Preview Changes & Preview Thread for Round 3, 2025 vs Essendon @ Marvel

[Schulzenfest]

Soldo and Sweet, just as Schulzenfest has been calling for!

Meh. Marshall, Luko and Lord are all unavailable and you really can't justify picking Finny right now. It's a bad option but so are all the other options.

 

[backtozero]

Good changes.

 

[240volt]

Still no Williams, he’s on his way out.

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

Probably the best we can do with the injuries we have. Good to see they haven't gone back to Ken's usual MO of picking small state league midfielders to play every position other than mid. This team seems to consider a balanced structure at least

You just know Ken voted for Atkins to come in. They must've tied him up in the corner during selections

 

[morell]

Preparing the kids for next year, or hopefully later this year.

Yep no doubt. Wasn't really a criticism just an observation

I count 7 footballers that I rate right now. I'm sure some will get there. But as of tommorow night, it's a weak side

 

[RossFC]

One of the weakest sides I've seen for a very long time

Looking at it positively

Luko played 1 minute, Soldo should have more of an impact.
Burton moves around like he's twice his age. Ratugolea is a downgrade in the kicking department but is athletic.
Cochrane just kicked 7 goals in 2 weeks. Jones was good last week but was also worst on ground the week before.

 

[morell]

Looking at it positively

Luko played 1 minute, Soldo should have more of an impact.
Burton moves around like he's twice his age. Ratugolea is a downgrade in the kicking department but is athletic.
Cochrane just kicked 7 goals in 2 weeks. Jones was good last week but was also worst on ground the week before.

Oh I am and agree with your points entirely. I couldn't care less about results this year personally.

 

[El_Scorcho]

I'm fine with these changes. Ratugolea as a defender is fine. Ideally we wouldn't play Soldo and Sweet together but with Luko and Marshall out we're going to need to figure out a stopgap. Hopefully Lord or Finlayson can find some form in the SANFL.

 

[Windy Cindy]

Good changes.

Agree

Like the inclusion of cochrane.. let’s see what he’s got.

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

Moraes getting a full game is a great byproduct of Cochrane's inclusion. Been a while since we actually had a sub that burst into the game on entry. I imagine Tom could play that role and would suit docklands

 

[Gryllis]

Good changes given the injury list. I'm almost surprised Ken brought in 2 talls to try and keep some balance instead of Ratkins. Did he mix up his Rats?

Soldo as a ruck/forward is fine given the options, especially considering he's not there clogging up the forwardline as an ineffective third tall. As the second of two talls surrounded by smalls, his role is much clearer. The even bigger win is no more Wines rucking at a centre bounce.

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

The even bigger win is no more Wines rucking at a centre bounce.

Sweet on bench, Soldo into ruck, Wines moves forward as 2nd tall

 

[Addy23]

Soldo and Esava ins speak for themselves positionally

Cochrane is the intriguing one, I wanted him in too but positionally this is fascinating. Hope this means we see more of Rioli and JHF run through midfield

But I get a feeling Tommy will be sub, and if the game is looking like a blow out either way, we'll sub him on for Rioli in Q3 (to manage Rioli more). If its a close game, can see Berry being subbed out too.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

Still no Williams, he’s on his way out.

And I don't think Lorenz would be too happy either.

I'm happy with Cochrane in the team. There is a sway towards the young players getting a game. Is Whitlock a lock for Round 4?
Ratugolea is OK as you can't put Finny in after that Week 1 performance.
Soldo I don't like but I don't know who else you put in there. I don't think he'll do much up forward but might smother Draper in the backline.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Inb4 we still see Wines ruck as Sweet goes for a rest and Soldo is forward.

 

[Watto71]

No Atkins No Mac N Cheese
I'm happy

 

[Mutha F]

If they are smart, Soldo/sweet playing forward could work. Even if only as a decoy making space for Mitch and smalls. If we play "bomb it to dixon" with all our forwards (and their opponents) going for the same ball. Then we are fu*ked. What's more Hinkleyish?

 

[RossFC]

 

[PAFC66]

One of the weakest sides I've seen for a very long time

Yeah good thing we're playing quite possibly the worst side in the competition

 

[Mr Gor]

From memory, Essendon usually play their best football against Port under the roof. I see a 5 goal haul incoming from some rando nerd

 

[Greasyrhys]

From memory, Essendon usually play their best football against Port under the roof. I see a 5 goal haul incoming from some rando nerd

Problem is they haven’t beaten us since late 2018.

 

[JimmyBC]

Problem is they haven’t beaten us since late 2018.

Sounds like they are due.

 

[davesnothere]

Soldo has played minimal minutes this season.i see that as an issue on a track you cover a fair amount of ground on.

Wouldn't have played him.

 

[Puddy]

Williams should be in

 

[PortVic]

From memory, Essendon usually play their best football against Port under the roof. I see a 5 goal haul incoming from some rando nerd

Soldo has played minimal minutes this season.i see that as an issue on a track you cover a fair amount of ground on.

Wouldn't have played him.

I thought the same, Dante should have got a crack at AFL before Soldo.