Finals 22 - with a twist

[Markwebbos]

Not all players who miss a finals 22 deserve it. But if we play Geelong in week 2, we can't be playing Fox on one of Hawkins, Cameron or Esava. We need a stronger option, and that's Melican. But then whoever misses should be the sub as coverage.

If we think Fox can take the Package and Rampe Hooker then there may be no need for Pelican,

I don’t think they’ll play Cameron, Esava and Hawkins in the same forward line. Although Esava might end up rucking.

[stellation]

Luke Vogels. His debut season.
I think Nicks, Schauble and Maxfield all started on the list in 2005 but didn't feature in the finals.. amazing to consider how great they all were and how close they got.

On Schauble and 2005- I can't find an image of it, but I'm certain he took a screamer on Lance Whitnall's ample back in his (Andrew's) final game. Did that happen?

[i'm-uninformed2]

On Schauble and 2005- I can't find an image of it, but I'm certain he took a screamer on Lance Whitnall's ample back in his (Andrew's) final game. Did that happen?

You mean dis?

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos...8947?s=612x612

[Ludwig]

I think the starting point forming a defensive unit comprises 2 KPDs and 1 small defender. Just about every team will have at least 2 tall and 1 small forward that need man on man coverage. After that you can build based on the personnel available and the preferred game plan.

The question for us has been whether Rampe or Fox can handle one of the KPD spots. Rampe is a great defender and Fox plays above his size, but it's not the kind of matchup I would be happy with. I would much prefer to see them play other roles, which could be as a lockdown defender or an interceptor/loose in defence.

We've laid out the Geelong challenge, but the Bulldogs will be just as hard. Stef Martin should return for finals, which means that WB can have a forward line of Bruce, English and Naughton. That's going to be a challenge even with both McCartin and Melican in the side, because it will leave Rampe to cover one of the 3. Blakey is tall enough, but not good enough at the defensive craft to handle a strong key forward. Dawson is better, but that would take away one of our best attacking weapons.

We don't need to choose between Melican and Fox. Both can fit in the side. McCartin, Rampe, Melican, Fox, Blakey, Cunningham and Lloyd can be our 7 man defensive unit, with 1 usually on the bench with rotations.

Let's try to stop teams from beating us in the air. If we can force them to be more dependent on a ground game, then it plays into our hands

[joeykanga]

Rubbish , you win a game by playing 22 players who are in form , know their role and can be relied on to perform it . Midfield is firing atm , they will put pressure on Geelong's entries and their talls wont even see it . While Fox and Jmac are running it out at will JB and Darce will be sooking about how Geelong went too tall !

I very much agree with that …you keep a team thats in form and synchronicity as a team and make the changes only when you have to eg if injury strikes or if a player is clearly out of form ..how often in sports have returns of players to teams unnecessarily changed the dynamic and momentum ..even with superstars returning if it changes the dynamic of the team ..
You only make changes when very rare individuals are returning and you’re sure they are good to go first up …

[stellation]

You mean dis?

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos...8947?s=612x612

On Fev! Even better.

[stevoswan]

Ha!

Trivia time: who was the unlucky player who was the only change out of the 2005 side in the last two months of our run home and through the finals?

I'll say Vogels. I recently watched the 2005 season highlights and he kept popping up, kicking goals and I believe he played in the final round of that year too.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I'll say Vogels. I recently watched the 2005 season highlights and he kept popping up, kicking goals and I believe he played in the final round of that year too.

✅ ✅

[i'm-uninformed2]

I think the starting point forming a defensive unit comprises 2 KPDs and 1 small defender. Just about every team will have at least 2 tall and 1 small forward that need man on man coverage. After that you can build based on the personnel available and the preferred game plan.

The question for us has been whether Rampe or Fox can handle one of the KPD spots. Rampe is a great defender and Fox plays above his size, but it's not the kind of matchup I would be happy with. I would much prefer to see them play other roles, which could be as a lockdown defender or an interceptor/loose in defence.

We've laid out the Geelong challenge, but the Bulldogs will be just as hard. Stef Martin should return for finals, which means that WB can have a forward line of Bruce, English and Naughton. That's going to be a challenge even with both McCartin and Melican in the side, because it will leave Rampe to cover one of the 3. Blakey is tall enough, but not good enough at the defensive craft to handle a strong key forward. Dawson is better, but that would take away one of our best attacking weapons.

We don't need to choose between Melican and Fox. Both can fit in the side. McCartin, Rampe, Melican, Fox, Blakey, Cunningham and Lloyd can be our 7 man defensive unit, with 1 usually on the bench with rotations.

Let's try to stop teams from beating us in the air. If we can force them to be more dependent on a ground game, then it plays into our hands

I personally don’t mind this structure, provided Melican is fit and in form.

It does of course require someone further upfield to get squeezed out. On the “structural” test, it’d probably see Gulden pushed into Bell’s spot. Which would be a test for MC as to what trade off they’re prepared to make as part of that. A taller defence vs Gulden’s ball use from the centre.