MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - Round 8

[3Dee 1,153]

I support this team and reckon they can win !

[Demon3 2,541]

I heard some worrying info this morning about the amount of infighting on the ground last week, some of the blame and words exchanged was bad enough to shock some of the Hawthorn players. the person who told me stopped short of naming players. I hope this is an exception rather than the rule, as we were getting demoralised.

I hear that things are ok down at the club and everyone is happy, so I tend to believe this was just frustration, but I did see Jones have a good crack at Howe on Saturday at half time, which I must admit I loved.

On another note, it staggers me beyond belief that we cannot score, other teams that are bad score, St Kilda, Lions, they score.. its getting beyond ridiculous that we have scored 6 times in the 50s its embarrassing, I cant handle it anymore, we did it in R1, but that's the exception, im not saying we should be scoring 100 points plus every week, but it has to be 75+ as the norm, Roos was so strong on % when he took over, well Roosy, im afraid you are going to end your tenure with a % that resembles when you took over unless something changes.

Is anyone else getting so frustrated that its starting to get them a bit down?

sorry.. that just spewed out of me.

[jackaub 1,402]

I heard some worrying info this morning about the amount of infighting on the ground last week, some of the blame and words exchanged was bad enough to shock some of the Hawthorn players. the person who told me stopped short of naming players. I hope this is an exception rather than the rule, as we were getting demoralised.

I hear that things are ok down at the club and everyone is happy, so I tend to believe this was just frustration, but I did see Jones have a good crack at Howe on Saturday at half time, which I must admit I loved.

On another note, it staggers me beyond belief that we cannot score, other teams that are bad score, St Kilda, Lions, they score.. its getting beyond ridiculous that we have scored 6 times in the 50s its embarrassing, I cant handle it anymore, we did it in R1, but that's the exception, im not saying we should be scoring 100 points plus every week, but it has to be 75+ as the norm, Roos was so strong on % when he took over, well Roosy, im afraid you are going to end your tenure with a % that resembles when you took over unless something changes.

Is anyone else getting so frustrated that its starting to get them a bit down?

sorry.. that just spewed out of me.

I saw both Dunn and Garland giving it out to some of the midfielders. They were clearly frustrated Also I think Dunn had a go at Howe

[old dee 23,256]

I support this team and reckon they can win !

We all support the same team 3Dee

But there is a difference between blind faith and reality.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,024]

Few players are playing for their careers over the coming weeks, I will be fascinated to see how it all unfolds

I think the ones in question are already gone, the fact we have injuries give Roos the chance to shop them around. Having said that we won't get much.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,024]

I support this team and reckon they can win !

I agree, to simply say the Dogs pushed Freo and we got smashed by the Hawks is to simplistic. I remember many on here had us losing to Richmond. But wait the Dogs beat Sydney? Yes but also got beaten by the Saints and flogged by the Hawks. They are a young side playing an exciting brand of footy. They were stuffed after the Swans(all be it in the wet) and ran themselves ragged last week against a side who sometimes just does enough as it paces itself for the year. As much as it pains me to say this we are still a side that gets itself up for certain games as opposed to coming to play every week and this is one of those games. Take this game each way in your multi. Edited May 22, 2015 by Al's Demons

[Demon Stalwart 255]

I actually look forward to this match. I want to see how our half forward line works , Brayshaw Watts and Pederson , based on Pederson's performance last week hopefully Brayshaw and Watts will be able to feed off his endeavors and gain a extra edge

[Wunders 392]

I remember Gawn rucking solo against Minson in a game where we were either overrun or came very close to it, and he was completely cactus and hardly competed in the last quarter. Looks as if it might have been in this game in 2013: http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2013/071120130629.html. It was a huge factor in the result.

It has happened, but not recently that I can recall. That said, given his injury history, I'd be surprised if his engine was that much bigger now than it was then. Not withstanding Spencer's limitations, going in to to a game with Gawn as the solo ruck is a risk IMO.

At the moment I feel we've got a choice between 3 ruckmen that all add nothing at their worst and are a long way off their best. Agree that Spencer has the lowest ceiling of the three, but I think he's the right choice for the time being.

Yep, i almost posted that his endurance was poor (his inability at times to use his weight and height also is worrying). Since then he has been played in the VFL as a forward, or AFL as a forward. How is he going to improve his conditioning for the ruck if hes sitting in the goal square for big parts of the game (that's what frustrates me, he showed he could match minson for three quarters when minson was very good, but since we have chosen to play spencer and Jamar in that main role at VFL/AFL level).

He can do extra conditioning etc.. but thats not match conditioning (which is a big step up on pre season training and VFL matches in general).

Oh well, at least our forward line looks good with hogan back - just need to get it there now!

[hardtack 10,187]

We all support the same team 3Dee

But there is a difference between blind faith and reality.

There's my problem.. I have little faith and a lot of blind reality.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,839]

I wasn't sure whether to like this post or not. That really tells a horrible story.

If our midfield breaks even, our forwards win their battles and our backs hold their forwards, we'll have played a good team game, IMO.

But you're right. We're going into this game very rightly as underdogs (pun not intended ).

I wouldn't waste Tommy on Boyd at this stage. The latter has struggle to impact the game like Hogan has. I'd be risking it and starting Dunn on Boyd and seeing if he can run off him. Crameri gave us problems last year, because I think he was awarded two or three of his goals from free kicks - arguably because he was too big for Dunn. Still, I think I'd play Tommy on him this time. Therefore, perhaps Howe plays on Stringer, which leaves Garland for Boyd? Just typing that out makes me a little concerned. We might get done for height there. I wonder if that's why Fitzy is being considered? He's been playing in the backline at Casey, hasn't he?

Stringer would physically destroy Howe.

Edited May 22, 2015 by Dr. Gonzo

[praha 10,575]

Gee, Watts straight back in after a decent at best performance in the VFL. I certainly think at his best he's in our top 22 but if he has a bad outing this week, it will be telling. Clearly Roos and the FD think he is required for this week's match-up so he must be an important in for the team. Must perform.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,659]

I saw both Dunn and Garland giving it out to some of the midfielders. They were clearly frustrated Also I think Dunn had a go at Howe

Dunn has a go at someone every week when we're losing.

[old dee 23,256]

Howe is a player i am over.

It is fairly obvious he wants to leave.

So lets get the best deal for him.

He takes the occasional specie mark and not a lot else.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

lol. We've got McKenzie, Michie and Riley doing the job of dominant VFL, not up to AFL mid just fine thanks.

We should've combed the state leagues for a mature outside running player to compete with Matt Jones to fill any spots for when we need extra running players.

And we should've fixed Dean Terlich instead of making him worse because we now have no one to compete with Grimes for half back depth.

Plus you know, the years of poor recruiting and developing doesn't help.

and the players fleeing the ship, and the injuries, and the jurrah scenario, and the underfunded footy department, and having 4 coaches in 9 years, and the tanking/loser's culture...(*gets noose)

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I don't understand why Bernie is now earmarked as a "run with" player. Is it all because he effectively got in Dangerfield's face? His tackle count might be up but his average disposals have gone from 24 last season to 19 this season.

He is an important part of our offense. That needs to be his first priority.

good call, he came 3rd in our BnF for this reason. Actually kicked some wicked goals from outside the paint too. I want that Bernie back please.

[praha 10,575]

good call, he came 3rd in our BnF for this reason. Actually kicked some wicked goals from outside the paint too. I want that Bernie back please.

Most of our midfielders our down on disposals.

Jones

Cross

Tyson

Vince

All down on previous years.

[3Dee 1,153]

The best thing that could have happened to the team is the last three weeks. Strong believer that you only improve playing the best, regardless of result.

A lot can happen within a week, looking forward to the next few rounds.

thankfully it's at the G!

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Most of our midfielders our down on disposals.

Jones

Cross

Tyson

Vince

All down on previous years.

and viney injured

[Wiseblood 24,636]

The best thing that could have happened to the team is the last three weeks. Strong believer that you only improve playing the best, regardless of result.

A lot can happen within a week, looking forward to the next few rounds.

thankfully it's at the G!

I like your positivity about the weekend 3Dee, even if I don't necessarily share the same views. I agree that only by playing the best do we improve, but I still think the Dogs are too strong through the middle for us to beat them. I'll have my fingers crossed but the expectations are certainly lowered.

[Maggot 1977 263]

Most of our midfielders our down on disposals.

Jones

Cross

Tyson

Vince

All down on previous years.

Here in lies the major reason for our poor season to date, our experienced midfielders have all to date been down on past years.

In 2015 our backline has looked better and with the exception of Dunne & Howe all seem to be having good years. our forward line (when we can get the ball in there) looks a lot more potent with Garlett and Hogan.

But Cross(old) Tyson(injury/form) & Vince really need to start impacting games more. Wouldn't it be nice to have a midfield group where 30+ possessions a game and a goal is the norm for all.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

Given Hawthorn replaced a player (was it last week?) with someone who wasn't even listed as an emergency, we should recognise that the last three players picked by any team is a bit irrelevant. It seems more likely to me that Fitzpatrick is the mystery injury of the week.

[Jaded No More 60,170]

I think Howe is only getting a game because Salem and Jetta are injured and Terlich is a worse option.

He has been lazy and soft and hasn't contributed for weeks.

If he wants out he can [censored] right off. Sick of players not caring.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I think Howe is only getting a game because Salem and Jetta are injured and Terlich is a worse option.

He has been lazy and soft and hasn't contributed for weeks.

If he wants out he can [censored] right off. Sick of players not caring.

the thing I don't understand is how can you not be motivated to have a good year to get a better contract from the club that takes you

they won't be lining up the way he is going

[Lucifers Hero 37,524]

Sorry to be bearer of bad news: Tyson out Mitchie in.

Edit: Maybe Mitchie can shut down Cory Dickson who kicked 7 last week. I hope someone can as their on-ballers are kicking a lot of goals lately

Edited May 22, 2015 by Lucifer's Hero

[ManDee 7,101]

the thing I don't understand is how can you not be motivated to have a good year to get a better contract from the club that takes you

they won't be lining up the way he is going

Unless the deal is done and he has been told to look after himself.