Changes for round 15 v Gold Coast

[Captain]

Clarke went home prior to the fight. He is out of the team because he is an average footballer who butchers the ball. No place for someone who can just tag and do nothing else, the game has moved past that. You only need to look at Hewett or de Boer to see that.

Great to see Rowbottom in. So much more upside than Clarke.

Shame that Menzel has lost his spot, has so much skill and adds more of an X Factor.

[Markwebbos]

Just weird considering his North mate was wrapped up in the nightclub incident last week
I recko. Heeney came clean and i suspect Clarke only come clean after Heeney

Clarke wasn’t there according to the official story

[Ralph Dawg]

I reckon you are pretty spot on. Re: Clarke, in the week of his potential 50th, Horse described his as a depth player. I'll be interested to see what role Ronke plays, surely a defensive one. The MC seem to have developed a pleasant ruthless streak this year. No sign of Kizza again this week.

- - - Updated - - -



I don't think he has the same defensive capability though.

Wicks 7.5 tackles / match
Ronke 3.5 tackles / match

[Markwebbos]

Wicks 7.5 tackles / match
Ronke 3.5 tackles / match

What do Menzel’s numbers look like?

[Ralph Dawg]

What do Menzel’s numbers look like?

2 NEAFL matches for 2 tackles but has kicked 8.1! Remembering too, the matches where on managed time as he was coming back from long term injury. I like him in the team as he has that certain X Factor that stats don't show up. However, he's not going to contribute too much in slowing an oppositions rebound out of defence.

[Meg]

Shame that Menzel has lost his spot, has so much skill and adds more of an X Factor.

I too was sorry to see Menzel go out. He is a very intelligent footballer, positions himself really well, so in right places to take opportunities. I would have liked to see his experience and footy ‘smarts’ with Buddy not there.

[Ludwig]

Wicks 7.5 tackles / match
Ronke 3.5 tackles / match

I think Wicks has played more on ball than Ronke has, which could explain some of the difference. That said, Wicks has been a real surprise package; his game really moved to another level this year. I posted somewhere else that I thought sticking more tackles was Ronke's biggest problem. Too many players run by him or break tackles on him in AFL. He should be able to fix the problem, one would think.

[Meg]

Wicks 7.5 tackles / match
Ronke 3.5 tackles / match

As far as I am aware Wicks is still a Category B rookie and therefore not eligible to play seniors. Possibly, if the Club wanted to promote him they could do so for rest of season by placing Smith on long-term injury list? Just speculation on my part.

[liz]

They have already moved Smith to the LTIL, and that was before he was ruled out for the rest of the season. So they could select Bell or Wicks if they wanted to.

[Blood Fever]

I think Wicks has played more on ball than Ronke has, which could explain some of the difference. That said, Wicks has been a real surprise package; his game really moved to another level this year. I posted somewhere else that I thought sticking more tackles was Ronke's biggest problem. Too many players run by him or break tackles on him in AFL. He should be able to fix the problem, one would think.

Hope he can fix his kicking, other than for goal. Very ordinary for AFL.

[giant]

Menzel is faster than Ronke and is also older.

Presumably you're referring to Grandma Ronke because Ben is fast and I'd give myself half a chance to beat Menzel over 20m.

[rb4x]

Presumably you're referring to Grandma Ronke because Ben is fast and I'd give myself half a chance to beat Menzel over 20m.

No I am referring to a stat I read after a recent game which had Menzel as the second fastest player on the ground. Not sure that I believe it either.