Prediction Changes Blues v Dogs Marvel 28/3/25 7.40 PM

[dogwatch]

Thought Poulter was very good last night and his ball use a cut above.

I prefer him ahead of Arty and Baker. Arty didn’t take his chance and is too light bodied around the contest. Baker’s not a bad sub with his speed.

Are we still a small defender short with Cleary out? Especially if we drop Doc?

I agree with this but Poulter is not great in traffic. Needs to be used for his height, running ability and vision/disposal. I'd prefer him on a wing or high half-forward. I also agree Arty was disappointing despite being given a start. After starting as the sub last week it was telling to see him subbed off this week for tactical reasons.

That’s a really balanced team. I like Croft coming in. He is really fast and will add something and keeps a dangerous structure.

Khamis unlucky - potentially play him in front of Croft for now (though not for long if Croft keeps kicking four goals in the VFL).

I am big fan of Artie and like Baker but they didn’t have a great game. Artie worked hard which may hold him but needs to be more impactful.

Cooper Hynes could also get a go - apparently played well in VFL and covers a lot of ground but sounds a bit like he sits between Davidson and Kennedy - so not an obvious space yet. But I am still not convinced about McNeil - he just doesn’t do enough - kicked a goal but for most of the game don’t do anything. He is quick but that doesn’t matter if he is not putting people under pressure or breaking lines. And so would try Hynes or Poulter.

What I like about Croft is his natural aggression. He'd certainly be a bit of a wild card as a hard running 200+cm winger. However I didn't see a lot of that on Saturday night, so it would be a big ask to select him in that role against the Blues. Bevo seems keen on him though so maybe watch this space. An alternative would be to have him inside the 50 most of the night and let Naughton roam more upfield. Another consideration - Croft might still be a bit underdone.

I thought Hynes was OK last night but he wasn't knocking the door down. Luke Kennedy could be a smoky for a debut instead. I thought his game was better. More involved.


So much will depend on who's fit. If Treloar and L Jones are deemed ready they both come in. Sounds like Liam's a chance but Adz is unlikely. If Jones comes in we certainly don't need to rush O'Donnell back. And it's probably wise to keep Cleary out for another game.

Remember anyone missing out on the seniors this week gets the weekend off because of the VFL bye although there's a practice match against Carlton VFL team. Another week off or limited minutes in the praccy would be good for both Cleary and JOD. So Khamis and Duryea get another go, but Doc should be on notice.

Subject to fitness they might do something like this:

OUT: A.Jones, Dolan
IN: L.Jones, Croft
But that's two KPPs in for two smalls so they might choose to keep Dolan or else bring Poulter in instead of Croft.

And if Liam Jones isn't ready I'd like us to throw Busslinger into the big time. He was good last night.

 

[perro_loco]

Out: Duryea Dolan
In: Jones Poulter

A Jones to sub

A. Jones was very poor. bring poulter in and l jones if fit. out ajones and baker

 

[AFDogs]

Wouldn’t mind seeing Baker start and Dolan sub.

If Liam Jones is ready he is automatically selected.

 

[CarnTheScray]

Think we can rule out Jones and Bramble as ever making it at AFL level unfortunately. Bramble may play again or continue playing but he is not the future. Baker probably won’t see much action either.

Dolan showed intelligence. You can tell he will be good. Just needs another preseason. Ditto for Davidson.

The Watchlist includes McNeil, Duryea, West, Naughton. Duryea is cooked. McNeil and West had a goal each but could’ve done more, in McNeils case a lot more. He has gone from delist worthy to Owies-lite. Kicks a goal a game then goes AWOL for the rest of it. He did not lay a single tackle.

Naughton just needs to do better. He won’t get dropped ever but that was a poor outing from him. No tackles, juggling marks, poor positioning.

 

[Sentinel]

Think we can rule out Jones and Bramble as ever making it at AFL level unfortunately. Bramble may play again or continue playing but he is not the future. Baker probably won’t see much action either.

I think this is harsh on Bramble who played a number of really solid games in the back half of last year, and finished top 10 in the B&F. Biggest problem is the gap between his best and worst is large.

 

[CarnTheScray]

I think this is harsh on Bramble who played a number of really solid games in the back half of last year, and finished top 10 in the B&F. Biggest problem is the gap between his best and worst is large.

Perhaps. I hope he proves my harsh arse wrong.

Jones, though I am set on. Shame.

 

[dogwatch]

Think we can rule out Jones and Bramble as ever making it at AFL level unfortunately. Bramble may play again or continue playing but he is not the future. Baker probably won’t see much action either.

Dolan showed intelligence. You can tell he will be good. Just needs another preseason. Ditto for Davidson.

The Watchlist includes McNeil, Duryea, West, Naughton. Duryea is cooked. McNeil and West had a goal each but could’ve done more, in McNeils case a lot more. He has gone from delist worthy to Owies-lite. Kicks a goal a game then goes AWOL for the rest of it. He did not lay a single tackle.

Naughton just needs to do better. He won’t get dropped ever but that was a poor outing from him. No tackles, juggling marks, poor positioning.

LOL
Naughton's on my watch list too, but for a different reason.
He was close to being our best player last week against North.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

I'd like to see Poulter in on the wing

Thought he was really good last year and was surprised he got dropped late in the year. Not sure how he has fell behind so many others again, especially when Williams was forced to move back

 

[CarnTheScray]

LOL
Naughton's on my watch list too, but for a different reason.
He was close to being our best player last week against North.

Which makes it so boggling. Feels like good teams at the MCG always towel him up.

 

[Dogman 1]

LOL
Naughton's on my watch list too, but for a different reason.
He was close to being our best player last week against North.

Very ordinary vs pies. Should of thrown him in the middle to get him around the ball.

 

[Senor Ed]

Sanders needs a spell. He's bereft of confidence. Playing soft, bruise free footy and looks timid.

 

[Foxman98]

Sanders needs a spell. He's bereft of confidence. Playing soft, bruise free footy and looks timid.

His 2nd half was fine and we also have very little to come in for him in his position

 

[DognBones]

Difficult until we know who is actually available. However, Jones must go out; I can't see a future for him considering his consistently low impact. Probably Dolan as well. He's had a taste, now it's time to develop his game in the VFL.
Bramble on his last chance. West and McNeil were pretty poor against the Pies so watches on them.
O'Donnell probably comes in if fit. Not sure about LJones' fitness.
I think either Poulter or Baker comes in for a wing although both have been tried there many times before.
If we get any poor games from any of the above this round then it's time for the newbies to get an opportunity: Croft, Kennedy, Hynes.

 

[maddog37]

I would like to see Arty tried as a defender. Seems that is his only chance to progress imho.

 

[stefoid]

Small defenders are becoming an issue, particularly with rebound. Dale cant do it all or they will just sit on him.
Bramble cant get locked out of the game like he did against the pies. Im not putting a line through him, but his last game was shizen for a guy who is there to provide run and gun.

Gags has to stay in defence I think. He may become a mid in time but if we are persisting with Fridge on the ball, then he can go back to where he made a name for himself pre-draft and hone his craft there instead of Duryea.

it must be tempting to bring back coffield, but I dont trust his disposal. Had a few games last year where every 4th disposal was a clanger which is horrible for a defender. I think he needs a good long run in the 2s to build confidence in his skills and body

 

[Foxman98]

I would like to see Arty tried as a defender. Seems that is his only chance to progress imho.

I wouldn't soft as butter,

Had high hopes for the kid but just not AFL standard

 

[dergert]

If we want to bring in a 3rd tall option up forward, Poulter has to be it. He was seriously good in the VFL.

Kennedy and Hynes are next midfield/hff options.

Buss did well and would be close

 

[Foxman98]

If we want to bring in a 3rd tall option up forward, Poulter has to be it. He was seriously good in the VFL.

Kennedy and Hynes are next midfield/hff options.

Buss did well and would be close

He is soft as butter Croft is the clear and obvious choice for that

 

[Bald]

A week is a long time in footy. Last week our key defender stocks were bordering on emergency levels.

This week there’s every chance Buss has finally earned a call up, Jones and JOD are back and Khamis is coming off a respectable showing.

 

[lachy]

A week is a long time in footy. Last week our key defender stocks were bordering on emergency levels.

This week there’s every chance Buss has finally earned a call up, Jones and JOD are back and Khamis is coming off a respectable showing.

There was debates about KDP's but clearly our issues down back are small defenders and remains so

 

[Mr. Walker]

Not disagreeing at all with the two previous posters but can we please , forever, stop mentioning Khamis in the same posts as ones about KPDs. I think he can be a good mid sized defender but KPD? NOOOOOOOOO

 

[maddog37]

Could Cleary play the same role as Doc?

 

[Foxman98]

Could Cleary play the same role as Doc?

Not for me personally don't see it lockdown ability wise,

Think if he can stay fit and its a massive if Coffield is best suited for it

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

Could Cleary play the same role as Doc?

Ordinarily I’d say no, but Doc looks to have lost the top end speed he once had. I don’t think Cleary would do any worse at this point

 

[bobs head soup]

Sanders needs a spell. He's bereft of confidence. Playing soft, bruise free footy and looks timid.

He did stick 7 tackles, no Dogs player laid more on the night. Is lacking penetration with his disposals, but soft and bruise free is not right