1st Qualifying Final Freo v Sydney Pre Match Discussion

[Matt79]

Match confirmed Saturday afternoon 1.20pm local time (3.20pm Syd / Mel).

Massive task but at least we have given ourselves a chance.

Initial Changes OUT: K Jack (Inj) B.Jack (Omitted) Z Jones
IN: Mcglynn, McVeigh, Smith

[Mug Punter]

Match confirmed Saturday afternoon 1.20pm local time (3.20pm Syd / Mel).

Massive task but at least we have given ourselves a chance.

Initial Changes OUT: K Jack (Inj) B.Jack (Omitted) Z Jones
IN: Mcglynn, McVeigh, Smith

Tough call to omit BJ but afraid I agree. BJ will be much better for this season and I think that with another top off season he can become a very good AFL footballer. Zak Jones will slide into Shaw's spot pretty seamlessly next season, he just needs to be patient.

If Gary Rohan is out then I'd keep Zak Jones in.

And I never though I'd say this but Dean Towers must play nest week, he was just great out there tonight

[ugg]

I think Lloyd will make way before BJ, if you take their form over the past month or so into consideration

[Matt79]

I think Lloyd will make way before BJ, if you take their form over the past month or so into consideration

Yeah, fair call. Geez we need Rohan's speed and defensive pressure over there...hope the knee is not too bad.

[DamY]

Horse's post match pressed suggested Gaz was fine, expect him to line up next week

[ernie koala]

Given most of Freo's team had the week off, I'm surprised they elected for a Sat game over a Friday game.

I would of thought they would ask themselves...

Q: What will advantage us the most? A: Give the Swans a 6 day turnaround.

A mistake by Freo...IMO.

OUT : Jack, Lloyd, B Jack

IN : McVeigh, Smith, McGlynn

Given Horse's praise for Towers, he'll probably play. Problem is when ever he has played in a game with pressure, he goes missing.

I'd much prefer Bird in the side, as sub.

[longmile]

Personally I'd have

OUTS: K. Jack, Towers, Jones

INS: McGlynn, McVeigh, Smith

Would be good to fit Bird in there as well with the midfield weakened. Will be interesting week at the selection table

[aardvark]

Personally I'd have

OUTS: K. Jack, Towers, Jones

INS: McGlynn, McVeigh, Smith

Would be good to fit Bird in there as well with the midfield weakened. Will be interesting week at the selection table

Agree. BJ ahead of Towers for me. Lloyd is a worry too.

[longmile]

Agree. BJ ahead of Towers for me. Lloyd is a worry too.

I agree. Either Lloyd to sub or Bird in for Lloyd, but I feel like that may make us a bit inside heavy and 4 changes seems like alot to make, especially with McGlynn and Bird having very little senior time this year.

[aardvark]

7 Game day reckon Jack 2-3 weeks with a medial strain. Probably a good result if correct.

[Nico]

Yeah, fair call. Geez we need Rohan's speed and defensive pressure over there...hope the knee is not too bad.

But does Rohan get enough of the footy? 10 kicks, 2 handpasses, 5 marks, 1 tackle. does a lot of chasing but does it translate into tackles?

[barry]

The only "definates" are:

OUTS: K. Jack

INS: McVeigh, Smith

If Smith is not right, then it will be simple. McVeigh for Jack.

If Smith does come in, I'd say Lloyd would probably miss.

As for McGlynn, I dont think we will risk underdone players, when we already have Buddy and Rohan struggling in the forward line.
McGlynn is fighting with Towers and BJ for that forward spot.

[dimelb]

But does Rohan get enough of the footy? 10 kicks, 2 handpasses, 5 marks, 1 tackle. does a lot of chasing but does it translate into tackles?

I think yesterday he was playing mostly in defence. I prefer to see him up forward: leaves any defender for dead, consistently very good mark and reliable kick. Then you add in his capacity to apply forward pressure and either frighten the life out of defenders or run them down.

[Mel_C]

Out:
1. Slow starts against Freo
2. Dodgy WA/Freo biased umpires (i.e. Dagleish number 7 from earlier in the year).

[Ludwig]

I think some of the criticism of Lloyd has been unwarranted. I watched the replay of the 1st half and thought he played very well, particularly in the 1st qtr when he set up 2 good scoring shots. His kicking was spot on and his decision making was excellent.

His role is to set up on the wing and play that outside runner both offensively and defensively. He runs hard all day. He took 10 marks for the game. He is often there to slow down play on defensive transition, quickly moving back to help out in the defensive 50. He often presents as a secondary outlet option, most of the time not getting the ball delivered to him, but he keeps on providing that option. He doesn't fade out of the game.

We know he doesn't have the strength (yet) to contest the hard ball against the stronger bodies of mature AFL players. He was a good inside player in the NEAFL when it was a lot easier and is likely to improve over time with his physical development. I think he makes good choices as to when he should go hard at the ground ball and when it's best to lay off (because he's more likely to be effective if the ball comes loose to the outside when his chances of getting possession are improved).

He's not a big impact player, but is quite effective. I have said before that he needs to continue to improve if he wants to hold a spot in a very talented midfield, but so far he seems on track to give it a fair go. I expect that he'll have to fight hard to sneak into the 22 over the next several years. I think his prototype is someone like Steele Sidebottom.

On the big ground in Perth, his running ability could be valuable. I still think he's ahead of BJ at the moment. It's a tossup as to whether he would be preferable too Jones. It depends on what we need on the day.