Changes for the Prelim Final v Fremantle

[hot potato]

I was under the impression that Rohan wasn't yet right, limping with calf issues, and still way underdone... And if that's the case , it's Lamb or BJ, and I've always liked BJ, he's pretty calm under pressure.

[SwansBloke]

Me too. But Subi isn't the place for underdone players, even finals legends. Presumably that Pyke and Mummo will rotate through FF which makes a tough matchup for McPharlin. I hope White will still be doing his stuff on the wing.

Rohan vs Harry for sub? To put it politely, I hope Rohan gets more of the ball than in his last two games.

The Hyph's a sentimental favourite of mine but I think you're right. I guess this would mean then that he wouldn't get a GF game should we win because he wouldn't play in the 2's

[mcs]

Me too. But Subi isn't the place for underdone players, even finals legends. Presumably that Pyke and Mummo will rotate through FF which makes a tough matchup for McPharlin. I hope White will still be doing his stuff on the wing.

Rohan vs Harry for sub? To put it politely, I hope Rohan gets more of the ball than in his last two games.

Definitely Rohan for sub if you ask me. Cunningham was really good last week and gave us great run on the break as well - hopefully this week his teammates will look for him a bit more!

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Loving Jude named at CHF! I appreciate they won't line up like that, and I obviously hope we win- but that'd be wonderful to get printed in the Record for your last game. You could show the grandkids one day and say "I used to be taller".

I laughed at that too

[crackedactor]

Nice inclusion of pace and a little tackle pressure!

Agree that Lamb may have offered more in forward smarts but Gary should cover this role!

Is the sub announced yet?

Rod_

Really disappointed that Lamb did not get a run, I thought Cunningham was just OK last week and Lamb could be most more dangerous up forward. But the bookmakers are offering $3.70 for a win so it does not matter who is in and out according to them.

[ugg]

Cunningham was the forward tag on Simpson last week and we'll need his pace against either Danyle Pearce or Hill

[erica]

horse.jpg

Haven't seen this before but thought I'd add it to the why-we-can-win-list. Saturday night seems a long way off...

[liz]

Cunningham was the forward tag on Simpson last week and we'll need his pace against either Danyle Pearce or Hill

It was interesting watching Cunningham learn and grow more confident as the game went on. There was a passage early in the game where Cunningham was standing a little way off Simpson but still clearly with a defensive mindset. Our forward line was pretty open and the ball was kicked in the general direction of the pair. Harry was so busy watching where Simpson was that he didn't think to move to where the ball was being kicked and at least make a contest, allowing the Blues an easy uncontested mark.

Yet a little bit later, Mumford kicked the ball into space and Cunningham realised that his job was not just to mind his opponent but also provide a target forward. He moved to where the ball was going and marked it easily (leading to his first goal).

I think it is very easy to be critical of players in their first handful of games as they adjust to the pace and structures, and much higher quality of their opponents, not to mention the fact they are being watched by tens of thousands (and more on TV). We forget how nervous they must be, and that they are probably second guessing themselves, wondering if they belong. While watching our team win is the number one thing we go to the football for, it is almost as rewarding watching players develop from nervous teenagers to assured and skilled players. I think Harry has made a decent start along that journey.

[Auntie.Gerald]

For me we if LRT was fit he is in the 22 like quicksilver across a marble floor !

LRT was a massive part of defending the long kicks in in the last qtr against the hawks in the 2012 GF

Freeo love to drive the ball in long and to a contest as much as we do.............if they continue this style of field positioning then LRT is essential...........that is a fit and ready LRT

the last qtr against freeo earlier in the year was kick to a massive contest in our defensive arc.......enter LRT to combat this style of play

maybe drop Dre ?

[mcs]

It was interesting watching Cunningham learn and grow more confident as the game went on. There was a passage early in the game where Cunningham was standing a little way off Simpson but still clearly with a defensive mindset. Our forward line was pretty open and the ball was kicked in the general direction of the pair. Harry was so busy watching where Simpson was that he didn't think to move to where the ball was being kicked and at least make a contest, allowing the Blues an easy uncontested mark.

Yet a little bit later, Mumford kicked the ball into space and Cunningham realised that his job was not just to mind his opponent but also provide a target forward. He moved to where the ball was going and marked it easily (leading to his first goal).

I think it is very easy to be critical of players in their first handful of games as they adjust to the pace and structures, and much higher quality of their opponents, not to mention the fact they are being watched by tens of thousands (and more on TV). We forget how nervous they must be, and that they are probably second guessing themselves, wondering if they belong. While watching our team win is the number one thing we go to the football for, it is almost as rewarding watching players develop from nervous teenagers to assured and skilled players. I think Harry has made a decent start along that journey.

I was really impressed with harry last week. You can see it is just starting to 'click' for him in Seniors. Really hoping that he kicks on next year, as he has lots of potential. I love watching our young guys come through and really make an impact on the big time. The great part of it is that we are regenerating the list (like geelong does) without it having a particularly detrimental effect on the competitiveness of our list. For instance, we will lose Jude Bolton at the end of the year, but we have a clone in Luke Parker just hitting his straps. Likewise we've lost mattner and next year probably Shaw, but we have youngsters that are geuninally good enough to replace them. Goodesy is one of those irreplaceable players, but no doubt we will find a way to replace him.

[Meg]

I'm watching silly players from both Geelong & Hawthorn giving away 50 metre penalties. Makes me hope our coaches have emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline in the face of the inevitable provocation we will get from Ballantyne & Crowley tomorrow night.

[Melbournehammer]

Looks like rule of the week is htb too

[dimelb]

But you're still allowed to throw.
Especially if your name is Selwood.

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But you're still allowed to throw.
Especially if your name is Selwood.

[undy]

But you're still allowed to throw.
Especially if your name is Selwood.

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But you're still allowed to throw.
Especially if your name is Selwood.

Do you think the swans coaching staff flew back to Melbourne to watch this game?

Go the curse.

[annew]

Realistically are we going to have the energy to play a game like tonight's? I really was hoping for a Geelong win, now that the curse is broken and they have beaten Geelong they will go all the way.

[Meg]

Was nice seeing the fear in Clarkson's eyes for quite some time though.