Round 8 changes V Hawthorn

[Matt80]

I hate to tell you but Grundy ALWAYS gets the job on the resting ruck. Laidler stays on Gunston, Richards to Roughead and this will be a good match up for Teddy.

Laidler has been a good pick up, but does not have the close marking capability to go with Gunston. LRT playing down back would allow Richards to shut down Gunston. You saw how good Gunston was in the 2013 GF. He requires a full on key defender.

Bring Laidler back in when there is a smaller forward structure!

[ernie koala]

Laidler will play on Gunston.

Not necessarily.

Rampe could also play on Gunston.

[Ludwig]

Not necessarily.

Rampe could also play on Gunston.

I'm not sure, but I think Rampe played on Gunston a few times last year, and Gunston had good games against him. But Gunston has been playing well against lots of opposition. He's a difficult matchup because of his mobility. We really don't have an obvious matchup for him, but Laidler looks the best option. Someone like Rohan might do well, but I doubt he will be selected.

The matchups will depend on the Hawthorn selections. With Lake out, it would seem that Shoenmakers will play back, probably on Tippett, with Gibson and Stratton going with Reid and Goodes. That would leave Hawthorn playing 3 tall forwards, instead of the 4 they tend to go with when they have the personnel on board. All their other forwards take turns in the midfield, Luke Breust for example, which would make for a better matchup for Rampe.

Another option would be to play Laidler as a loose man in defence, but this setup doesn't seem to suit us, because it will probably leave Hodge in that spot for the Hawks; I think we loose that strategy.

Derickx will just have to go with McEvoy. We really don't have any other options. The Hawks will probably want to keep Hall forward as much as possible, so the backup ruckmen shouldn't be getting a whole lot of action.

Cyril has been running hot, and playing more through the midfield, so will be another big challenge for Smitty.

This is a season defining game for us. We are nearly at full strength. They've got a few key injuries. We are (technically) playing at home. They deserve to be heavy favourites, but it's a winnable game for us, and one we should win if we are serious premiership contenders. Geelong shows that it can be done.

[Meg]

I am concerned that a night match + forecast for rain over next two days likely to mean slippery conditions. We don't play well in these circumstances as our losses this year have shown. But the best teams can adapt so we need to be able to do so as well.

[magic.merkin]

Why do you say that. He got 29 disposals at 82.8%. What is not Rising Star about that for ****'s sake! .

It does seem it take a few good games to get a nomination. He will get there soon at this rate!

[aardvark]

Why do you say that. He got 29 disposals at 82.8%. What is not Rising Star about that for ****'s sake! He was fourth in disposals, second in efficiency and kicked a goal. His candy dance in the BP was sensational. If this had been Gary Rohan or Tom Mitchell Aardvark you would have been spitting chips if they didn't get a nomination with those numbers. in fact Mitchell did get a nomination with those numbers and his efficiency was not as good.

I guess the AFL has a different view to you Wolfie.
Chip on Tom Langdon's shoulder serves Pies' Rising Star well - AFL.com.au

The 189cm young gun displayed terrific composure as he gathered 23 disposals ? including 10 contested ? with eight marks and four inside 50s in the Pies' 34-point triumph.

The difference I suppose is Langdon was nearly BOG where Lloyd was only our 10th best player.

[dimelb]

I guess the AFL has a different view to you Wolfie.
Chip on Tom Langdon's shoulder serves Pies' Rising Star well - AFL.com.au

The 189cm young gun displayed terrific composure as he gathered 23 disposals ? including 10 contested ? with eight marks and four inside 50s in the Pies' 34-point triumph.

The difference I suppose is Langdon was nearly BOG where Lloyd was only our 10th best player.

Hmm. I bet he got TLM points.

[aardvark]

Champion Data wouldn't know if their bums were on fire.
How can a player get 29 disposals at 82.8% and only get 97. Mindboggling. Jetts got 22 at 68.2%, Shaw 27 at 77%, Kizza 26 at 65.4%. Just how do they work this figure out? By the way the play also sees Lloyd as clearly our fourth best, watch the replay, maybe Champion data should do that.

I reckon there's an outside chance that Champion Data may know a little more about what they're doing than someone on a fans forum, still everyone's entitled to an opinion.

- - - Updated - - -

Hmm. I bet he got TLM points.

I might have given him one.......

[Reggi]

Neil cordy tweeted Buddy trained well he expects he will play

[hot potato]

That's surprising, maybe he'll play 3 quarters

[ernie koala]

Wonder who was training as a backup ruck option??

To me, that's the intriguing selection dilemma.

[Meg]

Franklin and Tippett set to play according to Longmire after training tonight. Wow this match is now really full of excited anticipation!

[Ludwig]

Neil Cordy is reporting that Buddy trained well and is likely to play. Didn't even have that knee bandage on, so I suppose they weren't too worried about him falling on it. Buddy has a history of playing well after little preparation.

[Melbournehammer]

Don't we know it. Still remember the seagull game in 2011.

[Melbourne_Blood]

The seagull game is at the front of my mind also, was supposed to be a certain out, he played and murdered us ! Hopefully he can reverse that role this week.