Preview Round 8 v Fremantle Sunday May 5th 1pm MCG

[_RT_]

Our next challenge will be yet another tough game against Fremantle at the MCG this Sunday. While we will lose Hopper to yet another injury there is some good news on the horizon with the possibility that we get Short & Balta back into the side, while Trezise may also return from injury.

As mentioned this game will be a tough one as the Dockers got back on the winners list with a strong performance against the Dogs this weekend where their midfield was dominant, with Fyfe & Serong having 37 each, Brayshaw chimed in with 30 & Young had 24, so it will be a tough battle for our undermanned midfield of Dow Baker Bolton Pickett & Graham. Sonsie may well come back into the side after a strong VFL game against Casey, and McAuliffe could also come in after being held over for the senior game this week.

Not only will the Dockers midfield be a challenge but their back line has been quite solid this year and against an undermanned Tigers forward line they should have another strong performance. Hopefully the return of Balta and maybe the inclusion of Ryan or Koschitzke in place of Naismith who struggled as a forward this week and I'm not sure they'll keep him in the side even though we're up against Jackson & Darcy for the Dockers.

Predicted Line Up
Out - Hopper (inj) Naismith McIntosh Campbell
In - Sonsie Balta Short Ryan

B: Miller Grimes Young
HB: D.Rioli Vlastuin Short
C: Ralphsmith Dow Banks
HF: M.Rioli Lefau Bolton
F: Ryan Martin Balta
R: Nankervis Pickett Baker
INT: Broad Brown Graham Sonsie
SUB: Mansell

This is probably the strongest side we've fielded for a few weeks and we could be a chance against the Dockers especially given they're on the road for the 3rd time in 5 games and have lost 3 of their last 4, but it isn't going to be easy. We're going to need to be switched on for 4 quarters and can't afford costly lapses that have hurt us in the last month. Hopefully back to back 10 day breaks will mean that the younger players are better able to run out the game and we can have a real crack and get some reward for a tough season.

Prediction: We'll be in this game for a lot longer than some previous games and with home ground advantage we could certainly steal the win, but I just see the Dockers midfield & back line being too hard for us to get the better off and we'll end up about 3-4 goals down by the end of the game.

 

[one eyedtiger]

Nice write up RT and agree with most of what you said, especially how challenging the midfield battle will be. Freo have a very good midfield group and with our outs it will be a really tough afternoon.

Dow, Pickett, Baker, Bolton, Sonsie (potentially McAuliffe if he is recalled) up against Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Fyfe and O'Meara. Does look like a miss-match on paper and like we are a contested beast or 2 away from matching it with them. Baker and Pickett will crack in as always but we need those 2 in particular to have consistent 4 quarter performance for us to be in with a chance, as they are 2 players capable of winning the ball in a contested situation and feeding it to the outside. Dow has showed in patches this year he can do it but has struggled to back up good games, it has very much been a good game followed by a poorer one from him.

If Balta is deemed fit he will be a huge inclusion and will give us some structure against a Freo defence with some good interceptors. Given what happened with Hopper though, you can see the club taking the cautious approach and giving him another week.

Beyond that I expect us to be competitive as we have been in most matches this season. Stay close and you never know but as long as the boys show effort and desire that's all you can ask for given the injury list.

Looking forward to seeing Ralphsmith and Banks having another run on the wings, I think it's a good move.

 

[Karp3_dm]

Their midfield just destroyed the dogs (minus Libba)

Multi of the week
Brayshaw 30+
SeRong 30+
Fyfe 30+
= $1.30

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Out:Sundays
In:Any other day.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Their midfield just destroyed the dogs (minus Libba)

Multi of the week
Brayshaw 30+
SeRong 30+
Fyfe 30+
= $1.30

Is that Fyfe or Frees for 30+?

 

[prodigy]

Looking forward to Sonsie being recalled to play forward pocket again.

Can't wait.

 

[Greggy]

Looking forward to Sonsie being recalled to play forward pocket again.

Can't wait.

Agree, why play him in the middle where he played high level finals footy as a 19 year old and dominates at VFL level.

 

[tiger_tough]

Is Balta fit?

 

[prodigy]

Last Sunday game until the bye

 

[_RT_]

Is Balta fit?

Reports were he could be available for this weekend

 

[tiger_tough]

Reports were he could be available for this weekend

He'd be a huge boost against the stingy Freo defence

 

[juss]

Death riding Freo would be a nice one to win. Feel like rebuilding teams need a win every so often to maintain effort and morale and this would be a nice one to inject a but of confidence in the team that's had a hard couple of weeks.

 

[Groupie_]

again sunday

the karma that is going to hit the afl is gonna be delicious

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

again sunday

the karma that is going to hit the afl is gonna be delicious

Less money we generate.Less money Norf receive.
The hand that feeds you.

 

[Groupie_]

our run will start now that we have a key forward back (balta)

I cant see use loosing another game this year

insert big sexy in 6 weeks and we will destroy all comers

 

[fargothegreat]

I hope they don't rush anyone in underdone.

In: Sonsie Ryan McAuliffe Coulthard
Out: Hopper Naismith Pickett McIntosh

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I hope they don't rush anyone in underdone.

In: Sonsie Ryan McAuliffe Coulthard
Out: Hopper Naismith Pickett McIntosh

 

[Downtown06]

I'm hearing some juicy ins this week but I'm too scared to mention them cause 1 of them is left field!!!

 

[tiger_tough]

I'm hearing some juicy ins this week but I'm too scared to mention them cause 1 of them is left field!!!

 

[WheelAndDeal]

I'm hearing some juicy ins this week but I'm too scared to mention them cause 1 of them is left field!!!

steely green welcome to senior footy

 

[Downtown06]

Alright but don't go nuts.

Balta, Short & Prestia!!

 

[tiger_tough]

Alright but don't go nuts.

Balta, Short & Prestia!!

They did say 1 game, 2 games max out for Short. 1-2 for Balta too. Can't see Dion coming back....well the way we've been going, I can, but he shouldn't.

 

[Downtown06]

steely green welcome to senior footy

Not from what I heard

 

[Downtown06]

They did say 1 game, 2 games max out for Short. 1-2 for Balta too. Can't see Dion coming back....well the way we've been going, I can, but he shouldn't.

Time will tell man but thats what I got.

Again happy to admit i am wrong but we'll see!

 

[UncleBob]

Can't see Balta & Short getting up for this one.

Happy to be proven wrong come selection day.