Davis returns

[ugg]

No need for small defenders anyway, Hooper is out. I'd expect a big tall forward line up for Brisbane. Lethal has expressed his belief that we are vulnerable to a mult-pronged tall forward line.

[liz]

Originally posted by ugg
No need for small defenders anyway, Hooper is out. I'd expect a big tall forward line up for Brisbane. Lethal has expressed his belief that we are vulnerable to a mult-pronged tall forward line.

This seems to be a common perception but I think the Swans seem to cope quite well with this scenario. Certainly, whenever we've played the West Coast, our defence has looked more fragile when they've moved mid-sized players forward (like Hunter) than when they've had several tall but immobile players.

I was interested to see they've dropped Copeland. I haven't seen the Lions play much in recent weeks so I have no idea of what his recent form has been like but I thought he'd be a likely type to be given the role of running with Goodes. Can't see who else in the team may get this role.

[ugg]

Copeland's demotion was certainly a surprise given he's their number 1 tagger and would have been the favourite to run with Goodes.

Selwood had the task on Kerr last week and he kept him to 4 possessions. I would imagine he'll have first crack at Goodes. Notting would be the other option but I would question his ability to keep up with Goodes as the match progresses. Or perhaps Matthews will pull one out of left field and throw the young Irishman on Goodes. After all he did make Roe play on BBBBH in his first in the corresponding match earlier this year.

[ScottH]

Davis back from exile

Roos refused to drop Heath Grundy despite popular opinion Davis was an automatic replacement for the promising young forward.

Who's popular opinion?

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by ScottH
Davis back from exile Who's popular opinion?

David Hastie, whoever he is.

[CureTheSane]

Originally posted by Lucky Knickers
Nice to see John Longmire is responsible. Just so we know who to blame!

Step into the real world.
SSI are responsible for Davis' return, along with Roos' appointment as coach, the GF win last year, and the $2000 LPG conversion concession.

Originally posted by Annie Haddad
No-one listens to the fans anymore. Actually, I don't think they ever did.

See above!

[Captain]

Originally posted by Dr Diabolical
Maybe Brennan?

Wasn't he dropped too?

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Captain
Wasn't he dropped too?

Yep.

[Captain]

I would player Luke Power on Goodes in the midfield and if he pushes forward I would play Brad Scott or Tim Notting on him.

[Captain]

Originally posted by Dr Diabolical
Oh well.

Still it would have been an interesting match up. A bit of an eclectic pair.

[Eala ?ireann]

Originally posted by ugg
Or perhaps Matthews will pull one out of left field and throw the young Irishman on Goodes. After all he did make Roe play on BBBBH in his first in the corresponding match earlier this year.

Could happen, didn't he have spells on both Judd and Cousins last week in his first senior game? Fair play to him. I know his aunt and she's lovely too, so I hope he goes well (after Saturday night).

[swantastic]

Originally posted by liz
I was interested to see they've dropped Copeland. I haven't seen the Lions play much in recent weeks so I have no idea of what his recent form has been like but I thought he'd be a likely type to be given the role of running with Goodes. Can't see who else in the team may get this role.

Doesnt matter who they put on Goodes the only way they would beat him is if he had a @@@@ day.IMHO Goodes is the hardest player in the AFL to match up on because he can play every position on the field well.

[liz]

Originally posted by swantastic
Doesnt matter who they put on Goodes the only way they would beat him is if he had a @@@@ day.IMHO Goodes is the hardest player in the AFL to match up on because he can play every position on the field well.

Judd and Rooke have been Goodes' opponent for the majority of the last two games we've lost. (Admittedly, I suspect it was Roos' choice to play Goodes on Judd, rather than the other way around.)

In each game Goodes was clearly our best player (or within the top couple). In each game Goodes' opponent was deemed to be best for the opposition. That doesn't detract from Goodes' performances at all. He wasn't the reason we lost those games. But WC and Cats fans would certainly have an argument that Judd and Rooke "beat" Goodes.

But just as some clubs have realised that it is impossible to curb Judd (going back at least as far as Roos playing Willo on him in the 2004 EF), clubs are increasingly going to do the same with Goodes.

There is more than one way for a team to contend with a star player, particularly one given offensive licence. Either try and stop him having an influence, or accept he will have a good game but put someone on him who will deliver in the opposite direction.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by swantastic
IMHO Goodes is the hardest player in the AFL to match up on because he can play every position on the field well.

You can't play him on someone you want to shut down because he's still pretty unaccountable when it comes to an opponent. This is also a problem for either key defensive post. His set shots up forward are still a matter of concern (although he's gotten better) for a key forward. And he can't be played in the ruck at all!
I mean yeah, he shows up all over the ground but he certainly can't play every position.