Unofficial Preview Round 4 Early Thoughts: Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans @ Etihad

[Kapanis]

Just saw the interview with Horse.

Out: Reid (inj), Melican (inj)
In: Jones, Cameron

Got that vibe too. Clear that Horse and co don't think Allir is match ready yet, another week or two in the neafl for him. Harry Marsh must be in with a chance of a call up also.

 

[Kapanis]

Let's be clear.
I am suggesting Sinclair forward as he looks the goods this year, and Cameron in the ruck.

And let's be real ....
It is inevitable that Cameron will play whether he is ready or not as there is no chance in hell that Sinclair stays uninjurred for 23 rounds. Sad but true.

True, we need a back up to sinkers if history is any indication, blood Cameron now and see how he goes.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Surprised Rohan is coming down.

 

[BloodySwan]

Cameron wouldn't be going up against a seasoned ruckman so if you're going to introduce him this would be the week. I think we're resigned to fact that, most weeks, we'll lose the hitouts but still aim to win clearances.

There's talk Boyd might get a call up. Boyd Vs Cameron might mean Boyd has 2 good performances in his 1mil a season career

 

[brad cooper]

There's talk Boyd might get a call up. Boyd Vs Cameron might mean Boyd has 2 good performances in his 1mil a season career

Unfortunately for us his first good game was a pretty bloody good one on a very important day!

 

[zyzzbruh]

the difference between winning and losing this game literally hangs on who comes in. I'd go with jones and newman. If any 1 of marsh, fox or cameron come in, we will lose.

 

[Donza]

the difference between winning and losing this game literally hangs on who comes in. I'd go with jones and newman. If any 1 of marsh, fox or cameron come in, we will lose.

I reckon the team that scores the most points will win

 

[zyzzbruh]

I reckon the team that scores the most points will win

I wonder how we can determine who scores the most points? Horse may aswell give me a call up, or maybe one position in the team can be left for a swans forum member each week because aslong as we score more we'll win, and the players selected have nothing to do with scoring the most points.

 

[brad cooper]

the difference between winning and losing this game literally hangs on who comes in. I'd go with jones and newman. If any 1 of marsh, fox or cameron come in, we will lose.

Care to elaborate on this? I would have thought that losing 2 talls would mean we need to pick at least 1 to replace them. Our forward line looked much better this week with a 2nd tall target.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I wonder how we can determine who scores the most points? Horse may aswell give me a call up, or maybe one position in the team can be left for a swans forum member each week because aslong as we score more we'll win, and the players selected have nothing to do with scoring the most points.

goodonya zydyperson.... nice to see a Zeusophile ... prepared to toss a few Christians, Muzzis, Buddhis and donkeys (Horse) and presumably Erics Anazi and the Mad Monk over the River Styxx. Pennies to cover all their eyes to pay the ferryman.

 

[Donza]

the difference between winning and losing this game literally hangs on who comes in. I'd go with jones and newman. If any 1 of marsh, fox or cameron come in, we will lose.

The difference between the swans and dogs does not hinge on player 20, 21 and 22.
The teams aren't that close.
The swans need players 1-12 to have a consistent effort...that would be enough.

 

[BloodySwan]

Structure aside we should not lose this match. We are more experienced, bigger bodies with an even spread across midfield who I believe will get us across the line. I'll honestly be pretty shocked if this is a close one, and we will need to have a long hard look at ourselves should we not get over the line.

The Doggies this season is a rebuild, it's not the same list as they had 2yrs ago. Going from last week the following players have less than 50 games there are 11:
-Dale (33)
-McLean (41)
-Dunkley (27)
-Gowers (3)
-Williams (21)
-Richards (2)
-English (5)
-Honeychurch (23)
-Cordy (33)
-Naughton (3)
-Redpath (35)

Comparing it to the Swannies
-Papley (43)
-Hayward (20)
-Florent (12)
-Mills (49)
-Melican (20)

Some of those kids with less than 50 games I do rate but I'm backing our experience to get us over the line

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

The difference between the swans and dogs does not hinge on player 20, 21 and 22.
The teams aren't that close.
The swans need players 1-12 to have a consistent effort...that would be enough.

Respectfully disagree. We need all 22 fired up - 20 if Cunningham and Rohan are playing.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Care to elaborate on this? I would have thought that losing 2 talls would mean we need to pick at least 1 to replace them. Our forward line looked much better this week with a 2nd tall target.

Because neither of them are the slightest resemblance of sam reid. The only benefit that cameron would have is if he plays in the ruck and lets sinkers go forward with buddy, and to throw that on a 0 gamer is a major gamble. Marsh is used goods, or i'd prefer to say no goods, offered us absolutely nothing and was as useful in 2016 as what xavier was. As much as Fox busts his guts he doesn't have the quality to finish it off, hence taking him 8 games in the seniors to win his first. We can afford to sacrifice a tall if it means tried and proven players come in, and we have more of a chance of that happening with jones and newman.

 

[zyzzbruh]

The difference between the swans and dogs does not hinge on player 20, 21 and 22.
The teams aren't that close.
The swans need players 1-12 to have a consistent effort...that would be enough.

Bit over confident i rekn. Don't look at their crap start to the season all they need to do is turn it up a notch on saturday and its game on. I can confidently say in close games 20-22 can 100% be the difference.

 

[brad cooper]

Because neither of them are the slightest resemblance of sam reid. The only benefit that cameron would have is if he plays in the ruck and lets sinkers go forward with buddy, and to throw that on a 0 gamer is a major gamble. Marsh is used goods, or i'd prefer to say no goods, offered us absolutely nothing and was as useful in 2016 as what xavier was. As much as Fox busts his guts he doesn't have the quality to finish it off, hence taking him 8 games in the seniors to win his first. We can afford to sacrifice a tall if it means tried and proven players come in, and we have more of a chance of that happening with jones and newman.

If we go in with 2 smalls we will be playing a match with 3 players over 192cm, leaves us a little thin.

With reference to playing a tall forward in either McCartin or Cameron, it will mean Buddy won't be double teamed and can play further up the ground.

Every player is on zero games before they debut, doesn't mean they cant play.

 

[zyzzbruh]

If we go in with 2 smalls we will be playing a match with 3 players over 192cm, leaves us a little thin.

With reference to playing a tall forward in either McCartin or Cameron, it will mean Buddy won't be double teamed and can play further up the ground.

Every player is on zero games before they debut, doesn't mean they cant play.

do we really want buddy up the ground tho? He’s been more dangerous staying deep. I understand what you mean and I’d agree if it was a more experienced tall coming in. It’s harder to have an impact on a game as a tall let alone an inexperienced one. And a few sides have proven that going shorter and quicker can be more devastating and advantageous. We’re in our window, and in the context of our season matches like this can be the difference between top 4 and a grand final. Sounds great giving someone their debut and everyone needs one but I think this year we need to leave debuts to desperate situations, I don’t see it as a luxury we can go with this week

 

[caesar88]

Why not Maibaum then? He played a decent game in the NEAFL and is a genuine tall defender. And he is just as quick, if not quicker than AA

**Edit** Just read your later post mentioning him coming out from nowhere. Could happen (Kinda like AA in 2016) Then you can have a new favorite player that doesn't get picked when our best 22 are firing haha

Yep I'd be happy for Maibaum to come in if the coaches see him as good enough. When I cry out for a fourth tall it doesn't have to be Aliir. He just happens to be the best of the crop that aren't playing seniors IMO. The last two years we've picked two defenders seemingly out of nowhere and they've both impressed beyond expectations (Aliir in 16, Melican in 17). We could make it a hat-trick

 

[brad cooper]

do we really want buddy up the ground tho? He’s been more dangerous staying deep. I understand what you mean and I’d agree if it was a more experienced tall coming in. It’s harder to have an impact on a game as a tall let alone an inexperienced one. And a few sides have proven that going shorter and quicker can be more devastating and advantageous. We’re in our window, and in the context of our season matches like this can be the difference between top 4 and a grand final. Sounds great giving someone their debut and everyone needs one but I think this year we need to leave debuts to desperate situations, I don’t see it as a luxury we can go with this week

Im not suggesting your wrong, and i wouldn't advocate giving a game for the sake of it. To me though we just looked better in rd 3 than rd 2 with the extra tall forward. I just think we play into the bulldogs hands if we have buddy deep, we'll find out Saturday i guess.

 

[Donza]

Respectfully disagree. We need all 22 fired up - 20 if Cunningham and Rohan are playing.

Whats wrong with cunningham and rohan?
My point is...if Cameron comes in...his inclusion as player number 22 is not going to result in a loss.
Look through a season. Look at the contributions of the 20, 21 22 players . They just need to play with intent and play their role.
The swans lose games when their leaders play below average..

 

[Donza]

do we really want buddy up the ground tho? He’s been more dangerous staying deep. I understand what you mean and I’d agree if it was a more experienced tall coming in. It’s harder to have an impact on a game as a tall let alone an inexperienced one. And a few sides have proven that going shorter and quicker can be more devastating and advantageous. We’re in our window, and in the context of our season matches like this can be the difference between top 4 and a grand final. Sounds great giving someone their debut and everyone needs one but I think this year we need to leave debuts to desperate situations, I don’t see it as a luxury we can go with this week

Problem with buddy staying deep is the defence will zone off him. Then start protecting the space for the other players to lead into.
The swans had multiple goal kickers on the weekend because Buddy was up the ground.
Pagans Paddock like what happened in the west coast game ain't going to work each week.

 

[Number37]

The most important match-up this week will be the umps.
Most of the Dogs play for frees (as soon as they get contact from the opposition they look at the umps)...if the umps are the usual corrupt muppets it will be a lot closer than it should be.

 

[Tedeski]

Got that vibe too. Clear that Horse and co don't think Allir is match ready yet, another week or two in the neafl for him. Harry Marsh must be in with a chance of a call up also.

If any player on our list that has given all to get a senior game after facing the end of his AFL career, deserves another go at senior footy, it's Harry Marsh.
Hell, the guy played a fantastic role in our demolition of Geelong in the 2016 Prelim Final & then unfairly had to make way for an under done Mills or unfit McVeigh. The guy has more reason than most to be p.ssed but he just puts his head down & does his thing for the coaches & club, just in case he is called upon. I would love to see him come in for Melican as the Dogs have a relatively small forward line & Marsh is tough as nails.

 

[Punts]

There injury list is massive but still very concerned about our defence and there small forward line

Smaller forward lines always trouble us as talls dint seem too

 

[Tedeski]

There injury list is massive but still very concerned about our defence and there small forward line

Smaller forward lines always trouble us as talls dint seem too

Yeah I agree Punts. I remember against the Tigers last year at the G when we just got over the top in the end, that we went smaller & it was the difference. I think this game calls for the same.