Team List Team selection: Round 13 v Richmond

[MattW]

Ok, I'm going to do this again.

If Francis and Wicks pass their tests to play, they're straight back in for Hamling and Bice, who needs a break.

The player Mills replaces is interesting.

Cleary was sub against Adelaide, but I agree with I'm Uninformed that it was a mistake to replace him with Adams. Cleary's forward 50 pressure is important and he should play.

I think the candidates are Adams, Corey Warner, Mitchell and Lloyd.

I'm not an Adams fan, but I think he could be useful as a sub.

Like several before him, I'm willing Corey to do well. I look for signs or sparks with every involvement in play. There is some improvement, but I'm not convinced yet. I do like that he's competitive and clearly cares a lot. I still think it's worth playing him in the seniors, particularly the way this year is going.

Mitchell looked slight on Saturday night, but I thought he did enough to warrant another look

On balance, I think that it should be Lloyd. But I'm not sure that the coaches are quite there yet.

[liz]

On balance, I think that it should be Lloyd. But I'm not sure that the coaches are quite there yet.

It would be a bold move, and not one I'd put money on. But Cox did demote Florent, so who knows. One thing that might keep Lloyd in the team is his seniority / leadership experience. I'm not convinced the way he's playing at the moment is actually providing any leadership but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes or during breaks. He's historically been more of a leader at the club than Florent.

The other potential change would be to give Hanily another chance. He was quite impressive against the Casey Demons in a context where it was pretty hard for a small forward to be impressive. If Papley is actually going to return after the bye, there may not be many more opportunities for Hanily to get another senior chance in the near future. It would be interesting to see what he's learned since his last senior stint, especially as we're playing an opponent who shouldn't be taken lightly (we shouldn't be taking anyone lightly at the moment) but which does have a lot of young, inexperienced players in it. Richmond aren't Collingwood.

[Roadrunner]

It would be a bold move, and not one I'd put money on. But Cox did demote Florent, so who knows. One thing that might keep Lloyd in the team is his seniority / leadership experience. I'm not convinced the way he's playing at the moment is actually providing any leadership but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes or during breaks. He's historically been more of a leader at the club than Florent.

The other potential change would be to give Hanily another chance. He was quite impressive against the Casey Demons in a context where it was pretty hard for a small forward to be impressive. If Papley is actually going to return after the bye, there may not be many more opportunities for Hanily to get another senior chance in the near future. It would be interesting to see what he's learned since his last senior stint, especially as we're playing an opponent who shouldn't be taken lightly (we shouldn't be taking anyone lightly at the moment) but which does have a lot of young, inexperienced players in it. Richmond aren't Collingwood.

Agree on Hanily. Also, does Ollie come back in? If so, play him on the wing instead of Lloyd. Look, the club has to make a statement: we can’t carry passengers, irrespective of their stature. Of course you don’t drop a senior player after 1 bad game but it should be obvious after several games that Lloyd is cooked so the tough call has to be made now.

In: Mills, Wicks and Francis to come in if fit, but I suspect they need another week. Plus Hanily and Ollie.

Out: Hamling, Adams, Corey. Mitchell sub.

[crackedactor 01]

Agree on Hanily. Also, does Ollie come back in? If so, play him on the wing instead of Lloyd. Look, the club has to make a statement: we can’t carry passengers, irrespective of their stature. Of course you don’t drop a senior player after 1 bad game but it should be obvious after several games that Lloyd is cooked so the tough call has to be made now.

In: Mills, Wicks and Francis to come in if fit, but I suspect they need another week. Plus Hanily and Ollie.

Out: Hamling, Adams, Corey. Mitchell sub.

I would also like to include Cunningham.

[liz]

I would also like to include Cunningham.

Cunningham only played a half last weekend. I can't imagine them bringing him back until he's played a full game. Yes, I know they didn't require Mills to do that. But Mills didn't exactly set the world on fire on his return to the senior team, and his rustiness may have contributed to the bad decision/awkward execution that led to his suspension.

I also don't see any point in bringing OFlo back into the senior team. Whatever it is that ails him, it wasn't fixed last weekend. He didn't play with gay abandon. He didn't hit (all) his targets even when under little pressure. He didn't manically run up and down the ground. He did no more to put up resistance to the final quarter onslaught than the least experienced VFL top-up out there. If he is brought back into the senior team this week, there literally was no point in demoting him in the first place.

[Thunder Shaker]

Richmond aren't Collingwood.

While it is true that Richmond aren't Collingwood, Richmond do have a habit of winning games against us that they are not expected to win. Last year's win being a case in point. Last year wasn't even the first time this century when Richmond defeated Sydney when they were on the way to a spoon and Sydney made the finals. They also won against us by 13 points in round 7, 2004 before claiming the 2004 wooden spoon.

Richmond's head to head record against us: at relocation in 1982, they were ahead 77-1-55 (22 games). Now: 111-1-90 (21 games). In 42 years, we've reduced that gap by ONE GAME, despite Sydney making the finals more often than Richmond since relocation (26 times to 11 times).

So I'm always nervous when playing Richmond. Sometimes they play games against us where they are playing like they've grown an extra leg. Other times they play more like the Richmond other clubs get and are dreadful. Which Richmond will turn up this weekend?

[Thunder Shaker]

For what it's worth: In the mix: Who could play for your club in R13?

Doesn't discuss much that hasn't already been mentioned here. Of note, it doesn't offer anything useful on who is likely to be omitted from the team.

[Roadrunner]

While it is true that Richmond aren't Collingwood, Richmond do have a habit of winning games against us that they are not expected to win. Last year's win being a case in point. Last year wasn't even the first time this century when Richmond defeated Sydney when they were on the way to a spoon and Sydney made the finals. They also won against us by 13 points in round 7, 2004 before claiming the 2004 wooden spoon.

Richmond's head to head record against us: at relocation in 1982, they were ahead 77-1-55 (22 games). Now: 111-1-90 (21 games). In 42 years, we've reduced that gap by ONE GAME, despite Sydney making the finals more often than Richmond since relocation (26 times to 11 times).

So I'm always nervous when playing Richmond. Sometimes they play games against us where they are playing like they've grown an extra leg. Other times they play more like the Richmond other clubs get and are dreadful. Which Richmond will turn up this weekend?

My feelings as well TS. At the moment the way we’re playing we’d have trouble against any team, and keep in mind Richmond played well for 3 quarters. If our guys are flogged on the training track this week they could be down on their feet come match day. Let’s hope the Tigers are overtrained this week too! Back to the G where we didn’t exactly shine a couple of weeks ago. But hey, we can turn it around!

[liz]

My reference to Richmond not being Collingwood was not to suggest they can be taken easily. Just an observation that they are a young team with lots of inexperienced players. Hence us playing another inexperienced player (eg Hanily) is a bit different to if we were playing an old, highly experienced team like Collingwood.

[Thunder Shaker]

My reference to Richmond not being Collingwood was not to suggest they can be taken easily. Just an observation that they are a young team with lots of inexperienced players. Hence us playing another inexperienced player (eg Hanily) is a bit different to if we were playing an old, highly experienced team like Collingwood.

Indeed, though given our mediocre record against Richmond, it is best not to take them lightly, ever. Many of the 41 wins that Richmond have earned against us since relocation in 1982 happened in seasons where Richmond finished lower on the ladder than Sydney. I may post exact numbers later.

[MattW]

For what it's worth: In the mix: Who could play for your club in R13?

Doesn't discuss much that hasn't already been mentioned here. Of note, it doesn't offer anything useful on who is likely to be omitted from the team.

My impression of that weekly column is that it is an aggregation of information from the injury report and VFL stats, rather than independent analysis or insider information.

[The Big Cat]

For what it’s worth, the weather will be pretty wet and cold in Melbourne for our game. Maybe a slog is what we need.

[BRS328]

Agree on Hanily. Also, does Ollie come back in? If so, play him on the wing instead of Lloyd. Look, the club has to make a statement: we can’t carry passengers, irrespective of their stature. Of course you don’t drop a senior player after 1 bad game but it should be obvious after several games that Lloyd is cooked so the tough call has to be made now.

In: Mills, Wicks and Francis to come in if fit, but I suspect they need another week. Plus Hanily and Ollie.

Out: Hamling, Adams, Corey. Mitchell sub.

t
In: Mills, Florent, Wicks, and Francis

Out: Corey, Adams, Mitchell and McLean

Play Blakey on the halfback line and get the benefit of his penetrating run and kicking. I thought Hamling played a good game on Tex last week and is certainly better suited to defense. Francis to replace McLean on the forward line. Agree with keeping Cleary in the starting 22.

[liz]

Peter Ladhams and Matt Roberts will miss the match through injury and illness, respectively.

Who was it who said (possibly in a different thread) that the only positive thing to come out of last week's match was that we'd not lost any more players to injury or suspension?

TEAM: Five changes for Tigers clash

[imuninformedtwo]

Feel a bit sorry for Mitchell, who was ok last week. But with Harry and Wicks back I get it. The alternative would have been Bice to go out.

Given McLean will need to ruck, Francis will have to play forward. And really pleased to see Hannily back.