-
AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Preview Round 5: vs Geelong
- Thread starter freebloke
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Status
Pretty much this. Defensively he was solid, but other than that, at the game he just seemed to me like someone who was probably rushed in before they were really ready, because we wanted to have a look at him, or give him a taste. Like Billings and Gresh before him (both of whom were dropped after one and two games respectively).
He looked to me at the game like someone who was picked off one 18 disposal VFL practice match in 3 weeks and who found it hard to get into the game, at least from an offensive POV. He wasn't bad, but I most certainly didn't leave the game thinking "we must play him again next week", and seeing his stats of 8 disposals, 2 tackles and one point hasn't changed my mind on that. 19 pressure acts is OK for someone playing that role, but it's not like the 29 Lonie has been getting in recent weeks.
I would personally prefer to see Minch play this week, as he is surely coming off vastly better form (28 and 4 v 18 and maybe 1 in their respective last VFL games) and because his best two games have been against Geelong and his quiet games are just as good as Ben's game yesterday. Minch is also rated elite defensively at AFL level.
It's a huge game for us, as if we win it we're a big chance to go 4-2 before we meet GWS and as such I too want us to pick our best available team and from what I saw yesterday, I agree that Benny isn't in there yet- which is nothing to be ashamed of, he's just walked in the door and is only 19yo.
I'd probably prefer we went with any of Steven, Stevens or Minch this week, but really look forward to seeing what Longy produces if he does play, or else later in the year, if he doesn't.
Last edited:
Plugger35
Umpiring Expert
- Sep 27, 2008
- 139,978
- 162,494
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Chelsea, Black Caps, Sea Eagles, Subiaco
Yeah I think Long should get another crack against Geelong, hopefully he'll be a bit more comfortable after getting his first game under his belt.
You can't expect every kid to come in and dominate straight away like Gresham did, they need a few games to get used to the step up in speed and intensity.
Long didn't do a lot stats wise but he did some exciting things at times that make you think he could be a pretty effective small forward for us given time.
If any of our small forwards should be dropped it should be Lonie, he's had enough games now to cement a spot but still isn't doing enough.
I'd like to see Sinclair replace him but I'd be happy to see Minchington get a go or even Wright just as long as it isn't bloody Lonie again.
Crusty Undies
This means peace here!
- Oct 22, 2016
- 3,950
- 8,660
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
and longer for hickey. got spanked.
Only problem with that is that Gresh didn't come in and dominate straight away, the exact opposite in fact. He should IMO have absolutely been dropped after his first game, where he was barely sighted (instead we dropped Acres, who had 22 and kicked a goal, which has to go down as an all-time selection blunder!) and then the next week in a big game Jade was again quiet and out of his depth and made a couple of critical mistakes that were very costly and he was dropped the next week.
Ben didn't look as out of his depth to me as Gresh did in his first couple of games, but he still looked like he wasn't quite there yet and as we are clearly no longer in "play-the-kids" mode and have a must win big game this week, I hope we pick the team we believe will give us the best chance of winning said game.
Probably won't happen though, as Richo is meant to have the world's biggest hard-on for Benny!
Last edited:
Crusty Undies
This means peace here!
- Oct 22, 2016
- 3,950
- 8,660
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Unfortunately he's not good enough in the afl. Curren also dominated VFL but looked trash at top level and minchi looks the same everytime he comes in
PaddysurDaddy
Club Legend
- Mar 30, 2017
- 1,350
- 3,263
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
maybe, but they're different players. Curren wasn't damaging enough, Minch runs out of puff too quick. One is easier to fix (or at least should be)
That's not going to happen. If he was 6cm taller it might, but he's not, so we won't do it. If anyone other than Stuv is coming in for Luke it will be Koby (who last year AVERAGED the 22 disposals that Luke managed in by far his best game in a while last week, and who can also play wing or HF and for 15 minutes more game-time).
If Minch plays we just need him to continue to be elite defensively and to have more of the 14+ disposal games that he started having for the first time last year. He's coming off his first ever full preseason and his disposal numbers have been edging up gradually, so if he's able to push them up again (now that he's fitter) and perhaps have more spells on the ball (if we need him to) then he's likely to be doing his job. His kicking is a real asset in the front half and probably the main reason I like it when he's in the side. He's one of our best kicks inside 50 without a doubt and can also nail a goal or two.
Last edited:
Persevering Saint
Brownlow Medallist
This was the look on Richo's face when a reporter asked him about Ben Long:
Richo loves him. He's a sure thing to play next week.
Richo loves him. He's a sure thing to play next week.
I think for selection integrity minch has to get a go very soon. Unfair to not reward vfl performance especially when there are a few options to be dropped.
On Hi10 pro using BigFooty.com mobile app
On Hi10 pro using BigFooty.com mobile app
Long will play all year ala Gresham.
Not expecting him to dominate, not am I knocking him.
My view is that we should play only best 22 on form and do everything to win games. He will get his opportunities.
StCicatriz
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 3, 2016
- 28,955
- 63,358
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
would rather play long than lonie. atleast long has the flexibility to play a couple of different roles. i think people are under selling some of longs efforts
You just summed up my viewpoint.
This is another Myst win game. If any other player had his stats from yesterday, we'd be calling for him to be dropped.
Can we afford to carry a 10 touch player?
Mate, you'd play anyone rather than Lonie.
It's a fine line isn't it. I agree this is an important game. But this is how we have kids 20-30 games behind the others in their draft, and entire threads dedicated to tearing them down. I hope Long gets a month personally, its blokes like Dunstan with 11 meaningless touches who should be worried about their spots
StCicatriz
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 3, 2016
- 28,955
- 63,358
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
not true. compare the stats, the difference between the two is negligible. yet somehow long isnt considered best 22 yet lonie is?
when we looked like being over run by the pies, long started to attack the game. that overhead mark on the 50 meter arc, when was the last time we had a player on debut do that? he looks to have some size about him even though he's skinny as. he looks a bit like dawson, who whilst skin and bones had a knack for being able to seriously hurt players. long has that look about him, in the way he attacks the man. lonie is literally the opposite, whilst he hunts the man and play very well, he doesnt look like he's actually going to effectively tackle anyone. long on the other hand had some ripping moments for a kid on debut. he just needs to play with that confidence and he will grow into the game, similar to gresham
i also think long helps billings play his natural game a bit better. both can push up high, long more defensively inclined. both great overhead and i think will compliment each other very well.
does anyone have the pressure act stats?
i think the discussion should be lonie vs weller for that defencive fwd spot, or lonie vs gresham for the small fwd role
Mav also goes through the middle of the ground....can't surely be saying we drop Mav he is a barometer in terms of our pressure, tackles as hard as anyone on the field.
- Jan 1, 2007
- 6,665
- 10,138
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Haaaahaha. He's got an Alan Long under the table!
StCicatriz
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 3, 2016
- 28,955
- 63,358
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
not suggesting we drop mav for one second
although i do think he is playing injured
I think he has just missed opportunities this season, he has had a few shots on goal and probably only converted about 25% the other 75% being behinds, I've said it the last few weeks we will end up fixing the shots on goal like that will happen.
Geelong aren't as good as their record suggests.....call me crazy but I'm heading into this week quite confident we can come out with another win to be honest, think other than Selwood/Dangerfield we match up quite well on them and even then add Steven back into our midfield and it definitely goes to another level.
- Status
