Rowe out, Casboult in, is a must. Rowe, unless he is on his own, can't take a mark, and even when on his own there is no guarantee. He also lacks in the area of a second effort. There is no second effort from Rowe at all. Casboult can mark and has no hesitation in crashing a pack when going for a mark. He is also a much better ruckman. Two things are holding him back.
His kicking for goal is atrocious, and he lacks fitness to run out a full game. If you have a look at his performances when he's played, he's virtually disappeared out of a game after half time. It's an are that demands he work on or his days at Senior level are numbered. But for the rest of the season, he is a far better bet than Sam.
If he wasn't asked to Ruck such a large portion of the game, it wouldn't be an issue. Warnock and Kreuzer rotating in the ruck and Casboult and Henderson up forward? Lacks a rotation, but you can always activate a midfielder as a sub if it becomes an issue.
I would consider Bell but not Graham...Freo have big mids and we need the extra size of Bell to combat them.
Lucas has to play...was poor vs GC but wont learn anything from that by being sent back to the twos, his previous from has been ok and I want to see him do will this week and show some character...good players usually play well after a poor game and its a good test for him.
Bell needs to put a case forward and has struggled for most of the year. It's disappointing as from all reports he has a big tank, size and can be aggressive. However, he may well be perceived as being "one-paced" and as lacking awareness in traffic.
Surely Casboult comes in for Rowe this week?? Whilst he offers team flexibiliy, he simply couldn't mark the ball on the weekend and if you do that against quality sides the ball will rebound out of our forward 50 with interest! Subject to availability, I'd be bringing both McInnes and Casboult into the side to face the Dockers for Rowe and one other.
Does Cachia have an injury niggle? He wouldn't be dropped on form would he?
If we're never going to play Laidler again (Bootsma in instead) then I hope we have a good trade lined up for him.
MC may see Graham as a Brock McLean replacement - ball winner, but lacks pace. I would have liked to see Casboult into the side, to allow Rowe to play back to cover McInnis. We look like we need one more tall for balance.
Was great to be on the right end of a close match.
Not a great contribution from Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and Carazzo tonight, so to get up was encouraging. So many questions tonight. When is this midfield group going to click? Are we better with Robinson and Bell around the ball? Is Brock really giving us something? What is the best use of Scotland?
Walker's contribution off half back seems to be waning and I'd seriously consider moving him to a HFF or wing role for the next couple of games and push Yarran back, to freshen things up.
I'd also consider bringing Casboult into the side, as whilst Rowe is bringing the ball to ground we really lack Casboult's attack in a marking contest.
As I pointed out Elwood he took that mark because he was in the vicinity. He is an absolute dud! He can have all the skills about the place but he has to GET the ball not wait for it to be handed to him. And his lack of pace and intensity is incredible.
Choo, name all his highlights for the game. If you can reach two you are doing well. Don't make a remark about a post without backing up your own comment.
Second game for the year and a young key position player. He shows real poise under pressure and rarely makes mistakes, but can lack intensity at times. his torpedo, handpasses in traffic and pinpoint passing, plus of course that outstanding mark under real pressure was fantastic.
Worst on Ground? Watson. Should never get another game. Can anyone remember him using any intensity over the last couple of weeks? He can only gain possession when he is the immediate vicinity. He cannot GET the ball! Never helps out. Runs , no, make that TROTS beside the opposition.
Henderson was just what we needed tonight. Rowe is a keeper if he can get his endurance working . Watson probably did more in the seniors than he does in the juniors. Simo well done, Judd same old magic, and Garlett getting more active along with Yarran. Much better efforts. Not pretty but better for certain.
I just can't agree with you there Mantis, I reckon he is a stop-gap measure until a better option comes along. He plays the CHF position pretty well due to his years of experience in the role at Norwood but he has some limitations which will get exposed against the better teams.
I will say this though, he's a much better key forward option for us than Casboult purely on the back of his kicking for goal.
Good solid win, but our lack of pressure across the field and particularly when defending opposition kick-ins remains a concern. Rowe played well tonight and positioned well enough, but I'd prefer to invest the time into Levi who has far more upside. Levi could become a nightmare for opposition defences, whilst Rowe is only ever going to be a solid contributor at his best ( like tonight).
I was so pleased to see Robbo out and Watson in before the game - it really was fantastic watching Watson's composure in traffic tonight and he didn't look out of place.
Next week will be a lot tougher and we will need to up the tempo considerably if we are to be a chance against them next week.
I would have an easier time accepting dropping Casboult for Watson, but I really can't get my head around dropping Casboult for Rowe. Does Rowe have comparable upside as a key forward? Dont think so and it's far more likely that Rowe will never cut the mustard at AFL level.
I'm not seeing a lot of evidence of a coach that consistently gets the best out of fringe players.
Rowe is probably a better key defender than Watson. I doubt the 'aints have a tall forward slow enough for Watto.
"Probably" is the operative word in your response and I'd rather try a first round draft pick than a self confessed journeyman
I would have an easier time accepting dropping Casboult for Watson, but I really can't get my head around dropping Casboult for Rowe. Does Rowe have comparable upside as a key forward? Dont think so and it's far more likely that Rowe will never cut the mustard at AFL level.
I'm not seeing a lot of evidence of a coach that consistently gets the best out of fringe players.
Play Casboult forward. He can either play or not. We need to find out.
Kruezer can ruck most of the game anyway. The whole football world is watching us right now - do wave the white flag or take no prisoners?
Time for us to say Never again do we lose to this mob and have some pride.
This ^^^^
Casboult planted in the square. Watson to CHB. Henderson & Walker the the leading fwds Menzel and Betts Fwd. Yaz and Army of half back. Jeffy / Simpson on the wings. Change it up, run them off their feet.
Whilst I don't think he's earned it yet I think we have to give Mitchell an extended run. The finals are gone for us and we should now find out who can play and who can't.
Watson to be given an extended run, bring in Laidler to see where he's at, play McInness, blood Graham and give a taste to Buckley. I would also play Casboult at FF for an run of games to see how he goes without having to ruck too much. I would move Yarran to rebound out of the back half and also move the Irishman onto a wing to run and carry a bit and perhaps even try him for short stints into the midfield. Anyone who's injured or not 100% we don't play.
Edit: Forgot to add PLAY MENZEL
Like it. I'd also try Cachia back and Walker forward. If Betts is out, Robbo wins a reprieve.
