2 hours ago, Garbo said:

Issue is this game is the very definition of a 8 point game, loose this and dogs take our place in the 8, then we have to wait till they or someone else slips up. No point saving Gawn if we don’t play finals

Dogs have Geelong, bye, WCE in the 3 games after us.  They are not winning all 3 of those.

If neither Preuss or Gawn are ready to go my left of centre idea would be to bring in Joel Smith and ruck him. Can leap and is strong of body. It would Give us more options to ruck TMac or Tomlinson at a pinch and slot him in as second forward or third defender. It would also make us highly unpredictable an provide some more speed around the ground.. There is no perfect option but I would back this if needed over blooding Bradtke or robbing us initially of our preferred forward and backline set ups.

2 hours ago, Garbo said:

Issue is this game is the very definition of a 8 point game, loose this and dogs take our place in the 8, then we have to wait till they or someone else slips up. No point saving Gawn if we don’t play finals

Yep thats a really good point. Big call for the FD.. i would still tend to err on teh side of caution with Max. we did against the N0 1 ruckman in the comp in Goldstein.

We must win so that we don't depend on other teams to make the 8

28 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I don't think any single game is important enough to put the rest of Gawn's season in jeopardy. Even with Preuss potentially out, my position is still not to take any undue risks with Gawn. He only plays if he's 100%.

Agree, if we lose to the Dogs but Max is 100% for the rest of the season it's still alive. Beat the Dogs but Max out for 6-8 with a PCL is less desirable IMO.

1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Agree that Brown is the man to replace Preuss this week with Tomlinson and T.Mac to share ruck duties.

The only question for me then is whether we need the flexibility and pace that Joel Smith provides, especially against the Dogs who are quick.

Goody will also want Hannan back in side, but I'm not sure how that happens as everyone was so good against the Pies.

I may well be in the minority, but I just don't understand why people think Smith might be selected because of "flexibility" (he's as much a jack of all trades, master of none, as Tomlinson is) or "pace" (which exists, but is countered by his unpredictability).

If we want more pace, would we not look at Hannan or Hunt, who can both play a defined role (and could slot in to replace Jones, Sparrow or vandenBerg, rather than Smith, who has no real role in this side?

13 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I may well be in the minority, but I just don't understand why people think Smith might be selected because of "flexibility" (he's as much a jack of all trades, master of none, as Tomlinson is) or "pace" (which exists, but is countered by his unpredictability).

If we want more pace, would we not look at Hannan or Hunt, who can both play a defined role (and could slot in to replace Jones, Sparrow or vandenBerg, rather than Smith, who has no real role in this side?

I'm with you. I can't see Smith adding anything to the side at all at present.

If there's any doubt over Gawn's injury worsening they simply won't play him

With so few injuries this year the list has been managed very well. I trust the medical staff and selectors to make the right decision.

Looks like Johanissen will come back in for the Bulldogs, we should look at bringing back that annoying little Bugger who used to play for us, Watts his name again??#areyoureadyjj

Edited August 20, 20205 yr by Demondan75
Spelling

1 hour ago, Grimes Times said:

Hannan out until he replaces one of Melk or fritz. We need to stick with the 2 big, 2 medium and 2 small mix.

Pretty sure he won't replace a fit Melksham who was pretty effective against the pies and stopped Maynard for a large part of the game I think. Maynard is a key rebounder for the pies and had a poor game.

Just watched 'highlghts' of last years game

J Dunkley 39 possessions (24 contested!)

K Dunkley kicked his first goal for the Dees

Dogs kick 1g 8b in the 3rd.

Petty kicked 3 g for us.

We were putrid.

11 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Just watched 'highlghts' of last years game

J Dunkley 39 possessions (24 contested!)

K Dunkley kicked his first goal for the Dees

Dogs kick 1g 8b in the 3rd.

Petty kicked 3 g for us.

We were putrid.

And yet only lost by 8 points.

9 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Just watched 'highlghts' of last years game

J Dunkley 39 possessions (24 contested!)

K Dunkley kicked his first goal for the Dees

Dogs kick 1g 8b in the 3rd.

Petty kicked 3 g for us.

We were putrid.

We aren't the same team, jr.  Feeling very positive about this game.

Teams named tonight?

I have probably got way ahead of myself here but I'm pretty sure we are a better side than dogs. As long as the players aren't way ahead with me and have a sense of reality we can and should win the game without a ruck.

Need to shut down Naughton who can be a match winner and play a solid contested ball game and hold them to 50 - 60 points.

They can't hold any side and we are a good scoring side. Should be approx 90 - 60 scoreline. Ha, I am delusional.

I have a big feeling Tommy will find some form they struggle against talls.

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Pretty sure he won't replace a fit Melksham who was pretty effective against the pies and stopped Maynard for a large part of the game I think. Maynard is a key rebounder for the pies and had a poor game.

If Melky was going to be dropped it would have been earlier in year Now that he hit his top form last week why would it even be considered.

Besides he is one of Goody's faves!!!

11 minutes ago, adonski said:

Teams named tonight?

Think so 

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

I'm with you. I can't see Smith adding anything to the side at all at present.

Agree, I hope the Smith and Hunt experiments with athletes is over.

26 minutes ago, adonski said:

Teams named tonight?

I think teams are name Friday night.  I think the AFL has shifted permanently to the day before the match for the rest of the season.

35 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

I have a big feeling Tommy will find some form they struggle against talls.

Hope so. Has certainly been working himself back into form and maybe due for a breakout or comeback game.

50 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

I have a big feeling Tommy will find some form they struggle against talls.

Whats your stat prediction for him on Saturday.  You get everything right WErridee so give us the good news

4 hours ago, Pollyanna said:

Agree, if we lose to the Dogs but Max is 100% for the rest of the season it's still alive. Beat the Dogs but Max out for 6-8 with a PCL is less desirable IMO.

Its going to be a brave call either way but you sum up the longer term risk nicely Pollyanna.

This week's about holding the nerve and resting Max  . Esp given we have a game in hand.

1 hour ago, deespicable me said:

I have probably got way ahead of myself here but I'm pretty sure we are a better side than dogs. As long as the players aren't way ahead with me and have a sense of reality we can and should win the game without a ruck.

Need to shut down Naughton who can be a match winner and play a solid contested ball game and hold them to 50 - 60 points.

They can't hold any side and we are a good scoring side. Should be approx 90 - 60 scoreline. Ha, I am delusional.

An interesting stat/indictror on Fox this week was that when Naughton Kicks over 2 goals, the Dogs win 78% of the time. @ or less they mostly lose.

Am I glad we got May now.

1 hour ago, deespicable me said:

I have probably got way ahead of myself here but I'm pretty sure we are a better side than dogs. As long as the players aren't way ahead with me and have a sense of reality we can and should win the game without a ruck.

Need to shut down Naughton who can be a match winner and play a solid contested ball game and hold them to 50 - 60 points.

They can't hold any side and we are a good scoring side. Should be approx 90 - 60 scoreline. Ha, I am delusional.

I though I was Dee-Lusional