PREGAME: Rd 24 vs Sydney

[Demonland 72,147]

The Demons travel to the SCG in Round 24 as they take on the Sydney Swans with Top 4 and the double chance sewn up. Who comes in and who goes out?

[ElDiablo14 4,998]

I am very anxious of Fritsch playing at this game 😬😬 , would rather bring him on only for finals.

[Chook 15,012]

1 minute ago, ElDiablo14 said:

I am very anxious of Fritsch playing at this game 😬😬 , would rather bring him on only for finals.

We need to know what our forward line looks like before a qualifying final though surely.

[ElDiablo14 4,998]

1 minute ago, Chook said:

We need to know what our forward line looks like before a qualifying final though surely.

Surely Fritsch is a straight in? He's been our best Fwd the last 3 seasons.

[YearOfTheDees 3,266]

Don't ever want to play with form but we are last to play next week "out of the games that matter" so we will know exactly what we need to do. 

 

[Floody100 193]

Laurie showed some good signs but if Fritsch is ready he comes straight in for him.

Will be interesting to see what they do with CHF. I’d like Smith to stay there but Tommo was pretty ordinary today & TMac kicked 3 goals in the VFL today so wouldn’t be shocked if Smith goes to CHB, TMac goes straight into CHF & Tommo gets dropped or becomes the Sub in case TMac is poor.

Edited August 20, 2023 by Floody100

[Jaded No More 68,898]

3 minutes ago, Chook said:

We need to know what our forward line looks like before a qualifying final though surely.

And like Clarry Fritta will need a run before finals so if he doesn’t play round 24 I reckon he plays for Casey in the bye week. He has to get a game in before finals. 

[titan_uranus 24,993]

If he’s fit, Fritsch for Laurie. Tough for Bill but IMO he’s the least undeserving. 

We need to stick with Smith forward and Tomlinson back. Can’t keep flipping Smith between the two. He needs to be given a chance to make that forward spot his own. Kicked 2 today, which was a good return. 

[Jjrogan 1,420]

Tomlinson allows Lever to take the 3rd tall intercepting and Lever is incredible every time he is allowed to play that role.   The results speak for themselves. May Lever Tommo - undefeated in 18 games??  There is no way you can drop Tommo.

[praha 11,240]

Schache showed enough for me to know he ain't up to it. In the last he showed a fraction of the energy and run that Melksham, Jordan, Smith have shown all year. When they have come on as subs they absolutely throw themselves at it even when the ball seems lost. It's called pressure. Schache played today like a player who had already played three quarters. Except he played only one. In one particular moment he flat out stopped running on a chase... Never again, please.

Regardless of other results, I'd play Fritsch next week. Needs the run.

Then maybe consider him for a game for Casey during the pre-finals bye.

I would also seriously consider Pickett as the sub. 

[Dee-monic 620]

Fritsch (if medically cleared) surely needs a run for match fitness, and TMac also deserves a shot. Van Rooyen had his moments today but he is yet to become the kind of key forward who can win finals.

In the backline, Hibberd for Bowey could also be an option.

And maybe we could even give Grundy a full game and let Max rest up to sort out any niggles from the batterings he takes every week.

The trouble is that the team will have to be chosen before we know whether upsets in earlier games have opened up an unlikely pathway to grab second spot on percentages. In that case, we would obviously want our best 22 on the park.

[Jaded No More 68,898]

Still haven’t lost a game since the beginning of time with May, Lever and Tomlinson all playing. Why oh why do we keep insisting on being so hard on him? He is clearly good down there and makes it easier for Lever to play the intercept role. 
Just leave him in there ffs

[Jjrogan 1,420]

7 minutes ago, Dee-monic said:

Fritsch (if medically cleared) surely needs a run for match fitness, and TMac also deserves a shot. Van Rooyen had his moments today but he is yet to become the kind of key forward who can win finals.

In the backline, Hibberd for Bowey could also be an option.

And maybe we could even give Grundy a full game and let Max rest up to sort out any niggles from the batterings he takes every week.

The trouble is that the team will have to be chosen before we know whether upsets in earlier games have opened up an unlikely pathway to grab second spot on percentages. In that case, we would obviously want our best 22 on the park.

They can just be 4 emergencies and we should rest anyone with a niggle.  The bookies have this game as 50/50, which is a reflection they think we don't play our best 22 in what might be a dead rubber.  We were stronger favourites before this weekend I believe. 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Jjrogan

[Diamond_Jim 12,568]

Fritsch in presumably for Laurie

TMac as 50% sub (sharing with JVR probably... no criticism of JVR but we need to get a good look at the others)

Smith stays in but it's his spot that is in danger for the first final (You could sub him out for TMac but my thought is it's a battle between him and TMac for the starting role come finals)

Down back.. Probably no change but maybe Hibberd for Tomlinson thinking of Collingwood in first final (they don't play tall)

PS: Grundy for Gawn if thought appropriate

AND... No injuries please

Edited August 20, 2023 by Diamond_Jim

[layzie 33,793]

I never post in this thread this early but Go Dees.

[Satan 2,871]

Go saints and tiges

[dazzledavey36 54,857]

Tom McCartin suspended for 2 weeks

[Demonland 72,147]

 

  

[Roost it far 8,254]

30 minutes ago, Dee-monic said:

Fritsch (if medically cleared) surely needs a run for match fitness, and TMac also deserves a shot. Van Rooyen had his moments today but he is yet to become the kind of key forward who can win finals.

In the backline, Hibberd for Bowey could also be an option.

And maybe we could even give Grundy a full game and let Max rest up to sort out any niggles from the batterings he takes every week.

The trouble is that the team will have to be chosen before we know whether upsets in earlier games have opened up an unlikely pathway to grab second spot on percentages. In that case, we would obviously want our best 22 on the park.

If you think JVR is going out you’ve got rocks in your head

[Roost it far 8,254]

In: Fritsch, TMac

Out: Laurie, Schache

TMac or Smith the starting sub

[titan_uranus 24,993]

33 minutes ago, Dee-monic said:

Fritsch (if medically cleared) surely needs a run for match fitness, and TMac also deserves a shot. Van Rooyen had his moments today but he is yet to become the kind of key forward who can win finals.

In the backline, Hibberd for Bowey could also be an option.

And maybe we could even give Grundy a full game and let Max rest up to sort out any niggles from the batterings he takes every week.

The trouble is that the team will have to be chosen before we know whether upsets in earlier games have opened up an unlikely pathway to grab second spot on percentages. In that case, we would obviously want our best 22 on the park.

We’re not making that many changes a week from finals. 

And sorry but there is no way JVR gets dropped. His workrate today was a standout. 

[BDA 22,743]

36 minutes ago, Dee-monic said:

TMac also deserves a shot. Van Rooyen had his moments today but he is yet to become the kind of key forward who can win finals.

JVR has been fantastic. If TMac comes in its to support him not replace him.

[Deestar9 1,615]

1 hour ago, ElDiablo14 said:

I am very anxious of Fritsch playing at this game 😬😬 , would rather bring him on only for finals.

Has to have a run …game fitness is crucial 

[Roost it far 8,254]

If TMac kicks 4 next week, oh boy, Wow wee

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

35 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Still haven’t lost a game since the beginning of time with May, Lever and Tomlinson all playing. Why oh why do we keep insisting on being so hard on him? He is clearly good down there and makes it easier for Lever to play the intercept role. 
Just leave him in there ffs

Preach.