Changes for Round 10 V Geelong

[Jewels]

If Mitchell returns to the senior team (probably at the expense of Lloyd) it won't be on the bk on one big NEAFL game. It wilbe because he spent last year showing just how valuable a senior player he can be, despite his inexperience, and because his game last weekend has proven he is back to the required fitness level. Yes, it might be tough on Lloyd but, if it happens, he'll just need to put his head down and make sure he's still at the front of the queue when another opportunity arises later in the year. I have little doubt he'll do just that.

And last year Ryan Okeefe was a valuable senior player and this year he is not.
My point is that 2013 was last year, so far in season 2014 Lloyd has contributed more to the team than Mitchell, so I feel that Lloyd deserves to hold his spot and Mitchell needs to bide his time, keep doing what he did last week, hopefully against stronger opposition, and his turn will come. Why change a winning combination?

[liz]

a) There is around a decade in age difference between ROK and Mitchell.
b) If ROK had scored 4 goals and over 60 possessions in the reserves game, maybe there would be calls for him to return to the senior side
c) Lloyd has had a nice neat start to his career. But he's been the sub for 3 out of 4, and the one where he wasn't was against the team currently sitting abottom of the ladder. In two out of three games when he's come on as sub, the game has already been over. Only the Hawthorn game was still alive.
d) At times last year, Mitchell had an opponent paying close attention to him. Hardly surprising given the ease with which he won the ball and his scoreboard contribution. With respect to Lloyd, do you think any opponent has been paying him attention when they've had Hanners, Kennedy, Jack, Parker et al to keep them occupied.

I'm not knocking Lloyd. He's done more than expected. But I do believe Mitchell is currently a significantly better player and has that his ceiling is higher. I would have a fit Mitchell in the team ahead of Lloyd anytime. We'll have to wait and see what the coaches reckon.

[Ludwig]

c) Lloyd has had a nice neat start to his career. But he's been the sub for 3 out of 4, and the one where he wasn't was against the team currently sitting a bottom of the ladder. In two out of three games when he's come on as sub, the game has already been over. Only the Hawthorn game was still alive.

I'm not knocking Lloyd. He's done more than expected. But I do believe Mitchell is currently a significantly better player and has that his ceiling is higher. I would have a fit Mitchell in the team ahead of Lloyd anytime. We'll have to wait and see what the coaches reckon.

I'm not going to criticize Mitchell, because I think he's headed for an illustrious AFL career and has the qualities of an established AFL player at 20 y.o.

But it's hard to find much fault in a player like Lloyd who has consistently played well in the reserves, has no particular weaknesses in his game, and has proved very durable in his short career. He's stepped up almost seamlessly to AFL level. He's actually been the starter in 2 games, not 1, gathering 29 and 20 disposals respectively. You may not rate a 29 disposal game against a poor AFL side very highly, nor a 20 disposal 6 tackle game against a mediocre Essendon. But then how are we to judge a 64 disposal game against a bunch of part time carpenters. I think you have often been wary of drawing conclusions from good form in the reserves against this sort of opposition. The team had over 500 possessions in that game. So much for the opposition.

Lloyd is a very good decision maker, even under pressure, and has shown the ability to pick out leading targets and hit them with pinpoint passes. He's a good young player and would love to see how he fares after 20 or 30 games under his belt.

I suppose if you line up the slightly built Lloyd against the muscular Mitchell, it doesn't look like much of contest. But I for one would like to see both develop their games without any preconceived notions as to what will transpire. I personally think both will have big careers.

Let Lloyd have a stinker and before we bring on Mitchel in his placel. But the kid's playing well right now, and looking more confident with each game. I don't see a need to break the momentum.

[liz]

The only judgement I am taking from his weekend's game is an indication he is probably back close to full fitness. It doesn't matter the quality of the opposition - you don't see that much of the ball unless you work relentlessly hard throughout a game.

I don't need to rely on stats from NEAFL game to draw conclusions on his ball winning ability. We've all witnessed him doing it relentlessly at AFL level, pretty much from the first time he stepped onto the ground in his debut game.

[Matt80]

The reason why we are having these wonderful debates is the healthy state of the injury list. At last glance it said Johnson season and Pyke one week. That incredible. It will say Pyke fitness test by Tuesday next week.

If it was like the same time last year: Mitchell, Rohan, Lloyd, Towers, Brandon Jack and LRT would all be starting in the seniors. Toby N, Aliir and Membrey would be one injury away from playing.

Last years injury list actually helped us a lot. It allowed us to get better trade value for players like White and Everett because they were able to show their ability in the seniors. We had to give away Mumford, but still got a second round pick. We have drafted four players who look like they will be knocking on the senior door in 2015. From some of the highlights Toby N looks like he can be a good forward. Maybe he can become a David Hale in time.

Last years injury list also allowed Lamb, Mitchell, Rampe and Brandon Jack to get more game time that would not have happened if we had a fit list.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

What did we get for White and Everitt?

[ScottH]

What did we get for White and Everitt?

Jesse White for Pick 44(Aliir Aliir)
Andrejs Everitt + Pick 39(Cameron Giles) for Pick 32(George Hewitt)

Draft/Trade History - RWOwiki

[Matt80]

What did we get for White and Everitt?

White pick 44, got Alirr
Everitte moved up the second round from 39 to 32, got Hewitt
Mumford 35 got Toby N

We took 4 players in the top 44 of the draft. Without the trades we would have had one pick at the end of the 2nd Round and one pick at the end of the third. Pick 15 was Zak Jones.

Without Jesse White and Andreas Everitte playing regular senior football in 2013, they both probably would not have had any currency at the Trade Table.

[ernie koala]

a) There is around a decade in age difference between ROK and Mitchell.
b) If ROK had scored 4 goals and over 60 possessions in the reserves game, maybe there would be calls for him to return to the senior side
c) Lloyd has had a nice neat start to his career. But he's been the sub for 3 out of 4, and the one where he wasn't was against the team currently sitting abottom of the ladder. In two out of three games when he's come on as sub, the game has already been over. Only the Hawthorn game was still alive.
d) At times last year, Mitchell had an opponent paying close attention to him. Hardly surprising given the ease with which he won the ball and his scoreboard contribution. With respect to Lloyd, do you think any opponent has been paying him attention when they've had Hanners, Kennedy, Jack, Parker et al to keep them occupied.

I'm not knocking Lloyd. He's done more than expected. But I do believe Mitchell is currently a significantly better player and has that his ceiling is higher. I would have a fit Mitchell in the team ahead of Lloyd anytime. We'll have to wait and see what the coaches reckon.

+1...Spot on Liz.

I think people here are forgetting just how good a first dozen games Mitchell had.

[111431]

The only judgement I am taking from his weekend's game is an indication he is probably back close to full fitness. It doesn't matter the quality of the opposition - you don't see that much of the ball unless you work relentlessly hard throughout a game.

I don't need to rely on stats from NEAFL game to draw conclusions on his ball winning ability. We've all witnessed him doing it relentlessly at AFL level, pretty much from the first time he stepped onto the ground in his debut game.

yes we all acknowledge Mitchell's ability to win the ball, however, IMHO, he lacks a yard of pace at snr level and his goal kicking accuracy is not up to scratch particularly on set shots (he has a few friends in our team). I will be interested to see how he performs upon his return as his form earlier this yr was very ordinary

[Reggi]

yes we all acknowledge Mitchell's ability to win the ball, however, IMHO, he lacks a yard of pace at snr level and his goal kicking accuracy is not up to scratch particularly on set shots (he has a few friends in our team). I will be interested to see how he performs upon his return as his form earlier this yr was very ordinary

Great comments Liz. Where does this thing that Mitchell is slow come from? I have heard Horse often refer to him as a quick player. He never looks slow. I can understand his body shape

[Melbourne_Blood]

He's definitely not quick, his hands are though

[jono2707]

Whilst Bird isn't quick, he is quick between the ears hence his ongoing value to the team. Tom M is like that, and could well be better - his ability to extract the ball and the speed at which he does it is fantastic.

Also, JPK has previously shown his value as a resting forward and in other parts of the ground - I'm sure he'd appreciate a fit and firing Mitchell helping out in and under in the packs.....

[Ludwig]

I don't think much should be taken from the bits of mild criticism of Mitchell; I think we all recognise that he's a good player. The issue regarding potential changes for round 11 is whether players already in the side that have performed well should be replaced by players making there way back into the side from the reserves who have shown they are ready for senior football again. This goes not only for Mitchell, but Rohan as well. There are also a couple of venerable vets (ROK and LRT) looking to get back in, and a slew of young players (Biggs, Robinson, Towers, Membrey, Jones, Dick, Nanko) that have strung together a number of good performances that might be worthy of a senior opportunity; somehow BJ seems to be the player of choice in this regard.

After selection time next Wednesday the debate will begin: Who should be the sub?

[Nico]

He is a gun. Folly to question a player of his quality, given his age and injury issues.Knows where the footy is at and where it is going.