1st Qualifying Final Freo v Sydney Pre Match Discussion

[stellation]

I just worry that Bird looked gassed to me watching the ressies feed on the weekend. On the open expanses of Subi he will be found wanting 1st up in a high pressure final. I certainly rate Bird ahead of Towers, but all things considered would not drop Towers at his expense for this game...

I have to agree- normally I'd think Bird over Towers, but if he's not ready to run out a full game I can't see how we could bring him in to play in a final at Subi. It would be a big risk on such a big ground, particularly if it was at the expense of a guy who is in the team to run.

[Plugger46]

McGlynn and Bird have played two games between them since R9. No way I would play both of them.

You can probably get by with one but multiple underdone players in finals doesn't work.

[stellation]

McGlynn and Bird have played two games between them since R9. No way I would play both of them.

You can probably get by with one but multiple underdone players in finals doesn't work.

Agreed, one underdone max (and that's really probably a stretch). I'd take Ben over Craig.

[dimelb]

Someone else remarked that Ben is the closest thing to a like-for-like swap with Kieren, and I agree. I'm a staunch fan of Craig but I wouldn't pick him for this match either; I just hope he keeps working hard on his fitness as we may need him later.

[Nico]

Someone else remarked that Ben is the closest thing to a like-for-like swap with Kieren, and I agree. I'm a staunch fan of Craig but I wouldn't pick him for this match either; I just hope he keeps working hard on his fitness as we may need him later.

And if we can get 2.5 quarters of hard running that would be good. This is another reason the sub is a crock. With 4 players to rotate you could have a player slightly underdone but get better value from him over 4 quarters.

[annew]

In one news article it states that Nick Smith suffered hamstring in training

[liz]

In response to Ludwig's suggestion, I've moved all the posts in this thread discussing Buddy's absence and related topics to the thread that had already been created about Buddy. It is still a mishmash of footy and non-footy related observations but for now I'll leave it as one thread, rather than try and chop it up.

If posters want a separate thread where they can discuss depression and other mental health issues more generally, one can be created (and I can move the non-footy posts from the Buddy thread into that one).

[bloodspirit]

So now you have to assume that the changes to the team will be

OUT Franklin Kizza
IN Mcglynn McVeigh.

Towers gets another game he may just wear the vest this week.

Go Swans and look after yourself bud

Plus maybe Bird for Lloyd with Bird to take the vest?

[bloodspirit]

We should be very happy as this game marks the reality that John Longmire has been a more successful coach than Paul Roos.

Paul Roos's first five seasons were:

03 - Preliminary
04 - Week 2
05 - Premiers
06 - Grand Finalists
07 - 1st Week

Longmire will at least go:

11 - 2nd Week
12 - Premiers
13 - Preliminary
14 - Grand Finalists
15 - At least week two.

That is at least one additional finals game compared to Roos's tenure (first five years).

Well done Longmire.

This is not a fair comparison. Roos was bringing the club from a fair way further back. In 2002 the club finished 12th even after he helped them finish the season strongly. He handed the reins over to Horse with the club primed for success. In 2011 when Horse started we had finished 5th the preceding season and he had a core of finals-hardened players, and also some outstanding youth like the reigning rising star winner, Dan Hannebery, plus our 2009 first round draft picks Rohan and Jetta where Rohan was our highest first round draft pick since 2002 (McVeigh). Our 2012 flag winning side had more talent than our 2005 side - even though both sides were overachievers.

I think Roos is not getting sufficient credit for the work he is doing at Melbourne either. Now there is a side that is coming from a LOOONNNNNGGGGG way back and has made progress each of the two years he has been in charge and likely to make more progress again next year. Just because they are not contending yet and their form fluctuates and he blames the players some times doesn't mean he is not doing a terrific job for the club. Again he is going to handover the reins of a club primed for success with young talent like Hogan, Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem plus whoever they draft this year plus the McDonalds, Stretch, Neal-Bullen and so on. They have done some great trading (Vince! Tyson! Robinson?!) drafting under Roos watch and I dare say he deserves some of the credit.

[CJK]

Smith out confirmed.

Smith given an extra week - sydneyswans.com.au

[Nico]

Maybe Smith should sit out games at Etihad Stadium. Not the first time he has done the hammie there.

[barry]

We shouldnt give up on this final.
Sure we are without Parker, Buddy and Jack, but we've essentially been without Buddy for nearly 2 months now. He's been a shadow of himself.
And Freo will be without Fyfe and Ballantyne.

The game is there to be won. Chances are we will have Bud back for the home prelim. Parker back for the granny. Suddenly all we are missing is Jack, and he might even make the granny.

Snag a win against the depleted Dockers and our season comes back to life in a big way.

[Mel_C]

If you listen to the media it is all doom and gloom and we will be out in straight sets and that Richmond and North are rubbing their hands together!

I hope that Freo are too confident .

[mcs]

If you listen to the media it is all doom and gloom and we will be out in straight sets and that Richmond and North are rubbing their hands together!

I hope that Freo are too confident .

Even with the current outs, I'd be ultimately disappointed if we cant make a prelim. Our home finals record in recent seasons is superb, and I think we will win an elimination semi against either of them.

[Mug Punter]

I think Roos is not getting sufficient credit for the work he is doing at Melbourne either. Now there is a side that is coming from a LOOONNNNNGGGGG way back and has made progress each of the two years he has been in charge and likely to make more progress again next year. Just because they are not contending yet and their form fluctuates and he blames the players some times doesn't mean he is not doing a terrific job for the club. Again he is going to handover the reins of a club primed for success with young talent like Hogan, Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem plus whoever they draft this year plus the McDonalds, Stretch, Neal-Bullen and so on. They have done some great trading (Vince! Tyson! Robinson?!) drafting under Roos watch and I dare say he deserves some of the credit.

Could not agree more. It's amazing what a difference that round 23 win has done for the vibe though.

I think he has laid a fantastic platform and a good list - if he can get them from 2-20 with a 50% to, say, 10-12 with a 85% then he will have done a very good turnaround.