Unofficial Preview Changes v Bombers, Metricon Friday night.

[Ironmonger]

I think that's now 2 out of the last 3 games where we have started to look really tired and struggled to run out the game. I really fear for the rest of the season if we dont start to rotate through more players. Either we straight up concede the Richmond game by resting half the team or we start resting a few players each week.

We also had Rich miss half the game, Archie only play 46% game time and the TBerry play not much either. Harris and Gardiner have missed something like 10 minutes of the season so far and I really dont think that is sustainable across a (shortened) full year. We are risking not getting enough rotations through our key players. While mass changes after a win are unlikely we have to look at some

Resting or being conservative with Rich is pretty safe bet at this point. Witherden is probably closest like for like.

Ballenden or Skinner seem like for like for either McStay (if suspended) or Archie (he doesnt offer enough to waste the bench spot on).

Coleman I think could be a good option for Terry. That or Bundy who can play a similar role. Otherwise give a chance to see one of the young mids in Dev or Eli

CEY or Matho could be handy but at the same time Essendon dont have a big midfield so it may not be a requirement this week

I definitely agree about rotating players. It's gone from being desirable to necessary.

At least this week we know the Bombers are in the same boat, travelling back from Adelaide to play off a five day break. And if anything they looked more worn out than we did: they had players who couldn't make the final, decisive contest of the game because they were cramping.

But it's hard to imagine we're going to back up and Richmond four days later with anything like a full team.

 

[Tom14]

I think that's now 2 out of the last 3 games where we have started to look really tired and struggled to run out the game. I really fear for the rest of the season if we dont start to rotate through more players. Either we straight up concede the Richmond game by resting half the team or we start resting a few players each week.

We also had Rich miss half the game, Archie only play 46% game time and the TBerry play not much either. Harris and Gardiner have missed something like 10 minutes of the season so far and I really dont think that is sustainable across a (shortened) full year. We are risking not getting enough rotations through our key players. While mass changes after a win are unlikely we have to look at some

Resting or being conservative with Rich is pretty safe bet at this point. Witherden is probably closest like for like.

Ballenden or Skinner seem like for like for either McStay (if suspended) or Archie (he doesnt offer enough to waste the bench spot on).

Coleman I think could be a good option for Terry. That or Bundy who can play a similar role. Otherwise give a chance to see one of the young mids in Dev or Eli

CEY or Matho could be handy but at the same time Essendon dont have a big midfield so it may not be a requirement this week

I definitely agree about rotating players. It's gone from being desirable to necessary.

At least this week we know the Bombers are in the same boat, travelling back from Adelaide to play off a five day break. And if anything they looked more worn out than we did: they had players who couldn't make the final, decisive contest of the game because they were cramping.

But it's hard to imagine we're going to back up and Richmond four days later with anything like a full team.

I can't see us resting for Essendon given we have a 5 day break and may have to make enforced changes anyway. Dizzy and Harris playing upwards of 90% of gametime really isn't a big concern for me as that is pretty typical for key defenders. I'd be putting out as strong a team as possible v Essendon to bank the win, then reassess for the Richmond game.

 

[Quigley]

Out: Smith, McStay, Rich
In: Skinner, Coleman, Prior

Smith added nothing this week. McStay gets suspended and Rich is injured.

Skinner is our nearest like for like replacement for McStay and will provide a physical contest. He lacks some height but he can come in and do some spot ruckwork. Ballenden is a big chance I think.

I like the idea of mixing things up and bringing in Coleman to make a smaller and faster unit. Charlie, Berry Jnr and Coleman can hunt the Essendon backs and be very disruptive if given licence. Coleman can also score goals which should be a significant consideration.

Prior has nice height and is an excellent kick which would give a bit of a like for like replacement. It would also be a good week to give him a game. I admit that Witherden and Answerth are both more likely but each has deficiencies stepping into this role. Christensen a choice to be given a week and play as another experienced head down back but iwth Birchall there I don't think that is really needed. Smith might also be a chance given he has a reputation as a defensive stopper.

 

[Macca225]

I beat up on McStay sometimes for his woeful goalkicking but he's not a bad player, just being misused. In my mind he's clearly not a forward, he's best as a utility playing further down the ground. That would take advantage of his strong marking and field kicking while minimising his weaknesses. I don't want him to get rubbed out at the tribunal but if that's what it takes to get Skinner or Ballenden an opportunity, so be it.

Ellis-Yolmen clearly has to come in for Berry Jr. I probably favour Answerth over Witherden if Rich is injured, because Essendon have a quick forward line and we can't have too many slow defenders. Witherden sounds like he's closer to a spot though.

To me thats where he has been playing, he's not going to play anywhere else on the field other than CHF, can't play wing and if he plays down back he won't be able to be the player that either takes a mark coming out of defence or at least halves the contest and not get out marked.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

To me thats where he has been playing, he's not going to play anywhere else on the field other than CHF, can't play wing and if he plays down back he won't be able to be the player that either takes a mark coming out of defence or at least halves the contest and not get out marked.

Why not?

 

[Macca225]

Why not?

Don't think he'd be better than who plays there now. Just like I don't think we have a better player where McStay plays now.

I'm not saying McStay is the perfect player (set shots for instance), but for some reason if he doesn't play like J Brown or Carey people jump all over him. To me he's a bit like Travis Cloke (pies I know ) but you can't deny the role he played in a very good side. I feel one of McStay's main roles in our team is to create a contest and don't get out marked and then let the midfield do their magic from the resulting stoppage.

 

[Tom14]

Why not?

We have Clug, Robbo, Berry and Bailey rotating through the wing already and putting McStay on the wing would be a bad idea as it would limit their rotation. Plus the tall marking winger really isn't much of a feature in the modern game as they have such a role in the contest and at stoppages.

GWS' use of Tomlinson is about the only recent example of the tall marking winger I can think of and I never thought it was very effective. The fact that he can't get in Melbourne's team who played a pretty washed up Nathan Jones is illustrative.

 

[martinson]

Excited to see Coleman get an opportunity in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I feel one of McStay's main role in the our team is to create a contest and don't get out marked and then let the midfield do their magic from the resulting stoppage.

Which is fine, but I wish he'd hand off set shots sometimes. I prefer players who are kicking for goal to be good at kicking for goal, that's all.

 

[Macca225]

Which is fine, but I wish he'd hand off set shots sometimes.

Or try going around the corner... like jack riewoldt. Couldn't be worse than what he does now

 

[Johnny Bananas]

We have Clug, Robbo, Berry and Bailey rotating through the wing already and putting McStay on the wing would be a bad idea as it would limit their rotation. Plus the tall marking winger really isn't much of a feature in the modern game as they have such a role in the contest and at stoppages.

I reckon Robbo is beginning to show his age, and Clug will move to more of an inside role over time. But it's a fair point that McStay isn't suited to contested ground balls. Gold Coast were playing Lukosius as a tall winger too, but they seem to have moved him to the backline now.

 

[Tom14]

I reckon Robbo is beginning to show his age, and Clug will move to more of an inside role over time. But it's a fair point that McStay isn't suited to contested ground balls. Gold Coast were playing Lukosius as a tall winger too, but they seem to have moved him to the backline now.

Yeah your long-term points are correct. I think there has been enough shown from Bailey to demonstrate that he will be able to handle and excel with greater minutes on the wing, but we will need to plug the Robbo time eventually.

McStay is interesting if we do end up recruiting a genuine gun key forward. Far too talented to trade away or leave in the reserves. Though he prefers to play forward he might end up having more of a Bradshaw role swinging between forward and back depending on opponent. I think he showed enough in his last stint in defence in 2017 that he could do so. Whether he'd be happy with that is a different matter I guess.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

Out: Smith, McStay, Rich
In: Skinner, Coleman, Prior

Smith added nothing this week. McStay gets suspended and Rich is injured.

Skinner is our nearest like for like replacement for McStay and will provide a physical contest. He lacks some height but he can come in and do some spot ruckwork. Ballenden is a big chance I think.

I like the idea of mixing things up and bringing in Coleman to make a smaller and faster unit. Charlie, Berry Jnr and Coleman can hunt the Essendon backs and be very disruptive if given licence. Coleman can also score goals which should be a significant consideration.

Prior has nice height and is an excellent kick which would give a bit of a like for like replacement. It would also be a good week to give him a game. I admit that Witherden and Answerth are both more likely but each has deficiencies stepping into this role. Christensen a choice to be given a week and play as another experienced head down back but iwth Birchall there I don't think that is really needed. Smith might also be a chance given he has a reputation as a defensive stopper.

What news do you have on Prior? I would have thought Witherden or Answerth would be first cabs on the rank for a spot down back but since we have no ressies I do not know the form.

Both Witherden and Answerth came in and were OK from day one. I hope when Prior gets his chance he will be similar. Deep lists are important.

 

[jackess]

I'd go with Witherden for Rich

Skinner for McStay assuming he's suspended

I'd leave TBerry in to play a defensive role on Saad or McKenna

Rest CEY and possibly others in the reserves to come in on next Tuesday.

Actually not sure it's worth playing reserves games for a couple of weeks

 

[Tom14]

I'd go with Witherden for Rich

Skinner for McStay assuming he's suspended

I'd leave TBerry in to play a defensive role on Saad or McKenna

Rest CEY and possibly others in the reserves to come in on next Tuesday.

Actually not sure it's worth playing reserves games for a couple of weeks

Maybe play one in our ess-rich-dogs period to ensure the reserves can keep the rust off? With not being allowed to do contact drills at training it would be hard to adjust without some sort of a game to fall back on. We could probably get away with one the weekend of the dogs game (on the sunday maybe) or a shorter one after the essendon game.

 

[Dylan12]

Excited to see Coleman get an opportunity in the next couple of weeks.

I'm just as excited to see Cox get another crack too. Has pace and serious skills and really keen to see how he is developed since last year.

 

[Clarkythelion]

Fagan has show, less changes is his policy.
If Rich is out then Witherden
Cant see McStay getting time, just don't see what he could have done to avoid the incident but if so - Skinner.
We persisted with Rayner for 2 years in the medium forward role and it's paying off, I think Tom Berry is worth the same investment as the coaches see his fierce attack on the ball.
Our key forwards play different to other teams they play more up the ground I can see any changes there they are doing their jobs.
Archie deserves more time, we need a ruckman next year we haven't recruited one for 2 years and a lower salary cap cant see us doing a big trade so we have to invent one and right now Archie is it.
Lester - not on the same old bandwagon as others. Just in the last few weeks he has tried to toe-poke the ball out of a few situations rather than attacking it. I think it's something he needs to work on and Answerth would be breathing down his neck for development games.

 

[Tom14]

Fages reiterated this morning on SEN that they will play the best team out of the available players. However, he did acknowledge that some players might clearly need a rest like Birchall. Will be interesting to see whether the rhetoric matches up with selections by the time we hit the TIgers game next tuesday.

 

[davemc_lions]

If Rich did not do his hammy you think they would be looking to rest Biichall one of the next 4 games
Although with Richo out be interesting what happens.

 

[fanackapan]

I would expect Archie to be dropped at some point. Not because of form (although that does need work), but because having our only 2 rucks both playing 4 in 13 days is very risky for the rest of the season, as well as just having them both playing tired. I'd expect to see Skinner or Ballenden pinch-hitting at some point - probably against Richmond or Bulldogs (who are among the worst teams in the league for hitouts/clearances).

If McStay is rubbed out, how far off the pace is Wooller? Skinner and Ballenden have been the ones in the emergencies, but Wooller looked very likely in the reserves the last couple of years, yet I haven't heard anything about him this year. Gives us a different type if he's in form.

 

[Section 5]

McStay getting suspended would be the best thing to happen to this club. Ballenden and Skinner are all better players and its upsetting that a player getting suspended is the only way they could possibly crack their way into the team

Ignoring the three peat are we

 

[Tom14]

Two weeks with an early plea for McStay. I'd be advising him to take it as I don't see it being overturned.

 

[TheZork]

3 down to 2 with a guilty plea? Or 2 regardless? I'd challenge if it was 2 regardless.

 

[jackess]

Not surprising but I had some hope that given all the other examples of Jetta driving with the head then Dan might have got some sympathy.

Was a strange decision to bump

 

[Harris Specter]

Haha and Burgoyne gets away with a dangerous sling tackle for the 2nd time this season.