Changes for Rnd 14 V Port Power

[Melbourne_Blood]

Just had a little look. We were 9-3 in 2012 at this stage. Losses to Adelaide ( SCG), Tigers ( MCG) and Saints ( Etihad) in a 4 week patch when we lost 3 games. It's certainly not doom and gloom, but regardless of win/loss records, we've rarely played brilliant footy this year for more than a quarter or two. That's the worrying thing. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 we'd produced some seriously dominant displays of footy by this point of the season, we have a lot of work to do but I guess the positive is we've managed a 9-3 record without finding our best footy on a consistent basis. I'd like to see Shaw out for Jones to start, and Hewitt to come in. Towers in for buddy ( if suspended) and Nankervis in for Derickx. We need fresh blood, we need some enthusiasm and a shake up.

[troyjones2525]

I've noticed nobody is saying that Abe Davis should come in this week. Surely he'd have to be a big chance considering both Buddy and Tippett are more than likely be out and the fact that he was the non playing emergency last week.

[Ampersand]

I'm not sure I agree with the idea we need fresh blood or a shake up. If anything I think we've seen Longmire far more inclined to make changes this year than previous years to the detriment of our consistency and cohesion IMHO.

While I agree that keeping players competitive for spots can be useful, particularly in the preseason, it also can't be great for the confidence to think if you take a risk and it doesn't come off it could cost you a position in the seniors. I was very disappointed, for instance, that Longmire omitted Robinson when as sub he really had no opportunity at all to prove himself. It should basically be an unspoken rule that the poor bastard performing the thankless, no-win task in the green vest won't be dropped the very next week.

What I think we should be aiming for at this point of the season is to start to solidify the best possible 22 to take us through the finals. The question for each (non-forced) inclusion from this point forward should be "Is this player capable of playing consistent footy from now until the first week of October?"

For me, injuries notwithstanding, that 22 doesn't include Shaw, Hewitt, B. Jack, Towers, Marsh, Derickx, Naismith or Nankervis but does include Pyke, McGlynn, Heeney, Jones (replacing Shaw), Cunningham and, yes, Bird but also Mitchell.

Whatever bizarre theories Longmire might hold about the maximum number of "slow" inside mids he's allowed to play, he should build a bridge and get over it and give that structure a proper chance to work. It's ludicrous to have an experienced contested ball winner (where Richmond smashed us in the 2nd half btw) like Bird running around our 2s. He's certainly not the one dimensional player suggested by his omission.

[Bloody Hell]

Out Buddy.

Tippett to Main Ruck. Derrickx/ Someone with a future to share the ruck.

Rohan to FF.

Reid to CHF.

[tasmania60]

I haven't played for 30 years but im ready ,got something no one else has a heart,determination ,pride in a jumper ! Cmon horse wont even accept match payments ?

[Melbournehammer]

tippett will go as well as buddy.

I remain in the keep shaw camp although like everyone i think he is basically a liability. but I say keep him because the rest of the defenders are so accountable but are in no way ever willing to take the game on. the rest stuff it up as much as he does (see smith, N. or Grundy R. or Rampe D. as examples) but he never shirks the responsibility to keep attacking. Without him we have simply no run from the backline at all and while I like what i have seen of jones I see him currently more in the smith N stop your man school than in the shaw malceski tadgh school of running from behind the ball to create options.

i think it probably has to be towers and b jack that come in for tippett and buddy although the ressies watchers will know whether nankervis could come in for tippett to ruck and provide a forward line contest.

[Plugger46]

I can't believe in this day and age that we have to wait til Monday for the MRP findings. Ridiculous.

[Triple B]

I can't believe in this day and age that we have to wait til Monday for the MRP findings. Ridiculous.

Couldn't agree more, it's disruptive to the clubs involved and not fair on the players themselves. In fact, you could make a case that it is unfair on Port Adelaide this week in trying to prepare without knowing if Buddy/Tippo are in/out.

Thurs/Fri games should be assessed Sat morning and released Sat afternoon, Sat games on Sun afternoon and Sunday games on Monday.

This week we have the totally ridiculous situation of going into the final training session tomorrow morning for this weeks match with less than 24hrs notice on just who can or cannot play. Not ideal, especially given the gravity of our possible outs. When Thursday night games become more the rule rather than the exception it will be farcical.

[Conor_Dillon]

I can't believe in this day and age that we have to wait til Monday for the MRP findings. Ridiculous.

+ 1 to that.

Wouldn't surprise me if it's a deliberate ploy from the AFL to keep generating headlines after the round has finished.

[ScottH]

Can't believe the confident suspension predictions. How would anyone have a clue what the MRP are going to do?

I think both deserve a suspension but wouldn't be surprised with any result. Neither Tiger was hurt which should help our cause.

Tippett should get a week just for being a dumb ass.

[ScottH]

2's report:

State league affiliate: Sydney Swans (NEAFL)
This weekend: Sydney Swans v Sydney University - Friday June 26, 4.10pm, SCG

Brandon Jack has put himself in the box seat to earn a recall to the senior team after being best afield for the Swans in Friday night's curtain raiser.

Jack, the younger brother of Swans co-captain Kieren, racked up 29 touches, while also booting two majors. He also had seven tackles.

Dean Towers did his senior chances little harm with 21 disposals and a goal.

George Hewett, pick No.32 in the 2013 draft, also impressed with 20 disposals and 10 tackles.

Around the state leagues: Who fired or flopped for your club in this weekend's second tier? - AFL.com.au

[RogueSwan]

I can't believe in this day and age that we have to wait til Monday for the MRP findings. Ridiculous.

I recall Nathan Burke explaining the process on Grandstand a couple of months ago.
Now this is testing my memory ... each member gets a 3-4 games to watch, not all see every game but they do overlap.
They then meet on Monday and go through any reports and any incidents they spotted on their review.
The details are then announced Monday arvo sometime.
The delay might be in being able to get the all the MRP together numerous times over the weekend?

[Plugger46]

I recall Nathan Burke explaining the process on Grandstand a couple of months ago.
Now this is testing my memory ... each member gets a 3-4 games to watch, not all see every game but they do overlap.
They then meet on Monday and go through any reports and any incidents they spotted on their review.
The details are then announced Monday arvo sometime.
The delay might be in being able to get the all the MRP together numerous times over the weekend?

I think you're pretty much spot on. Unacceptable process at this level in my view.

[liz]

I am surprised at the MRP members reviewing games for incidents. I would have expected this to be performed by a group of two or three umpires (or umpiring department staff) who they refer through to the MRP incidents they believe need to be reviewed.

[Conor_Dillon]

Both players can accept 1 game, Goodes obviously cleared. Nathan Gordon also cleared but I thought his was worse than Tippett's.