15 minutes ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

I been taking Oliver for most possessions....he just works so hard and has gone up a level or 2 this year....multi with Melb to win, relax and enjoy us slaughtering GWS.  I can't see them recovering after their last performance, a days less rest etc.  They will come out angry for a quarter and fall to pieces again.

Good one, I think I need to get off Ladbrokes and onto Sportsbet - there's no most posessions in Ladbrokes and the line is only +/-6.5pts for the GWS game! Booooo.

No change barring injury.

Keep rewarding the side for strong performances until there needs to be a change.

2 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Interesting post. Jake seems to have lost a lot of form over the last 2 years.

But since Tmac has turned things around and 2 key fwds injured and inaccuracy issues, this could work.

Hibberd if fit in for Hunt. Although Hunt was better this week.

Otherwise back to the mantra, if it aint broke...

And it aint broke.

I'm not a Hunt fan but I suspect his pace off half back complimets the execllent trio of May Lever and Tomlinson . He provides a different option also to Salem.

I think he deserves some time given the  - so far - overall defence performance.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is room for Petty.  Think he was an emergency but haven't heard much about him for a while.

I wouldn't bring him for the sake of it - our back 6 is functioning very well with really good understanding.  If we were to change it, he isn't who I would bring in as lacking AFL experience and working with a settled back 4-6.

His time will come but don't think this is the time. 

Edited March 28, 20214 yr by Lucifer's Hero

 

I think we’re a better team with Hibberd in it but our backline is functioning so well at the moment it might be best to keep them together to continue the chemistry 

Melksham when he’s firing definitely improved us but not sure who you could drop? Probably unchanged for mine

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

 

That’ll do. 

I think we keep persisting with LJ but seeing Majak put in another solid performance does throw the idea up of giving him a crack as our 2nd forward/2nd ruck. I’d expect the FD to continue to give LJ the ability to develop in the seniors, particularly as we are currently winning. 

Another quiet LJ game, and another solid Majak Casey game should really put his name in contention. 

16 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

Hibberd is an elite half back when fit and needs to come in. Rivers will need to make way. Some of his kicking recently hasn't been great

Riv played his  best game on Sat night and won't be dropped Hibbos  kicking is no better than Riv  was. Still like Hibbo but not at Rivs expense and I thought Hunr played well enough to stay in the team

Hibbo could be the med sub!

8 minutes ago, Pates said:

That’ll do. 

I think we keep persisting with LJ but seeing Majak put in another solid performance does throw the idea up of giving him a crack as our 2nd forward/2nd ruck. I’d expect the FD to continue to give LJ the ability to develop in the seniors, particularly as we are currently winning. 

Another quiet LJ game, and another solid Majak Casey game should really put his name in contention. 

LJ is getting judged harshly He was very competitive in the ruck and that coincided with our run of goals ( coincidence or both Maxy and LN around the ground) LJ took 3/4 marks around the ground and is not a ruck Pushover by any means. Fits in dies team things but yes does need to work on his kicking which no doubt he is by Choco.

 

On 3/28/2021 at 5:41 PM, titan_uranus said:

Hunt was the only played who I thought struggled for a period last night but he improved as it went on and his fourth quarter I thought was excellent.

Jones and Jetta IMO played their best games since 2018. Sparrow improved on Round 1 and Jordon continued to stay involved whilst laying 9 tackles.

Spargo's the best kick inside 50 we have, and he's adding proper defensive pressure to his game.

All that is to say this: I'm not sure there will be any change, even if Hibberd and/or Melksham are fit and ready to go.

 

Haven't seen this referenced anywhere else: Today's club website 'Stats That Matter' article features the combined 50 pressure acts of Charlie and ANB. Impressive, numerically and to watch, particularly in Charlie's case.

23 hours ago, Demon Dude said:

not sure what you mean by the middle tall. go back and read my posts i think i've made it pretty clear how i think they'll set up. i could be wrong, but that's just my opinion.

Your post is confusing pairing them off against each other Some of which I don't agree with. But you only came up with 2 positions for talls not 3 !! Name the 6 or 7 forwards in the 22 please.

BBB and T Mac can play in same side plus Jacko running around 2nd rucking and Bailey the fourth person plus smalls.

Weid is in the mix but Tmac brings a much more rounded game and competitiveness To our side plus he can play at CHB !

Whilst there is no real exposed ressie form to consider and no-one really struggling in the 1s, you would have to say no change.

Our defence should have a field day against the Giants attack and propel many attacks.

Only thing to consider is the sub. Shouldnt use Baker again. We need to give Melk and Hibbo more game time so maybe VDB or Petty

9 minutes ago, 58er said:

Your post is confusing pairing them off against each other Some of which I don't agree with. But you only came up with 2 positions for talls not 3 !! Name the 6 or 7 forwards in the 22 please.

BBB and T Mac can play in same side plus Jacko running around 2nd rucking and Bailey the fourth person plus smalls.

Weid is in the mix but Tmac brings a much more rounded game and competitiveness To our side plus he can play at CHB !

Agree on lots of things you write but not sure about these ones.  If we're currently playing a forwardline of TMac, Fritsch, Jacko/Gawn, Spargo, Pickett, ANB and the resting mid (Jones, Viney, Sparrow, Jordon) then I'm not sure we can afford to go an extra tall without losing the manic pressure required for our game plan to work.  We've seen in previous seasons what happens if we don't put enough pressure on the opposition defenders coming out of defence.  How can this work?

Also think TMac is past it in terms of playing CHB.  People tend to forget that he was on the outer just before he got switched forward - not because of his aerial work but because he was a liability with ball in hand.  He's not a bad kick but regular bit off more than he could chew eg kick into the corridor or trying to run around his man.  From defence, the turnovers are particularly costly.  Everyone in our defence (other than Hunt) are generally safe options with ball in hand.

Given he has trained to play wing, it will be very interesting to see what happens to him when Brown and Weid are fit.  So many permutations but right now I'd probably have Jacko and Weid fight out the ruck/forward role and assuming Brown is in then Tmac and Fritsch share the wing and 3rd tall position.  Where does that leave Brayshaw?  It's a very good question.

very interested to see what gw$ do with their ferrari engine room this week; has been sputtering along - josh kelly looks completely disinterested in being in blacktown beyond 2021

No change for mine. I'd be disappointed if anyone has to make way for Melky. 

8 hours ago, Action Jackson said:

No change barring injury.

Keep rewarding the side for strong performances until there needs to be a change.

3 changes for mine, pre-empt poor performances (minority report style) to keep players on their toes. Drop Maxy to send a message that no-one is safe, it's time to be ruthless.

Edited March 29, 20214 yr by chookrat

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

Absolutely I don't understand - clearly he was pushed into it by the other Freo player...

I always find it interesting how uncomfortable  Demonlanders find it after a strong, injury free win to be able say “No Change”.

We almost go hunting for one coming up with some great reasons why they are required. Teams with stability are always the teams with the best chance come years end. 

No one outside the team that is injury free is a guaranteed in. I would argue Benny Brown the only one once fit without question.

No one inside the side did not play their part in our win. I will admit some like Jones and Jetta I believe may be passed by at some point this year and some like Hunt I dont have full faith in but they all deserve their spot. I will also admit that the good teams have roles that are not defined by Dream Team Points but what it means for the structure or intent see Brayshaw, Sparrow, Spargo and ANB I reckon. 

It’s no change for me bar the who you choose as medisub. And it should stay that way whilst we win playing team footy knowing there are some strong players and up and comers to take out away from you if you dont. 

The drums are beating for the Giants. 

 

Beware the Giants this week, they are absolutely copping it in the media, highlighting their players lack of run and accountability.

Line in the sand game for them and we need to be very careful not to drink our own bath water this week and get caught up in a dog fight.  Kelly, Hopper and Coniglio will come to play.

Great opportunity to get a win and get a 2 game buffer on a few teams and set ourselves up. Big test of maturity and ruthlessness, we are favourites.  Need to set the tone early that you’re going to run 2 ways, be hard at every contest and set the self preservation and self doubt in on the Giants

16 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Line in the sand game for them and we need to be very careful not to drink our own bath water this week and get caught up in a dog fight.  Kelly, Hopper and Coniglio will come to play.

I don't think Kelly is a fighter 'Pennant', that's his big problem...but Green, Coniglio & Cement are plus I really rate Taranto.

We certainly wouldn't want them to get a sniff early.

be interesting to see what they do at the selection table this week - coniglio and kelly are seriously out of form, they can't play all five of those two plus taranto, hopper, and green as they're a titch slow and all best as inside mids to a greater or lesser degree

is riccardi fit?

8 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Beware the Giants this week, they are absolutely copping it in the media, highlighting their players lack of run and accountability.

Line in the sand game for them and we need to be very careful not to drink our own bath water this week and get caught up in a dog fight.  Kelly, Hopper and Coniglio will come to play.

Great opportunity to get a win and get a 2 game buffer on a few teams and set ourselves up. Big test of maturity and ruthlessness, we are favourites.  Need to set the tone early that you’re going to run 2 ways, be hard at every contest and set the self preservation and self doubt in on the Giants

Yep beware the wounded animal. This is not only a chance for us to go 3-0 (good lord!) but to effectively put a pin in GWS's season early, it will be a big one for both clubs. GWS should be feeling it a bit in their legs as well, they started with a slog in the wet, travelled to Perth, come back to Sydney, and then fly to Canberra (short trip but still gotta go through the airport motions).

This could be our angry game.

In the past we couldn't trust. Give us something Dees to say, they have the supporters backs. Be ruthless, determined and courageous, play smart and please no unforced errors.

There is plenty of room for improvement and I want an A grade hit at the GWS.

I think it could be decided in the first quarter. If we jump them early, I doubt they have the belief and desire to fight. If they jump us, then they may believe they can resurrect their season.

No change, be ruthless and sink their season.

Go Dees.

 

9 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Beware the Giants this week, they are absolutely copping it in the media, highlighting their players lack of run and accountability.

Line in the sand game for them and we need to be very careful not to drink our own bath water this week and get caught up in a dog fight.  Kelly, Hopper and Coniglio will come to play.

Great opportunity to get a win and get a 2 game buffer on a few teams and set ourselves up. Big test of maturity and ruthlessness, we are favourites.  Need to set the tone early that you’re going to run 2 ways, be hard at every contest and set the self preservation and self doubt in on the Giants

Totally pennant.

I think a change for the dees, that actually started in 2019, is how hard we are to score against when on.

When teams open us up it usually because our all team defence and two way running has dropped off.

This year we have been really strong in this regard.

The other change that has contributed to our defensive strength is how well our back half is going.

And how well they are working collectively to maintain their fluid zone. This really started last year. And has been on show this year.

I'm confident we win if we get these two elements right, particularly the all team defence and two way running.

The all team aspect is psychological, not physical, so a failure to bring it would me a massive fail.

And inexcusable.

This is where the coaches responsibility stops and the players begin.

The coaches will get the ready and do all the talks and yadda yards. But if they lose because they drop off defensively, even a tiny bit, it is 100% on the players.