PREGAME: Rd 21 vs North Melbourne

[DemonWA 3,929]

I really dont know which side of the coin to back with the whole 'Rest the best' Vs 'All go again' debate. 

I'll back the FD to make the right call, potentially a mixture of both approaches. 

[old55 23,371]

1 hour ago, rpfc said:

I am all for resting blokes the next few weeks heading in but Max seems like he is running on top of the ground atm.

 

[rpfc 28,257]

3 minutes ago, old55 said:

 

I’m fine to rest him. I just don’t think he will want it, I also think that Max and the FD may have different expectations on the dual ruck role heading into these last 4 weeks. I think Max would see an ‘in game’ rest with Brodie to continue the experiment, whereas if I was the FD I would lean towards the status quo (Petty and JVR) with Grundy getting a game at the expense of Gawn.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Goody was on 360 last he was quite clear that Oliver would not play this week.

Make of that what you will !!

[monoccular 17,413]

1 hour ago, DemonWA said:

I really dont know which side of the coin to back with the whole 'Rest the best' Vs 'All go again' debate. 

I'll back the FD to make the right call, potentially a mixture of both approaches. 

DWA - none of us really know exactly what is going on though many of us speculate.

We have to trust the FD, because there is no other option.  It is not a democracy, or even a demonocracy.

[old55 23,371]

7 minutes ago, rpfc said:

I’m fine to rest him. I just don’t think he will want it, I also think that Max and the FD may have different expectations on the dual ruck role heading into these last 4 weeks. I think Max would see an ‘in game’ rest with Brodie to continue the experiment, whereas if I was the FD I would lean towards the status quo (Petty and JVR) with Grundy getting a game at the expense of Gawn.

I think vs North and Carlton, who both play two rucks, we can go with both and get the "in game rest".

[Docs Demons 1,783]

I'm in favour of resting anyone who is a bit sore and tired for this coming game. Most, if not all of you plus myself reckon we have good depth so why not test the depth. Kangas coming back from Perth and really have nothing to play for. Yes Clarko is back but kick the first couple of goals and they will roll over. Surely the likes of Grundy for Max, Sparrow back for Viney would not weaken us that much. Rest then bring back for last 3 games then another rest before finals should have us cherry ripe.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,222]

I'm in the 'rest Jack Viney' camp. His body could do with a rest! His attack on the ball/opponent is the most relentness I've seen since Paul Kelly (Swans). I confess to not being a great fan of his in the past. I now hang my head in shame. His 2023 season has been brilliant.

I suspect Norf will play 2 rucks ... Goldstein and Xerri presumably. So, I think we should play 2 rucks, to give Max something of a break during the match, and to give Grundy a run.

I think that Sparrow is a good replacement for Viney. Not convinced about Dunstan.

Perhaps Hibbo in for Jordon or Harmes or Woewodin? Harmes' first half v Richmond was terrible, but he did at least improve in the second half. Woewodin isn't getting many possessions, but I think that long term he will be fine. Poor old JJ ... I think his form has pretty much peaked. 

I don't think we can afford to rest May, but I agree that he is looking a bit tired/old. 

Excuse my ramblings, but it is past my usual bedtime.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,687]

12 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

I'm in favour of resting anyone who is a bit sore and tired for this coming game. Most, if not all of you plus myself reckon we have good depth so why not test the depth. Kangas coming back from Perth and really have nothing to play for. Yes Clarko is back but kick the first couple of goals and they will roll over. Surely the likes of Grundy for Max, Sparrow back for Viney would not weaken us that much. Rest then bring back for last 3 games then another rest before finals should have us cherry ripe.

I disagree. Each player will be in front of Clarkson for the first time in a long time and will be playing for their career. It's not about winning the game, but winning over the coach.

[Deebauched 1,220]

2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I disagree. Each player will be in front of Clarkson for the first time in a long time and will be playing for their career. It's not about winning the game, but winning over the coach.

Clarkson. Clarkson who? Disappeared o/seas for almost a year. Returned home then got sick of looking at  Norff players and left the club. Now he's back to do what?Wave a magic wand at those muppets?

Who cares. Just dont let those nerds try and rough us up like last year.  [censored] them dees.

[Deespicable 2,717]

As with several others, this is the week to rest players as other tops sides have done when playing against West Coast or North.

The game against Hawthorn (Rd 22) is too close to our finals bye, so this is our chance to rest old or sore legs - yes we finally have an ageing list - certainly we are not passed our window, but we do have 3-4 30yos or close to that number.

To me the two who need a break more than anyone are Viney and May.

Viney keeps having a pinched shoulder in collisions and a week of hard running should get him cherry ripe for finals.

 May has carried our defence and he's now well past 30 - he needs a breather before finals.

Gawn can be rested, but surely it's better to just rest his workload during the game by bringing back Grundy to work in tandem with him for a week. We will need two rucks this week as North plays Goldy and Xerri.

Woey unfortunately slips out as well, but the good thing is that he now has four games at AFL under his belt for him to work on for next year.

Hibberd just has to play after his effort last week in VFL.

So for me it's Out: Viney, May and Woewodin. In: Grundy, Sparrow and Hibberd.

Tomlinson also should be out after last week, but with May rested, he has to remain in side this week.

[binman 42,632]

7 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

As with several others, this is the week to rest players as other tops sides have done when playing against West Coast or North.

The game against Hawthorn (Rd 22) is too close to our finals bye, so this is our chance to rest old or sore legs - yes we finally have an ageing list - certainly we are not passed our window, but we do have 3-4 30yos or close to that number.

To me the two who need a break more than anyone are Viney and May.

Viney keeps having a pinched shoulder in collisions and a week of hard running should get him cherry ripe for finals.

 May has carried our defence and he's now well past 30 - he needs a breather before finals.

Gawn can be rested, but surely it's better to just rest his workload during the game by bringing back Grundy to work in tandem with him for a week. We will need two rucks this week as North plays Goldy and Xerri.

Woey unfortunately slips out as well, but the good thing is that he now has four games at AFL under his belt for him to work on for next year.

Hibberd just has to play after his effort last week in VFL.

So for me it's Out: Viney, May and Woewodin. In: Grundy, Sparrow and Hibberd.

Tomlinson also should be out after last week, but with May rested, he has to remain in side this week.

Agree on outs and the players to come in.

Also agree on Tomo.

Live I didn't think he had a great game, but when i looked at his numbers my assessment of his game certainly took a dive. 

Tomo only had 7 disposals - which for a lock down defender isn't too much of a concern in of itself.

But he had five clangers (defined as an error made by a player resulting in a negative result for his side) and of his 7 disposals, 4 were turnovers.

Edited August 2, 2023 by binman

[ben russell 764]

12 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

As with several others, this is the week to rest players as other tops sides have done when playing against West Coast or North.

The game against Hawthorn (Rd 22) is too close to our finals bye, so this is our chance to rest old or sore legs - yes we finally have an ageing list - certainly we are not passed our window, but we do have 3-4 30yos or close to that number.

To me the two who need a break more than anyone are Viney and May.

Viney keeps having a pinched shoulder in collisions and a week of hard running should get him cherry ripe for finals.

 May has carried our defence and he's now well past 30 - he needs a breather before finals.

Gawn can be rested, but surely it's better to just rest his workload during the game by bringing back Grundy to work in tandem with him for a week. We will need two rucks this week as North plays Goldy and Xerri.

Woey unfortunately slips out as well, but the good thing is that he now has four games at AFL under his belt for him to work on for next year.

Hibberd just has to play after his effort last week in VFL.

So for me it's Out: Viney, May and Woewodin. In: Grundy, Sparrow and Hibberd.

Tomlinson also should be out after last week, but with May rested, he has to remain in side this week.

Harmes goes out before Woey does. I’d even have Jordon out before Woey.

[Pipefitter 2,150]

I would only like Viney resting once Oliver is back. This is more an opportunity to rest max . 

[binman 42,632]

1 hour ago, ben russell said:

Harmes goes out before Woey does. I’d even have Jordon out before Woey.

Agree on Harmes before Woey, but not JJ before woey

[adonski 11,784]

This is the type of game to keep Woey in

[Kent 2,906]

WE dont have a KPD to rest May unfortunately Need to draft another

Oliver in soon Viney rested Sparrow back Harmes out

2 rucks v North Hibbo in for JJ

Smith sub all year

[Robbie57 2,020]

Just my two cents:

Tomo had the fumbles and poor disposals but we need a third tall defender, apart from the execution he was good and he needs to be given a confidence boost. 

Smith, well let me contradict what I just said, he needs a full game after being on the pine for a few weeks. Tomo the sub?

Woey I am torn, has showed promise, is it a good opportunity to build on that?

Max talking up Brody in the press but we have to leave the forwards alone to build on the last match. 

Glad I am not on the match committee, Clarkson back, a difficult venue, the chance to go top two, does resting players now help us...  

If it wasn't North it would be no changes from last week.

[Deebauched 1,220]

Glad DL posters arent on the selection panel. If they were we'd be playing a Casey side v Norff. Brilliant.

Goodwin wont rest players. If youre injured then youre omitted and replaced at your peril.  

If youre down on form you will be omitted and replaced at your peril.

[Kent 2,906]

21 minutes ago, Deebauched said:

Glad DL posters arent on the selection panel. If they were we'd be playing a Casey side v Norff. Brilliant.

Goodwin wont rest players. If youre injured then youre omitted and replaced at your peril.  

If youre down on form you will be omitted and replaced at your peril.

if only that was correct Deeb Goodwin has made many mystifying decisions over the past two years

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,762]

Maybe the pre finals bye will be everyone's rest.

I cannot remember seeing the word rested or managed next to a player's name under Goodwin.

[sue 9,096]

I think  'rested' isn't the right word except when a player is shaking off an injury.  Being 'rested' otherwise is a week of not getting knocked about (and possibly injured) and a mental break - presumaby not sitting on the couch eating KFC.  

I can only rely on the club to decide who needs either type of rest and to weigh up the other pros and cons of having a player who could play, not do so.  Geelong seemed to do it successfully last year, so I'm surprised by those who say absolutely don't do it.

[Fritta and Turner 4,329]

1 hour ago, binman said:

Agree on Harmes before Woey, but not JJ before woey

If Harmes had kicked straight it would have been a good game from him.

Still the future belongs to Woey, not Harmesy.  Woey needs to be stronger and get some penetration into his kicking.

[smurf 233]

I have a strong suspicion that Max will be rested/managed this week and Grundy will ruck.

I think Viney's shoulder could do with a week off too.

Sparrow and Grundy in.

Max and Viney out.

[layzie 33,749]

We've got this obsession on here lately that everyone has to be 100% cherry ripe all the time. It's AFL footy and it doesn't happen, players play with knocks and niggles all the time. Otherwise what the hell is the point of the pre-finals bye?

I know we're fearful of a situation like last year but from all accounts the level of banged up that we were was from another post code. I'd be shocked if we pulled out 3 or more regular starters for the sake of rest, May and Viney yes if actually hurt, and that's a big if.