Changes vs Bulldogs

[wolftone57]

Where was ROK playing? Didn't see him playing forward while this was going on..

Agree with the what was going on up forward Swans - please explain!


Rod

ROK played mainly in the midfield and resting in the forward line or on bench. More so on bench I think this game. He played on the wing for a while I noticed, it was hard to tell at times they were rotating the centre square so quickly. I was amazed at the speed of the rotations of both sides but I think we reacted to their rotations at times. Players were literally streaming to and from the bench some only on the bench for a very small amount of time.

I believe the Interchange Law has to change to limit the amount of interchanges allowed. At the moment it is just ridiculous how many rotations there are. Players spending only less than a minute on the bench and then back onto the field just because the coach wants to talk to them. No more!!! The Interchange was meant to rest tired players in a game that had become increasingly more athletic not to bring a player off to get a spray or a tip from the coach.

[wolftone57]

I have been having a think about our last couple of efforts and I think there was a tiredness about us in both games. I didn't actually see the Carlton game but even in the GC game we looked jaded at times. In the Collinwood game we were very bright but at times again went off the boil eg; third quarter when we had them by the short & curlies. Giving a few players a rest would be a good thing and getting Goodsie right for the finals is imperative, he MUST be fresh for us to even be a shot. There were a lot of players down on normal output last week, Hannas, Macca, Benny, Marty (Although did a lot of doubling on Cloke), Birdie & Jetts. Some of the smaller stats may have been the way the game was played but some were just beaten on the day and maybe getting a little tired toward the end of a long season.

I think we have to play some of the Two's players to maintain freshness. I think we should have done this against GC & GWS.

[GongSwan]

The dogs aren't GWS, and we aren't the type to rest players even against the Giants or Suns. The only change would be if Reid gets up, TDL will probably make way. I can't see a change otherwise. We should smash the doggies, but I don't think resting players sends the right message. Would be good to see Armstrong get a full game though, that's about as much experimenting as I'd be comfortable with.

Oddly I thought we beat the Dogs by roughly the same margin as GWS. The dogs are playing a bunch of kids and just lost another of their senior players for teh year. It's hard to imagine replacing a couple of players in the senior side would alter the outcome too much

[wolftone57]

Oddly I thought we beat the Dogs by roughly the same margin as GWS. The dogs are playing a bunch of kids and just lost another of their senior players for teh year. It's hard to imagine replacing a couple of players in the senior side would alter the outcome too much

I agree and think it is time to give a few players some rest to get them ready for the finals. Collingwood and Geelong both did it last year and it worked for them.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Oddly I thought we beat the Dogs by roughly the same margin as GWS. The dogs are playing a bunch of kids and just lost another of their senior players for teh year. It's hard to imagine replacing a couple of players in the senior side would alter the outcome too much

We played extremely well for 4 quarters to thump the doggies by that margin. We played atrociously for two quarters and reasonably for the other 2 to beat the giants by the same margin. The dogs have experienced names like Lake, Murphy, Higgins, Griffin, Boyd, Cross, Giansiracusa. They are far more capable of pulling something out of the hat than the Giants. I don't think they will, but I think we need a stable team coming into the finals and I think it's too late for experimentation. The team we have has got us to this point, and tinkering now could have more negative impact than positive IMO. I can see the case for Morton perhaps getting tried, but I think if TDL can't replicate his 2's form then I don't think that Morton will either. The coaches see TDL ahead of MM so I trust there judgment. A dominant NEAFL mid sized forward equals an adequate AFL mid sized forward, such is the gulf between the comps.

[wolftone57]

We played extremely well for 4 quarters to thump the doggies by that margin. We played atrociously for two quarters and reasonably for the other 2 to beat the giants by the same margin. The dogs have experienced names like Lake, Murphy, Higgins, Griffin, Boyd, Cross, Giansiracusa. They are far more capable of pulling something out of the hat than the Giants. I don't think they will, but I think we need a stable team coming into the finals and I think it's too late for experimentation. The team we have has got us to this point, and tinkering now could have more negative impact than positive IMO. I can see the case for Morton perhaps getting tried, but I think if TDL can't replicate his 2's form then I don't think that Morton will either. The coaches see TDL ahead of MM so I trust there judgment. A dominant NEAFL mid sized forward equals an adequate AFL mid sized forward, such is the gulf between the comps.

You mustn't have seen the Bullies lately MB because Cross is gone for the season with an AC Joint injury. Griffen, Higgins & Cooney are all to have tests. Dale Morris and Luke Dahlhaus are both gone for the season. Brian Lake is playing up forward, Murphy is a shadow of his former self & Gia is now a bit slow and Smithy or AJ will kill him. The last time we played Cross played I don't think Morris did from memory but Dahlhaus did and was good for them, he is a big loss. I give you Boyd but some you mentioned might be lucky to get up for the game.

[wolftone57]

I think we could rest goodsie for the game and not know the difference at the moment, probably play better. The problem with a player who is injured or out of form is that they start trying things and trying things always leads to heartbreak! Morton I think should come in with Spang or Jesse and TDL probably out too even though the defensive part of his game was good he now doesn't do much offensively. I think we have killed the flair, HOW SAD!

[Dirtyburt]

I think we could rest goodsie for the game and not know the difference at the moment, probably play better. The problem with a player who is injured or out of form is that they start trying things and trying things always leads to heartbreak! Morton I think should come in with Spang or Jesse and TDL probably out too even though the defensive part of his game was good he now doesn't do much offensively. I think we have killed the flair, HOW SAD!

Lol, when TDL is given a few games and does not perform, we have killed his flair!!! By making him tackle and run!

Ahh Wolfe, I admire your passion (somewhat misplaced) about some of the ressies, but have you considered another possibility?

[wolftone57]

bY the way Goodsie didn't play against the Bullies last time.

[The Big Cat]

If Goodes is out of form the last thing he needs is a rest. He needs game time to regain his touch!

[ShockOfHair]

If Goodes is out of form the last thing he needs is a rest. He needs game time to regain his touch!

Yes! He needs all the game time he can get, not to mention some goalkicking practice.

Don't get this obsession people have about making unforced changes. With finals on the horizon we want to play our best players and run them into form.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Yes! He needs all the game time he can get, not to mention some goalkicking practice.

Don't get this obsession people have about making unforced changes. With finals on the horizon we want to play our best players and run them into form.

Exactly. And if all goes to plan they'll all have a weeks rest after the first week of finals before a big home preliminary final!

[Dirtyburt]

If Goodes is out of form the last thing he needs is a rest. He needs game time to regain his touch!

Yes! He needs all the game time he can get, not to mention some goalkicking practice.

Don't get this obsession people have about making unforced changes. With finals on the horizon we want to play our best players and run them into form.

Both on the money

[Jewels]

I think we could rest goodsie for the game and not know the difference at the moment, probably play better. The problem with a player who is injured or out of form is that they start trying things and trying things always leads to heartbreak! Morton I think should come in with Spang or Jesse and TDL probably out too even though the defensive part of his game was good he now doesn't do much offensively. I think we have killed the flair, HOW SAD!

Why on earth rest Goodes? He is eight weeks back after being out for five weeks.
He was crap on Saturday night, not injured, not tired - just crap. Maybe Longmire should threaten him with the ressies, worked OK for Mal.

[Big Al]

Why on earth rest Goodes? He is eight weeks back after being out for five weeks.
He was crap on Saturday night, not injured, not tired - just crap. Maybe Longmire should threaten him with the ressies, worked OK for Mal.

Why would you do that to the reserves?