Team Selection: R9 v North @ Marvel Sat 1:15pm

[imuninformedtwo]

You just never know how a season will pan out. Injuries seem to come out of no where. Serong is a genuine loss. I think McLean will come in as a logical replacement as a forward and ruck. Not sure who comes in for Serong. Maybe Billy C to the wing.

Will be fascinating. We won't be able to replace Serong's marking, and he's done his role as defensive winger brilliantly. You could maybe bring in Cunningham, play Bice more up on the wing, and slot Harry in down back.

[Nico]

Will be fascinating. We won't be able to replace Serong's marking, and he's done his role as defensive winger brilliantly. You could maybe bring in Cunningham, play Bice more up on the wing, and slot Harry in down back.

That's logical. I reckon Harry would play on the wing. No need to change the backline.

[KSAS]

For mine just one change:
Out: Cootee
IN: Cunningham or Cleary

With Curnow & Serong now both unavailable due to "tightness" (as described on SEN) this is my updated changes.
OUT: Curnow, Serong
IN: McLean, Cunningham

My nephew has made to me a strong case for Melican to be replaced by Hamling, based on matchup for Larkey and part of the reason for being heavily scored against for the first time last week (over 100 pts). It showed up McCartin's importance with our defence.

I would prefer Ladhams, but they'll go with McLean to stretch North's defence and he'll hopefully provide more ruck chopout for Grundy than he's received so far this season. Cootee to get another crack at it.

Agree this is now a danger game with 4 top liners out. Not ideal, but i take a half glass full approach in that we're not risking players with nigglies which we've might've done previously. Longer term view.

Hopefully we'll have 3 of them back next week when we take on the Pies after another 6 day break, then followed by the Cats

[Thunder Shaker]

The mutterings on the AFL website suggest that McLean and Ladhams will come in to the team as Curnow and Serong go out due to injury.

I think it will be similar to this, but I'm not sure. McLean for Curnow is obvious, but Ladhams for Serong is not a like for like substitution. Someone else is going to have to take Serong's role in the team. I don't know who that might be.

Grundy is carrying an injury of his own and he needs a rest. Now is a good time to try out Ladhams against Xerri, one of the best four rucks in the AFL. If Ladhams can split the hit outs with Xerri, he could do that against most rucks and could allow Grundy to be managed out for a break.

Sydney now has at least four best-23 players out of the team. Gulden, McCartin, now Curnow and Serong. I'm hopeful that the latter three are only out for a week or two.

It also means this game has danger game written all over it. North Melbourne have improved this year and they should not be disregarded.

[imuninformedtwo]

McLean and Cunningham it is.

Plus, Norf has dropped Aiden Corr, which is a shame as he’s a turnover merchant.

[cubby]

I feel for Ladhams, he has been dominating in the 2's.
McLean has been serviceable at best, and he's ordinary in the ruck.

[UUaswan]

So Mclean helps in the ruck despite not doing it in the 2s or we stick to the others ?

[UUaswan]

I feel for Ladhams, he has been dominating in the 2's.
McLean has been serviceable at best, and he's ordinary in the ruck.

I suppose we just wait for Grundy to actually breakdown before we do something

Hopefuly Cox is talking about how big an effort he put in because he looks like he need s a break in his post game presser

Pretty much the only team in the Top 8 not playing a 2nd Ruck

[SwanSand]

At this stage the way it looks the grand finalists are Brisbane and Fremantle. They have different strengths and toughness that will get them there.
what we are doing well is very well known but we need to get a lot better at many aspects of the game.
1. Ground ball - managing this come September in all parts of the ground would be crucial as everything is contested and marks will dry for teams
2. stoppages including centre work. We are doing better than last or even in 2024. But long season and lack of a big midfielder against quality opposition in September will again become our Achilles heal.
3. Defensive marking - both in d50 and general play will be crucial. We had buddy who was not a good mark and Charlie is not one too in general play. Logan will have to lift and so would Charlie. This will give us an out and a different look come September. We are one short in d50 and I am hoping will Edwards continues to grow in that field. Not sure if Jai serong will be needed in the back half in September but his roll back from wing will be crucial.

Danger game against North. They are better drilled and have more confidence. They also have Larkey who always plays well. We can take care of their defense but midfield battle will determine the outcome.

[lwjoyner]

very much a danger game with the players we are missing. gulden,campbell,curno,serong, tom mc. where is bowman not selected in reserves and not on injury list