Changes for Rd. 5 vs West Coast Eagles

**MattW** · 30th June 2020, 10:14 PM

IN: Stoddart; Melican; Gray
OUT: Fox; Naismith; Blakey

There is no point persevering with Fox in that running defender role - too many mistakes under pressure and I just don't see the improvement. He reminds me of Rose/Brandon Jack in his apparent fear of taking possession. I also think there is a pretty low ceiling on O'Riordan, although I understand that may be a minority view - too many kicking and awareness errors at the top level. So let's give Stoddart a go - properly, for at least a few weeks. He's been an emergency the last couple of games. I note barracuda's comment that he is not AFL standard, but it's his third year and I think it's time to give him another shot.

Either McCartin or Melican in for Naismith. I went for Melican to play on either Darling or Kennedy, while Rampe takes the other. I can't see Aliir really matching either for body strength. But, we might need him to match up on one if Ryan gets loose against... *checks notes* ... Cunningham(?) and Rampe needs to take Ryan. The absence of a shut-down small defender in the Smith mould is a real liability. Please not Mills, he's a decent loose man type defender, but it's actually kind of painful to watch him defend one-on-one and Ryan will be too quick and the others too big. (Of course, John's comments in today's presser are not cause for optimism although he did readily acknowledge Mills played well in midfield.) I notice Brand is listed as injured for the next two weeks. Looks like we're waiting for O'Connor.

Again, suspect this is a minority view, but Blakey looks really lost and down on confidence at the moment, and in my view needs a spell and a chance to build confidence playing at reserves level. It worked last year. Gray needs to up his work-rate, but at least he's a good kick and smart with the ball (yes, when he gets it).

**waswan** · 30th June 2020, 11:18 PM

Stephens to play on Gaff

Got to play a top 5 pick.

**waswan** · 30th June 2020, 11:23 PM

Stephens the 1 of 2 top 10 picks
yet to get a game, the other is from Freo who have played 2 of their3 top ten picks

**Nico** · 30th June 2020, 11:33 PM

Please not Melican. As loose as granny's teeth and gives NO run out of the backline.

**wolftone57** · 2nd July 2020, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Nico

Please not Melican. As loose as granny's teeth and gives NO run out of the backline.

Nico, not all defenders are running defenders. Smithy & Reg certainly were not. Every team needs hard lock down defenders like them. The unfortunate thing is I believe Melican is unsuited to playing on the monsters. He is more comfortable playing on the players Rampe generally gets. Brand is better suited to the monsters. But in reality neither Kennedy nor Darling are monsters. But they do play a second ruck. So Brand, if fit may come back.

We have to look at O'Riordan's role. He looks out of sorts. His normal role in the reserves has been as a running defender or mid. Now he is being asked to play the Smithy role as a lock down defender. I think he is highly unsuited to this role and gets totally out positioned. I believe Fox would be far more suited ala Sydney Stack at Richmond. Both take species, both lock down really well and both are pretty good in a tight spot. I think Colin is not any of those. What's more on the small, big marking targets like Ryan I think Fox is far more suited as he can match them in the air. O'Riordan cannot.

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**Markwebbos** · 1st July 2020, 12:11 AM

Someone needs to come in if Mills is to be allowed to move to the middle. Why not McCartin? Agree about Fox.

**TheBloods** · 1st July 2020, 01:03 AM

Out: take your pick - McLean, Blakey, Taylor, Fox, Ronke, McInerney, Hayward, Cunningham

In: anyone who can perform for more than a quarter and a half. and who actually give a damn about the jumper they're wearing and the great club it represents.

**wolftone57** · 2nd July 2020, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by TheBloods

Out: take your pick - McLean, Blakey, Taylor, Fox, Ronke, McInerney, Hayward, Cunningham

In: anyone who can perform for more than a quarter and a half. and who actually give a damn about the jumper they're wearing and the great club it represents.

I think you are a bit hard on Ronke. His forward pressure was good. He looked a bit rusty but I think after a game under his belt he will be much better. You must remember the reserves did not have a hit out the week before so his game was going to be a bit out of sync. McLean did not do a lot wrong. The ball was coming down like like a Dresden Donut. Some of the worst delivery to a forward line ever. Not to mention the fact it hardly went in there in the first half (19 times).

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**bloodspirit** · 1st July 2020, 08:21 AM

Good intro, MattW. And some interesting ideas.

On paper we look outgunned but it's not a bad time to have drawn the Eagles. Maybe their hub-itis will give us a chance. Or maybe they'll finally get their act together.

I don't have many bright ideas about selection. It's hard to judge without being able to watch reserves. Could be good to regain McCartin but I won't be surprised if they spell him another week. Gray seems a likely inclusion although it will mean we're getting shorter and shorter. In fact, if we select as you suggest, won't we only have three players 190+ cm? (Sinclair, McLean & Aliir unless McCartin is available.) Actually, I'm overlooking the addition of Melican, which goes to show why we need him.

I'm not sure what to think about COR. He's such a hard worker. Does that reinforce your point about him having a low ceiling (otherwise wouldn't he be better by now?) or does it suggest he will be able to remedy his deficiencies if given enough opportunity?

Last random thought: it bears remembering that these are strange and difficult times. There are a lot of people who are struggling. Players are not immune. Do we need to make some allowance for this before making long term judgments about their worth? The coaches and welfare staff are fortunately better placed to assess this.

**Scottee** · 2nd July 2020, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by bloodspirit

Good intro, MattW. And some interesting ideas.

On paper we look outgunned but it's not a bad time to have drawn the Eagles. Maybe their hub-itis will give us a chance. Or maybe they'll finally get their act together.

I don't have many bright ideas about selection. It's hard to judge without being able to watch reserves. Could be good to regain McCartin but I won't be surprised if they spell him another week. Gray seems a likely inclusion although it will mean we're getting shorter and shorter. In fact, if we select as you suggest, won't we only have three players 190+ cm? (Sinclair, McLean & Aliir unless McCartin is available.) Actually, I'm overlooking the addition of Melican, which goes to show why we need him.

I'm not sure what to think about COR. He's such a hard worker. Does that reinforce your point about him having a low ceiling (otherwise wouldn't he be better by now?) or does it suggest he will be able to remedy his deficiencies if given enough opportunity?

Last random thought: it bears remembering that these are strange and difficult times. There are a lot of people who are struggling. Players are not immune. Do we need to make some allowance for this before making long term judgments about their worth? The coaches and welfare staff are fortunately better placed to assess this.

I would swap Hayward and COR. Hayward finally started to show some confidence when shifted back last week and COR has shown he has some goal kicking talents in the past. His defensive skills would not go astray in the forward line any way. Low risk, potentially high reward strategy IMHO.

**dimelb** · 2nd July 2020, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Scottee

I would swap Hayward and COR. Hayward finally started to show some confidence when shifted back last week and COR has shown he has some goal kicking talents in the past. His defensive skills would not go astray in the forward line any way. Low risk, potentially high reward strategy IMHO.

Interesting suggestion and well worth a try. We would be making next year's future, not this year's present.