Changes v GWS - Round 21 @ MCG

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

Pederson was dropped for Gawn so even if fit I see Gawn holding his spot

Pedersen had surgery to fix his face.

[low flying Robbo 979]

would be epic if he played but he hasnt played a game all year and will surely come back through Casey?

Don't you mean start at Casey?

This guy still hasn't played an AFL game for us... I can't wait

[Waltham33 409]

There is every chance Demonland is in melt down come Sunday afternoon. Not wedded to any changes

Edited August 10, 2014 by Waltham33

[Redleg 37,906]

Not sure of our changes, but I predict GWS will rest anyone who can play good football.

[dazzledavey36 49,001]

Anyone reckon James Harmes could be a smoky selection?

[Grint 30]

I though Salem was a few weeks injury... Also didn't Peterson have surgery? I thought that's why he missed but was written everywhere as omitted... If not bring Salem in but I wouldn't make to many changes to that side unless it's necessary

[Guest]

I think besides last week (and the Brisbane game did call for it) we won't see that many changes in a Paul Roos coached team.

I think Pedo will be rested for one more week and then the onus will be on him to get his position back. It sounds like Maximus Gawnius had a pretty decent game so it will be up to Cam to knock him out of the team.

It's just me but I don't think we should be getting too far ahead of ourselves on this 'Giants tanking' talk. Call me paranoid, call it MFCSS but I have a weird feeling about this game.
It will be up to our leaders to push Roosy's message that it is no time to put the cue in the rack and if you start looking forward to preseason now, then it's possible that you won't be there for preseason.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Colin B. Flaubert

[sue 8,463]

Playing Hogan would be a nice touch but I doubt that the club would go to such extreme lengths of rushing someone in like that - let's see who was the last guy we rushed in for a debut - JW.

But I've been saying for three weeks no Roos should start Watts as the sub. The reason is that if he drops him, it ends uo being a huge story about how Roosy has lost faith in him and media has a field day. By making him sub, his demotion gets lost in all the game-day stuff and if comes on and makes an impact then Roosy can explain it as a planned move because of a long season.

Grimes will come straight back in if he passes a fitness test - he didn't do hardly anything at all on Thursday so I doubt he will be right.

Pedersen will be considered but with Gawn firing, unless they are going to drop Garland, there's no spot for him.

The only other change I'd like to see is Salem and I'd prefer he played down back - another thing I've been banging on about is how we are the only side in the AFL with a back six that are all right footers - hence we struggle with precise kicking down left side of park unless Dom floats back. Salem tackles well, he's not a bad mark for his size and we all know he can kick.

Obviously if we get Malceski the problem's solved a bit but the Hawks have five left-footers in their back seven - Duryea, Suckling, Hodge and Gibson and Birchall - could be something in why they do that.

Doesn't that mean that the Hawks would struggle with precise kicking down left right side of park ? Not much sign of that.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I know he had a quiet game but JKH must stay in.

[bing181 8,186]

I know he had a quiet game but JKH must stay in.

Agree, and it's not as if there are a heap of others hammering the door down.

Maybe Salem, all the other possibles have been tried and found wanting. Though Grimes may be ready, in which case someone has to give way.

[Tough Kent 2,049]

Pedo was left out of the team. It was based on this that it was decided he have the surgery that could've waited till the end of the year.

I'd love to see Harmes get a run against the GWS kids this week.

[chook fowler 18,332]

Would love to see us play McKenzie at full forward, Nicho at centre half forward, Viney at full back and JKH at centre half back and dare the AFL to do anything in light of what GWS are doing

[rpfc 27,590]

There is no way we are 'resting players, or sending them for surgery, or experimenting, or playing an abundance of youth' (ie. Tanking) this game after what came out of Roos' mouth last week.

We are going to absolutely smash GWS.

The only thing that will stop it is if the mindset of the blokes running out for the MFC is terrible.

So GWS are a chance...

Edited August 11, 2014 by rpfc

[Satyriconhome 9,986]

There is no way we are 'resting players, or sending them for surgery, or experimenting, or playing an abundance of youth' (ie. Tanking) this game after what came out of Roos' mouth last week.

We are going to absolutely smash GWS.

The only thing that will stop it is if the mindset of the blokes running out for the MFC is terrible.

So GWS are a chance...

The mindset displayed on this site sometimes is terrible, the second half against the Hawks put the brakes on, we are still so far behind what were supporters expecting, this season was about Roos sorting the wheat from the chaff.......Barry, Riley, Tyson, Michie showed at the weekend we are on the right track....Roos comment at the end of his presser that players can't afford to wait till pre season will ensure that whichever 22 are sent out this weekend their minds will be set firmly on the task at hand

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,499]

Pedo was left out of the team. It was based on this that it was decided he have the surgery that could've waited till the end of the year.

I'd love to see Harmes get a run against the GWS kids this week.

Just in support of Tough Kent's post, Matt Burgan went out of his way in his post-team selection online chit-chat thingie to make it clear that Pedersen was dropped and because of that they brought his surgery forward to last week.

What's interesting to me is why it needed to be said. Was it a message to Gawn that he'd earned his spot on merit and not just because of a vacancy opening up through injury? Or a message to Pedersen that his form had tailed off so much that he needed to appreciate he was out of the team on merit (or whatever the antonym of that word is)? Or possibly both?

[P-man 13,239]

We should belt them and I hope we do just that.

Salem for M Jones the only change I'd make, but no changes seems likely.

Agree that JKH needs another run. He was poor but I don't think he was dreadful. He needs gametime.

We did look a defender short at times with both Grimes and Terlich out of the side. Watts isn't a defender and Barry is a couple of games into his career. Will be interesting to see what Roos does this week.

[rpfc 27,590]

Just in support of Tough Kent's post, Matt Burgan went out of his way in his post-team selection online chit-chat thingie to make it clear that Pedersen was dropped and because of that they brought his surgery forward to last week.

What's interesting to me is why it needed to be said. Was it a message to Gawn that he'd earned his spot on merit and not just because of a vacancy opening up through injury? Or a message to Pedersen that his form had tailed off so much that he needed to appreciate he was out of the team on merit (or whatever the antonym of that word is)? Or possibly both?

Could just have been a match up thing. Gawn is better as a second ruck, Pedersen better as a forward but if you don't think Pedersen will trouble the Hawks defenders - sending out the bearded lamp post can be a good alternative.

I think Pedersen has shown he can be a very good utility with good skills and a great grab. Roos should be able to find him a role for the next couple of years.

[binman 38,776]

I know he had a quiet game but JKH must stay in.

I'm not sure about that. He was very poor and Roos gave him a chance to show what he had by one not starting him as a sub and two not subbing him when he deserved to be the one off the ground.

Also i saw a bit of bad body language, lack of effort and not playing the team game in one contest on the wing that worries me TBH. I wonder a little about his attitude.

[watchtheeyes 1,210]

I'm not sure about that. He was very poor and Roos gave him a chance to show what he had by one not starting him as a sub and two not subbing him when he deserved to be the one off the ground.

Also i saw a bit of bad body language, lack of effort and not playing the team game in one contest on the wing that worries me TBH. I wonder a little about his attitude.

Worry a bit about his attitude with only a handful of games - this is also at odds with all the chat from coaches and draft camp.

Can we please limits attacks on this kid until he's played at least 20/30 games, because he is just that; a kid. (As are Salem, Barry and Toumpas I might add.)

[binman 38,776]

Worry a bit about his attitude with only a handful of games - this is also at odds with all the chat from coaches and draft camp.

Can we please limits attacks on this kid until he's played at least 20/30 games, because he is just that; a kid. (As are Salem, Barry and Toumpas I might add.)

I don't think its fair to accuse me of attacking him. Saying i wonder a little about his attitude is hardly an attack. His attitude was terrific early on, which i was why i have a query about it now.

[Satyriconhome 9,986]

I'm not sure about that. He was very poor and Roos gave him a chance to show what he had by one not starting him as a sub and two not subbing him when he deserved to be the one off the ground.

Also i saw a bit of bad body language, lack of effort and not playing the team game in one contest on the wing that worries me TBH. I wonder a little about his attitude.

Do you want to elaborate? Agree JKH couldn't make an impact, but it wasn't from the lack of trying

[P-man 13,239]

I don't think its fair to accuse me of attacking him. Saying i wonder a little about his attitude is hardly an attack. His attitude was terrific early on, which i was why i have a query about it now.

Not an attack but still unfair to be calling his attitude into question imo. He's a first year player entering round 21 of the season who has played more the games this year than Salem and Barry combined. He is going to show signs of fatigue.

[dazzledavey36 49,001]

I didnt watch the game but surpriser to hear about JKH body language.

Apparently pre draft he was classed as a kid with high character strong, work ethic future and good leadership qualities.

[Maggot 1977 263]

Outs: Bail & Jones

In: Grimes & Salem

[Deespicable 2,561]

Doesn't that mean that the Hawks would struggle with precise kicking down left right side of park ? Not much sign of that.

It's a good point but no, they have right-footers in Stratton and Spanger to balance it up a bit along with Lake when he comes back.

My point is actually that you need a balance down back and not having anyone comfortable peeling left like we do is not a good set up.

You only have to look at how soccer team's are desperate for left-footers to play left wing and left back to know it has an advantage.

We've picked up a few left-footers lately with Viney, Kent and Tyson but we one down back IMO.

I also think it will allow Salem to sue his sensational kicking skills - it's a lot easier for defenders to get a kick than playing as a small forward, so why waste him.