On 19/08/2021 at 09:10, Travy14 said:

Apparently the "Home" sides will have a say in where they play.  Melbourne have said they would prefer to play at an empty MCG than travel.  But if they had too id say they would play in Perth so Port have to travel as well.  Not sure if Tasmania or Brisbane are options.

Casey ??🤭

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:10, Travy14 said:

Apparently the "Home" sides will have a say in where they play.  Melbourne have said they would prefer to play at an empty MCG than travel.  But if they had too id say they would play in Perth so Port have to travel as well.  Not sure if Tasmania or Brisbane are options.

Do you think that means that Geel will be granted a home game at Kardinia Park if they finish 1 or 2? (and no crowds are allowed in Vic). If I were Geelong I'd be arguing for that.

However  I think the Grand Final precedent is that we want a crowd no matter what, so Perth would still be favourite for the location of the Grand Final.

Curse this COVID 100x over.

Edited August 19, 20213 yr by Big Col
for clarity

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:03, radar said:

Picked a team to win it. 
interesting to see Geel v Melb ages and games. 

No comparison - we are one of the youngest teams, they are the oldest…

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:34, Lord Nev said:

I reckon Jezza would get him for height and reach though, prefer Petty.

I still think I would have preferred Hibberd over Smith, but I don't absolutely hate the matchup of Smith on Rohan (I may eat my words there though).

I see it that way too. Never had as much faith in the match commitee as I do now, except for Northey years. Time to be steady but brave and go for broke and not to die wondering. 

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:03, Lord Nev said:

Sorry binny, couldn't disagree more with this. He may run off his opponent at times, but Smith is being used specifically as a match up for Rohan IMO.

Rivers, Salem, Bowey along with Langdon will provide the run and carry most of the time. This is a coach who spent big money and big trade currency to fix our back half turnovers (bye bye Frosty), so I have high doubts he would then turn to Joel Smith the week before finals to provide our run and carry out of the back line.

Well let's agree to disagree nev.

In the four vfl games I have watched Smith play this year his role has mirrored the role Hunt plays. He had 19 disposals against Werribee running put of defence.

I suggested he might replace Hunt last week. Technically he came in for may but in reality it was Hunt as that was the role he played.

May is back in this week and Smith stays. It is very unlikely goody makes a structural change to tbe backline at this stage ie four talls. 

Much more likely he would keep the structure that has been tbe foundation of tbe leagues best defence by a country mile.

Hunt played a very specific role. And a very important one in our system. I  think many don't appreciate how important.

Logic suggests that role needs to be replaced. And the players you mention all have their own set roles to play.

As I suggested before the crows game Smith in to play hunts role makes sense. And that is the role I am positive he will  play. And if he does a good job in that role he will stay in the team through the finals. 

And I'm not sure what you mean about his kicking. He is a more reliable ick than Hunt.

I absolutely disagree that we are going in too tall down back. Smith perhaps will take Rohan. But we know Geelong play tall and we need to have them covered for height to allow Lever to float. 
I am not against playing Smith over Hibbo. It’s just a curious selection for me as Smith hasn’t played all year and I don’t see how he cements a backline spot a week from finals. 
Our backline is arguably the most important part of our team. We’ve been settled since Tomlinson went down. Now Hunt is down and we are going into finals with a 3 gamer in Bowey and an equally inexperienced Smith? Seems risky. 

Edited August 19, 20213 yr by Jaded

The mids better work back to then spark us forward - Hunt was a huge spark and Hibberd the next best for forcing some run. 

At times we become so stagnant with the ball from behind the centre line. 

Now Harmes and Clarry and Trac have to get back there and push us. 

Edited August 19, 20213 yr by rpfc

We have had consistency at selection most of the year, not this one with the home and away season coming to an end.

Three changes, with some old heads, and JJ who has always been selected, going out.

A few of players still getting match fit in Smith, Viney, Sparrow and Bowey, though I think Bowey is setting for a fairytale final series. Therefore plenty of pressure to perform!

Such a change up, it will have to effect our structures. 

Interesting coaching duel coming up.

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 20213 yr by kev martin

Jordon is a bit stiff Sparrow can consider himself very lucky. The other ins and outs are fine with me.

Tuesday it was them 1.71 v 2.30 for MFC

Since team release, odds 1.90 to 1.94

 

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:03, Lord Nev said:

Sorry binny, couldn't disagree more with this. He may run off his opponent at times, but Smith is being used specifically as a match up for Rohan IMO.

Rivers, Salem, Bowey along with Langdon will provide the run and carry most of the time. This is a coach who spent big money and big trade currency to fix our back half turnovers (bye bye Frosty), so I have high doubts he would then turn to Joel Smith the week before finals to provide our run and carry out of the back line.

Agree! 

not smart enough decision marker or skilled enough to be running half-back flank. 

trialling him on Rohan, with the knowledge that we have Hibbo for finals if it fails. 
 

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:24, Nicko said:

The committee is clearly intent on getting game time into sparrow…

And so they should ... gutsy young bloke looking for action who could take the elevator to heaven as a fast learner.

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:12, monoccular said:

Casey ??🤭

If we're playing the cats they'd almost be better off catching a ferry across and driving up the peninsula. 

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:28, titan_uranus said:

I disagree with Smith holding his spot over Hibberd and Sparrow holding his spot over Jordon.

But, neither is an egregiously bad decision.

If Port wins, I truly hope Smith proves me wrong. 

There is most likely some 'old fashioned player resting' going on and if they think that they can manage/arrange it and still be super productive onfield, then well and good. A confidence move if ever you saw one.

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:51, radar said:

Tuesday it was them 1.71 v 2.30 for MFC

Since team release, odds 1.90 to 1.94

 

Interesting - I jumped on us at 2.20

I’m entirely unconcerned about Bowey heading in to finals. Think he’ll shine.

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:40, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I don’t see what they see in Sparrow.

I get the Jordon omission though. The Jordon of round 1-17 has been far superior to the Jordon of rounds 18-22

He seemed really flat last week.

Might be a bit burnt out?

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:40, Demon17 said:

Hibberd not as good in the air as Smith - one of Roham's strengths.

Maybe even in the team to allow bench time for May or Petty.

I'd reckon Smith is a rotator down back but I would prefer to see him playing in the forward line; however, with some handy swapping across Cameron and Rohan, he could really interrupt the Catty Putts avenues to goal. I reckon Cameron ain't right just yet, as well. Let's knock his socks off for some doctor time. As for Rohan, he can be demoralised quite often and then, he ain't half the player he could be. Petty will be useful against him when the incoming ball descendeth. 

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:45, Jaded said:

I absolutely disagree that we are going in too tall down back. Smith perhaps will take Rohan. But we know Geelong play tall and we need to have them covered for height to allow Lever to float. 
I am not against playing Smith over Hibbo. It’s just a curious selection for me as Smith hasn’t played all year and I don’t see how he cements a backline spot a week from finals. 
Our backline is arguably the most important part of our team. We’ve been settled since Tomlinson went down. Now Hunt is down and we are going into finals with a 3 gamer in Bowey and an equally inexperienced Smith? Seems risky. 

How so?

  On 19/08/2021 at 10:07, Engorged Onion said:

How so?

Bowey plays like a 150 game A grader - nothing to worry about there.

& Smith will have to play well this week to get picked in a final - which would mean 2 good games in a row. 
 

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:40, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I don’t see what they see in Sparrow.

Watch him ... he's shaping well and adapting to his role each game - that's the fast curve to improvement and reliability.

 

  On 19/08/2021 at 08:50, faultydet said:

Sore mammies would make chest marking quite difficult I guess. 

It's the bounce that makes it tricky.

I think they are very good changes. If Smith and Sparrow don't performthis week then Hibberd and jordan will get their spots back.

  On 19/08/2021 at 10:10, 1964_2 said:

Bowey plays like a 150 game A grader - nothing to worry about there.

& Smith will have to play well this week to get picked in a final - which would mean 2 good games in a row. 
 

Agree on both points 100% - thus it's not risky.

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:23, Dees2014 said:

No comparison - we are one of the youngest teams, they are the oldest…

Run 'em off their crotchety old, scabby legs so they will be useless after half-time.

 

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:54, 1964_2 said:

Agree! 

not smart enough decision marker or skilled enough to be running half-back flank. 

trialling him on Rohan, with the knowledge that we have Hibbo for finals if it fails. 
 

I think Smith is a good match for Rohan.

Has the pace to go with Rohan and Rohan is not a smart footballer which should suit him.

  On 19/08/2021 at 09:37, binman said:

Well let's agree to disagree nev.

In the four vfl games I have watched Smith play this year his role has mirrored the role Hunt plays. He had 19 disposals against Werribee running put of defence.

I suggested he might replace Hunt last week. Technically he came in for may but in reality it was Hunt as that was the role he played.

May is back in this week and Smith stays. It is very unlikely goody makes a structural change to tbe backline at this stage ie four talls. 

Much more likely he would keep the structure that has been tbe foundation of tbe leagues best defence by a country mile.

Hunt played a very specific role. And a very important one in our system. I  think many don't appreciate how important.

Logic suggests that role needs to be replaced. And the players you mention all have their own set roles to play.

As I suggested before the crows game Smith in to play hunts role makes sense. And that is the role I am positive he will  play. And if he does a good job in that role he will stay in the team through the finals. 

And I'm not sure what you mean about his kicking. He is a more reliable ick than Hunt.

Disagree again.

In both the VFL and AFL games he's played this year he has never played as a run and carry half back. He rebounds somewhat from the contest, because that's how he's always played, he hits the contest and keeps momentum forward, but he is not a run and carry player who will go further up the ground like Hunt does.

Here's Hunt's heatmap from his last full game (v GC):

Here's Smith's from last week v Adelaide:

Pretty clearly those are the heat maps of two completely different roles.