Game Day Opening Round vs. GWS, Giants Stadium, 7:30pm Sat 09/03

[Bianconeri]

We could have left AJ out and played Cox predominantly forward to drop the ball to our smalls. Frampton had zero impact as a forward in the GF, so we haven't actually lost anything. Fin would have been ideal in the Adams role.

Then gone short whenever Cox was on the bench or in the ruck (which would be like 60% of the game) and allow Taylor to make everything that get kicked down there.

Finn also is t suited to play Adams role up forward which has partly Ben replaced by Schultz.

Other option is Beau, who needs to show more than just being a tackling honey badger. They've tried him in the middle this pre-season and he hasn't stuck.

Whilst I still think Beau has to offer more to be a lock I’m not sure Macrae a better option at this stage.

 

[Apex36]

View attachment 1922338

Lachie Keeffe doesn't exist

Assuming these are trades, Keefe was picked up as a DFA. If they’re just players who’ve played for both teams, then yeah this is a funny omission

 

[Magpies Swoop Ya]

McCreery is the player I have on notice. He is a bull, no doubt. More goals or more disposals. His best is elite, his worst is VFL. Needs to bridge the gap.

Noble plays a different role but I expect he’ll return to the VFL once Howe comes back.

Hopefully McCreery takes it to another level this year & as you mentioned, it’s with extra goals & disposals, not many like for like replacements.

 

[unplugged]

Assuming these are trades, Keefe was picked up as a DFA. If they’re just players who’ve played for both teams, then yeah this is a funny omission

It was just a matter of "How many players have played for the Pies & GWS?"

Poor Lachie

 

[stormskye]

Hopefully McCreery takes it to another level this year & as you mentioned, it’s with extra goals & disposals, not many like for like replacements.

Eddie betts one of the best small forwards ever only averaged 12 disposals. It’s a tough gig the small forward role. A lot of what mccreery does is when he doesn’t have ball
In hand. I do agree it would be nice to get his average to a goal a game. Lots to do with confidence in his case

 

[Gone Critical]

I prefer Reef over AJ, and Finn has been outstanding this preseason. Noble has had a great preseason too, but we really need to get MaCrae into that midfield to see if he is the future once Pendles and Sidebottom has finished. His clearance work can improve us even more

Yeah I'm starting to become frustrated for him too

He's 100% out the door this year if he doesn't get into the side sometime soon. Contract runs out this year and no way he re-signs if he's not a regular in the 23 by year's end and I wouldn't begrudge him leaving either.

I really really hope we have a plan for managing our older mids through the season as opposed to just playing them every week.

I won't see it as a big issue if they give Fin a go soon. However, if he isn't selected in the first 4-6 weeks, after his great pre-season and obvious effort in tank improvement and doing everything they asked, then I worry that we're not thinking about the long term. Getting games into the next wave is crucial for sustained success. It was the one thing that I don't think was managed well last year.

4th year player who does everything on the track to impress pre season but slips a bit in the practice games and doesn't get selected round 1 isnt a great pedigree. Finn is fighting with HH, Allen, Harry D, Sullivan etc etc for next spot that becomes available. He is no certainty to get games in 24 and if he doesnt will probably be delisted and unlikely to be picked up by anyone.

No way do you rest guys to give a few others a chance to see if they are up to it. Finn gets games if and when he shows he is in the best 22, he isnt yet and my guess is he will be passed by a few of the younger guys by seasons end. At the moment he looks Cal Brown lite, and if you are not as good as Cal you aint going to have a big career. Hopefully he can go above that. Its a tough gig, we have a strong list. If we offer Finn a contract he would grab it with both hands today. He wont get offered one for a good while as it stands if he is offered one at all.

 

[unplugged]

Eddie betts one of the best small forwards ever only averaged 12 disposals. It’s a tough gig the small forward role. A lot of what mccreery does is when he doesn’t have ball
In hand. I do agree it would be nice to get his average to a goal a game. Lots to do with confidence in his case

In Mccreery's favour is the fact McRae was a similar player and he knows you're not always going to kick a goal or get 20 touches. If he keeps bringing the effort and what he's asked, he'll likely stay in the side.

Could be sub but I'd be surprised.

 

[Magpies Swoop Ya]

Eddie betts one of the best small forwards ever only averaged 12 disposals. It’s a tough gig the small forward role. A lot of what mccreery does is when he doesn’t have ball
In hand. I do agree it would be nice to get his average to a goal a game. Lots to do with confidence in his case

A speedy tackling Bull with Betts’s scoring ability , now that would be a special player .
You nailed it being a confidence thing, he was close to kicking 3 in the GF, he’ll be fine

 

[doofdoof]

At the moment he looks Cal Brown lite, and if you are not as good as Cal you aint going to have a big career. Hopefully he can go above that. Its a tough gig, we have a strong list. If we offer Finn a contract he would grab it with both hands today. He wont get offered one for a good while as it stands if he is offered one at all.

Ouch!

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

4th year player who does everything on the track to impress pre season but slips a bit in the practice games and doesn't get selected round 1 isnt a great pedigree. Finn is fighting with HH, Allen, Harry D, Sullivan etc etc for next spot that becomes available. He is no certainty to get games in 24 and if he doesnt will probably be delisted and unlikely to be picked up by anyone.

No way do you rest guys to give a few others a chance to see if they are up to it. Finn gets games if and when he shows he is in the best 22, he isnt yet and my guess is he will be passed by a few of the younger guys by seasons end. At the moment he looks Cal Brown lite, and if you are not as good as Cal you aint going to have a big career. Hopefully he can go above that. Its a tough gig, we have a strong list. If we offer Finn a contract he would grab it with both hands today. He wont get offered one for a good while as it stands if he is offered one at all.

I personally disagree but it is what it is

I think Finn's biggets issue(s) right now are:

• His seeming lack of versatility. He's an inside mid. That's it. He's great at it. But that's his 1 wood. He has no other clubs
• His competition to get into the side is Tom Mitchell

So one of two things needs to happen for Fin to get in. He either needs to find another role he can play capably, or hope for Tom Mitchell to get injured.

But I think he'd easily be getting senior games at plenty of other clubs, particularly clubs lower on the contested possession/clearance ladder.

 

[jimmy35]

As nice it will be to see Carlolton get pumped tonight I wish we were playing. Have to wait another day still

 

[Jen2310]

I personally disagree but it is what it is

I think Finn's biggets issue(s) right now are:

• His seeming lack of versatility. He's an inside mid. That's it. He's great at it. But that's his 1 wood. He has no other clubs
• His competition to get into the side is Tom Mitchell

So one of two things needs to happen for Fin to get in. He either needs to find another role he can play capably, or hope for Tom Mitchell to get injured.

But I think he'd easily be getting senior games at plenty of other clubs, particularly clubs lower on the contested possession/clearance ladder.

What ive noticed this pre-season is that he now has the capacity to play on the wing, has done it fairly often in match sim, and doesn't look out of place. But clearly inside is his preferred and what he does best.
Mitchell isn't getting any younger, so he'll get opportunity. Just needs to take it when it comes.

 

[Bianconeri]

I personally disagree but it is what it is

I think Finn's biggets issue(s) right now are:

• His seeming lack of versatility. He's an inside mid. That's it. He's great at it. But that's his 1 wood. He has no other clubs
• His competition to get into the side is Tom Mitchell

So one of two things needs to happen for Fin to get in. He either needs to find another role he can play capably, or hope for Tom Mitchell to get injured.

But I think he'd easily be getting senior games at plenty of other clubs, particularly clubs lower on the contested possession/clearance ladder.

The bolded is yet to be seen

 

[domus]

The Collingwood lineup is very impressive, they'll need to be at their best to stay with us.

That's a given. We all know we are good. Just acknowledging the quality of our opposition.

 

[Magpies Swoop Ya]

I personally disagree but it is what it is

I think Finn's biggets issue(s) right now are:

• His seeming lack of versatility. He's an inside mid. That's it. He's great at it. But that's his 1 wood. He has no other clubs
• His competition to get into the side is Tom Mitchell

So one of two things needs to happen for Fin to get in. He either needs to find another role he can play capably, or hope for Tom Mitchell to get injured.

But I think he'd easily be getting senior games at plenty of other clubs, particularly clubs lower on the contested possession/clearance ladder.

I personally disagree but it is what it is

I think Finn's biggets issue(s) right now are:

• His seeming lack of versatility. He's an inside mid. That's it. He's great at it. But that's his 1 wood. He has no other clubs
• His competition to get into the side is Tom Mitchell

So one of two things needs to happen for Fin to get in. He either needs to find another role he can play capably, or hope for Tom Mitchell to get injured.

But I think he'd easily be getting senior games at plenty of other clubs, particularly clubs lower on the contested possession/clearance ladder.

He may be desperate for selection but surly he isn’t “hoping for Mitchell to get injured” lol

 

[jathanas]

Yeah I'm starting to become frustrated for him too

He's 100% out the door this year if he doesn't get into the side sometime soon. Contract runs out this year and no way he re-signs if he's not a regular in the 23 by year's end and I wouldn't begrudge him leaving either.

I really really hope we have a plan for managing our older mids through the season as opposed to just playing them every week.

Fin wouldn't have to be the world's most strategic thinker to recognise that the side will soon have space for him.

Pendles won't play for ever and soon after that Mitchell.

I wouldn't begrudge him looking elsewhere though. People can't be expected to be infinitely patient.

This is just round 1 and Fin is in the top 25-27 players of the premiership club. He wouldn't be calling his agent just yet.

 

[Jen2310]

Fin wouldn't have to be the world's most strategic thinker to recognise that the side will soon have space for him.

Pendles won't play for ever and soon after that Mitchell.

I wouldn't begrudge him looking elsewhere though. People can't be expected to be infinitely patient.

This is just round 1 and Fin is in the top 25-27 players of the premiership club. He wouldn't be calling his agent just yet.

If he plays more in the 2nd half of the year, I doubt he'd complain about not playing opening round.
He would know he is next in line, and just keep working, his time will come and it's very soon.

 

[RobJD]

If he plays more in the 2nd half of the year, I doubt he'd complain about not playing opening round.
He would know he is next in line, and just keep working, his time will come and it's very soon.

We've got 3 games in 12 days this month, I'll be amazed if he doesn't play in at least one of those, as you say, plenty of time and there will be opportunities.

 

[Jen2310]

We've got 3 games in 12 days this month, I'll be amazed if he doesn't play in at least one of those, as you say, plenty of time and there will be opportunities.

Yeah, fly indicated it could very much be next week v swans.

 

[unplugged]

Just saw its likely to be still 25-27ish come game time tomorrow in Sydney. Assume that means similar conditions to last night where it could be muggy and slippery.

With that in mind, hopefully Titch can hit the ground running this season. Was in cruise control in the practice matches.

 

[memoryofmchale]

4th year player who does everything on the track to impress pre season but slips a bit in the practice games and doesn't get selected round 1 isnt a great pedigree. Finn is fighting with HH, Allen, Harry D, Sullivan etc etc for next spot that becomes available. He is no certainty to get games in 24 and if he doesnt will probably be delisted and unlikely to be picked up by anyone.

No way do you rest guys to give a few others a chance to see if they are up to it. Finn gets games if and when he shows he is in the best 22, he isnt yet and my guess is he will be passed by a few of the younger guys by seasons end. At the moment he looks Cal Brown lite, and if you are not as good as Cal you aint going to have a big career. Hopefully he can go above that. Its a tough gig, we have a strong list. If we offer Finn a contract he would grab it with both hands today. He wont get offered one for a good while as it stands if he is offered one at all.

He didn’t slip in the practice game. He played very well. The club is more than aware of his talent. He’s not a Cal Brown. If he was offered a contract today, he’d wait. Because there were teams queueing last year. He back himself in as he’d likely have left for someone not as good. Fin will have a career. He just needs opportunity. In the same boat as McInnes of needing that chance.

 

[Bianconeri]

Fin wouldn't have to be the world's most strategic thinker to recognise that the side will soon have space for him.

Pendles won't play for ever and soon after that Mitchell.

I wouldn't begrudge him looking elsewhere though. People can't be expected to be infinitely patient.

This is just round 1 and Fin is in the top 25-27 players of the premiership club. He wouldn't be calling his agent just yet.

There’s no guarantee Fin will still be on an AFL list when that room opens up for him.

 

[Bianconeri]

He didn’t slip in the practice game. He played very well. The club is more than aware of his talent. He’s not a Cal Brown. If he was offered a contract today, he’d wait. Because there were teams queueing last year. He back himself in as he’d likely have left for someone not as good. Fin will have a career. He just needs opportunity. In the same boat as McInnes of needing that chance.

Pretty sure both Cal and Tyler Brown have played more under Fly than Fin.

 

[doofdoof]

The bolded is yet to be seen

Chicken and egg. He's shown plenty in VFL, training, practice matches. Hard to show it in the AFL when you don't get picked.

Pretty sure both Cal and Tyler Brown have played more under Fly than Fin.

What a random comment!? Would you prefer to have them back on the list instead of Fin?

 

[Bianconeri]

Chicken and egg. He's shown plenty in VFL, training, practice matches. Hard to show it in the AFL when you don't get picked.



What a random comment!? Would you prefer to have them back on the list instead of Fin?

I know it hard to show it at AFL level when you don’t get picked for the AFL team but that doesn’t change the fact that he hasn’t shown he’s a great inside mid.

Thought it warranted a mention considering Cal Brown was brought up.