Preview Changes R16 vs North Melbourne

[lachy]

Pick our best 23 and take the game on as we have for 5 of our last 6 weeks. Anything less makes us vulnerable, absolute madness resting any player after a bye

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[AFDogs]

North have had a massive 3 weeks with 3 close games and 2 heartbreaking losses. We will need to come out breathing fire, put them to bed early and don't give them a sniff. I imagine they would be pretty flat after 2 close losses against Pies and Dees.

 

[Palace03]

North seemed to intercept and rebound well v the Dees, who lack quality tall forwards. Hoping our better talls take that away from North.

If Naughton is ready, great. If not then at least Lobb stays in coming off some good form v Freo.

In; Darcy, Naughton, Harmes, Buss
Out; Khamis, Lobb (stiff but cant play the 4 of them), Scott, Gags

 

[geoffjennings79]

If only Firritto was playing to make some faux tough guy move on Bont, to spur Bont to another great performance...

 

[who_let_the_dogs_out]

Danger game. Need to keep the same intensity from the Freo game going. Turn up like we did against the Lions and this will be an embarrassing outcome.

 

[ossie_21]

North have had a massive 3 weeks with 3 close games and 2 heartbreaking losses. We will need to come out breathing fire, put them to bed early and don't give them a sniff. I imagine they would be pretty flat after 2 close losses against Pies and Dees.

I don’t think they will be flat, they will still be encouraged knowing a win (or more) isn’t far off as they are collectively showing signs of improvement for the first time in 5 years.

 

[Del165892]

I think we will go into this match with a lot of trepidation

 

[TiAn_]

I think we will go into this match with a lot of trepidation

I’m feeling increasing trepidatiousness just thinking about it

 

[JTCWBFC]

I reckon Bevo will unleash the 4 headed monster again

 

[Mojorisin]

I reckon Bevo will unleash the 4 headed monster again

I hope so. Aslong as they all aren't playing inside the forward 50 at once.
English dropping back to help the defenders, Naughton playing high half forward, Jamarra spending a few minutes on the wing, Lobb and Darcy getting decent minutes in the ruck. There are plenty of options to make it.

 

[Al dente]

North are following a typical pattern of improvement for a young side. you just know that the next close game they'll win. Our job is to make sure its not close. I still dont trust this team to get that done.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

I think we will go into this match with a lot of trepidation

I'm nervous because of how we ended last year. It felt like we'd lose those games. But to be fair we have a completely different vibe at the moment. Needs to continue though...intense pressure and smart disposal every game.

 

[Dog 36]

North are following a typical pattern of improvement for a young side. you just know that the next close game they'll win. Our job is to make sure its not close. I still dont trust this team to get that done.

This team has not given us a reason to trust them

 

[geoffjennings79]

Perfect game to ruck Sweet, push English forward, and maybe give McComb a run with role...

 

[Libbaaaa]

It’s one thing for the supporters to be doomsdayers and talk ourselves into how threatening North could be (personally not me) but there is zero reason for our players to go into the game with trepidation. Don’t take them lightly yes, but second guess themselves? No way.

 

[Next Waiting]

I'm nervous because of how we ended last year. It felt like we'd lose those games. But to be fair we have a completely different vibe at the moment. Needs to continue though...intense pressure and smart disposal every game.

The vibe is back. It's an intangible ... at this stage ... but if we make finals it means we've won 7 of 9 an in all probability the last 4 in a row. Then a weeks break into finals. In that scenario, and with a healthy list, we'll be a headache for every other team in the 8 .... and anything will be possible.

It's a tough ask, 7 from 9, but the reward could be well worth it. Sydney have very obviously been terrific so far but I think there are 5 or 6 teams who could win it on their day(s). And we're one of them.

What's QI about this season is that the 5 or 6 can or will win it in slightly different ways. All have good midfields at full strength and then it gets interesting. Most have a team defense but some a better back 6 and some a better forward 6. A bit wing and half back action thrown in. Rucks ....

The thing that we have that nobody else has is 3 genuine tall forwards (maybe a case could be made for Freo if you include Jackson) .... we could have 4 if we wanted but I'm not sold on that. Carlton have 2 (and Curnow is a gun so he's going to trouble us), Brisbane have 2, Sydney and Pies sort of 1&1/2 but effective smalls.

Whoever wins has to win at least 3 games in September. It's wide open IMO .. could be less so in 5 or 6 weeks but at the moment wide open. And our sail looks a little wet.

 

[perro_loco]

In: Darcy, Harmes, Busslinger
Out: Scott, CD, Khamis

 

[perro_loco]

North have had a massive 3 weeks with 3 close games and 2 heartbreaking losses. We will need to come out breathing fire, put them to bed early and don't give them a sniff. I imagine they would be pretty flat after 2 close losses against Pies and Dees.

Melbourne have no forwards and their midfield is average atm. We should beat Norf easily, provided we come to play and Bevo does not plan funny tricks to be a smart ass.

 

[Freshwater]

Apparently Naughton could be back? And Darcy too. Lobb must stay in after that huge game last week. Against good opposition too.
Maybe Lobb to play where Karmis played?

 

[Next Waiting]

Apparently Naughton could be back? And Darcy too. Lobb must stay in after that huge game last week. Against good opposition too.
Maybe Lobb to play where Karmis played?

I don't think they should be meddling with the back 6. Coffield when he's ready would be in calculations. But familiarity is important from now on.

Forward with 4 tall options, they're in a good position to manage if necessary and/or as required or a horses for courses approach. It's a point of difference and extremely challenging for every opponent given quality supply.

Supply is the key. Parity or better.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Probably get laughed at by most but I don’t think David King’s call of Naughton to play some football on the wing is that bad. Basically play the 2008 Richo role.

 

[Freshwater]

I don't think they should be meddling with the back 6. Coffield when he's ready would be in calculations. But familiarity is important from now on.

Forward with 4 tall options, they're in a good position to manage if necessary and/or as required or a horses for courses approach. It's a point of difference and extremely challenging for every opponent given quality supply.

Supply is the key. Parity or better.

I reckon Buku in that back 6 is a real weak point at the moment. He is really struggling to defend. I reckon if Keath was playing against Hawthorn earlier in the season instead of Buku we could’ve/would’ve won. Buku shows many attributes, but in the team structure is not performing the role needed just yet. We have a lot of attack and flair down back, but occasionally we need to just defend.

 

[doggy_dog]

Probably get laughed at by most but I don’t think David King’s call of Naughton to play some football on the wing is that bad. Basically play the 2008 Richo role.

Worked with Nick Riewoldt too. I’ve been wanting us to do this with English for years

 

[Angak]

4 tall forwards a recipe for disaster. Much prefer to play one of Darcy or Naughton back.

 

[RedWhite&Blue]

MacRae has better hands and uses the ball better laterally for mine. I would prefer Jack with ball in hand during clutch moments.

Jack doesn’t get caught holding the ball. Sanders will get there, but not yet.

Agree, Sanders is promising but hasn’t had any ‘gee wiz that was incredible’ moments… right now he is just a solid foot soldier… You know what you are going to get from Macrae and that is insane ground coverage and fantastic vision