Game Day Round 4, 2025: West Coast vs GWS

[Godfather32]

Looking forward to seeing the kids play. That is all.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

I must say I find this whole Hedwards omission on top of a McGovern injury and Allen into defense thing very bizarre. Both weird in their own right.

Firstly giving up on our key forward, who also happens to be our captain, playing forward just seems very... Premature. Also stupid. Particularly with Waterman not playing.

Without Hedwards he'll certainly have to go into defense which just seems like a cop out. "Oh he's in shit form as a forward for a couple week so let's just bin that idea and he can play defense..." Lel. Firstly he hasn't played defence properly in how long? Last time I recall consecutive games down back was 2018 or 2019? Secondly he's clearly a better forward than a defender. Nobody is recruiting him as a RFA in the open market to play defense. Whole thing is very weird.

Which then leads us into Hedwards. He was average last week and I don't particularly rate him in general, but gee whiz that's a bizarre call when he's clearly our next best KPD behind McGovern. He did a number on Larkey in that pre season game only weeks ago.

Remember when clubs were sniffing around after him in the offseason and we extended his contract because it was super important? Well that bloke has now been dropped in favour of a SSP pickup and a makeshift forward/defender. Hooley dooley. May as well just ask your manager for a trade right now.

Going to make for some delicious viewing.


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Yet Mini has absolutely no faith in him despite no other experienced options lol. Perhaps Bazzo or Barnett is a chance next week if we want to go taller in defence.

 

[WCEswift]

Nothing changes if nothing changes, great for the kids, nothing to lose

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Allen only has to have a good game and all is forgiven, if not this week, maybe against the Blues with Waterman back...

I disagree

 

[rebel23]

Yet Mini has absolutely no faith in him despite no other experienced options lol. Perhaps Bazzo or Barnett is a chance next week if we want to go taller in defence.

Edwards is bloody hopeless... He's cost us bulk goals already this year.

Might as well play one Baker... Than have Edwards.

Maric and Ginbey are better at full back than him.

Great selection call...

 

[DickDunn]

It is weird - not sure this'll happen but for the sake of mad experimentation I'd personally like Allen to stay forward if possible. Feel like their tall forwards would still kill us even with HEdwards in so maybe we're just thinking stuff it, we'll concede in the air and make them work on the rebound.

Brock on Hogan
Maric on Cadman
Ginbey on Riccardi

All will give up some size but are more mobile and bouncy on the rebound. I'm also just curious to see Brock in the deep end against an elite opponent, whether Maric can hold down a specific defensive matchup and whether Ginbey can play like Hurn and use his frame to properly defend someone 5-6cm taller.

If any of those three scenarios come out as a tick that's a win for discovery's sake at least. The Ginbey/Maric/Hough core is already looking like a 10 year backline, really figuring out the first 2 and their limitations will let us build the line around those three. And if Brock is to play alongside Gov he'd ideally take the best forward so Gov can rebound - this weekend gives us great info on whether that'll work.

All for discovery's sake and I'd rather we lose taking some big swings than lose in the same way we always do. Allen should play mostly forward and perhaps swing back for 5 min damage control when they get a run on.

Good post, agreed on all counts

 

[DrTomSwift]

It is weird - not sure this'll happen but for the sake of mad experimentation I'd personally like Allen to stay forward if possible. Feel like their tall forwards would still kill us even with HEdwards in so maybe we're just thinking stuff it, we'll concede in the air and make them work on the rebound.

Brock on Hogan
Maric on Cadman
Ginbey on Riccardi

All will give up some size but are more mobile and bouncy on the rebound. I'm also just curious to see Brock in the deep end against an elite opponent, whether Maric can hold down a specific defensive matchup and whether Ginbey can play like Hurn and use his frame to properly defend someone 5-6cm taller.

If any of those three scenarios come out as a tick that's a win for discovery's sake at least. The Ginbey/Maric/Hough core is already looking like a 10 year backline, really figuring out the first 2 and their limitations will let us build the line around those three. And if Brock is to play alongside Gov he'd ideally take the best forward so Gov can rebound - this weekend gives us great info on whether that'll work.

All for discovery's sake and I'd rather we lose taking some big swings than lose in the same way we always do. Allen should play mostly forward and perhaps swing back for 5 min damage control when they get a run on.

Agreed, I had a similar thought. And to add on if it is the case that Allen stays forward I think it's a deliberate strategy to emphasize rebounding ability in defence because we know we won't be winning many midfield contests. If this is the case I'm really curious to how it plays out, regardless of the result I see it as really positive experimentation.

 

[Kegs15]

Agreed, I had a similar thought. And to add on if it is the case that Allen stays forward I think it's a deliberate strategy to emphasize rebounding ability in defence because we know we won't be winning many midfield contests. If this is the case I'm really curious to how it plays out, regardless of the result I see it as really positive experimentation.

Yeah absolutely.

I'm also worried about Taylor and that he'll monster us without Allen threatening down there. He's too much for Archer or JWilliams alone.

The worst case scenario in that our smaller backline gets outsized in the air is what it is and I can accept/definitely expect some contested mark losses. But think that's still fun/interesting to watch in how it all plays out.

Watching Taylor annihilate us down the line and us have no forward structure at all when we do win it would be way less fun/way more crushing for the team IMO. Keep Allen down there, let him play a captain's game and earn JWill and Archer a few goals as his priority #1.

 

[THE A5]

Barrass at least knows when to punch the ball.

How many times has Edwards tried to mark it instead of spoil, only to fumble and the oppo immediately kick a goal?

I think TB’s spoil game came on strong towards last few years. Edwards has learned off both those guys and takes a few great clunks but his hands are no where near as Gov and TB.

I’m leaning towards him not making but with Gov out and our stocks being so thin I’d actually give him the extended chance to see if he can make it or bot at this level.


I see Oscar going into defence but I really don’t want him there

 

[THE A5]

It is weird - not sure this'll happen but for the sake of mad experimentation I'd personally like Allen to stay forward if possible. Feel like their tall forwards would still kill us even with HEdwards in so maybe we're just thinking stuff it, we'll concede in the air and make them work on the rebound.

Brock on Hogan
Maric on Cadman
Ginbey on Riccardi

All will give up some size but are more mobile and bouncy on the rebound. I'm also just curious to see Brock in the deep end against an elite opponent, whether Maric can hold down a specific defensive matchup and whether Ginbey can play like Hurn and use his frame to properly defend someone 5-6cm taller.

If any of those three scenarios come out as a tick that's a win for discovery's sake at least. The Ginbey/Maric/Hough core is already looking like a 10 year backline, really figuring out the first 2 and their limitations will let us build the line around those three. And if Brock is to play alongside Gov he'd ideally take the best forward so Gov can rebound - this weekend gives us great info on whether that'll work.

All for discovery's sake and I'd rather we lose taking some big swings than lose in the same way we always do. Allen should play mostly forward and perhaps swing back for 5 min damage control when they get a run on.

Who takes stringer?

 

[triplegee]

Weren't you shitting your pants about the likely lack of changes about 48 hours ago?

Dark sharts...

 

[Kegs15]

Who takes stringer?

I'd be thinking
Hough on Stringer
Duggan on Greene
Cole on Daniels
Baker on Jones

Will only be 3 of those matchups running at a time with Duggan/Baker likely to rotate mid and their forwards likely to do the same in patches. Hunt to cover anyone pushing up the ground and help that group out in general. I'm ok with Duggan playing tighter for a game.

Could honestly swap Hough/Duggan and Cole/Baker, either way will be interesting in that our smalls will have to defend a lot tighter than usual IMO, leaving more of the rebound to players taking taller forwards in Maric, Ginbey, Brock. Will be pretty unique to see IMO but I like it.

I don't love the Harley to defence move but if we do go with that could put him on Stringer for the horrifying realisation of what happens if you don't improve your fitness



("This'll be you mate")

Really put the fear of his own mortality into the kid

 

[sharps24]

I must say I find this whole Hedwards omission on top of a McGovern injury and Allen into defense thing very bizarre. Both weird in their own right.

Firstly giving up on our key forward, who also happens to be our captain, playing defence just seems very... Premature. Also stupid. Particularly with Waterman not playing.

Without Hedwards he'll certainly have to go into defense which just seems like a cop out. "Oh he's in shit form as a forward for a couple week so let's just bin that idea and he can play defense..." Lel. Firstly he hasn't played defence properly in how long? Last time I recall consecutive games down back was 2018 or 2019? Secondly he's clearly a better forward than a defender. Nobody is recruiting him as a RFA in the open market to play defense. Whole thing is very weird.

Which then leads us into Hedwards. He was average last week and I don't particularly rate him in general, but gee whiz that's a bizarre call when he's clearly our next best KPD behind McGovern. He did a number on Larkey in that pre season game only weeks ago.

Remember when clubs were sniffing around after him in the offseason and we extended his contract because it was super important? Well that bloke has now been dropped in favour of a SSP pickup and a makeshift forward/defender. Hooley dooley. May as well just ask your manager for a trade right now.

Going to make for some delicious viewing.


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Possible factors to consider,

1. Oscar doesn't go back.

2. Oscar goes back for a week and then goes back forward once Waterman is there to help with structure, avoiding another potentially ugly 3 possession 0 goal game.

3. Edwards is best 22 but a bit like overlooking Bailey in round one, McQualter might actually believe in making an example of players when they break team rules or don't meet expectations. I don't think Edwards has been that bad but he has made some dumb decisions that have cost us, suffering the consequence of going back to WAFL when he has Brock, Barnett and Bazzo all looking for games might just get him to wind his head in a little bit and realise he's not Andrew McGovern. Comes back next week.

4. Edwards does play after all, given he seems to have travelled with the team as an emergency.

5. Moving Oscar back for one game is a good opportunity to sit Harley Reid at full forward to try and break him out of his own form slump, which is arguably a bigger concern than Oscars given we are likely not paying Oscar his market rate specifically because we hope to keep Harley.

6. After a week consisting of a lot of talking [and McWalter said he had spent a lot of time this weak speaking with Oscar] maybe the club knows that Oscar isn't going to be there next year, making it important to fast-track the development of Jack Williams and Archer Reid up forward.

7. Oscar has decided he wants to go back, just for a week, to show contrition and prove to the fans [of whom he lost many this week] that he is team first and will play whatever role he has been asked to play. He plays back, McWalter says "we really needed him to play back" and then next week it's back to business as usual.

8. Lastly, and most importantly, playing Oscar back allows us to bring in Loch Rawlinson at full forward.

On balance I'd say at least 5 of those 8 considerations are fairly pertinent and Oscar lining up down back for this one game, or a handful of games this year, is the right thing for the team. The rest of the time, I'd say that yeah we definitely want him to kick some goals and pump up his value/restore his confidence going forward.

 

[TY24]

I don't love the Harley to defence move but if we do go with that could put him on Stringer for the horrifying realisation of what happens if you don't improve your fitness

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("This'll be you mate")

Really put the fear of his own mortality into the kid

Does he get the shit tattoos as well?

 

[Yeahnahmate]

8. Lastly, and most importantly, playing Oscar back allows us to bring in Loch Rawlinson at full forward.

What the hell are you talking about? Our third shortest player at FF doesn’t exactly seem like a masterstroke, it seems like you’ve had a stroke

 

[sharps24]

What the hell are you talking about? Our third shortest player at FF doesn’t exactly seem like a masterstroke, it seems like you’ve had a stroke

I don't feel that I need to explain or justify my player sponsorship to you. But given it would be rude to offer no response, I have attempted to engage AI for the task.

All I'll say is boy, not only did that escalate quickly but god damn do Grok and chatGBT have some philosophical differences.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

I don't feel that I need to explain or justify my player sponsorship to you. But given it would be rude to offer no response, I have attempted to engage AI for the task.

All I'll say is boy, not only did that escalate quickly but god damn do Grok and chatGBT have some philosophical differences.

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Look I still think you might have had a stroke - but you at least seem friendly, play on

 

[Kegs15]

Does he get the shit tattoos as well?

Every time one of our players has a below par game from now on they have to get one of Stringer's tats.

Teach em a lesson

 

[Kegs15]

I don't feel that I need to explain or justify my player sponsorship to you. But given it would be rude to offer no response, I have attempted to engage AI for the task.

All I'll say is boy, not only did that escalate quickly but god damn do Grok and chatGBT have some philosophical differences.

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Genuinely curious if you can use those same kinda prompts and see what we get with my boy Bailey.

 

[Avalor]

Edwards is just too slow, gets killed time and again by a fast FF.

 

[Doashuey]

As soon as I saw Hedwards listed on the extended bench and Maric as CHB with Brock announced as debuting it was obvious to me he would be dropped.
Anyway, Im a bit more optomistic about this one than I was a day or two ago. Been hammered in the media, have 3 young guns debuting against a side that should spank us, just seems like one that is primed for an upset. GWS are my flag fancies and we are very poor but if we have pne of those games like we did against the Lions and we start hitting targets anything is possible.

 

[PepperTom32]

Yeah absolutely.

I'm also worried about Taylor and that he'll monster us without Allen threatening down there. He's too much for Archer or JWilliams alone.

The worst case scenario in that our smaller backline gets outsized in the air is what it is and I can accept/definitely expect some contested mark losses. But think that's still fun/interesting to watch in how it all plays out.

Watching Taylor annihilate us down the line and us have no forward structure at all when we do win it would be way less fun/way more crushing for the team IMO. Keep Allen down there, let him play a captain's game and earn JWill and Archer a few goals as his priority #1.

I’m hoping Archer can challenge Taylor aerially. Has a few cms on him and showed he can take a good contested grab last weekend.

 

[Cuzz09]

think we'll tough it out for a bit but they're better and will win by 70

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Obeanie1]

Damning for Edwards - subbed out and then dropped.

Hope Brock goes well - & Maric/Ginbeast on Stringer probably isn't a bad match up.

Don't like bagging players.

Harry being dròpped is a big statement with Gov out as well.

I'm not surprised nor unhappy.l with his omission.

Harry just doesn't have the pace nor agility to keep up with the better tall forwards. Is half a second off AFL pace / reaction time and it hurts his game.

Apart for a few intercept marks when he zones off his player he just doesn't impact nor defend well enough.

Let's keep sifting through players until we find the next Gov.

At least Brock can keep up.

 

[bUCKET__]

None of our forwards can compete with Taylor. No forwards in the league can, just don't kick it near him. That bloke is one of my fave players in the whole comp. Worth watching us get smashed just to watch that man play.