheral midfielder in a good side.

I'm sick of hearing about Jack Watts and his tackle stats. Did you ever consider his new role is purely outside and is not dependent on tackle stats?

Far dinkum what does this bloke need to do to shut some of you experts up? He could have 45 touches and kick 5 from the midfield but if he didn't have 10 tackles he wouldn't be good enough for some.

He can only play what is against him, and that rubbish opposition was still good enough to get the chocolates.

Roos obviously was happy with his game as he mentioned he felt he was Melbourne's best player.

To quote a line from Life of Brian " There's no pleasing some people."

[beelzebub 23,364]

No one in football is exempt from tackling. Its a basic of the game.

[beelzebub 23,364]

well over 20+ passions at 96% is outstanding - give credit where it's due.

hugs and kisses too ?

[Return to Glory 8,436]

Jack Watts - 1 game against rubbish opponents. 0 tackles. He's a long long way from elite. He'll have to take his game to the next level just to back up his saints game against West Coast.

So are Vince and Jones unless we are kidding ourselves. But North have won a lot of games the last few years with their best midfielders being Wells/Ziebell/Swallow. Hawthorn got the job done last night with no Mitchell and largely without Hodge. No reason we can't win games with Jones and Vince as our best 2. And I'm excited about Viney, Tyson, Watts and Trengove playing games together as a midfield unit.

I don't think the Crows will lose sleep over Vince. They have Dangerfield, Sloane, Douglas, Van Berlo, Brad Couch, Mackay, Brodie Smith, Thompson, Kerridge, Grigg. Vince paid the price for their Tippett punishment. They made the deal knowing full well that Vince was likely to be a better player with the responsibility and opportunity at Melbourne than as a peripheral midfielder in a good side.

For fack sake, cut Jack Watts some slack. He played well last week. What did you want him to do? He may play well or he may play poorly this week. If he plays poorly then do your thing and get stuck into him. But until then try being reasonable.

[T-34 409]

Don't know why we bothered with Roos, we could have just rotated some of the luminaries from Demonland through the coaches role.

They could save us money and we would obviously win the flag every year as well.

[BLWNBA 1,003]

This game will be significantly closer than what people anticipate. We shot ourselves in the foot through bad kicking against St Kilda and we are a much better side at the G(perhaps more so with an improved midfield).

Not brave enough to predict a win but will be surprised if the margin is over 30 points.

Ps- for what it's worth, this is a game I would have loved Michael Evans in. Knows how to find space and I would have thought that he could cause headaches if allowed to float around half forward.

Tell him he's dreamin!

Admire your sentiments mate, but can't see it being a close one at all. Far too tall all across the ground.

I can't see us being competitive against the twin towers (Nic Nat and Cox), and our best option there will be just to rove to their hit outs.

I've also got a feeling T Mac won't be able to pull up, in which case our defence will be extremely stretched.

[T-34 409]

It'll all be good as long as Watts racks up the tackles.

[chook fowler 19,458]

GWS all over Saints with Hayes and Montagna. Fair indication of where we're at

[Return to Glory 8,436]

Saints are 5 points up cf.