Unofficial Preview Changes v Sydney Swans (Rd 7)

[WA Lion]

Not convinced that it's only a minority that think McStay keeps his spot...

It's always the same few who defend his selection and double down on him now being a whipping boy - sometimes people just need to acknowledge that he is playing poorly and will be lucky to hold his spot. Shame really as he has plenty of talent, just can't put it all together

 

[a mayes ing]

What i want to happen:
Out: Hodge, McStay
In: Andrews, Wooler

What l think will happen:
Out: Hodge
In: Andrews

 

[WA Lion]

What i want to happen:
Out: Hodge, McStay
In: Andrews, Wooler

What l think will happen:
Out: Hodge
In: Andrews

We travel over here to play Freo in a few weeks, I wonder if that will be the game Hodge first has a rest this year. He looked sore after that neck blow yesterday though, and swans have plenty of nippy forwards

 

[jackess]

This came up during the week. Coaches will always publicly support a player (as they absolutely should) but privately you can't keep carrying passengers and Fagan will know that. Poor bloke is so devoid of confidence he can neither catch not kick. Not helpful at all.

Well if we keep selecting him then I guess it's clear that Fagan doesn't consider him a passenger

 

[dlanod]

Well if we keep selecting him then I guess it's clear that Fagan doesn't consider him a passenger

The team is playing AFL but Fagan is playing 7D chess.

 

[iBeng]

The team is playing AFL but Fagan is playing 7D chess.

He is one with the Australian Force League.

 

[WA Lion]

The team is playing AFL but Fagan is playing 7D chess.

It saddens me that I had to Google what 7D chess was!

 

[iBeng]

It saddens me that I had to Google what 7D chess was!

The force is weak with you.

 

[StevoJenkins]

In: Andrews (if fit)
Out: Hodge

Taylor definitely upped his game against the Suns, did some smothers, rammed into others, that’s what you want to see from him. Cuts should stay in the team too, laid some good tackles (watched the game again and counted 3 good tackles), played his role. Liked Anesworth, would keep him in even if Bailey comes in.

Would only possibly replace Lyons and McStay or C Lyons and/or Wooler.

 

[Hollow Knight]

This came up during the week. Coaches will always publicly support a player (as they absolutely should) but privately you can't keep carrying passengers and Fagan will know that. Poor bloke is so devoid of confidence he can neither catch not kick. Not helpful at all.

I was pretty damn critical of elements of McStay’s game yesterday, but to be fair, you really should listen to what the coach said in the post match presser instead of presuming he is just spinning. They weren’t mealy mouthed “we have faith in him” cliched comments. He had a role to play similar to what he did against West Coast and that was to stop their intercept markers like Collins (and McGovern/Barrass etc when we played the Eagles) from picking off the ball and rebounding it up the other end for an easy score. He did that well it seems.

Our gameplan relies heavily on pushing up hard and playing the game in our forward half. If we allow the opposition to easily intercept our forward entries we are horribly, horribly exposed in transition. Every game plan has risk and reward and the risk management part of our gameplan REQUIRES us to mark the ball or at least bring it to ground when we go inside 50. Hipwood and McStay have been doing that pretty damn well.

It might seem counter-intuitive to think that your key forward is trying to keep a key defender quiet, rather than vice versa, but it's an apt strategy for the current game where a lot of the good teams launch their attacks from the backline rather than centre clearances. It's also an effective gameplan for our list, as we have some very dangerous small forwards. Footy has changed, and it's good to see we have a coaching group that has kept up with the times after we have been chasing tails for a decade.

Again, don’t get me wrong, McStay has a habit of pissing opportunities against the wall again and again and it is very frustrating for supporters. It is stopping him from becoming a great player. Sometimes I want to punch him in the face in frustration. A couple of years ago the biggest knock on McStay was laziness. He simply stopped trying for periods of games. At least that isn't a factor anymore. Now he is creating more opportunities for himself, and blowing them which is progress in his game, but often more frustratiing for supporters. Wasted opportunities seem to hurt more than opportunities that never existed, even though the former is better from a growth perspective.

But he is clearly fulfilling the structural requirements of his role in our gameplan in spite of that, and that is why Fagan is very unlikely to drop him. If someone in the reserves can show that they can effectively do the role that McStay is performing, AND hit the scoreboard in a way that McStay is struggling to do, then they will get their chance in time. But the gameplan comes first.

I’ve seen a lot of people scratching their heads when Fagan says he is reluctant to change a winning formula. But we need to accept that there is an overall formula in place that often belies the performance of individual players when we judge them in isolation.

I really recommend you watch Fagan’s pressers with an open mind. He isn’t a spin merchant, he gives real good insights if you listen. I’m learning a fair bit from the great man.

 

[CarterS]

Horse said Buddy very likely to be back.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Horse said Buddy very likely to be back.

Fortunately Dizzy looked back to his old self yesterday. He did an absolute number on Buddy last year.

 

[iBeng]

I like his comments on Lyons in the presser.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Some have thought that trying Andrews up forward is worth a go. Lots want to see the back of Dan McStay.

Walker and Darcy are controlling the back half.

Andrews in. McStay out??????????????????

 

[WA Lion]

I was pretty damn critical of elements of McStay’s game yesterday, but to be fair, you really should listen to what the coach said in the post match presser instead of presuming he is just spinning. They weren’t mealy mouthed “we have faith in him” cliched comments. He had a role to play similar to what he did against West Coast and that was to stop their intercept markers like Collins (and McGovern/Barrass etc when we played the Eagles) from picking off the ball and rebounding it up the other end for an easy score. He did that well it seems.

Our gameplan relies heavily on pushing up hard and playing the game in our forward half. If we allow the opposition to easily intercept our forward entries we are horribly, horribly exposed in transition. Every game plan has risk and reward and the risk management part of our gameplan REQUIRES us to mark the ball or at least bring it to ground when we go inside 50. Hipwood and McStay have been doing that pretty damn well.

It might seem counter-intuitive to think that your key forward is trying to keep a key defender quiet, rather than vice versa, but it's an apt strategy for the current game where a lot of the good teams launch their attacks from the backline rather than centre clearances. It's also an effective gameplan for our list, as we have some very dangerous small forwards.

Again, don’t get me wrong, McStay has a habit of pissing opportunities against the wall again and again and it is very frustrating for supporters. It is stopping him from becoming a great player. Sometimes I want to punch him in the face in frustration. A couple of years ago the biggest knock on McStay was laziness. He simply stopped trying for periods of games. At least that isn't a factor anymore. Now he is creating more opportunities for himself, and blowing them which is progress in his game, but often more frustratiing for supporters. Wasted opportunities seem to hurt more than opportunities that never existed, even though the former is better from a growth perspective.

But he is clearly fulfilling the structural requirements of his role in our gameplan in spite of that, and that is why Fagan is very unlikely to drop him. If someone in the reserves can show that they can effectively do the role that McStay is performing, AND hit the scoreboard in a way that McStay is struggling to do, then they will get their chance in time. But the gameplan comes first.

I’ve seen a lot of people scratching their heads when Fagan says he is reluctant to change a winning formula. But we need to accept that there is an overall formula in place that often belies the performance of individual players when we judge them in isolation.

I really recommend you watch Fagan’s pressers with an open mind. He isn’t a spin merchant, he gives real good insights if you listen. I’m learning a fair bit from the great man.

Yeah I've watched it a couple of times, simply because you could sense the relief in his demeanor which in a high stress role is always refreshing to see.

I don't actually disagree with any of what you said, my point is more that I think someone else needs to be given the opportunity to play the same role for the team instead. Mcstay has played too many games now to be making some of the mistakes he makes, and given his talent is obvious it has to be all in his head.

At some point you just have to say we've given it a genuinely good go, but it's not working.

Anyway, I've said my piece now, others disagree and all is well so I shall leave it at that.

 

[iBeng]

Suns fans reckon Neale will get rubbed out for his body hit on Bowes? or whoever that generic midfielder was.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Suns fans reckon Neale will get rubbed out for his body hit on Bowes? or whoever that generic midfielder was.

They’re dreaming. I’d be mildly surprised if he even got a fine. Free kick was paid and that was appropriate.

Even if a suspension was warranted (and it clearly isn’t), he’s a Brownlow favourite so he gets diplomatic immunity.

 

[Suitcase]

Out Mcstay
In Wooler

 

[Scubaveg]

Andrews for Hodge (if fit)

Not sure we’re ready to be without Hodge yet. I’d wait for an easier game perhaps Dogs away.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[martinson]

Yeah I've watched it a couple of times, simply because you could sense the relief in his demeanor which in a high stress role is always refreshing to see.

I don't actually disagree with any of what you said, my point is more that I think someone else needs to be given the opportunity to play the same role for the team instead. Mcstay has played too many games now to be making some of the mistakes he makes, and given his talent is obvious it has to be all in his head.

At some point you just have to say we've given it a genuinely good go, but it's not working.

Anyway, I've said my piece now, others disagree and all is well so I shall leave it at that.

I guess enough's been said about McStay and I'm sure he plays a role . The issue I have is could someone else play that role better and not have us subject to rebound turnovers because of costly misses. Footy is all about degrees of commitment and ability to execute . You can't have a forward who looks like he's heading to the dungeon every time he has to have a shot . I'd find a spot in the backline if it were possible to see if he can get some confidence back . He's been given so many chances though you'd have to think he's going to bag 5 or 6 one day and that will cement his spot for the season.

I'm also not a subscriber to the theory that the coach always knows best . There are countless examples of great coaches being pig headed over certain issues . I don't know what the background is in this case but Fages obviously has faith in MCStay so nothing will change there ,so let's hope he really comes good.

The role both he and Hipwood played yesterday helped bring the smaller forwards into the game when the Suns got tired. Stef also had a bit of time forward and had some impact . I think our forward structure needs some work week to week depending on the opposition

A couple of times Cutler could have broken into space and really bombed it in there but they seem to have him too petrified to do anything other than give it off or look for a teammate not far away.

 

[Scubaveg]

It saddens me that I had to Google what 7D chess was!

You’re not alone.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Kevvo]

Like others, if Andrews is fit he comes in but for lester (didn't do anything wrong at all but not first choice).

Mcstay just has to go for me. More than happy to change forward structure. I'm sure the vocal minority will say he is a whipping boy again but he is not doing even close to enough to hold a spot. Spilt marks and terrible goal kicking.

Wooler or Keays to go a little smaller

I think Hodge and Witherden have both been patchy for a few weeks where Lester played well. I think we’ll let Witherden play through his form issues so for me, Hodge should have a rest.

 

[WA Lion]

I think Hodge and Witherden have both been patchy for a few weeks where Lester played well. I think we’ll let Witherden play through his form issues so for me, Hodge should have a rest.

Yeah I thought lester did well too, if Hodge actually needs a rest I'd definitely keep lester, but my logic was based around resting Hodge for the Freo trip in a few weeks (if he can last that long).

 

[martinson]

Yeah I've watched it a couple of times, simply because you could sense the relief in his demeanor which in a high stress role is always refreshing to see.

I don't actually disagree with any of what you said, my point is more that I think someone else needs to be given the opportunity to play the same role for the team instead. Mcstay has played too many games now to be making some of the mistakes he makes, and given his talent is obvious it has to be all in his head.

At some point you just have to say we've given it a genuinely good go, but it's not working.

Anyway, I've said my piece now, others disagree and all is well so I shall leave it at that.

Dew's presser was worth a listen . I really like him ,down to earth no nonsense clap trap ,he's realistic about his team

 

[Tom14]

They’re dreaming. I’d be mildly surprised if he even got a fine. Free kick was paid and that was appropriate.

Even if a suspension was warranted (and it clearly isn’t), he’s a Brownlow favourite so he gets diplomatic immunity.

If Cunnington can't get rubbed out for 3 off the ball snipes in 6 rounds, including a couple to the head then Neale isn't going lmao