Changes for Rnd 7 V Essendon

[aguy]

Rose is 6'1", I would say he was a medium sized forward?

Rose is interesting. He looks lively in the seniors when playing but then he goes missing for long periods. I'd love to see him in the team at some stage just not sure where and for whom

[liz]

Heeney seems to be playing the early parts of games very deep in the forward line, only released further up the ground when he's struggling to get a touch in the forward line. This may be a deliberate policy, given his knee tendonitis issues, but I'd love to see him given earlier opportunities to play as a higher half-forward (as Hewett and Robinson are doing) or on the wing. That opens up a deeper forward spot for someone like Rose. All of our younger players have exceeded expectations so far this year, but it is inevitable that they will be inconsistent, whether due to their bodies struggling to cope with the physicality week after week, or just because they are young and inexperienced. I think we saw some evidence of that at the weekend, with all of them making some contribution but not over four quarters.

I'd like to see Rose introduced into a rotation with the others so that he gets a chance to play a handful of senior games in a row and get a feel for the pace and rhythm and senior team structures. I suspect what is holding him back slightly, compared to Heeney, Robinson and Hewett in particular, is his upper body size and the impact on his tackling. But in the game against GWS that he starred in during the second half, his tackling was a notable feature. I've not seen him since, so I don't know if that was a one off. But if he can improve his technique, and try to tackle with his core, rather than his upper body, there's no reason why he can't hold his own at senior level.

[aguy]

I agree that rose is being held back because of his need to have more defensive pressure in his game.

[Mug Punter]

Pretty straightforward this week:

Smith in; Jones out, thought Zak did OK but think he'll be in and out all year and probably get 10-14 games this year and really push for a regular spot next year.

If Sinclair is in any doubt at all then don't risk him and give Nankervis another go as he is coming along nicely as our third ruckman but we must be kicking ourselves that GWS took Lobb ahead of our second rounder that draft.

AA will be better for the run and I believe that our debutants are usually virtually guaranteed a spot for at least a couple of weeks to ease the first game nerves and he did quite well. McVeigh stays (early contender for dumbest idea of the year for dropping him) as does Papley. I'd like to see Hewett have a good four quarters this week, he's coming along nicely and he will be a good long term player but right now he'll be making way for Sam Reid when he is fit again.

Rohan needs at least another couple of weeks in the twos but whose spot would he take? No way can you drop Lloyd and I'd almost say the same for Robbo who are two easy targets, Maybe Hewett, I really find it hard to find a spot for him at the moment so he might be there in the NEAFL for longer than we think.

[Mug Punter]

Rose is interesting. He looks lively in the seniors when playing but then he goes missing for long periods. I'd love to see him in the team at some stage just not sure where and for whom

I see Rose as forming part of a relatively long term block of decent squad players that provide good depth for the senior squad and provide a strong NEAFL side, both of which are important. Unlike many clubs I think we really value stability in the squad and by being not too ruthless we allow development. And provided these guys don't mind being paid relatively modestly and are good professional role models for new players then I think the club provides patience.

I see Towers, BJ, Rose and Nankervis in this category, I don't think they'll ever play a heap of senior footy and I'd be worried if they were in our finals teams but they'll do a job when required during the season. It's part of the re-building of our depth that is seeing our ressies going really well again after a couple of years where we struggled just a little

[Faunac8]

There is a theory that Brisbane was able to dominate in the midfield because they had an extra, while our extra was back in defense covering any problems with Aliir.

In which case its a poor strategy. Against Essendon you'd hope we roll the dice and play man on man throughout the whole ground.

It was pretty obvious from being at the game that we played a spare man in defence throughout a lot of the game . At the end that we were sitting at Dane Rampe appeared to be playing almost like a sweeper / goalkeeper in the second and fourth quarters. Whether this was to " cover any problems " or just a reasonably sensible plan given the wet conditions I don't know.
Hindsight is a powerful and convenient tool when assessing how our sporting teams perform from week to week ????

[mcs]

I see Rose as forming part of a relatively long term block of decent squad players that provide good depth for the senior squad and provide a strong NEAFL side, both of which are important. Unlike many clubs I think we really value stability in the squad and by being not too ruthless we allow development. And provided these guys don't mind being paid relatively modestly and are good professional role models for new players then I think the club provides patience.

I see Towers, BJ, Rose and Nankervis in this category, I don't think they'll ever play a heap of senior footy and I'd be worried if they were in our finals teams but they'll do a job when required during the season. It's part of the re-building of our depth that is seeing our ressies going really well again after a couple of years where we struggled just a little

I think Rose will play a lot of senior footy - be it at the Swans or somewhere else. There is something about him, but he needs to be patient, and we need to be patient when he gets another chance. The kid can play good footy.

The other three I agree to some extent - although I truly think BJ must be at huge risk of getting the chop sooner rather than later.

[MattW]

Pretty straightforward this week:

Smith in; Jones out, thought Zak did OK but think he'll be in and out all year and probably get 10-14 games this year and really push for a regular spot next year.

If Sinclair is in any doubt at all then don't risk him and give Nankervis another go as he is coming along nicely as our third ruckman but we must be kicking ourselves that GWS took Lobb ahead of our second rounder that draft.

AA will be better for the run and I believe that our debutants are usually virtually guaranteed a spot for at least a couple of weeks to ease the first game nerves and he did quite well. McVeigh stays (early contender for dumbest idea of the year for dropping him) as does Papley. I'd like to see Hewett have a good four quarters this week, he's coming along nicely and he will be a good long term player but right now he'll be making way for Sam Reid when he is fit again.

Rohan needs at least another couple of weeks in the twos but whose spot would he take? No way can you drop Lloyd and I'd almost say the same for Robbo who are two easy targets, Maybe Hewett, I really find it hard to find a spot for him at the moment so he might be there in the NEAFL for longer than we think.

I agree with all of this.

Those advocating that McVeigh be dropped have short memories. He's a very smart player and will keep getting better over the year. He's earned a bit of patience.

Jones seems to have improved his propensity to concede free kicks against, but his general play has not really improved. He's not a naturally good decision maker and still handballs into trouble more than most. Best when he runs - his straight line running is impressive and could be important.

Interesting that Hewett followed a game in which he had a storming second half with a game when he had a storming first quarter. A confidence or fitness issue, perhaps? He kicks really well.

Mills' courage is super impressive. Flies at the ball. Hard nut. Evidently ambitious - wants to be dominant, will be.

Robinson has done OK, but I am not convinced. It still feels like he doesn't feel he belongs. He's first out for Rohan, in my view (although not this week).

Very pleased for Aliir and he was composed with the ball (which Longmire noted post game was his strength), but conspicuously did not attack the contests. That's understandable in his first game, but will need to lift his intensity considerably.

Final word for Rampe. He's clearly improved again this year and has been our best defender in several games. Hardly ever beaten one-on-one, sticks his tackles, runs away from most forwards, and his kicking is more reliable (and long). He's our second most important defender to Grundy.

[0918330512]

Will Sinclair be ok? Will Smith be ok? Will Rohan be back? Is McVeigh getting a game purely on reputation? Should Lloyd be dropped? Do we need Papley and McGlynn in the same team? Does Aliir get another game?

Outs. Sinclair, Jones, and ?
Ins. Nankervis, Rohan, Smith.

he be ok in Independence Day.
He be excellent in Ali
He be crap in After Earth

[Ludwig]

Admittedly, I underestimated Brisbane and wasn't expecting such a close game. They brought their best for that game. Their midfield is really quite good when they're all in form, and they were. That being said, I don't think playing Aliir and Jones hurt us much, although you would expect that our regulars would have been better. I am still looking at the Essendon as another opportunity to develop players. Especially at home, I can't see any risk in this game.

I suspect the Jones was dropped, in part, for giving away 6 frees in 3 games. I noticed he was clean in that area. I would imagine that the instructions for both Jones and Aliir were not to do the spectacular, but to play a solid game and not to give away any silly frees and both did that quite well in that regard.

Of the under-40 gamers group, I would put Hewett just behind Heeney and Mills as the one most likely to be an A Grade player and he would the last one dropped from the side, all other things being equal.

I wouldn't mind giving Nanka another game even if Sinclair is okay, but perhaps Sinclair needs an opportunity to step up a bit and recapture his early season form.

Rose looks a likely type and seems destined for a senior position some time down the road. It's a bit difficult now with us pushing midfielder into the forward line or back line because we already have a full midfield. Rose was given some time in the midfield in one of the NEAFL YouTube games and looked very good. It's hard to know when he will be given some more senior games and at whose expense.

I would have like to see both Rohan and Reid get a senior game before Rounds 9 and 10 when we play Hawthorn and NM, but that time frame is looking very tight at the moment, especially for Reid.

[Mug Punter]

I agree with all of this.

Those advocating that McVeigh be dropped have short memories. He's a very smart player and will keep getting better over the year. He's earned a bit of patience.

Jones seems to have improved his propensity to concede free kicks against, but his general play has not really improved. He's not a naturally good decision maker and still handballs into trouble more than most. Best when he runs - his straight line running is impressive and could be important.

Interesting that Hewett followed a game in which he had a storming second half with a game when he had a storming first quarter. A confidence or fitness issue, perhaps? He kicks really well.

Mills' courage is super impressive. Flies at the ball. Hard nut. Evidently ambitious - wants to be dominant, will be.

Robinson has done OK, but I am not convinced. It still feels like he doesn't feel he belongs. He's first out for Rohan, in my view (although not this week).

Very pleased for Aliir and he was composed with the ball (which Longmire noted post game was his strength), but conspicuously did not attack the contests. That's understandable in his first game, but will need to lift his intensity considerably.

Final word for Rampe. He's clearly improved again this year and has been our best defender in several games. Hardly ever beaten one-on-one, sticks his tackles, runs away from most forwards, and his kicking is more reliable (and long). He's our second most important defender to Grundy.

The one thing Jones gives us is some genuine mongrel. Maybe we take his big bro into account too much, I don't know, but I think he will be a good player for us. Perhaps not a star but a player that can have a very successful AFL career with us.

Very very happy with Rampe this year, he had a period last year where he seemed to stall but he's gone to another level this year and he is super super consistent, I just love his story and I hope we give him a little upgrade and an extra year on his deal if he continues on like this because I'd hazard a guess and say he is being paid a lot less than some of his peers

[Mug Punter]

]The other three I agree to some extent - although I truly think BJ must be at huge risk of getting the chop sooner rather than later.

He's signed until the end of next year so he's pretty safe till then but you'd expect some improvement to be kept on. Last year he had a spell where I finally thought he was going to make it.

He still may, he's still quite young and he's got a decent engine which is a good sign. I'd see him as a run with style player and I can see there being a return of that type of player with the increased emphasis on fitness. Time will tell I guess

[longmile]

I genuinely think Nankervis is in career best form. Looking pretty solid at the moment and seriously wouldn't mind playing him, but can't see him getting any better.

[707]

Still think there's a place for taggers and BJ could make a good one. Thought Zorko should have been tagged at the weekend, cut us up.

Essendon away from home shouldn't be any danger, think selection this week will reflect that, maybe rest Mills as he is only young and plays a crash in in type game, if Smith is right to return.

Aliir will feel more relaxed this week and hopefully we put a space on Essendon early so there is less pressure.

[bandwagon]

I genuinely think Nankervis is in career best form. Looking pretty solid at the moment and seriously wouldn't mind playing him, but can't see him getting any better.

Who knows - but he is a 21 yo ruckman who has shown development every year so far, so I'd be a bit more positive about his chances.