Preview 2nd Qual Final - Port Adelaide vs Geelong - Friday 7:50

[year of the cat]

Reckon Narkle as the sub. Shown he can come on and win clearances as the opposition mids are tiring.

 

[xtatik222k]

Feel like I trust Simpson way more than some on here. He performs every time he steps over the line. He's going to be a Mr. Reliable down the line. I'd rather his youth, speed and endeavour as opposed to having Higgins in the team. The pressure will ratchet up now finals are here. We need to be careful with how many 30+ blokes we have in the team.

 

[year of the cat]

Feel like I trust Simpson way more than some on here. He performs every time he steps over the line. He's going to be a Mr. Reliable down the line. I'd rather his youth, speed and endeavour as opposed to having Higgins in the team. The pressure will ratchet up now finals are here. We need to be careful with how many 30+ blokes we have in the team.

Not sure you’d have Simpson in for his “speed”. He’s very one paced. Good skills and good decision maker? yes, but quick? no.

 

[xtatik222k]

Not sure you’d have Simpson in for his “speed”. He’s very one paced. Good skills and good decision maker? yes, but quick? no.

More speed of mind than Higgins, surely?

 

[you pick one]

When the list of best kicks/highest kicking efficiency came out earlier this season, pretty sure he was one of only 2 non defenders in the top 30

If that's due to poor decision making out of defence, then I'm happy to see more of that poor decision making

Played his best footy a couple of years back maybe 3 coming off the back of the square at centre bounces a real weapon.

 

[r32godzilla]

No more Prawns for Danger this week!

Why Patrick Dangerfield was stuck on the bench in Geelong's loss to Melbourne

"I’ll be steering clear of the prawns this week I can tell you.”

www.sen.com.au

 

[TEDDY24INC]

"haven't decided on our 22, but he'd be likely" - that's the quote when asked if Higgins is a walk up start to the 22.

So you'd guess so

That’s not a ringing endorsement in Scott speak at all.. it’s going to be a tight call. I’d prefer Simpson

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I like Simpson, but who in their right mind could ever pick him ahead of Higgins?

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Of course higgins will play.

The more relevant comparison for sam is to close and holmes as one of those three wont play.

 

[Finknottle]

More speed of mind than Higgins, surely?

Higgins was a gun, might have slowed down but is a class above Simpson, and it will show in the finals.

 

[year of the cat]

More speed of mind than Higgins, surely?

Not sure what to make of Higgins? He’s still got that bit of class but he’s clearly not the player he was. His lack of a defensive game is a concern.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Higgins was a gun, might have slowed down but is a class above Simpson, and it will show in the finals.

That would be massive if he can reclaim some vintage form - Cameron and Smith have been huge , Higgins would be a bonus

 

[goyoucatters]

This has to be satire.

Staggering to think that you could be genuinely worried about Duncan's ball use out of defence, when you compare him to the other options back there at the moment. He would have all of the current options covered in his sleep for his ability to choose the right pass and then execute it successfully on a regular basis.

I hope we don't use him back there, as his ball use going inside 50 is so damaging. But, if we do decide to use him out of the back half, I will be far less worried every time he has the footy than I will with any other player who will spend significant time back there. His elite disposal by foot up against so many others who are average at best would straighten us up, if anything.

 

[Sire of Claude]

The stats show Higgins is ahead of Simpson at this point. He's an old player but a new face in the team, together with Cameron and Smith and hopefully Holmes. It's not as if the team is full of great finals footballers - cf. 2007 -2011 - ; but there's plenty who have played in several losing finals.

Conclusion: new faces are needed in the team.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Not sure what to make of Higgins? He’s still got that bit of class but he’s clearly not the player he was. His lack of a defensive game is a concern.

It is but his experience and ability to make the right decision under pressure in big games is what we bought him for (and at times he has shown it this year). Hopefully he brings that this week.

 

[standupand]

Staggering to think that you could be genuinely worried about Duncan's ball use out of defence, when you compare him to the other options back there at the moment. He would have all of the current options covered in his sleep for his ability to choose the right pass and then execute it successfully on a regular basis.

I hope we don't use him back there, as his ball use going inside 50 is so damaging. But, if we do decide to use him out of the back half, I will be far less worried every time he has the footy than I will with any other player who will spend significant time back there. His elite disposal by foot up against so many others who are average at best would straighten us up, if anything.

I kinda don't think it is an either/or with Duncan in terms of whether he is back half or further up the ground. The important thing is that he's gets it more in space and time through the corridor than out on the wings. Make that happen and he'll be damaging whether it's coming out of defence or heading inside 50.

 

[JohnZ]

Higgins and Duncan in for Simpson and Holmes. Who comes out for Tuohy?

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Stepping back a bit and trying to assess this Finals campaign compared to last season.
Our planning has been first class and so far the execution has also been excellent albeit with injuries derailing us during and now in the season.

For this Finals assault we have :
> Recruited a second key forward ( Jezza) , running winger ( Isaac) and quality ball distributor ( Higgins.... almost but hopefully will produce in Finals)
> Used Duncan and Tuohy as between the arc distributors - derailed due to injury
> Will have to re-jig defence to cover the massive loss of Stewart
> Finished top 4 yet again
> Rate very highly in key Premiership KPI's
> Have shown , at times, the ability to score quick and big !
> Maybe have timed our run better in that we haven't really gone to our A game regularly - can we do that or are we at our limit?
> Shown we are still an AFL Power Club

Whilst I'm nervous I'm also grateful to be yet again in contention with as good a chance of any in the 8 of bringing home the silverware.
I'll be watching the game with 2 very close Docker supporting mates - what they both wouldn't give to be a Cats fan right now
Go you good things !!!

 

[Finknottle]

Higgins and Duncan in for Simpson and Holmes. Who comes out for Tuohy?

Atkins or Bews

 

[year of the cat]

It is but his experience and ability to make the right decision under pressure in big games is what we bought him for (and at times he has shown it this year). Hopefully he brings that this week.

That’s a fair call. He’s had some decent games this year amongst some poor ones but none where he’s really shown the elite form that we recruited him for. Everyone has an expiry date - just hope he hasn’t reached his yet.

 

[JohnZ]

Atkins or Bews

Geez that's rough. How did we fit all 3 and stewart in earlier in the year?

 

[Strange Cat]

Of course higgins will play.

The more relevant comparison for sam is to close and holmes as one of those three wont play.

Higgins experience and bigger build will be the key thing that’ll keep him ahead of Holmes who I can see being the sub in the finals

close is a lock imo

 

[Finknottle]

Not sure you’d have Simpson in for his “speed”. He’s very one paced. Good skills and good decision maker? yes, but quick? no.

Too bad Clarke hasn't quite made it yet, he has serious speed.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Higgins and Duncan in for Simpson and Holmes. Who comes out for Tuohy?

Close imo with atkins an outside chance to go.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Too bad Clarke hasn't quite made it yet, he has serious speed.

He’ll burn up the turf on those wings at Optus Stadium next year.

Will be sad to see him go (as is being suggested) but Geelong need to bargain hard given he has a year left on his contract.



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[Live in hope]

You'd think
IN: Higgins, Duncan
OUT: Simpson, Holmes

you can make an argument for keeping both of those guys in, but they are the fringe players that have been filling the most similar roles to the two ins.

Simpson has played the same role that Higgins has been doing all year as a half forward rahter than a genuine small. So, you'd guess he will make way before Close for example. Although they may decide they only need 2 out of Miers, Close, Dahl, in which case he may keep his spot.

Similarly, It was good to see Holmes get some midfield and centre bounce time on Saturday, but he seems the obvious person to make way for Duncan as his role will be similar. Unless they want Duncan playing of half back to cover Stewart perhaps.

Like the idea of Duncan at HB - vision and foot setting up moves - play reading, smarts and not bad overhead so might be able to hold his own. Would need right match up and time in middle and lots of time on bench.