Given our next three games are against teams that play two ruckmen, I think a 2nd ruck is something that needs to be looked at. So changes I'd make are:

OUT:

Jetta (conc)

Kent (inj)

IN:

Fitzpatrick & one of

Bail, M. Jones, Toumpas

I'd bring Fitzy in and effectively use him as a tall defender/tagger. Get him to follow Zac Clarke arounf all day, so when Clarke's forward, Fitz is on him, and when Clarke goes into the ruck so does Fitz. Can then do the same against Ceglar & Tippett. Having Fitz in the back 6 would allow Howe to play as more of a utility to wherever he's needed.

I'd let tomorrow dictate who I'd bring in for Kent, but I'd be looking at one of Bail, M. Jones or Toumpas to play as the sub who can come on to add some run. Only thing they all lack that Kent has though is Kent's toughness at the contest.

FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem

HB: Garland, McDonald, Lumumbaa

C: Michie, Vince, Tyson

HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris

FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett

FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones

INT: Brayshaw, Howe, Newton

SUB: Bail/M. Jones/Toumpas???

Watching Sandilands now. Russian will be crushed without help.

In: Gawn, Grimes

Out: Jetta, Kent

Watts is safe for this week.

I can't believe I'm saying this.

Probably because the cheer squad has started the Banner.

"Watts 100 average games"

We will need an extra tall as Freo monitoring Sydney with their tall strong bodies. Clarke and Taberner will be hard to cover so I hope a tall back plays a blinder tomorrow. Jamar does not have a great record against Sandilands.

Hopefully Freo have a downer after a big game tonight because they look seriously good

Because Jetta a shut down defender. Did you read your own post?

Thank you Stu, I'm aware of that. Yes I did read my own post but I think the context surrounding them was lost on you.

Next....

Ever consider he's actually playing ok?

His decision making used to be a highlight of his game but that too has currently gone missing along with his confidence. Some of his defensive efforts last night were questionable. As others work their backsides off running both ways, Watts at times seems to take his time. You can selectively use stats to suit any argument for or against. The work in progress/potential card had been played a thousand times. I think he would benefit from a stint at Casey and some extra tuition from McCartney. Give him another run in a few weeks.

Last year Grimes was supposedly untouchable even though he churned out some ordinary performances. Was that because of lack of options? I don't hear many complaints about our backline or Salem for that matter. If Pedo was to make the team I think he'd play like every game was his last. Imagine if he took a couple of marks inside 50 and then kicked a couple. Suddenly the pressure is on Watts to lift his intensity. Now we all know Watts has class and can be an elite user of the footy, now imagine he's playing with an increased level of intensity......what a concept.

Edited April 25, 201510 yr by Al's Demons

His decision making used to be a highlight of his game but that too has currently gone missing along with his confidence. Some of his defensive efforts last night were questionable. As others work their backsides off running both ways, Watts at times seems to take his time. You can selectively use stats to suit any argument for or against. The work in progress/potential card had been played a thousand times. I think he would benefit from a stint at Casey and some extra tuition from McCartney. Give him another run in a few weeks.

I think it's a judgment call and it's line ball. And I'd have much more confidence in Roos's ability to make that call than anybody on DL. Especially myself.

We will need an extra tall as Freo monitoring Sydney with their tall strong bodies. Clarke and Taberner will be hard to cover so I hope a tall back plays a blinder tomorrow. Jamar does not have a great record against Sandilands.

Gawn is the only player on an AFL list approaching Sandilands in height. (Ex-Freo player Robbie Warnock [Carlton] is third tallest.) If we don't use Fitzy to replace Jetta in the back half and help in the ruck then maybe Gawn might be used in lieu of Jamar for the Freo game only?

We need to find out if Toumpas can play at senior level - because of injuries, we've got a chance to promote him and give him a good crack at it (4 game block) A match committee does not think along the lines of bringing in a player for 1 or 2 games (unless they are last man in for an otherwise automatic choice) They will give a player an opportunity to prove themselves.

Others have been given ample opportunities and have been found wanting. They really are now only depth players for when we have a rash of injuries (which may or may not happen)

It's worth noting that Toumpas has only played 19 games (14 of which came in that horrid, dysfunctional year of 2013) It's often accepted that a player usually needs 60-70 games under his belt before that player will start to feel totally comfortable at AFL level.

On top of all that, he was our leading possession winner in the 2's today so in many ways, he's earned his spot. Straight swap for Kent whilst Grimes will probably come in for Jetta.

Ralph on SEN today says that Tyson may have jarred his knee (the one he hurt at GWS) and will be doubtful for next Sunday.

Ralph on SEN today says that Tyson may have jarred his knee (the one he hurt at GWS) and will be doubtful for next Sunday.

Probably the reason why he had it strapped up in the last qtr.

He played the whole last QTR in the forward line too.

Out: Kent, Jetta

In: Pedersen, Grimes

Ralph on SEN today says that Tyson may have jarred his knee (the one he hurt at GWS) and will be doubtful for next Sunday.

Wasn't it Tyson who collided with a goal post on Friday night when trying to smother a kick for goal? Whoever it was came up limping.

How about calling them an Immanuel?

Thanks BBO. I hadn't realised previously that when our players are talking about "structures" they're actually explaining the philosophical musings of Immanuel.

We need to replace Kent with speed. Bail is the perfect replacement in terms of playing that defensive fast forward role. He can't kick, which we know, but he does work hard defensively. It's a no brainer for me.

We could try to bring [Pedersen] in for Jetta. That means Garland needs to play small, which he has done before, and [Pedersen] will help in the ruck and play as a defender to help the back 6 in Jetta's absence. Or Lamumba goes from wing to the backline and Pedersen goes forward.

As much as I don't want to stuff up the balance by bringing in a tall for a small, I think it's too risky to go with just 1 ruckman against Freo.

I suppose selection will also come down to weather. We could go 1 ruckman if it's going to be wet, but I don't think Roos will risk it. If Jamar goes down, we literally won't be able to win a clearance.

Neither can Kent, so it's just a matter of whether he's as quick as Kent. I don't think he is. But he's the best replacement unfortunately.

After today's VFL game and the news about Tyson, I reckon the three changes should be:

Fitzpatrick for Kent

Grimes for Jetta

M. Jones for Tyson

FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem

HB: Garland, McDonald, Lumumba

C: Howe, Vince, Newton

HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris

FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett

FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones

INT: Brayshaw, Grimes, Michie

SUB: M. Jones

With Fitzy going back to run around with Zac Clarke, I'd move Howe onto a wing so we can use his speed. Salem can cover Walters and I'd get the experienced Lumumba or maybe Grimes to mind Ballantyne. McDonald gets Pav, Dunn onto Taberet or whatever his name is and Garland to take Fyfe when he drifts forward.

Matt Jones as sub to provide some run when he comes on.

Ralph on SEN today says that Tyson may have jarred his knee (the one he hurt at GWS) and will be doubtful for next Sunday.

nah, he said 50/50

Roos might surprise with a 'left-field' selection this week. He has shown he is prepared to risk a loss to get the right behaviours from the players, which suggests he may not pick players with high possessions/good individual games at Casey.

As we don't know the instructions/role each player had its hard to tell who did 'what the coaches told them to'. Wouldn't be surprised if one replacement was a player who will benefit from the experience of playing against Freo/Swans/Hawks as part of their development. Stretch maybe? Starting with the sub vest.

Edited April 27, 201510 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Those calling for Gawn to combat Sandilands really needed to be at Whitten Oval yesterday, unfortunately big Maxy is not in form, he was very ordinary

I feel like if we bring in Spencer we become too one dimensional.

Spencer has shown before that he is a total liability when he isn't rucking. Jamar isn't a massive accumulator either, but he is a good ruckman. You bring in a secondary ruck who isn't a forward, isn't fast, isn't good with footy in hand, and we lose run and mobility against one of the best midfields in the competition.

Selection is going to be very difficult this week.

We are now down 3 of our best 22 in Viney, Kent and Jetta. For a team lacking any depth, this is a big blow.

My best bet is that Grimes will come in to replace Jetta in a defensive role, and Bail comes in for Kent to help with speed and shutting down their rebound from half back.

Who helps Jamar is beyond me. Do we risk him getting injured and being without any ruckman, or do we take the chance of him going it alone and giving ourselves a better chance by keeping our run and going smaller?

I do not envy Roos this week, and it is a shame that Gawn is in poor form because this would have been his golden ticket to selection.

Given that our injured list is lengthening, it's comforting to know that in blokes like Bail, Grimes and Pedo we've got experienced players who'll give it a real go.

Out: Kent, Jetta

In: Grimes, Toumpas

I'd bring in like for like types. The best way of nullifying Sandi/Clarke is Jamar offering a contest and our mids sharking plenty of taps. I'd only bother with the likes of Bail, M Jones, McKenzie et al if we are completely injury ravaged.

Given our next three games are against teams that play two ruckmen, I think a 2nd ruck is something that needs to be looked at. So changes I'd make are:

OUT:

Jetta (conc)

Kent (inj)

IN:

Fitzpatrick & one of

Bail, M. Jones, Toumpas

I'd bring Fitzy in and effectively use him as a tall defender/tagger. Get him to follow Zac Clarke arounf all day, so when Clarke's forward, Fitz is on him, and when Clarke goes into the ruck so does Fitz. Can then do the same against Ceglar & Tippett. Having Fitz in the back 6 would allow Howe to play as more of a utility to wherever he's needed.

I'd let tomorrow dictate who I'd bring in for Kent, but I'd be looking at one of Bail, M. Jones or Toumpas to play as the sub who can come on to add some run. Only thing they all lack that Kent has though is Kent's toughness at the contest.

FB: Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Salem

HB: Garland, McDonald, Lumumbaa

C: Michie, Vince, Tyson

HF: Vandenberg, Hogan, Kennedy-Harris

FF: Watts, Dawes, Garlett

FOLL: Jamar, Cross, N. Jones

INT: Brayshaw, Howe, Newton

SUB: Bail/M. Jones/Toumpas???

I quite like this, but based on what I saw last Sunday, Toumpas is nowhere near ready. Attracts the ball well, but continually gives it up both by hand and foot. Fitzpatrick though was good down back and is not a bad ruck backup. I would say:

OUT: Kent, Jetta

IN: Fitzpatrick, Grimes.