Strategy Changes & Pre-match Discussion - Round 16 vs. Gold Coast, HBS Sat 01/07, 4:35pm

[KinderSmock]

Re Harvey Harrison, kid has talent no doubt, thou more involvement would be nice.
Is he needed up forward if we play all of Elliott,Hill,Lipinski and McCreery.
Think Macrae should be given a run this week rotating with Adams and Mitchell in the guts. Especially whilst DeGoey is out.
Let’s see how it goes, GC have solid midfield too.
Harrison has shown enough for now if relied upon.
Or has Macrae got a better offer hmm.

Harrison touched the ball more than Johnson and it's not always what you see that's important. He crumbed a sensational goal which swung momentum and set the stage for Cox.

Macrae will have attracted some interest from other clubs and there may be financial incentives. But given he is under contract and the club can say "no", it's not a big deal. I imagine Nick Daicos has had a few offers floated his way - any sane club would ask the question, much like we've probably asked about a couple of other stars. Does it mean we're ever entertaining them? Not at all.

 

[hellfire]

I am probably the only one in this boat, but did everyone else know that 2023 has 23 home & away games per club? I've been thinking we only had 22, and couldn't get my head around the fact that we have 9 matches to go being 12-2. I must have missed that news during the off season.

Anyway, the point is, if we can win this week, we'll maintain a 4-win + percentage gap inside the top 4 with only 8 matches to play. It's a big opportunity to shore up our position, but it's also a big challenge - I'd argue it's a 50/50 game. Their form at home is ominous, they're almost back to full strength, and our form has been patchy at best. We really need to break even in the midfield and avoid putting it down Mac Andrew's throat going forward. Their triplet-towers will also stretch us down back.

 

[KinderSmock]

I and you presumably don’t know the inner workings of what’s going on within the club. Irrespective of whether a players contracted or not, talks take place.
I get it, Adams and Mitchell are the premier players for his role and patience is needed. Thou at some point it would be nice to see the undercurrent and he’s next in line. Adams and Mitchell are not exactly 25.
Not here to create scuttlebutt, but I don’t thinks it’s as ridiculous as you may think.
Contracts are nothing in todays game.

True to a degree. If a player is contracted in 2024, offers remain offers and the player does not HAVE to be traded, even if they want to. So in the context of Macrae, contracts are something.

 

[KinderSmock]

I am probably the only one in this boat, but did everyone else know that 2023 has 23 home & away games per club? I've been thinking we only had 22, and couldn't get my head around the fact that we have 9 matches to go being 12-2. I must have missed that news during the off season.

Anyway, the point is, if we can win this week, we'll maintain a 4-win + percentage gap inside the top 4 with only 8 matches to play. It's a big opportunity to shore up our position, but it's also a big challenge - I'd argue it's a 50/50 game. Their form at home is ominous, they're almost back to full strength, and our form has been patchy at best. We really need to break even in the midfield and avoid putting it down Mac Andrew's throat going forward. Their triplet-towers will also stretch us down back.

Focus now is gaining points and ensuring we set up a favourable campaign in September. Brisbane at the Gabba would be in our interests to avoid.

 

[hellfire]

Focus now is gaining points and ensuring we set up a favourable campaign in September. Brisbane at the Gabba would be in our interests to avoid.

Yep. Given our form, we'll likely drop a few, so that round 23 match against the Lions could determine who hosts the qualifying final against the other.

 

[neilk]

Harrison touched the ball more than Johnson and it's not always what you see that's important. He crumbed a sensational goal which swung momentum and gave rise to Cox.

Macrae will have attracted some interest from other clubs and there may be financial incentives. But given he is under contract and the club can say "no", it's not a big deal. I imagine Nick Daicos has had a few offers floated his way - any sane club would ask the question, much like we've probably asked about a couple of other stars. Does it mean we're ever entertaining them? Not at all.

Well, he certainly excited me.

 

[Jen2310]

I am probably the only one in this boat, but did everyone else know that 2023 has 23 home & away games per club? I've been thinking we only had 22, and couldn't get my head around the fact that we have 9 matches to go being 12-2. I must have missed that news during the off season.

Anyway, the point is, if we can win this week, we'll maintain a 4-win + percentage gap inside the top 4 with only 8 matches to play. It's a big opportunity to shore up our position, but it's also a big challenge - I'd argue it's a 50/50 game. Their form at home is ominous, they're almost back to full strength, and our form has been patchy at best. We really need to break even in the midfield and avoid putting it down Mac Andrew's throat going forward. Their triplet-towers will also stretch us down back.

Its 23 now we have gather round.

 

[Harry O]

The second winger while Steele is out is a Grand Canyon hole in the side
The Hyphen just can’t do it.
Crisp might be an option if not in such horrendous form
Maybe Lipinski could be tried there for a few weeks. He can certainly run and the expanses of a wing role might suit him while he regains confidence in shoulder.
Left field option might be the in form Bianco

Status quo won’t work

 

[Johno9911]

Focus now is gaining points and ensuring we set up a favourable campaign in September. Brisbane at the Gabba would be in our interests to avoid.

Yep based on the other serious contenders, I would be targeting making sure we don't have to catch a plane in the finals series.

IMO Port and Brisbane are the main challengers (with Melbourne a distant fourth despite Kings Birthday), and both those sides play their home advantage pretty well. The path is an obvious one, secure a top 2 spot (and a win in week 1 of the finals) to give ourselves the best possible crack at it.

 

[soreplums]

I like the idea of Frampton coming in for AJ as a forward/ruck.

Provides the flexibility of swinging him back if necessary

 

[neilk]

I like the idea of Frampton coming in for AJ as a forward/ruck.

Provides the flexibility of swinging him back if necessary

If we have Cameron and Cox, why do we need a forward ruck? One of those two would have to go.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I and you presumably don’t know the inner workings of what’s going on within the club. Irrespective of whether a players contracted or not, talks take place.

Yes but you’re suggesting, despite being contracted for 2024, that Macrae may be entertaining thoughts of moving clubs, which he can’t do without our consent at end-2023 anyway, and we’re punishing him for it by keeping him in the VFL.

I find that suggestion completely and utterly preposterous.

 

[Finnishpie]

I like the idea of Frampton coming in for AJ as a forward/ruck.

Provides the flexibility of swinging him back if necessary

Can he play forward though?

 

[soreplums]

If we have Cameron and Cox, why do we need a forward ruck? One of those two would have to go.

Maybe Cameron does or one of them plays more as a forward.

I think we need to see what else we can put together in place of AJ.

He is super talented, but marks aren’t sticking and I don’t feel he does enough. Maybe this changes when McStay comes back, but at this point I think I’ve seen what we can get out of AJ for 2023 With the current forward set up.

If McStay is out this week, I’d give AJ a rest and see what Frampton can do.

 

[soreplums]

Can he play forward though?

If he kicks 1 goal in four quarters he matches AJ’s output

 

[leon123]

Can he play forward though?

A minor detail

 

[rdangelo]

Ginnivan brings xfactor to the fwd line, he has a high footy IQ game.

Based on the team that played against the Crows, below is roughly where we are short of our best 22 or 23

Lipinski - Ginnivan (av)
Markov - Frampton (av)
WHE - Sidebottom (3-4w)
Harrison - De Goey (1w)
Johnson - McStay (1-2w)

 

[Sweeetleftfoot]

L

Ginnivan brings xfactor to the fwd line, he has a high footy IQ game.

Based on the team that played against the Crows, below is roughly where we are short of our best 22 or 23

Lipinski - Ginnivan (av)
Markov - Frampton (av)
WHE - Sidebottom (3-4w)
Harrison - De Goey (1w)
Johnson - McStay (1-2w)

Lipinski isn’t getting dropped let alone for Ginnivan.

 

[Fat Jesus]

Lipinski isn’t getting dropped let alone for Ginnivan.

Markov played really well. Expecting him to also keep his spot. WHE, how many times has this bloke been asked to step down.
No changes for me.

 

[Sweeetleftfoot]

Markov played really well. Expecting him to also keep his spot. WHE, how many times has this bloke been asked to step down.
No changes for me.

Markov is fast becoming my fav player, no nonsense just plays his role.
It’s funny after a game what people suggest for changes.
No change for mine either.

 

[Fat Jesus]

Markov is fast becoming my fav player, no nonsense just plays his role.
It’s funny after a game what people suggest for changes.
No change for mine either.

I love players with some toe.
Just about my fav as well.
He has worked hard to get where he is.

Credit to Fly. DE very impressive

 

[Harry O]

Markov is fast becoming my fav player, no nonsense just plays his role.
It’s funny after a game what people suggest for changes.
No change for mine either.

Was interesting that when it came to the crunch at start of last quarter that Oleg had his ex team mate Rankine and the likes of Maynard Quaynor and Noble were deployed elsewhere

 

[deano_66]

At last some recognition of Bianco. Has been outstanding all year in VFL and IMHO would be a better bet than Lipinski currently. If Crisp wasn't chasing the world record for consecutive games, his position would be in jeopardy. I would like a tough decision being made at selection, unless his form dramatically improves. Frampton a must "in" this week, with an unlucky Oleg to make way.

Bianco is a good VFL player but he's been given numerous opportunities and unfortunately has never been up to it. Similar to Paddy Dow from Carlton to good for VFL just not good enough for AFL would much rather give Macrae a go he has honestly barely been given a shot to show anything in the 1's. Frampton structurally I too think is a must for our defence. Somehow Hosky just continues to do the absolute bare minimum and his spot is always safe.

 

[sr36]

I and you presumably don’t know the inner workings of what’s going on within the club. Irrespective of whether a players contracted or not, talks take place.
I get it, Adams and Mitchell are the premier players for his role and patience is needed. Thou at some point it would be nice to see the undercurrent and he’s next in line. Adams and Mitchell are not exactly 25.
Not here to create scuttlebutt, but I don’t thinks it’s as ridiculous as you may think.
Contracts are nothing in todays game.

It's pretty straight forward. Playing in a lower league, Macrae gets less possessions and less clearances than Mitchell gets in the seniors or Adams would get in the seniors if he played full time mid. He's really not close to these guys.

 

[Forethought]

Out: Johnson
In: Kreuger

Swap McCreery and Harrison as well.

No to Kreuger : Back to 11 touches and 1 goal in the VFL. 4th Game in a row now so 2-3 more before we can trust his body at AFL intensity