10 hours ago, Roost it far said:

How bad was AJ’s shot at goal. Thankfully Melksham got it to Langdon who tried to miss. There’s a few bottom 6 players who can’t kick under any pressure. I also thought Tracc’s last quarter miss was pretty poor. Still I ain’t complaining tonight.

Mate that was a shocker. To think he looked to his right, saw an unguarded Trac streaming past & decided to go himself was a terrible moment that we’re all glad we weren’t made to pay for…

Melksham, take the wheel

8 hours ago, Oxdee said:

Spargo as the 2nd ruck?

Would pay to see that haha

Viney for sharp

Spargo stays in because of lack of alternative. He’s on thin ice. Offered nothing yesterday.

(been a long time supporter but 2021 was 4 years ago. Has to rediscover his mojo to justify his list spot. I sincerely hope he does)

Spargo is the weakest link atm. Viney comes in for him. Sharp provides pace and defensive pressure.

Spargs seems to be always running on the spot and only comes into games in the last quarter when the opposition are tired and the game opens up.

1 goal in 10 games is not good enough for a modern day small forward.

Pup would also be worth considering, playing well at Casey

The discussion around AJ, Sharp and Spargo exposes one of our biggest flaws, which is depth. Our list is fit yet there's no kids banging down the door for a spot.

Assuming we keep Pickett, Petracca and Oliver, we'll really need to trade future picks to get back into the 2025 draft.

If we beat Brisbane by 11 points, and Brisbane beat Sydney by 60 points in last year's grannie, then we've got this one by at least 12 goals.

No change.

Except Viney for Sharp.

1 hour ago, Nietaphart said:

Spargo is the weakest link atm. Viney comes in for him. Sharp provides pace and defensive pressure.

Spargs seems to be always running on the spot and only comes into games in the last quarter when the opposition are tired and the game opens up.

1 goal in 10 games is not good enough for a modern day small forward.

His shot at goal and pass to Fritta could have been better.

His goalscoring has decreased each year, would be curious to see what shift (if any) there has been in his heat maps.

I don't think it was a drop worthy performance given the Casey performances last 2 games. But he should start getting nervous in a week or two IMO.

Sharp definitely has pace on Spargs but assume he'd probably be the one to make way for Viney.

Chuck/Sharp were pretty equal in pressure acts (11v10) but did note Chuck had 3 tackles to 0.

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by roy11

Lever and Viney are clearly in our best side but it leads to some tricky decisions this week.

Lever looked like Lever in the VFL and played well (admittedly a much slower game) and I think he will be right to come back.

On finding a spot for Lever, Turner looks like he could be an elite AFL defender and he is probably the best match up for Heeney this week. I am not sure swinging forward and back every game is great for his development. May looks like he is almost finished, injured or a bit out of form but I don't think we will give up on him just yet (plus he is signed for another year). I thought TMac made a few errors but he has been very good this season. Maybe Plugger will make a comeback up forward.

On Viney, I would probably push Rivers back to find the midfield minutes, but Rivers was our top rated player against the Lions and was very good. This means we need to reassign one of the small defenders (probably Windsor). The other option is Kossie/Petracca play more forward. I think Sharp or Spargo is most at risk.

Fritsch can have another strong game as sub to earn his spot back in the 22. (I would like to see him nail his set shots again.)

We are getting close to being able to field our best 23.

16 hours ago, Random Task said:

Sharp for Viney would just about do it.

Spargo probably gets a reprieve with the dees win but first half wasn't great.

Fritsch to start now as long as he keeps bringing that intensity.

Edit: forgot Lever, will he need another run at Casey? If not it will probably mean Turner forward and Johnson out.

I was thinking the same, but then there is no coverage to give Max a rest. So I think AJ will probably retain his spot. It was a nice goal – who said the soccer training was a waste of time?

10 hours ago, Jjrogan said:

……

So how does JV make this centre square balance better. Maybe Oliver should get the tagging role again, it makes him accountable and he's actually really good at it. He didnt give a free kick away and totally blanked Neale's effectiveness. Oliver had 5. Neale had 4. He kept lNewcombe to 19 touches last week. Who will get Heeney. Warner is tough to tag, he's a bit like Trac.

I think Viney will go to Heeney. He may not be a good match in the air, but he will give him pressure all over the ground. Heeney is more damaging when he goes forward and needs someone with a more defensive mindset than Clarry, who will probably go to Warner.

Spargo and Sharp are not receiving much love here, but I wonder if their pressure in the forward line was instrumental in Brisbane not kicking their way through?

Selection pressure is good

16 hours ago, Random Task said:

...

Edit: forgot Lever, will he need another run at Casey? If not it will probably mean Turner forward and Johnson out.

We need AJ to relieve Max. Apart from the fact that he's significantly a better ruckman than Petty or Turner, Petty is too prone to copping a cookie or similar when rucking.

Viney for Sharp. Disco forward. Petty back - far more accurate than Petty.

BTW I was disappointed with Sharp's performance. Three dropped marks albeit that included a contested overhead.

Sharp was replaced quite early by Fritsch which suggests Goodwin was more displeased than usual to make that tactical move when he did. However, if the Match Committee want to pick Viney and play Fritsch from the outset rather than as sub, I would swap Viney for Spargo. I think Sharp makes a better sub option than Spargo. (I wouldn't be averse to both Sharp and Spargo being dropped, but only if there is someone worth the opportunity).

4 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Easy.

In. Viney and Lever (if fit)

Out. Sharp (if only he’d taken his chances) Spargo (not AFL standard by a long way)

Fritsch stays as sub. @Demonland Fritta seemed energized surprisingly as the super sub. Kicking for goal still got the yips

AJ stays in as he loves the contest. 2nd ruck work was ok and did some good bullicking work.

If Lever is not fit, bring in Kynan Brown

You want to keep a guy who had 5 possesions and a lucky goal? Nup not up to it! Id go

In Viney, Lever and Brown

Out A.J, Sharp and Spargo,

Petty to do some ruck work where needed and Disco goes forward!

I'm hesitant to drop AJ for Lever. AJ was solid in the ruck yesterday and his aggression will be handy against Grundy next week.

I still remember Gawn getting absolutely trounced by Grundy and Sydney during the opening round match last year. We need to have a solid backup for him.

Otherwise agree with Sharp for Viney. Spargo would want to play well next weekend as I imagine K.Brown is very much in line.

4 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Something along these lines.

There's a a trap we can all fall in of leaning towards picking a list of 24 odd players .... as opposed..... picking the better TEAM .

The team yesterday worked. You probably don't want to change it wholesale so asking myself what might tweak it, just improve a few things ? Something along SONS line up.

Viney about the only 100% obvious.

Lever , super handy if fully fit. A smallish ? hangs over him.

Sharp or Spargo comes out.

I feel many are too quick to caste the scythe towards AJ. He actually provides something. It doesn't sparkle or shine that something, it's quite rustic but very affective. I'd hesitate dropping him.

Fritta seemed quite keen and alive when he came on. I'd do this maybe once more. It worked. I quite like things that work. Prefer them to things that ought to... but don't.

Goodwin is a fella that prefers not to change much. Here's a week to do just that imho.

AJ isn’t the greatest but he wants to compete which puts him ahead of some others. He was 4-5m behind that brisbane defender and made up the ground to kick an important goal, and his time in the ruck wasn’t bad. I think we keep him in.

Along with most of you, Viney for either Sharp or Spargo would be my only change. Lever to play in the seconds again and be cherry ripe for the next game. Most likely Sharp out as he was the one Goody subbed out so appears Spargo stays.

The knock on effects from having our 3rd best 'forward' ruck instead of Petty or JVR was pretty big yesterday. It meant Petracca wasnt needed as much as forward (94 %cba). When Petracca plays full games in the middle we can (and do) beat anyone.

As an aside, has there ever been a full forward that likes a goal less than Petty. He is always looking to dish off, even after that great grab in the last. He needs to embrace he is a goal kicker and thats up to the FD to encourage him to be a little selfish. Go back, kick the goal. Its okay to miss, but the hunger to hit the scoreboard needs to be there if you're playing forward

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

There was a few times AJ was able to physically manhandled Hipwood in the ruck when they both got their turns each. Even at centre circle throw ups he managed to actually get clean tap to our mids.

For now, he stays in the team.

Sydney will both have McInerney and Amartey out but Mills and Taylor Adams should return.

Stop Heeney and Warner and it will go a long way to us winning.

From what I've seen AJ is a reasonable ruck.

Keep him in until the MRO rub him out.

It won't take long with the media getting on him as a "mad cut snake"

16 hours ago, old dee said:

Agree only change Viney in Dull out.

Viney in for Spargo

Sharp is not far away worth keeping to improve form

Lindsay will be a gun 200plus player

3 hours ago, Nietaphart said:

Sharp provides pace and defensive pressure.

He really provides neither. His pace is a myth. He can sustain a run at good pace but he doesn’t burst away from a contest. Spargo’s as quick if not quicker over 5. And then he’s too slow to read the play to consistently pressure.

Monday Monday morning, San Carlos, reading Demonland …perfect

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by radar
Spell

35 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He really provides neither. His pace is a myth. He can sustain a run at good pace but he doesn’t burst away from a contest. Spargo’s as quick if not quicker over 5. And then he’s too slow to read the play to consistently pressure.

Spargo isn’t quick on any metric or distance unfortunately

Viney in and play deep defensive forward - has the body to block for petty , melksham and johnson and can kick a goal. Backmen would be looking over their shoulder. Need Johnson in that second ruck role not only for tap but aggression around stoppages, and he's not slow like JVR.

Keep Sharp ahead of Spargo - taller, can kick further than 30 metres, has pace, and actually kicks the occasional goal that Spargo does not.

Not sure what to do about Lever - all defenders going well and we already have 7 who offer different things (Salem, windsor, McVee, Bowey, May, TMac, Turner) 8 if you count Rivers occasionally. Turner makes the others better because he can play tall, great closing speed and is physical We also need him to have continuity in defence as TMac probably retires next year and May won't go on much longer.

37 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He really provides neither. His pace is a myth. He can sustain a run at good pace but he doesn’t burst away from a contest. Spargo’s as quick if not quicker over 5. And then he’s too slow to read the play to consistently pressure.

Last week he ran at pace and picked up the ball one handed, ran through hawk defenders and kicked the goal