Preview Adelaide vs Essendon, Adelaide Oval, Saturday 15/04/17 @ 7:40 PM AEST

[calyam]

Adelaide will give us a very good idea about what we can expect for the rest of the season. They are a consensus top four team and difficult to beat at AO. Outside of Geelong in the pre-season we really haven't played any teams that are likely to make a mark in September.

The game will be won in the midfield. Our midfielders need to work harder defensively to ensure that Adelaide's forward line doesn't get quality delivery. That's going to be tough given the conditions we played in and the fact that Adelaide gets an additional day of rest. It will take team defense to slow Adelaide down and they will crucify any Bomber that doesn't run both ways.

If this is going to occur then we need to increase our midfield rotations. Both Walla and Fantasia need to be a part of that rotation even if it is only for a few minutes a quarter (also it helps to get them in the game). I'd also like to see McGrath get a few more minutes in the midfield (provided he isn't forced to take Betts). I think our potential midfield depth bats a little deeper than we have seen utilised during the first three rounds we will need all of it to keep up with the Crows.

 

[PhoenixBonez]

Francis (just get him in)

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Bring Francis for Anzac Day.

 

[Lore]

Bring Francis for Anzac Day.

 

[Saucy]

This would be my team for Adelaide:

In: Hartley, Jerrett, Stewart
Out: Brown, Gleeson, Langford

B: Baguley, Hartley, Ambrose
HB: McGrath, Hurley, Stanton
C: Zaharakis, Heppell, Parish
HF: Colyer, Hooker, Tipungwuti
F: Stewart, Daniher, Fantasia
FOL: Leuenberger, Watson, Zerrett
I/C: Goddard, Jerrett, Hocking, Kelly

 

[yaco55]

Three changes for me.

Out: Langford (been a defender but was terrible), Baguley (was WOG for us... Slightly ahead of Langford), Hocking (probably harsh but he struggled badly)
In: Hartley (Need him for their 4 tall forward line), Bellchambers (Been excellent in the VFL three weeks in a row), Francis (just get him in)

So three talls for three smaller players - We'll be run off the park.

 

[Bombers36]

Lets hope that it was the conditions against the Blues that made us look ordinary, not our skills and decision making, but I have a feeling it was a bit of both....I'd make a few changes here and experiment a little bit - Ross Lyon made 5 or 6 and the Dockers got up - we have nothing to lose really so dont see why we wouldn't change things up a little. In particular I'd like to see Francis get a run and play deep forward changing with Bellcho.

OUT: Baguley Brown Hocking Langford
IN: Hartley Francis Bird Bellcho

Ambrose Hartley Kelly
Gleeson Hurley Stanton
Goddard Watson Colyer
Parish Daniher Walla
Francis Hooker Fantasia

Luey Heppell Z.Merrett

Bench from: Zakka McGrath Bird Bellcho

 

[Vindicater]

Three changes for me.

Out: Langford (been a defender but was terrible), Baguley (was WOG for us... Slightly ahead of Langford), Hocking (probably harsh but he struggled badly)
In: Hartley (Need him for their 4 tall forward line), Bellchambers (Been excellent in the VFL three weeks in a row), Francis (just get him in)

McGovern won't play.

Jenkins will be touch and go after having breathing issues during the week from the bruised ribs.

So you need defenders for.

Walker - Hurley
Lynch - Ambrose
Jenkins (maybe) - Brown/Hartley

 

[eth-dog]

McGovern won't play.

Jenkins will be touch and go after having breathing issues during the week from the bruised ribs.

So you need defenders for.

Walker - Hurley
Lynch - Ambrose
Jenkins (maybe) - Brown/Hartley

Otten played forward to good effect the past two weeks.

 

[Runk]

Only the inclusion of Francis this weekend can clear me out of this weird funk I'm in.

 

[Mercurial89]

One In will be Bird, not entirely sure who makes way.

 

[Rack Watts]

We will win.

Yup, I too feel this way (as long as it's not wet).

 

[Rack Watts]

Betts to kick 8 and then be rested at half time.
Cameron to kick 4.
Millera to have a break out game and kick 3 with 20+ touches.

Will be interesting to see how the coaches set up for this one. Our only hope is for Heppel, Watson,Zerrett and Parish to smash their mids.

Outs: Zaharakis, Maybe Stanton, maybe Langford, maybe Hocking, Kelly and all the old guys.
Ins: Jerrett, Maybe Dea, maybe McKenna, maybe slim pickings. Unfortunately no kids are showing enough to get a game.

LOL.
*Arranges ladder by least points scored against*
Oh look, we are at the top.
Our defense is as good as their offense, our offense is better than their defense, our midfield is worse than theirs.
The difference here is the home crowd IMO.

 

[HirdyLannister]

I have more confidence winning this game than yesterday's wet weather game.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

 

[BrunoV]

The teams which have done well against Adelaide in the last 12 months have set a deep defensive zone to slow up the Crows'counter attack.

Ball retention and the ability to hit targets methodically working through wing and half forward are essential. It's not about putting forward pressure on because in some respects if we're relying on that pressure it's likely to be too late.

As it stands we're playing Adelaide's game but no where near as well so I would not expect us to win. If Stewart or, to a less extent, Francis were to be selected I'd be more confident because it would signal an intention to look to move the ball more methodically.

It's not about the ruck relief this week. If we take on Adelaide at their own game I doubt that we'll be close enough for Daniher being wasted in the ruck to matter.

 

[Vander18]

Would like to see McKenna or Dea come in - between Kelly, Bags and Stanton we are slow back there. Bags out for mine.

Have no doubt Green will come back in - personally, I'd prefer to see Francis or Stewart come in with Buddha perhaps dropping out.

Defended Langford last week but he had an unmitigated stinker - can forgive anything bar lack of effort, that performance has to see him dropped. If Dea comes in for Baguley then happy see McKenna come in and play a forward/mid role and see how he goes. Understand he's been playing back and like him best in defence, but also think we need to find a way to get him into the team.

 

[CourtzMajora]

I'm more optimistic about this game then I was about the Carlton game.

Let's hope my intuition is right

 

[Jesse Custer]

Essendon by 75 points.

 

[bombreys]

Can any VFL watchers tell me how Dea played over the weekend?

I'd really like to see us make a bit of a statement by dropping Bags.

One of Stewart or Francis seems the logical swap for Langford.

Will Green come straight back in? Or via the VFL?

 

[Capt Hindsight]

Adelaide are 13-2 at Adelaide oval from 2016 and 2017. Those 2 losses being Geelong and West Coast last year.
One less day recovery for Essendon after a physical match in the wet.
Adelaide having beaten GWS, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide to start 2017 3W-0L.
The Crows will win comfortably 30+.

Hopefully Essendon freshen up the squad with some performing VFL players such as Stewart. Francis still hasn't dominated VFL but wouldn't mind throwing him into the deep end this week. Don't want to play 2 rucks as it will make us too slow so keep Bellchambers out for now.

 

[Bombers_95]

Interesting to see what the changes are this week. Potential ins could be Stewart who kicked 5 in the VFL, Hartley because he's better than Brown and I don't understand why he was dropped even though Brown was far from the worst yesterday, Bird looked like he played a blinder and might be a bit more versatile than Hocking, Francis just because well he's Francis and he's going to be a gun, Green if he's fit, Dea wouldnt be a bad inclusion either and i'm a big fan of McKenna so if they could find a spot for him I would be happy. However the potential outs in my eyes are only Langoford who looks like he needs a couple of weeks in the reserves to regain some form. I don't get why everyone is jumping off Baugley, we did this in the final JLT game and he came in and played a blinder in Rd 1 on Cyril. Kelly is slow but his positioning is first class and we need him in the back six to handle Adelaides forward line.


So my final changes would be
In: Hartley, Green, Francis
Out: Brown, Langford, Hocking

So we swap key defenders, Francis comes in for Langford as a utility and Green offers more pace than Hocking against a team that is bloody quick.

 

[Jade]

WHAT ARE WE DOING WELL?

For a start we are possessing the ball well, in effect playing keepings off with our opponents. The first step to attacking well is to get your hands on the ball, and by denying our opponents possession we restrict their ability to attack.

Our forward line is functioning well. We are among the top handful of clubs in the league for scores per forward entry. We have wide variety in our scoring ability and are proving incredibly hard for opposition defenses to match up on.

Our defense is holding up very well. We have conceded the least points against in the league so far this season, and much of our attacking movement is generated from our half back line.

WHAT ARE WE NOT DOING SO WELL?

Aside from being deathly allergic to water?

We are not getting our hands on the ball first. A lack of a front line ruckman for the early part of the year has hurt us here. As a result, we are often conceding ground to our opponents and are then forced to work our way up the ground when we do get possession. This has meant that we are not generating enough inside 50s.

HOW DO WE PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS?

Moving the ball through the corridor is our best option. By doing so, we give our tall forwards the maximum amount of room to lead and create greater space for our damaging small forwards to work in. Using the switch from our defensive line helps to open up the space and allows our pacier mids to find some open territory in the centre of the ground.

HOW DO WE IMPROVE OUR WEAKNESSES?

In short, making some small changes to our midfield setup to include a genuine ruckman, will help.

Pushing up our half back line when in possession will also help to create wide options that can drag a zone defense apart.

CHANGES

Langford has not performed well enough in the first three rounds to warrant selection in the seniors, particularly when our seconds are playing so well. I think he needs to go back to the VFL to find some form there.

Baguley probably earns a reprieve due to his decent enough form in round 1; however I would think he is on borrowed time if he cannot recapture his best footy.

Francis simply must come in to the side if he is fit enough to run out a game. He's too good a player to leave in the VFL.

With Adelaide's tall forwards, we can comfortably run three key defenders, Hartley has to come in.

In: Hartley, Francis, Green
Out: Brown, Langford, Hocking

PREDICTION

If the players can't get up for this game, they never will. The performance against Carlton was completely unacceptable, and drastic improvement is a must for the side this week.

That said, Adelaide are contending for a flag, and will probably be too strong at home.

Adelaide by 25pts.

 

[daffo]

I hope we don't get smashed.

 

[SherbertLemon]

Does the mask muffle my voice!?

 

[foj1]

Don't think we will make too many changes. We are 2-1 and probably played 3 of the poorer sides in the competition.
Which probably shows where we are realistically at.
We need to just play games together and work on a plan b with our gameplay when we cannot switch and rely on our kicking.
We are quick on the flanks but slow in the middle.
Colyer and Walla perhaps need to run through the midfield more.