PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Fremantle

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,981]

Fyfe played out the game well. He’s not injured and will certainly play round 1.

[Demon17 5,207]

10 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

My team is:

I'll change it if something takes my fancy at both games today.

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, CHANDLER

F: FRITSCH, JACKSON, SPARGO

FOLL: GAWN, OLIVER, BRAYSHAW

IC: JONES, SPARROW, JORDON, NEAL-BULLEN

EMRG: HARMES, BOWEY, PETTY, VANDENBERG

Excellent starting 18 Werridee

Not so sure about the interchange spots.

Would prefer Harmes and Petty in for someone.

[CBDees 3,167]

1 minute ago, Demon17 said:

Excellent starting 18 Werridee

Not so sure about the interchange spots.

Would prefer Harmes and Petty in for someone.

Salem and Oliver aren’t playing

[Demon17 5,207]

5 hours ago, CBDees said:

Salem and Oliver aren’t playing

Obviously.  Its a practice game line up I'm commenting on.

It isn't 20 march - is it?

[DemonLad5 1,642]

B: Hibberd - May - Lever 

HB: Salem - Tomlinson - Rivers 

C- Neal-Bullen - Oliver - Langdon

HF: Melksham - Jackson - Spargo 

FF: Kozzy - TMac - Fritsch 

FOLL: Gawn - Brayshaw - Petracca 

INT: Jones - Harmes - Chandler - Hunt

EMG: Jetta - Baker - Sparrow - Jordon 

Injured : Brown - Viney - Weideman 

 

Very average 22 but probably the best we could put out on the park 

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

14 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

B: Hibberd - May - Lever 

HB: Salem - Tomlinson - Rivers 

C- Neal-Bullen - Oliver - Langdon

HF: Melksham - Jackson - Spargo 

FF: Kozzy - TMac - Fritsch 

FOLL: Gawn - Brayshaw - Petracca 

INT: Jones - Harmes - Chandler - Hunt

EMG: Jetta - Baker - Sparrow - Jordon 

Injured : Brown - Viney - Weideman 

 

Very average 22 but probably the best we could put out on the park 

 Geez I miss Hibberd, we need him out there.  Hes the general across half back.

[picket fence 17,642]

18 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

Fyfe has got a groin. 

So have most people

[DeeSpencer 26,090]

FB: Rivers  May  Tomlinson
HB: Hunt  Lever  Salem
C: Harmes?  Petracca  Langdon
HF: ANB  McDonald  Spargo
FF: Pickett  Jackson Fritsch
Foll: Gawn  Oliver  Jordon?
Int: Bowey, Brayshaw?, Sparrow?, Chandler?

Jones and Jetta are shot, we need to stop picking them. Jetta's lost his defensive ability, he can't close out a lead and he's never done much of anything with the ball. Jones looks ok at times but he's just too slow and can only bang the ball forward.

Baker is rubbish right now, just gets caught in all the wrong spots. Vanders no better. The wing is a mess. I'd imagine Melksham is the next to be given that thankless task.

Is it too late to throw Petty straight in at CHF for Tom McDonald?

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,293]

4 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Rivers  May  Tomlinson
HB: Hunt  Lever  Salem
C: Harmes?  Petracca  Langdon
HF: ANB  McDonald  Spargo
FF: Pickett  Jackson Fritsch
Foll: Gawn  Oliver  Jordon?
Int: Bowey, Brayshaw?, Sparrow?, Chandler?

Jones and Jetta are shot, we need to stop picking them. Jetta's lost his defensive ability, he can't close out a lead and he's never done much of anything with the ball. Jones looks ok at times but he's just too slow and can only bang the ball forward.

Baker is rubbish right now, just gets caught in all the wrong spots. Vanders no better. The wing is a mess. I'd imagine Melksham is the next to be given that thankless task.

Is it too late to throw Petty straight in at CHF for Tom McDonald?

May will have to sit out of concussed. New rules. 12 day lay off

[DeeSpencer 26,090]

2 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

May will have to sit out of concussed. New rules. 12 day lay off

He has a sore chest

[In Harmes Way 7,823]

49 minutes ago, picket fence said:

So have most people

Boom tish 

[spalding 1,128]

38 minutes ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

May will have to sit out of concussed. New rules. 12 day lay off

Reported on 7 news that it was head and neck and will not be subject to concussion protocols 

[picket fence 17,642]

33 minutes ago, spalding said:

Reported on 7 news that it was head and neck and will not be subject to concussion protocols 

Hang on ,, If Head and Neck surely Concussion protocols should be enforced??

[spalding 1,128]

Nope - it was reported that he would not be subject to the protocols

[WERRIDEE 5,534]

WERRIDEE'S ALL IMPORTANT 22 AGAINST FREO

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, NEAL-BULLEN

F: FRITSCH, GAWN, CHANDLER

FOLL: JACKSON, OLIVER, VINEY (IF HE PLAYS IN THE RESEVES NEXT WEEK)

IC: JONES, MELKSHAM, HIBBERD, BRAYSHAW

EMRG: HARMES

[whatwhat say what 22,971]

Viney a confirmed out for round 1 I believe, and I can’t see Hibberd playing personally

 

[WERRIDEE 5,534]

1 hour ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

Viney a confirmed out for round 1 I believe, and I can’t see Hibberd playing personally

 

Well they have been quiet about Hibberd's injury again if he and Melksham don't play in the VFL practice match I can't see them playing.

MY BEST 22 AGAIN

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, NEAL-BULLEN

F: FRITSCH, GAWN, CHANDLER

FOLL: JACKSON, OLIVER, BRAYSHAW

IC: JONES, HIBBERD, MELKSHAM, HARMES

EMERG: SPARGO, BOWEY, SPARROW, JORDON

[whatwhat say what 22,971]

based on what we've seen thus far, i think they'll rush brayshaw and pickett back - prematurely imo - in order to have another big inside mid and a small forward who has genuine pace, but i can't see the likes of viney, hibberd, or melksham being good to go...and if may isn't okay for round 1 we might be in a spot of bother...

B: Rivers - May - Lever
HB: Hunt - Tomlinson - Salem
C: Langdon - Petracca - Neal-Bullen
HF: Fritsch - McDonald - Jones
F: Chandler - Jackson - Pickett
Foll: Gawn - Oliver - Harmes
I/c: Spargo - Brayshaw - Bowey - Baker
Emerg: Jordon - Sparrow - Petty - Jetta

[Pates 9,661]

3 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Well they have been quiet about Hibberd's injury again if he and Melksham don't play in the VFL practice match I can't see them playing.

MY BEST 22 AGAIN

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, NEAL-BULLEN

F: FRITSCH, GAWN, CHANDLER

FOLL: JACKSON, OLIVER, BRAYSHAW

IC: JONES, HIBBERD, MELKSHAM, HARMES

EMERG: SPARGO, BOWEY, SPARROW, JORDON

Bold move putting captain and one of the competition’s best ruckmen at FF. I’m not actually against it for a couple of reasons. Firstly it seems that even with him there seems to be this ability of the oppositions on ballers to rove to his taps, which given the quality actually gives them a comfortable ride. I would like to see Jackson given closer to 35%-40% ruck duties and challenge him to impact the second contest as well as the ruck taps. 

Gawn as a forward option could be a headache for the defenders given his longer reach, but please let’s not just assume he can beat all and do the no-look long bomb. 

[58er 6,616]

4 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Well they have been quiet about Hibberd's injury again if he and Melksham don't play in the VFL practice match I can't see them playing.

MY BEST 22 AGAIN

B: HUNT, MAY, LEVER

HB: SALEM, TOMLINSON, RIVERS

C: LANGDON, PETRACCA, BAKER

HF: PICKETT, MCDONALD, NEAL-BULLEN

F: FRITSCH, GAWN, CHANDLER

FOLL: JACKSON, OLIVER, BRAYSHAW

IC: JONES, HIBBERD, MELKSHAM, HARMES

EMERG: SPARGO, BOWEY, SPARROW, JORDON

Would hope that Petty could play either at CHB or CHF and not sure Baker will survive.

Reckon one of Sparrow or Jordon will play but not both.

If Gus plays then Melkshsm snd Hibberd Dont.  Have too many underdone and no form either.

Spargo or Jonesy for HFF I think.

Would like Bowey to get chance but Might have to wait.

Def Nev sadly is probably not up with the pace at this stage.

Harmesy is a worry As he is a very careless tackler and needs to eliminate this out of his game.

Tmac needs to hit the scoreboard and is prob better suited to FF than CHF but Maybe that  is nitpicking as players are moved between one and the other.

We have to be careful not to throw some players out on the one below par form today and go back to older not ready or out of form due up no practice others.

[Doug Reemer 1,197]

After going to the game yesterday this is how I hope we line up.

 

B: Hibberd - May - Lever 

HB: Salem - Tomlinson - Rivers 

C- Jordon - Oliver - Langdon

HF: Neal-Bullen - Jackson - Chandler 

FF: Pickett - TMac - Fritsch 

FOLL: Gawn - Brayshaw - Petracca 

INT: Jones - Harmes - Baker - Hunt

Thoughts @Beetle

[Elegt 872]

1 minute ago, Doug Reemer said:

After going to the game yesterday this is how I hope we line up.

 

B: Hibberd - May - Lever 

HB: Salem - Tomlinson - Rivers 

C- Jordon - Oliver - Langdon

HF: Neal-Bullen - Jackson - Chandler 

FF: Pickett - TMac - Fritsch 

FOLL: Gawn - Brayshaw - Petracca 

INT: Jones - Harmes - Baker - Hunt

Thoughts @Beetle

Pls no Jordon 

[Doug Reemer 1,197]

Just now, Elegt said:

Pls no Jordon 

I though he got to the right spots yesterday. Was sold up the river delivery wise by May twice and Hunt as well.

[Deespicable 2,886]

One week ago Goody and our coaches and Gawny were spruiking about how we had finally understood that there was no 'i' in team. Now they would be in the midst of a painful review after a game where we were exposed by a vastly superior midfield - although clearly our absentees were a mitigating factor.

It was similar last year when after beating the Pies, we lost to the Dogs midfield and the result was that there were scapegoats - last year it was Lockhart and T.Mac who we didn't see again in 2020.

But aside from the changes below, the key will be getting the side back to having the confidence to mix long-bombing attack with the chip kick through the middle that breaks up defences. The chip kick disappeared after half time against the Dogs as their press took hold. Those of us who have watched training have been impressed by the accuracy of our kicks (when it's not blowing a gale at Casey that is), yet many of our forays forward in the second half against the Dogs included pressurised handballs in the chain.

To me, the key selection issues are whether Petty comes in as a forward (he has spent the entire pre-season as a defender) at the expense of T.Mac as a forward and our problem left-side wing - do we keep backing in Baker, do we play Petty at CHF and use T.Mac there to allow us a tall marking outlet, do we send Brayshaw there or do we take a huge risk on his fitness and play Kossie there so that we utilise his pace and tackling ability? Or do we go back to VDB's hardness knowing he can't really run out the game.  Personally I'd go a mix of VDB (limited game time), Kossie and Angus, but a more rationale approach given fitness and pre-season work ethic probably says Baker should play there first up. 

In terms of first-gamers, Jordon's spot depends on Viney's availability, while I have Bowey in, unless Hibberd is viewed as fit to play.

Virtual newbie Chandler has to wait as Spargo and Jones deserve the first shot as small forwards.

Defenders (7): May, Lever, Tomlinson, Rivers, Hunt, Salem and Bowey. Note: Hibberd if fit replaces Bowey for Rd 1. Jetta stays in if Salem is ruled out.

Midfield (8): Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Langdon, Harmes, Brayshaw, Viney (Jordon), plus either Baker or Vanders.

Forwards (7): Jackson, T.Mac (Petty is too big a call I think given his pre-season training), Fritter, ANB,  Spargo, Kossie, Jones.

Edited March 8, 2021 by Deespicable

[Neil Crompton 5,685]

Following the very poor showing yesterday, I'd like to send TMac, Spargo, Baker, AVB, Harmes, Tomlinson, Jetta, Jones, Jordon, Sparrow and Bedford back to the VFL next weekend to try and earn themselves a spot for Round 1. Chock certainly has his hands full improving the skills of this lot.

However, given that it is likely that all of Viney, BB, Weid, Hibberd and Melksham will be out for Round 1, some of the above will get call ups, but hopefully only based on performance.

My team would be:

Rivers May Lever

Hunt Petty Salem

Langdon Petracca Tomlinson

Pickett MBrown Fritsch

Chandler TMac Jackson

Gawn Brayshaw Oliver

INT: ANB Jones Bowey Harmes.

To me, Petty has to come in, and therefore, until we have a better option (which I don't think will be any time this year) I'd move Tomlinson onto the wing - its what we bought him for and he is the model we based getting Rosman on. 

Given the lack of form of our injury free key forwards, I think we need to entrust Mitch Brown to the CHF role for now, and put TMac back to FF where I think he played his best footy back in 2018. That should also free up Jackson from having the best defenders on him (at least initially).

When it came to picking the interchange players, I found I couldn't find one player that would make the best 22 in virtually any other AFL team. I may have forgotten someone but the lack of depth really concerns me. When we get back our injured players, these guys will struggle to make the bench IMO, unless they dramatically improve their skills and their form. That's a bit harsh on Bowey, who I think will become a player. he certainly has the disposal skills we so desperately need.