Game Day REAL Opening Round* vs West Coast @ Optyussss Stadium - Sunday March 16th; 5:10pm

[KaySwizzle]

Hope we were taking notes tonight on exactly what not to do against a fired up lower side at home in Round 1.

+25 inside 50s for -4 goals from a forward line with no presence with no Curnow, and zero composure when the other team got a run. Straight out of the Suns playbook and exactly what I’m worried about for Sunday if we don’t show up ready for a slog.

But also, boy does that Carlton list drop off in quality quick.

Yeah, exactly.

The positive though is Richmond were playing a defenders pushing up the field, be aggressive with plays, high pressure, and forcing consistent turnovers at halfway or earlier—which is what Hardwick wants form us.

 

[Jirik13]

Tigers players after poor start wanted it more. More pressure, more turnovers. I bet most of their goals came from turnovers. Blues looked bloody ordinary except Weitering, Cripps. They struggled under pressure. No run from defence (what happened to Saad?).

It just shows how crazy close this competition is. There will be a lot surprises in every round.

Automatically expecting us to beat Eagles away is dangerous especially considering our away struggles. I suspect it will be a close battle.

Missing Flanders, Andrew, Walter is pretty significant. Still I like the line-up. Midfield must win the battle. I expect Rogers going well forward. Time for Humphrey to shine.

Let's see if we are up-to fight. Show me the effort and I will be OK. It's a long season. Anything can happen in round 1.

Suns by 18.

 

[Big Red Machine]

 

[Southern Sun]

View attachment 2249374

Wow we've gone small, thought Moyle would have been in.

 

[Young_Guns]

Sexton forward szn volume 5?

Pretty clear game plan for Optus Stadium with the amount of speed (and lack of height) on that bench.

 

[Supersuns]

Pretty dire to be rolling out both Holman and Sexton in 2025. How are we improving when players well past their best are still getting named.

 

[KaySwizzle]

Pretty dire to be rolling out both Holman and Sexton in 2025. How are we improving when players well past their best are still getting named.

It’s a bit concerning. Shows how little we have developed our own small forwards or drafted in that area.

But with Lombard out, and Flanders, it’s to be expected.

Sexton and Holman may surprise me. We’ve definitely increased our games played average with their inclusion... But I can’t see either making a meaningful contribution to our season as a whole. Just experienced plugs to fill temporary gaps. Hope Sexton kicks a bag like old times though.

 

[kreglze]

Flanders, Walter and Mac all back next game so you would think Holman and Sexton are short term.

 

[Iva Bigun]

You reckon Davies plays? Literally hasn’t been sighted in a while. The rest is probably right, and Budarick probably starts based on pre-season form.


Pretty impotent attack line without Walter and a good small forward, and sucks to be Mac-less, but overall probably as good as we could look at this time of year.

Wonder if we do roll with Moyle now we are two key talls down.

I think Read will equip himself well in the forward line, personally I think he has more potential than Jed with his height and running ability, I’m sure I am in the minority here but he reminds me of a young Corey McKernan

 

[Supersuns]

I think Read will equip himself well in the forward line, personally I think he has more potential than Jed with his height and running ability, I’m sure I am in the minority here but he reminds me of a young Corey McKernan

If Read can get anywhere near McKernans level we win a flag

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Wow that forward line is scary.

Expect 50 from king
15 from Ainsworth and 5 from the rest over the whole season

Has Jeffrey played any forward this pre-season?
Can kick snag.

Do we need him back now with Uwland, Powell good solid mid sizers + Noble, Rioli to provide some run.
I reckon we need someone like that up forward more.

 

[geoffneverflies]

https://eyesonthesuns.wordpress.com...-v-suns-preview-a-job-to-be-done-in-the-west/

First preview of the season, can't wait.

The Suns must start to prove they are one by getting by them. The lineups have thrown up some interesting points with the Suns missing a couple of key figures, but it gives some fringe players an opportunity. No Andrew, no Flanders, no Walter could have been a massive problem. But the Suns are showing more signs of depth as I think you will agree the lineup doesn’t look much weaker except for the loss of Andrew who hasn’t been replaced like-for-like....

 

[GC2015]

Flanders, Walter and Mac all back next game so you would think Holman and Sexton are short term.

After seeing what Walter did in the Lions/Pies preseason game, I think we just need this makeshift forward line to work for one game and then the player who I think will be our biggest scoring threat this year (Jed) will return against the Dees in the next game. That may sound like a big call, but King didn't fill me with a lot of confidence in the preseason games this year and Walter looked like he had taken a giant stride towards being our most dangerous key forward.

Just need Secco and the like to step it up for one game to get the ball rolling and then it's Walt Disney time.

 

[Scotty_222]

Secco can kick a goal. Hopefully they don’t play him in the backline

 

[Young_Guns]

I assume Secco will be sub?

Inject some pace (and erractic-ness) late and can slide into the forward line, backline or even on the wing if needed.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I think we can get a few goals from our on ballers who should have the upper hand and also from half backers and wingers Rioli / Weller / Clohesy which will help out the forward line which definitely looks a bit thin

 

[GC2015]

I think we can get a few goals from our on ballers who should have the upper hand and also from half backers and wingers Rioli / Weller / Clohesy which will help out the forward line which definitely looks a bit thin

Would this game be the first time a Rioli and a Long have played together in the same team at the AFL level? Quite possibly the two most famous NT/Indigenous names in the history of the game combining for our club tomorrow. Would love to see Dan Rioli creep forward and cause all kinds of chaos for West Coast alongside his cousin Ben Long. Both are very capable of rundown tackles, on the run goals and crumbing goals. Could be a deadly combo.

 

[geoffneverflies]

One extra win, so not making finals again. Do you think if that's the case Rowell will stay?

depends on exactly how it goes, if we miss by a nailbiter he stays, if we wilt late in the season again then anything is on the cards

 

[Stroppy]

Would this game be the first time a Rioli and a Long have played together in the same team at the AFL level? Quite possibly the two most famous NT/Indigenous names in the history of the game combining for our club tomorrow. Would love to see Dan Rioli creep forward and cause all kinds of chaos for West Coast alongside his cousin Ben Long. Both are very capable of rundown tackles, on the run goals and crumbing goals. Could be a deadly combo.

Michael Long and Dean Rioli both played for Essendon around 1999-2001.

Would have played together multiple times.

 

[Jirik13]

Watching FB video, it looks like Suns got direct charter flight from GC. Thanks God for that.

Great test today. Let's see if we improved. I hope we timed preparations well and not like some other teams. I can't wait.

No doubt we will be challenged but Eagles are implementing a new plan like us last year. It will take some time.

 

[Jirik13]

depends on exactly how it goes, if we miss by a nailbiter he stays, if we wilt late in the season again then anything is on the cards

To be honest, if he still hasn't re-signed around bye, he is probably gone.

 

[Billy ray]

it looks like Suns got direct charter flight from GC

Yep. Rare day flight from GC to Perth direct. Makes a difference

 

[sunsofanarchy]

Looking for pure utter dominance today. 70+

 

[robo_1]

Watching FB video, it looks like Suns got direct charter flight from GC. Thanks God for that.

Great test today. Let's see if we improved. I hope we timed preparations well and not like some other teams. I can't wait.

No doubt we will be challenged but Eagles are implementing a new plan like us last year. It will take some time.

Yes charter flight. And they flew some members like last year

 

[GC2015]

Michael Long and Dean Rioli both played for Essendon around 1999-2001.

Would have played together multiple times.

Ah yes. I completely forgot about Dean Rioli. Turns out they both played with Dimma in those three years at Essendon haha. The trio of Dimma, a Rioli and a Long were very successful during that period: 1999 - PF, 2000 - Flag, 2001 - GF. Good signs.

Really excited for the game today. I think this could be the start of something special!