Changes v Eagles - Preliminary Final

[Pates 9,660]

32 minutes ago, Dees'97 said:

Am i wrong in saying Kennedy + Darling are 11-0 when playing together this season? Those two worry me, I dont want another mason cox/tom hawkins scenario where one or both of them kick a bag. I trust frost and omac, but they cant always keep their men to doughnuts

Like so often with our game the biggest job is winning the midfield battle to prevent clean disposal inside 50. We did this a lot to the Hawks, there were rushed kicks that fell short or in the wrong place and no look kicks where Max was waiting in the hole. 

With WC’s taller forwards I think it’s more import for Mac to push back rather than push forward (though he’s such a gun he can do both). 

There are temptations to make changes but I just don’t think you mess with a winning formula. Much as I feel like Tyson could go. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Pates

[daisycutter 29,738]

4 hours ago, johndemonic said:

Don't forget the question of which defender will take McGovern if he is thrown forward in a last quarter if we're ahead ? From memory TMAC rolled back and took a mark last week but I don't think we can mess with our fwd structure.

if that happened tmac could follow mcgovern and fritsch could take the forward marking role

[Older demon 2,779]

For those advocating another tall can I point out that Collingwood went in with a shorter backline than us and coped with Lycett, Vardy, Darling and Kennedy. The key to that stadium is the midfield and it was only in the last 10 minutes when Shuey, Jetta and Yeo got on top that the tall forwards got any supply. Let them worry about how they are going to deal with our structure, speed and toughness and forward line now they have lost Shepherd down back

The game will be won or lost in the midfield.

No change

 

[Jones 62]

10 hours ago, McQueen said:

Just on the Eagles supporter noise... The more I think about it the less I'm worried about the 'hostile environment' with this team. The noise is deafening in that stadium and the booing is so completely over the top - that's for certain.

But we've withstood that for two years running now and pulled away with two wins under immense pressure. This variable is now small and maybe insignificant for much of the team and coaches and I reckon the media need to realise this as well.

I'm not so sure. The crowd is going to play a big part. The stadium seats 60,000 people and the game is near sold out (if not already). Last night I heard 2,600 had been sold to melb members and I reckon at best we will get 5k in the crowd. Pendlebury said the noise was nothing like he has experienced and that's saying something playing for Collingwood. They have reason to be toey with us and they will be loud on Sat afternoon. If we let it distract us, it will impact the game.

[McQueen 17,867]

1 hour ago, Jones said:

I'm not so sure. The crowd is going to play a big part. The stadium seats 60,000 people and the game is near sold out (if not already). Last night I heard 2,600 had been sold to melb members and I reckon at best we will get 5k in the crowd. Pendlebury said the noise was nothing like he has experienced and that's saying something playing for Collingwood. They have reason to be toey with us and they will be loud on Sat afternoon. If we let it distract us, it will impact the game.

I live here mate and have been to a couple of games at the new stadium. It’s a bloody confronting place but we’ve won here before and I believe our mindset is one such that we’re not fazed by it. In fact, I think it fuels our desire. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by McQueen

[nosoupforme 3,085]

Apart from injury why would you think of a change to our  side when they have won their two finals by an average of 5 goals plus.

Tyson's last quarter was good  although he did not have many possessions for the game. He is due and we go with what we have.

I saw him picking up Burgoyne in the 3rd Quarter a few times. He must have had a role to play. He seemed to be smiling along with Goody after the game.

Rare to see changes to a winning combination in finals.

 

 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,909]

12 hours ago, ProDee said:

Tom Morris reporting Joel Smith "right in the mix".

I don't think they'll make a change.

Possibly the most meaningless phrase ever. Tells us absolutely nothing. 

[ManDee 7,222]

14 hours ago, Dees'97 said:

Am i wrong in saying Kennedy + Darling are 11-0 when playing together this season? Those two worry me, I dont want another mason cox/tom hawkins scenario where one or both of them kick a bag. I trust frost and omac, but they cant always keep their men to doughnuts

But we have 18 players that have never lost a final.

[jnrmac 20,186]

5 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Possibly the most meaningless phrase ever. Tells us absolutely nothing. 

Which bit? "Tom Morris reporting"?

[Cards13 9,117]

20 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Which bit? "Tom Morris reporting"?

Actual lols... kudos

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Which bit? "Tom Morris reporting"?

I'm still filthy about him co-hosting the Inside Melbourne podcast and using this access to leak stories about the club.