Changes for Rnd 18 v Hawthorn

[Ampersand]

Despite his good performance I think Mitchell (if he's healthy) should come in for Lloyd against Essendon. We need to give him time to find his feet in the senior squad in the run up to the finals. I also think Lloyd could probably do with a rest anyway.

If Mitchell fails to perform over a few games he can always be swapped out again for a (rested) Lloyd.

[southsideswan]

I would not have been surprised if Lloyd had been dropped to give time to others, especially as he had 2 games of low efficiency disposal. He is normally in the 80% range. The last 2 games it was below 60%. This week it was back up to 85%. The coaching staff should have a gauge on how he is traveling. For someone that thrives on hard work, I'm not sure if a week out of the firsts would be beneficial. Anyway week off as it is, with bye. It is a shame that Mitchell cant get some miles up in the top grade.

[CJK]

OUT : Towers, B Jack
IN : Tippett, Mitchell

[Ampersand]

It's just a fact of life that younger bodies tend to drop off towards the end of the season. I think it's a factor in Port Adelaide's recent drop in form. They are, after all, the third youngest side in the comp.

It's no disparagement of Lloyd's skill or ability. I think he'll be a fixture in the squad for years to come. I just think we need to pull the trigger on getting our best squad on the park over the next few rounds while we still have time to adjust before September.

[Ampersand]

OUT : Towers, B Jack
IN : Tippett, Mitchell

Mitchell is coming off a minor injury. I wouldn't bring him back for the Hawks. I'd wait to see how he gets through a reserves game first.

[Captain]

Mitchell will add more value to us then Lloyd come finals. But given there are always injuries, Lloyd should be safe.

[Ludwig]

It would take a brave coach to drop Lloyd when we are yet to lose a game with him in the side. He's not really doing much wrong either. He had a good game on Saturday.

Anyone think we should bring in Derickx? ..................................Anyone?

[Ampersand]

Correlation does not equal causation. We didn't win those games just because Lloyd was in the side.

[Ludwig]

Correlation does not equal causation. We didn't win those games just because Lloyd was in the side.

Agree! But if we dropped him and we lost, then some would be questioning Horse. That's why I said it would take a brave coach.

I think both Lloyd and Harry have played well this year and hope we can find a way to keep them in the side through the finals given they've made a consistent contribution throughout the season. I know when everyone is fit they are just hanging on to those last 2 spots. The last 2 spots will be a tough competition between Harry C, Lloyd, Rohan and Mitchell. We may even add Zak Jones to that list as well.

[rojo]

Hopefully I am right in thinking that Rohan is starting to find his feet. There is a bit of a glimmer there of his as yet untapped potential. The running goal on Sat. should help in the confidence area. It would be good if we could keep him in the team so we could see his development.

If he gets going - not necessarily this year - we are going to have an exciting, scary team!

[Go Swannies]

It would take a brave coach to drop Lloyd when we are yet to lose a game with him in the side. He's not really doing much wrong either. He had a good game on Saturday.

Anyone think we should bring in Derickx? ..................................Anyone?

Lloyd stays in and Dan can't get a game you think? Big call. And sometime in the next two months we will have an injury and if it's Sam or Mike, I'll be very glad to have an experienced ruckman ready to come back in and fit seamlessly back into the team.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i mentioned in the Rohan thread similar re Lloyd

ie what is the 'affect' of pressure roles and hopefully what is the positive 'effect' that the 'run with' or 'tagging' players are having for our team structure and scoreboard results ?

I personally think Lloyd is playing his role fairly well right now and that role is to simply minimise the effectiveness of attacking players in the opposition team. The reason he is playing this role is because our mantra in attack is to play fast direct football and our mantra in defence is to ensure that when balls come into our 50m we have created space and time for our defence to reset and nullify the attack

I also think Rampe, Smith, Laidler, BJ, Harry, Birdy and even Rohan etc etc are sticking to their coaching instructions and fulfilling these KPIs

the attacking opposition players such as Judd, Yarran, Simpson etc were minimised and we got the gam back on our terms which is simply critical to win week in week out !!!.....we didnt see hardly any long driving balls to one on one leads by carlton .......ie Gibbs and Thomas was kept in nice and close to the contest and up against our very strong inside players so alot of the touches on the ball by Thomas and Gibbs really didnt provide their team with dangerous passes into our 50m arc

The hard part for us supporters is that when we watch scrap matches or ressies or playing a particular team we might see the glimpses of a player being let off the reigns and being able to lead more for the ball or push ahead of his player to make the attack flow................but generally against good opposition or tight games we will not witness a Lloyd, Rohan, Smith, Rampe, Laidler, BJ, Harry or even Birdy be given the luxury of too much space from their matchup or required zoning on the field

more importantly we need to take into account our direct footy and most of the time our inside players dominate receiving or passing the ball and in two seconds flat we are looking for our one on one tall forwards !

it is a little chicken or the egg.............we want to play direct footy to some of the best one on one forwards in the comp............well that means we needed this year a few more run with or tagging roles and the 'effect' is wee are winning with a game plan that works !!

[Ludwig]

Lloyd stays in and Dan can't get a game you think? Big call. And sometime in the next two months we will have an injury and if it's Sam or Mike, I'll be very glad to have an experienced ruckman ready to come back in and fit seamlessly back into the team.

Never said anything close to that.

Tippett and Dan come in for BJ and Towers. But if Shaw is also ready then it will be a tough call between Rohan, Cunningham and Lloyd as to who goes out. The first 20 slots are pretty well set, but after that there's a competition between 5 players (add Mitchell and Jones to the above list). I don't think it will be a game changer whoever we chose. They all add a good contribution and can play a role for the team.

[southsideswan]

It is a bit like the John West ad about the quality of the "discard". I think Mick Malthouse was playing a mind game about the quality of our list but there is a lot of truth in it. What ever happens this year we will look back with envy that the quality that did not make the top 22.

[Far Reach]

I don't see Shaw as an automatic in when fit. Had some good games this year but to my eye he's not quite the player of a year or two ago. Experience counts but Rohan's speed, height and spoil make him a great option down back.