Rnd 20, vs GWS at the SCG, on Saturday 30 July, 2:10 PM

**Maltopia** · 25th July 2022, 12:09 AM

A must win game for our top four or even top two aspirations!

We play after the Dockers/Demons game and the Pies/Port game so we could be playing for fourth spot (at the end of this round) if Freo and the Pies both lose.

Toby Greene has been on fire for them, and is one of the most impactful players in the competition. But Tom Green was dropped for round 19 due to poor form.

They seem to defend well against Buddy, with him being well held by Phil Davis in the past, and Sam Taylor more recently. Taylor is one of the best tall defenders going around at the moment.

Hard to put anyone out of the winning team, but Hickey is playing injured and only attended 50% of the CBA against Adelaide. JPK had 37 disposals in the VFL.

I would be ok JPK being the medical sub, and either the team remaining otherwise unchanged, or Cunningham coming in for JMac (TheBloods will say this is a rubbish suggestion!) for him to have a run in the twos with his up and down form. Then again, JMac might find his form like Florent did after a couple of crappy games mid-season.

**AB Swannie** · 25th July 2022, 09:48 AM

I was critical of McInerney in the first half against Adelaide but think he worked into the game well in the 2nd half. He’s not at his peak but worth persisting with IMO.

I think Hickey needs a rest. He needs to get himself right before the finals.

**i'm-uninformed2** · 25th July 2022, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by AB Swannie

I was critical of McInerney in the first half against Adelaide but think he worked into the game well in the 2nd half. He’s not at his peak but worth persisting with IMO.

I think Hickey needs a rest. He needs to get himself right before the finals.

I think the hard thing to know with Hickey is whether he has an injury, or he needs match conditioning - given he's been in and out all year - that best comes from playing seniors. (I get he could play ressies too but with Ladhams out, not really an option for as good a job as Sam and Amarty do pinch hitting, I wouldn't want them as lead rucks).

**AB Swannie** · 25th July 2022, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by i'm-uninformed2

I think the hard thing to know with Hickey is whether he has an injury, or he needs match conditioning - given he's been in and out all year - that best comes from playing seniors. (I get he could play ressies too but with Ladhams out, not really an option for as good a job as Sam and Amarty do pinch hitting, I wouldn't want them as lead rucks).

Pretty sure Horse mentioned in his post-game presser that Hickey is struggling with a few niggles including his foot and ankle.

**KTigers** · 25th July 2022, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by AB Swannie

Pretty sure Horse mentioned in his post-game presser that Hickey is struggling with a few niggles including his foot and ankle.

Yep, watching him on Saturday, he was not moving easily. He could not run freely.

**i'm-uninformed2** · 25th July 2022, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by AB Swannie

Pretty sure Horse mentioned in his post-game presser that Hickey is struggling with a few niggles including his foot and ankle.

Fair enough, and thanks for clarifying. Sounds like they are simply trying to get him to battle through till Ladhams returns, or he somehow recovers (which I'm not sure how a ruckman easily does that with foot and ankle injuries . . . )

**707** · 25th July 2022, 09:50 AM

No unforced changes unless it is for specific match up needs.

Absolutely we have our destiny in our own hands, win four and could end up second.

**lwjoyner** · 25th July 2022, 09:53 AM

kennedy for McInnerny ( struggling) McInerney to ms for wocks

**Roadrunner** · 25th July 2022, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by lwjoyner

kennedy for McInnerny ( struggling) McInerney to ms for wocks

No- Joey med sub and JMac stays. He is needed for the finals and will regain form. As for “wocks”, keep him company with Wicks in the twos!😊

**The Big Cat** · 25th July 2022, 11:36 AM

Campbell for Clarke, McDonald for Amartey, Kennedy sub. That gives us the best team our list has to offer (given Naismith is not ready)

**Molly dooker** · 27th July 2022, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by The Big Cat

Campbell for Clarke, McDonald for Amartey, Kennedy sub. That gives us the best team our list has to offer (given Naismith is not ready)

Yes. This.

**wolftone57** · 28th July 2022, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by The Big Cat

Campbell for Clarke, McDonald for Amartey, Kennedy sub. That gives us the best team our list has to offer (given Naismith is not ready)

McDonald is not that pack mark player. He is a lead and mark player, like Buddy. If you replace Amartey like for like would be McLean.

I would keep Amartey in as last week was not the day for big guys taking huge pack marks. Too wet. If Hickey is injured then play Amartey and Reid in the ruck. Could even bring in Sinkas as a last resort.

McInerney may need a rest. He looks a bit beaten up. I wonder if he has Samson effect.

Other than that I think we are pretty good to go.

I would play Fox on Greene. He can match him for leap, can outpace him and is good at running off an opponent. That means Greene will have to defend, something he doesn't really like doing.

Playing Bud forther up the ground has been beneficial. If Taylor plays on him and Bud spends greater time upfield this will release territory and get Taylor out of the equation. This will mean they have to play Haines back to combat this.