Changes for Round 17 v GWS

[Nico]

Is Aliir really faster than Florent or Hayward over 4 quarters of footy? If so, I'm all for it then. I doubt it though.

Africans from some parts of Africa are only sprinters yet others from other parts are only stayers. My observation of Allir is that he appears to have the stamina to see out a game as well as these boys. He could be somewhere in the middle. I watched Majak on the weekend and came to the conclusion that he won't improve much on what he has achieved so far, whereas Allir has so much upside because of his speed. It might just be that once he gets back in the team you won't be able to get him out with a crow bar.

[KTigers]

This is a good point. The game is likely to be very close, and it is who is likely to be still going and can hold
their nerve at the 25 minute mark of the last quarter after having absorbed 80 plus tackles that will win.
I expect this match will be brutal, and not unlike the Dogs-GWS prelim last year, and the winner will basically
fall over the line.

Is Aliir really faster than Florent or Hayward over 4 quarters of footy? If so, I'm all for it then. I doubt it though.

[Doctor]

In: Kennedy
Out: Robinson

That's all that will happen barring injuries that we're not aware of, and fair enough too.

[Legs Akimbo]

As an aside I was recently introduced to the ex North player Anthony Stevens, who now goes to the yoga studio I attend. What struck me was how tall he is. Yet on the field you would say he was an average size midfielder. He has to be 6'2". I would have said 5'10" at the most when he played. IIRC he mainly matched up on midfielder rather than as a role player. By the way, a really nice bloke.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php...nthony_Stevens he is 1.78m or 5 foot 8 inches.

Just saying

[Vonsteinman]

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php...nthony_Stevens he is 1.78m or 5 foot 8 inches.

Just saying

As someone who is 178cm, I can assure you that it equates to just over 5'10!

[Legs Akimbo]

As someone who is 178cm, I can assure you that it equates to just over 5'10!

Haha - sure it is

[bloodsbigot]

I think we should bring in a couple of in-form reserves players to bring roughness against Johnson and Greene and get rubbed out for a few weeks.

You just know that entire team (GWS) will play dirty.

[barry]

The swans shouldn't go taller because the giants are actually too tall. They looked better against hawthorn when lobb was rucking and mummy was on the bench.

This could be mummy's last year.

[Odysseus]

In: Kennedy
Out: Robinson

That's all that will happen barring injuries that we're not aware of, and fair enough too.

I agree with this.

Despite our love for Allir, I wouldn't bring him in for such an important match.

Dropping Newman on the basis of one game in which he wasn't up to his usual standard would be a mistake, IMHO. What quicker way of crushing a player's confidence? (For that reason I'm glad we persevered with Towers when he played a couple of weaker games, and he has rewarded us. I hope he keeps going.)

Can't quite get over how well Rohan played; love him as I do, a month ago I would have dropped him. Then he plays one of his best matches. After seeing him against Carlton when he just didn't seem to have a clue (even before he was concussed, after which he certainly didn't have a clue), his turn-around has been massive. All credit to him - and to the selection panel for sticking with him.

I'm not sold on Florent at this stage, though he looks good for the future; maybe his spot might be less secure.

Go Bloods!

[Beerman]

Dropping Newman on the basis of one game in which he wasn't up to his usual standard would be a mistake, IMHO. What quicker way of crushing a player's confidence? (For that reason I'm glad we persevered with Towers when he played a couple of weaker games, and he has rewarded us. I hope he keeps going.)

Can't quite get over how well Rohan played; love him as I do, a month ago I would have dropped him. Then he plays one of his best matches. After seeing him against Carlton when he just didn't seem to have a clue (even before he was concussed, after which he certainly didn't have a clue), his turn-around has been massive. All credit to him - and to the selection panel for sticking with him.

I'm not sold on Florent at this stage, though he looks good for the future; maybe his spot might be less secure.

It's not just one match for Newman, it's the past two or three. I'm not calling for his head just yet - he's still ok and has earned the chance to play through it.

If Rohan & Towers can maintain that form, then I think we have the best forward line in the comp. Buddy, Reid, Rohan & Towers are all tall AND mobile which is just going to create nightmares for defenders. I love the set-up with Rohan playing deep where he can use his size and speed to beat his opponent, and freeing up Buddy to roam up and down the wing.

[Odysseus]

It's not just one match for Newman, it's the past two or three. I'm not calling for his head just yet - he's still ok and has earned the chance to play through it.

If Rohan & Towers can maintain that form, then I think we have the best forward line in the comp. Buddy, Reid, Rohan & Towers are all tall AND mobile which is just going to create nightmares for defenders. I love the set-up with Rohan playing deep where he can use his size and speed to beat his opponent, and freeing up Buddy to roam up and down the wing.

I was closer to Ludwig's territory than my usual habitat in Melbourne for the Melbourne game, and so completely missed it. So your comment on Newman is of interest to me; still, we both seem to want him to be allowed the opportunity to work back to better form.

As for your comment re forward line, +1. It's great to watch the development of our fire-power. I noticed that one of the commentators also remarked on our lessening reliance on Buddy for goals, and with the variety of threats we pose in the forward line, it bodes well.

[Ludwig]

I don't understand the criticism of Nic Newman. Even with the few kicking errors he made last game, he was still much better than Hannebery. But I understand that Hanners was playing with a corked thigh and is a star of the team. Newman's defensive work has not dropped whatsoever during this stretch of 8 consecutive games he's played. The previous game v Melbourne he had 25 disposals, 8 marks and 5 tackles and was one our better players. In the Essendon game, he kicked 2 critical goals that helped get us over the line. So what is the criticism about, other than a few miskicks that every player makes from time to time?

I'm very pleased that we selected Ollie Florent in the draft and he shows all the signs that he will have a very good career. But except for a few moments of good play in each game, he hasn't produced all that much this year and looks very much a rookie player getting adjusted to AFL footy. Even if Aliir is not chosen this week, there are still several other players, including Marsh and Laidler, who would contribute more than Florent has. We are heading into a very tough part of fixture and we have to be playing our best players for here on.

[ernie koala]

Unless injuries dictate otherwise.....For mine it's ...
OUT : Robinson, Florent
IN : Kennedy, Hayward

Best of luck to Deano rucking against Lobb/Mummy....

My advise...Forget tapping, just duck and weave and try and win a bit of loose ball on the ground when Mummy's not looking.

[MattW]

Yeah, on reflection I was probably a bit harsh on Newman to suggest he could make way for Aliir. He was down on Saturday, kicked more poorly than usual, but has definitely earned a longer run it. (I'd dispute he was 'much better' than Hannebery, though.)

I think it was in part borne out of wanting to get Joey, Hayward and Aliir back in. In truth, there probably aren't three players to replace. I do think Florent will make way for Hayward or Aliir. I'm willing Ollie on and he's had some nice touches, but he doesn't look ready yet. Given it's the Giants, I'd prefer Aliir for his presence and athleticism, but wouldn't be surprised to see Will back and that'd be great too.

[Beerman]

I don't understand the criticism of Nic Newman. Even with the few kicking errors he made last game, he was still much better than Hannebery. But I understand that Hanners was playing with a corked thigh and is a star of the team. Newman's defensive work has not dropped whatsoever during this stretch of 8 consecutive games he's played. The previous game v Melbourne he had 25 disposals, 8 marks and 5 tackles and was one our better players. In the Essendon game, he kicked 2 critical goals that helped get us over the line. So what is the criticism about, other than a few miskicks that every player makes from time to time?

I'm very pleased that we selected Ollie Florent in the draft and he shows all the signs that he will have a very good career. But except for a few moments of good play in each game, he hasn't produced all that much this year and looks very much a rookie player getting adjusted to AFL footy. Even if Aliir is not chosen this week, there are still several other players, including Marsh and Laidler, who would contribute more than Florent has. We are heading into a very tough part of fixture and we have to be playing our best players for here on.

I agree with you on both players.

The criticism of Newman is relative to his performances earlier in the year. He seems to be making a few more errors, but that might be a consequence of him being more involved in the game. Nevertheless, his intensity and effort is as good as it has ever been and if keeps going as he has been he should be ok. I agree that he contributed more than Hannebery, or Zak Jones for that matter.