Reply to thread

Hawthorn are a different midfield. Serong cut us up again but Fyfe was a surprise but smart use of him to bring the faster players into the game.

Hawthorn are a bigger stronger midfield who absolutely smashed us last time. We got Harnes partially to address this type of midfield (with Melb the best).

Seems like we just back Bont and Trelor to lift rather than change it up. I am a big fan of Macrae but he ain’t quick and can be exposed but like Freo - if you play Macrae and someone quick like Garcia together this can be covered. Ie CBA of Macrae, Trelor and Garcia and move Bont to CHF if he is off.

We complain about our bottom players but don’t play players like Macrae where they need to be and don’t play Keath - who is solid.

Seems like Bevo has a licence to develop young players in favour of best player for role now - JOD and Richards are part of our future as is Gallagher.

If this is the pathway then we will get sub par performances while they develop. Khamis has a bad game after some great ones so have to accept that will happen - as did Gags and Sanders a few weeks ago.

So selection looks very different if you want to win or develop.

If we want to win:

In: Libba, JUH, Sanders, Keath and Clarke - Macrae to many more centre bounces.

Out: Weightman (injured), JOD played Ok but Keath just ahead of him and needs to get games in case Jones goes down), Bramble (Richards back), Daniel (I can’t understand why he has dropped off), Lobb (obvious)

If we want to develop:

In: Libba, JUH, Sanders, Buss, Clarke, Freijah (is kicking the door down and looks a star)

Outs: same plus Harmes.