Preview Changes & Pre-match Discussion - Round 18 vs. Port Adelaide - Gabba, Mon 21/09 @ 7:15pm AEST

[Timmy from Thomastown]

He also got 8 clearances in one match,which puts him way ahead of both Brown brothers in my opinion.

Sier has almost double the amount of clearances in three games than Callum has had in 14. And that’s playing injured for three out of the twelve quarters he has played.

He also has 50 percent more metres gained per game.

50 percent more tackles

50 percent more disposals

50 percent more effective disposals

40 percent more uncontested possessions

30 percent more score involvements

Slightly more inside 50s

Slightly more contested possessions

 

[sr36]

I think if he is struggling with a knee, Cox and/or Cameron would’ve done majority of the ruck work in the past few weeks. To me, if your available to play, your carrying general soreness, or some minor issue, but your still able to play your role in the team. A knee issue would be a real issue for a player rucking majority of each game, even more so in a condensed block of matches, which Grundy did. I thought he was good in the second half yesterday, and hopefully he can build from there, going into finals.
He was the second highest ranking player last night on the ground, so he isn't having a horrid season, just not one to his lofty standards.

I don't think his issue is particularly bad, just think it's resulting in him being below his best and unable to dominate. He's still been a solid player who you wouldn't replace, but he's not dominating.

 

[Markfs]

Trey in, Madgen out... no brainer

 

[Anzacday]

 

[YouBeauty]

Trey in, Madgen out... no brainer

Madge one of the first picked atm.

 

[Albert Parker]

Love the tough guys who bag WHE for being scared. An extremely durable player. Never been dropped. Some players need to be outside - that's their job. He played well last night.

Yep, some players do need to be outside. But WHE has a real aversion to body contact and that element of his play lets our team down at times. It's also irritating to watch his false bravado to remonstrate post fact. When the pill is there to be won in a contested situation, he plainly steps back or around much of the time.

But you're right, he has other assets - overhead marking, straight kicking, running which keep him in the team and part of the mix. He's best 22. He's also relatively clean, which is a saving grace for his type.

Too many in the team who are light weight, can't stick a tackle and panic when contact is in the vicinity can be found out in high pressure/finals football.
Even at times this year it has been problematic for us.

There are very few small/mid forwards who score bags of goals. He doesn't have to consistently do that to play his role.
But maintaining pressure has to be part of that role if we are to go all the way.
It's one of the defining elements of Richmond's success. No way is their midfield better than ours, but their system and attack on the ball is.
It's an area we need to get better in. It's been on when we've beaten them, but is often lacking when we lose to teams.

One of our criticisms as a forward line is that we don't have someone big clunking marks, splitting packs and kicking goals. In the absence of that (Cox played that role effectively last night) you have to have a forward system which applies pressure and cause turnovers to present us with more opportunities.
Unfortunately WHE, Stephenson, Thomas, Brown, Phillips have not had the size, strength and willingness to create such pressure too often this year.

If Zak Butters can find it within himself to put his body on the line or small first year players like KPP at Melbourne manage it, then I would hope that even wiry WHE can do similar when it is his turn.

PS. I was never the hardest footballer either. I'm a little sympathetic to his inclinations. But his timidity is on the extreme side for AFL standard, which is a bloody physical game.

 

[stormskye]

Trey in, Madgen out... no brainer

rucsoe a defender now, interesting

 

[sr36]

Trey in, Madgen out... no brainer

Yep that would be decision by someone without a brain.

 

[sr36]

Love the tough guys who bag WHE for being scared. An extremely durable player. Never been dropped. Some players need to be outside - that's their job. He played well last night.

I wouldn't call him scared either. He doesn't shirk in a marking contest when heat is coming from behind. He also often launches himself at packs. He's weak in a contest, but that's different to being scared.

 

[jjsmitty8]

I’m sure someone’s already done this, but if I’m not wrong these are the scenarios for week 1 of finals.

If we lose to Port and:
- Saints win, Dogs win, we play WCE.
- Saints win, Dogs lose, we play Saints.
- Saints lose, Dogs win, we play Dogs.

If we beat Port and:
- Saints win, we play Saints. Dogs result irrelevant.
- Saints lose, Dogs win, we play Dogs.

Our result aside:
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne win by about 5 goals, we play Melbourne.
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne lose, GWS win by about 50, we play Giants.
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne win by a few goals, GWS win by about 100, we play Giants..

I think that’s about everything lol, in a nutshell let’s just beat Port so we don’t have to go to WA, or let’s hope Fremantle or GWS can knock off the Saints or Dogs first then we can rest easier knowing we’re staying in QLD.

EDIT: the one alternative I missed is, we lose, Saints win, Dogs win, WCE win and Sydney OR Adelaide upset Geelong and Richmond, one of those sides will finish 5th and we’ll play them..

 

[Markfs]

rucsoe a defender now, interesting

He played in defence in the state games before the draft... but he's probably headed for the midfield and stardom before he reaches 20

 

[mike123]

He was building nicely.

Quiet in his first game (but kicked a goal), 23 possessions and 8 clearances second start, and then 16 possessions and five clearances in his third game playing on one leg with 75% game time

That’s fair I guess I was a little harsh on him

 

[DerekZoolander]

I’m sure someone’s already done this, but if I’m not wrong these are the scenarios for week 1 of finals.

If we lose to Port and:
- Saints win, Dogs win, we play WCE.
- Saints win, Dogs lose, we play Saints.
- Saints lose, Dogs win, we play Dogs.

If we beat Port and:
- Saints win, we play Saints. Dogs result irrelevant.
- Saints lose, Dogs win, we play Dogs.

Our result aside:
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne win by about 5 goals, we play Melbourne.
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne lose, GWS win by about 50, we play Giants.
- Saints lose, Dogs lose, Melbourne win by a few goals, GWS win by about 100, we play Giants..

I think that’s about everything lol, in a nutshell let’s just beat Port so we don’t have to go to WA, or let’s hope Fremantle or GWS can knock off the Saints or Dogs first then we can rest easier knowing we’re staying in QLD.

EDIT: the one alternative I missed is, we lose, Saints win, Dogs win, WCE win and Sydney OR Adelaide upset Geelong and Richmond, one of those sides will finish 5th and we’ll play them..

Tigers out week one of the finals would be great.

 

[sr36]

Tigers out week one of the finals would be great.

Imagine how angry they'd be if big Mason put them to the sword again.

 

[DerekZoolander]

Imagine how angry they'd be if big Mason put them to the sword again.

Bruce Mcavaney excited voice: He's an American Beauty isn't he!!!!

 

[Jen2310]

Trey is classified as a forward on the site. But he is a utility. He can play anywhere. Has done midfield, forward and defence in U18.

 

[Countrypie]

Imagine how angry they'd be if big Mason put them to the sword again.

It's a tantalising prospect

 

[gouki88]

Sier was average in his AFL stint this year I’d comfortably take both Browns over him when fit let alone at half.

Sier played better with a busted quad than Cal Brown does healthy

 

[Kappa]

Varcoe won’t be dropped.

He is physically incapable of lifting his arms above shoulder height, it's terrible to watch.

Watch him try to mark high balls, instead of raising his arms and going for the mark he runs around with his hands near his waist trying to catch it on his stomach... He needs some serious work on his shoulders post career.

 

[gouki88]

He is physically incapable of lifting his arms above shoulder height, it's terrible to watch.

Watch him try to mark high balls, instead of raising his arms and going for the mark he runs around with his hands near his waist trying to catch it on his stomach... He needs some serious work on his shoulders post career.

Yeah, he really should not be in the side. Doesn't hit the scoreboard when forward, when he's down back he's a turnover machine, doesn't lay tackles because he physically can't and can't mark it overhead. His body is well and truly cooked

 

[jackcass]

IN: J.Stephenson
OUT: C.Brown

if we are to make a serious impact in finals we need Stepho fit and firing. He needs to come in, we need more goals.

B: J.Madgen, J.Roughead, B.Maynard
HB: J.Crisp, D.Moore, I.Quaynor
C: J.Daicos, S.Pendlebury, T.Brown
HF: J.Elliott, B.Mihochek, W.Hoskin-Elliott
F: J.DeGoey, M.Cox, J.Stephenson
R: B.Grundy, T.Adams, A.Treloar
I: J.Noble, L.Greenwood, T.Varcoe, J.Thomas

Firing is the ultimate need. Year to date though he hasn't been.

Stevo	Average score For with	56.5​
	Average score Against with	51.7​
	Average score For without	59.8​
	Average score Against without	50.2​

We actually score more without him on average this year and concede less. Ditto for Ruscoe.

Ruscoe	Average score F with	55.3​
	Average score A with	53.5​
	Average score F without	58.3​
	Average score A without	50.5​

 

[jmac70]

He is physically incapable of lifting his arms above shoulder height, it's terrible to watch.

Watch him try to mark high balls, instead of raising his arms and going for the mark he runs around with his hands near his waist trying to catch it on his stomach... He needs some serious work on his shoulders post career.

Yes, I noticed that too. He still won’t be dropped though.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Madge one of the first picked atm.

Madhe

Yes, I noticed that too. He still won’t be dropped though.

Not until next week

 

[SwanBet]

Firing is the ultimate need. Year to date though he hasn't been.

Stevo	Average score For with	56.5​
	Average score Against with	51.7​
	Average score For without	59.8​
	Average score Against without	50.2​

We actually score more without him on average this year and concede less. Ditto for Ruscoe.

Ruscoe	Average score F with	55.3​
	Average score A with	53.5​
	Average score F without	58.3​
	Average score A without	50.5​

Respect the research, but the differences are minimal and don't take into account personnel on the park. With Sidebottom, DeGoey, Treloar and Pendlebury all missing so much time throughout the season, I can't look at this data and say we are better off without Stepho.

Regardless, an average score under 60 is just not good enough to win a flag.

Stephenson is a career 1.5 goal a game forward, I know we can't get caught up on past performances, but if you take away DeGoey, Stephenson is our most consistent forward to hit the scoreboard. Only 3 weeks ago, he was in the top handful of players on the ground against Carlton and had 6-7 shots on goal, this guy needs to be in the team against Port Adelaide.

 

[jackcass]

Respect the research, but the differences are minimal and don't take into account personnel on the park. With Sidebottom, DeGoey, Treloar and Pendlebury all missing so much time throughout the season, I can't look at this data and say we are better off without Stepho.

Regardless, an average score under 60 is just not good enough to win a flag.

Stephenson is a career 1.5 goal a game forward, I know we can't get caught up on past performances, but if you take away DeGoey, Stephenson is our most consistent forward to hit the scoreboard. Only 3 weeks ago, he was in the top handful of players on the ground against Carlton and had 6-7 shots on goal, this guy needs to be in the team against Port Adelaide.

I'm not disputing that a fit & firing Stevo is needed, but the stats don't lie. Thus far in 2020 we are a better team without Stevo than with. We defend better, we attack better. May only be marginal, but that doesn't change anything. Personnel don't matter as he's played with and without those guys so it balances out.

I only crunched the numbers because of the number of posters suggesting we're better off with him because of his goal kicking. Stats just don't support that.

If he was performing every game at something like that Carlton performance then we wouldn't even be having this discussion. But he came out the following match and played an absolute mare.

I won't be disappointed if he's selected against Port. As I say, I think we need a fit and firing Stevo to push into finals. I just don't know if he's got it in him this year and I'm certainly not expecting us to be a 2 goal better side just because he plays.