Changes vs Bulldogs

[ScottH]

Not sure I like the thread title.

I don't like it either. It's disrespectful.

Agreed and Fixed. As was the Carlscum one a few weeks ago.
I should have done it earlier.

[dimelb]

On the KPF, we are OK at present when everyone's fit. We have Reid, LRT and either Mummy or Pyke. The three of them together are a handful for any defence, made more formidable by the array of decent smaller players who appear up forward at unpredictable intervals: TDL (a very accurate kick who knows where to be), Ben McGlynn (not as accurate but gets his share), Jack, Jude, Bird, Jetta - the list goes on.
If Walsh comes good, that'd be a bonus; likewise White, although I don't think it will happen if he's reached the limit of his abilities. In the meantime I am happy if opposition coaches think our forward line is weak, and may they fail to learn from their mistake.

[aardvark]

Agreed and Fixed. As was the Carlscum one a few weeks ago.
I should have done it earlier.

Well done

[Rod_]

While I agree that A. Goode player needs to improve or if he needs a rest to get the body right... However I feel that he needs to get match fit for the finals .. Leave him in sleep mode at the moment and let him get fit on the ground. He does demand a key backman and does extend the opposition backline.

TDL has not grabbed his chances when needed, and would be the logical choice to miss for Reid to return.

LRT could be better served to have a few games in the backline - just in case we need a bigger body against some of the power forwards later in the year... He is the ideal utility and needs to stay in the team!

Morton* has kick a lot of goals in the 2nds and would be likely if we need a small match up...

Not sure how many games Spangher* will need to be considered..

Lamb* may be in the mix to keep him interested for next year..

Everett* is a maybe, depending on match ups..

My thoughts are, I wouldn't be surprised if one* of them gets a game to replace an unlucky Armstrong..

Cheers

Rod_

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I think Spangher is the only realistic chance but that will be dependent on Reid's fitness - I can't see them both coming in as this would change the forward structure.

Most sensible comment in this thread. And a pleasure to respond too.

Yes, the S-word again. injuries have caused us to change our forward structure to it's detriment. Its pretty clear that our forward structure MUST revolve around three talls (one for whom should be a ruckman/forward).

Last year our best forward setup involved Spanky, Sam and Jessica filling those three spots, with some support from Goodes and ROK.
This year our best forward setup involved LRT, Sam and Pike filling those three spots, with some support from Goodes and ROK.

With Sam out injured we have abandoned that structure. 'Promoting' Goodes to a structural forward spots not has not only disorted a successfull structure (making it less successfull) but it may also be having a severely deliterious effect of Adam Goodes (thigh injuries notwithstanding).

Horse needs to release him to wander about the field, initially to recapture some form, but mainly because Adam creating mayhem all over the place is a good thing for us. Where as him pegged to the forward structure is seriously not working.

So, if Reid's not ready, then for the sake of our forward structure we must bring in Spanky.

[barry]

Goodes looks injured, but when the game was there to be won, (3rd and 4th quarters), Longmire moved him from the forward line (our weak point) to the midfield.

Consequently Pendabury ran away from him like he was standing still.

Why would Longmire move an injured player to the midfield at such a key point in time. It doesnt make sense ?

That implies hes not injured, just way out of form.

It was just a bizarre last quarter. Our forward line was disfunctional, so what does Longmire do:
- Subs out a forward (TDL) for a defender (Armstrong)
- Moves our key forward to the midfield
- Allows collingwood to have a spare man in defence.

On surface, looks like a right royal f-up.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Goodes looks injured, but when the game was there to be won, (3rd and 4th quarters), Longmire moved him from the forward line (our weak point) to the midfield.

Consequently Pendabury ran away from him like he was standing still.

Why would Longmire move an injured player to the midfield at such a key point in time. It doesnt make sense ?

That implies hes not injured, just way out of form.

It was just a bizarre last quarter. Our forward line was disfunctional, so what does Longmire do:
- Subs out a forward (TDL) for a defender (Armstrong)
- Moves our key forward to the midfield
- Allows collingwood to have a spare man in defence.

On surface, looks like a right royal f-up.

Good points but nothing about "Changes vs Bulldogs" . . . any thoughts?

[Ludwig]

It should be noted that players don't change the structure. The structure remains the same, only the players change within the structure. The coaches determine the structure. So the problem is getting the best players to execute within the predetermined structure. In the last game, TDL was the only true forward. If you go through our list nearly all our forwards were something else before:

Reid was drafted as defender, although that switch seems to have worked out well. (As his brother was a forward converted to AA defender).
Goodes was a Ruck - Midfielder and soccer player.
LRT was a defender.
Spangher was a defender at WCE (although I believe he played forward as a teen).
Walsh was a Gaelic footballer
Pyke was a Canadian Rugby player
White was a basketball player
Morton is the only true forward, but can't get a game.

And you wonder why we have so much trouble with our forward line. When thing get tough, as they did on Saturday, it becomes difficult for players to act instinctively under that kind of pressure when they are not playing their natural game.

This is why I've been advocating having our most natural forwards (aside from TDL who doesn't quite seem up to finals level footy) in the senior team, which I believe are Reid, Spangher and Morton. If they are fit, all three should come in this week.

PS: Perhaps with another preseason our non-forward forwards will fit more naturally into a forward structure. We really need to draft true tall forward to partner with Reid for the next 10 years.

[Alan]

In; Spangher
Out; Malceski

[dimelb]

Apart from the injuries to Sammy and Jude, I don't think we are having trouble with the forward line. The most common set-up this season has given us plenty of firepower: Mummy or Pyke, LRT, TDL with McGlynn, Reid, plus Jude or ROK across the half-forward line, with Goodes, Jetta, McVeigh and Hannebery occasionally floating in to wreak further havoc. As others have said, we have the best spread of firepower in the comp, which is not always realised because we lack a power forward of the Lockett/Hall mould.
My Eagles following son tells me that as a defender, Spangher was nicknamed "Clanger", so rather than see him as recycled I'd say he has come into his own, a bit like Sammy. Unless Reid is properly fit, I'd think about bringing Spangus Maximus in; I don't think we'll see Morton in firsts this year, but I'd like to see what he can do. Jesse's chance has gone, and Walsh seems to be learning fast but is not yet ready.
We can win a flag with what we have, provided they stay (relatively) injury-free.

[wolftone57]

I'm not sure but didn't Matt Spangher play his junior footy as a forward. I might be mistaken but I thought it was at East Fremantle that he first went back. I may be wrong maybe someone can clear that up.

[GongSwan]

As far as the Bulldogs game is concerned, I'd like to see something different tried. Hell, it's not like we could actually lose the game, our ressies could beat the hell out of them. Why not run a rookie or two to give them a taste of senior footy, such as this game will be, I'll push the Cunningham bandwagon here, even as the sub, he offers pace and run. If Reid doesn't come up for the game run Morton, end the waffle, although against the Dogs TDL will probably kick a bag as will Goodes. Hell, LRT might get a career best, must be someone who is in need of a rest, Jetta or AJ, younger players who've played every game and might need a freshen up

[Melbourne_Blood]

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.

[Big Al]

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.

Agreed. Unless there's a genuine visit by that army guy, General Soreness, I wouldn't want to see too many changes.

[Rod_]

Good points but nothing about "Changes vs Bulldogs" . . . any thoughts?

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