Unofficial Preview Round 1 Vs Giants - Saturday March 16

[Roosurgence]

They might elect to go with the better ruckman in Greenwood

You wouldn’t think it based on size, but I have more faith in Greenwood competing in the ruck than CCJ. CCJ has been horrible when he pinch hits in the ruck.

 

[The Nostradamus]

CCJ is the better option

Just needs a run of games at it which he should get this year

And hopefully then holds down the spot for several years

But if not Finnbar to put pressure on through good form

 

[guapo]

If Scott is fit he’s in the starting 18 over Tucker. Also I think Shiels has a spot in that side given how young they are and the lack of experience.

Zurhaar is not starting on the bench in favour of Lazarro.

I don’t think CCJ is a lock either. Yes he’s big , but I haven’t seen anything to tell me that he is even a competent, let alone second ruckman.

Also think we need to consider Pink, even if it’s as insurance in the bench.

It’s pretty close, but if I was making some tweaks it might look like the below.

FB - J Goater/ A Corr, T Pink, C McKercher
CHB - Z Fisher, K Dawson, H Sheezal
C - B Scott, LDU, D Stephens
CHF - C Zurhaar, Greenwood, J Simpkin
FF - J Stephenson, N Larkey, P Curtis
Ruck - T Xerri, T Powell, G Wardlaw
Bench - JGoater/ A Corr, C Lazarro, L Shiels. The last bench spot could be any number of players Harvey, Tucker, Dursma, CCJ, McDonald or Comben.

The practice match against St Kilda will tell us a lot about where they are leaning, as you would think it would be close to a dress rehearsal.

Greenwood is the risky move, but given CCJ’s output I’m inclined to roll the dice and see how the mid sized second ruck works? Greenwood is actually a better ruckman the CCJ and gives that extra ground level player up forward too.

Phillips 29th on your list, not even in the 6 candidates for the last bench spot?

 

[speedy]

Yep, definition of regression. Thanks for proving my point don’t even look best 23 last year.

I don't think you could define 5th in the b&f as atrocious? haters are going to hate I guess.

 

[FAILTOSUCCEED]

I don't think you could define 5th in the b&f as atrocious? haters are going to hate I guess.

That was 2 seasons ago mate. Why didn’t you list 2023? Because he was a potato so you decided to omit that.

 

[speedy]

The B&F over the last four seasons is worth less than a truckload of dead rats in a tampon factory.

I'll let Sheez know his Syd Barker is for the tip.

 

[speedy]

That was 2 seasons ago mate. Why didn’t you list 2023? Because he was a potato so you decided to omit that.

His 2023 was poor, I agree. I just don't agree he has been poor for a while.

 

[The Nostradamus]

^its pointless debate for now

Lmacs co captain and will play/at least be given first crack

Then if he stinks it up continually would be in doubt but chances are he’ll play a few decent games along the way amongst the poor ones to keep his spot

Next year we should be replacing him tho

 

[FAILTOSUCCEED]

His 2023 was poor, I agree. I just don't agree he has been poor for a while.

OK so we agree he has been poor lately and is a potato, and that we have plenty of other great options that should have taken over him now. Great.

 

[FAILTOSUCCEED]

^its pointless debate for now

Lmacs co captain and will play/at least be given first crack

Then if he stinks it up continually would be in doubt but chances are he’ll play a few decent games along the way amongst the poor ones to keep his spot

Next year we should be replacing him tho

Yeah you are probably right. But if he isn’t playing well should be dropped, and replaced swiftly.

 

[the big lebowski]

CCJ has been horrible

Agreed

 

[Roosurgence]

Phillips 29th on your list, not even in the 6 candidates for the last bench spot?

Not at the moment based on team balance. We have plenty of midfield options and if you want to make a case for him, then it is probably at the expense of Lazzaro. Lazarro has probably earned himself first crack.

It doesn’t mean Phillips won’t potentially play a lot of games this year, just others are shading him at the moment.

If you look at the side on paper there is plenty of centre square midfield coverage and Phillips isn’t as flexible as others.

 

[Frank Thring]

It’s going to be one of the most selfless and important roles in the side.

Him pushing up and allowing LDU and George to go about their business at stoppages is going to be vital.

Alex Neal Bullen has played this role at the Dees a lot which has allowed Petracca and Oliver to dominate games.

Great analogy mate

 

[spurs]

Watching the saints v Essendon game and both goals for the saints is due to McKay being beaten. Happy he’s gone.

 

[Roosurgence]

Watching the saints v Essendon game and both goals for the saints is due to McKay being beaten. Happy he’s gone.

He doesn’t give off elite defender vibes and that’s that they are paying him to be.

I liked what I saw of Pink as a replacement, isn’t as athletic as McKay but looks a smarter footballer based on very limited vision.

The key to our defence will be getting them to function as one unit and McKay’s strength was never playing a role within a system. He looked at his best when the game panned out to the way he wanted to play.

 

[zoomba23]

The B&F over the last four seasons is worth less than a truckload of dead rats in a tampon factory.

'Is this the potato farm?'

'Yes. I am Albert Potato'

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

'Is this the potato farm?'

'Yes. I am Albert Potato'

Glad someone got the reference.

 

[My Left Foote]

Watching the saints v Essendon game and both goals for the saints is due to McKay being beaten. Happy he’s gone.

The * fans will turn on him SO quickly when he starts serving that up in the season proper.

 

[Roosurgence]

The * fans will turn on him SO quickly when he starts serving that up in the season proper.

The * playing group have cottoned on that he can’t kick. The 20-30 mins I watched they pretty much ignored him even when he was in position to receive LOL!

He will be ok for them, but is ok what you expect for a player they have given big money to?

In the modern game defence is all system based, so better getting a player that has afl attributes but can play in a system, rather than a player who has the natural attributes to be elite, but is dumb as a post and doesn’t work well in that system.

 

[Swallow_Wood]

B: McDonald - Pink - Goater
HB: McKercher - K. Dawson - Sheezel
C: Scott - Powell - Stephens
HF: Stephenson - CCJ - Simpkin
F: Zurhaar - Larkey - Curtis
R: Xerri - LDU - Wardlaw
Int: Lazzaro - Fisher - Phillips - Sheils
Sub: Tucker/Greenwood

 

[guapo]

Not at the moment based on team balance. We have plenty of midfield options and if you want to make a case for him, then it is probably at the expense of Lazzaro. Lazarro has probably earned himself first crack.

It doesn’t mean Phillips won’t potentially play a lot of games this year, just others are shading him at the moment.

If you look at the side on paper there is plenty of centre square midfield coverage and Phillips isn’t as flexible as others.

The hype around Lazarro is OTT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Y Factor]

Thats not for me to think about but someone will have to make way...however if l had to choose then l would remove Bergman , bench Goater and put in Comben...Not sure who will make way for McDonald but might end up being Phillips which is unfortunate because he wi playing well. Begamn or Phillips could then be the 5th bench player (sub). The thing that is confusing is there is no mention as to why Comben didnt play against the Pies. if he doesn't play against the saints then l would be starting to worry about whats going on with him...

A minor issue , should come up

 

[Liam Boy]

I think we all want to see Lazarro do well because he's a nice guy and he's got some exciting traits, but yeah, we'll see if the hype is real. Certainly he gets a crack in round 1.

 

[Moti]

The hype around Lazarro is OTT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He offers something different.

 

[Roosurgence]

The hype around Lazarro is OTT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree.

I like Phillips more long term, but I feel that they will ho with Lazarro based on his body of work and improvement over the preseason.

The best thing is that we are having to make these calls and not gift players games because we don’t have any depth.