How good are we in the wet?

[SwansFan1972]

Yeah I guess I'd back rapidfire handpasses and running as holding up slightly more than pinpoint kicks in the rain.

Easier to change rapidfire handpasses (in an expected higher number of ground contests/packs) to punches forward, than to adjust pinpoint kicking to . . . (not sure what).

[SwansFan1972]

Yep, we'll be shaking it down from the sky...

Love it. How better to win a flag than with the weather gods providing the soundtrack!

[Goal Sneak]

Couldn't agree less about Jetta. Certainly it won't help him if the game becomes even more congested than normal, but once out in space, I suspect his wet weather skills are as good as anyone's in the team. I went to Adelaide last year for that dreadful, soggy loss and Jetta's handling of the ball stood out.

The WA vs SA game in the year before he got drafted, which was the game when everyone sat up and started really taking notice of him, was in heavy conditions too. There is a quote in one of today's papers from Scott Watters, taking about how Jetta just glided along on top of the ground during that game.

I would prefer it isn't wet but I think we have improved significantly as a wet weather team over the last two seasons. We did get rather a lot of practice last year.

I pray you're right liz. He is so important for us. I guess "useless" was a bit harsh as I have no doubt in regard to his skills. From my memories of last year, he seemed to go missing in the wet. I am very glad to hear that he has form in the wet and that he even rates himself as a wet weather player. I shall sleep just that little bit better now.

[TPR4]

Think Jetts - like Cyril - will be fine in the wet. They're both really clean below the knees. Don't think it will suit either side. Maybe us fractionally more in that we don't rely on marking forwards as much as they do. As given their reliance on precision kicking we might be able to capitalise on a few skill errors in the back half. Wet or dry Joey, ROK, Jude, Mitchell, Lewis and Sewell are going to slug it out. Probably where the game is won (as winning the middle will determine each side's ease and quality of getting I50).

[Triple B]

If it is as cold and miserable as has been forecast, I wonder if Jets, or others, will bring out the long sleeves. He wore them regularly his first 2 seasons, but I can't remember seeing them this year.

Maybe before this year he was waiting to build up the guns....

[hot potato]

Sounds like they will need a full wet suit.

[Matty10]

I feel that our 22 is a bit top heavy. We have a lot of height in our forward and defensive lines that might struggle a bit if the ball is consistently below their knees. I am not sure that we have great replacements though (McGlynn would have been handy), but I make Parker start the game.

[graemed]

The strength of our midfield as been their ability to run to contests and outnumber the opposition. The weather will not affect this situation and so long as we do not overdo possession we should be ok at clearances.
My concerns relate to our talks on the forward line and their ability to change direction in the wet. Because the ball will be on the deck, it is likely that their more mobile defenders, e.g. Birchall, hodge, Bourgoyne, suckling and Stratton will be able to adjust sooner to miskicks and hand balls.
This could be compounded by their run out of defence with the likes of young and bruest helping out across the midfield. Smith is also anther hawk hat likes to start moves from the half back line and his run hut us in Sydney.

[graemed]

I really must learn to edit my replies. Read talls for talks amongst a number of errors

[RogueSwan]

I feel that our 22 is a bit top heavy. We have a lot of height in our forward and defensive lines that might struggle a bit if the ball is consistently below their knees. I am not sure that we have great replacements though (McGlynn would have been handy), but I make Parker start the game.

Who would you have as sub? Morton? Not much difference in height between those two (3cm according to footywire
I wouldn't put Pyke on the bench as the "two-up" scenario worked very well last week against a ruckman+forward/ruckman (even if the second one was injured) and this how the Hawks will play with Hale/Roughhead.
Maybe you could put the Eski on the bench? This would leave us short on rebounders but maybe McVeigh could play across HB if Parker comes in and plays mid/HF?
Also, does Parker have the match fitness to play 3/4's of wet Grand Final footy?

[Matty10]

I would keep Morton on - he is a potential match-winner (even if that chance is slim, it is worth the punt keeping him in). Not sure about Parker's fitness - only those at the club would really know.

But if the game is wet (really wet) I don't think that the value of all our tall options will help us. It would be a very hard call to make, but perhaps someone like Pyke would need to miss, with LRT playing ruck when Mumford takes a break. Or, LRT plays back and Grundy is out, giving the selectors the option of bringing another ground runner into the team.

I don't think any of these things will happen (and I hope that they all have great games - I will not be hoping anyone that runs out on the ground fails), but I just feel that our team is not fully balanced - particularly in the wet.

[31 hard at it]

The MCG should be in great condition. Very hot (26deg) now and strong winds will harden it up and the drainage is among the best in the world so surface will still play fast.
Go Swans

[RogueSwan]

...It would be a very hard call to make, but perhaps someone like Pyke would need to miss, with LRT playing ruck when Mumford takes a break. Or, LRT plays back and Grundy is out, giving the selectors the option of bringing another ground runner into the team...

If we drop Pike and LRT plays fwd/ruck what happens if Teddy injures his ankle again? LRT would need to go back permanently leaving us with only Mummy rucking, not a good scenario if it happens in the first qtr.

[Melbournehammer]

If we drop Pike and LRT plays fwd/ruck what happens if Teddy injures his ankle again? LRT would need to go back permanently leaving us with only Mummy rucking, not a good scenario if it happens in the first qtr.

But thats just what happens. anything could happen. What if mummy gets injured in the first contest. Then what ? it is possible to plan for all eventualities but you just have to hope it all comes together on the day. as german general von moltke said - no battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy.

At the end of the day we just have to be harder for longer and convert when we get our chances. I'm really excited.

[dimelb]

We don't change anyone or anything. Parker for sub as he will have more impact than anyone else in the role, (a) because of where he plays, (b) because he is good at what he does, and (c) there can be no doubt about his fitness for a quarter or more of football.