Changes for Round 10 V Geelong

[wolftone57]

Let's also not forget Pyke is a premiership Ruckman who was nearly bog in the 2012 grand final. Almost topped the league in contested marks last year and probably has the highest goal kicking conversion average in the club.

All as a second ruck/forward. He has only had the first ruck duties when Mummy was injured. His value I believe has always been in that second/ruck forward role and to change to be the only ruck is going to be very difficult. doe he have the tank? We don't know yet as he has never done it. I would want him to be fully fit to do the role anyway. I would not like a sole ruck with a Reid back up where Reid ends up doing half the rucking because the big fella is not fit enough or has not got enough match fitness. Leave Derrickx alone and bring Mike back slowly through the reserves. I want Pykie right not tight.

[liz]

Did anyone else notice how well Bird did filling Benny McGlynns midfield role. Which prompts the question do we have better options for that midfield spot and would Ben be better placed as a crumbing forward. Personally I reckon Ben has tried really hard in his midfield role but we have players who would fill it better.

I reckon Benny's been fantastic in the midfield this year. He's played some defensive roles, gotten plenty of the ball and has set the standard in tackling and pressure. Yes. he makes bad disposal errors from time to time, and they can cost the team, but for me he more than makes up for this with his courage, work-rate, excellent overhead marking for his height, and decent pace.

I don't think the team needs a dedicated small forward. So many of our midfielders are good around goal, whether playing as forward or just drifting down there at stoppages, that Longmire can just rotate them, either within matches or different primary roles for different games. That just gives more depth in midfield rotations.

[ShockOfHair]

At the bottom of this Dees-Tigers match report, amid all the (hugely pleasurable, I admit) posts from Tigers fans promising to tear up their membership cards is one sensible-sounding bloke calling for the recruiters to be sacked for letting go of Matt White and Derrickx.

[swanspant12]

In: McGlynn, Membrey

Out: B.Jack, Lloyd.

[DamY]

Lloyd!? Nooooo

[tasmania60]

Agree about rucks Derek looks better not Mumy but big solid some skills seems a touch slow but more time gunna help?

[Ludwig]

I won't second guess the fitness staff regarding Pyke's return. But if fit to play, we are a 2 goal better team with Pyke as the ruckman.

No complaints about Tom's effort and workrate. But we are severely at a disadvantage with his sill level. There were a few incidents that come to mind.

1. About a minute into the game he dropped a easy mark then went on to give away a free to Watson in the tackle (ITB I think). It almost led to a goal.

2. In the 2nd qtr in our defensive 50, he tapped the ball directly to Hocking, who snapped for goal, but just missed. Could not have found a worse place to tap the ball.

3. A few minutes later, in almost an identical situation, he allowed Bellchambers to easily tap the ball back to Hocking. This time, his snap for goal was true.

That's 8 points that could have easily been 18.

Again, no animosity toward Derickx, and hope he continues to improve. But he is a far cry from Pyke.

[Matimbo]

OK, so Hanners and NicMal not rubbed out. McGlynn to come straight back in, probably for BJ. Pyke for TomD possibly.

But reading this article (link below) tells me next cab off the rank is definitely Tom Mitchell. Sounds like he is over his niggling injuries and back to the form that had him previously entrenched in our top 22 ...

Leather poisoning: Mitchell's 64-touch state league record - AFL.com.au

Hard to drop anyone else from last Friday's line-up, but Tom M has put his hand up in a big big way.

[Melbournehammer]

I won't second guess the fitness staff regarding Pyke's return. But if fit to play, we are a 2 goal better team with Pyke as the ruckman.

No complaints about Tom's effort and workrate. But we are severely at a disadvantage with his sill level. There were a few incidents that come to mind.

1. About a minute into the game he dropped a easy mark then went on to give away a free to Watson in the tackle (ITB I think). It almost led to a goal.

2. In the 2nd qtr in our defensive 50, he tapped the ball directly to Hocking, who snapped for goal, but just missed. Could not have found a worse place to tap the ball.

3. A few minutes later, in almost an identical situation, he allowed Bellchambers to easily tap the ball back to Hocking. This time, his snap for goal was true.

That's 8 points that could have easily been 18.

Again, no animosity toward Derickx, and hope he continues to improve. But he is a far cry from Pyke.

I'm not saying he is a world beater but anyone can pick out individual incidents in a game. And the Hocking goal - that was entirely the midfields fault - if you dont man up at a stoppage inside forward fifty when do you do it ? Do you say that pyke allowed hale to snap a goal in the gf ? Was it mumys fault that he pushed hale in the back allowing a set shot from 48 m ?

Pyke has struggled to run out games. There is no doubt about that. He was barely running in the first two rounds when the game was on the line. Pyke is a very very good contested mark, but td rarely gets outmarked even if he jumps a little too early occasionally (which by the way so does the great goodes).

I don't think it benefits anyone to pick out incidents (except that there is no way pyke would have kicked the goal that td did on the weekend). I would probably play pyke because he has earned it but big tom deserves immense praise for what he has been able to do in the last few weeks, and if he doesnt get a run i hope the coaches tell him that he has far surpassed our expectations to date, but this is not the end of it either.

[ernie koala]

So with basically a full list to pick from.....unprecedented given we're 9 games in.

So for the Cats.....

Apart from the Pyke v Derrickx debate....

What about Lloyd V Mitchell ?...Who wants to start it off ??

[gazza]

3 changes in pyke mcglynn Mitchell
out derrix Cunningham b jack

[Matt80]

So with basically a full list to pick from.....unprecedented given we're 9 games in.

So for the Cats.....

Apart from the Pyke v Derrickx debate....

What about Lloyd V Mitchell ?...Who wants to start it off ??

We have had that discussion. Mitchell put in an amazing performance in the twos, but who do you drop.

Lloyd was impressive against the Bombers and you would not want to halt his momentum.

Assuming Hannas is okay.

Ins - Pyke, Mglynn
Out - B. Jack, Tom D

Another option to get Tom Mitchell back in would be dropping Laidler and swinging Reid and McVeigh into defence as needs and match ups arise.

[Ludwig]

I'm not saying he is a world beater but anyone can pick out individual incidents in a game. And the Hocking goal - that was entirely the midfields fault - if you dont man up at a stoppage inside forward fifty when do you do it ? Do you say that pyke allowed hale to snap a goal in the gf ? Was it mumys fault that he pushed hale in the back allowing a set shot from 48 m ?

Pyke has struggled to run out games. There is no doubt about that. He was barely running in the first two rounds when the game was on the line. Pyke is a very very good contested mark, but td rarely gets outmarked even if he jumps a little too early occasionally (which by the way so does the great goodes).

I don't think it benefits anyone to pick out incidents (except that there is no way pyke would have kicked the goal that td did on the weekend). I would probably play pyke because he has earned it but big tom deserves immense praise for what he has been able to do in the last few weeks, and if he doesnt get a run i hope the coaches tell him that he has far surpassed our expectations to date, but this is not the end of it either.

I was a bit reluctant to make a point based on a few incidents, because you are correct; for any player it's easy to pick out a few plays where mistakes are made (Ablett excluded). But I think these incidents are indicative of his game. He has so much to learn about rucking. He can get his hands on the ball, but who knows where it's going. That's why his hitouts to advantage are usually well in favour of the opposition. His hands are not good and his decision making is poor. He had 3 years in the Richmond system, and I would think he have thought he'd be at a higher level in these areas than he shows.

He deserves the plaudits he gets for his effort and workrate and it makes up for a lot of his shortcomings. But the fact is, his skills are not good.

[Plugger46]

In: Mitchell, McGlynn, Pyke
Out: Lloyd, Jack, Derickx

Yes, there are unlucky players. Good 'problem' to have.

[Ludwig]

McGlynn for BJ
Pyke, if fit, for Derickx
Mitchell next cab off the rank

Hard to drop anyone else, since they all played well.

Hard to decide who should be the sub.