Round 16 Changes

[AB Swannie]

With the MRP clearing Jones, the next interesting event will be the injury update tomorrow.

If there are no injuries, I can't find a spot for Allir. Our back six last week were listed as Grundy, Melican, Smith, Jones, Rampe, and Lloyd. Mills and McVeigh are also predominantly in defence with Newman chipping in too. On form, I can't see Allir replacing any one of these defenders.

If there are injuries, I think the most likely to be out are Mills and Smith. If Jones had major cheekbone damage, we'd already know I reckon. Allir would come in for Mills and Marsh for Smith.

[Ludwig]

With the MRP clearing Jones, the next interesting event will be the injury update tomorrow.

If there are no injuries, I can't find a spot for Allir. Our back six last week were listed as Grundy, Melican, Smith, Jones, Rampe, and Lloyd. Mills and McVeigh are also predominantly in defence with Newman chipping in too. On form, I can't see Allir replacing any one of these defenders.

If there are injuries, I think the most likely to be out are Mills and Smith. If Jones had major cheekbone damage, we'd already know I reckon. Allir would come in for Mills and Marsh for Smith.

Aliir should come in for structural reasons alone. He would replace either Florent or Towers. The final spot in the side you can pick from Florent, Towers, Hayward, Dawson and Robinson. We have a lot of decent players to compete for those final spots in the side when our injury list is short.

I wouldn't mind seeing Robbo come in and try a tagging role, perhaps with help from Hewett, on Ablett. Robbo was given some tagging roles in the past in the NEAFL and was very effective. Dawson also deserves a shot given his solid season.

Injuries permitting, by the time August rolls around, Aliir will be in the side and Towers will not.

[AB Swannie]

Aliir should come in for structural reasons alone.

I understand your argument but I'm yet to be convinced that I agree with it. Firstly, I would consider Rampe as a KPP regardless of his listed height. Secondly, if we are too short, we'd be getting smashed in contested marks. However, the contrary is true - we haven't been beaten in contested marks since we lost this stat to Carlton in round 6.

[Ludwig]

I understand your argument but I'm yet to be convinced that I agree with it. Firstly, I would consider Rampe as a KPP regardless of his listed height. Secondly, if we are too short, we'd be getting smashed in contested marks. However, the contrary is true - we haven't been beaten in contested marks since we lost this stat to Carlton in round 6.

Most teams are only playing 2 true key forwards and Rampe can usually take the third in any case. We were a little lucky that Hooker was out for the Essendon game, because McKernan is not is the same class as Hooker, but he did kid 2 goals nonetheless. We did get caught in mismatches on several occasions in the Melbourne game. I remember one with Lloyd playing on Tom McDonald, who easily took a mark on him. There is also the common situation of Reid playing the final few minutes of a quarter as a loose defender, which wouldn't be necessary if Aliir were in the team.

In the GC game, I would play Aliir on the wing and forward, dropping into defence as required, in a similar role to Jack Watts, or Nick Riewoldt of late. Aliir has been playing more forward recently in the NEAFL, with some stints in the ruck, I believe in anticipation of this role when elevated to the senior team. Some have suggested that this might be due to the expectation of losing Reid to free agency, but if this were true, it could always wait to the pre-season next year.

I believe the team functions better when Rampe is allowed more freedom rather than being tied down in a difficult coverage situation. He can generate so much rebound out of defence and is dangerous when allowed to get into the midfield. Bringing Aliir into the side has a lot of small, but important benefits. This is what I mean by making a structural change.

[707]

McKernan kicked one after taking a dive that the umpire fell for!

[AB Swannie]

I think Rampe's great value to us is that he has the ability to shut down the opposition's most athletic forward while also damaging them in the rebound. This is what got him AA selection last year. He is our Rance. If Buddy was still with the Hawks, Rampe would be the defender we would put on him.

I must admit that I haven't seen enough of Aliir forward or on a wing to make comment on how he'd go there in our best 22. Has he got the tank to play this role? If he does then I'm all for it. However, as a defender, I don't think he's done enough right or probably more that the others have done enough wrong for him to be brought into the side.

[mattybloods]

I must admit that I haven't seen enough of Aliir forward or on a wing to make comment on how he'd go there in our best 22

Me too, but based on his style of play (playing on is his default, always try to hit up a target rather than bombing long) I like the idea of Aliir as a wing/high forward. Will be interesting to see whether he can find a spot in the senior side and where that position will be

[Doctor]

Aliir should come in for structural reasons alone. He would replace either Florent or Towers. The final spot in the side you can pick from Florent, Towers, Hayward, Dawson and Robinson. We have a lot of decent players to compete for those final spots in the side when our injury list is short.

I wouldn't mind seeing Robbo come in and try a tagging role, perhaps with help from Hewett, on Ablett. Robbo was given some tagging roles in the past in the NEAFL and was very effective. Dawson also deserves a shot given his solid season.

Injuries permitting, by the time August rolls around, Aliir will be in the side and Towers will not.

We're 6 from our last 7 with Towers in the team and Aliir not. Is it possible that Aliir's not currently in our best 22? You've been pushing his barrow with ardent fervour all season but structurally we seem to be going ok at the moment. I hope that he'll be in our best 22 in future seasons, but he clearly isn't right now.

[0918330512]

We're 6 from our last 7 with Towers in the team and Aliir not. Is it possible that Aliir's not currently in our best 22? You've been pushing his barrow with ardent fervour all season but structurally we seem to be going ok at the moment. I hope that he'll be in our best 22 in future seasons, but he clearly isn't right now.

The other way to look at it is we've fallen over the line a couple of times from the last 7, could we have won more easily with Aliir?

[Markwebbos]

There's been a lot of talk about AA playing a role other than as a defender. Largely because Melican has gone past him in the pecking order.

Is there any evidence that AA would make a good ruckman / wing / swing man etc?

[Doctor]

The other way to look at it is we've fallen over the line a couple of times from the last 7, could we have won more easily with Aliir?

On recent form and with the injury disrupted season he's had? No.

[mcs]

Me too, but based on his style of play (playing on is his default, always try to hit up a target rather than bombing long) I like the idea of Aliir as a wing/high forward. Will be interesting to see whether he can find a spot in the senior side and where that position will be

AA played as a key forward on the weekend in the NEAFL, and while he did well, I wouldn't say it was outstanding against a very much undermanned and weakened Canberra team. Wasted a few shots at goal, dropped some marks he should have held, but worked hard and did ok overall. He didn't ruck at all, even with Sinclair as the lone ruckman (Pinky too the relieving role).

[AB Swannie]

Just watched the injury update and there wasn't much in it apart from Hayward being given another week off.

Mills was mentioned but nothing given away. I think they will be conservative and give him a rest. After all, he still really is a kid too.

No mention of Jones or Smith.

Therefore, my early guess is:

Out: Mills
In: Marsh

However, I can also see Aliir being given an opportunity and the game will then serve as internal competition between Aliir, Towers, and Florent for the GWS game.

[Blood Fever]

Just watched the injury update and there wasn't much in it apart from Hayward being given another week off.

Mills was mentioned but nothing given away. I think they will be conservative and give him a rest. After all, he still really is a kid too.

No mention of Jones or Smith.

Therefore, my early guess is:

Out: Mills
In: Marsh

However, I can also see Aliir being given an opportunity and the game will then serve as internal competition between Aliir, Towers, and Florent for the GWS game.

Harley never gives much away. Not entirely convinced that Smith will be right. Had a horrible limp up after the game. Hope I'm wrong.

[707]

Out: Mills, In Marsh or Robinson

Good to see them err on the side of caution with Tippett and Hayward not having them considered for seniors or NEAFL, probably will with Mills as well.