Preview AFL Round 19 - North Melbourne v Geelong, Etihad Stadium, 7:50PM Friday 2 August

[manboob]

I'm not sure you have access to a T.V or even attend matches.

Only TV so perhaps I miss things here and there. But it can't be said I hold a minority view.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Only TV so perhaps I miss things here and there. But it can't be said I hold a minority view.

That's fair enough, and you like the rest of the people on here are entitled to your opinion, I think you're wrong. Anyway I'll leave it at that regarding Brown, his perception will never change regardless of his performance.

 

[bigfarter]

This year has been more the exception than the rule. Since 2007 we've pretty much always played three tall defenders, sometimes to our detriment, I have thought. Rivers was brought in specifically to fill the void left by Scarlett so we could continue this model in 2013. In his absence, yes, we have played Mackie as 3rd tall where necessary but in my view that clearly robs us of Mackie's greatest asset which is his run and footskills off half back.

Yeah, that's fair enough. I don't really want to argue against Brown because I do think he shows potential, it's just my opinion that potential is a gamble leading into finals and I'd be somewhat willing to have Mackie play a more defensive role (though he can still burn bigger opponents occasionally) given the confidence I have in him with such a role. We don't lack for attacking, outside players that can roam the wings these days so I believe that's a role we can sacrifice to an extent. I love seeing Mackie run off the half-back line and set up a play or kick an outside-50 goal as much as anyone but there are others who can play a similar role (without being quite as good at it, yes) while Mackie focuses on defense.

This is all conjecture anyway. I feel like Rivers will be brought in at some point, ahead of Brown, which will be extremely harsh and perhaps unfair. I think the MC have more faith in Rivers to contest one-on-ones and tight games than they do Brown and that would allow Mackie to play more of a wingman role. It's harsh but Rivers does have a bit of a pedigree and Brown would rue his poor games in the middle of the year. He's done well with his defensive play in the reserves but I always felt that was more to train him up for next year than to lock him in for finals. Again, whether it's fair or not, I daresay the MC, if faced with a Grand Final match-up choice of Gunston/Brown or Gunston/Rivers, would go with Rivers.

 

[bigfarter]

Anyway I'll leave it at that regarding Brown, his perception will never change regardless of his performance.

I feel that's a tad disingenuous. Nobody's knocking his performance, are they? I'm sorry, I'm really not trying to antagonise but I feel your inferring some anti-Brown bias that really isn't present in this discussion. At the end of the day, I bloody hope you're wrong because if you're right we may be sitting in 3rd place this time tomorrow!

 

[manboob]

That's fair enough, and you like the rest of the people on here are entitled to your opinion, I think you're wrong. Anyway I'll leave it at that regarding Brown, his perception will never change regardless of his performance.

I want him to turn me!

 

[Jmac2225]

Anyway I'll leave it at that regarding Brown, his perception will never change regardless of his performance.

So you couldn't settle on anyone to leave out so Brown could of stayed in?

Sorry just posed the question before and it wasn't answered. If you want to leave it at that that's fine.

 

[bulletproof]

Nervous about this one, but think we can score heavily enough to win. I have a feeling it will be one of those games where one side will get it out to a big lead, only to be reeled in.

I'd love a nice steady 110 to 70 win.

 

[meto]

Somebody posted this in the St.Kilda match preview



To which your response was:



Telling somebody to get serious is a tad ironic don't you think?

Didn't I say 15 possessions from a midfielder was the minimum expectation if one plays in that position these days???.....Yes I did!.....did he achieve that last week?....Yes he did!...and did I not say he earned another game for himself off the back of that result??...I did, so whats your problem?

Point I'm making is, if Brown can lose his spot with 20+10, how much more playing as a mid should Varcoe improve considering we spanked StKilda by 101 points, he got 15 'ok' so is that a dominating game????
And against poor opposition he got outside for a couple of goals, the first was a long shot that dribbled through, I mean wait till there's a bit of heat before claiming him a football god!

 

[bigfarter]

So you couldn't settle on anyone to leave out so Brown could of stayed in?

Sorry just posed the question before and it wasn't answered. If you want to leave it at that that's fine.

He answered earlier.

Based on the side named this week, I can tell you now that Corey isn't a defender, his best work is done as a midfielder, so there's your answer, and from what I've stated previously, Brown's inclusion allows Mackie to play where he's named, which I think can be a weapon for us in the finals.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

So you couldn't settle on anyone to leave out so Brown could of stayed in?

Sorry just posed the question before and it wasn't answered. If you want to leave it at that that's fine.

I'd probably say J.Hunt hasn't done enough to warrant his inclusion based on previous games, and in my opinion there's room for only one of Guthrie and Hunt and Guthrie on form and output gets the nod. If I take it one step further then Smedts is lucky to still be in the side based on his output. I like Mackie on a wing, but if they've chosen Corey as Brown's replacement down back, they've made a big mistake.

Smedts/Hunt out, Mackie halfback/wing, Brown still in the side, is the approach I would've taken for this match.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Point I'm making is, if Brown can lose his spot with 20+10, how much more playing as a mid should Varcoe improve considering we spanked StKilda by 101 points, he got 15 'ok' so is that a dominating game????
And against poor opposition he got outside for a couple of goals, the first was a long shot that dribbled through, I mean wait till there's a bit of heat before claiming him a football god!

You're comparing apples to oranges here, time to get serious.

 

[Partridge]

Without wanting to stir up anything because I think the whole Brown thing is best left at an "agree to disagree" point at this stage - but when was the last time we had three genuine tall defenders in our team? 2011 when Scarlett was doing the sweeping role? I don't quite understand why it's suddenly a necessity. I can understand the argument based on team balance for this game but in the context of where we are this season and who is going to figure into our finals plans, I just don't see how or why we would go with that third tall defensive player when we haven't done for the most part all year? If Vardy played a good game up forward would we keep him, Pods and Hawkins up there whilst still playing two rucks, just for the sake of rewarding Vardy? Our team balance has seemed fine this year - I don't really get why it suddenly needs to be reconfigured.

Pretty much all the time since Matthew Egan debuted and Harley overcame his 2005/06 injuries.

It's funny how it wasn't an issue when Rivers was in the team, suddenly it is. I suspect a lot of the frustration this week - certainly for me - is that North do have at least three tall forwards. You could argue this week playing a third tall defender is justified. Anyhow we'll see.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Is there a chance Hawkins won't play he grabbed his back a few times last week and Walke r has been elevated ?

 

[Partridge]

Is there a chance Hawkins won't play he grabbed his back a few times last week and Walke r has been elevated ?

Personally apart from that one marking contest I thought last week was as free as he's moved all year. Was good against Adelaide too. Be very surprised. I thought the club showed their hand bringing in West AND Blicavs - that means Vardy will play as a forward. So I wouldn't think so.

 

[steady2]

I am a little concerned, not only with just 2 KPD, but also with no Pods there are fewer options to respond should Roos forwards get on top. Also quite concerned for the rest of the season should Taylor or Lonners get injured/suspended we are left with Rivers who has not really set the world on fire and has not yet won back his spot.

Hate to pick a scab, but I would have liked to see Brown given another game or two before the finals.

 

[bigfarter]

Pretty much all the time since Matthew Egan debuted and Harley overcame his 2005/06 injuries.

It's funny how it wasn't an issue when Rivers was in the team, suddenly it is. I suspect a lot of the frustration this week - certainly for me - is that North do have at least three tall forwards. You could argue this week playing a third tall defender is justified. Anyhow we'll see.

Yeah, I was referring to this year and last really (I apparently have erased Scarlo's retirement year from my memory ) but you're right. I do get the frustration regarding Brown's position but I think it just shows that he isn't in the plans for this year's finals and I think that's fair enough given his seniors form this year. He's undoubtedly made a great case for himself as a defender and I think he'll be in our starting 22 next year but I feel the MC have more faith in Mackie and Rivers than they do Brown. If this were Round 12, I believe Brown would be playing. As it is, they're obviously trying to sort out their finals squad and barring injury, I guess he isn't in it. I really hope they urge him to be patient and have a great off-season with the understanding he will be given opportunity in our Back 6 next year. I would understand if he felt he should go elsewhere for opportunity but let's not forget the club has stuck by him through all his injuries so it's not like he's been treated horribly.

Anyway, enough of talking about who isn't in the team, let's discuss who is! Would love to see Westy show some fire and play like his time in the magoos hurt him. With Dawson out for finals (likely) we need Westy to be very good. 2011 shows he can be but he won't have big Otto to help out this year.

Smedts and Taylor Hunt desperately need to have a good game and I'd love to see Varcoe get a couple of goals and set up some play. I'd love for Lonergan to blanket Petrie. Lonners has had an up-and-down season but we need him firing going into September.

I reckon we'll win by about 5 goals but would not be shocked if we lost. We need to demoralise North in the first half and then keep them at bay. We need to show that we can beat a team and keep them beaten.

 

[Jmac2225]

I'd probably say J.Hunt hasn't done enough to warrant his inclusion based on previous games, and in my opinion there's room for only one of Guthrie and Hunt and Guthrie on form and output gets the nod. If I take it one step further then Smedts is lucky to still be in the side based on his output. I like Mackie on a wing, but if they've chosen Corey as Brown's replacement down back, they've made a big mistake.

Smedts/Hunt out, Mackie halfback/wing, Brown still in the side, is the approach I would've taken for this match.

Good response although my veiws on Hunts preformances this year differ vastly to yours. I think he's been great. Guthrie has been really good but probably doesn't posess the weapons Hunt does. He would be my choice to leave out but I'm happy with Cam which is why I wasn't fussed with Browns omission.

Smedts is lucky to hold his spot but its a role neither Brown or Mackie would be suited to. TV could do it though so fair point.

Wouldn't worry to much about JC named on a back flank it's just as likely Mackie or Bartel will line up there.

Another point to keep in mind is Grimas exclusion will mean Hansen will be required down back unless they want Thompson to play a lock down role which he would be under sized for anyway. Delaney will likely take Vardy which means Thompson either has to go to Hawkins giving up size and strength or Hansen will. Blitz/West resting forward at times will only further the need for their talls to stay back. So there might not even be a true 3rd tall for the Roos at the end of the day.

 

[Cooee Cobber]

Anyone else hear the rumour that Hawkins is a late withdrawal for Walker?

 

[JUBJUB]

Anyone else hear the rumour that Hawkins is a late withdrawal for Walker?

From the Hun website this arvo

Tonight the Cats are on late change watch after upgrading tall forward Josh Walker to the senior list today after naming him as an emergency last night. Tom Hawkins and Nathan Vardy could be the casualties if Walker makes his 2013 debut.

What the Hun journos have not realised is that this weekend was the last chance for Rookies to be promoted,which is why Walker was promoted yesterday.

 

[Just do something]

He better play Tommy I'm taking my 4 yr old boy to his first game tonight and he loves Tommyyy.

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

I'd probably say J.Hunt hasn't done enough to warrant his inclusion based on previous games, and in my opinion there's room for only one of Guthrie and Hunt and Guthrie on form and output gets the nod. If I take it one step further then Smedts is lucky to still be in the side based on his output. I like Mackie on a wing, but if they've chosen Corey as Brown's replacement down back, they've made a big mistake.

Smedts/Hunt out, Mackie halfback/wing, Brown still in the side, is the approach I would've taken for this match.

crazy talk. J Hunt has had a fantastic year. He is a lock.

 

[cats_09]

From the Hun website this arvo


What the Hun journos have not realised is that this weekend was the last chance for Rookies to be promoted,which is why Walker was promoted yesterday.

You can't bring logic & facts into an argument with newspapers - it just ruins any potential story they have

 

[JMan5]

Good luck tonight guys. You should be too good and win comfortably. No injuries though.

 

[you pick one]

Brown is nothing like Gillies, he is far, far more talented. Amazing how simplistically people want to view things.

"Gillies was crap, he was a tall defender, therefore Brown must also be crap".

Read again I never compared them as footballers,only the possibility an offer to Geelong for Brown at the end of the season may be similar to that offered by the Hawks for Gillies which was turned down.

 

[vinum coupe]

My god. Replacing Pods and Hawkins with Walker and Vardy ?

In that scenario, I would have played Brown.
That allows Brown and Vardy to play forward, but with a switch up available of sending Brown back and Taylor forward.

And having said that, we're going to need HT down back massively.