Changes for Round 10 V Geelong

[andy0414]

Tom D is only one bad game away from being the whipping boy.

Given his improvement over 8 or 9 games he could be one game away from stardom. If he held those couple of marks on Friday night...

[stellation]

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.

I'm with you, brother! Mike's clearly the first choice ruckman, I was really just highlighting that Tom's really put in some decent performances and I don't really think Mike's an elite ruckman of the comp so the gap isn't as big as it might be.

[snajik]

First and foremost, changes are desperately needed for the commentary team.

In:
The ABC WAFL commentary team, Glenn Mitchell, Phil Lamb, Ryan Turnbull, Todd Ridley.

Out:
Eddie 'I tend to get a bit racist when I'm feeling sleepy' McGuire
Brian 'I'm about as funny as a car accident' Taylor
Bruce 'I think I just sat in a bowl of custard' McAvaney
Matt 'I don't care who the Swans are playing, but I'll be shamelessly barracking for the opposition and riding them home at every opportunity' Campbell

Thankfully, I'll be able to attend this game live, so there will be a temporary reprieve from these bozos.

[Legs Akimbo]

First and foremost, changes are desperately needed for the commentary team.

In:
The ABC WAFL commentary team, Glenn Mitchell, Phil Lamb, Ryan Turnbull, Todd Ridley.

Out:
Eddie 'I tend to get a bit racist when I'm feeling sleepy' McGuire
Brian 'I'm about as funny as a car accident' Taylor
Bruce 'I think I just sat in a bowl of custard' McAvaney
Matt 'I don't care who the Swans are playing, but I'll be shamelessly barracking for the opposition and riding them home at every opportunity' Campbell

Thankfully, I'll be able to attend this game live, so there will be a temporary reprieve from these bozos.

Love your work...

this is so true. The lowest common denominator team right there on paper.

[ernie koala]

+1

[barry]

I dont think we need such wholesale changes. By dropping a few "bad influences", the rest should come good.

So, id just trim the list by 2.

Out: luke darcy, matt campbell
In: -

[ernie koala]

Tom had 26 hitouts, Mike has had >26 hitouts 14 times in 78 games- strangely, Mike has also only bettered Tom's 12 disposals 14 times. Only 5 times out of 78 games has Mike bettered Tom's disposal and hitout count from Friday.

Yes, obviously lots with Mummy and Mike is clearly the top option.

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Average contested marks comparisons ?? Average marks in forward 50?? Average goals per game??

Derrickx has certainly performed above expectations, but I'd prefer Pyke next week, by a long way.

[longmile]

If we can fit in Pyke and McGlynn for B Jack and Derrickx, I think this undisputedly the best 22 we can field with our list (barring Johnson obviously).
Thoughts?

[stellation]

Average contested marks comparisons ?? Average marks in forward 50?? Average goals per game??

Derrickx has certainly performed above expectations, but I'd prefer Pyke next week, by a long way.

No question that a fit and healthy Pyke is first choice ruckman.

I didn't include marks/goals because aardy didn't mention them- Mike's obviously well in front there, although if you look at their respective first 10 games of their career Tom's actually in front of Mike.

[Jewels]

If we can fit in Pyke and McGlynn for B Jack and Derrickx, I think this undisputedly the best 22 we can field with our list (barring Johnson obviously).
Thoughts?

A fit Pyke yes, but so far this year he hasn't been the player he was for the past two years and as others on here have said, he needs a few weeks in the ressies to get his form and fitness up.

[aardvark]

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.
Once Harry finishes his defensive apprenticeship he will be the next midfield star, and a fit Tom Mitchell would be a better option too.

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A fit Pyke yes, but so far this year he hasn't been the player he was for the past two years and as others on here have said, he needs a few weeks in the ressies to get his form and fitness up.

I thought the first half before he got injured he was back to his best. Very poor timing that injury.

[Beerman]

I dont think we need such wholesale changes. By dropping a few "bad influences", the rest should come good.

So, id just trim the list by 2.

Out: luke darcy, matt campbell
In: -

Really off topic now, but I'll chip in and say that I actually like Luke Darcy's commentary. He does one thing some of his commentators are not so good at - he actually talks about the football. And second, he doesn't mistake his job for stand-up comedy or flail around trying to coin super-clever expressions in the hope they will go viral (BT, Dennis, Bruce - I'm looking at you).

[wolftone57]

I think B Jack needs a good month straight of reserves footy. He hasn't been among the bests for the reserves and he looked really low in confidence last night. Time to try someone else (Rohan again?) in the fall-back sub role.

I agree that Pyke and Derickx can't both be in the team now Tippett and Reid are back.

BJ has forgotten how to be rerally fast and not leave your brain behind. He overruns the ball and hits it so hard he often just bounces the ball into the air or fumbles the ball. He needs to go back and work on his ball approach pick up skills. He might like to slow down a tad just before he meets the ball to get better purchase.

Pykie was not i great form before his injury due to an interrupted pre-season and this break would not have helped. Needs a few games in the reserves and by the way needs to earn his spot back. Derrickx is doing a pretty good job and nearly took mark of the year as well as kicking a pretty good snap goal.

[wolftone57]

C'mon guys, Tommy D plays his best game ever 12 possies, 20+ hitouts, 3 marks and gives away 4 frees and all of a sudden he's superman. Pyke would do that in a half a game even if he's unfit.
No contest as far as i'm concerned.

I'd rather a fit Derrickx for an unfit Pyke any day. Pykie's figures before he got injured were 10.1 disposals & 21.9 HO. Not exactly setrting the world on fire due to a late start. I would rather get the big fella right than bring him in early. The other thing is that he is getting older, 30, injuries tend to take a while to get right the older a player gets. He needs to go to the Twos and get some match fitness if he is fit enough to come back. He might not be back yet, he still has to face a fitness test and pass it.

[dimelb]

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. ...

Birdy and Ben - talk about hard choices. Craig can also do damage going forward while Ben is a real asset in the midfield rotation.
Just as well we can send BJ back to the ressies for some more homework.