Brisbane will be massive favourites against us, especially with our present forward line. Hopefully, we can give them a reality check, even if we're more likely to get one.
Next Saturday night at Marvel at 19:40.
Maybe H will be back, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Nic Newman will be out. Saad in? He's playing a little better if late.. Harry Charleson? He had 20 possessions today and has pace. Boyd? He is still getting good numbers. Zac Williams? He is also doing reasonably of late.
Nobody stands out, but a lot of guys have been reasonable.
At the other end, we still look small. Lewis Young probably did enough: his ruck work was better this week, and he took some good marks. Pity about his kicking for goal.
Our next level rucks are not looking that good, but Witts has destroyed players a lot better than they are in this stage of their development. Reidy didn't play much after half time. Injured?
We probably can't bring Moir in; he is injured. Not sure how badly or for how long, but we've really collected a lot of injuries in recent weeks.
Very little to call on from the 2nds, Williams is probably the best option for Newman. Young definitely stays in unless Harry makes a surprise return, I reckon we’ll look to get him along with Weitering backing for a serious tilt at the last 3 games.
On today I'd probably also play Williams.
If it's choice between Charleson and Williams against Brisbane we should probably go for the experienced player.
Saad was better but still missing that dash.
It's probably gone for good.
The midfield stood up pretty well today so that will make it harder for someone like Ben C
The fact that we're still in with a chance is probably working against seeing these youngsters getting a chance to debut.
Decisions may need to be made on what we've seen at the lower level
One or two senior games at the end of the year just isn't enough.
Williams was very ordinary against GC. Id be playing Charleson as my first option from the VFL to replace Newman.
If we follow the pattern so far Fraser tends to lean to the younger player. Depends though if he goes for a first timer.
I hardly noticed Williams yesterday. I was surprised to see he had it 22 times.
Charleson was clearly the better player.
The risk is....
We know what Williams brings at a senior level.
We'd just be looking for a bit of the same.
We also know we could throw him forward to mix it up a bit.
For Charleson it's uncharted territory.
I've been pushing for him to get a chance based on very consistent VFL form.
But we're basically in 'season on the line' territory.
We don't really know how he would go 'under fire'.
Williams was listed as an emergency for the seniors against Gold Coast.
That's often an indication, and a bit of a message, that they're not too far off selection.
It could be an interesting choice.
Charleson is the riskier move, especially given the opposition, but good luck to them if they roll the dice.
If it goes the Charleson way it may make a decision on his future a bit easier.
(As long as it's not a straight in, straight out situation.)
If we somehow won this week, beat St.Kilda the week after and the Saints lose to the Swans this week it would mean we'd only have to beat the Dogs, which is tough work as well, to finish above them. Pity we are playing Brisbane!
lions have embarrassed us a couple of times time 4 payback
Blues by 11 pts
Gone under the radar a little but the Big Fella plays his 250th this week, do the right thing by your Skipper Bluebaggers.
Go Blues.
250??? Wow
When you think about the rubbish he has put up with, the fact that he basically never misses a game, all the personal awards, captaincy etc, he is IMO indisputably in top 5 greatest CFC players.
It's really quite a remarkable thing to watch a genuine champion of the club ply their trade in real time. Not stories from old timers about players from past decades, not grainy, low res b/w footage on YouTube, not history books, but the actual lived experience of watching one of the greats. Hopefully we all cherish these moments and never take them for granted.
I've seen some of those "grainy old" players :D
Cripps at his best loses little in comparison.
So who's your top 5 Pauly? (IMO our top 10 to 15 would smash the top 5 of most clubs, we have been blessed over the journey)
Didnt realise Haynesy plays his 250th alongside the Skipper.
We are an absolute lock to win this.
12 on the injury list this week, albeit 4 are 'tests'.
Not really ideal circumstances, but you'd want to make sure you bring everything against the Lions
One change.
Harry is in.
Newman is out.
Emergencies....
Ollie hollands
Flynn Young
Jordan Boyd
Our line-up:
B: 35 Harry Dean 47 Wade Derksen 14 Oliver Florent
HB: 2 Lachlan Cowan 26 Nick Haynes 36 Cooper Lord
C: 13 Blake Acres 9 Patrick Cripps 5 Adam Cerra
HF: 39 Talor Byrne 12 Ben Ainsworth 44 Francis Evans
F: 11 Mitch McGovern 10 Harry McKay 17 Brodie Kemp
R: 27 Marc Pittonet 7 Jagga Smith 18 Sam Walsh
Int: 15 Billy Wilson 29 George Hewett 33 Lewis Young 46 Matthew Cottrell 19 Will Hayward
Em: 4 Oliver Hollands 45 Flynn Young 37 Jordan Boyd
[1] H coming back helps us. Not disappointed to see Lewis Young hold his place either.
[2] The ruck is an issue: Brisbane have 2 specialists. Draper is in career best form. Pitto will work hard, but...
I'm not worried about Fort, but he is a specialist.
We shouldn't be risking harry.
Would have brought Charleson in myself.
Running out of 'debut' games.
We have won 8 of our last 10 we should do this easy.
If their list stays fit the Lions could well win another flag this year, and do it with a two ruck policy, what say you critics?
Of course if they fail, the critics will claim they failed because of two rucks.
It looks to me like a fit and in form Draper in combination with Fort is helping them plaster over many form issues, and to me this will potentially be the biggest weak spot for the Swans that both Freo and the Lions will leverage against them.
You wonder how much this result will determine Fraser's decision.
Next week.
Enright v Fraser for the job lol
Couldn't find a sarcasm emoji?
Last 4 weeks will be important. 1 from 4, he won't get it, 2 from 4 either way but he would be in a decent position with a 10-4 record, 3 from 4 and a wildcard, would make him warm favourite, as we'd have a to beat a really gun side to do that, but still a decision would be needed as others would still be in the mix, any further and he's a dead set cert. So we don't know yet.
Or win despite having 2 rucks. Depends what their rucks do outside of basic tapouts.
Freo have Jackson and Cox doing very well. They both can go forward and be damaging, especially Jackson as well as be good around the ground. Then there's nothing wrong with 2 rucks. Those two you could actually rest in the goalsquare. Rather their rucks, as a combination than Brisbane's. If I picked 2 from both sides to put in my team it'd be Draper and Jackson.
I'm assuming this is directed at me as much as anyone.....if anyone else at all. Either way i'll answer.
Firstly, Comparing this year to last year (and years previous) is comparing apples and oranges. Rules have changed, team sizes have changed. Playing list has changed.
Secondly, My issue was never 'league wide' and was specific to our team. Something i was very strong in trying to get across, but was often ignored.
Thirdly, I don't think i ever made a commitment to 1 or 2 this year. I do remember stating in the off-season that having 5 on the bench could/should open up more of a benefit for having 2 rucks in our side.
Finally, with the substandard form of almost all talls ruck and forward of centre, i don't think there is benefit one way or another. Pittonet started like a house on fire. The 3 rucks under him have been a non-event. The key forwards have been 1-tall down compared to last year largely with Harry stepping up has helped, Young less so.....but no other options up forward has limited us.
In conclusion, i don't think there is much to debate about 1 or 2 this year and how our forward line ties into it. I think its more of picking whoever you can to play up to AFL standard in either position.....and we've struggled with that.....1 ruck or 2.
Talking about other clubs.....well thats not my concern and never was.
It would have been a travesty if Lewis Young had been dropped. While I always assume that his shots at goal will miss, he does provide something different as a tall forward. His game a while back where he completely shut down an in form Lobb and managed a couple of goals himself showed what he is capable of. He can play at both ends of the ground but his ruckwork leaves a bit to be desired. However, he can make Draper and Fort defend and that's a positive.
Harry's knee may well keep him out of ruck contests so Young may well be our second ruck.
It probably is a game where we could go with two ruckmen but Reidy's concussion rules him out and Draper is far too mobile for Riley. Pitto is going to have to work hard getting back in defence and drifting forward if he's going to reduce Draper's influence. Our sweeper has to be prepared to take some knocks if he is to prevent Draper breaking out from centre ball ups.
It's going to be a tough game and Brisbane have to be clear favourites ... but you never know if a few things fall our way.
It really makes me feel ill that our only semblance of a big key fwd has to play in the ruck.
I hope we nominate someone to take out an Ashcroft, don't care which one, they are both smug pr$&ks.
The other side of the coin is that Harry seems to play better when he gets to channel his inner ruckman 🙂
I was just thinking today that Harry doesn’t wear the shin guard that full and part time rucks favour. I guess that reflects the different way he goes about ruck contests; jumping vertically to take possession rather than jumping in to his opponent and trying to palm the ball.
I'm not debating that he gets involved in the game and plays well, its about the fact that we dont have a KPF when he Is in the ruck. I'd rather have my KPF sitting inside 50m, kicking 4 or 5 a game and winning Colemans.
Of the talks below, which ones contest CBs?
54 - CHARLIE CURNOW (SYD)
51 - BEN KING (GC)
48 - JYE AMISS (FRE)
47 - NICK WATSON (HAW)
47 - LOGAN MORRIS (BRIS)
47 - JACK GUNSTON (HAW)
45 - JOSH TREACY (FRE)
42 - AARON NAUGHTON (WB)
41 - CHARLIE CAMERON (BRIS)
41 - JAKE WATERMAN (WCE)
39 - JEREMY CAMERON (GEE)
39 - MITCH GEORGIADES (PA)
\
39 - KAI LOHMANN (BRIS
)
37 - JACOB VAN ROOYEN (MEL
)
37 - NICK LARKEY (NM)
37 - JAKE STRINGER (GWS)
36 - SHANNON NEALE (GEE)
35 - NATE CADDY (ESS)
34 - PATRICK VOSS (FRE)
33 - DAN MCSTAY (COLL)
32 - OLIVER HENRY (GEE)
32 - JOSH RACHELE (ADE)
30 - PAUL CURTIS (NM)
30 - MITCH LEWIS (HAW)
30 - LOGAN MCDONALD (SYD)
30 - MITCH MCGOVERN (CARL)
I'm not debating that he gets involved in the game and plays well, its about the fact that we dont have a KPF when he Is in the ruck. I'd rather have my KPF sitting inside 50m, kicking 4 or 5 a game and winning Colemans.
[/quote]
Regrettably, Harry doesn't offer that sort of return these days and hasn't looked likely to do so.
How close does he play to goal these days?
He spends most of his time out on the flanks between wing and half forward.
That's when he's not rucking.
We now have a couple of smaller forwards capable of providing goals or at least locking the ball in....
With Harry stationed at Full forward, and perhaps even a second ruck or Derksen alongside him we would have a bit of marking power, or at least players capable of making a contest, that should provide scoring opportunities for the smaller players.
Most of the genuine talls do.
I've worked out that if we bear Brisbane by just over 200 points we jump St.Kilda. lol.
:)) It is a funny game, this football!
Nah, beat brisbane by a 1 point.
Beat Saints by 100 points next week and we jump them in percentage AND go a game clear.
Horrific injury to the Swans player today, as bad a break as I have every seen.