Unofficial Preview Changes for week one of Finals (Out: Madgen, Murphy, Ox : In: Treloar, Howe, Goldsack)

[frantelle]

I only saw parts of the VFL game, but what I saw suggested that the seconds play the same style as the seniors, and are vulnerable to the same chip and switch tactics that bring the seniors undone. Whoever we play on Saturday, the on field leaders will have to be prepared with methods to deal with this when it starts.
The heart of it for West Coast is the kicking of Hurn. He needs to be tagged out of it, or he will direct the ball too well too often for our upfield players to manage. Perhaps Greenwood. The problem is that this placement upsets our forward line a lot. None of our forwards are suitable for the role other than De Goey who can probably do anything, and we really don't want to lose him to a negating job. I don't have the answer, but the coaches have to find it.
The defenders have an awful task in front of them. They have somehow managed for weeks, indeed all year, but perhaps this will be one mountain too many. Howe will come in, but we will still be heavily overmatched for height and experience.

If available, I'd like to see Varcoe be responsible for Hurn. Has a high IQ and impact per possession and is big / strong enough that Hurn won't easily outmuscle or run through him.

Wouldn't mind Greenwood being used on a as needs basis. Move him onto whichever of Yeo, Shuey or Cripps look like taking the game away from us. Those three are critical for the Eagles talls. Great ball users and runners

As a side note, if Hutchings tags Sidebottom again, I'd love to see Sidey go to Full Forward and move JDG into the midfield. That doesn't change our team balance all that much but how does the Eagles mids and backline cope? How well does Hutchings do at full back? No idea how the Eagles will cope, but questions worth exploring as we need to find a way to unsettle them.

Sidey is crafty enough on both sides to make the most of limited chances at FF.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Can't understand why everyone reckons Goldy isn't ready. He had closing speed, spoiled a few good attempts and then when he was moved onto Stewart kept him quiet.

That sounds like pretty much everything we need in a backman right now, and he played 300% better than Madgen. The only reason we saw more of Madgen on TV was that his direct opponent was a direct route to goal.

Sack plays 100% this week. BringouttheGimp I'll put a Gorilla on it (but maybe not him kicking first goal ;-) )

Goldy is definitely ready. Only question....is Moore even readier!!!!!!!

 

[Saintly Viewed]

No chance Madgen plays. Sier and Aish are safe, imo.

I reckon they will choose Moore over Goldsack but thats really a judgement call the club will make based on injury risk. Fully fit surely Moore is the best choice. If its any consolation Moores' last string twing was pretty minor and he even managed to jog off the field pretty easily. So I'm hoping hes actually 100% and the club has simply been very conservative. Goldsack (along with Appleby) is still in line for a callup in coming weeks. Shame the VFL side didnt last one more week in the finals.

I’m with you Tim.
If Moore is ready in the eyes of selection he’ll play ahead of Goldsack.
Howe in so can’t see them taking both risks in Moore and Goldsack.

Agree Aish and Sier.
For what it’s worth, Sier is safe as houses, ensconced with his strong work. Gives us that extra dimension.

 

[sideswipe]

Yeah I wouldn't place any emphasis on Goldsack's disposal count. He looked to move pretty well and made a few important defensive efforts. I'd trust him at 75% than Oxley at 100%

My only concern is that he only played 75% game time. I reckon he needed a longer hitout for his match conditioning.

I wouldn't be too worried about the 75%. Presumably they are balancing his workload by not beating the suitcase out of him if he is to play seniors off a six day break. The purported benefit of getting extra "conditioning" into a player at this time of the season is a challenge. In endurance sports, getting an adaptation benefit from a hard effort can take many days, some say around 18 - so someone like Goldy is likely not going to get any "fitter" over the next fortnight or (hopefully) longer.

The intangibles like timing and "touch" might be where he improves with more game time.

 

[Robroy22]

Firstly, I love Goldy. Met him a few times and he's simply a lovely bloke, generous and honest as the day is long. What he has done to get back in such a short period of time is testament to his willpower and positive attitude BUT

Watching him yesterday he looked so limited. He was fast in straight lines but tentative in changes of direction. He "pulled out of" three or four marking situations where contact would have ensued and he stood back from several contested ground ball situations as well. When interviewed later he said himself: ""It's just getting used to the movements again. Obviously you're quite tentative going into some contests, especially when you can't read the ball very well in the air, or your timing is out, so you tend to be a little bit hesitant"

Now loving him like I do, can you really expect a bloke that's still learning how to move again following an ACL to play in an AFL final against Kennedy or Darling? If you're dreaming....maybe. If you're brutal (think Leigh Matthews brutal) then you don't unless all your other options are gone.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Firstly, I love Goldy. Met him a few times and he's simply a lovely bloke, generous and honest as the day is long. What he has done to get back in such a short period of time is testament to his willpower and positive attitude BUT

Watching him yesterday he looked so limited. He was fast in straight lines but tentative in changes of direction. He "pulled out of" three or four marking situations where contact would have ensued and he stood back from several contested ground ball situations as well. When interviewed later he said himself: ""It's just getting used to the movements again. Obviously you're quite tentative going into some contests, especially when you can't read the ball very well in the air, or your timing is out, so you tend to be a little bit hesitant"

Now loving him like I do, can you really expect a bloke that's still learning how to move again following an ACL to play in an AFL final against Kennedy or Darling? If you're dreaming....maybe. If you're brutal (think Leigh Matthews brutal) then you don't unless all your other options are gone.

He was still better than Madgen.

 

[hollyfasolo]

if Madgen plays, we will not win. Kennedy is also down on match fitness. Play Goldsack and Moore. At worst they are 100% match fit for the next finals.
Goldsack is a good match for Darling. Moore on Kennedy (size difference still worries me, ideally Reid would play this role)

Howe plays loose. Langdon on Ryan, Appleby on Rioli, Maynard on LeCras

 

[Maggie5]

In: Soaring Magpie


Out: Plucked Eagle

 

[jackcass]

"Moore unlikely", is that quoted from the club or just a journalist opinion? I think he will play, in my opinion.

I agree. I think they'll risk Moore first up ahead of the Sack. Was back in full training last week as far as I know and they'd be aware of his training loads. Less than ideal in my opinion, but I think that's what they'll do.

The only positive about losing yesterday is that they can now take all 4 emergencies across to WA and make those calls as late as needed.

 

[jackcass]

Goldsack 2 disposals? Can someone explain? Did he come off early or just couldn’t get near it?

Treloar in?

Sacrificed his game a bit so not sure his disposal count is relevant.

I'd like to know his TOG% because I reckon he was pretty carefully managed through the game.

 

[Mkcaptain]

Forecast is for rain Saturday. Can't say that disappoints me too much given the Eagles short kicking in the backline and switching of the play was very effective against us and McGovern destroyed us with his intercepting all game.

 

[DaVe86]

if Madgen plays, we will not win. Kennedy is also down on match fitness. Play Goldsack and Moore. At worst they are 100% match fit for the next finals.
Goldsack is a good match for Darling. Moore on Kennedy (size difference still worries me, ideally Reid would play this role)

Howe plays loose. Langdon on Ryan, Appleby on Rioli, Maynard on LeCras

This is the point. Yes Moore or Goldsack may be down on Match fitness, but so will Kennedy.

In a big final, with game on the line and someone needs to do a big defensive effort, I would back in Goldsack over Magden or Oxley every day of the week.

 

[JJ14AU]

I agree. I think they'll risk Moore first up ahead of the Sack. Was back in full training last week as far as I know and they'd be aware of his training loads. Less than ideal in my opinion, but I think that's what they'll do.

The only positive about losing yesterday is that they can now take all 4 emergencies across to WA and make those calls as late as needed.

I hope they don’t. Goldsack is a dedicated clubman who played out the game with one shoulder against Freo last year.

I’ll take that everyday of the week over someone who sprints off the ground after doing their hamstring.

 

[MagpieBat]

Sacrificed his game a bit so not sure his disposal count is relevant.

I'd like to know his TOG% because I reckon he was pretty carefully managed through the game.

About 75%.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...dy-to-take-on-the-eagles-20180902-p501bo.html

 

[Jonno94]

Goldsack didn't look near AFL ready yesterday, that being said neither did Magden or Oxley.

 

[hellfire]

Forecast is for rain Saturday. Can't say that disappoints me too much given the Eagles short kicking in the backline and switching of the play was very effective against us and McGovern destroyed us with his intercepting all game.

I hope it ****ing buckets down.

 

[jackcass]

I hope it ******* buckets down.

I'm not sure who that advantages. Rain may have some impact on their marking forwards but also impacts our intercept marking and brings their age-size-experience to the fore.

 

[PepperFace]

Goldsack hasnt looked a capable AFL player for a few years. Hes a battler who gives 100% but GOD help us if we need to bring him in this week

 

[Frankie23]

The thing is we have a double chance, and no more VFL for players to get match practise.

If fit, Treloar, Goldsack and Moore have to come in this week, we can't afford to hold back players now.

If we lose, so be it, they've got match fitness under their belt and we are 3 wins away from winning a flag. Rather be in that position than bringing them into a do or die final with an extra week of training under their belt.

 

[MagpieBat]

I'm not sure who that advantages. Rain may have some impact on their marking forwards but also impacts our intercept marking and brings their age-size-experience to the fore.

They also have a posse of small and medium forwards that are every bit capable of kicking the 8-10 goals that can win a team such games.

Though, it should be noted, so do we...

 

[Spatfers]

I agree. I think they'll risk Moore first up ahead of the Sack. Was back in full training last week as far as I know and they'd be aware of his training loads. Less than ideal in my opinion, but I think that's what they'll do.

The only positive about losing yesterday is that they can now take all 4 emergencies across to WA and make those calls as late as needed.

when do we fly over, Thursday?

 

[Jen2310]

when do we fly over, Thursday?

Some thurs (usually Cox/Pendles and some others) the rest of the team fri morning.

 

[Collingwoodity]

Can't understand why everyone reckons Goldy isn't ready. He had closing speed, spoiled a few good attempts and then when he was moved onto Stewart kept him quiet.

That sounds like pretty much everything we need in a backman right now, and he played 300% better than Madgen. The only reason we saw more of Madgen on TV was that his direct opponent was a direct route to goal.

Sack plays 100% this week. BringouttheGimp I'll put a Gorilla on it (but maybe not him kicking first goal ;-) )

If that's how he played that's exactly what we expected and needed. He infrequently had 20 possession games. 11 elite spoils ala 11 elite disposal for Cyril.

 

[frantelle]

Injury list as per: http://www.afl.com.au/news/injury-list

Have left off those that are out for the season.

A lot of names listed as a test!

Player
Injury
Estimated Return
Will Hoskin-Elliott Knee TBC
Jeremy Howe Thigh Test
Chris Mayne Ankle TBC
Darcy Moore Hamstring Test
Nathan Murphy TBC Test
Scott Pendlebury Illness Test
Ben Reid Calf Test
Adam Treloar Hamstring Test
Travis Varcoe Family bereavement TBC

 

[Collingwoodity]

Why would there be an emphasis on a KPD getting their hands on the ball in terms of selection? It was heart in mouth stuff every time Madgen got it v Fremantle so the last thing I want for a final is a guy that’s getting it 15 times back there that’s shaky ball in hand.

If Goldsack is capable of coming in to mind Darling I’m all in and with Langdon or Howe released we’ll have plenty of ball winners back there. Like Kirby I’m far more concerned with his touch because he’s fumbly at the best of times let alone off a very limited prep...

I don't care if he fumbles. Don't let Kennedy or Darling out mark you 8-10 times a game and halve contests: that's a defender's first priority.