Changes for the Semi Final V Carlton

[Ludwig]

OUT: Mumford (Team Balance), Bolton, Rohan, Jetta, Mitchell
IN: Lamb, Biggs, Cunningham, Armstrong, BJ (Sub)

I was not convinced until last night about being top heavy. Now I agree with those who have said we are. It's a toss-up between leaving out Mummy or Pyke, but I think Pyke offers a bit more due to his strong contested marking. Mummy had little impact on the game last night and was the right one to be subbed out. He was great last week, but yesterday had only 3 handballs, one mark and one tackle in nearly 3 quarters of play. That's not having an impact IMO. It won't happen, since it will signal the end for Mummy at the Swans, so if team balance is an issue, it will probably be White that goes out, which would be a big mistake.

Bolton, Rohan and Jetta are just not having an impact on the game. Better to have fit players even if less accomplished.

Mitchell has been slowing down over the course of the season. A good hard player, but I prefer bringing in someone with better kicking skills. We need the outside run.

It takes a lot to go right to win a premiership, We have to accept that it just hasn't happened this year. Still, many things went right this year and we played scintillating footy at times. I'm not giving up hope, and think we probably will win next week, but I don't believe in miracles. I can't see how we can first beat etiher Freo or the Cats, and then Hawthorn.

[mcs]

To be honest I think we need to drop Tippett and realize that recruiting him was a mistake. Ever since he has come into the side at the half way mark our form has been ordinary, I cannot recall any great performances. Not like the Collingwood, Adelaide and Essendon performance prior to KT. I am not sure if other players are upset about his big money or they are just bombing forward to him all the time without any thoughts processess? I thought our efforts last week was our best for some time and there was no KT. Maybe we could trade him to Melbourne for pick 2 next season?

Wow - just wow. Did you say the same things about Barry Hall and Tony Lockett??

It's not KT's fault our midfield got smashed and we couldn't get any clean possession, or that we kicked shallow and poorly into the forward line, or that we were just generally crap. Of course he had a poor game, but to rate him a complete failure is utter nonsense talk.

If he had of been in the team that played against Collingwood, Adelaide or Essendon, he would of benifted greatly from a midfield well on top, running hard and providing pinpoint delivery into the forward line. I'd argue he would of kicked a bagful in one of those games at least. The guy is a classy footballer, but he is not going to do anything if we don't get good delivery into him. Stick him on the other side last night, and he would of kicked 6 or 7 with their precise delivery and quality ball going forward, especially in the second half. Unless our midfield manages to dominate, then they are just going to bomb it forward because they are under pressure - that is not Tippett's fault.

Sometimes you really have to wonder if people are solely looking for a fall boy and because he was last in, it must be his fault.

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OUT: Mumford (Team Balance), Bolton, Rohan, Jetta, Mitchell
IN: Lamb, Biggs, Cunningham, Armstrong, BJ (Sub)

I was not convinced until last night about being top heavy. Now I agree with those who have said we are. It's a toss-up between leaving out Mummy or Pyke, but I think Pyke offers a bit more due to his strong contested marking. Mummy had little impact on the game last night and was the right one to be subbed out. He was great last week, but yesterday had only 3 handballs, one mark and one tackle in nearly 3 quarters of play. That's not having an impact IMO. It won't happen, since it will signal the end for Mummy at the Swans, so if team balance is an issue, it will probably be White that goes out, which would be a big mistake.

Bolton, Rohan and Jetta are just not having an impact on the game. Better to have fit players even if less accomplished.

Mitchell has been slowing down over the course of the season. A good hard player, but I prefer bringing in someone with better kicking skills. We need the outside run.

It takes a lot to go right to win a premiership, We have to accept that it just hasn't happened this year. Still, many things went right this year and we played scintillating footy at times. I'm not giving up hope, and think we probably will win next week, but I don't believe in miracles. I can't see how we can first beat etiher Freo or the Cats, and then Hawthorn.

What I think we need to remember with Mitchell is that he missed almost all of last season, and then only played a few reserves games this year before coming in, so it really is like his first true full season at the club. I'm not at all surprised he is slowing down as the season goes on. The main thing is that he has stayed fit, and fingers crossed will be right to go at first day of pre-season. Watch him kick on next year and become a superstar midfielder for us after a good pre-season. The guy has all the talent in the world and will become a lynchpin in our midfield.

I agree we need outside run, but bringing Cunningham and BJ in is not going to fix the issues last night. Neither had a noticeable impact last week, and neither are ready imo for the pressure of a do-or-die elimination final. And I'm far from convinced about Armstrong being nothing but a fringe player - he has never impressed me when playing in the seniors.

[Ludwig]

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I agree we need outside run, but bringing Cunningham and BJ in is not going to fix the issues last night. Neither had a noticeable impact last week, and neither are ready imo for the pressure of a do-or-die elimination final. And I'm far from convinced about Armstrong being nothing but a fringe player - he has never impressed me when playing in the seniors.

I know it's rolling the dice, but I think we are in that sort of a spot where we need to do something different. We clearly cannot win with the current formula. At least some of those younger players were part of the squad that took it up to Hawthorn last week. I know it's just dropping the worst of the under-performers and playing the best available from the reserves. But I think it's a better option than playing an unfit Goodes, Rohan and Jetta.

[Alan]

In: Lamb, Armstrong
Out: Everitt, Jetta

[goswannie14]

To be honest I think we need to drop Tippett and realize that recruiting him was a mistake. Ever since he has come into the side at the half way mark our form has been ordinary, I cannot recall any great performances. Not like the Collingwood, Adelaide and Essendon performance prior to KT. I am not sure if other players are upset about his big money or they are just bombing forward to him all the time without any thoughts processess? I thought our efforts last week was our best for some time and there was no KT. Maybe we could trade him to Melbourne for pick 2 next season?

That's a very lazy analysis of the game.

The midfield is the problem. If they don't deliver then you could have Lockett, Hall and even Pratt in the forward line and you wouldn't kick a winning score.

[The Big Cat]

To be honest I think we need to drop Tippett and realize that recruiting him was a mistake. Ever since he has come into the side at the half way mark our form has been ordinary, I cannot recall any great performances. Not like the Collingwood, Adelaide and Essendon performance prior to KT. I am not sure if other players are upset about his big money or they are just bombing forward to him all the time without any thoughts processess? I thought our efforts last week was our best for some time and there was no KT. Maybe we could trade him to Melbourne for pick 2 next season?

And some people call themselves supporters!

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I would drop Rohan, Hannas & Jetts back to the Twos to get some form and bring in Biggs, Morton & Lamb.

Get some form for what? If you do as you suggest, there'll be no next week to get form for!

[rojo]

I agree MCS with your comments about Mitchell and think that Rampe too must be physically at least feeling the strain of a long season.

Based on last week's efforts it would be great to see Biggs get another go. He obviously tired as the game progressed and made mistakes in the last quarter because of it, but his pressure and composure was impressive. Right now he would probably have more upside than Jets. I would consider Lamb too if thinking of the future, and maybe Morton. Jude at least may have to go out. Do NOT play Rohan, Jetta and Goodesy together in the team next week - please!!!!! As well as Hanners and Smithy struggling and Mal and Everitt lacking in effective defensive skills in the backline etc, etc, it may not be pretty. It may not be pretty with alternatives in but as has been said, at least they would gain invaluable experience for next year.

I feel sorry for Rohan. The expectation placed on him to come back in and perform in finals type footy is unfair. He hadn't had a lot of experience before he was injured. He must be really disappointed that he just isn't able to contribute more. Jets also may struggle to do what everyone is expecting of him.

[mcs]

I agree MCS with your comments about Mitchell and think that Rampe too must be physically at least feeling the strain of a long season.

Based on last week's efforts it would be great to see Biggs get another go. He obviously tired as the game progressed and made mistakes in the last quarter because of it, but his pressure and composure was impressive. Right now he would probably have more upside than Jets. I would consider Lamb too if thinking of the future, and maybe Morton. Jude at least may have to go out. Do NOT play Rohan, Jetta and Goodesy together in the team next week - please!!!!! As well as Hanners and Smithy struggling and Mal and Everitt lacking in effective defensive skills in the backline etc, etc, it may not be pretty. It may not be pretty with alternatives in but as has been said, at least they would gain invaluable experience for next year.

I feel sorry for Rohan. The expectation placed on him to come back in and perform in finals type footy is unfair. He hadn't had a lot of experience before he was injured. He must be really disappointed that he just isn't able to contribute more. Jets also may struggle to do what everyone is expecting of him.

I just hope those at the club sit down Rohan, congratulate him on getting back this year, and then sit down and plan his pre-season. If they get it right, he will be superb for us next season. It's all about confidence at the moment, and you can see he is lacking it. But get a full, regular pre-season under his belt, so that he is confident in his body and watch him fly next season!

[ernie koala]

Unfortunately, I doubt they'll make many changes...just forced ones.

No doubt Goodes will come in...probably as sub.

Which will leave us with unfit...Goodes, Hannas, Jetts, Gaz...and a very sore/ unfit McVeigh....Hope I'm wrong, and they bring in some fit, fresh players...

As far as I'm concerned a fit fresh first gamer is better than a labouring unfit veteran.

It seems no matter how much coaches talk about only playing fit players, they almost always go for unfit seasoned players, over fit unseasoned players.

[Triple B]

I just hope those at the club sit down Rohan, congratulate him on getting back this year, and then sit down and plan his pre-season. If they get it right, he will be superb for us next season. It's all about confidence at the moment, and you can see he is lacking it. But get a full, regular pre-season under his belt, so that he is confident in his body and watch him fly next season!

Even pre injury Gaz wasn't a high possession gatherer at that early stage of his career, he excited us with his speed and defensive aspects, but that was about it early on.

Dangerfield was similar early in his career and is now a gun with 4 or 5 pre seasons under his belt. Hope for similar with Gaz long term.

[ugg]

I don't think Rohan's numbers are as bad as it looks on first glance once you compare them to fellow forwards Bolton and McGlynn and that for a lot of the second half he was the deepest lying forward

Would love to see the stat pressure acts but they are never publicly available

[Auntie.Gerald]

we just got audited by the Hawks

for me our ability to execute when we did win the ball was not good enough..........equally our pressure when we didnt win the ball was very very bad in the 2nd half

When the Hawks lifted our attitude was not comparable !

I do believe in the character of our team !!

We can definitely beat Carlton or Richmond at home !!

Then we will see how we go from there

All is not lost !

[Ocker]

On our performance against the Hawks, changes are needed if we are to get to the GF.
Let's only play fit players, we wew burnt in 2010? finals by an unfit Hannerbery and the year berfore ? by O'Keefe on one leg.
Our best form of the season was against Adelaide and BJ and Lamb were part of that team and need to be considered. Morton for Bolton would be a positive if Morton is fit enough. Goodes for Rohan would also be a positive.

[Scottee]

a) It all over if we don't win this week
b) We want a fit team that can apply pressure all around the ground
c) We might lose McVeigh and Bolton
d) LRT and Goodes are back but will be badly underdone
e) We already have 2 clearly underdone players (Jetta and Rohan)
f) We have other players with poor form
g) If we can't apply forward pressure the opppositon defense ther is no gameplan
g)Talent is only an advantage if you can apply enough pressure to utilise it
h) Despite small numbers of possessions last week Cunningham an BJ applied pressure and Cunningham showed the ability to lower his eyes
i) The most talented , fit and in form players apart from the above are Morton, Membrey, Biggs Lamb, Towers XR and Lloyd
h) Hawthorn showed last night it is not about superstars but about fitness, pressure and composure
j) Richmond are a fit strong running side with the ability to kick goals quickly, not unlike Hawthorn
k) its all about finding the best balance and a team that can achieve synergy with run and pressure
l) Rohan would do best as the sub imho

so:Assuming we don't chance unfit players (assuming Smith and Hanners will be fitter next week but Bolton and McVeigh will be out):

Smith Richards Malceski
Rampe Grundy Biggs
Everitt ROK Hanners
McGlynn Tippett Morton
Membrey White Lamb

Mumford Kennedy
Jack

C'ham Mitchell Bird/Rohan

Yes 5 inexperienced players but at least they are young, fit and talented.Some x factor about the forward line and the ability to apply pressure.

LRT, Goodes and Jetta one week fitter for the preliminary. Think about them then.

[barry]

Michels spot must be in danger.

Mcveigh is silky smooth when 100% fit, but ordinary when not. Gwts exposed for pace.