Changes v Tasmania

[Big Blow Hard]

I disagree with you here. Monfries would have to play on Hodge and try and play him like Carazzo did yesterday. Hocking is the ideal match up for Mitchell as he doesn't have to worry about being killled on the burst as Mitchell isn't quick.

Good idea. Throw Monfries some responsibility and make him earn his spot.

 

[efcboy]

i think sewell is more damaging around the ground than mitchell so i'd play hocking on sewell. watson and mitchell to go head to head for mine. either winderlich or monfries to hodge, dempsey to rioli, pears to roughead, hooker/ryder to franklin

 

[go team]

Out: Fletcher
In: Windy Hill

 

[Kong]

I was thinking this before I read Pazza's post, honestly .
With Fletcher out, why not bring Neagle in to send up forward, and throw Lucas down back to play the Fletcher-role. That way, he takes one of their less dangerous forwards, and floats across to chop off the delivery to Roughead and Buddy. Could really help him find some touch and confidence, too.

 

[Boucks09]

I was thinking this before I read Pazza's post, honestly .
With Fletcher out, why not bring Neagle in to send up forward, and throw Lucas down back to play the Fletcher-role. That way, he takes one of their less dangerous forwards, and floats across to chop off the delivery to Roughead and Buddy. Could really help him find some touch and confidence, too.

I understand the sentiment behind this but feel it is a backwards step. Lucas has lost confidence in his field kicking as well as his set shots and by putting him down back with the pressure of Rioli harrassing him, I just feel there are clangers and run downs on the horizon.

It is also detrimental to our team's development for the sake of one player being out of form. Especially a player who will not play in our next premiership. This is never a good idea IMHO. I would prefer to leave our young defense to be left to work with eachother without throwing in a Lucas for a few games to replace Fletcher.

The loss of Fletcher is terrible, but I'm also really excited at the opportunity to see our future defense play together against the best forward linez in the competition. Sure it might get ugly, but then again Buddy has kicked 8-9 against us in nearly every game over the past few years against us, even with senior guys back there.

I would love to see:

Pears - Franklin
Hooker/Hurley - Roughead
Daniher - Williams
Dempsey - Rioli
Slattery - Osborne
Myers - Dew/Brown

We have nothing to lose, we are expected to lose and the game will be won in the midfield and our misfiring forward line not our young defense. They did a great job last week I thought considering.

 

[Duckworth]

There is no use rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. If you replace someone, you have to replace them with someone that will do a better job. How quickly we all forget that this (bar one) is the team that beat Collingwood.

In the first few games I don't think Neagle showed more than Lucas. Houli/Bellchambers could be a chance to come in.

Outs - Fletcher Lonergan

Ins - Hurley if ready, Bellchambers/Houli

 

[yaco55]

Lots of passengers tonight and the game is fresh so I'm still very emotional.

Out - Fletcher (inj), Lucas

Ins - Daniher and Hurley (providing they are fit)

Badly need another big defender with Flrtch out and another target with Lucas down, we are so one dimensional going forward.


Spike obviously comes in if fit.

Hurley was fit this week but they didn't want him to resume in the seniors.

I imagine he will resume with Bendigo.

 

[yaco55]

For the outs.

Zaharakis - last weeks winning goal masked the fact that he only had 10 possessions and last night he only had 10 again. He also fell asleep a couple of times at half forward and let his man run through the middle to set up goals.
Give him a week of and then give him a run with Bendigo as he has had 5 games to see what senior level is all about. Time to let his body develop a bit.

Lucas had enough time. Badly out of form to the point of not even hanging onto easy chest marks. Being a star does not get you more than 10 games (NAB and pratice matches included) to run yourself into good form.
At this stage having Winderlich as aleading forward and bringing in Houli would give us better results now and for the future.

Fletcher

Ins:
Bellchambers this week. The Hawks ruckmen do not get a lot of possession around the ground so the match up is better this week.

Houli - takes Zaka's spot and plays half forward with some time in the midfield.

Any of Daniher, Hurley or McVeigh could be an in depending on recovery.
Neagle an outside chance although i am not at all convinced that his form shows he will give us any more than Lucas.
Williams a possability.

I would only make 2 changes.

In

Houli
Bellchambers

Out

Fletcher
Zaharakis

I agree with bringing Bellchambers in for this week because the Hawks play 2 ruckman. It will give Ryder the chance to play some time in the forward line and allow Hooker and Pears to be key backs. I am assuming that C.Daniher may not come up and Hurley will resume at Bendigo.

We need Lucas in the side because McPhee may have to go back at some stage. But once Hurley and C.Daniher are up and running it could be the end for Lucas.

I would like EFC to play a smaller leading forward line because defence is Hawthorn's achilles heel and accurate kicking ( touch wood ) to smaller leading forwards could be effective.

I am not as negative as others about this game as Hawthorn is not in great form.

We are one more key injury away from a miserable 5 or 6 weeks.

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

My thoughts depending on availabilties:

Outs:

Lucas
Zaharakis
Fletcher

Ins:

Hurley - play him at full forward and let Lloyd push up the ground
McVeigh - instant replacement for Zaharakis
Bellchambers - to play as 2nd ruck

*Houli in if Spike is unavailable
*Daniher possibly in the mix

Don't see a point in putting Lucas down back as he lacks the speed/agility to go with either of Rough/Buddy and if his marking/kicking form is anything to go by he would be a useless floating defender.

FWIW though I think Lucas will stay for another week atleast.

 

[daffo]

Fletch hopefully will be replaced by Hurley. I don't think Daniher is up to it yet, McPhee will have to play down back again which isn't his best position.

 

[ant555]

I don't want him to have an instant impact ant - just any sort of impact. 77% when you've had just 4 kicks is a pretty poor result IMO.

I've been listening to what you and a few other good judges have been saying about him needing 3-4 years and thats fair enough. However I do expect the players that pull on the Essendon senior guernsey to be up to the required standard and at the moment he isn't.

Our injury crisis means that we cannot afford to carry players just to give them 'experience'. We need every player performing at 90-100% of their ability to be competitive at the moment.

Disagree with you on Nat-Rat by the way. Makes a few errors but is willing to take the game on and create opportunities. Sure he is going to make some mistakes now and then but he does give us some positives as well.

Well FFS every week you come on and crap on about Myers but who gets his place in the side ?
Houli certainly doesnt play a taller defensive role and Hurley and Daniher are out injured.
I would sooner see games going into Myers and see the gradual improvement than brining Nash back into the side.
Our injury crisis is the reason he is getting a game.
Time for people to wake up and smell the roses. We are only a finals chance if we can keep the majority of our best 22 on the ground. So far that is not happening and one of our best 22 , Lucas , is so far out of form it is not funny.

Jump up and down all you want about Myers but with injuries to other defenders who do you bring in. Like i said dont come on here every week and tell us that in your opinion he is a liability. Name us a side without him in it!!

 

[Daytripper]

Well FFS every week you come on and crap on about Myers but who gets his place in the side ?
Houli certainly doesnt play a taller defensive role and Hurley and Daniher are out injured.
I would sooner see games going into Myers and see the gradual improvement than brining Nash back into the side.
Our injury crisis is the reason he is getting a game.
Time for people to wake up and smell the roses. We are only a finals chance if we can keep the majority of our best 22 on the ground. So far that is not happening and one of our best 22 , Lucas , is so far out of form it is not funny.

Jump up and down all you want about Myers but with injuries to other defenders who do you bring in. Like i said dont come on here every week and tell us that in your opinion he is a liability. Name us a side without him in it!!

Nash or Atkinson could do his job in a heartbeat.
They would get more of it and do more with it (and thats saying something too).

 

[Phat Toni]

I was too depressed to come on here yesterday, what a terrible performance! I was so disappointed with the way the players represented the club on Fletch's day.

Anyway moving on to next week, because that is all we can do.

Out:
Fletch(inj)
Zaka(a half fit Spike McVeigh gives us more + we need the experience in.)
Lucus(My Grandpa could give us more than he is giving us, and he retired from footy in 1948 and he died 8 years ago)

In
McVeigh(if fit) otherwise Nash and Houli have to be in the mix
Bellchambers(I know his form has been poor but we need Hooker to play key back not in the ruck)
Hurley/Daniher(to come in not as backman but to replace Lucus up forward)

Now the really worrying part of all these changes will be that the team that runs out Firady night(if these changes are made) will have an average age of 21.41 and average games of 63.77. Now those averages are lower than any of our injury riddle recent history, so I'm scared, very very scared about the result on Friday night.

 

[Phat Toni]

Well FFS every week you come on and crap on about Myers but who gets his place in the side ?
Houli certainly doesnt play a taller defensive role and Hurley and Daniher are out injured.
I would sooner see games going into Myers and see the gradual improvement than brining Nash back into the side.
Our injury crisis is the reason he is getting a game.
Time for people to wake up and smell the roses. We are only a finals chance if we can keep the majority of our best 22 on the ground. So far that is not happening and one of our best 22 , Lucas , is so far out of form it is not funny.

Jump up and down all you want about Myers but with injuries to other defenders who do you bring in. Like i said dont come on here every week and tell us that in your opinion he is a liability. Name us a side without him in it!!

I have to agree with you Ant, as disappointed as I am with Myers ATM I look up and down our list and I don't see an obvious replacement, maybe Slattery of the Tyson variety at a stretch but from what I have see he is very raw with his AFL standard footy fundamentals.

We are on target to play another 40+ players this year which does not equal a finals formula!

 

[stander]

Now the really worrying part of all these changes will be that the team that runs out Firady night(if these changes are made) will have an average age of 21.41 and average games of 63.77. Now those averages are lower than any of our injury riddle recent history, so I'm scared, very very scared about the result on Friday night.

With those averages Phat, the boys should at least be able to run all night. Don't be scared either, Lloyd and Lucas are due for a big one, together.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

I would sooner see games going into Myers and see the gradual improvement than brining Nash back into the side.
Our injury crisis is the reason he is getting a game.
Time for people to wake up and smell the roses. We are only a finals chance if we can keep the majority of our best 22 on the ground. So far that is not happening and one of our best 22 , Lucas , is so far out of form it is not funny.

So you advocate dropping Lucas but would rather get games into Myers who is performing even worse than Scotty.

Lucas current form >>> Anything Myers has done ever.

FFS people, what planet are we on.

I'd rather bank on Scotty coming good in the next week or two than Myers giving us anything at any time this year.

Everyone here has been sucked into the playing the kids phenomenon even though they are doing sweet FA.

*disclaimer* - I have Lucas out of my side this week but only using him as an example.

 

[yaco55]

Nash or Atkinson could do his job in a heartbeat.
They would get more of it and do more with it (and thats saying something too).

Myers is a different player to an Atkinson or Nash.

Plays on different players.

Myers will struggle to retain his place in the team if his form doesnt improve and players return from injury.

Compare apples with apples

 

[TheDon35]

Time to be a man Knights,

Lucas is embarrasing and shouldnt have played the last 3 weeks based on form. We are carrying this guy because Knights is too week to make the tough call and move this club forward.

Fletcher injured

Dyson - prooved that despite a good game last week and a passable first quarter he doesnt have the strength to put it together consistently and when you look at his whole year, he doesn't deserve a game.

In - Houli for Dyson

Bellchambers for Fletcher with Ryder and Hooker cover for tall defensive options which will be required.

I don't know where he's at right now having not been able to check out the reserves but would rather see Neagle or Williams running around in a forward roll than Lucas at the mo'. In fact I'd rather see donald duck than lucas.

Slattery, Monfries, NLM, Myers, Lonergan, Hocking, Mcphee all on notice as players either too one dimensional to be part of our long term game plan or not performing well enough.

 

[stander]

I don't know where he's at right now having not been able to check out the reserves but would rather see Neagle or Williams running around in a forward roll than Lucas at the mo'.

You have me intrigued with the forward roll- is that a new strategy in the making ? Like the rolling zone ?

 

[Lacey]

INS

Bellchambers - we will need a second ruckman! Ryder can't be expected to carry the ruck against Campbell, Taylor and Renouf, all of whom have big bodies and will use them to wear Paddy out.

Houli to come in and play as an outside mid/HFF

Atkinson/Nash to play on a HBF

OUTS

Fletch - Injury. Hooker to the backline to cover him
Myers - Doesn't look up to AFL standard at this point in time. goes missing for too long, and isn't getting his hands on the ball often enough
Jetta/Zaharakis - one of them at least needs to go spend some time at Bendigo and work hard, win the ball a truckload and show they belong in the 22 week in, week out. still undecided as to which one should go first though

 

[Nicko_]

Lucas will not be dropped. Hawthorn have a fairly small backline so hopefully He can finally take a few marks and kick some goals.
Gilham and Birchall are likely inlusions for the hawks this week, so Gilham will most likely go to Lloyd, with Murphy on Lucas.

Bellchambers needs to come in to help against the hawks ruckman. Ryder will play as a forward and backup ruckman. Hooker to remain in the team and play in the backline.
Pears to play on Buddy, good luck Tayte.Daniher or Hurley to come back in. If Hurley is in, he plays on Roughead. If Daniher is in, Hooker on Roughead with Daniher on Williams. If both are in, Daniher to play forward.
I am not a fan of Houli, but based on the Brisbane game, Houli will be an IN. Jetta has not worked hard enough IMO to retain his spot, if he did half as much work as Davey he would keep his place.
Would be great if McVeigh come up good but im not holding my breath.
Zaka and Lonergan are both on the edge, will need to lift. In Lonergans case is probably just due to his soreness so should be fine next game.

INS: Bellchambers, Houli, Daniher
Outs: Fletcher, Jetta....... not sure of the 3rd

 

[ant555]

Nash or Atkinson could do his job in a heartbeat.
They would get more of it and do more with it (and thats saying something too).

So you are basing that on Bendigo form are you ?
Or is that just a general comment ?
Nash does not do more. He zones off and makes appauling decisions when he has had the ball.
Atkinson has got a bit of run back for Bendigo but his disposal and decision making has also been poor at VFL level.
Myers was better for Bendigo against Werribee than both Nash and Atkinson when all three where in the same side.

You are giving nothing but a poor one line argument based on the fact that you can not understand why Myers is playing poorly or have always had some sort of expectations on Myers becasue he was a first round pick.
When Daniher and Hurley are fit i would expect them to slot into the side in place of Myers. Until they are ready Nash and Atkinson are not the answer at the moment.

Its called development. Injuries are preventing us from putting our best side on the ground so players who are prepared to have a crack at doing the team things that Kinights wants them to do are getting a run.

Just out of curiosity how did you rate the effort of Myers defensively ?
Did you know what sort of game Kinghts wanted out of him ?
Or is it you just want to see him looking flash getting 25 possessions off half back ?

 

[Daytripper]

^^^^^

Totally agree that Nash is a different player than Myers. At least he might get 20 possessions at 60% which is a bit better than Myers 10 at 70%. Its says something about how poor Myers has been that I actually prefer Nash ahead of him at this stage.

As for Atkinson, well his decision making could hardly be any worse than Myers at present.

I couldn't give a flying f**k what pick he was. Thats my point. He's getting a leave pass from everyone because he was a first rounder. What happened to getting a game on merit ?
Do Hawthorn give Thorp and Dowler runs because they were high picks ? Even in the middle of a savage injury run they remain at Box Hill until they start showing something. Games are given on merit.....

I've got no idea what sort of game Knights wanted from him but I have to assume that he would at least like more than 4 kicks out of him offensively at 70% given that that is supposedly his main asset.

I can't rate his defensive game as it is almost impossible to do so off a television screen.

And as for looking flash, thats not a concern of mine. Slattery for instance gets the job done most weeks and you will never hear me complain about him.

 

[Smokin]

site says Hurley and Daniher are over their injuries and expected to be available, and in a round about way suggested McVeigh as well (yest).

Hurley for Fletch, and Daniher for Lucas to play as a lead up half forward with McPhee, with Lloyd out of the square?

Pfft, they wont drop Lucas.

 

[Daytripper]

site says Hurley and Daniher are over their injuries and expected to be available, and in a round about way suggested McVeigh as well (yest).

Hurley for Fletch, and Daniher for Lucas to play as a lead up half forward with McPhee, with Lloyd out of the square?

Pfft, they wont drop Lucas.

That is good news.