Preview Team vs Hawks (Dead Rubber Game for Pies)

[Boris the Contradiction]

It's only Thurs. MM might be doing his "Silver Fox" routine.

I hope you're right

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

....and it's a fair enough position to take.

Personally though, when we have Beams, Didak, Sidebottom, Blair, Macaffer and others who are "midfielders who pinch hit forward", I would prefer the next IN to be a "forward who can pinch hit" in the guts over more of the same. It's not like McCarthy is Didak who when forward, is a genuine forward. He is more of a utility, something we are full to the brim with and when the major issue that could possibly hamper our premiership tilt is our goal kicking accuracy; a specialist forward or two could help greatly. We don't want to lose the class factor.

 

[PieBeast]

Yeah great time to implement innovations one week before the finals

 

[mwalker]

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't recall Davis (maybe medders??) being a substantial performer in last years finals and I don't recall him having a great day against Brisbane in at least one of the GF's perhaps even both.

Even the most diehard Leon fans would have to admit he form drops substantially come finals time. So how has his form been in the back half of this season? Does anyone think MM might have considered this? Thinking about finals only and Leon's form during that time are we really missing that much?

 

[Dawson]

This thread reminds me of when Macaffer was recalled earlier this year.

And if JMac plays even a half decent game not one the 'selectors' on here will acknowledge they are wrong

 

[Histrionics]

I was surprised like a lot of people at the J Mac inclusion but I'll back the selectors on this one. Just like I did with Macaffer.

 

[TwisTz]

The big question mark over J-Mac is simply the speed of his decision making at AFL level... it has just been too slow in all of the AFL games he has played.

He is definitely a very good player at VFL level but hasn't shown that he can take the next step at AFL level yet (much like Danny Stanley a couple years back.)

Hope he does well on the weekend; but I don't want to see him playing next week.

 

[The Get Up Kid]

I am so happy McCarthy has been selected, on what I saw last week he got the hard balls, spread really hard and went very direct with his kicks. He is definitely a class above VFL and even though there are heaps of examples of guys who can't take the next step I think he can.

Malthouse picked him in the final against St Kilda last year from memory so he's willing to pick guys late in the year. He also picked him this year against St Kilda and now against Hawthorn so it may be horses-for-courses again. Hard tough midfields but not necessarily blessed with a heap of pace.

Also like other people have mentioned he may be an easy drop next week for didak so I have no problem.

Medhurst dominated last week, he is unlucky. As for Leon, his body language was shocking but may be because of the injury but I left the ground messaging people saying the only in's could be Medhurst and McCarthy. Although Fraser deserves his spot this week.

Side note Brandon Matera is going to be a gun

 

[iGNITER]

If we go in with the selected 22 (although I think there will be a late change) I would hope to line up like this:



B: Maxwell Brown Toovey
HB: O'Brien Reid Shaw
C: Wellingham Swan Blair
HF: Beams Cloke Thomas
F: Macaffer Dawes Fraser
Foll: Jolly Pendlebury Ball
Int: JohnsonGoldsack Sidebottom McCarthy

Next week im expecting:

L.Brown - Fraser
Presti - N.Brown
Didak - McCarthy
Davis (must come in) - ???

 

[HFF]

Davis will replace Blair.

We all know young Blair is a favourite among many here of BF but as Mick has said recently and in the past, you need to be very careful with young players and taking them into a finals series.

J-Mac and Blair won't be playing the following week IMO. May sound stiff but Didak and Davis replace these two instantly.

 

[shawthing09]

JMac as a first year player didn't seem to have that problem when making his decisions throughout the end of 08. I am going to give the benifit of the doubt and say like Medders and many others that it's just needing to get up to the speed of AFL level and readjust. Since the run of a couple of games he had in 08 he has hardly been able to string 2 AFL games together and on top of that seems to get injured not long after that, come back in, smash the VFL come up for a game get dropped and injure himself again.

I deffinately rate him as a talent though his first year of VFL considering he had no pre-season was fantastic. He came in when Dids and Heater where dropped and looked class throughout the finals. There was no signs that his decision making wasn't quick enough. He just needed to be fitter. Since then he has only played 3 AFL games.

It's an odd selection given I do think it takes some guys time to adjust to the speed of AFL compared to VFL and so it will be hard to see Jmac being used in finals unless we have massive injury worries. I think Leon is being sent a message after from all reports a horrible display in VFL. Medhurst is stiff but he still maybe a late inclusion.

Very happy to see Reid get a hit out before finals against a team with a strong foward line.

 

[daics cousin]

My opinion is there will be two late changes. We will take out cloke and Thomas and put medhurst and Davis in the team. We have to do this as I can't see why mm would do this!! Strangest selections at this time of the year!! No wonder everyone is upset... These guys are serious matchwinners :|

Yep i reckon you are right.Why ?
Because i think Cloke has a leg niggle,complained about it last week after the Crows game,and Thomas had a little rib bruising.
So resting these two is good .Keep them fresh for finals.

The inclusion of Davis and Medhurst as late inclusions will be good.
Rufus and Josh the tall targets up forward and allows a slightly smaller forward structure to do the damage.Treat this game as a warmup for finals especially for players like Medhurst,Davis,Maccarthy and fraser who could be called upon if injuries happen during the finals.

 

[iGNITER]

Yep i reckon you are right.Why ?
Because i think Cloke has a leg niggle,complained about it last week after the Crows game,and Thomas had a little rib bruising.
So resting these two is good .Keep them fresh for finals.

The inclusion of Davis and Medhurst as late inclusions will be good.
Rufus and Josh the tall targets up forward and allows a slightly smaller forward structure to do the damage.Treat this game as a warmup for finals especially for players like Medhurst,Davis,Maccarthy and fraser who could be called upon if injuries happen during the finals.

Would love to see this happen.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Suprised to see McCarthy back in. Just like last Season

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/101206/default.aspx

McCarthy has been great over the past month at VFL level and he is worthy of the opportunity. Having Davis + Medhurst at this stage is the structure I would go into the finals with so effectively McCarthy is just the replacement for Didak which for this round is fine but I wouldn't play him in the finals. We need to make sure this system can work without the pair (Davis + Medhurst which is why I think we are trying this).

The changes for finals should be:
In: Didak, Prestigiacomo, L.Brown
Out: McCarthy, N.Brown, Fraser

Very midfield + backline focused with a relatively unknown forwardline but considering the way our some of our players play in big games and how others don't I think this is the way we should and will go. Right now we appear to be setting ourselves up for this.

Likely EMGs for finals (but hope we don't have to play them):
N.Brown Davis Medhurst

 

[knightwheelrqr]

L.Brown - Fraser
Presti - N.Brown
Didak - McCarthy
Davis (must come in) - ???

I like the same side. If Blair plays poorly this week then also week 1 in finals I would consider bringing Davis in as another forward in exchange for Blair. But otherwise I like these changes and wouldn't change unless completely necessary in which case Davis would I agree be the first to come in. Then Medhurst probably 2nd which would just mean our forwardline would have a bit more firepower. But for now I'd rather have a loaded midfield + backline who can thoroughly beat the opposition.

 

[Quicky]

I'm a little surprised that we didn't bring in one of Davis or Medhurst.

But I am pleased to see that the club is sticking to it's guns and only playing players that have forced their way into the team through good form.

McCarthy deserves his chance because his form has been superior than the players vyeing for the same position pure and simple.

I don't think you can knock that selection policy. Any different and you are making selections based on hope and that isn't a good idea.

 

[mattys123]

The question mark over McCarthy has always been "can he play at senior level?", yet it seems every time he has played for us in the past, it has been against a top 4 team.

This week he gets to play in a game with lesser intensity, and simply put, has a chance to "prove himself".

We all know Meds and Leon can perform, even if their consistency is a problem now, but what we don't know is if the ultra talented J-MAC is actually up to AFL standard.

Everyone's been asking "What happens if Fraser plays well", well I'd ask "What happens if McCarthy plays well?", because I see a spot in our forward line for a player with both talent and defensive skills, and quite obviously, if J-MAC had a big game tomorrow, he would come into finals calculations.

 

[The Zone]

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't recall Davis (maybe medders??) being a substantial performer in last years finals and I don't recall him having a great day against Brisbane in at least one of the GF's perhaps even both.

Even the most diehard Leon fans would have to admit he form drops substantially come finals time. So how has his form been in the back half of this season? Does anyone think MM might have considered this? Thinking about finals only and Leon's form during that time are we really missing that much?

You can put me down as a Leon fan. I love the way he plays the game. I acknowledge the question mark over his finals form but I've always felt he is a break out and game breaker talent. I actually blame MM for his finals wobble. I think it started in '02 when M started L in a pocket and let him go cold and then benched him and then tried to put him in the centre. I reckon M misread him completely and what has followed is result of that.

Having said that, I think he needed rest from his injury (assuming he is over it), then run him into form and start him in the action in the finals. Can he get up to speed from a standing start? I'm not a patient man but I'd give Leon a run this week and against the dogs (on the ball at the first bounce) next week. If anyone can blow people's minds, it's Leon. (hit the ball hard and fast Leon!)

I'd probably give Medders the next two games for similar reasons.

I can't see any reason for dropping Blair. He's improved every week in the seniors and looks like a great prospect. I love his fearless approach (not so much his size and attack on the ball but the way he'll turn defence into attack).

So, if Leon and Meds are possible ins, who goes out? I can't think of anyone who deserves to be dropped. Maybe Sidebutt, but only for a freshen up. Or McCarthy, who appears to have earned a crack as a young buck?

I've always harboured a sneaking suspicion Neon will explode and win a Norm Smith one day. It might be that those days are gone and it's wishful thinking.

 

[soreplums]

Late change: Johnno Out and Leon In

 

[Ron]

Yeah give leon a run beofre next week. He has to play next week, he does well against the Dogs.

Also slightly off topic, but laff at the Cats resting players now, why didn't they just not name them on Thursday? Why wait till now to rest three big players?

 

[handy point]

Very happy with this late change, for two reasons.

Will be interesting to see who will go back to Johnno's position.

 

[jerry springer]

great changes,very well done at the selection table over the past month

 

[PieBeast]

Well done Mick, J-Mac was sensational today

 

[sgnl00]

3 years, 10 games, the golden boy has yet to show anything. Better hope this pays off, MM.