PREGAME: Rd 04 vs West Coast

[Demons11 7,096]

2 hours ago, adonski said:

JJ could have 50 touches and Demonland would still have him dropped before 10 touch per game Sparrow

One of the great Demonland conspiracies!

It’s a good point that one, I did forget about Sparrow.  

[Little Goffy 14,751]

2 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. This kind of talk ⬆️ makes me nervous. And I’m already nervous enough on GameDay. Every. Single. Week. Even the bye week.

TIA! 😘

So, is now not a good time for me to suggest merging the 'game day vs Eagles' thread with the 'training ground' thread?

[layzie 34,339]

3 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

I have seen about half of the Casey game (first and last quarters).

Howes looks a beautiful mover and has some star AFL traits. But he is not fit enough for AFL and does not give enough second efforts. When he hits the ground he takes too long to get up and he also needs to be more desperate in the contest. He looks like a young Jack Watts but he shows potential to become a star player like Hird, Josh Kelly or Gunston.

 

Sounds like a young Cameron Bruce!

[layzie 34,339]

2 hours ago, Orion said:

No way he's being dropped.  He ranks in the top three for Melbourne for goals, goal assists, score involvements and tackles inside fifty

Tackles inside 50 in particular. He wants it and isn't afraid to punish.

[Wodjathefirst 2,667]

I didn’t mind Petty being rotated through the ruck alongside JVR to back up Grundy towards the end of last week’s game. Made us that much unpredictable in both the centre bounces and forward line.

I like the idea of resting BBB and bringing Kozzie back in for this week- create further chaos for the opposition in the centre and up forward.

Then in coming weeks I cannot even start to think how you fit in Gawn and Salem and in particular who goes out.  

We have fantastic depth and growing flexibility.  We can not only  cover injuries and rest key players when needed but it gives our squad great exposure to our system / processes. If we are unlucky and incur injuries, if managed well we could still remain as serious contenders. GO DEES!

[jnrmac 20,276]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I haven’t been following the Eagles injuries closely but tall defenders is their deepest group, we shouldn’t entirely underestimate who they bring in. And given BBB is hopefully back in a week as well as JVR and Petty have 1 games experience I’d stick with the structure.

Of course no one healthy should need a rest, but it’s a marathon season with a short break and travel next week. Someone has to miss out if we keep the same 3 tall structure and if they aren’t dropped they are ‘rested’. Sparrow, JJ, Pickett, Chandler, Spargo are all fit enough to be up and back runners. Of course there’s no good options here.

If we do go small the one thing I’d be interested in would be playing Tracc heavily forward, including deep forward. I’d love to get his goal kicking going.

 

I think you'll find they don't have anyone tall of note to bring in.

They have lost Witherden, Gov, Shuey, Chesser, Allen and Cripps.

They should struggle at our home ground

[picket fence 17,977]

2 hours ago, mo64 said:

Kozzy's and Harmes' midfield minutes were eaten up by JJ this week, and there's no way in hell he should be dropped. Same goes for Sparrow, who was big when the game was in the balance.

Goody made special mention of Chandler in his presser when questioned about JVR. Wouldn't be surprised if Goody gave him 1 vote in the Coaches Award.

As for the role players, I think ANB is close to his 2021 form, and has been solid in every game. Personally, I think Spargo goes missing when the opposition get on a role. The Chandler goal was huge in changing the Swans momentum, and is another impact small forward that we needed.

Assuming there are no injuries: In: Kozzy Out: Spargo

 

I can't believe Im saying this but NO WAY KNOWN Spargy Pants gets dropped!!! More likely Hibbo IMV

[layzie 34,339]

I know we could have taken advantage of more games like this year with a few more rotations but why is it seen like a bad thing? I can see it now if we’d have been beaten comments like “You don’t flirt with form” all over the place. 

While it would have been a luxury to rest some guys I don’t think this is where we lost it last year. We lost it by keeping guys in for non performances and refusing to go to the depth and reward someone for effort. Rushing guys back from injury probably didn’t help either. 
 

[AshleyH30 566]

All I can say is I would hate to be a selector at Melbourne this year.

[John Crow Batty 8,880]

Harry Edwards WC’s 200cm defender slated to be Jeremy McGoverns replacement is in doubt due to injuring his ankle at training. Ruckman Brad Williams and Liam Ryan also in doubt. Injuries over there are in plague proportions. 

Edited April 4, 2023 by John Crow Batty

[MrFreeze 2,038]

2 hours ago, hemingway said:

Great info mate. 
As previously mentioned, Chandlers form says a lot for his development and the wisdom of holding him back. It also says a lot for Chandler, a boy from South Aus who could have become impatient waiting for an opportunity in this star studded team. Says a lot for his loyalty, commitment and understanding of his development path. He could have easily put out the feelers to the SA clubs but there was a complete absence of speculation. He clearly wanted to stay with the Dees and the coaches clearly wanted to keep him. Now we see why. Love his story of perseverance and hard work. And loyalty. 

Chandler met with Adelaide a couple years ago, regardless he has remained a loyal hardworker.

[layzie 34,339]

29 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I can't believe Im saying this but NO WAY KNOWN Spargy Pants gets dropped!!! More likely Hibbo IMV

Sounds like it if that knock in training is serious. 

[DeeSpencer 26,290]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

I think you'll find they don't have anyone tall of note to bring in.

They have lost Witherden, Gov, Shuey, Chesser, Allen and Cripps.

They should struggle at our home ground

So they still have Barrass and Hurn, and I assume they can bring in a couple of potentially good young defenders in Bazzo and Hough. Maybe even Harry Edwards too who's not terrible.

Not saying they're world beaters by any means but I think key back is one position where they're at least got some options.

[fr_ap 2,544]

We had an extra defender in the squad on the weekend and whilst I like it, if Hibbo's Achilles is not ready he's the clear out for kossie - with perhaps rivers not coming as high up the ground as he did against Sydney (which would be a shame as I really like him further up, was terrific on the weekend and is going under the radar)

[hemingway 7,633]

9 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

We had an extra defender in the squad on the weekend and whilst I like it, if Hibbo's Achilles is not ready he's the clear out for kossie - with perhaps rivers not coming as high up the ground as he did against Sydney (which would be a shame as I really like him further up, was terrific on the weekend and is going under the radar)

Hibbo was limping badly at the end of the game. If it’s Achilles, no way given his age and slow nature of Achilles recovery. 

[bing181 9,425]

Kozzie for Hibberd (injured), Petty back.

[Diamond_Jim 12,687]

Pleasant weather predicted for Perth maximum of 26 and mild breeze

I see that the AFL injury site lists five key Eagles as TBC... does that really mean they're a chance.

On an unrelated note I see Jeremy Howe is almost ready to return. Amazing... I thought he'd be 12 weeks minimum

https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list

Edited April 4, 2023 by Diamond_Jim

[PaulRB 6,432]

Assuming BBB is OK, I'd suggest one of McVee or Piggy would make way for Kozzie.

With Harrison Petty likely to return down back as well.

[DEE fence 5,045]

16 hours ago, rpfc said:

As an aside, I am a simp for Melksham but how good is the ability to bring him in for Brown and upend what we throw Sydney. It seemed to really make the McCartins uneasy.

Interested in this observation - the McCartins were diminished from the Semi Final when they cut us up, I was really feeling calmer with this game as they were not rebounding with ease. If that was Melksham's influence Kudos to him. I do think I like him more as a decoy forward, because a team role is emphasized, and IMHO plays better.  

[sisso 2,588]

If we’re serious we should give the Eagles a hiding…do they have any small defenders? I can see Kozzie, Chin etc running riot in this one 

[Neil Crompton 5,747]

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Pleasant weather predicted for Perth maximum of 26 and mild breeze

I see that the AFL injury site lists five key Eagles as TBC... does that really mean they're a chance.

On an unrelated note I see Jeremy Howe is almost ready to return. Amazing... I thought he'd be 12 weeks minimum

https://www.afl.com.au/matches/injury-list

DJ, the article you quoted said the following about Howe:

“Howe’s return has been delayed by an infection in his arm that hospitalised the veteran defender last week."

(but really wgaf). 

[Diamond_Jim 12,687]

6 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

Howe’s return has been delayed by an infection in his arm that hospitalised the veteran defender last week

Yes but it also said that other than the infection he was TBC. Given that his broken bone was protruding through his skin that's a quick mend

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,788]

1 hour ago, bing181 said:

Kozzie for Hibberd (injured), Petty back.

This is what I think also

Potentially TMac in for BBB?

[dazzledavey36 55,885]

 

[Willmoy1947 4,198]

Will not mind seeing someone climb all over the back of Ryan.

Be ready for Switkowski.