Match Day Rnd.4 West Coast V Sydney. Domain Stadium 20.10 pm.

[Sandrevan]

Wauchope, you've nailed my fear precisely on the head with that comment. I really do wonder if Longmire is going to be able to transform our gameplan, as the changing style of AFL footy is going to demand. Contested ball is no longer the king it was, and you can't make up for a slow midfield by having lots of contested ball kings. If I was a Hawks fan, despite the clear holes developing in their list, I'd be confident their coach knows how to adapt to the way footy is going (being driven by the Commission and its rule changes I might add). I can't say I'm confident Longmire will manage the same.

He has been an enormous part of our clubs success, but I wonder if Longmire will be able to reinvent our game plan as the game moves in an uncomfortable direction. Our style of footy is no longer being rewarded in the way it once was.

I have to agree with this.

[Billericay]

I start every year bumbling and fumbling too ................................. and stay that way all year round. Why should Reg be any different?

Based on (1) past experience and (2) the fact he's a professional athlete and you're not?

[Ludwig]

Reg starts every year bumbling and fumbling, the mob calls for demotion, but he ends each year close to All Australian standard. Without Sir Rampelot to the rescue he looks worse this early in the season but he will come good. Dropping him would be counter productive for the whole team.

I start every year bumbling and fumbling too ................................. and stay that way all year round. Why should Reg be any different?

[Flying South]

+1. This talk of bringing in rookies to replace him is just crazy.

[bodgie]

Reg starts every year bumbling and fumbling, the mob calls for demotion, but he ends each year close to All Australian standard. Without Sir Rampelot to the rescue he looks worse this early in the season but he will come good. Dropping him would be counter productive for the whole team.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

SPOILER: FREO have changed there defensive game style and are now they scored OVER 100 points today. We have the 'Last Mohican' as our coach.

There are simply are asking for 1 on 1 defence. Spread early to set up. Quick ball movement.

The perfect example of the difference occured in the Freo, Demons game. Oliver gets a free about 60m out but there is a little lag for the ball to come back. The Freo forwards were all running back toward the Demons goal and Stephen Hill holds up 2 hands and tells them to stay out and go forward. Freo get a turnover and got the ball out easily as they had forwards to kick to and not 1 on 3, like us.

They only got caught when 2 or 3 players all go to one player, most times it was 'Cleatus' or lack of communication and the Demons got to the outside quickly, due to have free players.

Simple footy. Ask each player to beat their man and Freo won. Oh they also have a lot of inexperience players. No excuses with them.



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[RogueSwan]

It's a misconception to think if we replace an out of form experienced player with an in form inexperienced player that we are going to somehow be worse off. Freo had 2 bad losses and looked hopeless, then made 6 changes, dropping several veterans, and now have gone on to win 2 successive games against highly favoured sides. We've lost 4 in a row. If something is not working, is the answer to leave it alone? ...

And has nothing to do with two of the leagues best midfielders, in Fyfe and Neale, finding top form and dragging their team along with them?
And the players they brought in, although more inexperienced, still had 130 odd games between them, quite different to debutantes.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

It's a misconception to think if we replace an out of form experienced player with an in form inexperienced player that we are going to somehow be worse off. Freo had 2 bad losses and looked hopeless, then made 6 changes, dropping several veterans, and now have gone on to win 2 successive games against highly favoured sides. We've lost 4 in a row. If something is not working, is the answer to leave it alone?

As for next week, I don't think we can drop Reg anyway because GWS will play 3 big forwards in Cameron, Patton and Lobb. Even if we bring in Melican, who played well against Patton in the JLT series, we will still be undersized against that trio.

Interesting point Ludwig. Do you think that Freo are playing the same way with different players and now winning.????

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[Ludwig]

I think if Rampe was still playing that would make sense. But it's a very inexperienced back line and I think they need Reg's experience is needed at least until Rampe's return.

It's a misconception to think if we replace an out of form experienced player with an in form inexperienced player that we are going to somehow be worse off. Freo had 2 bad losses and looked hopeless, then made 6 changes, dropping several veterans, and now have gone on to win 2 successive games against highly favoured sides. We've lost 4 in a row. If something is not working, is the answer to leave it alone?

As for next week, I don't think we can drop Reg anyway because GWS will play 3 big forwards in Cameron, Patton and Lobb. Even if we bring in Melican, who played well against Patton in the JLT series, we will still be undersized against that trio.

[Markwebbos]

That's a solid group to cover 2 or 3 spots in the side. If Reg is at the top of his game, there would be no reason to drop him. But if his game is faltering, as it has been so far this year, we should start pushing these others through and get them working together asap. With our slow start this year we should have more of an eye on the future than winning a premiership this season. It doesn't mean we have to give up, but if we do it, we will have to do it with a young team.

I think if Rampe was still playing that would make sense. But it's a very inexperienced back line and I think they need Reg's experience is needed at least until Rampe's return.

[goswannies]

I believe c7 can only show 4 games per week. I guess it was a choice between Swans v WC or Cats v Hawks.

Wasn't in stinking Adelaide either! Only one game Thursday night & they don't even show it!

[Ludwig]

A perceived weakness only a year ago, now we have a plethora of tall defenders waiting for spot.

1. Aliir has already become an important member of our defence.
2. Melican seems ready to step up to AFL level. He had a great JLT series and continues on in the NEAFL.
3. Maibaum looks like a winner, has a mature body and good pace. If not this year, surely will be ready to go next year.
4. Talia looked good in the first game last year, then everything went downhill. Not sure what the problem is this year, or even if there is a problem. I don't see why he shouldn't be able to regain his early form of last year. He's played some good footy in his short career and seems to have the tools for a better AFL career than he has had to date.
5. It's over 10 months since AJ's last ACL reco. It shouldn't be long before he's ready to take the field for his first game in 5 years, even with a cautious approach. The successful return of Dan Menzel gives me confidence that Alex can do it too.

That's a solid group to cover 2 or 3 spots in the side. If Reg is at the top of his game, there would be no reason to drop him. But if his game is faltering, as it has been so far this year, we should start pushing these others through and get them working together asap. With our slow start this year we should have more of an eye on the future than winning a premiership this season. It doesn't mean we have to give up, but if we do it, we will have to do it with a young team.

[sprite]

This is something I don't understand about footy each year. Why do some players drop their form in a matter of a few months?

Many of us thought Reg was unlucky not to get selected as an All-Australian last year and he was one of our best in the GF. He had a lovely relaxed holiday off-season (judging from Instagram), came back for an injury-free (as far as we know) preseason training period - and now within his good defending we see too many stuff- ups. Very puzzling.

Reg may have had a great break and pre season, but what happens is that he hasn't improved his pace, which the opposition have and they have now gone past him. He has a problem that he plays off his opponent and tries to read the ball coming in. He is now being caught that little further back, which means he is struggling to get into position.

His short kicks seem to have lost accuracy and power.

[Flying South]

Why wasn't last nights game broadcast on free to air in Melbourne?

I believe c7 can only show 4 games per week. I guess it was a choice between Swans v WC or Cats v Hawks.

[Scottee]

Good to see Papley back but I think it was a mistake playing him. Horse basically said we were playing him as we needed to get some game time into him and there was no NEAFL this weekend. AFL is not where you play players to just get them match fit. He would have benefited more from the hard training planned for those who did not get to Perth. Sinclair was good in the first quarter but if you look at the hitout stats he eventually was well beaten by Giles and Vardy. He does not have the tank at present to ruck solo for a full game. He got a chop out from Reid but this left our forward line without a tall which hurt badly as Franklin was nobbled in the first quarter hit from Hurn. We elevated Melican probably only for the week as either he or Fox will return to the rookie list with Rohan now due back. He should have played as he is tall, fast and a good kick on either side. Would have given us a tall target when Reid went into ruck and could have relieved Aliir and Grundy in defence who needed help. OK he would have been on debut and has not played as a forward but he showed enough in the three JLT games to be given a go and at least he is fit as far as I know though his tank might be suspect over four quarters at Subiaco. He would at least have given the team flexibility which we badly lacked.

I note that our expectation of free kicks is now so low that when we lose them 23-16 it seems like we have had a very good deal from the umpires.

Totally agree rb4x. This game was compromised by our own selections. Papley had much less impact than a fit Melican would have had and took away options to not only fill in for Reid when he was rucking, but also to allow Aliir to ruck while he took CHB. Opportunity lost.Also, Melican plays a tight defensive role in contrast to Aliir's loose defensive role and would have made a big difference to the performance of the backline in my opinion.