Match Preview and Team Selection - Preliminary Final

[beelzebub 23,250]

14 minutes ago, Thehardtackler said:

Has anybody looked at WC results at Optus Stadium this year? They have lost a few there, including to Essendon and Sydney. Their best win there was against the Tigers. 

Lost to some other mob too ...

The Dee-tails escape me .. lol

[jnrmac 19,931]

14 minutes ago, Thehardtackler said:

Has anybody looked at WC results at Optus Stadium this year? They have lost a few there, including to Essendon and Sydney. Their best win there was against the Tigers. 

Watched the game v Coll ...they aren't a scary side. Very similar to the hawks with their  chip and control style. Key for us is i50 delivery. They swallow every high ball v well. 

We've got this.

[Frustrated Demon 244]

Good to see the excuses about the umpires have started.

[beelzebub 23,250]

11 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Watched the game v Coll ...they aren't a scary side. Very similar to the hawks with their  chip and control style. Key for us is i50 delivery. They swallow every high ball v well. 

We've got this.

They also have limited paths fwd to goal currently.

It's be hot pies for sure...plucked and baked

[McQueen 17,864]

Heap of noise on the book face pages that Fritsch is out for J Smith. 

[—coach— 3,496]

4 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Heap of noise on the book face pages that Fritsch is out for J Smith. 

Boooooooooooooo!

[What 18,810]

4 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Heap of noise on the book face pages that Fritsch is out for J Smith. 

Dropped or injury?  Geez that would be brutal for Bayley, hes played every game this season.

[dazzledavey36 53,321]

4 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Dropped or injury?  Geez that would be brutal for Bayley, hes played every game this season.

It sounds like hes dropped.

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,766]

7 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Heap of noise on the book face pages that Fritsch is out for J Smith. 

This would be harsh if it's dropped

[WERRIDEE 5,362]

Stupid move to drop Fritsch if it's true.

It's going to be a tight game but the dees will come through and win by 6 points.

Clarry BOG.

[DemonLad5 1,642]

I hope they drop Dom over Fritsch and move Bayley to the wing for Smith 

Smith has to come in, we’re facing a great forward line and we need defensive flexibility 

[dazzledavey36 53,321]

I can see the logic behind this. While we will miss his ball use, he's been pushed off the ball easily down there and was beaten comfortably by Lecras last time. 

Smith is taller, quicker, stronger and has a huge leap that could combat a Vardy or float across and take a mark in front of Kennedy or Darling.

All he has to do is beat his man like Frost and keep it simple. Get the ball into guys like Lewis, Salem and Hibberd and he'll play his role perfectly. 

Good luck Smitty!

Edited September 19, 2018 by dazzledavey36

[What 18,810]

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I can see the logic behind this. While we will miss his ball use, he's been pushed off the ball easily down there and was beaten comfortably by Lecras last time. 

Smith is taller, quicker, stronger and has a huge leap that could combat a Vardy or float across and take a mark in front of Kennedy or Darling.

All he has to do is beat his man like Frost and keep it simple. Get the ball into guys like Lewis, Salem and Hibberd and he'll play his role perfectly. 

Good luck Smitty!

Yeah, I would feel bad for Bayley but the swap would make sense.

But its just a rumour and comes from FB, so whats the odds it actually happens....

[McQueen 17,864]

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I can see the logic behind this. While we will miss his ball use, he's been pushed off the ball easily down there and was beaten comfortably by Lecras last time. 

Smith is taller, quicker, stronger and has a huge leap that could combat a Vardy or float across and take a mark in front of Kennedy or Darling.

All he has to do is beat his man like Frost and keep it simple. Get the ball into guys like Lewis, Salem and Hibberd and he'll play his role perfectly. 

Good luck Smitty!

Agree with all of this. 

I watched the first half of the semi again last night and Fritta was below par in all aspects of the game. Up against an Eagles forward line at full strength will be a task too much. 

Whether he’s pushed forward to the wing for Tyson like others suggested remains to be seen but I like the idea of having a more durable ball winner like Dom in the clinches of a prelim. 

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by McQueen

[Jibroni 4,946]

Boy that's is a tough call and I think Bayley has had a fine season, unlucky.

[GCDee 3,196]

Smithy did look WELL above VFL level last week in testing conditions... 

Sometimes in September tough calls need to be made. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,495]

Fritsch has hardly set the world on fire this finals....at all. Has probably handled the finals heat the least out of all players.

Wouldn't shock me in at all if he's omitted. 

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,390]

I believe Fritsch for Smith has been raised by one Facebook group and nowhere else at this stage... I have my doubts.

[Superunknown 4,160]

Not worried about the umpires. Besides the two sliding decisions last week, I think our luck has turned.Someone here made a good point mid season that good, winning teams who get to the ball first and play hard often see decisions go in their favour.

Not worried about the temperature: 24. Players are fit and they will know what they're doing re hydration, resting, rotations, half time cooling etc etc.

Will be epic contest. Cannot get a read on it.

[McQueen 17,864]

Melksham and Hibberd flying over today. 

Source - Melkys Insta. 

[demon191919 60]

7 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Melksham and Hibberd flying over today. 

Source - Melkys Insta. 

Gawn was flying this morning too

[dazzledavey36 53,321]

24 minutes ago, McQueen said:

Agree with all of this. 

I watched the first half of the semi again last night and Fritta was below par in all aspects of the game. Up against an Eagles forward line at full strength will be a task too much. 

Whether he’s pushed forward to the wing for Tyson like others suggested remains to be seen but I like the idea of having a more durable ball winner like Dom in the clinches of a prelim. 

 

Agree 100% on Tyson.

One thing thats probably not talked much about Tyson is that he has over 100 games of experience. Yes he has his moments, but also at times he shows that class and midfield nous that we just desperately need in these finals games.

I feel a big game coming for Dom.

[Demon17 5,102]

34 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

I hope they drop Dom over Fritsch and move Bayley to the wing for Smith 

Smith has to come in, we’re facing a great forward line and we need defensive flexibility 

I hope not, but if if Smith is in I hope Tyson remains. Don't touch the inside mids. Tyson as a gun if played correctly with quick hands to extract which is where this game will be won.

 

[Demon17 5,102]

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Agree 100% on Tyson.

One thing thats probably not talked much about Tyson is that he has over 100 games of experience. Yes he has his moments, but also at times he shows that class and midfield nous that we just desperately need in these finals games.

I feel a big game coming for Dom.

Really good point. In both finals Tyson delivered the perfect ball into the forward pocket for important last quarter goals to Melksham and Weideman. 

[Wrecker45 3,378]

@Whispering_Jack I think you may have missed one mathematical advantage we have.

Since the AFL changed the fixture to give all teams a bye to refresh the week before the finals it seems to disadvantage the top teams that get a bye the following week for winning.

No team finishing in the top 4 has won since, whereas, previously you almost had to finish top 4 to have a chance.