Changes this week.....

[Moti]

If Hansen is fit and mentally ready to go, I'd swap him for Watt, who was pathetic for 3 quarters yesterday.

I'd play Urquhart, too. Don't care for who. Run him off a wing with direct instructions to get it and run. And run. And run. We desperately need blokes with the courage to take risks. Smith changed the side with his arrogant dismissal of chasing tacklers. It opens up the field and gives the forward half massive areas to work into. When Wells and Harvey have shit games, we literally have no-one capable to pick up the slack in this area.

I'm with you.

 

[sross]

edwards did take 9 grabs yesterday and should of had a mark of the year contender. GR is right in saying our midfielders didnt have the execution and decision making ability to find a forward in a good position. it was either 2 on 1s or just simply inaccurate kicking.

Out: Jones (inj)
In: Ross

Likes of Watt and Swallow will face some pressure on the training track.
Mcmahon, Lower and Hansen will fight for spots.

In the last quarter Edwards took 4 marks in one passage of play where he played kick to kick backwards and forwards with 2 other North players. Stats can be misleading and this is certainly one case of that. He missed some very easy marks, even with our poor disposal into the forward line.

 

[LeFtBehinD]

In the last quarter Edwards took 4 marks in one passage of play where he played kick to kick backwards and forwards with 2 other North players. Stats can be misleading and this is certainly one case of that. He missed some very easy marks, even with our poor disposal into the forward line.

Edwards had a dirty day, but at least he was in the position to make a difference. Dropped about 5 marks inside the forward 50m and could have easily had 3-4 goals to his name.

I think our main problem was playing Thompson, Edwards and Hale in the forward line by themselves. As soon as the ball hits the ground there's no chance we can keep it in.

 

[Lidge]

If I was picking the team, this is what I would do (not to be confused with the actual Thursday Lotto selections).

Out: Watt, Harding, Power, Swallow
In: Hansen, Ross, McMahon, Adams

Plus I'd send a message to the established 'stars' of the side and start the following blokes on the bench.

Simpson, Wells, Harvey & Rawlings.

 

[Aleko505]

just a quick question
scott thompson played very well and is it likely he will hold his spot in the side?
cheers

 

[The Filth Wizard]

just a quick question
scott thompson played very well and is it likely he will hold his spot in the side?
cheers

Thommo, and hence your dream team, should be safe this week.

 

[mark73]

Out: Watt, Harding, Power, Swallow
In: Hansen, Ross, McMahon, Adams

From what I understand Hansen was pretty ordinary in the two's. Was being pushed out of marking contests and just generally played poorly. I don't think we can throw players in who are playing like that just for the sake of making changes. I'd definitely play McMahon and given Ross was so close for round one and then went on to tear it up for Werribee, meaning he has earnt his chance, I think he's probably just about a monty. In fact on what I saw yesterday, probably should've played. I'd also look at bringing both Adams and Urquhart in.

A report from the two's said Urquhart does a lot of good things but also tends to go missing a bit. At this stage that doesn't bother me because we need guys who can execute foot skills and quickly. 5 possies from a player like that would be more beneficial than say a Grant who got a lot of the ball but turned it over. We saw yesterday the difference a player who can hit targets makes with Scott Thompson. I don't think any of his kicks actually missed a target.

Plus I'd send a message to the established 'stars' of the side and start the following blokes on the bench.

Simpson, Wells, Harvey & Rawlings.

I don't know what we do with Simmo. He's too good a player to leave out but it's hurting us having so many of the same player in the midfield, and even though he's captain, to me he's the one they need to get out of there. Rawlings is still required in the middle, as is Harris, Swallow on yesterday can go back to the seconds for Lower, fit or not, and I'm still seething too much to say anything about Wells without going over the top.

I think a move to defence could be a good move for Simpson. I was also disappointed with Harvey yesterday, but he has a few weeks of credits just yet.

 

[Harry29]

We need more pace. Hansen & Urquhart would certainly help in this regard. Maybe play McMahon off the bench as his versatility would be very useful.

You could make a case to drop nearly all our midfield players after half time. But we need some perspective in that we didn't kick straight early when we had the momentum and they didn't miss many when they did. That said our rucks were well beaten on the day with McIntosh having a very lean day, did Hale do any rucking in the middle or back half? Petrie is not the option we should use, CHB is his position to marshall the back half and drop in front of leading forwards.

There should be plenty of competition at training this week for spots which can only be a good thing. Lets hope we can be switched on for the whole game and have a good win then you will probably find last weeks game will be forgotten very quickly. (just like the first three games of 2007)

 

[Diamond Joe]

When Jones went off that's when our whole structure fell apart.

Wrong. We kicked three straight goals after he went off. Hale presented well and he was used by our midfielders well, ditto Thompson. When we got the ball in there quick we were unstoppable.

Our structure had its real collapse when Hale was taken out of the forward 50. That was when we began kicking to running smalls in the pockets. To compound worries, by this stage the bombers were running us off our feet and not allowing us to move the ball quickly.

Losing Jones hurt us for sure, but to not have seen the simple fact that Edwards under-performed yesterday is sheer blindness.

What can he do when the footy wasn't coming down and most of the time it was in Essendon's forward half.
Have you got the guts to blame our midfielders for shit kicks because that is where this whole bullshit started?

Our midfielders' delivery into the forward 50 was often slow and poorly directed. No doubt.

 

[Lidge]

From what I understand Hansen was pretty ordinary in the two's. Was being pushed out of marking contests and just generally played poorly. I don't think we can throw players in who are playing like that just for the sake of making changes. I'd definitely play McMahon and given Ross was so close for round one and then went on to tear it up for Werribee, meaning he has earnt his chance, I think he's probably just about a monty. In fact on what I saw yesterday, probably should've played. I'd also look at bringing both Adams and Urquhart in.

A report from the two's said Urquhart does a lot of good things but also tends to go missing a bit. At this stage that doesn't bother me because we need guys who can execute foot skills and quickly. 5 possies from a player like that would be more beneficial than say a Grant who got a lot of the ball but turned it over. We saw yesterday the difference a player who can hit targets makes with Scott Thompson. I don't think any of his kicks actually missed a target.
I don't know what we do with Simmo. He's too good a player to leave out but it's hurting us having so many of the same player in the midfield, and even though he's captain, to me he's the one they need to get out of there. Rawlings is still required in the middle, as is Harris, Swallow on yesterday can go back to the seconds for Lower, fit or not, and I'm still seething too much to say anything about Wells without going over the top.

I think a move to defence could be a good move for Simpson. I was also disappointed with Harvey yesterday, but he has a few weeks of credits just yet.

Why try and turn Hansen into a wingman and link player? His disposal isn't exactly his strength. Plus he's our best defender and the best defender in the country for his age. That's why we drafted him in the first place.

I'd throw his in to the back half and let him develop in the seniors.

McMahon doesn't waste a disposal. For that reason alone he has to come in.

 

[Harry29]

Why try and turn Hansen into a wingman and link player? His disposal isn't exactly his strength. Plus he's our best defender and the best defender in the country for his age. That's why we drafted him in the first place.

I'd throw his in to the back half and let him develop in the seniors.

McMahon doesn't waste a disposal. For that reason alone he has to come in.

Fair call. Why not play Hansen and see what he has got, McMahon should play.

 

[shintemaster]

Why try and turn Hansen into a wingman and link player? His disposal isn't exactly his strength. Plus he's our best defender and the best defender in the country for his age. That's why we drafted him in the first place.

I'd throw his in to the back half and let him develop in the seniors.

McMahon doesn't waste a disposal. For that reason alone he has to come in.

Yep. Surely he's a simple enough swap for either Watt or Thompson. I know my preference.

 

[RoyalBlue]

Harris bursting through the midfield and hitting a free on the lead, aged 30 and returning from an ACL Thompson on the ****ing shins just about summed it up for me yesterday.

 

[Z_K]

Harris bursting through the midfield and hitting a free on the lead, aged 30 and returning from an ACL Thompson on the ****ing shins just about summed it up for me yesterday.

This shat me off for many reasons, one of which was our biggest problem. That was glory hunting from Harro. Wells had come burning off a wing and was doing about 70k's an hour past him. Harro gives it to him and lays a shepard, and Wells has acres to stroll into. Swallow burnt Harvey the same way in the same quarter. Same category as the look-away handballs. Some serious delusions occuring yesterday.

 

[The Teflon Dean]

The biggest change needs to be with the game plan.

Watt needs to come out for Hansen.

Harding needs to come out for Lower.

Someone with footskills needs to go into the middle, perhaps a revved up Riggio. Firrito should be also considered.

Gibbo should get a much better match up in Brown this week.

If he gets put on Richardson, I will be breaking into the North coaching box.

 

[Z_K]

Spud into the guts this week has merit. Should have done it yesterday. Richmond are a fairly soft outfit, what better way to put the shit up them than than having a powerhouse Sicillian lunatic banging their heads together?

 

[The Teflon Dean]

Why try and turn Hansen into a wingman and link player? His disposal isn't exactly his strength. Plus he's our best defender and the best defender in the country for his age. That's why we drafted him in the first place.

I'd throw his in to the back half and let him develop in the seniors.

Spot on, Lidge.

Lachie is the only thing we have on our list to fix the biggest gaping hole in our structure.

It's time to bite the bullet and now is as good a time as any for his real apprenticeship to begin.

This week we must double team Richardson and Lachlan should be one of the players on him.

 

[giantroo]

If I was picking the team, this is what I would do (not to be confused with the actual Thursday Lotto selections).

Out: Watt, Harding, Power, Swallow
In: Hansen, Ross, McMahon, Adams

Play with those ins first letters of each player. You'll get the word HARM!

Wrong. We kicked three straight goals after he went off. Hale presented well and he was used by our midfielders well, ditto Thompson. When we got the ball in there quick we were unstoppable.

Our structure had its real collapse when Hale was taken out of the forward 50. That was when we began kicking to running smalls in the pockets. To compound worries, by this stage the bombers were running us off our feet and not allowing us to move the ball quickly.

Losing Jones hurt us for sure, but to not have seen the simple fact that Edwards under-performed yesterday is sheer blindness.

I never mentioned that he played well in the first place

 

[giantroo]

Spud into the guts this week has merit. Should have done it yesterday. Richmond are a fairly soft outfit, what better way to put the shit up them than than having a powerhouse Sicillian lunatic banging their heads together?

Yep certainly. Their pace will still affect us. Hopefully the club choose the right players this week to combat that.

 

[sross]

Edwards had a dirty day, but at least he was in the position to make a difference. Dropped about 5 marks inside the forward 50m and could have easily had 3-4 goals to his name.

Totally agree but the junk marks certainly enhanced his stats. If you look at it as the original poster did you would think he put in a good performance with 9 marks.

 

[Hoser]

Spot on, Lidge.

Lachie is the only thing we have on our list to fix the biggest gaping hole in our structure.

It's time to bite the bullet and now is as good a time as any for his real apprenticeship to begin.

This week we must double team Richardson and Lachlan should be one of the players on him.

Couldn't agree more, it is time to bite the bullet. If he is going to be a gun player, then he has got to be playing now. Richo would be a great lesson, hard running, strong, good in the contest.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

If I was picking the team, this is what I would do (not to be confused with the actual Thursday Lotto selections).

Out: Watt, Harding, Power, Swallow
In: Hansen, Ross, McMahon, Adams

Plus I'd send a message to the established 'stars' of the side and start the following blokes on the bench.

Simpson, Wells, Harvey & Rawlings.

Yep, good call. Though I'd probably leave Swallow in and hold off Ross for another week.

And as much as Simmo has been a great club servant, the game's just about gone past him. Those swirling high rubbish kicks into the forward line are now hurting us badly. If he was the only one doing it, he deserves his spot because of how often he gets it and uses it well in close. But when a few of them are delivering the same way, well, we'll get beaten by 55 points by most teams.

Quite a few people defending Power on the board, but I reckon he was soft on a couple of occasions, and didn't hit targets enough. Which are exactly the problems that led to him being unpopular with Doggies supporters.

 

[munsonned]

The biggest change needs to be with the game plan.

Watt needs to come out for Hansen.

Harding needs to come out for Lower.

Someone with footskills needs to go into the middle, perhaps a revved up Riggio. Firrito should be also considered.

Gibbo should get a much better match up in Brown this week.

If he gets put on Richardson, I will be breaking into the North coaching box.

I think that Watt will be given a reprieve this week and given the job to man up on Richo. (Due to the need to have a fast tall defender). i am hoping of course that this is a stroke of brilliance and we all have to eat our words in regards to his performance yesterday, because his 3rd quarter on McPhee was a schmozzle.

Who knows what changes will be made, but history suggests that the people in charge have a better strike rate at getting it right than me anyway.

 

[Sagnak]

I'm flabbergasted as to why Hansen was underplayed in the practise matches firstly, but if it's not a fitness issue (everyone was going on and on about his running capacity) then bring him in for sure.

I can understand the Roos hierachy trying him on a wing during the pre-season and his game against the Dogs in Darwin was very good. They just don't appear to believe that he is ready from a strength perspective to play in a key defensive position. Unfortunately for Lachie, Scott Thompson was played in defence during the pre-season and stitched up a spot due to his excellent form.

Other clubs are prepared to play their young up-and-comers despite their lack of size and strength. Richmond with Wil Thursfield and Essendon with Paddy Ryder are two that come to mind. Not that Lachie is a lightweight at around 94-95kg.

I watched Lachie against the Bendigo Bombers the other week and he looked good when dropping back into defence. His strengths are his marking, aerobic capacity and ability to read the play. It's time we gave him consistent game time. Sure he'll make some mistakes and get shoved out of the way a bit, but it'll be worth it.

 

[Twinkletoes]

I can understand the Roos hierachy trying him on a wing during the pre-season and his game against the Dogs in Darwin was very good. They just don't appear to believe that he is ready from a strength perspective to play in a key defensive position. Unfortunately for Lachie, Scott Thompson was played in defence during the pre-season and stitched up a spot due to his excellent form.

Other clubs are prepared to play their young up-and-comers despite their lack of size and strength. Richmond with Wil Thursfield and Essendon with Paddy Ryder are two that come to mind. Not that Lachie is a lightweight at around 94-95kg.

I watched Lachie against the Bendigo Bombers the other week and he looked good when dropping back into defence. His strengths are his marking, aerobic capacity and ability to read the play. It's time we gave him consistent game time. Sure he'll make some mistakes and get shoved out of the way a bit, but it'll be worth it.

Down at Casey Fields a couple of weeks ago, against the Melbourne Witches Hats, he played about 20 minutes TOTAL! It was the perfect opportunity to get some miles into his legs. Everyone there noticed his absence for the bulk of the game. That's where my "underplayed in the preseason" comment stems from.

T'toes