Preview Finals Week 1: Collingwood v Melbourne, Thursday 7 September, MCG, 7.20pm

[Linda Lovelace]

If we were told at the start of the year that the only key player missing from our 22 going into the finals was a 2nd year player, we would have been thrilled with our luck.

If we're not good to win without Naicos, then we're just not good enough. And I hope the club has the same mentality. If he is fully fit - great. But don't get unnecessarily jittery, rush him back and end up regretting it.

 

[domus]

If we were told at the start of the year that the only key player missing from our 22 going into the finals was a 2nd year player, we would have been thrilled with our luck.

If we're not good to win without Naicos, then we're just not good enough. And I hope the club has the same mentality. If he is fully fit - great. But don't get unnecessarily jittery, rush him back and end up regretting it.

True. If we are relying on a 20 year old to get us over the line that's not good enough. He should be the cherry on top.

 

[domus]

B: Isaac Quaynor, Nathan Murphy, Jeremy Howe
HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard
C: Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey, Josh Daicos
HF: Pat Lipinski, Dan McStay, Beau McCreery
F: Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Bobby Hill
Foll: Darcy Cameron, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Mitchell
I/C: Taylor Adams, John Noble, Jack Ginnivan, Will Hoskin-Elliott
Emerg: Mason Cox, Oleg Markov, Billy Frampton, Fin Macrae

In: Darcy Moore, Nathan Murphy, Beau McCreery
Out: Billy Frampton, Oleg Markov, Fin Macrae

UNAVAILABLE: Nick Daicos, Josh Carmichael, Reef McInnes

MOCK TEAMS: Who's in for finals week one? We make the call

Our reporters pick the ins and outs for week one of the finals

www.afl.com.au

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Just cannot face Melbourne with Darcy Cameron on his own. That's a truly terrifying thought. If he starts dominating Cameron the way Hickey did in the prelim final without the option of Cox going into the centre bounces (which changed the momentum of that final) then we are making it an even harder task than it already is.

 

[ElliottsMaggies]

True. If we are relying on a 20 year old to get us over the line that's not good enough. He should be the cherry on top.

I can't think of any team competing in the finals who couldn't possibly still win their first final because one specific player was missing. Except Carlton if Curnow was not available.

 

[Big Bryza]

That third out is doing my head in even as a supporter. It was 100% Ginnivan until he turned in a good performance on Friday night.

It wouldn't surprise me if WHE is the unlucky one.

So in: Mccreery, Murphy, Moore
Out: Frampton, Macrae, WHE

Any of Markov, Howe or Ginnivan as the sub. WHE first emergency.

It'll get shouted down because it's Ginny and we all love him, but the more i think it about it, the more i think he's the perfect sub option. Yes, he played a blinder last week but that was against a very poor opponent. This Melbourne side is a far different proposition and i think hardened bodies (McCreery) and explosiveness (Elliott, Hill) are the priority. All things going well, Ginny can come on mid way through the 3rd term and impact the game immediately.

My 2nd preference for the sub would be Lipiniski, but he seems to be a Fly favourite so i think he's locked in to the 22. There's no way we go 1 out in the ruck, so Coxy is a certainty to play. Markov has to keep his spot. I'd say WHE will be the unlucky omission but gee he would be very stiff.

In saying that, if Ginny is to start then i'd like to see him play somewhat of a forward tag on Salem or Rivers. They're the 2 best ball users of half back for the Dees and limiting their influence goes a long way to a pies win. Ginny has a very strong Footy IQ so making one of these 2 players second guess themselves gives us a significant advantage.

Pressure for spots is great, the level of training will go through the roof and with the return of Naics on the horizon, those boys on the cusp need to put their best foot forward.

 

[Big Bryza]

True. If we are relying on a 20 year old to get us over the line that's not good enough. He should be the cherry on top.

Fair cherry isn't it. It'll be massive if we win without him and it alleviates any stress to get him back for a Semi Final. Allowing him an extra week of prep would be enormous.

 

[Big Bryza]

Just cannot face Melbourne with Darcy Cameron on his own. That's a truly terrifying thought. If he starts dominating Cameron the way Hickey did in the prelim final without the option of Cox going into the centre bounces (which changed the momentum of that final) then we are making it an even harder task than it already is.

The reality is that Coxy should be the centre square ruckman v Gawn. Coxy has a good leap and enough mongrel about him to not let Gawn just have his way. That goal on QB last year still sticks in the mind. Coxy is due to rip apart a final as well. I'm sensing a game for the ages from the big fella. Unfortunately DC can't get off the ground, probably due to his injury and he'd be better off rucking against Van Rooyen or whoever Melbourne decide is their back up ruckman.

 

[domus]

The reality is that Coxy should be the centre square ruckman v Gawn. Coxy has a good leap and enough mongrel about him to not let Gawn just have his way. That goal on QB last year still sticks in the mind. Coxy is due to rip apart a final as well. I'm sensing a game for the ages from the big fella. Unfortunately DC can't get off the ground, probably due to his injury and he'd be better off rucking against Van Rooyen or whoever Melbourne decide is their back up ruckman.

I agree. I've felt it in my bones for a while , hence my endless promotion of the Mason Cox cause. He might let me down in the end but I think he has the runs on the board and I consider him a key player, particularly against Melbourne. Coxy changed the momentum of the Swans final last year before he was injured. He ripped Richmond apart and had a huge second half in the 2018 grand final. Who can forget his first quarter against the Eagles in Perth when he kicked three goals from strong marks in ten minutes? That's the type of spark we will need.

 

[domus]

I can't think of any team competing in the finals who couldn't possibly still win their first final because one specific player was missing. Except Carlton if Curnow was not available.

He's a freak. A truly gifted athlete who can do it all. There aren't too many of them around. And he kicks laser passes over 60 metres as well.

 

[legendstatus]

I'm getting a good feeling about this game, something similar to when we played Port at the G earlier in the season

 

[Kes1984]

I'm getting a good feeling about this game, something similar to when we played Port at the G earlier in the season

Oh I’d love that. A nice relaxing win!
Do you usually have “feelings” that pan out?

 

[Kes1984]

Ugh still a week to learn our fate.

 

[unplugged]

Ugh still a week to learn our fate.

Wish I'd taken a few days off this place like the players did from the club

 

[Maggie5]

Ugh still a week to learn our fate.

I am going to Pies game tomorrow night, catching up with friends over week-end, then start fretting Monday.

 

[Magnanimous]

Can’t drop Ginni

He’s too dangerous and too smart.

I’d be dropping Sidebottom or Hoskin-Elliot

Think WHE more important than Sidebum of late

from my Delorean

 

[IlovethePies]

For me: OUT: BillyF, Finn, Lippa
IN: Darcy, Murph, Beau
SUB: Sidey
WHE stays in for mine.
Sidey brings on his amazing football intelligence, skills and experience tactically as a sub, but we conserve him for the next final.
SUB was out of Sidey and WHE, and I went with Sidey for these reasons:
a) conservation of the champion for the next final
b) faith in WHE to play a subliminal but critical role, seen at critical moments

 

[manicpie]

Ugh still a week to learn our fate.

Bro, I'm pumped. I have the same feelings as 1990 and 2010. When I feel it in my bones, it's usually a good sign. In 1977 , I had a dream 2 weeks out from the grand final that Twiggy Dunne would take a mark 20 yards out and win the game for us, I was very close

 

[Bianconeri]

If we were told at the start of the year that the only key player missing from our 22 going into the finals was a 2nd year player, we would have been thrilled with our luck.

If we're not good to win without Naicos, then we're just not good enough. And I hope the club has the same mentality. If he is fully fit - great. But don't get unnecessarily jittery, rush him back and end up regretting it.

I think we’d disappointed Nick Daicos is out because no other 2nd year player is best 22.

 

[stormskye]

If we were told at the start of the year that the only key player missing from our 22 going into the finals was a 2nd year player, we would have been thrilled with our luck.

If we're not good to win without Naicos, then we're just not good enough. And I hope the club has the same mentality. If he is fully fit - great. But don't get unnecessarily jittery, rush him back and end up regretting it.

You think the demons would be happy if their AA mid petracca was injured? Because daicos is also an AA mid…. But because he’s a second year player, I guess this doesn’t mean much hey!

 

[Lifelong Pie]

You think the demons would be happy if their AA mid petracca was injured? Because daicos is also an AA mid….

Thank you, just because daicos is a second year player doesn't make him any less important, I'm not saying we have too many injuries and it would be an excuse but there other post saying about him being second year is crazy, he's the best player in the league, pretty sure no team would like to be missing a player who's the best in the league

 

[LuckyLee]

That third out is doing my head in even as a supporter. It was 100% Ginnivan until he turned in a good performance on Friday night.

It wouldn't surprise me if WHE is the unlucky one.

So in: Mccreery, Murphy, Moore
Out: Frampton, Macrae, WHE

Any of Markov, Howe or Ginnivan as the sub. WHE first emergency.

Genuine question - why to you consider Lipinski more worthy of retention than WHE?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[stormskye]

I think WHE has more tools in his belt than CURRENT form lippa. Which means lippa is out for me. WHE can perform forward, wing, back if required.

That only leaves the ? Of which one is sub out of markov, whe, or ginni.

I’ll leave that for the well paid coaches.

As an aside, when daicos is available, it’s gonna be tough for markov. And I hate that. I think we will play daicos at hb on his return, and we can’t play all of daicos, pendles, noble and Markov

 

[jmac70]

I am going to Pies game tomorrow night, catching up with friends over week-end, then start fretting Monday.

Have faith Maggie, we’ll smash them.

 

[legendstatus]

Oh I’d love that. A nice relaxing win!
Do you usually have “feelings” that pan out?

Strong feelings like the one I’m having now are usually spot on!!!!

 

[Fruit]

I think WHE has more tools in his belt than CURRENT form lippa. Which means lippa is out for me. WHE can perform forward, wing, back if required.

That only leaves the ? Of which one is sub out of markov, whe, or ginni.

I’ll leave that for the well paid coaches.

As an aside, when daicos is available, it’s gonna be tough for markov. And I hate that. I think we will play daicos at hb on his return, and we can’t play all of daicos, pendles, noble and Markov

If Markov isn’t in I think Nick D would have to go back. Having that initial run off half back is how we generate our chain of forward ball movement.