MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - Round 4

[P-man 13,366]

The Saints killed them with speed, both running and ball movement. No doubt hopeful of doing the same. Good luck to him. 

[DeeSpencer 25,434]

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

"Disagree. We are now doing what the good sides do, giving talented young players time, to develop their bodies and game. "

I wrote the above comment in January on Hunt after earlier posts last year when several posters wanted to delist him.

The point is however, we are now a different club to the crap we were a few years ago. 

We are doing so many things better and player development is one of them.

This kid has been kept on the list for a few years, where he had a number of injuries, which restricted his game time for Casey. He has been allowed to get his body right, develop his game and is now playing his first AFL game.

We are developing a good list and our future looks bright. We just need to cherry pick a few players in the next year or two and we will become a strong club.

 

 

Still got to see the player development from VFL talent to AFL regular, from AFL regular to guys who perform most weeks and then from that a handful of guys to show they are right up to the best in the comp. It's a long process so I'm not saying we have gone wrong but I don't think we can get too excited yet.

The likes of Tyson and Kennedy need to find that consistency that proves they are good players. Brayshaw, Oliver, Salem etc need to prove they play good games week after week. And new guys like Hunt and Wagner need to show they belong at the level.

I think driving professional standards as Roos has been can take any decent young draftee and make them stronger, smarter, fitter and too good for the VFL. 

That alone is a massive step for us, but it's only step 1. 

I'm still a bit dubious about Hunt's kicking, and suggested the rookie list would be reasonable for him. But he showed a bit last year for Casey and it was clear when he came back from preseason break that he was stronger, fitter and fast. I hope he's not shy on debut as he's going to be a bit like Lumumba in that his value to the side will require him to run and take risks. Fans should be patient with him.

[DeeSpencer 25,434]

4 minutes ago, AngryAtCasey said:

The filth have upgraded 211cm rookie ruck Mason Cox. Think if he plays we'll be forced to bring in Oscar.

Oscar on Moore, Dunn on Cloke and Tom on whichever of Cox or Grundy is resting forward.

Agree. Assuming good weather. We might have to leave out Wagner purely based on match ups. 

[Little Richard 6,261]

15 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Agree. Assuming good weather. We might have to leave out Wagner purely based on match ups. 

I heard Moore was injured?

[Nasher 33,607]

27 minutes ago, Redleg said:

"Disagree. We are now doing what the good sides do, giving talented young players time, to develop their bodies and game. "

I wrote the above comment in January on Hunt after earlier posts last year when several posters wanted to delist him.

People didn't *want* him delisted, we just thought he would be. I think it's an important distinction. I still think he would have been had we not managed to re-home Toumpas and Howe.

Anyway, good luck to the lad. Very surprising selection if we're also persisting with Wagner; I can see the intention but there are obvious risks.

[Brian Wilson 331]

3 hours ago, Akum said:

Clearances are so important in this match.  Like I said before the Essendon game, I don't want to see us a few goals behind halfway through the third quarter scratching our heads wondering why we're getting smashed in clearances when we should be winning them. The Pies will be planning their whole game strategy on being able to nullify Gawn & Viney (for example, they'll plan for the ball landing at the ruck men's feet at just about every stoppage, and they'll be swarming on the ball & getting first hands & blocking & digging it out, while the taps to advantage that we're waiting for just aren't coming) and we need to anticipate before the game what we're going to do if they manage to do it. For example, if McCaffer's wearing Viney like lycra, Viney doesn't try to win the clearance but tries to block another Collingwood mid (say, Treloar) at stoppages, thus taking two opponents (Treloar & McCaffer) out; or move Viney to full forward, where against a mid-tagger his greater strength will be extremely dangerous and harder to counter.

We actually won the centre clearances against the Bombers quite handsomely and broke even around the ground. Our clearance work has improved dramatically this year, precisely because we don't depend on any one player to do the job (though heaven help us if maximum goes down).

It's the inconsistency of our ball movement that has meant we have only won four quarters so far. Move the ball well and we will win. Our kicking has to be good.

[hells bells 2,023]

33 minutes ago, P-man said:

The Saints killed them with speed, both running and ball movement. No doubt hopeful of doing the same. Good luck to him. 

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

[M_9 2,078]

Knowing the family I kept an eye on Hunt in the two pre-season games he played. For some reason he did not play against the Saints nor in the intra-club that weekend.

I must say he was disappointing, so he must have shown improvement since.

Dad, Alan is in China playing golf but may be back by Sunday. Uncle Andy (Moir) will be there to see his number 29 run around.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

In:  Brayshaw, Pedersen, Neal-Bullen, Hunt and Garlett

Out:  Vandenberg (ankle), Vince (suspension)

[mrtwister 652]

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

In:  Brayshaw, Pedersen, Neal-Bullen, Hunt and Garlett

Out:  Vandenberg (ankle), Vince (suspension)

All 5 ins named on the interchange with  Stretch and Wagner  

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

In:  Brayshaw, Pedersen, Neal-Bullen, Hunt and Garlett

Out:  Vandenberg (ankle), Vince (suspension)

 

[Bang Bang Bang 5,801]

Hunt and Garlett definite, with Brayshaw a possibility to come in for Stretch or Wagner would be my guess.

[M_9 2,078]

Gawn should have a day out against Mason Cox. 
I worry about Varcoe but you'd think Jetta would have his measure. A match-up for Sidebottom?

[mo64 5,853]

16 minutes ago, Sylvia Saint said:

Hunt and Garlett definite, with Brayshaw a possibility to come in for Stretch or Wagner would be my guess.

I'd say he's very doubtful.

Edited April 14, 2016 by mo64

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Am actually more confident going into this game than I was before the druggies game

[Little Richard 6,261]

Their team actually looks pretty good on paper. But damn, some of their players are performing horribly.

Pendles is a gun but very sore, Cloke horribly out of form, Sidebottom not the player he was, Treloar prolific but wasteful and Adams decidedly underwhelming.

After reading that sentence, I feel more confident.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

4 minutes ago, Django said:

Their team actually looks pretty good on paper. But damn, some of their players are performing horribly.

Pendles is a gun but very sore, Cloke horribly out of form, Sidebottom not the player he was, Treloar prolific but wasteful and Adams decidedly underwhelming.

After reading that sentence, I feel more confident.

Agreed.....its strange then they are favorites?...Coll $1.45 Melb $2.70 Get on.

[P-man 13,366]

Just now, Wadda We Sing said:

Agreed.....its strange then they are favorites?...Coll $1.45 Melb $2.70 Get on.

Way ahead of ya

[Deecisive 1,709]

On paper an on form we should have this, but our mental fragility is the question, are we going to come out trying to beat Collingwood by 100 points or are we coming out just hoping to win and being satisfied by staying close to them on the scoreboard.  The dees have to set their sights high and give themselves a stretch target not just aim to get the 4 points by a point or a goal, we need to win and win well.

[monoccular 17,411]

5 hours ago, Forest Demon said:

I am almost certain that media outlets are trying to pump this up as a certainty for Collingwood, so they can get even more mileage out of it next week if they lose.

I don't see how any sane football watcher could have Collingwood that far ahead of us on what we have seen so far.

Anyway, we will see Sunday.

I guess, on history, MFC do not do well in matches they are expected to win.

Will the team make that change this weekend?  It is up to them.

[pineapple dee 2,892]

29 minutes ago, M_9 said:

Gawn should have a day out against Mason Cox. 
I worry about Varcoe but you'd think Jetta would have his measure. A match-up for Sidebottom?

Varcoe is a good player but he will be under done. Frost could be a good option for Sidebottom.

[CBDees 3,167]

I hope that Hunt's debut isn't at the expense of either Garlett or Brayshaw returning! Do they have to cut three out of the extended interchange bench when they finalise the list, or can they drop one (or two) of the players named in field positions (such as Bugg or M.Jones)? The MFC website says that he is a starter.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,819]

18 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Agreed.....its strange then they are favorites?...Coll $1.45 Melb $2.70 Get on.

Not a bad bet. I think Norf at $3 for 40+ is a pretty good bet as well. 

[binman 42,592]

23 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Agreed.....its strange then they are favorites?...Coll $1.45 Melb $2.70 Get on.

I have to say i'm a bit gun shy backing the dees but good value i agree.

The real value might be over 39.5 at around $13. I think the pies are vulnerable to a big loss. They will come out breathing fire but that will suit us down to the ground as that's our go these days. Its one reaon why i had was reasonably confident going into last weeks game (ie the roos are a physical side and like hard footy)

Their problem is their system, offensively and defensively. They are struggling to put a score on the board and stopping the opposition scoring. 120 points to the saints last week is a huge worry for a defensively minded unit (usually).

If we get on top i suspect they might crumble.

Edited April 14, 2016 by binman

[Undeeterred 3,117]

1 hour ago, PaulRB said:

This kind of makes me smile - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-14/us-import-mason-cox-upgraded-from-collingwood-rookie-list

I definitely am nominating him as the Kent Kingsley Spud of the Week to Kick 6 Against Melbourne Despite Nobody Having Ever Seen Him Catch a Footy Before.

Previously won by such luminaries as Beau Waters (twice I think).

[In Harmes Way 7,735]

I think we look pretty young with all of Wagner, Stretch, Harmes, ANB and Hunt in the 22 (if that's how it pans out). Match committee are smarter than me, though, I just hope we're not underdone.

congrats to Hunt, testament to his perseverance. Loved the video of him calling his Mum, nice touch.