Changes vs Freo

[The heart beats true 18,123]

I reckon Weid and Hannan are in strife, but one of them probably gets saved by the VFL fixture and the fact we have no bloody idea whose in good touch. I'd say Hannan's ok and Pedo replaces Weid simply because Hannan is more versatile once the balls on the ground - but if we are looking long term I'd flip that decision as clearly we need Weid to come on.

Pedo is a good option as he can work through the ruck role as well (I still like Wattsy in there too since it gets him involved). Spencil will need more breaks than Max does, and he'll probably move through the bench more as he's not SUPER versatile around goal 

 

[dees189227 12,391]

Weids has to go for Pederson. He and Watts can be up forward. Smith deserves another week. Obviously Spencer for Gawn. Geez that will be interesting. 

[Phadraig 760]

I was thinking Spencer and Pedersen in as the 2nd ruck but I'm torn. I quite like Watts as the second ruck, lets him get involved in the play a lot more. His second efforts tonight while rucking were fantastic.

[Deestar9 1,615]

I would be pretty sure there will be no forwards dropped.  Spencer in for Gawn & if no further injuries or training mishaps...probably the only change.  I'm happy with that.....like it or not we're young & that's the way it is....you watch Adelaide tonight with their big bodied players & you realise what another couple of years will do for our side....Oscar ...20 games ...you persevere because he will get there.....but it won't happen over night .....thank god for a balanced measured coach in Goodwin !

[DubDee 25,857]

So I'd pedo comes in, when watts is in the ruck, we would have pedo, smith and spencer in the fwd line. 

Just let that sink in

fkn hogan

[WERRIDEE 5,478]

IN: BRAYSHAW, FROST, SPENCER

OUT: HARMES, O.MCDONALD, GAWN

Weide gets one more chance, he and Smith can fight it out for who stays in the team when Hogan comes back.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

In: Spencer, Pedo, Frost (fit?), Bugg or Brayshaw

Out: Gawn, Weed, Smith, Melksham

We're blessed that the drop off from Gawn to Spencer won't be as great as it could be. Two seasons ago he was startlingly good when he filled in. Will get hitouts, and a bunch of handballs and tackles... Won't get votes and take clunkers, but still... I think this time next week people here will be very relieved he's still on the list. It's a shame... He HAS to play a full game in the ruck to be worthwhile. I wouldn't want him selected as a backup, and neither does Goody. Frost straight to defence and rebound, freeing up Tmac and Omac who are doing as well as can be expected. Weed and Smith out means Watts and Pedo inside fifty. Pedo to play in the ruck freeing up Watts as a rebounding HB when Freo get on a roll. Bugg is a beauty I reckon. Capable of huge games and can play anywhere on the ground. Brayshaw probably more likely. Wagner also a fit if he can go.

Tyson hate is laughable. Starred last week. They can't all be 3 votes... Harmes hate likewise silly. ANB I reckon slaughtered the ball at times, but was industrious, so he plays again.

Melksham choice will make people laugh, and that's ok. He'll get picked, but personally, I really don't like him. He brings a bit of maturity, and lord knows Goody loves him. But I just don't think he brings things to the table that opposition clubs worry about or have to deal with. Ok but not spectacular kick. Ok but not spectacular skill. Ok but not spectacular decision making. Isn't a shut down player either. If Hibberd were 100%, I play him over Melksham. He does all the same stuff, and can play taller. Likewise Bugg. And probably Wagner after a year or two of solid footy.

People really smashing Hannah here. Partly understandable, but I'd be fine giving him another week or two. I didn't think he was that bad. Keeps going for hangers, which in the absence of Hogan, at least brings the ball to ground.

Weed is fine as a second or third forward, but leading the charge he's just too green. Opposition licking their lips when he lines up. Only got two tricks that are easy to nullify for most teams #1 KP defender, so he has to go.

Smith, same thing. Not really an AFL player going by what I saw. Reminds me of 426.... (anyone? anyone?) Didn't do what he was selected to do which is be a poor man's Hogan.

This is a massive danger game. Gawn, Hogan and Lewis... They won't be able to believe their luck. Freo are flying after they beat the dogs, and will feel they can smash anyone.

[bing181 9,228]

Suggest we wait for feedback from the Casey game. Frost managed to "get through" half a game last week, it's a big step up to the firsts for someone with so little game time under his belt.

Same goes for other names being thrown around here. No accident that we took Smith over Pedersen.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

8 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Ben Guthrie‏ @BenGuthrie_

For those interested, Jake Spencer had around 30 hit-outs, 12 disposals and kicked a goal for Casey today.

Not bad for a VFL standard player

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,817]

8 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Ben Guthrie‏ @BenGuthrie_

For those interested, Jake Spencer had around 30 hit-outs, 12 disposals and kicked a goal for Casey today.

Are we supposed to be impressed with those stats for an AFL listed ruckman in a VFL game?

Seems pretty standard stats to me.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,817]

I saw Watts clutch at his hammy with 3 minutes left down at the Lockett fwd pocket.

Hopefully he was just sore or cramped up after his massive day in the ruck. Full credit to him for stepping up.

[Farmer 882]

10 hours ago, picket fence said:

I thought Neal Bullen poor today and that chip back into the square dropable alone!!

Harmes also not the answer. Stick with Hannan and Weeds

Bring in Spencil, Frost, Kennedy and Bugg

U must be joking! He was one of our best!  Check the stats.  Watch the tackles! The problem is that the selected team was just too short. The game proved we can't rely on Watts as 2nd ruck. If you lose the prime ruck early in the match, u r stuffed, and it reduced Watts' value as the best forward.

In Spencer, Pedersen, Frost

out Gawn, Hannah, Harmes

to be honest I would drop Smith but I doubt they will after 1 match

 

 

[—coach— 3,496]

11 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Think about it... everyone says we played well etc etc

next week we play Freo

The replacements are not match fit (practice matches in the VFL are not quite the same)

So .. why change unless forced ... Spencer in

Time to show faith

Don't disagree with the sentiment. The last three games have been pretty tough contestests and our game style requires a lot of activity around the ball, is there merit in making 1-2 changes (other than Gawn out/Spenser in) to ensure we have a couple of fresh players in the side?

[MudDogs Gawn Win.. someday 499]

OUT Gawn Weid/Smith Tyson

IN Spencer Pedo Brayshaw..

 

Pure numbers kept Tyson in the team after Carlton.. but he was useless against the Cats.. Doesn't get to enough contests and his kicking is average.

Weid is no good when he has to go man on man and was given a bath because he had the next better defender with Hogan out and Watts having to ruck.

Id like to see Brayshaw bounce straight back and be given more time in the midfield! Bring back 2015 Brayshaw!

[praha 11,240]

Goodwin said they will stick with Weeds, Hannan and ANB up forward. 

Suspect Smith will get another chance.

Out: Gawn

In: Spencer

May not see other changes.

[JV7 2,351]

At this stage I'm going with

In: Spencer

Out: Gawn.

What has be a little bit concerned is not that Spencer can fill a role, we go from having Gawn as a weapon & us having a big advantage over our opposition to ua being on par or just below par with Spencer, I have no doubt he will fill the role ok it's just losing that advantage Max has will be huge over the next 4 or so weeks & big weeks too.

[Die Hard Demon 1,224]

Some of the extended changes mentioned here are completely unjustified & a knee jerk reaction. We kick straight.. We win. Wholesale changes aren't necessary .. 

Out Gawn . In Spencer 

Out Boots . In New Ones

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

Out: Gawn 
In: Spencer

No need to make any other changes they played well, hell we dominated for 2 quarters and finished with 32 scoring shots... Cant do much more than that from a team stand point. Just unfortunate we didn't slot some of those. If any of us knew we were going to have that many scoring shots before the game we would have been ecstatic. Today was an outlier, wont lose many when they control the game like that.

ON the actual change, its Spence's time to shine! Gonna be a real challenge first up against the walking mountain in Sandilands. Gawn will just be shattered he isn't playing up against him.

[Demonised 1,354]

Last week - could have lost.

This week - could have won.

All I want it to win every week, by lots. Is that too much to ask?

[Nasher 33,616]

In: Spencer

Out: Gawn.

Keep the faith in the struggling young forwards.

Thanks for the belly laugh to those who have put up 4 changes. Extra credit for those who included OMac.

[DeeSpencer 25,687]

Glad to see the no forced changes, I think that's just about the right call.

The only suggestion I'd have is if Wagner is back in full fitness and playing well I'd have him down back to get Hunt, Vince and Salem up around the ball more. Whether it's Melksham who misses out (although he was far better this week), a midfielder (Tyson) or one of the half forwards I'm not sure.

I like Watts as the 2nd ruck and I like the dynamic that the forwards had with Smith, Hannan, Petracca, Kent, ANB and Garlett. Hogan in for Weeds and we'd be away! Since there's no Hogan it comes down to Weeds v Pedda and I understand why they'll stick with big Sam. He's been quiet more than bad if that makes any sense.

[whatwhat say what 22,748]

injuries and suspensions to key players really hurt, as does the bizarre vfl season set-up where we're four rounds into the afl season and the vfl is yet to kick off. makes zero sense.

can't see the likes of brayshaw coming straight back in as his 'role' of a half forward who rolls into the stoppages was played well by anb yesterday, chip backwards aside, who got plenty of it, used it okay-ish, and tackles and causes defensive pressure. weideman got a bath but is probably worth persevering with as, well, we ain't got much options due to the injuries / suspension / lack of exposed form.

judging from the comments at the presser, the forward structure will remain intact.

IN: spencer

OUT: gawn

B: Jetta - T. McDonald - Melksham
HB: Hunt - O. McDonald - Vince
C: Stretch - Jones - Salem
HF: Petracca - Weideman - Kent
F: Watts - Smith - Garlett
Foll: Spencer - Oliver - Viney
I/C: Tyson - Hannan - Neal-Bullen - Harmes

no hogan, lewis, hibberd, gawn from definite best 22. probably our worst looking side for balance in two seasons?

[Diamond_Jim 12,578]

14 minutes ago, Nasher said:

In: Spencer

Out: Gawn.

Keep the faith in the struggling young forwards.

Thanks for the belly laugh to those who have put up 4 changes. Extra credit for those who included OMac.

Good to see some sense coming into this thread Nasher. Hard to believe those calling for wholesale changes. A gun forward would be nice but I think he is sitting in the stands.

Cannot help but recall Spencer's game in the VFL grand final last year. Hope he plays a little better next week.

Time to repay Freo with a thrashing... if I recall we gave them their first win on the MCG (mind you I think we gave most interstate teams their first win on the MCG).

Edited April 8, 2017 by Diamond_Jim

[Nasher 33,616]

4 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Good to see some sense coming into this thread Nasher. Hard to believe those calling for wholesale changes. A gun forward would be nice but I think he is sitting in the stands.

Cannot help but recall Spencer's game in the VFL grand final last year. Hope he plays a little better next week.

Time to repay Freo with a thrashing... if I recall we gave them their first win on the MCG (mind you I think we gave most interstate teams their first win on the MCG).

Yep. One of Hannan and Weid may make way, but I can't see both going and personally I wouldn't do either. It was different last week when we had Kent in the VFL ready to go; which AFL ready player do we have waiting to go now? I'm not interested in swapping one borderline player for another.

I've seen suggestions to drop Tyson, Harmes, OMac and Melksham. I understand why some aren't fans, but these are just fanciful suggestions I think. 

[Goffer 256]

I went to the Freo game last night and think we will match up defensively on them very well- their main forward target is Kersten, Tmac can take him and Omac to McCarthy (he dropped several chest marks and got he Bronx cheers halfway through q4 when he held one, think Oscar can nullify him). Jetta can cover Walters leaving Hunt to play the rebound role. 

Their midfield is problematic, Fyfe played well and S. Hill is a jet, would send Viney to run with Fyfe for the day. If Spencil can break even in the ruck I think we have better quality and depth than the Dockers. 

Their defence covered the Bulldogs talls pretty well last night so maintaining the smaller forward line could be the key to kicking a winning score.