Preview Match Preview: Semi Final- Sydney vs Carlton @ ANZ Stadium on 14/09/2013

[grimlock]

Looking into the balance of the team, it seems a restructure will/has been made. We've lost 2 forwards in Rohan and McGlynn (although Benny did move onto Smith in the second half) and replaced them with a defender in Biggs and a utility in Cunningham. It's not clear what the exact changes will be, but with McVeigh in doubt he seems the most likely player to move from defence either to a midfield or half-forward role or out of the team altogether. He wouldn't have been relishing playing on one of the Amigos in any case.

Cunningham has played most of his reserves football as an onballer but could also slot in as a defensive half-forward or rebounding half-back. He is also likely to be wearing a sub's vest, either the green or the red, during the game - it will depend whether the coaches see enough progression in Jetta's fitness to promote him to starting the match but withdrawing him sometime in the 3rd quarter.

In terms of matchups, the two danger men down back will be Simpson and Walker. Simpson is Carlton's lesser-known version of Hodge and we must not repeat last week's mistake of allowing them to have a spare man down back. Along with Walker, they provide most of Carlton's run and thrust from the back half, although Walker did have a very quiet day at the office last week.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Haha, I'm just imagining Horse pointing at the whiteboard and saying this to the players before the game.

Can't help but giggle.

Conjures up images of Gary's stirring speech to the peace conference in Team America.

 

[J_Moore]

I really feel we need more zip in the forward line. I don't think we're too tall there provided we have 1-2 crumbers actually looking lively. But last week, they all looked like statues.

 

[Kummerspeck]

I really feel we need more zip in the forward line. I don't think we're too tall there provided we have 1-2 crumbers actually looking lively. But last week, they all looked like statues.

I actually think part of the issue was using Rohan as a crumber. If he's in the forward line, it seems like he'd be better as a lead up forward, the only issue is, there's an abundance of them. Back on the wing for him ASAP.

 

[RW]

It might be a wet track (though nowhere near as wet as our last game against Carlton!!), with rain forecast for early Saturday, but should clear up before the evening. If so, Jude could thrive in those conditions with his tackle pressure inside 50.

Perhaps they're planning to rotate McVeigh through the forward line as well, it would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago given his form playing across half back but given his injury and the fact that they have brought in Biggs who is a defender, this may support the restructure theory, we could use McVeigh's goal sense.

 

[The King!]

I think we will see a less cluttered forward set up with space for tippett, isolate him on jamison

 

[RW]

I was away when we played Carlton earlier in the year but saw the highlights and Tippett was fantastic in the wet that night, I know our tall forward set up has been coming in for some criticism lately but you can't deny he is a brilliant talent!

 

[Superstar swan]

They really don't have a matchup for Tippett, Jameson is too small and if we can be cleaner with our disposal, he should be able to get away from jameson

 

[SM]

Yeah missed the game earlier in the year against the Blues due to higher priorities than a torrentially flooded game that we were never going to lose (apart from the mild heart palpitations I suffered upon checking the score when they got within 10). Was Tippett's second game back if I recall correctly, and we seemed to be all over them through the midfield. That's the main concern that has emerged in recent weeks as others have touched on, and we really need to inject some energy into the midfield, which is probably why Cunningham has been brought in.

 

[HARKER]

Malthouse is priceless. I'm paraphrasing his response to the press

"How the hell did you guys know Kreuzer was injured"
"We looked through the window in the canteen"
"What the ........you can do that ?"
"See through glass ? Yeah"
"Wow. You learn something every day"

He's a strange cat alright and his best work isn't necessarily in front of the camera.

Seems that McLean will now be an in after performing well on the track this morning, with Menzel the likely out.

Nice to be on a board where football is discussed and Carlton is called by it's name as opposed to scum, Carltank, filth etc.

 

[S120]

Yeh I had a feeling McLean would be brought in. If he's fit, you'd be hard pressed to keep him out of a cut-throat final given the way he attacks the ball and the contest.

Some match ups that I think are pretty good chances:

Smith to Betts
Richards to Waite
Rampe to Duigan
Grundy to Casboult/Warnock
Unsure who will get Garlett, Biggs or Everitt (Dre got him earlier this year)

ROK to Judd
Kennedy to McLean
Jack to Murphy
Hannebery to Gibbs

Jamison to Tippett
Henderson to Pyke/Mumford
McIness to White (though I think Walker to try get the Jesse match up and do what Hodge did last week is a big chance)
Bird to Simpson
Bolton to Tuohy

 

[HARKER]

Grundy to Casboult/Warnock

We had one unlikely hero in Duigan last week and if we were to have another this week, it may just be Casboult.

Your back-line functions well without doubt but if the ball does come in right, the 190cm Grundy may find it hard against the 198cm Casboult.

Reckon Sydney may just find it tough somewhere through the finals without LRT. Big loss for you guys.

 

[The King!]

Waite is a good player and from a pure footy point of view its good to see him up and about, hopefully he doesnt fire tonight. But ted has his work cut out thats for sure.

 

[grimlock]

Waite is a good player and from a pure footy point of view its good to see him up and about, hopefully he doesnt fire tonight. But ted has his work cut out thats for sure.

I really hope Waite fires up tonight. Massively

 

[swansfan51]

That comparison is mind boggling just watch Lamb game against WCE to see how good he can be 19 disposals and 2 goals.

Meredith had 14 disposals and 2 goals against Carlton

 

[disgruntled goat]

He may also be used as backup in case Macca's knee doesn't make it through the game. If we do get a good lead up and McVeigh gets a bit sore Horse will want to pull him immediately for the week after. Ronnie could slot straight in.

(Ronnie ? Robba ? Choo choo ? What are they calling Mr Biggs ?)

Smally Biggs would be good.

 

[grimlock]

His nickname at the club is Shiggsy

 

[Gongswan]

I think we'll be clogging hte midfield instead of teh forward line. Jesse playing up the ground, leaving Tippo with one or two crumbers. Jetta to be the sub, least match fit player out htere

 

[Swan Dive]

The equation on Saturday night is simple.

For us to win, we need our fittest team on the park, and they ALL need to play a four quarter game.

 

[Punts]

So ANZ is getting 2 games of NRL played on it, should be in prime condition for tomorrow night , what a joke

 

[replicant]

Jetta has to play a full game, or he's going to be sub the rest of the season. He's had a couple of runs, so he should be good to start.

 

[The King!]

So ANZ is getting 2 games of NRL played on it, should be in prime condition for tomorrow night , what a joke

Bit concerning, though the scg is missing a light tower

 

[Punts]

Bit concerning, though the scg is missing a light tower

The surface there is already a joke let along playing 2 games of NRL on it. It will be in bad shape no doubt come tomorrow night

 

[Ships]

Smally Biggs would be good.

Biggs 'Bosun'. The God particle's defensive younger brother. Yeah, nah.

He looked so composed and played with real intent against the Hawks, and I'm hoping he keeps that positive mindset and doesn't get overawed in his first final. Really looking forward to seeing how he goes (about it).

 

[Tedeski]

Yeh I had a feeling McLean would be brought in. If he's fit, you'd be hard pressed to keep him out of a cut-throat final given the way he attacks the ball and the contest.

Some match ups that I think are pretty good chances:

Smith to Betts
Richards to Waite
Rampe to Duigan
Grundy to Casboult/Warnock
Unsure who will get Garlett, Biggs or Everitt (Dre got him earlier this year)

ROK to Judd
Kennedy to McLean
Jack to Murphy
Hannebery to Gibbs

Jamison to Tippett
Henderson to Pyke/Mumford
McIness to White (though I think Walker to try get the Jesse match up and do what Hodge did last week is a big chance)
Bird to Simpson
Bolton to Tuohy

Well there lies our problem.
We play too many shut down roles leaving us a step behind after winning the clearance. We don't have enough players in attacking positions once we win the ball because we have been in such a defensive mindset over the last 6 weeks. Just one step behind leaves us vulnerable.

I'm confident the coaches & leaders will have rectified our issues. Not playing Goodes is a good start. I still strongly believe that Towers has been made sub for another unknown injury to a tall. Mumford, Tippett, Everitt or White are the reasons he is there.
Is Mumford right to go after coming off at 3Q time. With Kreuzer out, this leaves them weaker in the ruck so now White can do some ruck work. Towers could play White's role but he has greater acceleration.

So my hunch for late changes should these players not come up would be Towers in for Mummy. Lamb in for Bolton.
This makes us more mobile up forward. Lamb is a very smart forward & I would be more comfortable with him there for this game.