PREGAME: Rd 05 vs Brisbane

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,165]

On Billing’s whilst his three misses were frustrating they could easily have him with 3 goals to go with his 14 possessions. The reason I think he should be ommitted is the amount of missed tackles he had. 

[roy11 3,852]

7 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

On Billing’s whilst his three misses were frustrating they could easily have him with 3 goals to go with his 14 possessions. The reason I think he should be ommitted is the amount of missed tackles he had. 

Can you get away with having a player who won't stick all his tackles if he's bringing other positives to the team? Do we have enough bulls to cover that or is it all hands on deck?

[Smokey 4,389]

The thought of Kozzie being suspended and Maynard getting nothing is nauseating. 

Surely its low impact and a fine, really wasn't much in it at all. 

Given that, no changes. I have no concerns with our form last night off the back of a 5 day break in hostile territory. We should account for Brisbane @ the G no problem.  

Billings, in my opinion, is a very important player in our run for a flag this year. He was horrible last night, but he's been good otherwise. He gets another chance for mine. 

Edited April 5 by Smokey

[Jaded No More 68,898]

Woewodin either has to start or he has to play with Casey. He’s been sub too many times now and needs the run. 

[Demonstone 22,482]

2 hours ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

Billing’s

FFS!  There is no apostrophe in Billings, just as there is no "s" in McAdam and no "e" in Fullarton.

They're our players now.  Surely we can spell their names properly.

PS:  This is not a personal attack on your good self @Lil_red_fire_engine.  Many posters are guilty of it.

[At the break of Gawn 4,460]

I feel a lot less confident about this game now after North let Brisbane get some form back. There’s nothing like a belting to help a struggling team get some momentum going. 
 

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

2 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I feel a lot less confident about this game now after North let Brisbane get some form back. There’s nothing like a belting to help a struggling team get some momentum going. 
 

Except when it's Melbourne and you'd interpret it as an easy kill and in no way useful for the following weeks match-up...🤷‍♂️

[Fritta and Turner 4,403]

If BBB is omitted does  Fullarton come in?

[monoccular 17,418]

10 hours ago, Young Blood said:

Why are people so keen to drop Billings? Because he doesn't rack up possessions? Doesn't appear on our TV screens as much?

Apart from not converting on the two easier shots (of his three) and lower pressure acts I thought he played his role well last night. He's certainly putting himself in positions to score and still good for score involvements.

Do we just want to change for the sake of change?

Maybe someone from Casey is knocking down the door to come back in. Some people suggesting Laurie. Did he have a big game?

 

Nobody knocking the door down at Casey because the brilliantly conceived and managed feeders comp AFL seem so happy about has had another bloody bye for all teams  - and three poor unfortunates are going to have another in a row the following week.

For a billion dollar industry its involvement in supporting its clubs (sorry, licence holders) is absolutley third world standard. Obviously just doesn’t generate enough money to boost the executives’ bonuses. 

1 hour ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I feel a lot less confident about this game now after North let Brisbane get some form back. There’s nothing like a belting to help a struggling team get some momentum going. 
 

Killing a dead kangaroo doesn’t make you a big game hunter. It may make you think you anre until you meat a real opponent the following week. 

[Skrull 107]

big benny brown will probably be rested this week . who do we bring in for him ?

i would like to see koltin replace kozzi

[Jaded No More 68,898]

We have a 7 day break and then a bye. Nobody is getting rested unless they can’t physically get out of bed. 
Brisbane is still, despite their early form, a formidable opponent. We need all our best players out on the field. 
 

Sadly I think Kosi will be a forced out as I can’t see him getting off if we appeal. 

[Adam The God 30,219]

I'd be staggered if we rest BBB this week. He'll get a rest the following week.

[Demonland 72,147]

 

[titan_uranus 24,993]

10 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Tough game given that a few players are literally walking wounded. Definitely need that bye for a few.

I'd be tempted to rest BBB and play Fullarton. This would free up JVR from relief ruck and give Max a little less time in the ruck (say 60%).

Win this one and we have built a great launch pad.

If Kozzie is suspended I'm not sure who we bring in. AMW I assume.

If Chandler doesn't come up and Kozzie is suspended we might struggle

I wouldn't be dropping JVR. That was his best game for the year and part of that was the way he got into and influenced the game in the ruck. I like how that's working and I wouldn't touch it unless necessary.

I don't think we'll be resting anyone with a bye coming up. 

Other than who replaces Pickett, my only concerns are whether Oliver and Chandler are genuinely fit. Oliver doesn't look it and I'm unsure on Chandler. 

I'd otherwise minimise changes and keep the same structure for next week. Go hell for leather knowing the bye follows.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

Reading this thread, I feel there is an undercurrent of understanding how much supporters are acclimatizing to the notion of a 'squad' mentality for the entire season, rather than weekly putting out your best and allowing certain players to reset depending on where they are (and the context of the season and injuries) in their personalised program.

It's a great cultural shift, and also helps supporters makes sense of 'potentially' some FD decision making.

Edited April 5 by Engorged Onion

[MoonBoot 31]

Woey to start. Kolt as sub

[Nicko 1,382]

This is what I think the FD will do…barring anyone with an injury that doesn’t get up for the Lions

woey starts in the 22 (will be good to see him get a full game)

koz out suspended (disappointing)

Laurie as sub (🤷‍♂️)

[Wodjathefirst 2,632]

20 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

$1.40 against the Lions

I was expecting even money. 

[spirit of norm smith 16,439]

Lions started the season as premiership favourites for a reason.  They have their backs to the wall. They have plenty of talent.  Tough game but Dees have the talent and desire to win it.  Absolute belter ahead.  

[DubDee 25,830]

16 hours ago, Demonstone said:

FFS!  There is no apostrophe in Billings, just as there is no "s" in McAdam and no "e" in Fullarton.

They're our players now.  Surely we can spell their names properly.

PS:  This is not a personal attack on your good self @Lil_red_fire_engine.  Many posters are guilty of it.

Good call Demon’stone

its the least we can do

[Dee Zephyr 19,267]

38 minutes ago, Wodjathefirst said:

I was expecting even money. 

After Brisbane’s win we’ve drifted to $1.44

[Adam The God 30,219]

2 hours ago, MoonBoot said:

Woey to start. Kolt as sub

We won't and shouldn't debut a player as a sub.

And before you say it, Billings was not on debut when inexplicably made sub in Round 0.

[Master Chief 80]

We are going to miss Kozzy and there is no-one that can replace the energy and excitement that he brings.

[Master Chief 80]

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

They played witches hats.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,817]

16 minutes ago, Master Chief said:

We are going to miss Kozzy and there is no-one that can replace the energy and excitement that he brings.

Agreed.
He so often lights a spark when we don’t have the momentum. For example against Brisbane in our miracle comeback, he kicked our first goal of the quarter which started out revival to victory.

I’d imagine Woewodin will get a start next week and Laurie comes in as sub.

On a random side note, we won’t play a game in Melbourne on a weekend for the entire month of April. Would’ve been nice if the AFL could’ve given us 9 day break and play this game on a Saturday night after a brutal 5 day break.