Preview Finals Week 1 - Carlton v Sydney Swans - A Preview Driven By AI

[GoTheSwannies]

If he's fit he offers significantly more than Stephens, especially in a final where you need game breakers.

There's zero chance Stephens scores the intercept goal JMac snared in the prelim last year.

JMac is definitely the better and more dynamic player, but I wouldn't be so quick to write Stephens off. Kicked a cracking goal in the 2022 finals series and I thought his game last week against Melbourne was really solid. I think he'd rise to the occasion if presented with the opportunity.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If he's fit he offers significantly more than Stephens, especially in a final where you need game breakers.

There's zero chance Stephens scores the intercept goal JMac snared in the prelim last year.

Disagree you take fit players not players that are half fit

 

[ashep]

Disagree you take fit players not players that are half fit

I said if fit.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I said if fit.

You can’t be 100% match fit with this long out. Play him as the sub.

 

[caesar88]

I’m amazed McI is widely assumed to be an “in”.

He’s missed a fair bit of footy - does he come in for Stephens, who has been going ok?

I’m not so sure.

It really depends on how much footy he's missed because of the injury and how much footy he's missed because of carefulness.

If it's the latter then it's possible he could've played last week and they decided to be extra cautious so he was right for this week. (Horse said as much about Papley.)

If it's the former, well yeah he's probably gonna need more training under his belt.

Stephens being just "ok" has made it a really clear cut decision between the two though if both fit.

 

[Bloods86]

We all know Clarke or Francis will be sub anyway.

 

[Wolfgang West]

I’m amazed McI is widely assumed to be an “in”.

He’s missed a fair bit of footy - does he come in for Stephens, who has been going ok?

I’m not so sure.

It’s an Elimination Final. We need to ride our luck. If McInerney is right to go he must play. If it’s at Stephens expense so be it. Stephens was reasonable last week but he has been several times and the next week shits the bed. This is not about him it’s more about McInerney who is somewhat of a barometer for us in his best form. Having said that take your point match fitness and a final and all that but I trust McInerney more at this point. We need every player to contribute next week and play a role as does any team in a cut throat final. Just have to be harder for longer. That’s Finals Footy.

 

[bloodsbigot]

I just want to see Ruck Jesus take a running bounce.

I'll be laughing at my TV if that happens. If the games already done and dusted he should just go for it.

 

[monopoly19]

Did Paps further injure himself after the Adelaide game or was last week precautionary? Or is it all a bit hush hush?

 

[GoTheSwannies]

The fact that the Melbourne game wasn't a must win meant we could afford to be extra cautious with Papley and JMac. And considering where we were a month or so earlier that was a huge benefit to hold going into the last round of the H&A season. Who would have thought we'd have that luxury?

So there's every chance that we've taken the conservative with both of them. The extra week off has been another blessing. It's fair to say we've had a bit of luck from the footy gods this season.

I'd say with JMac. We can afford to keep him on the bench a little longer and rotate him more often given hos lack of match fitness. And we always have the option of subbing him ourlt early in the 4th if he's gassed. But then again, that would imply a tactical use of the sub. So we've probably got Buckley's of that happening.

Alternatively, I'd strongly consider subbing Amartey out in the 4th. His 2nd half fade outs are well documented and I wasn't particularly impressed with his work around the ground in the 2nd half against Melbourne last week. Had several chances but had no impact. Either taking a mark up forward or winning contests up the ground.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

It’s an Elimination Final. We need to ride our luck. If McInerney is right to go he must play. If it’s at Stephens expense so be it. Stephens was reasonable last week but he has been several times and the next week shits the bed. This is not about him it’s more about McInerney who is somewhat of a barometer for us in his best form. Having said that take your point match fitness and a final and all that but I trust McInerney more at this point. We need every player to contribute next week and play a role as does any team in a cut throat final. Just have to be harder for longer. That’s Finals Footy.

I agree that McI is a barometer - and when in form, adds a lot.

And yet ….. I can’t recall a single instance where taking an unfit or underdone player into a final has worked for us.

But I do suspect McI will get the call-up, because if it ain’t this week, it ain’t gonna be anytime in season 2023. We need to roll the dice a bit.

 

[Punts]

Jmac for Stephens

Paps for Clarke

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I believe our last quarter fadeouts are directly linked to Hickey's inability to jump at ruck contests.
He struggles to give a good contest by the end of the third quarter & our midfielders get poor service because of it.

… so he needs to let McL ruck in the 4th & instead surprise everyone by running with the Sherrin (and take a bounce).

 

[LukeParkerno1]

We all know Clarke or Francis will be sub anyway.

Why are we having a tall as a sub

 

[KingV23]

They may as well put me as sub. Its not like we use them

 

[Kiama Chris]

I’m amazed McI is widely assumed to be an “in”.

He’s missed a fair bit of footy - does he come in for Stephens, who has been going ok?

I’m not so sure.

Totally agree. Better for Juzzy to be the sub I think. Replace Hick at 3/4 time or just after and let Big Mac ruck out the final quarter. Push Campbell forward and replace with Juzzy.
I would also play either Francis or Melican instead of Harry (sob!) and Paps in for Clarke.

 

[Punts]

Campbell is one that needs to step up also when the heats on

Deer in headlights last week

Would rather him sub and jmac in if was the choice

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Campbell is one that needs to step up also when the heats on

Deer in headlights last week

Would rather him sub and jmac in if was the choice

Yeah. Campbell really failed to have any sort of impact.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Yeah. Campbell really failed to have any sort of impact.

Still good progression for him this season.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Still good progression for him this season.

Agree he's taken a leap this season. But finals are another step up. His performance against Melbourne doesn't fill me with confidence that he's capable of having an impact, but I'd gladly be proven wrong.

 

[Nuggetz]

Hope harry McKay

10

Harry Mckay

Age

27

Ht

200cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.4

5star

D

6.6

1star

K

4.6

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.4

5star

D

8.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

G

2.0

5star

doesn't suddenly find form

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Hope harry McKay doesn't suddenly find form

Damn. I hadn't even thought about McKay given he's been a passenger all year. But duds seem to have a habit of coming good against us.

 

[Nuggetz]

Juzzy and paps to start if fit. We can always sub them off if either of them get injured again. Stephens sub.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Juzzy and paps to start if fit. We can always sub them off if either of them get injured again. Stephens sub.

I suppose may as well take the risk.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I mean we gamble with unfit players in a GF whats a elimination final compared to that!

Shit may as well bring Reid in as well