I've commented previously on these forums about Garlett and just not sure he has a truly defensive side to his game. If he's playing in the backline it's for his run and carry out of defence, not for his ability to shut a bloke down IMO.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we'll know by this time tomorrow, but I think the punt on Fasolo is worth it....big game, big crowd....he can be a match winner with a dozen possessions. I think Ed Curnow and Gibbons can provide the defensive pressure in the forward line anyway and plenty of the mids push forward. Not a knock on Polson but just not sure the rest of his game is up to the occasion right at the minute.
Possible Kruddler but he might also play a swingman role too if they need an extra tall down back....and Balta will probably be backup ruckman to Nankervis. I can see them both playing.
Assuming Fasolo plays, as suggested, my thoughts on the team (remembering bench positions can vary at the start):
Plowman Jones Simpson Thomas Weitering Newman Fisher Petrevski-Seton Setterfield Murphy C. Curnow Cunningham McGovern McKay Fasolo
R: Phillips, Cripps, Walsh I/C: Gibbons, Dow, E. Curnow, Garlett
I guess there's always an argument for Ed Curnow to start in the middle if he's playing a shutdown role. And Paddy Dow could easily take Cunningham's spot on a flank to start.
Interested to see what others thing. And assuming too that Silvagni misses out.
To be fair to Lynch, it'll be similar to McGovern for us.....it'll take a bit of time to gel with the other forwards. McGovern won't be wanting to fly for pack marks and competing against Curnow and McKay in the air....same for Lynch and Reiwoldt...but I'd assume Reiwoldt will push up the ground a bit more and Lynch will work out of the goalsquare and on the lead. He flogged Jones the last time they played on each other and if he gets off the leash again here we're in trouble.
If Fasolo plays tomorrow as reported then I'd think Polson probably misses out. For mine Garlett didn't show much in the JLT games but probably keeps his spot by virtue of his pace...something we don't have much of coming out of the backline.
Agree with the logic LP but anyone averaging 3 goals a game is going to kick 60-70 goals in the season.....that would've got you close to winning the Coleman Medal last year and I doubt anyone expects Fasolo to kick that many goals for us. When did we last have anyone kick more than 50....I doubt anyone has since Fev departed. The scoring may well be higher this year with the new rules but have to wait and see how it pans out.
Agreed EB....we haven't got anybody really that can take Martin when he's sitting forward...doubt too many clubs have really. We're going to have to hope one of McKay, Curnow or McGovern can be an aerial presence up forward because that is one area we could get them.
That's encouraging to hear about Goddard. If one of Weitering or Jones went down we'd be buggered for key defenders so at least he's there for backup if needed.
DJC...it's hard to get a handle on where he sits at the moment in regards to a position. First choice forwards at the minute will be McKay, Charlie and McGovern with McKay pinch hitting in the ruck for either Kreuzer or Phillips. I can't see them taking a punt on him playing permanently in defence but it could be horses for courses if we're up against a team with 3 big forwards or a ruckman that goes forward and kicks goals...we only have Jones and Weitering at the moment and Goddard for depth I'm assuming....any reports on Goddard from the VFL if he's been playing?
Correct Jack. If we rely on Walsh, Setterfield to win us games without improvement from those you mentioned, then it will fall back onto the shoulders of blokes like Cripps to carry us again. But from what SPS, Fisher and Cunningham have all showed in the pre-season games, they certainly look to have improved significantly. Similarly, if Matthew Kennedy can get his body right he can further reduce the load for Cripps. I wouldn't have Kennedy in my best 22 at the moment so if he can show some form then it's another bonus.
I'm with you LP. Back in the season where Fremantle made the GF, it was on the back of manic pressure across the ground and restricting opponents to small scores and then scoring a bit more themselves to win. Everyone was complaining that it was Ross Lyon's tactics and it was making the game unwatchable....but talk to any Fremantle supporters and they weren't complaining ....they were winning games and made the GF. It was only in subsequent years where that style of play WASN'T winning them games and they didn't change their style that their fans got upset.
Lets focus on 2019....substantially different team this year and hopefully substantially better results.
Off topic but just read that St Kilda likely to list Sam Rowe under those new rules to replace Dylan Roberton who is taking the year off....they're already without Carlisle for a good chunk of the season. Good luck to Rowe...he looked pretty slow and basically cooked towards the end of last year but hopefully he can string a few games together for them.
It's a tough one Kruddler....I agreed that Fasolo has done nothing but he IS the sort of bloke that can be influential off the back of a dozen possessions.....I don't think Polson could do that. Gibbons was quiet on Monday but he is the sort of player that can still apply that forward pressure.
