Strategy Changes & Pre-match Discussion - QF vs. Melbourne, MCG, Thurs 07/09, 7:20pm

[Harry O]

Every time Port Adelaide play Melbourne they physically target Gawn big time. Not just his direct opponent
We need to implement this too

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Daicos a big out - but otherwise big ins!
We have also got the good recent record against Melbourne. I usually try not to get my hopes up, but I am quite optimistic about this one.

My thoughts remain the same as they always have (despite how many here may try to spin it)

If we're switched on? We're fine. Melbourne shouldn't be an issue as we have the wood on them.

If we're not switched on? We might be in some trouble. I remain steadfast that our best is the best in the comp and the only team that can beat us in finals is us. So as long as we're on and do what we should, we should be fine.

I just still have no idea whether we switch on in 2 weeks or not. The first quarter against Essendon gave a glimmer of hope. But:

• It was Essendon, resting a bunch of players and clearly not caring about the result
• Despite that, we still had moments even in that first quarter where they sliced through us like others have been over the last month

 

[BuildEmUp]

Out: daicos, Johnson, reef, Harrison, frampton, influenza

In: Degoey, ginni, Howe, mcstay, sidey

That’s some decent improvements in our side on last time. Much better finals players.

Dees basically get Oliver back.

and finals atmosphere ...

 

[The Royal Sampler]

and finals atmosphere ...

Melbourne already had their final on King’s Birthday. Us, not so much.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

More pain

Pain getting into the members! They hadn’t even invested the pass out system then so people who had got a seat early then left to go to the pub or have a smoke found themselves locked out of the ground. Hilarious

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I'd be surprised if he actually does. The numbers he put up on the weekend - although impressive - were in a smashing where he was no doubt playing as the #1 ruck.

Their issue isn't Grundy being out of form, their issue is Grundy being a liability in the forward line.

He kicked three goals on the weekend.

Three goals 35 disposals 5 marks … and “only” 21 hit outs indicating he didn’t ruck all day

 

[stormskye]

Queens birthday line up:
mccreery Cox Hill
Johnson checkers lipinski
WHE Crisp daicos
Frampton Murphy daicos
Maynard Moore IQ
Cameron pendles mitchell
Adams noble McInnes Harrison

QF line up (potential)

Howe Mcstay hill
Elliot checkers adams
Sidey Mitchell daicos
Noble Murphy Pendles
Quaynor Moore Maynard
Cameron Degoey crisp
Ginnivan, whe, cox, mccreery, markov

Sub:?

That’s so much of a better line up this time round it’s not even close, forward line in particular. Mcstay, Howe and Elliot make lever and may even more accountable up forward.

Can’t wait for this game.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

With Murphy and Moore back, does Howe go forward again to man Lever zoning off?

His first half against Bris really nullified Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

.

 

[Maggie5]

In: Moore, Murphy, McCreery
Out: McCrae, Lipinski, Cameron or Frampton

Cox will not be dropped unless injured or sick. If Cameron plays he needs to forget trying to outbody Gawn.

Beau to spend some midfield time and maybe Howe as a defensive forward on May releasing Mihocek.

 

[stormskye]

With Murphy and Moore back, does Howe go forward again to man Lever zoning off?

His first half against Bris really nullified Harris Andrews.

I think our best use of Howe is as a defensive forward in finals. Worst case he gets switched behind the ball if required

 

[Jen2310]

Think the view now is that Howe will play back where he is most comfortable (his words). But there may be stints in games if they need him up forward, he is able to. But reckon they'll settle positions.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

I think our best use of Howe is as a defensive forward in finals. Worst case he gets switched behind the ball if required

I agree. Feel like it adds another dimension up front.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

In: Moore, Murphy, McCreery
Out: McCrae, Lipinski, Cameron or Frampton

Cox will not be dropped unless injured or sick. If Cameron plays he needs to forget trying to outbody Gawn.

Beau to spend some midfield time and maybe Howe as a defensive forward on May releasing Mihocek.

I agree with these changes….question is, we know they rate Lippa so nightly. IF it wasn’t him, who could be the other out?

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

Would you rather 1x ruck (Cox) and Frampton in to release Moore, or 2x rucks?

 

[Captivating]

I would use Howe up forward against Melbourne's back 6. Mihocek struggled mightily last time

 

[unplugged]

Think the view now is that Howe will play back where he is most comfortable (his words). But there may be stints in games if they need him up forward, he is able to. But reckon they'll settle positions.

I personally don't think we'll see Howe line up in the forward line again for as long as Cox is in the side. And if he does I suspect it'd only be after Cox is subbed off.

 

[Kes1984]

I personally don't think we'll see Howe line up in the forward line again for as long as Cox is in the side. And if he does I suspect it'd only be after Cox is subbed off.

agree
But we know he's a handy weapon for us if needed

 

[Jen2310]

I personally don't think we'll see Howe line up in the forward line again for as long as Cox is in the side. And if he does I suspect it'd only be after Cox is subbed off.

yeah, agree. they'd only do it if we needed an extra different tall up there.

But its a handy lever they know they can pull if needed to at any stage

 

[Piewithsauce13]

Yeah I recall Melbourne strategy was to prevent the Magpies kick out and get to attack.... it worked. It felt like every time the Pies tried to kick out of the defensive 50, Melbourne had an extra man at the contest to win it and bombard it back to forward 50... Pies defenders were working the hardest and Pies attack was countered until that last half of the final quarter.... when Demons probably got tired.

Yep and we didn’t have that strong down the line marking contest. Last year Cameron was in better form to compete but not only competed took the marks.

 

[live fast pieyoung]

Rather than play howe as defensive forward to take out may/lever, Id play cox as the defensive aerial forward in his periods forward .
Why? Because you can see him in congestion, so its easy to quickly know where not to kick
this may seem too simplistic, but i think it would be effective

 

[Kes1984]

Yeah I recall Melbourne strategy was to prevent the Magpies kick out and get to attack.... it worked. It felt like every time the Pies tried to kick out of the defensive 50, Melbourne had an extra man at the contest to win it and bombard it back to forward 50... Pies defenders were working the hardest and Pies attack was countered until that last half of the final quarter.... when Demons probably got tired.

Yes I remember being at the game and getting so frustrated that we just kept bombing it long to contests that we never won!
Melbourne shut down our run and carry game and forced the long kicks, which were very much to their advantage.

 

[Maggie5]

Would you rather 1x ruck (Cox) and Frampton in to release Moore, or 2x rucks?

Good question, maybe Frampton as sub, it isn't as if the ruck has been one of our strengths.
Can play forward/ruck/defender and think we have enough smalls to move around in case of injury.

Cameron has left me unimpressed and doesn't seem to be in the same form as before injury, still a big game, maybe he become the old Cameron.

Glad I am not a selector.

 

[JuniorB]

One way to counteract Lever and May is not to kick it to them.
We need to lower the eyes going I50 to pick out players either leading or on their own, rather than long bombs.
Tay's kick to Pendles in the first quarter on Friday is an example.

 

[bunter]

One way to counteract Lever and May is not to kick it to them.
We need to lower the eyes going I50 to pick out players either leading or on their own, rather than long bombs.
Tay's kick to Pendles in the first quarter on Friday is an example.

sounds easy but when the heat is on, not so easy.
midfield / corridor control will lead to more controlled entries.

 

[zhoung]

Injuries and other happenings in the last few weeks has been a blessing imo, we've learned a few things.

1. Cox and DC both play and if either is ever injured, Frampton is the replacement.

2. Markov is ahead of Noble.

3. McStay and Mihocek both play, McStay since being back forces oppo to send their no. 1 FB to him, freeing up Checkers.

4. Howe playing forward against teams with strong interceptors keeps them honest