At the break of Gawn

55 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Looking at the team selection, I would expect only one of Tomlinson or Hibberd to play, unless there's a late withdrawal of one of the other nominated defenders or one of Tomlinson or Hibberd is the sub. The other six defenders (May, Lever, Salem, Rivers, Bowey and McVee) are all ahead of Tomlinson and Hibberd and we play seven defenders, not eight. 

I suspect Tomlinson will play while one of Chandler or Laurie will replace Spargo. Smith, in my view, will again be the sub. 

Tomlinson is named on the field so he’s definitely playing.

I’m still concerned that Oliver’s timeframe isn’t actually getting any shorter. Before the Saints game it was 4 weeks. 2 weeks later it’s still 3-4 weeks. When are we going to get it to be 1-2 weeks?

As it stands, Goody has ruled him out for Richmond, and I doubt he plays against North and do the plane trip. 

Surely the Carlton game is the target.

27 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Good changes so far, great to see Tomlinson straight back into the 22 (four weeks too late).

I suspect the final bench will be:

Melksham, Rivers, Hibberd, Jordon with Smith the sub.

I think Chandler will replace Spargo. Can’t see us replacing Hibberd with him unless they want to put Bowey forward?

It’ll also be his 400th game as a Senior coach. Fantastic.

Probably makes the North game a bit more of a danger game. Tassie is never easy, but there’ll be added emotion to this game.

Speaking of Geelong, I checked that excluding 2020, the last time we didn’t have to travel to GMHBA was 2014. Every season it’s either only been one game a season and it’s been at GMHBA or twice and hence still a game at GMHBA.

Is the reason for this because we’re an easy selection to get them to their 9 game quota which they need to fill against at least some Victorian clubs?

I know his name gets mentioned every week and people point out his pressure and tackling, but AnB’s turnovers are getting worse (had a team high 7). If it wasn’t for Spargo’s poor game, I’d almost suggest Chandler in for AnB. 

Think I said this a couple of weeks ago, but Cats are our biggest threat to 4th place. Only saving grace is that they play Collingwood, Brisbane at the Gabba and Port (but at GMHBA) in the last 6 weeks. 

I feel like we rarely win games like that so it was such a nice change to be the one who stole it as opposed to being stolen against. When I woke up this morning had to check again that it wasn’t a dream and we really did come back and win it.

The Rnd 23 2021 win will always be my favourite come from behind win but last night is right up there. Reminiscent of the 2000 QF victory. 
 

How did Gawn not give the handball?

Best thing Fagan ever did was get rid of Rich. All of a sudden Lions aren’t exposed in the back half for lack of leg speed.

Losing way too many one on one contests at the moment.

53 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Was looking at the AFL app yesterday, before we played them in the finals last year.

Rd 15 MCG : 

Dees 16.21 117 to Lions 7.11 53

Rd 23 Gabba :

Dees 18.7 115 to Lions 8.9 57

Getting the ball inside 50 has never been an issue, first game together for BBB and JVR, time to light the scoreboard up.

The Lions were terrible defensively last year. They’ve tightened up a fair bit since then.

I’m not sure if this was covered in the podcast as I haven’t listened to it this week, but what was the main reason of us going more of a controlled style of play last week? Lots of uncontested marks, lots of switching etc. I wonder if that was because Goody realised the high forward press was causing too many poor repeat entries. I wonder if Goody is trialling more scores from defensive half chains so we can get better looks inside 50.

We absolutely need to nail clearances and contested possession this week which we were poor at last week. Our forward 50 contested possession rate is still abysmal so I hope we can also improve that.

So clearly not a fatigue issue based on Richo’s comments. 

Just wondering why isn’t Schache getting a look in? He’s probably in better form and is a better ruck option than JVR.

The Saints threw everything at us in the first qtr and we took it well. I expect us to run away with this in the second half.

Next Friday’s weather isn’t looking great which makes this game even more important.

We’ve won 8 of our past 11 and 4 of our last 5 at Marvel. With the injuries the Saints have, and all the pressure on us during the week, I’m expecting a 5 goal win.

Marvel is actually pretty convenient for me as I live on the west side so I’m making the trip tonight to the soulless stadium.

What is going on with Oliver? This seems totally mismanaged.

59 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

No way Smith goes out.

Chandler or Pickett out before him.

JVR for Fritsch and we are still a medium/tall forward short so ideally need someone else. 

Dare I say Tomlinson in to the backline and Petty forward.

No way Petty forward. Let’s leave our back 6 settled. I’d give Schache a go, at least he can nail a set shot.

I just don’t think the forward half intercept game is working anymore. We’re too pressed up leading to repeat entries that are just so poor quality. There’s no quality entries at all. What makes matters worse is that if the opposition wins it back they have loads of space and have easier opportunities.

Goodwin and co need to bring the defenders back more. The press is just too high and it’s killing our forward entries.

8 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I know it won't happen, but I would love to see Goody just mix things up today.

• Bowey to a half forward and give us some clean delivery amd poise going inside 50.

• Midfield shake up. Get Brayshaw out of there and get Salem in a few starting centre bounce set up. The only one with poise and smarts around the field. Throw Kozzie in there just to give us a bit of speed and flair.

• Harmes to tag. Again, won't happen, but we're better team when he's fully locking down on their best mid whether that's Kelly, Congilio, or Green. Compensate for nothing having Oliver there.

 

I’d be happy if Goody even just did one of these.

I think Dees in a close one (around 10pts). GWS are playing good footy and I don’t think it’ll be a walk in the park at all with the difficult conditions.

2 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Tomlinson must be livid and rightly so.

Again, we have too many small forwards.

The correct change would have been to keep JVR in and drop one of ANB, Pickett, or Chandler.

We did drop Spargo though. I think the balance is right now as usually one of those 3 are on the bench.

I think it’s a real danger game for us. If this game was at the MCG on Sunday (forecasted to be dry) I’d be very confident. But in Alice where it’s going to be wet, I feel like this a game where GWS could pull a rabbit out of the hat and Green kick 5 goals to sink us. 

I like the changes but I wouldn’t be surprised if our final tall forward set up in 6 weeks time is Brown, JvR, Fritsch and the resting ruck.