2 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Surely Smith isn’t going to play in defence, it’s been a pretty well oiled machine of late. Smith will ruin their structure and cohesion. 

Who replaces Hibberd though?

8 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

Who replaces Hibberd though?

Probably Harmes rotating with Smith and Wagner. 

Would have liked to see Jetta, but?

 

Edited September 2, 20204 yr by kev martin

A bit left field but May has been known to play on smalls, and Papely is by far their best forward.

33 minutes ago, London Calling said:

A bit left field but May has been known to play on smalls, and Papely is by far their best forward.

Would not surprise me at all.  It's not as if they have a big key forward that would be able to get a hold of Lever or Oscar.

I had three of the four ins from the changes thread.

The only difference was I had Bennell instead of ANB and I stand by that.

5 hours ago, Stevienic23 said:

Thank christ Vanders is finally out of the side! This whole tough guy Demonland myth that he makes opponent's look over their shoulder - when in reality Mihocek probably didn't know his name until he read it on the bottom of the card. 

Fear not. He will be back. I will bet London to a brick he's back for the must win gws game and stays in the team from that point on.

12 hours ago, binman said:

Smith is not a tall and will take Papley

Yes i stand corrected Bin.  Ok so lets call him a medium tall.  He has 6cm on Harmes and 15cm (nearly 6 inches) on Pap.  Too tall to take Pap (effectively) imv.  And an even worse decision if that is the case really.

Should be Jay all the way.  I still think we win this one (or should) reasonably well but given the tight group/race we are in for a spot in the eight surely we'd want to drive the nails home for percentage!?  It might come down to that in our last game against Essendrug.

Imagine missing out on the eight by a percent or two and a few goals saved (in this match) might have been the difference!  Like many forms of sport, success or otherwise can sometimes be a matter of "inches".

13 hours ago, Caligula's cohort said:

I believe they are trying to build consistency with the three talls in defence with May, Lever and Omac come finals time.  We'll need Oscar there. As Gawny mentioned a few months back "Omac was the best last defender, and organised the structures in defence". So I can see why he get's picked tonight. 

I wouldn't be surprised if they put Jones back to go with Papley, allowing Harmsey to play the fwd/wing role. Jonesy is better at HBF than on the wing anyway. But i'm sure they'll rotate a few player on the Pap throughout the night with J.Wags, Smith and Jones. 

Pretty happy with the lineup but I would prefer to keep Kozzie in the predicted greasy conditions. This is bread and butter for light small forwards. 

I believe they should try and win football games and worry about the finals if, and when they make them.

I’d like to see them give Oscar Baker and Bedford a run As they would give us a bit more run and haven’t done much wrong in the twos by all reports.

22 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Yes i stand corrected Bin.  Ok so lets call him a medium tall.  He has 6cm on Harmes and 15cm (nearly 6 inches) on Pap.  Too tall to take Pap (effectively) imv.  And an even worse decision if that is the case really.

Should be Jay all the way.  I still think we win this one (or should) reasonably well but given the tight group/race we are in for a spot in the eight surely we'd want to drive the nails home for percentage!?  It might come down to that in our last game against Essendrug.

Imagine missing out on the eight by a percent or two and a few goals saved (in this match) might have been the difference!  Like many forms of sport, success or otherwise can sometimes be a matter of "inches".

Rusty I reckon parley is a perfect assignment for Smith, assuming the instruction is to wear him like a glove all game. Tag him effectively.

Parley will take him to tbe ball and he doesn't have to worry about structure, zoning off or intercepting. 

Papley is a excellent mark and one on one. Which is parly why he so often torches players of similar height (who usually get the gig). As an example he would destroy lockhart.

Smith's height adavanatege will help negate papley aerial strength and he is strong enough to hold his own in a physical contest. 

He has the speed to go with papley and is an excellent tackle. He also has tbe mongrel to bury him into tbe turf when he gets the chance.

They will be happy to give papley 2 goals. Ane I reckon Smith can do that job.

I get the knocks on him but unlike many i think smith has a bright future. I reckon he will go to papley but I like him as a forward so won't be disappointed if thst is where he lines up.

3 minutes ago, pinkshark said:

I believe they should try and win football games and worry about the finals if, and when they make them.

Agree. And so does goody. That is why tbey picked Omac.

7 hours ago, Stevienic23 said:

Thank christ Vanders is finally out of the side! This whole tough guy Demonland myth that he makes opponent's look over their shoulder - when in reality Mihocek probably didn't know his name until he read it on the bottom of the card. 

Knows his name now though.  

Interesting to see his win loss record Vanders.  He is valued for his hardness.  Absolutely no doubt.  

Seeing ANB in disappoints me.

1. Selectors don't rate Bedford/Hunt/Bennell. I was hoping these boys could have improved to be in contention. Nothing against ANB.

2. They should've rested Pickett last week or week before and give him games Vs Swans/Freo.

3. I prefer Hannan as a deep forward and think we've ruined his 2020 by playing him out of position and no continuity. He's not a high HFF. He's 1 player i'd like in firing before finals (fingers crossed). Do recognise his form has been poor though.

 

Frittta/Harmes easy changes and Smith is intriguing. Could he play small in the Hibbo role? I don't mind it, worth a risk. Get Rivers on a wing? Not sure where Tomo fits in though.

I think Wagner will get Papley at times he's got pace that Harmes doesn't. 

I would like Lockhart back Monday also.

But a strong team IMO, we should win well.

7 hours ago, Stevienic23 said:

Thank christ Vanders is finally out of the side! This whole tough guy Demonland myth that he makes opponent's look over their shoulder - when in reality Mihocek probably didn't know his name until he read it on the bottom of the card. 

I think we'd all rather he be in the team, when he is on his best form he gives us a lot, it's just been a awhile since he has shown that form.

Who know's, maybe the foot issues and not being able to train as regularly as others might cause him to need freshen up periods for the rest of his career.

There's 10 changes from the side that played the Dogs 2 matches ago.  But all of the core is intact.  I hope Harmes, Jones and ANB have some midfield minutes and give the core midfield some respite - Oliver and Viney understandably look tired - they both willed themselves to lift in the last quarter against Sydney which was great but they must be low on petrol tickets. Weid is going to feeling beaten up too flying in all those contests.  I would seriously have considered Preuss for Gawn.

Edited September 2, 20204 yr by Pollyanna

Harmes was training and doing stoppage work with the mids yesterday.   

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Harmes was training and doing stoppage work with the mids yesterday.   

Very happy to hear this

Can live with the ins and outs, would have selected Lockhart.

I’m hoping they don’t line up as selected, as you need at least one of Spargo or ANB in a pocket to play crumbing role! Playing four HFF hasn’t worked when we have tried it before! Can live with Fritsch or Melksham or Jones in a pocket!

Don't like Jones on a wing, would have Tomlinson, Harmes or even Smith in that role ahead of him!

10 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

B: SALEM, MAY, LEVER

HB: RIVERS, O.MCDONALD, J.WAGNER

C : LANGDON, PETRACCA, TOMLINSON

HF: MELKSHAM, BROWN, FRITSCH

F: NEAL-BULLEN, WEIDEMAN, SPARGO

FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, VINEY

IC: BRAYSHAW, HARMES, JONES, SMITH

 

Smith is the interesting one will play him forward or back. I think Rivers will get Papley. Does Harmes play in the middle allowing Smith to play down back when talk was he was going to stay back. Fritsch is a great in and Neal-Bullen really has to find another level on defensive to replace Pickett.

Harmes back in surely gets to hard tag Papley?? Hopefully Smith goes forward!

Edited September 2, 20204 yr by picket fence

Yeah I honestly thought Lockhart was a shoe-in to come back. Not crazy on the other ins, Fritsch was obvious, Harmes as well however if there isn't more midfield time for him it's a useless exercise.

Can't get the reasoning for Smith but it does remind me of the prelim against WC where they felt there was a specific need. 

14 hours ago, Every Game in '64 said:

Like a few of us I'm over Smith but if he plays, ruck him and rest Maxie..

I'd be "managing" Jones (bring Lockhart back if fit).

 

Given May, Lever and O-Mac are all playing, my suspicion is that Smith has been picked to play forward/relief ruck. Otherwise, I can't understand his selction. I'm not a fan of Smith as while he's got athletic ability he lacks footy smarts. However, it's not unreasonable to give him a go in this role. It has the advantage of keeping Weideman and Brown as permanent tall forwards, rather than losing one whenever Max needs a rest. And neither Weideman or Brown provide much ruck support when asked to do that job, anyway.

This would probably mean Harmes is picked to play in defence to replace Hibberd. Given Goodwin's persistence with this role for Harmes, that's hardly surprising.

1 hour ago, Cards13 said:

I think we'd all rather he be in the team, when he is on his best form he gives us a lot, it's just been a awhile since he has shown that form.

Who know's, maybe the foot issues and not being able to train as regularly as others might cause him to need freshen up periods for the rest of his career.

It seems the majority of players have found their disposal mojo and sharpened up their kicking accuracy, whereas AvB is struggling pretty hard in this department. Too often resorting to an indiscriminate kick to a contest rather than finding the loose option. 

9 hours ago, kev martin said:

Probably Harmes rotating with Smith and Wagner.

This rotational, rapid swing is what I would be expecting for Half Back and Half Forward - three mobiles on an attacking side - each capable of backing-up OMac's mistakes, slow reactions and snail's pace to the contests across the backline - and providing outside run at the contests on the forward line, plus tags and feeds. Harmes, Smith and Wagner - good choices. 

Is Lockhart injured? Hard to see any feasible reason why players like Smith would get a game ahead of him, even as a forward option. 

If Smith plays on Papley, you can mark Pap down for 4+ goals. Papley has a very high footy IQ, Smith amongst the worst going around. Papley will give him a serious football lesson.

We should still win this match comfortably, but I think the selection committee have been poor this season.

4 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

I had three of the four ins from the changes thread.

The only difference was I had Bennell instead of ANB and I stand by that.

Yes I had Bedford in rather than Smith. 
 

I had Spargo and Oscar as staying in ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE COACH’S PETS.