Preview 2024 Second Elimination Final: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, 6 September 2024, 7.40pm @ MCG

[Flukey!]

If you listen to sam's presser from today, he said the plan with CJ was to see him get through a full game because he hadn't played for some weeks.
He has done that and trained again so I'm sure he will be an inclusion.

 

[MadDawg]

out with a hammy

Damn, he was really starting to show something at the centre bounces.

 

[TylerDurden]

As much as I like CJ, he's lost confidence, let's be honest.

And in cut throat finals, it's dangerous carrying blokes down on confidence. He's been fumbly, it's obvious.

We don't want him fumbling a ball early, that's instantly turned over and results in a goal to them.

That's deflating. And we need to be up and about real early here.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

As much as I like CJ, he's lost confidence, let's be honest.

And in cut throat finals, it's dangerous carrying blokes down on confidence. He's been fumbly, it's obvious.

We don't want him fumbling a ball early, that's instantly turned over and results in a goal to them.

That's deflating. And we need to be up and about real early here.

If CJ is in I just hope he stays on the wing and up on the half forward line - have someone else to drift back. The game against Geelong he repeatedly fumbled it when drifting back and basically gifted Geelong possession in dangerous positions. He can’t be allowed to do that on Friday.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

To those pinheads who can’t wait to trade Ward - this is why depth bloody matters.

I reckon this is going to be the making of Ward. Get him in the middle and let him get his hands dirty. There is no better opportunity for him to prove himself - get in there and grab it by the scruff young man!

It’s not that simple. Ward has struggled all year when given senior opportunities yet you expect him to step into a finals game ( in the midfield) after playing at box hill and play well. Absolutely dreaming

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Ward for Mackenzie.

 

[QuietB]

It drains extremely well but you can’t tell me a whole game on it directly beforehand won’t chop it up even a little bit.
It’s the biggest stage of the year so far, it’s crazy to move a game there with weather about

There is usually three games a weekend and it is fine

 

[Flukey!]

To those pinheads who can’t wait to trade Ward - this is why depth bloody matters.

I reckon this is going to be the making of Ward. Get him in the middle and let him get his hands dirty. There is no better opportunity for him to prove himself - get in there and grab it by the scruff young man!

I would love to see you proven right Ned, but he came in after a period at Box Hill and was then omitted again after a poor game against GWS.

I think Finn is ahead of him for size and strength and versatility which is probably needed this week more than others.

 

[Hawked Wings]

Ward is the perfect replacement for Mackenzie, staggering to see people suggest Cj. We need a player who is able to be the extra mid rotation, surely CJs only chance to come in is if Harry is dropped and I reckon that’s extremely risky if Mitch does it

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Billyc]

With another one down in the midfield, there’s greater pressure on Newcombe now. I don’t think we can win without a massive game from him.

 

[SammyC]

ward for mackenzie like for like

the choice is harry vs CJ, my preference would be to play them both and drop finn but doesn’t make sense positionally. i think Harry will be (very) unlucky but the miles CJ covers will help defensively and on the spread. Finn can play multiple roles, just hope he has the kicking boots on because turnovers will cost us big time.

for finn, i’d prefer to largely back our mids to do the job & have nash/finn play a more defensive role on bont, rather than the full hard tag.

 

[macdaddio]

Sammy didn’t sound overly confident CJ would be picked.
It comes down to Ward, there’s no in one else

 

[rei154]

Our inside mid rotation consisting of Worps, Newk, Finn, Ward and Nash would have to be one of the least experienced midfields we've fielded in a final... ever?

IF Mitch is big on Ward for the future of our club I can't help but feel he has to play. Would hate to see someone like HMo dropped, but if Cj is coming in I can't help but feel it will be a player like him.

 

[Hawkspot]

CJ for Mackenzie in the wing role, Ward for Finn as a mid.

We always have 3 wingers, and Mackenzie out leaves us with Mass and Morrison, so CJ comes in.

We always have 4 centre bounce mids, and Finn is not capable of that role in the AFL so Ward comes in.

Moore probably shares cba’s with Ward outside the big 3 - Nash, Worps, Newc.

If the Ward/Finn change doesn’t happen then we’ll be seeing some very interesting moves in the middle Friday night. Not the time for experimenting.

People may rate Finn ahead of Ward, but it’s positional.

 

[mustang]

Serong in and play Weddle in the midfield.

 

[TylerDurden]

CJ for Mackenzie in the wing role, Ward for Finn as a mid.

We always have 3 wingers, and Mackenzie out leaves us with Mass and Morrison, so CJ comes in.

We always have 4 centre bounce mids, and Finn is not capable of that role in the AFL so Ward comes in.

Moore probably shares cba’s with Ward outside the big 3 - Nash, Worps, Newc.

If the Ward/Finn change doesn’t happen then we’ll be seeing some very interesting moves in the middle Friday night. Not the time for experimenting.

People may rate Finn ahead of Ward, but it’s positional.

Finn can take centre bounces.

 

[satan1]

Ward might not have been prolific when called upon but he hasn't been wasteful or overwhelmed compared to CJ.

Lacks the dash, which would be nice being down Day but CJ has struggled to get up to speed this year.

 

[I got the outside word]

Finn can take centre bounces.

I really like this idea. Can stand up in tackles and get handballs out. Strong body that runs forever and won’t give up.

 

[matey]

We’ve got plenty of rotation options to roll through the middle at times while still having a quality group of smalls up forward! Dimma was doing quite a bit of goal kicking practice today but I’d imagine he would still be the main option to keep Cody quite like the last 3 times

 

[Hawkspot]

Finn can take centre bounces.

No he can’t.

He did not attend a single centre bounce this year until round 24 against North when we’d packed up shop.

He’s attended 10 centre bounces in 2 years.

As I said, unless we’re experimenting against Bont, Libba, and Treloar in an elimination final, he won’t be and we need someone who knows the set ups etc.

Unless Moore plays 70% midfield, it’s Ward.

 

[Bedi]

Sammy didn’t sound overly confident CJ would be picked.
It comes down to Ward, there’s no in one else

agreed he didn't sound confident all

 

[Hawkspot]

I really like this idea. Can stand up in tackles and get handballs out. Strong body that runs forever and won’t give up.

The coaching staff don’t like it.

Reactive, loses position, and is wasteful in tight.

He’s great when he doesn’t have to get the ball, our gameplay moved past that in round 4.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

No he can’t.

He did not attend a single centre bounce this year until round 24 against North when we’d packed up shop.

He’s attended 10 centre bounces in 2 years.

As I said, unless we’re experimenting against Bont, Libba, and Treloar in an elimination final, he won’t be and we need someone who knows the set ups etc.

Unless Moore plays 70% midfield, it’s Ward.

Both Ward and Finn will be there. Stop fighting over nothing. They both did it very well against Williamstown last Saturday. I know that was VFL, but you're saying that as if he hasn't been near a midfield group in any capacity for years. That's not true at all.

 

[Mrzohs]