Preview Changes v Freo Round 20

[Topkent]

Yeah it's definitely "system" based.

Each week its like we rely on 3 goals to fritsch, hope pickett jags a couple, hope that we get 1 each from gawn and Jackson, petracca get 1 and brown/weid kick 1 or 2.. the difference between us kicking 14 goals or 10 usually comes from spargo, ANB and harmes.

ANB has 5 goals for the year, Spargo 6 and harmes 12. Of those 23 combined goals, 8 have come since round 9. It's no coincidence that bar the weekend and Brisbane games, we've struggled to kick winning scores throughout that time.

If there is a player who can do that role you're asking more, it's probably harmes. I feel like he's going OK, but has a lot more to give. Put simply, ANB and Spargo need to up their output significantly for us to win finals.

Yeah and Harmes is capable, but he needs help. Sparrow doesn't do either well yet and so you're right. Cats flogged us without Hawkins Cameron and Stengle doing anything. If Fritsch, Pickett and Brown don't kick goals we are pretty ****ed it feels like.

 

[Dancing Potato]

I wouldn't be opposed to throwing Petty forward and dropping Spargo (as much as I like him) for Chandler.

Bring in Turner and Lever for Tomo.

Agree we should look at switching things about with our half back flankers too, but don't want to go overboard with changes in a single week.

In: Lever, Turner, Chandler
Out: Tomlinson, Weid, Spargo

 

[Grimesy87]

Yeah and Harmes is capable, but he needs help. Sparrow doesn't do either well yet and so you're right. Cats flogged us without Hawkins Cameron and Stengle doing anything. If Fritsch, Pickett and Brown don't kick goals we are pretty *ed it feels like.

It's another reason why I want to see Laurie. Not because he's some amazing hero we need.

But he's done a load of work in the vfl kicking a goal in each of his past 10 games (16 goals in total) and averaging around 20 touches o er the past 7 weeks. Good chance he comes into the seniors team and impacts the scoreboard better than spargo on current output.

 

[Topkent]

I'm the first to acknowledge that Spargo an ANB have very specific roles but 6 and 5 goals isn't good enough.

Oliver has 3, Viney has 7.

Browns not even averaging 2. Like our team except Fritsch and Pickett remind me of like 2013 when Dawes would win the goal kicking with 22

 

[Dory_77]

Yeah think Chandler has definitely earned a look at Spargo's spot. He's hit the scoreboard regularly for Casey, (or Laurie).
I'd much rather we flick the magnets around a bit trying to find a win/improve our offence, even if it risks another loss, than #trustthemethod and play out a shitty 65-55 win.

 

[stEdy]

We just don't kick many easy goals with our system. It's a feature, not a bug.

Unless our pressure is 8/10+ for most of the game we don't get enough easy goals off turnover. Blokes like ANB and Spargo would normally be kicking a goal or two a game in Joe-The-Gooses if we are up and about consistently.

The eye test says that we've brought this pressure for patches within a game (got 4-5 goals up on Sydney, Freo, Pies and Dogs) but has really petered out in second halves of games, which is really worrying.

When the energy levels dip, we just take the long down the line option, Gawn/Dogga/Weid/BBB/Whoever fail to mark the ball and the opponent knows exactly where it's going so plans accordingly and gets numbers to the contest, we also can't apply any decent, consistent pressure and we are unable to transition the ball at all.

 

[netslave]

I'd rather play JVR than try Petty or Tomo forward. We haven't had much stability down back this year with player injuries and I'd rather have that rock solid going into finals than start tinkering with it now.

 

[Daemon]

I'd rather play JVR than try Petty or Tomo forward. We haven't had much stability down back this year with player injuries and I'd rather have that rock solid going into finals than start tinkering with it now.

Absolutely this. Petty has been really solid down back, why move him when May has been out of sorts and Lever is coming off an injury. Tomo can't be picked after being toweled up so is not an option.

I don't think they will pick JVR or move Petty. Goody just isn't that bold.

 

[SugarHealey]

Geez we miss T-Mac, his loss has had a bigger impact then we all think. Just miss his hit up target.

Would be good if Weid could play that role as a high half forward and make those contests down the line.

If we are looking for the hitup target around the wing and centre, then van Rooyen is available, and can do that. But isn't ready imo, to be the deep tall marking target.

 

[danster168]

Absolutely this. Petty has been really solid down back, why move him when May has been out of sorts and Lever is coming off an injury. Tomo can't be picked after being toweled up so is not an option.

I don't think they will pick JVR or move Petty. Goody just isn't that bold.

a bit harsh on May. he was one of the best on the ground on the weekend. and this was reflected rightfully in the coaches votes.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

We just don't kick many easy goals with our system. It's a feature, not a bug.

Unless our pressure is 8/10+ for most of the game we don't get enough easy goals off turnover. Blokes like ANB and Spargo would normally be kicking a goal or two a game in Joe-The-Gooses if we are up and about consistently.

The eye test says that we've brought this pressure for patches within a game (got 4-5 goals up on Sydney, Freo, Pies and Dogs) but has really petered out in second halves of games, which is really worrying.

When the energy levels dip, we just take the long down the line option, Gawn/Dogga/Weid/BBB/Whoever fail to mark the ball and the opponent knows exactly where it's going so plans accordingly and gets numbers to the contest, we also can't apply any decent, consistent pressure and we are unable to transition the ball at all.

Very good post. Hoping we can flick that switch come finals but maybe the elite fitness or the dog hungry desire isn’t there like last year? We can still win it, but there is some improving to do pretty quickly after choking against the dogs.

 

[Proper Gander]

That’s why I said they need to get around one another, do something to bring the bond back. They need to understand how good last year was and that this could be the same if they don’t balls it up. Goodwin is a great example, he was part of back to back flags.

Have a *en pizza night, tell one another that accountability is what it’s about. I don’t know. There’s enough psychologists out there that clubs employ to sort this s**t out. It’s all mental.

Beers and betting with Goody at the Sorrento pub would be just the ticket

 

[CWaffles]

I said ‘contest’. Are we splitting hairs between him and Weidemann? Yes. Choosing one right now is like asking which of your ex wives was your favourite.

Definitely Kelly.

 

[demondavey]

Beers and betting with Goody at the Sorrento pub would be just the ticket

Was thinking a few pizzas and a creamy soda meself

 

[Scythe94]

Lever will play, Brown won't according to Goodwin

 

[Scythe94]

Also Petty won't be playing forward – Goodwin was also speaking about the importance of getting some continuity with May, Lever and Petty in the backline

 

[stEdy]

Also Petty won't be playing forward – Goodwin was also speaking about the importance of getting some continuity with May, Lever and Petty in the backline

It's actually not a bad point. That's our 'DNA' (lol) and although I love the idea of Petty clunking grabs and kicking bags, all 3 of those have been missing at different times and we absolutely need them at their best to do anything in finals.

 

[Dancing Potato]

So basically we can expect to see nothing new attempted and Weid pussy footing around again? Splendid.

 

[schmuttt]

Forwardline functioned well against the dogs, I get why they wouldn’t send Petty forward.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

No Disco = No hope

 

[Dancing Potato]

To be fair, it seems like if they can just up the pressure and intensity the rest may actually begin to fall into place.

Basically, stop being lazy sacks of shit and start applying pressure you campaigners.

Salem looks half asleep, Oliver and Trac have been awful defensively, and there have been far too many soft tackling attempts.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Either our pressure will go up in finals and we will start scoring goals from turnover and clearance, or we’re ****ed. There’s no ‘change to the game plan’ or personnel that’s magically going to happen, nor is it even needed. We’ve already got a game plan that will work, just needs to be executed.

 

[Scythe94]

Media heat on, playing away from home, questions on players' attitudes and form.

Weirdly, feels like the sort of game we'll come out and win.

 

[demondavey]

So basically we can expect to see nothing new attempted and Weid pussy footing around again? Splendid.

It’s not the forward or defence, it’s the midfield. The bulldogs clearly defeated us through the middle which allowed those entries in the last. We win the middle comprehensively and we are going to win more than not.

 

[Benwah83]

Media heat on, playing away from home, questions on players' attitudes and form.

Weirdly, feels like the sort of game we'll come out and win.

Yep. That's why it feels like a win this week is pretty meaningless if they just come out and flop against the Pies the following week. If we need external heat to get motivated 4 weeks before a finals series, then we're in trouble.

A loss this week, however, would be a bit of a disaster.