Preview AFL Round 19 - North Melbourne v Geelong, Etihad Stadium, 7:40PM Saturday 2 August

[Jhye Clark 13]

Im sorry, im not sure what you mean?

You're on the money.

 

[BlitzenTrapper]

Hartman, Lang, Stringer, Schroder, even Smedts come to mind as available replacements if required.

But Smedts can't play midfield, he's a defender now (according to the MC ). We must play him down back (according to the MC )

 

[poeyonline]

You're on the money.

Thanks, finals footy is a different beast, and i honestly think we have the claws to bring it down.

 

[catswhiskers]

Not at all. I just think we simply aren't going to be as good at winning clearances, as a team, for another year or so. I really have to crunch the numbers of the previous generation of midfielders and see how it compares. I don't think it's a simple matter of tactics or effort or intelligence; it's just it's a collective skill that takes time to hone like others. During the third quarter last week at times we looked great - Simpson was palming it straight down to our guys and we ran it out of there. Couldn't sustain it. I don't think Christensen or Caddy will change it much this season. It's two components out of about 12.

Christensen is a key. Has much upside and I think will be our talisman. He is good inside and moves so well across the action (rather than thru it like Caddy) that he really opens up opportunities. I am thinking that if he hits top fitness we have the key to opening games up. As you point out he can't do this by himself but he and Motlop and Kersten to a lesser degree have this finals campaign in their hands (assuming status quo with the vets)

 

[manboob]

I wouldn't mind it if Bundy spent a bit of time down forward when he comes back. Could be very handy there. Just don't think his fitness will allow him to play in the mids.

 

[vinum coupe]

Hartman, Lang, Stringer, Schroder, even Smedts come to mind as available replacements if required.

Not a chance.

 

[Cataholic]

Not a chance.

Agreed. Though Jansen might get a peek if there's a midfield injury.

 

[vinum coupe]

Agreed. Though Jansen might get a peek if there's a midfield injury.

Yeah well Partridges post was in response to this post
"If we are going full tilt for a flag do you think we can do better than Caddy if he doesn't get back into same form as 2 of those NAB cup matches?"

I'm taking a 16 disposal, 7 tackle game from Caddy over any of them.

 

[catempire]

I agree vinum coupe, but to me it says something about trying Jansen earlier in the year so you have options.

 

[vinum coupe]

Yeah I'd like to see Jansen. His time will come though.

 

[Cataholic]

Yeah well Partridges post was in response to this post
"If we are going full tilt for a flag do you think we can do better than Caddy if he doesn't get back into same form as 2 of those NAB cup matches?"

I'm taking a 16 disposal, 7 tackle game from Caddy over any of them.

I'm happy to persevere with Caddy, and accept given his youth and relative inexperience that he will have some difficulties maintaining a consistent output, but should he, for example, suffer an injury then I can see Jansen getting a sneaky game.

 

[sk8er_in_town]

Who the f*%k is hanky?

hank schrader - breaking bad

 

[winty]

Who the f*%k is hanky?

hank schrader - breaking bad

Oh, so you weren't referring to this guy then?

 

[Bobby_]

I like Caddy, just get a feeling he's about to lift his game over the next month and that would obviously mean a whole lot when it comes to our midfield issues.
Same with Christensen, those two guys will be fit and firing come September I just hope we have our forward line functioning as it did early in the season.

 

[Moggy]

Re Bundy
It's obvious, from just a few minutes watching him, that he has the vision, skills and balls to really impact games - but I don't understand why he is seemingly involved in a head collision once per quarter of footy played.

He might need to adapt if he wants a decent length career.

 

[WA Cat]

I think we need Jed Bews in the side to play on Boomer Harvey or Thomas with Guthrie picking up the other. I am not sure who else can do the job? Harvey has been good against us in recent games.

 

[CatTricks]

Harvey has been good against us in recent games.

Only due to the fact that we give him way too much space and never have someone lock him down.

 

[DanA]

Maybe Varcoe is an option on Harvey. I know he's not the greatest defender but most of my issues are with Varcoe's ability to defend in marking situations. That's a bit of a non factor with Harvey. He has the speed and endurance to go with him at least.

 

[vinum coupe]

Maybe Varcoe is an option on Harvey. I know he's not the greatest defender but most of my issues are with Varcoe's ability to defend in marking situations. That's a bit of a non factor with Harvey. He has the speed and endurance to go with him at least.

God no.

 

[Daniel McL]

GHS has actually kicked quite a few crumbing small forward kind of goals this year so if we needed a small forward and don't give Smedts a go up there consider giving GHS more time there perhaps?

 

[vinum coupe]

GHS has actually kicked quite a few crumbing small forward kind of goals this year so if we needed a small forward and don't give Smedts a go up there consider giving GHS more time there perhaps?

The difference as a forward is speed and agility.
Smedts would lead up better. AND turn on a lead up better.
GHS appears to be a smarter reader of the play though.

So maybe.

 

[Turbocat]

I dont know who goes out but I think all being fair Schroder should get a game. We have played others before him , and he has had his injury concerns but we are lacking a forward mid. He can help out forward and kick goals when playing mid. Hartman has shown he will have his time , Bews has too...I think its time to let Schroder see if he can put his hand up for a spot next year playing the big boys.

I know we have Bundy and Blitz to come back in , but we are talking the make up of our future here and will Schroder be a part of it. If we are going to keep guys who are perpetually injured we should at least give others who are playing well a chance to stay as well.

 

[Jon Douglas]

I keep thinking Schroder and Brown may still make it - if they had the time. But then I keep thinking who goes off the list as season's end and 3 have to. Enright I think will go - even though he is still plying well. But that means two more need to go.

My preference is to trade THunt s one and upgrade a pick. I think Schroder could be as good as THunt - if not better if he had some time in the seniors. But for me THunt will never be best 22 again. Better for him to get a fresh start.

 

[Turbocat]

I keep thinking Schroder and Brown may still make it - if they had the time. But then I keep thinking who goes off the list as season's end and 3 have to. Enright I think will go - even though he is still plying well. But that means two more need to go.

My preference is to trade THunt s one and upgrade a pick. I think Schroder could be as good as THunt - if not better if he had some time in the seniors. But for me THunt will never be best 22 again. Better for him to get a fresh start.

I think we have shown we will just drop they guys with no consideration to get good trades. So THunt , Smedts , Stringer , Brown may all just walk to another club.

 

[manboob]

Do you think the bulldogs would bite at something like Brown, Smedts and our first round for theirs?