Changes for Rnd 5 V Western Bulldogs

[goswannies]

I'd like to see Tippett & Pyke just change between ruck & FF. Both ruck ok. Both good contested marks (when in good form). Set shot at goal Tippett pretty good now, Pyke not bad when his confidence is up. Both tall (& won't get any shorter as the game goes on) making them a tough matchup. Either would benefit from the presence of Buddy, who would require attention.
I think they are essentially interchangable & ensure a fresh ruckman & a constant tall forward target who will take a KP defender. If Tippett/Pyke aren't kicking goals, the opposition still have to worry about Buddy, Sammy or the smalls

[mcs]

Out: Pyke, Cunningham, Heeney
In: Naismith (want to see he goes compared to Pyke), Goodes, Robinson (probably sub).

I think Heeney, Cunningham and Towers will make their way back into the team soon. It's a good game to take a look at a couple of new players.

I know Naismith played well yesterday in the ressies, but surely his 1 AFL game so far is more than enough evidence to show he shouldn't just be thrown in the deep end by leaving Pyke out.

I wonder if he is more likely to get an opportunity at the times that we need to give Tippett a rest later in the season.

[aguy]

I think Naismith has improved since we played Richmond last year. And then he was battling Maric, a very tough ask. Ludwig is suggesting it this week I am guessing because the dogs are a bit weaker ruck wise

[mcs]

I think Naismith has improved since we played Richmond last year. And then he was battling Maric, a very tough ask. Ludwig is suggesting it this week I am guessing because the dogs are a bit weaker ruck wise

Its a huge risk to take though knowing the brittle nature of Tippett in my opinion, despite the weakness of the doggies ruck team at the moment.

Its too early in the season in my book unless playing the real dregs (Doggies haven't started well, but have some good players) to be tinkering. I certainly think he needs to get more exposure at the top level, but I think it should be later in the season (assuming we don't get injuries of course.

[aguy]

It is a risk yes mcs. I'm don't expect Longmire would do it because he has proven he picks what he thinks is the best 22 each week rather than pick for development sake

I am about to watch the dogs vs crows game so I'll see what I think after that.

[Puppy Eyes]

The Dogs are a very good outfit this year. This idea of resting players against "inferior" sides is flat out stupid.

[troyjones2525]

Exactly! If anyone is watching what the Bulldogs are doing to Adelaide at the moment would think twice about resting and trialling new players next week! We will need to be on our game coming back from a taxing effort at Subi!

[aguy]

I'm watching what has been done to Adelaide don't worry. I'm not a huge advocate of resting players usually. Just think Ludwig had an intersting idea about Naismith and it made me think of how good hawthorn is at bringing players into their team. They seem to have a lot of players in and out of their team which lets them cope with injuries really well. We would struggle a lot more than them with multiple injuries

[MattW]

Of the 22 who played on the weekend, the only one I can see playing as sub next week is Heeney, and that's what I think will happen: no changes; Heeney sub.

[ugg]

Before the Bulldogs Crows game I entertained the thought of Goodes coming back in but after watching how hard the Dogs run and how wide they spread I don't think this is the best idea anymore

[Ludwig]

I'll have to take a look at the Bulldogs game to assess the possible changes. I didn't expect them to win as easily as it appears.

I did notice from the stats that Minson's ruck replacement Ayce Cordy got soundly beaten by Jacobs, which is no surprise. Adelaide easily won both the clearances and the hit outs, but lost the game by a mile. If Pyke gets injured, it would seem that Naismith would be the one to get the call to replace him. That's why I think it's important to give him some senior experience when the opportunity arises, rather than wait for a crises and a critical game. He was stunned by Maric in his first game, but after the first quarter started to get a handle on playing at senior level. He's been doing well in the reserves this season. I think he offers a bit more mobility and skill around the ground than Pyke does. Pyke is a good tap ruckman, but I've been disappointed with his skill level and decision making the past 2 seasons.

I don't buy into the argument that Tippett is fragile. Tom Derickx and Matt Spangher are fragile, because they can't get through a season without significant time on the sidelines. Over the course of his career he hasn't missed too many games due to injury. If Goodes can regain form and hold down a forward spot on merit, I think the combination of Tippett and Reid in the ruck would be the best, as we would have so much more mobility through the centre it should more than compensate for some loss in ruck power. But this to is only a makeshift solution and we will need to develop both Naismith and Nankervis for the long haul.

[Ludwig]

Just checked the weather forecast (as if it was really necessary; if it's Sydney, it must be raining). We can drop Pyke and have Tippett play in the ruck. A ruckman is a waste of space in the slog. I would look to bring in Mitchell and Jones if the conditions are wet.

[The Big Cat]

There must be some here that I suspect didn't watch the game. I thought Pyke did really well against Sandilandt. In fact he seemed to be the only Swan who was getting a centre clearance in the first half! I think Cunningham gives us a great outlet player from the backline and at the weekend took several marks coming up off the wing. I also thought he did a good job keeping Hill quiet.

[bloodsman]

Anybody in for Grundy. Even Alex Johnson with one knee

[Ludwig]

There must be some here that I suspect didn't watch the game. I thought Pyke did really well against Sandilandt. In fact he seemed to be the only Swan who was getting a centre clearance in the first half! I think Cunningham gives us a great outlet player from the backline and at the weekend took several marks coming up off the wing. I also thought he did a good job keeping Hill quiet.

I think Pyke did well against Sandilands. As for the clearances, Pyke had 2 of our 38 for the game.

Cunningham had his moments, but didn't have a big influence on the game. Hill played more on the inside than in previous games and got the better of Harry, getting 21 disposal and 5 clearances, and was named by The Age as Freo's 2nd best player.