Changes - Round 16 vs Hawthorn

[jono2707]

The Hawks would be rubbing their hands at the prospect of pushing Towers around. Heeney wouldn't take that...

[bloodspirit]

Before getting injured I would think Big Sammy was a walk up for an injured Pyke. He started the year really well. Had a pretty useful game against Sandy & Clarke in the NAB. His NAB form was very good and I think once he recovers from injury he will be number 3. But I am also concerned about Pyke's form. He has played 13, Disp Av; 8, Mark Av; 1.4, Tackles 2.8 and scored 1.3. He has an average of 31 HO which is pretty good but does not rate well on HO to advantage. This is really poor. A very bad year indeed for Mike.

I agree. It is a real pity Big Sam is injured. Would have been great to see him getting games under his belt and see how he goes. I reckon they would have gone with him too.

We need to look at recruiting another ruck in the off-season - the best the trade restrictions permit us to get. It's a pity we can't cut Derickx - I seem to remember someone pointing out he is contracted until the end of 2016. Some options might be: Zac Smith (Gold Coast), Leuenberger (Lions) if he can't crack the Lions 22, maybe one of the GWS boys (Phillips/Downie/Lobb). I'm sure there are other possibilities too. Do others have any thoughts or suggestions?

On another note, I like the suggestion of BJ for Towers. For me the jury is still out on Towers but I hear the cacophony of voices crying out for him to be dumped and it seems a good time for BJ to get a go given his recent form. I think BJ may offer a little better defensive pressure and perhaps crumbing ability whereas Towers is, at least theoretically, better in the air with his height and leap, although he hasn't taken many marks. In this game against the Hawks I think the pressure and crumbing might be handier (especially with Rohan out) than whatever Towers offers.

I reckon Heeney will come in if he's ready. I hope he is and does. He is classy enough to find a way to make a good contribution and the experience will stand him in good stead in future games.

[AnnieH]

Predicting rain for Saturday night.
Must be a home game for us.

[mcs]

A win by the swans on saturday night should knock hawthorn out of top 2 considerations, which imo severly dents there premiership asperations

I agree Barry - get onto your buddies at ANZ to make sure they present the ground in decent nick for Saturday night please - a poor track is not going to help us (though they can't do a lot about the rubbish weather everywhere has had recently).

A win would be a big statement, and put Hawthorn under the pump for top 2. They may be the best team in the league on form, but if they don't make top 2, it gets a lot tougher from there when the top 2 are likely to be a combination of Sydney, Wet Coke and Freo.

[frankee]

Absolutely love the underdog tag going into this game!

In: Heeney, Richards
out: Robinson, towers