Bucking Beads
Brownlow Medallist
We simply must make some changes across all lines. This team needs an injection of speed, hunger and creativity. The window is closing and fast. Everyone needs to be accountable.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
LIVE: Sydney v Port Adelaide - 7:40 / 7:10 Fri
Squiggle tips Swans at 57% chance -- What's your tip? -- Teams on Thurs »
LIVE: Geelong v Brisbane Lions - 7:30PM Sat
Squiggle tips Cats at 54% chance -- What's your tip? -- Teams on Thurs »
Weekly Prize - Join Any Time - Tip Prelim Finals
The Golden Ticket - MCG and Marvel Medallion Club tickets and Corporate Box tickets at the Gabba, MCG and Marvel.
AFLW 2024 - Round 4 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
I was really entertained by the game at Mt Barker...Norwood Oval is about 7 metres narrower and 5 metres shorter than Kardinia Park, so wouldn't expect anything other than a tightly contested scrap. Having said that, thought the two most entertaining games of last year's GR were played at the ground, so
That’s not what I’m saying. I’m actually saying the opposite.So if you're Brandon Ryan in the 2s you take it easy until Hippy has a poor game and you get to replace him?
The guys in the reserves still have to be good enough to show they're up to AFL level instead of waiting for a senior guy to be punished for dropping marks to get their chance
And that's the issue. The depth isn't there
That’s not what I’m saying. I’m actually saying the opposite.
Competition for spots and integrity drive performance for everyone. Morris already dominating in twos. So let’s use him as the logical example as opposed to Ryan who we haven’t seen.
Otherwise let’s just reward mediocrity.
Probably hard to know what Kiddy going down on the stroke of half time did to the physche of the group. Be hard mentally to stay switched on after losing one of your most important players (and in my view our most important for this team).I just want to know what changed at half time of the Carlton game.
Two completely different teams played that day and the team from the first half of the Carlton game is off in Hawaii or something right now.
Absolutely.It’s about driving high performance and standards. The changes themselves may not make a huge difference. But what message do you send the players if they can continually get a game even if they’re badly out of form or not performing to AFL standard. If players aren’t watching their backs when they’re out of form then how is that conducive to helping motivate them and others to do extras and to be the best they can be. Sometimes a player needs a fair dinkum wake up call. It’s also confidence sapping for younger players that can’t get a gig when they deserve it.
Forget the team. It’s also not beneficial to the individual’s that are badly out of form. A players confidence is shot to pieces and we keep playing him hoping he turns it around. There is nothing wrong with working on a few things at the lower level for a month where the pressure is off. They will come back stronger and better for it if they are made to earn their spots.
At the moment having a Hipwood or Payne out of the team is not going to be detrimental to us winning games. We might even find that the players that come in do a way better job!
If everyone else in the midfield bar Neale is playing poorly, it can't hurt to give one of the youngsters who has performed well in the VFL a crack instead. Who knows, they might just surprise us.The midfield is a big issue. When Neale is hot and creative we at least get plenty of chances to win games. When he's not or stopped our forward entries and run and spread from the contest is poor.
Collingwood realised that to the extent that even Pendlebury was forced to give him a whack. Desperate to get Ashcroft back in but I think the club will keep the lid on that after the Doedee situation.
Except there are plenty of players who haven't been crap in the reserves. Morris has played well each week, just as he did in preseason.So if you're Brandon Ryan in the 2s you take it easy until Hippy has a poor game and you get to replace him?
The guys in the reserves still have to be good enough to show they're up to AFL level instead of waiting for a senior guy to be punished for dropping marks to get their chance
And that's the issue. The depth isn't there
Of the few teams that I’d be happy for one of our young draftees to debut it would be against North; the likes of Eagles, Hawks and Bombers would be the others.Based on the fact that last week I raised that fagan should sit on the bench and this week he did, I think it’s reasonable to assume he reads and respects my opinions on football.
Chris, I want you to debut Logan Morris this week.
If everyone else in the midfield bar Neale is playing poorly, it can't hurt to give one of the youngsters who ha performed well in the VFL a crack instead. Who knows, they might just surprise us.
Except there are plenty of players who haven't been crap in the reserves. Morris has played well each week, just as he did in preseason.
Kicking that goal last night might be what kickstarts Kai.Lohmann has well and truly earned his spot in the team after a brilliant VFL game.
Think Dev needs to find form in the VFL so would go Reville or Tunstill in.
Kicking that goal last night might be what kickstarts Kai.
I'm not convinced Reville or Tunstill would add anything of significance right now but the way we're going I'm all in on giving one of them a go. And the most logical at this point is Tunstill who has improved his fitness to the point where he could run out a Senior game.
I want Lohmann, Reville and Morris in the 22
I really like the way Reville goes about it. He's a lot stronger than last year but I still think he needs more conditioning and experience in the 2's .For me, it's about who will play that defensive half forward/mid role best. Dev has not had a good start to the year and really needs time to find form and need someone to step into that role and deliver. Think both could based on exposed VFL form.
I am a huge Morris fan from what I've seen of him, just don't think he's quite ready for a full time AFL level gig. Will definitely get a debut though!
Would consider him ahead of Fort but that might be Lohmann spot
If I were the Lions, I'd be considering (and I know they won't because Fagan doesn't drop his pets):
Backs:
Andrews, Lester, Starcevich, Wilmot, Zorko, Payne (we are really stuck here because he has fallen off a cliff but what other options for KD do we have available and can do a job?)
Middles:
Neale, Dunkley, Fort, Fletcher, McCluggage, Tunstill
Forwards:
Daniher, Ryan, McCarthy, Rayner, Bailey, Lohmann
Interchange:
Ah Chee, Sharp, Cameron, Reville/Brain, Smith
Some of this would work, some wouldn't but you might just about find a gem if these blokes are given an extended run, you never know and a statement needs to be made with some of the undroppables.
Sending a harsh message to Hippy dropping him for someone who’s injured