Changes for Qualifying final V The Hawks.

[Ludwig]

irony

Isn't it funny how a couple of goals here and there, like the Malceski walkover goal and the Cloke hands in Richards' back that we all balked about, and thankfully letting Freo back in the game to get a draw with us, has saved us from playing Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Also, Richmond making 5th place is better for us too. If results go as predicted, including us losing to Hawthorn and Richmond beating Carlton, then we play Richmond at ANZ instead of Collingwood. I don't think Richmond have ever played at ANZ. I also would feel much more confident about beating Richmond than the Pies.

In any case, despite the bad run with injuries, a few little things seem to be falling our way.

[ugg]

If we had drawn Geelong we wouldn't be playing at Simonds because of our large Melbourne supporter base, it would probably have been at Etihad. Freo are probably one of the few clubs, along with GWS and GC at the moment who unfortunately fall into these circumstances.

[ugg]

Hopefully this game will be as exciting as the last Qualifying Final between these 2 teams:

[ScottH]

If we had drawn Geelong we wouldn't be playing at Simonds because of our large Melbourne supporter base, it would probably have been at Etihad. Freo are probably one of the few clubs, along with GWS and GC at the moment who unfortunately fall into these circumstances.

Precisely, It's only because Freo have such a small following in Melbourne.

[Ludwig]

If we had drawn Geelong we wouldn't be playing at Simonds because of our large Melbourne supporter base, it would probably have been at Etihad. Freo are probably one of the few clubs, along with GWS and GC at the moment who unfortunately fall into these circumstances.

Yes. You're right. Good pickup.

[GongSwan]

I'd lose White in favour of a smaller, faster, hard tackling defensive forward. Jesse is not great in defensive work. With Rohan forward we have 3 talls in Tippo, Pyke/Mumford and Rohan. The other changes are a given

[Ludwig]

I'd lose White in favour of a smaller, faster, hard tackling defensive forward. Jesse is not great in defensive work. With Rohan forward we have 3 talls in Tippo, Pyke/Mumford and Rohan. The other changes are a given

Unfortunately, Cyril Rioli plays for Hawthorn.

Seriously, I agree that there is still a fair bit of improvement left in Jesse, but what more can he do to hold his spot? If Reid were available, would you drop White for Reid or leave them both out for this mythical small forward that we don't have on our list.

[stellation]

I'd lose White in favour of a smaller, faster, hard tackling defensive forward. Jesse is not great in defensive work. With Rohan forward we have 3 talls in Tippo, Pyke/Mumford and Rohan. The other changes are a given

Rohan may be tall, but he's not in the team to play as a tall. If Jesse was dropped for this game for anything other than making way for Goodesy he'd be within his rights to throw a little tanty.

[Bloodthirsty]

If White gets dropped, then wave goodbye to him next year. We'd be spitting in his face. He's done everything asked of him and more, and he is damn valuable to our team right now. Imagine what his game would look like if our forward line delivery was, say, looking anything like a premiership contender? If another tall such as Goodes or LRT was to come into the team, it would be (should be) Everitt who goes.

Morton would be the forward you need re defensive, hard-tackling, dangerous forward - but he's not quick though. We have plenty of quick players - basically rookies, but pace by itself is fairly useless. All those rookies (BJ, Biggs etc) are turnover-prone.

[BeeEmmAre]

The other reason is Freo have a great record at Docklands (before yesterday). Well, that's what they're bleating about over here in their conspiracy theory cries anyway!

[cherub]

Precisely, It's only because Freo have such a small following in Melbourne.

the AFL stated this explicitly. This is desperately unfair to FREO supporters, and, I think, without precedent in the modern era. The logistics of getting across the country at short notice are difficult enough. To have go to the equivalent of Gosford, once you've flown in is galling. If the AFL had stated at the beginning of the year that Simmonds would be used for finals then at least some planning could have gone into it. Geelong are smug enough as it is. I hope FREO beat the crap out of them. The AFL want Geelong-hawks GF.

[Mountain Man]

And what they will get is a Freo V Swans event!

[Bloodthirsty]

Most of us have pointed out the umpire favouritism of Geelong, recently on fine display against us. However I think it will be a genuine problem. It is a sickening love-affair, and disgusting to watch. Watch the last minute of Geelong v Lions. Two of the most blatant free kicks of all time against Geelong were not played, virtually in the goalsquare which would have led to a Lions win. The umpires couldn't rule out a free quick enough. They are so ****ing scared of Geelong - or maybe in love with them. As usual, no consequences for those involved. Can you imagine playing the umpires...I mean the Cats, in the GF? Hawks rank 2nd in favouritism, with Cats clearly first. It is a real problem. Can anything be done about it? May be, maybe not. But I don't look forward to another corrupt game against professional cheats who simply mask a kamikaze gameplan.

[mcs]

I sorry about my long post is was on my new tablet and hit some button before formatting.

It appears after the reports from the reserve
game today. That Jetta didn,t do alot to put the world on fire and may miss again this week.

BJ did a great job this week and should keep his spot for the weeks that jetta is out.

We need another fast running tall in the back line, that can swing forward and back

In: Hannebery, Smith, Tippett, BJ, Morton or lamb sub
Out: Biggs, Cunningham, Bird

Emergency T. Membrey , D. Towers

So you want to drop bird but keep bj? Sure, bj has lots of potential, but he also got only 8 possessions and really had a negligible impact on the game. Bird did not have his best game, but still got 24 touches and he is proven before his ability to step up in big games. I really like bj, but its not a tough decision at all as to who will drop out.

For me the changes seem straightforward. Tippett, hanners, smith in (plus perhaps jetta), biggs, cunningham, bj (plus morton) out.

[707]

Looks fairly simple where big games are concerned, you go with those who have done it for you in the past, unless a newbie is in ragingly good form and none are.

In Tippett, Hanners, Smiff, Jetta as sub, out Biggs, Cunningham, B Jack & Morton, Lamb as one of the emergencies.

Not sure what the talk is about dropping White, he is in great form and doing lots of small things to impact the game too. Rates as one of the form CHF in the league at present. Will get a new contract for sure.