Changes for Rnd 3 V GWS

[Ludwig]

I think the intensity level of both Cunningham and Towers is pretty good. They are not in and under players and haven't had much match practice playing that kind of role, so it's not surprising that they are not that adept at that hard inside play. We'd like all of our players to play like Hanners, but the fact is that they don't, and he's a pretty rare breed. Even the great Adam Goodes is not hard tackler, but no one is calling him soft. And if we were to look at a club like Hawthorn that are known for their hardness, you have all the commentators raving about Brad Hill and how much outside run he gives them and how valuable he is to the team, but you won't see Brad Hill diving into packs much either.

This 'hardness' quality is an important one, but it's not the only one. I don't think you can play AFL footy without being pretty tough. I've been a lifelong cyclist and a competitive cyclist during my younger days, and I've come off the bike many times, and it doesn't feel good. It takes a bit courage to go racing down a hill at 90k/hr. and riding in pelotons at high speed can be pretty scary, but I would never go diving after a football head first like these footy players do. I love footy, but I think they're mad. And anyone that goes out and plays AFL is pretty brave soul, recognising that there are different levels in bravery or stupidity, depending on one's perspective.

[Jewels]

Hey everyone. I've just had a great idea. It has occurred to me that Horse probably doesnt want too many slower midfielders in the team at the same time. Maybe that is why Mitchell isnt getting a game. What do you think?

Wow Doss that's a brilliant idea! Can't understand why no-one else has come up with that before!

[giant]

I'd be more worried about Cunningham and Benny. Benny has had little preparation and hasn't played a full game yet and I think it foolhardy to bring him in after such poor game time. Harry has not been more than average in the pre-season matches and continued that form against Essendon. In fact I would say he was poor against Essendon, his pressure and run and chase just weren't there. He fumbled and his kicking was crap. He wasn't really mentioned in dispatches in the Twos either so I am a bit sceptical as to his selection. Would rather select someone who is on the top of their form. My picks would have been Mitchell, 28 D and Jones who managed 17 disposals.

Tend to agree, Harry had a great 2014 but has looked only ordinary this year thru pre-season & round 1. Lucky to get a chance to bounce back.

[penga]

Hey everyone. I've just had a great idea. It has occurred to me that Horse probably doesnt want too many slower midfielders in the team at the same time. Maybe that is why Mitchell isnt getting a game. What do you think?

[Nico]

I think the intensity level of both Cunningham and Towers is pretty good. They are not in and under players and haven't had much match practice playing that kind of role, so it's not surprising that they are not that adept at that hard inside play. We'd like all of our players to play like Hanners, but the fact is that they don't, and he's a pretty rare breed. Even the great Adam Goodes is not hard tackler, but no one is calling him soft. And if we were to look at a club like Hawthorn that are known for their hardness, you have all the commentators raving about Brad Hill and how much outside run he gives them and how valuable he is to the team, but you won't see Brad Hill diving into packs much either.

This 'hardness' quality is an important one, but it's not the only one. I don't think you can play AFL footy without being pretty tough. I've been a lifelong cyclist and a competitive cyclist during my younger days, and I've come off the bike many times, and it doesn't feel good. It takes a bit courage to go racing down a hill at 90k/hr. and riding in pelotons at high speed can be pretty scary, but I would never go diving after a football head first like these footy players do. I love footy, but I think they're mad. And anyone that goes out and plays AFL is pretty brave soul, recognising that there are different levels in bravery or stupidity, depending on one's perspective.

Jetta is the perfect outside player. We don't expect him to win the hard ball but he gets enough quality stats to stamp him as a starter every game. Cunningham doesn't get enough of the footy, doesn't present himself anywhere near what he should and watch him when there is a pack around the footy; he is always the one who stands outside looking, looking, looking for a possible loose ball that rarely comes. When he does get caught in traffic he reaches for the Sorbent. If he is in the team as a tagger then I can cop that, but I don't give a rats if he finished top 10 (got me buggered how that could be), he is so reminiscent of the players we had at South for decades that relegated us as cellar dwellers for decades. It gives me the shivers to watch these guys now we are a force in the AFL. These blokes were never there when the whips were cracking. He has a lot of work to do change my mind.

[jono2707]

Hey everyone. I've just had a great idea. It has occurred to me that Horse probably doesnt want too many slower midfielders in the team at the same time. Maybe that is why Mitchell isnt getting a game. What do you think?

I don't agree with your theory, but if you repeat it often enough I just might see the light and change my mind....

[Flying South]

I will start this with the preface that Horse and his selectors know far more than I do about team selections. But for the life of me, I cannot understand when a small defender goes out, a half-forward comes in. Did we not learn anything last week about team balance? Did we not learn that the team works better as a unit when everyone play?s their natural position? We had 6 natural defenders back there last week and they worked great as a defensive unit. Now we are going to weaken that defensive unit by playing someone who is not a natural defender. If a small defender comes out, doesn?t it make sense that a small defender comes in. I would have thought Jones should be that person. Who are they going to put back there. Rohan? Did he not prove last week that he is a better forward than defender? IMO Jones would quite rightly feel snubbed. It seems as though he is not in the top 6 - 8 defenders in the club. I?m sensing there is a pecking order in the club now. Players are not getting picked on positional availability, merit or how well they play in reserves. It?s where they sit in the pecking order. So when Jones wants to line up with his brother, who would blame him?

The selection policy of this club has confounded me this last year or two. And to be quite honest, it has frustrated the @@@@e out of me. But what do I know. Obviously nothing.

[Mel_C]

The Shaw brothers have made a bet for this game. If GWS win then Rhys has to buy a GWS membership. If the Swans win then Heath is going to sit in our cheerquad for a game. That would be fun to see!

[ernie koala]

I have a problem with Horse and co selecting McGlynn today.....After not selecting him yesterday, because he is underdone.

If he was underdone yesterday, then he's underdone today. Nothings changed with his status.

IMO they should of selected a player with at least 3 games under their belt......Like Mitchell.

Horse is big on leg speed. Personally, I don't like having Towers and Cunningham on the same team.

As for Jones non selection, he is, like McGlynn, underdone....So his non selection is understandable, if not a little inconsistent.

[Zlatorog]

McGlynn might still not play if the weather conditions tomorrow are the same as today. Or, he might play as a sub.

[Meg]

I will start this with the preface that Horse and his selectors know far more than I do about team selections. But for the life of me, I cannot understand when a small defender goes out, a half-forward comes in. Did we not learn anything last week about team balance? Did we not learn that the team works better as a unit when everyone play?s their natural position? We had 6 natural defenders back there last week and they worked great as a defensive unit. Now we are going to weaken that defensive unit by playing someone who is not a natural defender. If a small defender comes out, doesn?t it make sense that a small defender comes in. I would have thought Jones should be that person. Who are they going to put back there. Rohan?

Correct me please if I am wrong, but once the team has been named on the Thursday before the match, don't any replacements have to come from named Emergencies? If this is the case then Jones could not come in for Smith as the listed Emergencies for this week were: G. Hewett, B. McGlynn, S. Naismith.
Laidler was originally listed on the interchange bench (along with Lloyd, Rohan and Towers). I assume Laidler will effectively take Smith's place although Longmire's original field placement listings and what actually happens is always pretty fluid.

[Meg]

McGlynn might still not play if the weather conditions tomorrow are the same as today. Or, he might play as a sub.

Yes when I heard this morning that McGlynn was in the 22 I immediately assumed he would be the sub, simply because there might be some doubt that he was yet ready for a full game at senior level.

[Matt80]

Wow Doss that's a brilliant idea! Can't understand why no-one else has come up with that before!

As it now happens Hewitt and Mitchell are the two emergencies to cover the small and medium players. If a small or medium player drops out, who is not Kennedy, Parker or Bird then the team will field 4 slower inside midfield extractors.

I would forced to issue an apology and cease this pet argument forever.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I feel we all need a hug

Its friday !!!!

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[Ludwig]

My feeling too is that McGlynn will be the sub, but who knows. Macca came in last week with a similar preparation and played very well. Maybe the preference was to give Benny another week in the reserves given his history of hamstring injuries, which tend to mount up with age.

I know we classify Benny as a small forward/midfielder, but he's a very good small defender/tagger and played that role a lot at Hawthorn. He would be an excellent matchup against the Giants best small forward, Devon Smith. But who knows what Longmire's plans are as far as matchups are concerned.