Changes - Round 10 vs. Gold Coast Suns

[tasswan]

Based on the Carlton game

Out: Shaw, B.Jack
In: Lloyd, Grundy

[Conor_Dillon]

The criticism of Cunningham on here is way over the top. He's an outside player, it's what he's in the side for. We don't need someone with his pace and footskill being on the bottom of the packs where he can't use his strengths. I agree that he needs to find more of the ball but that will come as he builds gametime and confidence. Brandon is definitely harder at the ball and the man but the last thing we need in our team at the moment is a bloke that continually butcher's the ball.

[Plugger46]

Despite a couple of horrible turnovers, Rhyce played pretty well on Friday night. He has the potential to cost us in a big game somewhere along the way though.

[mcs]

Despite a couple of horrible turnovers, Rhyce played pretty well on Friday night. He has the potential to cost us in a big game somewhere along the way though.

He already has cost us this season - Doggies game is one example (although he was not the only offender in that game in the back 6).

It will hurt us when it counts though if we don't cut out the silly errrors of all of the back 6 (they've all been guilt at different times). I don't see an obvious replacement for Shaw at this stage, although I'd like to see Jones given a go in the seniors at the appropriate time, to see if he can cement a spot in the team - which may very well be at the expense of Shaw.

[Go Swannies]

He already has cost us this season - Doggies game is one example (although he was not the only offender in that game in the back 6).

It will hurt us when it counts though if we don't cut out the silly errrors of all of the back 6 (they've all been guilt at different times). I don't see an obvious replacement for Shaw at this stage, although I'd like to see Jones given a go in the seniors at the appropriate time, to see if he can cement a spot in the team - which may very well be at the expense of Shaw.

I've been hearing the complaints against Shaw so watched him closely during the replay. Yes he did one silly move when punching the ball towards the goal square but the rest of his game was pretty strong. It's unlikely he will be dropped on form - and when he's playing so much better than Dane - especially if Reg is under an injury cloud.

Unless essential it may be unwise to diss the Gold Coast to drop both our captains. GC didn't pay too badly at the start of the Hawks game but that may be that the Hawks were tired after playing us, even though they had an extra day of rest. And good to hear Lewis and others were "sore" after our game. Last week explains some of our slackness in the Blues game.

But how would you feel if you were a Blues supporter - the team can play at AFL level but wouldn't for Mick?

[RogueSwan]

I have been a Pyke fan but even I would like to see if a change in ruck results in a change in clearances. The Suns have a few good mids who will probably do a Carlton this week unless something changes. I am happy to see any of Naismith, Nankervis or even TomD to be given a run this week.
I did notice towards to end of the third quarter (?) that Pyke hit it a bit harder a couple of times which allowed Hanners to get a brief first touch. He then went back to soft taps.

Rampe is probably no longer a surprise for opposition teams and his weaknesses may have been worked out. He now has to work on those weaknesses.

Cunningham: I keep waiting for him to come good this year, but I haven't seen it yet. I don't get to games, but I haven't noticed the hard running into space that typified Harry's game last year. Maybe he is given a different role this year?

[Gary]

I think it's Mike Pykes 100 this week ... hate to see him dropped before that special occasion.

[ScottH]

I think it's Mike Pykes 100 this week ... hate to see him dropped before that special occasion.

Quite correct.
It is his 100th game next game.

[aguy]

Quite correct.
It is his 100th game next game.

No prob. Pyke can play his 100th a week later against Goldstein

[Go Swannies]

No prob. Pyke can play his 100th a week later against Goldstein

Ain't gonna happen unless he's injured.

Pyke is a quick learner so I guess that what he's doing is what he's been told to do. If his role was to punch the ball forward as far as he could, I'm sure he'd do that. I can only guess that the coaches have a whole-of-season plan and, as we are winning right now, we don't need to win all over the field. The drop in clearance has been as much a result of Joey not getting any clear possession as it is Mike's hitouts.

[barry]

Shaw scored quite high in the fantasy points thing. 103. Ahead of Kieran jack and co.


Can we stop this pyke talk . He is sooo far ahead of our next best Ruckman is not funny.

[Meg]

Just watched this afternoon's media conference with Longmire. There's no way Pyke will be dropped this week. And again (following Longmire's post match conference) he is glowing in his praise of Robinson (well, glowing compared to Longmire's normal 'I'm-giving-you-nothing' style). I think Dan has a good chance of staying in the 22.

[aguy]

Shaw scored quite high in the fantasy points thing. 103. Ahead of Kieran jack and co.


Can we stop this pyke talk . He is sooo far ahead of our next best Ruckman is not funny.

This Pyke talk is the purpose of this forum. For us all to share our opinions and mostly be proven wrong on the weekend

[Beerman]

The criticism of Cunningham on here is way over the top. He's an outside player, it's what he's in the side for. We don't need someone with his pace and footskill being on the bottom of the packs where he can't use his strengths. I agree that he needs to find more of the ball but that will come as he builds gametime and confidence. Brandon is definitely harder at the ball and the man but the last thing we need in our team at the moment is a bloke that continually butcher's the ball.

My problem with Cunningham is not that he's an outside player, it's that he's butchering the ball, and not getting enough of it (as outside receives) to be able to do that. I'd love to see his tackle numbers, because I doubt they've been that impressive, either. In particular his goal kicking this year is atrocious and if he's going to be in a a small forward, he needs to take those opportunities.

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He [Naismith] had a long, long way to go.

This. From the Richmond game last year I didn't see much to get excited about, but every week this year (and last), people seem to be pumping up Naismith. Does he really play that much better in the ressies than we saw in that game? (It was only one game and in the wet, after all).

[mcs]

My problem with Cunningham is not that he's an outside player, it's that he's butchering the ball, and not getting enough of it (as outside receives) to be able to do that. I'd love to see his tackle numbers, because I doubt they've been that impressive, either. In particular his goal kicking this year is atrocious and if he's going to be in a a small forward, he needs to take those opportunities.

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This. From the Richmond game last year I didn't see much to get excited about, but every week this year (and last), people seem to be pumping up Naismith. Does he really play that much better in the ressies than we saw in that game? (It was only one game and in the wet, after all).

Beerman, any ressies watcher will suggest he is progressing well. You must also remember he was taking on maric, who at that stage was in superb force - he is a seasoned, high quality ruckman and it showed that day.

How that translates into senior performance is another thing. I'd like to see him get a couple of games in the seniors this year - but only later on in the season, if we are in a position to rest players running into finals (Which if our form holds up, we may be able to do in our last couple vs St Kilda and Gold Coast) - I don't think he is at a level yet that he is ready for seniors footy, week in week out.

Ugg is a far better judge of younger players than I ever will be, but I think he will make it. With further progress this season and a good pre-season, I really do think he will be challenging Pyke for his role in the team at the start of next season. He is a good mark, good below the knees, decent kick for goals, and his tap work in the ruck continues to improve. There is a lot to like about him, and it'll surprise me if he doesn't make it as an AFL footballer (Barring injuries and the like of course).