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CHANGES: PF vs Geelong

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On 8/28/2021 at 10:30 PM, dazzledavey36 said:

Smith, Bowey out.

Hunt and Hibberd in.

Sorry Daz Hibbo is cooked and in Bowey he has been a revelation! Hunt in for Smith is about it I think

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    Smith is in for a reason.  His versatility mean that not only can be go with the quickest small forwards like Cameron, but if one of May / Lever / Petty go down,  he can be put onto one of the key forwards.  Love Hibbo but as others have noted, he's out of the team for a reason (clean below his knees?).

    I think the coaches love Smith (and to be honest he hasn't been too bad).  

    I wonder whether the versatility of Smith opens the door for Jones to be the medical sub on GF day should we make it.

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    Our game plan is incredibly ridged and each position has set roles.

    I think we will go with Smith or Hibberd to play a deep defensive role on the oppositions best fast forward. Who plays that role if our small backs are Hunt, Bowey, Salem and Rivers? We have had at least one of Jetta, Hibberd or Smith in the side in all games except for GCS and WCE.

    Bowey is the one at risk if Hunt is fit IMO and Hunt is much more physically equipped for finals. 

    Hibberd could replace Smith but it is very even and both have strengths and weaknesses.

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    I wouldn't be surprised if there's no change for not only next week but for the remainder of the finals series.

    I can't recall too many premiership sides making involuntary changes throughout a final series, but happy to be proven wrong by posters who can recall examples.

    We certainly made an involuntary change in 2018 when we dropped a regular (Fritsch) for an irregular (J Smith)

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    11 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

    Smith is in for a reason.  His versatility mean that not only can be go with the quickest small forwards like Cameron, but if one of May / Lever / Petty go down,  he can be put onto one of the key forwards.  Love Hibbo but as others have noted, he's out of the team for a reason (clean below his knees?).

    I think the coaches love Smith (and to be honest he hasn't been too bad).  

    I wonder whether the versatility of Smith opens the door for Jones to be the medical sub on GF day should we make it.

    Smiths versatility to my eyes appears that he’s bad at several things opposed to just one or two 

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    8 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    I wouldn't be surprised if there's no change for not only next week but for the remainder of the finals series.

    I can't recall too many premiership sides making involuntary changes throughout a final series, but happy to be proven wrong by posters who can recall examples.

    We certainly made an involuntary change in 2018 when we dropped a regular (Fritsch) for an irregular (J Smith)

    If Hunt is fit it's not an involuntary change. It is bringing back a regular best 22 player for a fringe player in Smith who has just had 5 goals kicked on him.

    Our backline has been settled all year. Hunt got injured late, and I think we have missed his drive off half back. Smith is not only not defending that great, he is not giving us any drive off half. Bowey is giving us some, but he can't be expected to take the game on like Hunt has been doing all year. 

    I am backing Hunt to come back if fit. Whether he replaces Smith or Bowey I don't know. Hibbo could very well come in if we play GWS to help with Greene. Time will tell.

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    3 minutes ago, Jaded said:

    If Hunt is fit it's not an involuntary change. It is bringing back a regular best 22 player for a fringe player in Smith who has just had 5 goals kicked on him.

    Our backline has been settled all year. Hunt got injured late, and I think we have missed his drive off half back. Smith is not only not defending that great, he is not giving us any drive off half. Bowey is giving us some, but he can't be expected to take the game on like Hunt has been doing all year. 

    I am backing Hunt to come back if fit. Whether he replaces Smith or Bowey I don't know. Hibbo could very well come in if we play GWS to help with Greene. Time will tell.

    Don't think Hunt will come in for Smith.  As @Fat Tony said, its more likely to be Bowey and Smith is fighting with Hibbo for that position.

    In my view, the match committee have decided that they would rather Smith over Hibbo- which is quite amazing given the credits Hibbo would have in the bank.  Smith has done enough right (and not enough wrong) to keep Hibbo out.

     

     

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    21 minutes ago, Jaded said:

    If Hunt is fit it's not an involuntary change. It is bringing back a regular best 22 player for a fringe player in Smith who has just had 5 goals kicked on him.

    Our backline has been settled all year. Hunt got injured late, and I think we have missed his drive off half back. Smith is not only not defending that great, he is not giving us any drive off half. Bowey is giving us some, but he can't be expected to take the game on like Hunt has been doing all year. 

    I am backing Hunt to come back if fit. Whether he replaces Smith or Bowey I don't know. Hibbo could very well come in if we play GWS to help with Greene. Time will tell.

    Agree that Hunt has been clearly best 22 all year and has been a good contributor. I personally think he should be back in the side. 

    The question is whether they want to make a change to a recent winning formula. I fear that Hunt has got injured at the wrong time and may have lost his spot for good this year. Who knows?

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    I don't really care about individual stats and who had what kicked on them  End result, the top scoring side was held to 60 points.  Our defensive GROUP  won.  I don't care if Cameron kicked 10 straight.  

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    I'm taking it one week at time.

    So no comment until Friday 7:51 pm

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    1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    I wouldn't be surprised if there's no change for not only next week but for the remainder of the finals series.

    I can't recall too many premiership sides making involuntary changes throughout a final series, but happy to be proven wrong by posters who can recall examples.

    We certainly made an involuntary change in 2018 when we dropped a regular (Fritsch) for an irregular (J Smith)

    from memory, tigers had the same 22 run out for the entirety of the 2017 campaign

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    Re Smith I think its important to remember just how few games he has actually played

    Sure some of that might be a function of poor form but I suspect the majority is because of injury

    He is inexperienced and therefore a risk atm, does he have some really good qualities - yes (height, speed, marking, decent disposal). There have been plenty on here baying for blood when Jacko has a couple of quiet games, Fritta the same 

    My sense is the coaching staff believe he is best 22 if he can stay fit and on the park but will take some time to settle just like Harry Petty has - the big question is do we let him settle into a role now given where things are at with finals - some difficult selection decisions await

    Bowey is another who I rate very highly but will be under some pressure if Hunt is ready to go

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    On 8/29/2021 at 10:56 AM, Pollyanna said:

    Keen to hear your assessment of "the rugby player"?

    Yes he did alright did not try to take everyone one but still that is all he is, look one can debate with everyone about Viney you like him I don't, i think there could be better options for the future but as the old saying goes opinions are like ********* everyone's got one and thats good.

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    Don't think there will be many changes but if TMac does not play could try Smith there could be a different dynamic with him playing there.  

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    Just now, demon3165 said:

    Don't think there will be many changes but if TMac does not play could try Smith there could be a different dynamic with him playing there.  

    No

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    4 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

    Don't think there will be many changes but if TMac does not play could try Smith there could be a different dynamic with him playing there.  

    I realise you're a Smith fan, but Goodwin has shown all year that players will play only in positions they've trained in or played in (either in the Seniors or VFL). As far as I know, Smith hasn't trained or played as a forward all year. He's not going to be going forward now.

    Edited by La Dee-vina Comedia
    typo

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    5 hours ago, Jaded said:

    If Hunt is fit it's not an involuntary change. It is bringing back a regular best 22 player for a fringe player in Smith who has just had 5 goals kicked on him.

    Agree with your point, but Smith is a fringe player because of injuries, not necessarily because of ability. He just hasn't been able to play much footy over the last couple of years. The difference with Bowey, who has been able to put together a season's worth of matches (Covid notwithstanding) is fairly marked.

    Not a justification for playing Smith in the finals when both Hunt and Hibberd are available, but he's worth persevering with, at least for another season.

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    5 hours ago, Jaded said:

    If Hunt is fit it's not an involuntary change. It is bringing back a regular best 22 player for a fringe player in Smith who has just had 5 goals kicked on him.

    Our backline has been settled all year. Hunt got injured late, and I think we have missed his drive off half back. Smith is not only not defending that great, he is not giving us any drive off half. Bowey is giving us some, but he can't be expected to take the game on like Hunt has been doing all year. 

    I am backing Hunt to come back if fit. Whether he replaces Smith or Bowey I don't know. Hibbo could very well come in if we play GWS to help with Greene. Time will tell.

    Excellent call on Hunt and the nature of the change. Hunt is good above his head as well as fast.  I fear not having him on the big slightly longer but narrower Oval if he's fit enough.

    Kardinia is slightly longer by 5 (Meteres) but much narrower (by 15 metres). This will suit Hunts speed against the Cats say.

    He was key to the initial defensive strategy so should fit right back in.

    I fear for Smiths place. Again on Saturday he flew against  May and Petty a few times, but thats not his role. Those

    guys have that covered. But he's more versatile than Hibberd. Bowey would be stiff, but like Tomlinson, Jordan and others he will have an excellent career with the Dees from 2022.

     

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    5 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

    Smith is in for a reason.  His versatility mean that not only can be go with the quickest small forwards like Cameron

    Yes, keep up with them for speed ... but that's only half of "go with", and for the moment at least, Smith doesn't have the smarts.

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    4 minutes ago, bing181 said:

    Yes, keep up with them for speed ... but that's only half of "go with", and for the moment at least, Smith doesn't have the smarts.

    Matthew Lloyd had a look at him on the AFL website this morning, suggesting his positioning in some of the one-on-one contests with Cameron was poor.

    Athleticism is great but he has to know how, and when, to use it.

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    As per Instagram, Hunt was running today and if you look carefully was doing some one legged jumps in the gym.

    Looks like he is a strong chance to return in 2 weeks, which is absolutely wonderful! 

     

    Edit: I don't think anyone is picking on Smith. He is very inexperienced due to a mix of injuries and positioning. He wasn't terrible on the weekend, but we have two more wins left to get the premiership. We must pick the best possible team to get there. There is no room for player development or sentiments right now. As it is we are taking a big risk with Bowey, who while he's looked very poised, has only played a handful of games and is physically under developed.  He would be an easy target for the opposition (Daniher tried it and failed), and he could blow up after a hard prelim slog. 

    I don't think Smith is better than Hunt or Hibbo, and his body has not held up well in games, and therefore I would replace him with one of those guys. 

    Edited by Jaded

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    I don't get the scapegoating of Smith. Some of Cameron's goals came from others mistakes (Rivers nervousness), a bit of luck (handball over the head), and a nearly, with a touch on the ball that wasn't quite enough. There were also other defenders in the areas and with our zoning roles can't expect shoulder to shoulder defense. 

    It has been shown throughout the season that a player has to have quite a few "off" days to get omitted. 

    He should be getting "match fit" now, especially with the week of Burgess's fitness regime, will be better next time.

    His ability to jell with the others is the worry. Has he got more time? The cohesion can only be improving with more games.

    Hunty will be lucky to break into the side, only because we seem to value continuity. Though we have missed his run off the backflanks and his energy.

    Big decision as to whether to drop Smith for Hunt.

    I can see Smith making a good flexible medical sub.

     

    Edited by kev martin

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    Have heard from someone who gets good intel that Hunt is all but certain to be right to go, and we're tossing up Hibberd coming back in as well. 

     

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    3 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

    Have heard from someone who gets good intel that Hunt is all but certain to be right to go, and we're tossing up Hibberd coming back in as well. 

    Fine if that's the case, but Bowey (I presume?) would be stiff.

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