Prediction Changes v Fremantle (Round 4)

[Doggy]

There's also no way we're too tall.

English, Naughton, Darcy & JOD essentially run a 4 man rotation. All 4 are on the ground together for only 25% of the game so it's rare we have 3 tall forwards on the ground.

In the backline, the structure is reasonably straight forward with 2 key defenders and a hybrid tall. Jones has the ability to play on mediums if required. We also don't really have any mediums that can play taller with Dale, Bramble, Gallagher & Baker all genuine smaller types.

The Dockers have the following with Darcy expected back (pushing Jackson forward & Voss out):
Treacy - 195cm
Amiss - 196cm
Voss - 195cm

We'll need every bit of our height on Sunday.

Probably don't need to man up Voss. He can take all their shots he can barely hit the side of a barn

 

[AFDogs]

IN: Naughton (to the backline), JOD (to the forwardline)

 

[Philthy1]

Probably don't need to man up Voss. He can take all their shots he can barely hit the side of a barn

I can feel a Majak Daw medallist coming on.

 

[Doggy]

I can feel a Majak Daw medallist coming on.

He'd have to be kicking them from the goal square and he plays further out

 

[Mofra]

I can feel a Majak Daw medallist coming on.

Brodie Kemp likes this

 

[Pencil case]

Croft is still at least a year away for mine. Still too raw and would be bullied.

 

[blagodellago]

Croft is still at least a year away for mine. Still too raw and would be bullied.

Too raw? Maybe. Bullied? Not a chance.

 

[Foxman98]

Croft is still at least a year away for mine. Still too raw and would be bullied.

He will benefit more from playing at AFL level to learn and isn't that far off that he would be a liability

 

[JohnnySteel]

Don’t think Croft will be in this week. But you’d think hell get a crack at some point even for his versatility alone.

 

[TheScriptorWL]

No changes necessary. However, we need a Hard Edge performance from English in the ruck for this one. Show him some damn motivational speeches and give him a vial of smelling salts.

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[Unorth]

I was wanting Croft in, but JoD was good as the third tall up forward.

Buku is better than JoD in the backline right now. His athleticism and wingspan are letting him spoil contests/intercept from positions most can’t. Weak in 1:1 contests, but we can try and minimise those instances.

Would keep both of them where they are until form dictates otherwise.

Croft may just have to bide his time but I thought he was very close.

 

[Doggies7]

After watching him get abused in this game last year by the Freo forwards, I worry a little about Buku's match up as the Docker's KPFs are quite big and strong in between Voss (or Jackson if Darcy is back), Treacy and Amiss. Imagine Amiss is probably the best match up for Buku, but he was very good against Carlton on Friday and absolutes deserves his spot currently. His strength is coming across in front intercepting or using his athleticism to spoil or come off his man to help out with a high ball. If he gets dragged to the goal square again to wrestle with a Treacy or Jackson I'll get a bit worried.

 

[Libba39]

The two players who could be dropped on form would Bramble and Naughton. Both had mares despite Naughton kicking a goal.

No change for me.

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[Philthy1]

Duryea will be fit. Does he play and who gets dropped if he does? Bramble or Gallagher would be the only real choices...

 

[Doggies7]

I think we see a very good Naughton this week back at home in WA in front of some family and friends. Will be keen to make up for last week and get a hold of Freo, tipping a good game for Naughty

 

[MaxiBont]

Duryea will be fit. Does he play and who gets dropped if he does? Bramble or Gallagher would be the only real choices...

I think we looked better without Duryea.

I’d continue with Bramble unless he has another stinker

 

[Doggies7]

Duryea will be fit. Does he play and who gets dropped if he does? Bramble or Gallagher would be the only real choices...

Yeah interested to see if he has enough tickets in the bank to force his way back in. I imagine he does for Bevo and being a leader and experienced head back there the coach can trust. No idea who for, but maybe they give Bramble the week off then with Oskar able to do a bit of his run and carry out of the back line? Gallagher is the more like for like in that stopping role, but hopefully they persist with Gags as the future Doc replacement and he was solid against the Blues.

 

[Philthy1]

Yeah interested to see if he has enough tickets in the bank to force his way back in. I imagine he does for Bevo and being a leader and experienced head back there the coach can trust. No idea who for, but maybe they give Bramble the week off then with Oskar able to do a bit of his run and carry out of the back line? Gallagher is the more like for like in that stopping role, but hopefully they persist with Gags as the future Doc replacement and he was solid against the Blues.

When Bont, JJ, Treloar and Cody are back there is going to be serious competition for spots. Exactly what we need.

 

[Struggle]

Duryea will be fit. Does he play and who gets dropped if he does? Bramble or Gallagher would be the only real choices...

Fit or not he should have to go back to the 2nds to prove he hasn't lost a step before coming back in

 

[Philthy1]

Fit or not he should have to go back to the 2nds to prove he hasn't lost a step before coming back in

Given the gulf in standard / speed of the game between VFL and AFL, not sure we would learn anything about that out if he did play in the VFL.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

From AFL.com.au

Darcy likely to make return via WAFL as selection squeeze hits Freo​

FREMANTLE is weighing up a WAFL return for ruckman Sean Darcy this week, with the big man on track to play his first game of the season after recovering from knee and ankle issues.
Darcy endured a difficult pre-season after undergoing minor knee surgery last year, with the 26-year-old suffering a setback last month when he required ankle surgery to remove a screw and clear an infection.
The 2021 club champion returned to main training last Thursday, however, and looked in good condition, completing the full session and playing forward during match simulation.

The Dockers face a big challenge against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday but are considered more likely at this stage to bring Darcy back through the WAFL when Peel Thunder opens its season on Saturday.
Darcy, who last played in the WAFL in round six, 2019, could then return at AFL level against Richmond in Gather Round or Melbourne at the MCG in round six, with in-form big man Luke Jackson carrying the No.1 role against the Bulldogs.
Fremantle faces a selection squeeze in other areas this week after an imposing Derby win, with star midfielder Hayden Young and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe both pushing to be available.

Fyfe has played three WAFL practice games and increased his minutes each week, completing four quarters against Subiaco at the weekend to press his claims for an AFL return against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
The Dockers will also have in-form midfielder Jaeger O'Meara and half-back Corey Wagner available after they were withdrawn against the Eagles with illness and a tight calf respectively.
"The cavalry's coming, but I think the product we put out today with the team we put out was really strong as well," coach Justin Longmuir said after the Dockers' first win of the season.
"Fyfe has strung a few together, we'll see where he sits. Sean and Youngy should be back next week at some level, we'll work that out during the week."

The Dockers face a balance between welcoming back their senior players, with Sam Switkowski and Michael Walters also expected to be available in the next fortnight, while rewarding the impressive form of young players.
Midfielder Neil Erasmus took his opportunity in the midfield against the Eagles, while draftee Murphy Reid was excellent again. Matthew Johnson and Nathan O'Driscoll have taken on more midfield responsibility and impressed.
"It's great for their confidence, and great for them to play in a Derby," Longmuir said of his young players.
"We need those players to be ready to step up when an opportunity presents.
We probably think one out, one in, and that's the mantra I go with.
"But it does take a while to get that confidence that you can compete regularly at AFL level and I feel like they've grown week on week over the first three weeks of the year and played some really good footy."

 

[JTCWBFC]

If we let Fyfe wind back the clock again…

 

[Doggies7]

I could be wrong but I can't see Hayden Young playing AFL yet, he's been out a while now... Did his hammy late Jan and then again end of Feb when he increased training loads, so has been two months without much game action and no WAFL yet. Very important player so hopefully returns via the WAFL this week.

Fyfe killed us last year, has played 3 WAFL games / practice matches so maybe fit enough to return. Pretty sure he isn't normally too great first up after an injury historically so i'll be pretty annoyed if he tears us apart again.

 

[Distinctive_]

No changes for me

We don't usually make a player sub 2 weeks in a row but loved the impact Dolan made. He's yet to show 4 quarter effort so I'd keep him there

 

[Doggy]

Ah well, pack it up boys.

The "experts" are saying we can't win because Fremantle are "starting to hit their straps". Beating up on Wet Toast makes them really good, so there you go.