33 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Is the Salo pick a red herring and he's going to get pulled pre-game or do we not play those games?

Would be a real [censored] move for someone who missed half a season with rubbish injuries. The club is welcoming him back on social media. Seems highly unlikely. 
 

I suppose we have a plethora of players who can cover for him if he needs to be subbed off. JJ can come in and move into the middle and you have Rivers and Gus who can slot back. 
I just really want him to succeed and I’m not sure that bringing him straight back into a massive game after he missed 10 rounds is setting him up for success. Still, we trust the club, and it will improve our defensive ground ball down back significantly.

11 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

rivers and brayshaw increased midfield rotations

i personally favour the former over the latter

Didn't attend any center bounces against the Hawks WWSW.  Anything's possible of course but it would mean a bit of a turn around from last game.

Agree Gus might get some more time here though.  He attended approx 21% of center bounces on the weekend and performed pretty well both offensively and defensively.  We had a higher 'effective clearance %' and 'lower effective oppo clearance %' when he did. 

Not sure about Salo coming in, even if he's done a mum preseason he's still not going to be match fit.

Brayshaw is wasted down back

On 5/16/2023 at 4:55 PM, Redleg said:

Won't happen.

But you said!

Still think Salem will be the sub

27 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

How would Port set up differently if Salo is in @Demonland?

Probably not much differently if at all. Just playing Devil's Advocate.

I'm actually surprised they didn't just name Dixon for the Setup Mind Games.

8 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Would be a real [censored] move for someone who missed half a season with rubbish injuries. The club is welcoming him back on social media. Seems highly unlikely. 
 

I suppose we have a plethora of players who can cover for him if he needs to be subbed off. JJ can come in and move into the middle and you have Rivers and Gus who can slot back. 
I just really want him to succeed and I’m not sure that bringing him straight back into a massive game after he missed 10 rounds is setting him up for success. Still, we trust the club, and it will improve our defensive ground ball down back significantly.

I'm sure he would have been in on it if that was the move.

I'm positive the FD and Social Media are not in cahoots.

Also positive the plan is to sub him with JJ late in the game if things are going smoothly on the injury front.

Trust the club.

That is all.

Salem has done a good three to four week block of training. Has participated in a couple of match sims and has come out feeling really strong. He’s very happy to be back.

Some info was passed on from someone with ties to the club. Wish him well on his first game for the season and we are a hell of a lot better with a firing Salo.

37 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Is the Salo pick a red herring and he's going to get pulled pre-game 

I doubt it.  Goodwin usually doesn't play these types of games

1 hour ago, layzie said:

Can't help but feel the Sparrow suspension sped this up a bit.

Ideally they might have ran him for at least one match this weekend gone had Casey not had the bye L but for poor timing. 

Edited May 18, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

I predict Rivers and Brayshaw will play more mid time to accommodate Salo. 

Salo was an absolute beast in 2021, keen to see him recapture the same sort of form

1 hour ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Thinking it could be a bit of reverse think by the FD here EO?

Port VG at preventing teams from marking, especially shorter kicks, in an attempt to force the oppo to kick it longer down the line to 50/50s.

They do this by going one v one rather than zoning on opp players closer to the ball carrier while still applying a zone further out.

Bringing Salo in might be somewhat of a counter from us.  Ie., bringing in another very good user of the ball by foot over shorter (kick / mark) distances to combat their strat here so they aren't getting the game on their terms so easily.

Good hypothesis I reckon.

Salo can basically slot into the role he has played his best footy in - true half back, playing off his opponent, hard at it when needed, good with the ground ball and neat, forward 30 - 40 metre kicks that hit targets.

Mcvee plays as more a lock down defender and bowser can sweep up out the back and push forward and get creative.

So we have three tough half back flankers who win their own ball and have elite kicking skills.

And Salem will relish that we are taking more risk with our kicks this season.

For a team that is already one of the best at scoring on transition, a set up with Salem, McVee and Bowey is something to look forward to.

Edited May 18, 20231 yr by binman

Wow... genuinely shocked. I know Goody mentioned it in his presser but didn't think it come to fruition.

Where's the selection integrity in all this? No VFL game off the back of a serious injury and comes straight in? Guys like Jordon, Laurie, Harmes all putting in solid performance at VFL level and still get overlooked.

Don't think coaches have learnt anything from last year lol..

15 minutes ago, layzie said:

Trust the club.

That is all.

Here endeth the sermon

38 minutes ago, picket fence said:

[censored] selection SALEM???¿ wtf,, limited training no form?? The Robot instead of BBB ??? Give me a break. This will come back to haunt us!! Mark my words!!😱

Picket, I find it helps to read your posts in the accent of Donald Trump, makes them more understandable 

4 minutes ago, binman said:

Good hypothesis I reckon.

Salo can basically slot into the role he has played his best footy in - true half back, playing off his opponent, hard at it when needed, good with the ground ball and neat, forward 30 - 40 metre kicks thst hire targets.

Mcvee plays as more a lock down defender and bowser can sweep up out the back and push forward and get creative.

So we have three tough half back flankers who win their own ball and have elite kicking skills.

And Salem will relish that we are taking more risk with our kicks this season.

For a team that is already one of the best at scoring on transition, a set up with Salem, McVee and Bowey is something to look forward to.

Seems very sound Mr Bin

Should be a great Fri night hit out.

A good excuse to crack open the Angostura 7 year duty free rum!

5 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Wow... genuinely shocked. I know Goody mentioned it in his presser but didn't think it come to fruition.

Where's the selection integrity in all this? No VFL game off the back of a serious injury and comes straight in? Guys like Jordon, Laurie, Harmes all putting in solid performance at VFL level and still get overlooked.

Don't think coaches have learnt anything from last year lol..

Unfortunately for those players you mention, they're not like-for-like. And Salo is a lefty with elite foot skills. Those other guys aren't and are in competition for spots in different parts of the ground. 

Bold move for sure, but I've heard he's been match load running for a while now. I like the move, aggressive. And I think it will give our boys a lift. They love him, premiership player, best mates with Trac and Clarry. 

Fingers crossed he gets through and makes a significant contribution. 

Really hope the 2023 version of Salem is channeling his 2021 form. Was rushed in last year and the whole team paid for it

Just now, JimmyGadson said:

Unfortunately for those players you mention, they're not like-for-like. And Salo is a lefty with elite foot skills. Those other guys aren't and are in competition for spots in different parts of the ground. 

Bold move for sure, but I've heard he's been match load running for a while now. I like the move, aggressive. And I think it will give our boys a lift. They love him, premiership player, best mates with Trac and Clarry. 

Fingers crossed he gets through and makes a significant contribution. 

I'm more scarred from when they rushed him back last year and he was a shadow of his former self of 2021. Played way too timid for my liking.

Fingers crossed then that it does give the boys a lift.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Jordon is stiff as.

Well he hasnt committed to the club and obviously there is an offer on the table.  Why would you put games into someone who is leaving?

1 minute ago, BW511 said:

Really hope the 2023 version of Salem is channeling his 2021 form. Was rushed in last year and the whole team paid for it

I find this just a tad....  bizarre.. 

Am i alone ?.

( that is... Salem back in...  not a match played since....fmd.... cant remember)

Got to be 'gaming' Hinks ?? 

As mentioned earlier in the thread by others, not sure Salem/Rivers/Bowza/McVee in a position really alters the opposition setup.

If it’s gaming Hinkley, it’s pretty half hearted

Super excited that Salem is back - that is all I have to say 😁

Edited May 18, 20231 yr by Nairobi_Demon

7 minutes ago, Jontee said:

Well he hasnt committed to the club and obviously there is an offer on the table.  Why would you put games into someone who is leaving?

Why is it obvious there is an offer on the table?