Just an update on tickets if you're going into the MCC. They're expecting 18,000 (their capacity is 22,000). We just bought tickets to ensure we got seats on Level 1.

1 minute ago, A F said:

Just an update on tickets if you're going into the MCC. They're expecting 18,000 (their capacity is 22,000). We just bought tickets to ensure we got seats on Level 1.

how big is this crowd going to be!?

i know they're saying 55k on the mcg site, but it seems like it could be more, hitting 60k hopefully?

Some good thoughts o this thread about selection. I don't have a clue who will come in or who might get dropped. I can see the arguments for why Omac might go if Hogan and Watts come back in but i don't think they will drop him. Yes TMac going back might mean too many talls but having a consistent back line is critical and i think they are loathe to disrupt the synergy that exists.

Similarly i don't see them dropping Hannan. He gives us something that no other player does, with the possible exception of Kent (who does not provide the same level of forward pressure). He is physically imposing strong in the contest, attacks the ball in the air, can go through the mid field, can kick opportunistic goals and has a real x factor and a knack for kicking important goals. 

Who knows who they drop if Hogan an Watts both come back in. Salem is a definite out so if Watts does not come up and Hogan is available i think they will just bring in Hogan. No other change.

If neither Hogan or Watts can play then Wagner for Salem. 

Simples

43 minutes ago, Grapeviney said:

My mail is that Watts won't play. 

Hogan??

5 hours ago, ProDee said:

...

If Hogan doesn't come back and Garlett doesn't get up then I suspect the changes will be:

In: Watts, Wagner, Kent

Out: Salem, Garlett, Bugg

kennedy-Harris is now playing midfield, so he doesn't replace Garlett, but I think someone needs to take that small forward/pressure role.  Pressure isn't Kent's forte, which is why he's at Casey, but hopefully MC thinks he's improved in that area to get the call up.  Imo, he's more likely to hit the scoreboard in a physical game than someone like Kennedy-Harris, who is less needed in the midfield.  Alternatively, if Bugg holds his spot there's just the two changes.

I'm struggling very much to understand the logic of your argument. (Paraphrasing) You say that we need someone to provide forward pressure if Garlett is out and then you also suggest Bugg should be an out. As for your ins you agree Kent isn't a pressure forward but you bring him in as your only small forward replacement for those two small forward outs.

In effect you have taken away almost 2/3rds of our defensive pressure forwards and bring in basically none! The Swans will have an absolute field day strolling out of our forward line if they're the changes this week.

If Garlett is out there's no way we could afford Bugg to be out as well given our reliance on pressure and getting behind the opposition defence in a quick break.

53 minutes ago, Grapeviney said:

My mail is that Watts won't play. 

Is this "from the top" GV? 

1 hour ago, Grapeviney said:

My mail is that Watts won't play. 

Damn you and your mail for always being spot on.

If we win this without Watts, Jones, Salem, Garlett and Hogan.... it will be a third watershed win in a row. And maybe better than last win.

4 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Damn you and your mail for always being spot on.

If we win this without Watts, Jones, Salem, Garlett and Hogan.... it will be a third watershed win in a row. And maybe better than last win.

Take a long breath!

25 minutes ago, CanberraDemon said:

I'm struggling very much to understand the logic of your argument. (Paraphrasing) You say that we need someone to provide forward pressure if Garlett is out and then you also suggest Bugg should be an out. As for your ins you agree Kent isn't a pressure forward but you bring him in as your only small forward replacement for those two small forward outs.

In effect you have taken away almost 2/3rds of our defensive pressure forwards and bring in basically none! The Swans will have an absolute field day strolling out of our forward line if they're the changes this week.

If Garlett is out there's no way we could afford Bugg to be out as well given our reliance on pressure and getting behind the opposition defence in a quick break.

Look, it's not hard.

I. Don't. Rate. Bugg.  He's OK, but not much more.

And clearly, I mean clearly, if they don't think Kent has been applying as much pressure at Casey that they want then they won't bring him in.  I'm not privy to whether he has, or hasn't.  Are you ?

Having said that, they may want continuity, which is something the Dogs haven't had, so for this reason Bugg may stay in.  If he does, bully for him.

1 hour ago, Grapeviney said:

My mail is that Watts won't play. 

I'd recommend you get a new mailman GV.

Unless this mail was of the 'e' variety. In which case, switch internet providers.

4 minutes ago, small but forward said:

I'd recommend you get a new mailman GV.

Unless this mail was of the 'e' variety. In which case, switch internet providers.

Different mail received in your post (e or otherwise) box?? @small but forward

57 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

how big is this crowd going to be!?

i know they're saying 55k on the mcg site, but it seems like it could be more, hitting 60k hopefully?

It'll be 60k+. You'll get a lot of random AFL members rocking up imo. 

Hoping Watts plays. Then changes are easy.

Out: Salem
In: Watts

If Hogan gets up, then despite not playing badly, someone like Harmes or Melksham will probably need to make way for him.

Edited June 27, 20178 yr by Lord Travis

Just now, Danelska said:

Different mail received in your post (e or otherwise) box?? @small but forward

I wish Danelska, but no. I just don't like the message so I think it's appropriate to shoot his messenger.

Are teams announced tommorow or Thursday for a Friday night game, been that long since we had 1 I can't remember 

41 minutes ago, binman said:

Some good thoughts o this thread about selection. I don't have a clue who will come in or who might get dropped. I can see the arguments for why Omac might go if Hogan and Watts come back in but i don't think they will drop him. Yes TMac going back might mean too many talls but having a consistent back line is critical and i think they are loathe to disrupt the synergy that exists.

Similarly i don't see them dropping Hannan. He gives us something that no other player does, with the possible exception of Kent (who does not provide the same level of forward pressure). He is physically imposing strong in the contest, attacks the ball in the air, can go through the mid field, can kick opportunistic goals and has a real x factor and a knack for kicking important goals. 

Who knows who they drop if Hogan an Watts both come back in. Salem is a definite out so if Watts does not come up and Hogan is available i think they will just bring in Hogan. No other change.

If neither Hogan or Watts can play then Wagner for Salem. 

Simples

You missed Hannan's speed.  It's vital.  Especially against a slow Sydney.

X-factor, overhead marking, speed, versatility and he hits the scoreboard.

He's kicked 17 goals and is on track for 30.  He's not close to being dropped.

I cant recall Buddy Franklin ever having a huge game against Melbourne.

Are we his bogey team? Hes certainly never kicked a bag against us that I recall, not even in his Hawthorn days.

Frawley used to hold him well, and I remember Col Garland doing well on him also. Since then, T Mac has been able to hold him.

1 hour ago, M_9 said:

Tim Smith? Joel Smith?

Who do you think...

1 hour ago, Thrice said:

I, too, love what he brings. But an impressive 20 minutes of a senior match doesn't scream automatic selection. 

I think he has a higher ceiling than Wagner, but to bring him in requires structural readjustment that would see Salem to a wing which affects our ball movement coming out of defence. What we're effectively doing it going maximum dash from half back with Frost, Hunt and Smith all having licence to break lines coming out.

This move would squeeze out one of ANB/Harmes/Bugg/[maybe Stretch] it would take a bit of an edge from our forward pressure, so the question becomes does this deliver better team balance than how we've currently been playing?

Yeah I see what you mean. There's plenty of good reasons he doesn't play this week. Like everyone else though, I have concerns about durability for... well... everyone. That kind of 110% effort... man. At what point do we drop off? If I'm Goody I'm relieved Smith is there and I'm watching him veeeery closely at training.

And yeah you're absolutely right. Defensive forwards, right now, are flat out the difference. Since the second quarter of round one, our success has been defined by whether or not our defensive forward stuff has clicked.

12 minutes ago, small but forward said:

I wish Danelska, but no. I just don't like the message so I think it's appropriate to shoot his messenger.

Pretty militant attitude, seems appropriate though.

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

I cant recall Buddy Franklin ever having a huge game against Melbourne.

Are we his bogey team? Hes certainly never kicked a bag against us that I recall, not even in his Hawthorn days.

Frawley used to hold him well, and I remember Col Garland doing well on him also. Since then, T Mac has been able to hold him.

He kicked as many goals (four) as our 22 last year.

2 hours ago, DemonAndrew said:

how big is this crowd going to be!?

i know they're saying 55k on the mcg site, but it seems like it could be more, hitting 60k hopefully?

They couldn't tell me how many they're expecting for the ground as a whole unfortunately.

1 hour ago, Petraccattack said:

I cant recall Buddy Franklin ever having a huge game against Melbourne.

Are we his bogey team? Hes certainly never kicked a bag against us that I recall, not even in his Hawthorn days.

Frawley used to hold him well, and I remember Col Garland doing well on him also. Since then, T Mac has been able to hold him.

He still loves the MFC ultimately.  It's like Judd never really killed us.

1 hour ago, Dappa Dan said:

Who do you think...

...

I legitimately don't know. I can't find an up to date injury list so I know not whether Joel is fit, nor do I know if Tim Smith played last Saturday. I saw part of the game but did not spot him.

With White playing well you'd think either he, Wags or (I hope not) JKH may come in. It sounds like Watts and Jesse will come in for Salem and ?

3 minutes ago, M_9 said:

I legitimately don't know. I can't find an up to date injury list so I know not whether Joel is fit, nor do I know if Tim Smith played last Saturday. I saw part of the game but did not spot him.

With White playing well you'd think either he, Wags or (I hope not) JKH may come in. It sounds like Watts and Jesse will come in for Salem and ?

OK I'll take that on face value. Tim Smith is done for the year. Happened a couple of weeks ago from memory. Joel is free to play this week. Has been on the training track for the last couple of weeks doing what he does.

I reckon Wags comes in, just cos he was the carryover last week who flew to Perth with us. And it's sort of like for like. Or as close as you get to a player like Salem. I like Wags in the air as well, and lord knows there's gonna be a lot of high ball. Look at last week.

2 hours ago, A F said:

Just an update on tickets if you're going into the MCC. They're expecting 18,000 (their capacity is 22,000). We just bought tickets to ensure we got seats on Level 1.

Save me a cucumber sandwich old boy. Much obliged. Tally Ho.

1 hour ago, ProDee said:

Look, it's not hard.

I. Don't. Rate. Bugg.  He's OK, but not much more.

And clearly, I mean clearly, if they don't think Kent has been applying as much pressure at Casey that they want then they won't bring him in.  I'm not privy to whether he has, or hasn't.  Are you ?

Having said that, they may want continuity, which is something the Dogs haven't had, so for this reason Bugg may stay in.  If he does, bully for him.

I think Bugg has improved a lot. He goes hard. His goal kicking needs heaps of work and a poor part of his game( not his snaps) but I get the impression his passion is much higher than Kents.