Lets get things started shall we.
A few questions to ask:
1.. Will Walshy get up?
2. Will Motlop miss?
3. Do Williams and Kennedy come in?
4. Do we play TDK and Pitto or TDK and H?
5. Does/Can Marchy come in or is he hurt also?
A lacklustre performance tonight to say the least, but I'm reliably told its a praccy match and so just ignore it.
From what I saw of Young tonight, Durdin plays if he is fit.
Despite H hurting my eyes in the ruck, Pitto made him look like Big Nic.
I think Williams and Kennedy need to come in for sure.
Cant see us beating the Lions up there, but Ill wipe tonight from my memory and say you never know.
Pressure and intensity was a feature of our second half of last year.
It's been non-existent in these practice games.
That will make a huge difference.
But the other issue at the moment, and one not so easy to overcome, is our structure.
With key players missing on all lines we'll have a task in front of us.
It has a flow on effect on players whose jobs would be a little easier with a full strength side.
Harry, Saad, Hewett had great pre season games and expect that form to continue.
Deadwood need to be weeded out ASAP and make room for new blood. We cant fall in the same traps of the past of keeping mediocre players on the list in place of yougsters with upside.
Wilson, Binns and Moir need to play plenty of games this season.
Not impressed by today.
Plenty of highlight moments.
Plenty of highlight moments.
Ok, Im waiting? Actually lets not hijack this thread with the praccy stuff but feel free to jump over that that thread and enlighten me.
I'd go with:
FB Saad D Durdin Newman
HB Williams McGovern Docherty
C Hollands Cripps Acres
R De Koning Cerra Hewett
HF Cottrell Curnow Cunningham
FF Motlop McKay Fogarty
INT
Kemp Wilson Kennedy Boyd Fantasia (sub)
EMERG Cincotta Binns Marchbank
Wilson showed a snippet of why we picked him. If not him, Binns .
I assumed Williams is no where near selection as he only played 60% of a VFL practice match.
Lets get things started shall we.
A few questions to ask:
1.. Will Walshy get up?
Possibly. I believe that his back injury will be ever present and has to be managed by lighter training loads than normal. It could be a line ball but I suspect we'll be conservative.
2. Will Motlop miss?
It was reported at the time that he was taken out of the game as a precaution. As Vossy often says, it will depend on the results of the scans. I'm tipping that he'll play.
3. Do Williams and Kennedy come in?
Probably not on the back of limited pre-season minutes. Kennedy looked good though.
4. Do we play TDK and Pitto or TDK and H?
I can't see how we could play Pitto on Wednesday's form. Short of a gallop and didn't really get near it. The King and Harry for me.
5. Does/Can Marchy come in or is he hurt also?
Marchy is recovering from a virus (long COVID?) and is a couple of weeks away.
A lacklustre performance tonight to say the least, but I'm reliably told its a praccy match and so just ignore it.
From what I saw of Young tonight, Durdin plays if he is fit.
Tall Durds has played in one VFL practice match and I don't think they'll take a chance with him. I thought Young and Kemp did OK.
Despite H hurting my eyes in the ruck, Pitto made him look like Big Nic.
Harry must have spent a lot of the summer working with Matty K and he provides so much more around the ground than Pitto.
I think Williams and Kennedy need to come in for sure.
Kennedy possibly but I doubt whether Zac is ready.
Cant see us beating the Lions up there, but Ill wipe tonight from my memory and say you never know.
Lij Hollands is an out and Kennedy is a possible replacement, depending on his match fitness. I'd prefer to see Binns get a run. He was lively when he came on. I would be tempted to play Moir in the Jack Martin role.
It's going to be a tough ask without Weiters, Walsh and Martin and with Brisbane close to full strength. The temperature and humidity won't help either but we've had similar conditions for training and our practice matches.
Lij Hollands is an out and Kennedy is a possible replacement, depending on his match fitness. I'd prefer to see Binns get a run. He was lively when he came on. I would be tempted to play Moir in the Jack Martin role.
It's going to be a tough ask without Weiters, Walsh and Martin and with Brisbane close to full strength. The temperature and humidity won't help either but we've had similar conditions for training and our practice matches.
I wish I could lip read because after the game, the two coaches came together on the boundary line and were talking and I dont know why but I had a feeling that Goody asked Vossy if Walshy will play round OR and Vossy looked to me like he as was saying "yeh probably" or something like that. I recorded the game so I might have another look at that bit and see if I can make it out.
Midfield need to get it together - they are doing okay just not connecting with backline.
Need a general in the backline to orchestrate things - maybe Doc needs to fill a leadership hole there until Weits returns
Midfield need to get it together - they are doing okay just not connecting with backline.
Need a general in the backline to orchestrate things - maybe Doc needs to fill a leadership hole there until Weits returns
Agree. Doc has to lead the defence until Weiters returns.
Cant have the likes of Kemp Young Boyd and co playing in as a group in such a pressure position without a general providing on field guidance.
Nic Newman is the leader in the back line. I suspect we were tinkering more than anything else. Also tough to get a read where we are at as we have a game next week where most others don't, and it was our first season playing deep for quite some time (our last prelim was 1999). We may have a mini hangover at the start of the season as a consequence, and we may also be in a different training stage to others although Melbourne are playing this week. So long as we finish stronger than we start its all good.
Docherty hasn't played as a defender since midway through the 2022 season. When we were short of medium defenders last season, Cerra and Hewett were preferred over Docherty ... or he was preferred as a midfielder ahead of them.
If Docherty was to be played in defence, which defender would he replace and who would take his spot in the midfield?
Newman and Marchbank are Weitering's "deputies" so we need McGovern and Saad, as our other senior defenders, to step up and support Newy. More importantly, we need all players to switch on defensively, trap the ball in our forward line, slow Brisbane's ball movement and force them to go down the line.
Docherty hasn't played as a defender since midway through the 2022 season. When we were short of medium defenders last season, Cerra and Hewett were preferred over Docherty ... or he was preferred as a midfielder ahead of them.
If Docherty was to be played in defence, which defender would he replace and who would take his spot in the midfield?
Newman and Marchbank are Weitering's "deputies" so we need McGovern and Saad, as our other senior defenders, to step up and support Newy. More importantly, we need all players to switch on defensively, trap the ball in our forward line, slow Brisbane's ball movement and force them to go down the line.
With his injuries and cancer he had to reinvent himself as he couldn't defend like he used to. The backline has been better since he moved out of it and he has been better since he has established himself as a legit midfielder.
With his injuries and cancer he had to reinvent himself as he couldn't defend like he used to. The backline has been better since he moved out of it and he has been better since he has established himself as a legit midfielder.
I think that our midfield functions better with Docherty in the mix. He's a point of difference in that he is an instinctive defender.
Haven't beaten Brisbane for an awful long time. I think the last time we won was Teague's first game as coach. Our midfield needs to fire and if you shut down Neale they tend to struggle. Their forwards are dangerous and we are missing our best defender and defensive leader. I believe their defence is good except when it isn't. When things go wrong they can be scored against both heavily and quickly. It will be interesting what our side looks like considering the injuries we have to key personnel but I think it will be our attitude which determines how we go.
The question we must answer is are we satisfied with last season or do we want to go all the way?
Haven't beaten Brisbane for an awful long time. I think the last time we won was Teague's first game as coach. Our midfield needs to fire and if you shut down Neale they tend to struggle. Their forwards are dangerous and we are missing our best defender and defensive leader. I believe their defence is good except when it isn't. When things go wrong they can be scored against both heavily and quickly. It will be interesting what our side looks like considering the injuries we have to key personnel but I think it will be our attitude which determines how we go.
The question we must answer is are we satisfied with last season or do we want to go all the way?
R12 2019, Teague's first game as coach. Their fwd line, IMO, is the best and bats the deepest of any in the comp (when they are on).
R12 2019, Teague's first game as coach.
Was at that game - loved it!! Unfortunately another false dawn. Let's hope we don't have to go through another.
Minimum six starting 25 players will be missing
Zac Williams
Jack Silvagni
Jacob Weitering
Sam Walsh
Jack Martin
Caleb Marchbank
Good test to see how deep this list bats against one of the best sides on their home turf.
Minimum six starting 25 players will be missing
Zac Williams
Jack Silvagni
Jacob Weitering
Sam Walsh
Jack Martin
Caleb Marchbank
Good test to see how deep this list bats against one of the best sides on their home turf.
Only Weitering and Walsh were in everyone on this forum's best side, Martin was in most.
Only Weitering and Walsh were in everyone on this forum's best side, Martin was in most.
Pinot did say “starting 25” and his six players would probably be in the side or vying for selection if fit.
I’d say Owies, small Durds and Lij Hollands would be serious contenders too and Mirkov is probably our only unavailable player who wouldn’t be seriously considered by the MC.
Anyway, it is what it is and Nick Austin’s job is to build a list with the depth to cover first choice players.
My mistake on the 25.
Back in the day we used to have posters who used to give us some great, detailed reports from training sessions.
It's something we don't see much any more which is a shame
But in it's absence here's a bit of a chat about the last training session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VU3M7elMt0
Don't expect anything too earth shattering, it's just a bit of "chewing the fat" ....but there are a few snippets.
Voss not entirely happy with the effort.
Carroll, O'Keeffe caught the eye.
(If anyone can get along to training it would be great to get their reports as the season progresses.)
Thank you Lods, had been looking for comments on how our second tier players performed in the AFL & VFL matches last week.. So good to hear that Carol & Hudson O'Keefe went okay. We might need O'Keefe rucking in the A team this year!
Any thoughts on how Harry Lemmey, Jaxon Binns, Lachlan Cowan and Ashton Moir performed in either game?
cheers Ab
Walsh will miss the Bris and Rich games
Motlop will miss with a jarred toe
Marchbank has had a virus for 2 months or something like that
Williams has been managed since his run in the 2s
If true, then for me its:
Edited after reading Vossy confirmed Zaccy W will play
Saad Young Newman
Williams Kemp/Durdin McGovern
Hollands Cripps Acres
De Koning Cerra Docherty
Cunningham Curnow Hewett
Fantasia McKay Fogarty
Kennedy Cottrell Pitonet Boyd Cincotta(s)
Will be Kemp or Big Durds?
I cant see how we can field anyone else.
What virus does Marchbank have?
What virus does Marchbank have?
Dunno, I have heard Covid, I have also heard he hasn't trained with the group for a couple of months. Dont know which is true but its Marchy, he'll miss with something.
I'm not buying it
Williams will play if he gets through training
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806263548202241&set=a.633214885507109
Need to give a youngster a debut imo - maybe Moir in a Jack Martin role and see how he goes
Williams will play if he gets through training
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806263548202241&set=a.633214885507109
I thought he’d need another week.
Which defender makes way for him; Cincotta?
Need to give a youngster a debut imo - maybe Moir in a Jack Martin role and see how he goes
Moir has impressed me but has he done enough to earn a game?
I think Binns is well ahead of Moir in the debut ranks.
Williams will play if he gets through training
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806263548202241&set=a.633214885507109
He can play back, midfield, forward so he's good coverage for our missing players.
Moir has impressed me but has he done enough to earn a game?
I think Binns is well ahead of Moir in the debut ranks.
Someone on BF suggested they heard a "brave" call will be made. Maybe its Moir, maybe its Williams.
Zac Williams is a definite starter if he gets through training. Good to see him back.
B: Kemp Young Newman
HB: Williams Gov Saad
W: Acres Cerra Docherty
HF : Cunners McKay Fogarty
F: Owies Charlie Fantasia
R: TDK Cripps Hewett
IC: Kennedy Ollie Boyd Cottrell (Binns sub)
Apparently Voss has confirmed Williams, you may recall what I said from pre-season observations, so I am not surprised.
Pre-season form is rubber, but fitness and frame size can't be faked, you have to do the work to get the look. Williams looks like he is cut from granite at the moment, let's hope good form follows.
Apparently Voss has confirmed Williams, you may recall what I said from pre-season observations, so I am not surprised.
Pre-season form is rubber, but fitness and frame size can't be faked, you have to do the work to get the look. Williams looks like he is cut from granite at the moment, let's hope good form follows.
There is no substitute for match fitness though.
Remember when Cousins made his miraculous return with the tigers. Could've won some Mr Universe events with his physique. A friend of mine commented that he looked 'too big and too good' and that he will get injured.
He last 3 quarters of the opening game before *PING* went the hammy.
Don't be fooled by beach muscles.
There is no substitute for match fitness though.
Remember when Cousins made his miraculous return with the tigers. Could've won some Mr Universe events with his physique. A friend of mine commented that he looked 'too big and too good' and that he will get injured.
He last 3 quarters of the opening game before *PING* went the hammy.
Don't be fooled by beach muscles.
Williams has been pretty active in our match sims, even before he officially finished his rehab.
I doubt whether he would be in the side if Vossy and the Terrier had any doubts about his ability to compete for the entire game. It's not as if there's no competition for spots in the backline.
Don't be fooled by beach muscles.
There is a difference between pumping iron and looking the way Williams did in pre-season, and also Martin on his return last year, bulk by pumping iron doesn't give you that lean hard shredded appearance.
The only way body builders and weight lifters get that same lean hard half starving look is by dehydrating. AFL players can't do that as they wouldn't last a quarter, maybe that was the Cousin's cheat, but by then Cousins was an old man, old before his time!
Zac Williams is a definite starter if he gets through training. Good to see him back.
B: Kemp Young Newman
HB: Williams Gov Saad
W: Acres Cerra Docherty
HF : Cunners McKay Fogarty
F: Owies Charlie Fantasia
R: TDK Cripps Hewett
IC: Kennedy Ollie Boyd Cottrell (Binns sub)
TDK and H as the rucks you reckon.
TDK and H as the rucks you reckon.
Yeah I think so. If we are going to beat them then we need a team that can run and win their own footy and more rotations the better.
Yeah I think so. If we are going to beat them then we need a team that can run and win their own footy and more rotations the better.
I cant help but think we need Pitto AND TDK to really work OMac over. It worked well in the PF for a large part of the game.
Im sure one day TDK will be the solo big dog in the Ruck for us like OMac and Gawn. From what I have seen of Tom to date, he isn't there yet and the 1-2 combo of him and Pitto is what works best for us right now. We'll know by roughly this time in 3 nights.
I cant help but think we need Pitto AND TDK to really work OMac over. It worked well in the PF for a large part of the game.
Im sure one day TDK will be the solo big dog in the Ruck for us like OMac and Gawn. From what I have seen of Tom to date, he isn't there yet and the 1-2 combo of him and Pitto is what works best for us right now. We'll know by roughly this time in 3 nights.
I reckon you are right GTC but the success of Joe Daniher, Mason Cox etc as key forwards who can ruck means other clubs have to try and emulate what is on trend so we have to try it too with Harry and given he has played the role in the practice games Id expect us to go in with only TDK as a bonafide ruckman. When Nankervis or the like knee Harry in the guts/nuts or he does a knee they will probably figure out its not going to work so well for us and Pittonet will return. I thought the idea of Pittonet doing the heavy lifting and softening up the opposing No1 ruck early so TDK could come in later and use his athletic prowess to take over games was working fine..
I cant help but think we need Pitto AND TDK to really work OMac over. It worked well in the PF for a large part of the game.
Im sure one day TDK will be the solo big dog in the Ruck for us like OMac and Gawn. From what I have seen of Tom to date, he isn't there yet and the 1-2 combo of him and Pitto is what works best for us right now. We'll know by roughly this time in 3 nights.
Daniher will ruck and fully expect Harry to relieve ruck against him as .. TDK needs to beat Oscar around the ground and give him a 5-7minute spell every quarter. Our big worry is their run and ball players if we cant keep up with their ball movement and limit the supply to our backline then we are good as done... game will be won on the ground with run imo.
I reckon you are right GTC but the success of Joe Daniher, Mason Cox etc as key forwards who can ruck means other clubs have to try and emulate what is on trend so we have to try it too with Harry and given he has played the role in the practice games Id expect us to go in with only TDK as a bonafide ruckman. When Nankervis or the like knee Harry in the guts/nuts or he does a knee they will probably figure out its not going to work so well for us and Pittonet will return. I thought the idea of Pittonet doing the heavy lifting and softening up the opposing No1 ruck early so TDK could come in later and use his athletic prowess to take over games was working fine..
EB I had a think about potential key match ups (assuming theirs is a similar side to the PF) and given we are short on personnel I came up with this:
Im sending Pitto to OMac to start formalities in the centre
Im sending TDK to the fwd line to challenge (maybe even stretch) the tallish defenders (probably Gardiner as Andrews will get H)
Curnow will get Lester and Im sending Cottrell to be the defensive fwd on Coleman and just run with him (hopefully into the ground with his running power).
Cripps will Dunkley for company, Cerra to Neale and Doc to Berry
Acres and McLuggage will resume pleasantries on the wing.
Gov whilst undersized will have to have first crack at Hipwood. Young will have Daniher who if he gets supply and kicks straight will tear him a new one (but he's all we have right now).
Saad to Rayner, Newman to Bailey (or swap that one around).
They are the main ones, Im sure there will be other we need to mind.
It'll be a challenge no doubt and we will need some luck on our side.
EB I had a think about potential key match ups (assuming theirs is a similar side to the PF) and given we are short on personnel I came up with this:
Im sending Pitto to OMac to start formalities in the centre
Im sending TDK to the fwd line to challenge (maybe even stretch) the tallish defenders (probably Gardiner as Andrews will get H)
Curnow will get Lester and Im sending Cottrell to be the defensive fwd on Coleman and just run with him (hopefully into the ground with his running power).
Cripps will Dunkley for company, Cerra to Neale and Doc to Berry
Acres and McLuggage will resume pleasantries on the wing.
Gov whilst undersized will have to have first crack at Hipwood. Young will have Daniher who if he gets supply and kicks straight will tear him a new one (but he's all we have right now).
Saad to Rayner, Newman to Bailey (or swap that one around).
They are the main ones, Im sure there will be other we need to mind.
It'll be a challenge no doubt and we will need some luck on our side.
GTC..Boyd to Bailey see last years prelim.
Brisbane have been playing Gardiner forward in the practice games but given his form on Charlie last season Id expect him to lineup down back. Jack Payne as far as I know is fit so I would expect him to lineup down back somewhere so outsizing them may be difficult. Id have Newman on Rayner the latter is too big and strong for Saad imo and I like Saad on dangerman Charlie Cameron.
Wings.....Acres on Berry....again the Brisbane player is a big unit for a winger and I prefer Docherty on the smaller McBaggage and would be happy with a draw in that contest.
Dunkley will get Cripps and he is a hard tag so others will need to help the skipper.......Cerra on Neale is fair enough and again Id be happy with a draw.
McGovern is a hard one...his best work is done intercepting rather than minding a man imo and Id reluctantly probably start Kemp on Hipwood hoping that Mcgovern can short circuit some attacks to Hipwood and Daniher and provide some drive as well. If Kemp wasnt coping then I would swap McGovern onto him...
Cottrell on Coleman is a good move.....
Youngs form will be interesting and how he handles Daniher.....with Lynch likely the next game he needs to get his confidence up as I think his season and career at the club might be on the line. He is a capable player and in Weitering's absence needs to step up for us to win.
I’d make a couple of key positional changes - TDK into CHB, which requires Pittonet to play and I’d be very tempted to bring Cowan in to play on McGregor and Docherty or Cotts on Coleman. Will be very tough!
Some may say 3 big men will make us overly slow, but the side below has plenty of run and let’s hope Fantasia turns it on.
Boyd Young McGovern
Williams TDK Saad
Cottrel Cripps Acres
Cowan Curnow Docherty
Durdin McKay Kennedy
Pittonet Hewett Cerra
Newman Hollands Cunningham Fantasia
Brisbane has a lot of talls but they also have a lot of run. We're going to struggle with their height whichever way we go so I'm opting for more run.
B: Saad Young Newman
HB: Williams Kemp McGovern
C: Acres Cripps Hollands
HF: Cottrell McKay Fantasia
F: Fogarty Curnow Cuningham
R: De Koning Cerra Hewett
IC: Boyd Docherty Binns Kennedy Cincotta (sub)
I decided not to take a risk with Owies and small Durdin so Fantasia gets a run. Binns makes his debut.
Agreed DJC, Collingwood lost a key defender and still beat them with superior ball movement.
Jack Carroll named - good to see.
Round Nothing Team....
https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/1501436/afl-team-news-carltons-first-team-of-2024
7 changes from the Preliminary Final.
7 changes from the Preliminary Final.
Five compulsory changes - Pittonet and Cincotta omitted.
Interesting that Owies gets a run without a practice game under his belt. We're desperate for small forwards and he must have trained well.
We don't have the height so I guess we're trying to outrun them.
Happy with the balance, even if the personnel is not ideal.
Young can consider himself lucky we are inept in the key defender stakes, but if he can perform against the lions, he might earn a gig for the rest of the year. Here's hoping.
Pittonet was not right, and we don't need 2 rucks in the side, so smart call there.
Kennedy is lucky, his lack of pace hurt us in the prelim. I'd prefer him playing as a 3rd forward rather than wing, but we'll see.
Cincotta is unlucky.
That lineup gives us half a chance, even if we are missing a bit of star power.
Kennedy is lucky, his lack of pace hurt us in the prelim. I'd prefer him playing as a 3rd forward rather than wing, but we'll see.
I think you'll find Kennedy will be the 3rd tall target, tagging at time with Cripps.
Jack Carroll named - good to see.
I've had doubts about this kid and still do. Slow in movement and decision making is all Ive seen to date. Lets see how he goes, we all start square first game of a new season so benefit of the doubt goes to the young man and Ill back him in...just.
Im not surprised by the Pitto non selection, he was woeful in the praccy match.
I suspect that squad tells us we've a few more injuries around the club than we are letting on.
I suspect that squad tells us we've a few more injuries around the club than we are letting on.
Like who?
Cripps was shifting down last time, Kennedy gives him a chop out.
Like who?
Owies and Williams, haven't stepped on a field in 2024 yet, Fantasia hobbled through pre-season.
How can they be walk up starts if our list is fit?
We looked slow against the Lions last game, maybe we've gone for pace ahead of form.
Cripps was shifting down last time, Kennedy gives him a chop out.
Some fans have short memories.
Kennedy was flying before his injury last season, and he did the work to get back for finals but was clearly underdone and it showed, coming into finals cold from eight weeks off was a bridge too far, he was OK in the SF but had no legs left by the PF.
Like who?
X2
We’ve got five players from our prelim team missing with injury, four of whom would be in most people’s best 22.
There’s no real surprise inclusions or omissions in the 26 players named in the team and emergencies.
Then there’s the AFL’s new rule about accurate injury reporting.
Cincotta is stiff, did nothing wrong last year.
I think you'll find Kennedy will be the 3rd tall target, tagging at time with Cripps.
That was me who made that suggestion, but i don't expect the MC to follow through on it.
I've got plenty of good ideas they ignore. ;)
That was me who made that suggestion, but i don't expect the MC to follow through on it.
I've got plenty of good ideas they ignore. ;)
I think Cripps and Kennedy will rotate forward.
TDK will drift back
Harry to take F50 rucks
My thoughts:
B: B.Kemp 17 L.Young 33 A.Saad 42
HB: Z.Williams 6 M.McGovern 11 N.Newman 24
C: B.Acres 13 P.Cripps 9 M.Kennedy 7
HF: G.Hewett 29 C.Curnow 30 M.Owies 44
F: O.Fantasia 14 H.McKay 10 D.Cuningham 28
Foll: T.De Koning 12 A.Cerra 5 S.Docherty 15
I/C: J.Boyd 37 O.Hollands 4 M.Cottrell 46 J.Carroll 16 L.Fogarty 8
Emerg: J.Binns 25 A.Cincotta 39 M.Pittonet 27
[1] I'm worried about the ruck, but Pitto needs more game time before he is ready. McInerney is the one I worry about.
[2] Owies and Fantasia are probably lucky, but with the injuries we've had, we had to take a punt on at least one of them.
[3] 2nd ruck is an issue. Yes, H has been doing more work there, but I'm yet to be convinced.
[4] Cincotta is a little stiff, but he needs a matchup. With Williams in, that became more problematical.
[5] Jack Carroll: I'm hoping he steps up. I've been disappointed so far, especially with his kicking under pressure. He drops the ball very high.
[6] Tall defenders: I hope Young can step up. McGovern and Kemp can do jobs, but if Young fails, we're in trouble.
B: B.Starcevich 37 J.Payne 40 R.Lester 35
HB: K.Coleman 18 H.Andrews 31 D.Gardiner 27
C: J.Fletcher 28 Z.Bailey 33 J.Berry 7
HF: C.Cameron 23 E.Hipwood 30 H.McCluggage 6
F: C.Rayner 16 J.Daniher 3 D.Zorko 15
Foll: O.McInerney 46 J.Dunkley 5 L.Neale 9
I/C: K.Lohmann 1 C.Ah Chee 4 L.McCarthy 11 J.Lyons 17 D.Wilmot 44
Emerg: J.Tunstill 29 D.Fort 32 N.Answerth 43
[1] McInerney is the one I fear. If we can control him, then we're going in the right direction. If McInerney gets injured, they're in deep trouble with only Daniher as a backup.
My thoughts:
B: B.Kemp 17 L.Young 33 A.Saad 42
HB: Z.Williams 6 M.McGovern 11 N.Newman 24
C: B.Acres 13 P.Cripps 9 M.Kennedy 7
HF: G.Hewett 29 C.Curnow 30 M.Owies 44
F: O.Fantasia 14 H.McKay 10 D.Cuningham 28
Foll: T.De Koning 12 A.Cerra 5 S.Docherty 15
I/C: J.Boyd 37 O.Hollands 4 M.Cottrell 46 J.Carroll 16 L.Fogarty 8
Emerg: J.Binns 25 A.Cincotta 39 M.Pittonet 27
[1] I'm worried about the ruck, but Pitto needs more game time before he is ready. McInerney is the one I worry about.
[2] Owies and Fantasia are probably lucky, but with the injuries we've had, we had to take a punt on at least one of them.
[3] 2nd ruck is an issue. Yes, H has been doing more work there, but I'm yet to be convinced.
[4] Cincotta is a little stiff, but he needs a matchup. With Williams in, that became more problematical.
[5] Jack Carroll: I'm hoping he steps up. I've been disappointed so far, especially with his kicking under pressure. He drops the ball very high.
[6] Tall defenders: I hope Young can step up. McGovern and Kemp can do jobs, but if Young fails, we're in trouble.
B: B.Starcevich 37 J.Payne 40 R.Lester 35
HB: K.Coleman 18 H.Andrews 31 D.Gardiner 27
C: J.Fletcher 28 Z.Bailey 33 J.Berry 7
HF: C.Cameron 23 E.Hipwood 30 H.McCluggage 6
F: C.Rayner 16 J.Daniher 3 D.Zorko 15
Foll: O.McInerney 46 J.Dunkley 5 L.Neale 9
I/C: K.Lohmann 1 C.Ah Chee 4 L.McCarthy 11 J.Lyons 17 D.Wilmot 44
Emerg: J.Tunstill 29 D.Fort 32 N.Answerth 43
[1] McInerney is the one I fear. If we can control him, then we're going in the right direction. If McInerney gets injured, they're in deep trouble with only Daniher as a backup.
To me Its about damage minimisation for the first round or two.
To me Its about damage minimisation for the first round or two.
Agree....we look small and light vs Brisbane and miracles can happen but on the teams named we could get smacked badly imho.
I fancy us more vs Richmond who have a few injury concerns to key players...
Jack Carroll wasn't on my Bingo Card.
Clearly our conditioning isnt where we want it to be.
This is a tactical experiment round for us. We face the Tigers in a week in what is effectively a must win game. If we lose to Brisbane, at the Gabba, it wont be a big deal, and its the perfect opportunity to get the miles in the legs. Round 1 is where our season truly starts. Most sides will lose to Brisbane at the Gabba this year. If we win tonight it would be great, but not if we cant back up next week.
Jack Carroll wasn't on my Bingo Card.
Jack Carroll has been developing quietly past three years and deserves a good early run at it with Walsh out; his contract is up this year and makes sense to give him a chance to shine.
I just want to see a dramatic lift in intensity and effort from our practice games.
That will tell a bit of a story as to how this early part of the season will go, even with the injury concerns.
I don't believe clubs do this anymore BUT Binns has been named as an emergency and could come in for Owies ???? I dont think Owies is right. Would allows us to play Kenndy forward and Binns on a wing??
Clearly our conditioning isnt where we want it to be.
So why is Owies picked? He has been barely able to muster up a gallop in the training vids that I have seen.
I don't believe clubs do this anymore BUT Binns has been named as an emergency and could come in for Owies ???? I dont think Owies is right. Would allows us to play Kenndy forward and Binns on a wing??
I like Binns, I really do. But he seriously needs to put some weight on, he looks like a 15 yo kid.
So why is Owies picked? He has been barely able to muster up a gallop in the training vids that I have seen.
Because tonight is a free hit, and next week is what we need players for (including putting miles in the legs)?
Did you read the rest of what I wrote?
Maybe we are simply seeing whom is going to be better placed to help us win next week, and the question of Owies isnt one of why is he selected. Its why the other guy that could be playing in his stead wasnt, and thats probably got more to do with making sure players are ready for next week. When I say that I dont mean matt owies either.
Have we conceded this game?
There are 4 points up for grabs.
They could be very important at the and of the year...and anything less than a full effort isn't acceptable
Have we conceded this game?
There are 4 points up for grabs.
They could be very important at the and of the year...and anything less than a full effort isn't acceptable
I'm sure we haven't, but I'm still not confident.
Many still have the Lions as 2024 favourites, it's up there, it's early season heat, they have basically a full list, they are coming off a losing GF, at the moment it's a big ask to beat them at home even in bog standard circumstances!
I'll look for effort, and I'll take a win but I am of no illusion about how hard of an ask this is.
Cameron, Zorko, Rayner, Dunkley at the feet of Daniher and Hipwood. Even if we had Weiters he'd need to have a marking day out to stop that lot from scoring heavily. All Daniher has to do is bring it to the ground to advantage and they will be hard to stop.
If the 2023 Grand Final was in Brisbane they would be premiers. I would be happy if we are competitive and are able to score a bit.
Any loss is going to be a bad loss losing at same venue twice in a row.
It's not really an option dropping four points here but would make up for the disappointment if the lads put on a performance that we mean business this year
C A R N A B L U E B A G G E R S ! ! ! ! !
Have we conceded this game?
There are 4 points up for grabs.
They could be very important at the and of the year...and anything less than a full effort isn't acceptable
They didn't lose a game up there last year and I can't see that trend changing anytime soon. If we can get close to them (1-24) I'll be surprised
Lions could go in extra cocky and have been drinking their own bathwater with all the press picking them to be premiers in 2024.
Shame we didnt have all of our key pieces out there but good teams find a way to be competitive and I expect a contest from a Voss coached team and not a capitulation with injuries as excuses..
Lions could go in extra cocky and have been drinking their own bathwater with all the press picking them to be premiers in 2024.
Shame we didnt have all of our key pieces out there but good teams find a way to be competitive and I expect a contest from a Voss coached team and not a capitulation with injuries as excuses..
Fair call, I don’t think we’ll get the win tonight.
I’m concerned that we played our 2 preseason games like the start of last year, not like we finished the year.
If we turn up and play like we ended last year I’ll be happy with any result but right now with our injuries I don’t trust us to turn up and perform.
We have our plate full tonight but I expect a big effort. Start as we mean to go on!