Possible Changes for the GF v Hawks

[johnno]

my credit card has been hit too. Are we able to find out where our seats are now?

[Stoneyyy]

Yeah, look at your account on the ticket website.

Looks like I have restricted view tickets in Q54. I wonder what they will be like?

[johnno]

Yeah, look at your account on the ticket website.

Looks like I have restricted view tickets in Q54. I wonder what they will be like?

Thanks.

Q4. Row B

[theta]

Unpopular opinion here.

I always say NO CHANGES TO TEAMS BEFORE GRAND FINALS. STICK WITH THE LINEUP! Always have. Best to 'stick with what you know', and 'no time to roll the dice', etc.

This year I'm wavering on this. Hawthorn's ability to spread, find space, kick accurately and hit small forwards this year has been scary, leaving us often exposed (minus today's not-so-good effort. This wont happen next week). So I've been saying this for weeks now......we should drop Reid for Mitchell.

Before the usual accusations of blasphemy and craziness, here me out.

Firstly, I dont think the coaches will drop Reid, I think he will play. I am aware he has played 17 games this season and the coaches should reward his effort. But we are looking at a flag here, so all options should be explored. Lets look at the pros and cons.

REID
Pros.
1. GF experience. This cant be underrated.
2. He contributes average/above average defensive work
3. He is versatile and can be moved back or forward, much like LRT was. Flexibility is valuable in GFs.
4. He is tall, strong and fast. Good tall option in defense to counter Roughead/Hale.
5. Good marking option coming out of defense and on the wing (but this year his stats are down in this area, not performing like he should imo)

Cons.
1. His stats are consistently in the bottom 2-3 in the team. Goes missing for LONG periods, always has, even before his new roles in defense. His DT and SC scores reflect this - they are low and unimpressive.
FanFooty Player Stats by Year
2. Stats are down significantly the last few weeks, probably due to injury
3. It is probably fair to say his ligament damage is now worse since the injury Friday night. (How many weeks has he been carrying this? Anyone know? My guess is since the hyperextension against Hawthorn in round 18)
4. Arguably we already have enough height in the team
5. This year his marking has not been up to his usual standard of previous years


MITCHELL
Pros.
1. He is a tackling machine. Expect him to be in the top 3 on the ground. I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled another 13 tackles or more. This will leave more important players on their feet more often.
2. He is a clearance machine.

That's it. That is all he would need to do. Nothing crazy, just tackle and clear. Tackle, and Clear.

A third indirect advantage would come from McVeigh dropping back and strengthening our defenses.

McVeigh;
a) reads the play better than Reid
b) is a better kick
c) is better defensively
d) will significantly improve our rebound
e) will match up better against everyone of Hawks offensive players except Roughead and Hale in the air.

This is probably more valuable than Mitchell's input in the middle.

Overall, our defensive line will become significantly more agile and rebound more effectively.

McVeigh wont go missing like Reid....and neither will Mitchell since he'll be at every stoppage.

Overall this equals more pressure around the ground.


Cons.
1. Mitchell's inexperience
2. Slower and smaller than Reid
3. Kicking efficiency is below average.
4. Less potential to kick goals
5. Less defensive pressure
&
6. No McVeigh in the midfield will mean DE from midfield will drop slightly and our inside-50 entries will suffer slightly too.


While I am hesitant to mess with the midfield, winning stoppages through tackles and clearances will be critical (Mitchell), as will countering Hawthorns small forwards (McVeigh). IMO the advantages offered by an injured Reid is less than those offered by these two.

We already have enough height around the ground, and this small change would significantly boost the team's inside pressure, tackles, clearances, defense, and rebound.


Anyway, just my 2 cents. Reid will play imo, but IF I was to make a change, this would be it.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Through 2014 we have picked a team and developed indv players to be ready for the match up of Hawthorn in a final or GF

we developed Lloyd and Cunningham to ensure we could had outside run and could tag Hill and Cyril successfully

Benny Mc can go with I.Smith if need be and or swap with one of the above

We have a forward line that in my opinion is equal if not better on any given day and very difficult match ups especially if Reid plays with Goodes, Tip and Bud...........so I would keep Reid

We have a back line that is equal or better on any given day and now an x factor maturing in Rohan who can also move up forward


Two teams so bloody even its still a 50 / 50 call...........only advantage is for the Hawks playing at the MCG in front of a home crowd in my opinion

But we had a nice easy week against North where as the Hawks had to earn every cent against Port..........so hopefully we are fresh and ready to roll !!!

[Auntie.Gerald]

for me the defensive job on Sam Mitchell is still the key

the hawks love to clear to Sam sitting behind the play and a shut down on him certainly disrupts the quick kick sam provides his team

[Matt80]

If Reid is fit, then we go in unchanged.

If Reid is unfit then I would go for Towers in the sub role.

Reid could be very important as Lake will most probably keep Tippett quiet and Gibson matches up well on Buddy. Reid and Goodes need to win their duels with the 3rd and 4th defenders.

These are the defensive match ups I would go for.

Cunningham on Issac Smith.

Jetta on Brad Hill.

Smith on Rioli

Rohan on Bruest

Shaw on Poppi

Rampe on Gunston

Ted on Roughy

Reg on Resting Ruck

Bird on Mitchell

Parker to go head to head with Hodge.

Lloyd to sub to accommodate Bird on Mitchell.

[barry]

The problem with mitchel is he is slow and unaccountable.

You beat hawthorn with manic pressure.

[Mel_C]

Has anyone heard how Grundy is? He looked really sore after the incident but seemed to play out the game well and I didn't notice him limping.

I agree about Sam Mitchell. He tends to be on his own and releases with a handpass so we have to apply that pressure!

We MUST keep their backline accountable! I don't want to see Hodge, Gibson etc loose and taking marks.

[Mountain Man]

Re match ups:
Don't we need someone to make Gibson accountable.

[liz]

Re match ups:
Don't we need someone to make Gibson accountable.

Buddy?

[i'm-uninformed2]

I'd pop McGlynn on Mitchell. Can play hard inside but also give him some grief going forward.

[ScottH]

A perfect day for footy

Saturday 27 September
Summary Min 12 Max 19 Partly cloudy.
Melbourne area
Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.

[Ampersand]

Gees, by the end of this thread people will be claiming Mitchell is slower than Pyke.

My thoughts on Reid's recent form were expressed in my previous thread. He is well off his best but I don't think he'll be dropped.

[Melbourne_Blood]

He would be, Pykes got some toe