Changes for Round 5 versus Fremantle

**Ampersand** · 18th April 2014, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig

It's true that Benny is in very good form this year, but we shouldn't underestimate his value as a tagger. He shut down Harvey and Dangerfield the previous week, and created a bit of offence as well. It's quite valuable if you beat an opponent that is the most damaging player. Benny is an excellent tagger and was used to great effect in his years at Hawthorn.

Freo is difficult team to match up on, because they are the ones applying the defensive pressure, so they make their opponents the ones trying to get free from the pressure, then hit you on the rebound. Fyfe is probably their most dangerous player, but is such a difficult matchup, because he plays mostly in the midfield, but is so dangerous an difficult to cover when he goes forward. He's probably too tall and too strong a mark for Shaw. Rampe would be the best match physically, except that if he hasn't been training with the midfield group, it could create a bit of confusion for our midfield. It must be tricky playing against Sandilands, because you know you are going to lose the hitouts most of the time.

The problem is you're also basically also shutting down one of our few in form players by making him play the role of a tagger. I maintain that giving a badly out of form player like Shaw a run with role would be a net positive or at least neutral.

**On-Baller** · 18th April 2014, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Ampersand

The problem is you're also basically also shutting down one of our few in form players by making him play the role of a tagger. I maintain that giving a badly out of form player like Shaw a run with role would be a net positive or at least neutral.

Cant agree with people saying Shaw should be tagging, wasnt his role last week tagging Wells? In my opinion Wells was BOG, if Shaw has too play he should be kept forward as much as possible as his disposal and decision making will hurt us too much anywhere else.

**BloodStainAngel** · 18th April 2014, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Matt80

If ROK was not injured wouldn't he be required to play in the reserves?

Would he not want to play reserves to try and get to back into the seniors and get to 300 games?

Unfortunately for ROK & most other players, wherever the ball stops rolling for you that's it. Many have been left stranded just short of a milestone, that's the ruthless nature of professional team sports.

**wolftone57** · 18th April 2014, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by aguy

He's not been named in the neafl side I don't think

Yes he has;

http://www.neafl.com.au/fileadmin/us...ns_Round_4.pdf

**aguy** · 18th April 2014, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by wolftone57

Yes he has;
http://www.neafl.com.au/fileadmin/us...ns_Round_4.pdf

Just noticed

**wolftone57** · 18th April 2014, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig

ROK is not capable of playing senior footy for any team. He's not playing in the reserves, because it is pointless. He is in the best possible form he can be in right now. That's the problem. The best thing he can do is announce his immediate retirement, as Mattner did last season when he realised there was nothing to be done to get him to play at AFL level.

He is named in the reserves on the NEAFL site Ludwig.

**wolftone57** · 18th April 2014, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig

It's true that Benny is in very good form this year, but we shouldn't underestimate his value as a tagger. He shut down Harvey and Dangerfield the previous week, and created a bit of offence as well. It's quite valuable if you beat an opponent that is the most damaging player. Benny is an excellent tagger and was used to great effect in his years at Hawthorn.

Freo is difficult team to match up on, because they are the ones applying the defensive pressure, so they make their opponents the ones trying to get free from the pressure, then hit you on the rebound. Fyfe is probably their most dangerous player, but is such a difficult matchup, because he plays mostly in the midfield, but is so dangerous an difficult to cover when he goes forward. He's probably too tall and too strong a mark for Shaw. Rampe would be the best match physically, except that if he hasn't been training with the midfield group, it could create a bit of confusion for our midfield. It must be tricky playing against Sandilands, because you know you are going to lose the hitouts most of the time.

I agree Benny is a good tagger. I think to stop the Crowley tag on Kizza we could play Kizza on the wing in a totally outside role and stuff Crowley up. Crowley likes it in and tight and he doesn't have the pace to play an outside role, even as a tagger. Burn him off for pace.

Most teams have been unsuccessful in tagging Fyfe. Even the Hawks just limited his damage in the GF, rotating Sewell, Smith and Shiel on him. i think it may be a good thing to rotate players on him. Fyfe doesn't always play an outside role, he can play in the centre square or rest forward. Rampe to take him when he goes forward, not sure in the mids. Fyfe often starts a game on the wing so he will probably either get Harry, Hannas or Jetts in the first instance. horse might move Rampe to the wing to match up leaving Froe to match two of the other three.

I would make Rhyce Shaw sub.

**wolftone57** · 18th April 2014, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by On-Baller

Cant agree with people saying Shaw should be tagging, wasnt his role last week tagging Wells? In my opinion Wells was BOG, if Shaw has too play he should be kept forward as much as possible as his disposal and decision making will hurt us too much anywhere else.

Shaw is a crap tagger. He was in the defence not for his ability to keep his player goalless but for his ability to run the ball out. In other words run and carry. Now he has lost the ability to deliver from the run and carry I don't know what his purpose is. He allows too many goals to be kicked by his opponents. Often makes bad decisions that cost goals. Kicks without slowing down and looking.

Benny will tag and is a great tagger because he will hurt them in return. His opponents get little of it and he mops up. Benny has never been a huge accumulator. By the way Birdie will probably get a tagging role too.

**dimelb** · 18th April 2014, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig

He would only be required to play in the reserves if Horse wanted him to play in the reserves. I have no information, but think that he will be the non-playing emergency in order to give the others full games in the ressies.

As I've said previously, I think he is already playing to the best of his ability and cannot see how is he going to improve. I am sure he's been trying all summer to get his pace to the highest level possible, and this is it.

You look at Jonathon Brown and its more or less the same thing. Not that long ago he was the most powerful forward in the game, had good pace and great endurance. He's trying as hard as he can, but just can't do it any more.

I watched that game and despite the horrendous error count Jonathan Brown took outstanding marks and kicked goals. I wish we had someone as decrepit as he was last night.